Oliphant Newsletter August 2010

Vol. XXIX August 2010 No. 4 The

liphaWELHnAM BOYS StCHOOL THINK ABOUT IT... Every generation has the obligation to free men's minds for a look to new worlds. Ellison Onizuka Editorial 02

RUPKUND... A MEMORABLE TRIP 10

CROSS KHARDUNGLA 13

FOR A DAY CALLED INDEPENDENCE 21

DUDETTE OF THE MONTH... 22 The liphant The liphant SIDE It seems, we have won. Sixty-three Gone are the days of the 40's and ING years ago, no one gave this 'land of 50's when India had a strong and R snake charmers' a chance. Today, committed government. Today our growth rate has proved that we people of limited intelligence and It did not have a dramatic ending like the have survived. We have now become dubious integrity who know little 2006 World Cup, where a 'stable' multicultural democracy about India and care even less for IEW the greatest player of with sky rocketing growth. But can the ideal on which the Republic was

r government has marginalized. We the Jabulani, the annoying Vuvuzela's case in point. Today's leaders need took away their lands and their and the petty and senseless French team to stop pleasing the electorate and boycotting practices after a fall out with

i the Center is not a united front, but a realizing our dream. display of football by Xavi and delicate china cup, stuck together by Iniesta,bursts of speed and clinical There is a reassertion of religious the 'fevicol' of ambition. finishing by David Villa and Thomas d orthodoxy in all faiths in modern The increasing divide between the Mueller, inspirational leadership by Diego India- among Muslims, Christians, Forlan, not to forget the scenic and rich and the poor, and our unstable Sikhs, Hindus and even among modern football stadiums of South pattern of resource consumption do Jains. Non-liberal tendencies in all Africa(unlike our Commonwealth Games little help to our cause. As the rivers these religions are growing. As which it seems are only a way of making E which are our lifeline get polluted, we Ramchandra Guha puts it the mullas money for the officials).Personally, I was can only wait for eventual doom. pretty happy to see who abuse Sania Mirza or Tasleema Argentina crash out, Nasreen, and the Sikh hardliners I hope Welhamites take note of these the reason being who terrorise the Dera Saccha musings and act in order to promote Maradona, who had Sauda are wholly opposed to the India to 'Superpower' status. claimed that he would run spirit of the Indian Constitution. naked if Argentina won. It would not have Before I finish, I would just like to put It gave us new stars, goals Christian and Muslim orthodoxy has been a great sight! Of course ,the forward a thought on this a strong hold over society. But, galore, some exhilarating highlight of this World Cup are the songs Independence day. It may be a 'Waka Waka'- by Shakira and 'Waving most of all, Hindu fundamentalism heavily over-used cliché, but we are displays of skills, and obviously Flag'- by K'nan .My pick was Waka is undisputedly the most dangerous the future of our country and it is we Waka... of them all thanks to its superior 'Paul the Octopus'. The FIFA who have to set the tone for what we In the euphoria of the World Cup everyone political influence. If we aspire to want to see our nation to be. And as World Cup 2010 was definitely forgot Rafael Nadal, who yet again proved see India as an inclusive, liberal and one of my classmates once said, "We high on the agenda of every his supremacy on the tennis circuit by secular democracy, we need to claiming back to back titles at Rolland the people are India's problem, We speak up against this right wing the people are India's solution." religious extremism. Jai Hind Welhamite And who can forget our politicians? -Jatan Singh Soni in the summer break.

02 03 The liphant The liphant SIDE It seems, we have won. Sixty-three Gone are the days of the 40's and ING years ago, no one gave this 'land of 50's when India had a strong and R snake charmers' a chance. Today, committed government. Today our growth rate has proved that we people of limited intelligence and It did not have a dramatic ending like the have survived. We have now become dubious integrity who know little 2006 World Cup, where a 'stable' multicultural democracy about India and care even less for IEW the greatest player of with sky rocketing growth. But can the ideal on which the Republic was

l V the modern era, we be the top dogs? Can we be a founded, run the government. Zinadine Zidane, bid superpower? Unfortunately, a majority of our adieu after receiving a red- a politicians come across as selfish, card. Nevertheless , it had The greatest threat to our internal its share of controversies, the i nepotistic, sycophantic and corrupt. security is the people who the new 'hand of god' by Luis Suarez, The Commonwealth game scam is a r government has marginalized. We the Jabulani, the annoying Vuvuzela's case in point. Today's leaders need took away their lands and their and the petty and senseless French team to stop pleasing the electorate and boycotting practices after a fall out with

