The School Weekly - 24th October 2016


Mera Bali
Haldighati is a mountain pass in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan in western India which connects Rajsamand and Pali districts. The pass is located at a distance of 40km from Udaipur. The name 'Haldighati' is believed to have originated from the turmeric-coloured yellow soil of the area .Turmeric is haldi in Hindi. The mountain pass is historically a very significant location. It is the site of the famous Battle of Haldighati, which took place in 1576 between the Kingdom of Mewar and the Mughal Army led by king Mansingh. Maharana Pratap led the armed forces of Mewar against the Mughals who fought under the command of Mughal emperor Akbar's general Man Singh I of Amer Maharana Pratap's horse Chetak played a pivotal role in the Battle of Haldighati. Chetak was fatally wounded in this battle and died on June 21, 1576 .Maharana Pratap erected a small monument for his horse at the place where Chetak fell. The cenotaph still exists at Haldighati.
Haldighati is also world famous for its charity rose product and the mud art of Molela. Much emphasis is being laid for promoting a private cottage industry by the Department of Tourism. Actually, Haldighati is a mountain pass in the Aravalli range connecting districts of Rajsamand and Pali in Rajasthan. The place is at a comfortable distance of 40 kms from the city of Udaipur.
If you are interested in historic battles and heroic deeds of the courageous soldiers, then Haldighati is the perfect place to visit. Haldighati is a significant historical site that has observed the battle of 1576. The battle of Haldighati was a huge combat between Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar and Raja Man Singh of Amber. This ferocious battle created amount of bloodshed of the heroic soldiers and the red turned colour of sand still speaks of those daring people.  In the words of Col. James Todd (a British author), Haldighati has been referred as 'Thermopile of Mewar'. Haldighati is a place of interest for the people who value history and respect the heroes of India for their priceless efforts.
ALUMNI
On 18th August, last year, I formally started my career as the Executive Assistant to the Managing Director, at Fabindia. As it happened to be, 18th August was also the day when my Alma mater; the Fabindia School, Bali was celebrating its 20th Anniversary. I have spent all my life at Fabindia. My father worked for the best part of his career at the Fabindia School since 1990 and My uncle even before that, from 1988. Fabindia, has been an integral part of my family's identity. When I joined Mr.William Bissell as his assistant, life came to a full circle. I learnt the first steps of life at the Fabindia school, most of what I am today was shaped at the Fabindia School and by Mr. Bissell's vision and now I am learning my first steps in professional world under his guidance ,thus, what I will be, is also being shaped by the same vision. Hence, I proclaim myself a "Thoroughbred Fabindian" What is this vision? is the question , I intend to explore here. I often used to tell my friends at St. Stephen's College, that the biggest asset I possessed was a very liberal education; I received in the first few years of my life at the Fabindia School. I still remember talking with a volunteer from the Princeton University about the difference between Communism and Socialism in class VII!!! At that early age, when internet still was a rare privilege in Bali, I was exposed to the world of ideas, to the best minds and to a diversity of cultures. I think creating curiosity and having a mechanism to address that curiosity is what education should be all about and that's what the Fabindia education did to me. I remember, how for a whole term we did not go for the regular classes in English, instead we chose a topic of our interest and wrote a paper and presented it before the class. My brother who is an avid horse lover actually brought a real horse for the presentation. He otherwise was considered an academically 'poor' student, scored the second highest grades for his project; this is what happens when you give a child freedom to learn. Another such instance, I would like to share here is when we had a meeting of our student council and a whole day passed by discussing, how The Fabindia school can contribute to the Local Community. Mr. Jayant Biswas, the former principal, who was considered a very strict disciplinarian, was actively participating in this deliberation with kids barely 15-16 years old. We did not build a road or a hospital after this discussion, but the fact that we were told that we had some responsibility towards the society made a whole lot of difference. It was the first step to create responsible