o livelihood, under the excuse of start doing things. The unstable their manager. Oh yes! The likes of economic globalisation. The coalition governments add to the Ronaldo and Messi did not exactly set the Communist Party of India(Maoist), t worsening of such a situation, where fields on fire with their "brilliant" skills but now stands in the way of us we got to see the smooth and elegant i the Center is not a united front, but a realizing our dream. display of football by Xavi and delicate china cup, stuck together by Iniesta,bursts of speed and clinical There is a reassertion of religious the 'fevicol' of ambition. finishing by David Villa and Thomas d orthodoxy in all faiths in modern The increasing divide between the Mueller, inspirational leadership by Diego India- among Muslims, Christians, Forlan, not to forget the scenic and rich and the poor, and our unstable Sikhs, Hindus and even among modern football stadiums of South pattern of resource consumption do Jains. Non-liberal tendencies in all Africa(unlike our Commonwealth Games little help to our cause. As the rivers these religions are growing. As which it seems are only a way of making E which are our lifeline get polluted, we Ramchandra Guha puts it the mullas money for the officials).Personally, I was can only wait for eventual doom. pretty happy to see who abuse Sania Mirza or Tasleema Argentina crash out, Nasreen, and the Sikh hardliners I hope Welhamites take note of these the reason being who terrorise the Dera Saccha musings and act in order to promote Maradona, who had Sauda are wholly opposed to the India to 'Superpower' status. claimed that he would run spirit of the Indian Constitution. naked if Argentina won. It would not have Before I finish, I would just like to put It gave us new stars, goals Christian and Muslim orthodoxy has been a great sight! Of course ,the forward a thought on this a strong hold over society. But, galore, some exhilarating highlight of this World Cup are the songs Independence day. It may be a 'Waka Waka'- by Shakira and 'Waving most of all, Hindu fundamentalism heavily over-used cliché, but we are displays of skills, and obviously Flag'- by K'nan .My pick was Waka is undisputedly the most dangerous the future of our country and it is we Waka... of them all thanks to its superior 'Paul the Octopus'. The FIFA who have to set the tone for what we In the euphoria of the World Cup everyone political influence. If we aspire to want to see our nation to be. And as World Cup 2010 was definitely forgot Rafael Nadal, who yet again proved see India as an inclusive, liberal and one of my classmates once said, "We high on the agenda of every his supremacy on the tennis circuit by secular democracy, we need to claiming back to back titles at Rolland the people are India's problem, We speak up against this right wing the people are India's solution." religious extremism. Jai Hind Welhamite And who can forget our politicians? -Jatan Singh Soni in the summer break.

02 03 The liphant The liphant

Garros and Wimbledon. Tiger Woods was physically and technically which shows in "Every Second Counts" by Lance back on the golf course but he looked like their game. The number of takers has Armstrong, "My Side" by David Beckham, a shadow of his former self. Lately, Sachin increased dramatically and so has the "Sunny Days" by Sunil Gavaskar. MOVIE REVIEW Tendulkar became the most capped Test competition for a spot on the team. Do not Biographies of sportsmen such as player in the history of Cricket, and about be surprised if you do not see the 'stars' Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson are a his performances, all I can say is that even on the bench! Kunja Shrestha , good read. John Wright's "The Indian there are two things constant in life - Shantabya Rana and Bharat Manchanda Summer" can tell you a lot about the Artist: Karnivool change and Tendulkar. will shoulder most of the responsibility and dressing room of the Indian Cricket Team. Album: Sound Awake Football is on its way to becoming the hopefully will be helped by the youngsters There are a lot of sports movies as well Genre: Alternative Rock like Shivesh Kumar and Deepesh to clinch such as "Remember the Titans", "Glory most popular sport in Welham, and why Release Date: Mid 2009 not? The team is roughing it out in the as many trophies as possible. Road", "The Damned United", "Coach fields, whether the sun is beating down or You must have seen a lot of attractive Carter", The Rocky Series of movies, it is raining cats and dogs. Their spirit are football boots in the World Cup. Visit the "Basketball Diaries", "Goal", "Invictus". not dampened after a hard day of practice team when it is practicing and the gear These books and movies will surely make which includes extensive running and they use will put any professional to you think because they showcase various other physical drills. It seems to me that shame .F 30,F 50,F 10 ,Mercurial Vapors, struggles in the life of sportsmen, they are very motivated to pick up any Superfly, T 90 (all the versions), Superfly 2 struggles such as racism, drugs, bad silverware that comes their way. Most of , need I say more. I hope all this flash influence and more. They also tell us the them attended a football camp from the shows in their game as well. glories of their life and how hard one has to work to engrave one's name in the 8th-20th July conducted by Mr.Bartwal. I always type my reviews in enter dreams, and dreams presence of mind, and an I would encourage the Welhamites to get books of history. Do watch them! Do read They have come out stronger, both Notepad, but no - Inception within dreams, and dreams understanding of the into reading sports literature, basically them! inspiring sports stories such as deserves better. After a run within those, until you complexity of a highly "Seabiscuit" (Horse Racing), "Open" by How can I not mention the new terra-flex of the most amazing films realize that such a movie is complex film will be able to Andre Agassi, "El Diego" by Maradona, in this article. It is absolutely fantastic. So ever - Memento, Insomnia, only ever found in dreams fully enjoy it. 'Inception' much so that when water got into our Batman Begins, The Prestige, except that Nolan does not pushes 'TDK' aside with Basketball Court even the most cynical and of course, The Dark think so. ease, but not for the entire Although it is Australian, and I do not even know what the name Karnivool and sarcastic Welhamite wanted the Knight (my all time world. You can see that Nolan uses his incredible means, I still find the music awesome. It terraflex to be safe. Seriously, it is a favourite!), Nolan is finally Nolan is following an direction skills in this movie is the band's second album after their ready with his next pleasure to the eye as well as the bodies to make it the wonder it is. alternative pattern in all his debut in 2005, but is it an upgrade? of basketball players who will no longer experiment: Inception, a His direction is what makes films that have made it to The first song in the album is called have to damage their ankles and knees dream-come-true movie that the Top IMDB 250: this film tick. His timing is 'Simple Boy'. Well it is not very simple. playing on concrete. It saddens me that I makes us question the Memento, highly complex, just amazing. Di Caprio does The music starts with xylophone existence of the very world will not be there next year to play in the full justice to his character, Batman Begins, not so, chimes, and then comes the sludge Golden Jubilee but what a show it will be around us. One assumed Cobb. Zimmer's music keeps Prestige, complex again, The metal riffs. The listener knows he is in on this new court! The Basketball team that The Dark Knight was the us with Nolan's pace, which Dark Knight, not so, and for something different. has started practising for the upcoming ultimate peak that any film now Inception, his most is why it all turns out to be Then we have some soft radio friendly maker could ever reach - incredible project. tournaments. Here, I would like to mention so incredible. The songs such as 'New Day' and 'All I Nolan included - but this the new criteria for participating in sports cinematography is superb, I called up people Know', where the vocalist and the young director refuses to and representing school outside.A the special effects are immediately after seeing the bassist get a chance to show off. accept that there is a Cloud student has to get a minimum of 33 % superb, the editing is perfect movie, telling them to go 9 - and simply questions, Being a metal lover, they do have and pass in all the subjects in order to and the script, brilliant. This watch it, and I was shocked "What next?" And BANG he something for me. The only two songs represent the school in any activity. As it is movie has everything! beyond words when one of on the album, which are totally my type, answers it himself: often the boys who are involved in sports the friends said, "I'm going are 'Illumine' and 'The Caudal Lure'. Inception. My new all-time But then the only question who have a bad academic record, I would for Eclipse. Can't." Learn Both songs seem to be in a sequence, favourite. that people are asking now recommend that all the aspiring is - which one is it - The your lesson, people, do NOT so you do not realize when the songs change. sportsmen of this school start studying or The English Dictionary Dark Knight, or Inception? miss this wonder. Like Toy all their efforts will go in vain. defines "inception" as Story, this too comes once This album has all the elements of my I'll be blunt but honest. The "origin" - basically, that is in a decade. Though in favourite bands, Incubus or Disturbed, Busy studying reason Memento did not what the film is about. It's Nolan's case, that is not which makes it a favourite. work as well as TDK, despite Kishlay Jha about planting an idea in true. Trust Nolan. Now, I being an amazing film, is The album does not have any of the someone's mind, hence, can't wait for Batman 3. that it was not a film for nice metal riffs like the previous album "originating" an idea in that 'Themata' but this change has made the everyone. Only those people 10/10. Is there anything person. It's the most band a bit more mature. My final verdict who are willing to take the more than that? amazing experiment anyone is that the album is SUPERB! has ever performed: an weight, the tension, and Entertainment Monitor those who have a high Sound awake impossible world where you Abhinav Suri, X-C 04 05 The liphant The liphant