citizens. The point I want to emphasize here is at a very early age I was exposed to a very different idea of the purpose of education. For most of my peers in other schools, it ended with good marks. But for me, it meant constant questioning and thinking. I sometimes think that this has made me some sort of a rebel and is sometimes very disturbing. I come from a culture where freedom of expression is determined by many factors such as age, gender, caste etc. However, at school we had no restrictions. We were encouraged to express ourselves. In a culture, where girls hardly went out of their homes, were encouraged to play leadership roles heredity was a real revolution!! When I started writing this, I thought, I had forgotten a lot of things but now half way down, my mind is full of those memories and I feel I can write a whole book about it. But I would save it for future! Continuing with the kind of liberal environment we had at the Fabindia School, I would like to especially mention Ms. Pritha Ghosh. She has had a tremendous influence on the kind of education imparted at the school and on my life personally. I remember how she made sure that corporal punishment should not be used in whatsoever way. It was a revolutionary idea in Bali. I remember how parents and teachers were initially very uneasy because 'danda' was the only known means to ensure discipline, thanks to our feudal culture. I sometimes ask myself what my problem is. Why do I have to question everything? Why do I have to look for a different way? Why can't I take life as it is? I found answer to all these questions last night and decided to write this. The answer is my education at the Fabindia School. When you expose somebody to revolutionary ideas every day, when you open up the skies of imagination, the heights of possibility and the courage to question, you would produce people like me. Sometimes uneasy, critical, too vocal and always questioning. People who always want to hear good news would not like us. It makes life struggling but I would rather struggle then to accept life as it is. That’s how I have been educated. It makes life so much worth living. Fabindia School's vision is something that people formulating our education policies, should learn from and I wish all children would get the kind of education I got. Here, we should also be mindful that in the present environment where education is a “hot commodity' on sale, we should remain loyal to our vision. It has taken two decades and number brilliant minds to build this vision. The onus to carry forward this vision also falls on the alumni who are the products of this vision. I would like to thank my parents for giving me the best education available in India. A very liberal education at the Fabindia School in those formative years, then at one of the best schools in Rajasthan, Mayoor School and finally St Stephens College where I got the privilege of interacting and befriend with the best minds in India. What a Journey!!!! Yogendra Singh Mertiya (Batch-2006)
STAFF
Monday, 17th October: Staff had a meeting with the Principal regarding Annual Day. They decided about the program to be organized. Teachers were given duties according to Annual Day Program. All are working on their respective areas like dances, play, drama, music, exhibition, anchoring, etc .
Tuesday, 18th October: In PDP session Staff with their group leaders uploaded the chapters that they had written so far. Each group gave their stories along with pictorial illustrations and it was uploaded in Google Drive. PDP session and group meetings were held regarding the beginning of new chapters. Staff filled the forms for membership in Learning Academy India.
SKILL
DIWALI
Diwali is called festival of lights and it is celebrated in the memory of Lord Ramachandra, Sita and Laxman. It is believed that on this day Lord Ramachandra, Sita and Laxman returned to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against the demons and demon king Ravana. It is the most colorful and loveliest festival of Hindus. It is celebrated every year with great joy and enthusiasm. On this day we burst crackers, we do Laxmi Puja, we go to meet our relatives, we eats sweets and do lot of fun with our friends. We enjoy a lot. I want to give the message that this Diwali please celebrate “Safe Diwali and Pollution Free Diwali. Happy Diwali to all of you. -Kreena Rao/VIII/ DH
DIWALI
Diwali is festival of lights.
Diwali is bright with diyas at night
Which gives you shine
this is festival of joy and happiness
We burst crackers and light sparklers
Everywhere you hear laughter
With joy abound
Diwali is beautiful with new clothes and sweets
Which brings joy, peace and prosperity
Diya like guiding light
Will impart knowledge for bright future days.