A DAY CALLED FRIENDSHIP While the monsoon season may have caused troubles for the school administration, it has been a treat for nature lovers. The , A half-broken desk shrubs look beautiful with Shikhar Basement, blossoming flowers and the oys School, Welham B bamboos look greener (with 5, Circular Road, 1. Dehradun - 24800 mushrooms growing on their 010 Date: 1st August, 2 roots!). This time we have some Time: 7:58 pm beautiful flowers catching the a Sunday! That d! iraculously, it is attention of many eyes. Hi Frien ndship Day. And m is 2010. It is Frie st One. The year gaze. There is no morning of Augu o! piercing It is the go out. So... we d g at us with its as it uch means we can is no sun glarin g slow. Heck, it h pretty m . Beautiful! There to make everythin utiful, I tell you re is no snowfall The outside is bea our spirits. The d some mpen the day and perfect day. see on Sundays, an rain ready to da it is the ome that I only eautiful cades! Basically... ry day, s laughter, their b snowed here in de w, faces I see eve orriless ve seen faces. Faces I kno ul faces, their w e if I ha ee happy nday. Their cheerf It someone asked m All around me, I s n this Su smile on my face. about the world ll only ever see o an involuntary f Harki Dun, nor ell that I think I wi s... all of it puts out the charms o summer...I would t ng spirit ell that person ab of a torturous smiles, their soari I won't t day in the middle can never forget, r about a rainy a moment that I ve the ground, no ile, but twenty miles abo ss inside me. I sm seen from e kind of heavine ion. It is a ut this moment. ing... this strang oked at my reflect s them abo . there is this th I just lo ion of all that i ect, it seems. But.. e to think of it, y reflect g is perf urn that way. Com ust an involuntar Everythin ist and t eart, see? It is j Botanical name: Magnolia Grandiflora Botanical name: Hibiscus Rosa Sinesis Botanical name: Lagerstroemia Indica use my muscles tw is not from the h at the time. only beca ck! No wonder. It Who knows? I look so heavy. Common name: Him Champa Common name: Shoe flower Common name: Jarul/ Crepe Myrthe smile. Yu is feigned cheer. r why my heart is horrible Maybe even that suddenly remembe a place to Location: Opposite the staff room. Location: Subway entrance Location: Opposite the Khadim Ali around me. Cheer. r is still 2010. I here far away. At gust One. The yea ay! You are somew much. I Block afternoon of Au on this amazing d ay, I miss you so This evergreen tree is conical in shape Also referred to as the 'Queen of It is the not here with us t today, on this d band, and whisper Friend! You are e a long time. Bu ack "Best Friends" u. and can reach up to a height of 4 Shrubs', because of its unique texture, This deciduous shrub, which can grow You are not here, ou have been gon u a hug, and a bl e when I wish yo ost this letter. Y s give yo s you can hear m where I cannot p the hand, perhap e. Perhap the birthday meters. It has large, deep-green waxy this shrub got its name from the word into a tree if left unpruned, grows from 4 you, shake you by wish me the sam aising toasts... to want to come to ear, and hear you d. They are all r r... but no one leaves. The fruits appear as woody 'esbikos', which means marsh mellows. to 10 meters. It was named by Linacus ip Day" in your some kin or that guy's hai a "Happy Friendsh birthday party of 's looks n. How will cone-like clusters and are generally pink This evergreen shrub can grow up to 2 after his friend, 'Mannus van Langstrom'. you. I am at this girl, to this guy w what will happe But I can't hear his girl, to that ame. I do not kno o our batch, to t a toast to your n be not. Maybe yes. or red in colour, with red seeds inside, meters. The oval leaves are bright green, The leaves are arranged in whorls of boys, to Welham, t ll not dare raise I do not know. May caused toast to you. I wi 'Friendship Day'? torical event that hanging on fine threads. The saucer pointed at the edges and coarsely three and are about 5 cm long. The fruit raises a ecome sad on this ng about some his ething decades act? Would they b They start ranti someone to do som shaped white flower is one of the most toothed. The flower generally has five is brown and woody, containing winged people re Day is all about. y'. Funny. It took s, to patch up hat a Friendship a 'Friendship Da t each other band beautiful flowers on the campus, with a petals and its long stamen hangs like an seeds. The delicate crepe like flowers I asked someone w be called her a hug, to gif than any other y in the year to e each ot ay, it hurts more n fleshy texture and an exquisite open bell. The colour of this flower on are rose pink or white in colour, with one particular da s a friend, to giv to you on this d miracles happen o alue each other a eone stops talking ag. I wonder... do Can back for us to v at if som ial 'Friendship' t day so special? fragrance. campus is white, red or pink. yellow stamens projecting out of them. is interesting th some spec Then why is this fights. And yet it er day, but with think so. this is just anoth happen? I do not h-so-special"? Satyendra Pal day. Why? Because ly do not happen, day is "o ings that normal it to me why this such days? Do th ? Can you prove om where you are riendship" day. I you come back fr t is still that "F 010. And oh yes! I ore weird is the omehow, is still 2 Weird. And even m 25 YEARS AGO IN WELHAM I wait. e year, s express feelings. e. It is almost of August One. Th stuff to e! Look at the tim It is the evening o people. Tangible e me smil ? w bands to give t ck, they even mak The whole of the Senior School went on a tree planting have bought a fe e people smile! He still not nds actually mak ut Friend, you are excursion on Wednesday, the 21st of August (one of fact that these ba ool. . 2010, man, 2010! B nno... I head back to sch w what year it is Day" to end. I du the many plans set by the Government for the time, so you already kno this "Friendship his day. Perhaps f August One, and ur hours left for g special about t International Year of the Youth). The enthusiasm of the It is the night o here are still fo there is somethin have four hours hope", they say. T just wait. Perhaps day. Either way, I boys let them to plant more than four thousand five here. "Don't lose all. We will all o happen on this ou will come after erhaps, miracles d hundred plants despite the rain. The boys felt proud of perhaps y Friendship Day. P they say! cause I know it is something called a lways next year, reply" be the result of hard work. there is t, then there is a ill not write "do ut. Or if not tha ortal friend (I w to find o dship Day, my imm ?The Solar Heaters, which had arrived last term, have y it. Happy Frien I still have to sa been installed on the roofs of New Building (Triveni), meaningless!). White House, Woodseats, Riverside and Dining Hall. Love you forever, They will start working as soon as they are needed for Jaskunwar Kohli heating bath water. PS: Do reply! 06 07 The liphant The liphant