Wish you’ll a Happy Diwali
Suryaveer Singh/ X/ DH
Brain Quiz
1. Who collaborated with his daughter lucky, in 2007, to write the children’s book Georges Secret Key to the universe?
2. Which authors break through books was described by Salman Rushdie as a book so bad it makes bad books look good?
3. Who declined the 1964 Noble prize in literature because he had consistently decline cut official honours?
4. Which authors book include coming up for Air, and homage to Catalonia?
5. Whose book The Empire Minpins was published in 1991, a few months after the authors deaths in 1990?
6. Which Italian novel for children has been adapted in over 240 languages?
7. Which famous novelist was Governal General of Canada?
8. Peter Mark Roget, a19th century British physician, is best known for what type of book?
9. Whose fourth novel featuring Robert Langdon, is a mistery thriller called Inferno?
10. Who wrote the 2012 Booker Prize winning book bring up the bodies?
11. In literature and films whose father was the Earl of Dorincourt?
Answers 

1. Stephen Hawkins 2. Dan brown 3. Lean Paul Sartre 4. George Orwell 5. Ronald Dahl  6. The adventure of Pinocchio 7. John Buchan 8. The Saurus 9. Dan Brown 10. Hilary Mentel 11. Little Lord Fauntlroy
Saturday, 22nd October: Diwali Celebrations were organized in School before it closed for
Diwali Vacations. Muskan Rathod/X/TH anchored the program. Charu Vaishnav/ VII/ DH, Mansi Choudhary/VIII/DH and Dhawan Choudhary/IV/TH gave a fantastic dance performance. Pooja Dutta/ XII/GH and Ritu Chouhan/VI/ DH mesmerized everyone with their singing performance. Kreena Rao/ VIII/ DH gave a speech on Diwali. Rajeshwari Rathore/ Staff gave a speech on Dussehra. Mr. Ajay Vijaywargi spoke a few words of motivation and also wished everyone “Happy Diwali” and gave the message to celebrate “Safe Diwali”
SPORT
Friendly Cricket Match was played between students and staff in which the students won. The day ended with lots of fun and enjoyment.
Monday, 17th October: Class VI-X students went practicing cycling every morning to prepare for their cycling trip to Jawai Bandh. 15 students escorted by Mr. Tarun Mishra cycle to nearby places like Dantiwara, Boya, Mundara etc. to develop strength. Mr. Partha Guin and Mr. Rakesh Kumar are other teachers who have joined the expedition.
STUDY
Monday, 17th October: Annual Day practices are in full swing. There was a change in Time-Table. School will observe one hour activity lesson to get started with exhibition preparation. The campus is abuzz with hectic activity and cheer in preparation for school exhibitions. Students of Class V-XI are distributed among different exhibitions. They had started making projects, charts, models under the supervision of their respective in charges.
Monday, 17th October - Friday 21st October: Monday, 17th October was celebrated as the English Literary Day. The whole week was celebrated as the English Literary Week. A number of activities were organized by the English Department both in the Assembly and classes. The activities carried out in the classes were Spell Bee, Quiz, Poster Writing etc. In the Assembly speeches were given, articles were readout, poems were recited and quiz was organized by the students all through the week.
Report of the English Literary Week
Monday, 17th October: Mrs. Bharti Rao spoke of the importance of English Literature in our life.  She told the students that study of Literature allows people to develop new ideas and help individuals to present themselves as educated members of society. Studying Literature can be an eye-opening experience. She asked students to promise to speak in English, as people who speak fluently and orderly in always get first preference in every professional field.
Krisha Dave/ VIII/ GH: Spoke about Suli Pradhumone, the first Nobel Prize winner in English Literature.
Kreena Rao/VIII/ DH: Spoke about the Nobel Prize Winners of English Literature from 1921-2016.
Diksha Choudhary/ VIII/ GH:  Quizzed the assembly
Tuesday, 18th October:
Ipshita Rathore/VII/RH:  Recited a poem - The Daffodils by William Wordsworth.
Charu Vaishnav/VII/DH:  Recited a poem - Tears Idle Tears by Alferd Lord Tennyson
Mansi Choudhary/ VIII/DH: Quizzed the Assembly.
Wednesday, 19th October: Students recited poems of famous poets and spoke about their works and their life.
Kirti Malviya/X/DH: Spoke about Jonathan Swift and his works.
Chanchal Choudhary/X/DH: Spoke about William Wordsworth and his works.
Pooja Dutta/XII/GH:  Recited the poem “Where the mind was without fear” by Rabindranath Tagore.
Recitation Activity was organized for Class I – V in their respective classes.
Thursday, 20th October: Students recited poems of famous poets and spoke about their works and their life.
Devika Choudhary/IX/TH: Spoke about R.K. Narayan and his works.
Vinita Sirvi/VII/GH: Spoke about Mahatma Gandhi and his works.
Blessy Maria/XII/DH: Spoke about Sarojini Naidu and recited her poem “Palanquin Bearers”.
Kinjal Rao/IX/DH: Recited the poem “Seven Ages” by William Shakespeare.

Listen to the story