A DAY CALLED FRIENDSHIP While the monsoon season may have caused troubles for the school administration, it has been a treat for nature lovers. The , A half-broken desk shrubs look beautiful with Shikhar Basement, blossoming flowers and the oys School, Welham B bamboos look greener (with 5, Circular Road, 1. Dehradun - 24800 mushrooms growing on their 010 Date: 1st August, 2 roots!). This time we have some Time: 7:58 pm beautiful flowers catching the ! That ly, it is a Sunday Hi Friend! ay. And miraculous attention of many eyes. t is Friendship D he year is 2010. I re is no of August One. T piercing gaze. The It is the morning So... we do! with its s we can go out. n glaring at us eck, it has it pretty much mean ul! There is no su everything slow. H tell you. Beautif snowfall to make de is beautiful, I rits. There is no The outsi day and our spi day. days, and some dy to dampen the it is the perfect I only see on Sun rain rea sically... ry day, some that , their beautiful ere in decades! Ba I see eve orriless laughter snowed h ces I know, faces ul faces, their w e if I have seen ee happy faces. Fa day. Their cheerf It someone asked m All around me, I s this Sun smile on my face. about the world l only ever see on luntary f Harki Dun, nor ell that I think I wil f it puts an invo out the charms o summer...I would t ng spirits... all o person ab of a torturous smiles, their soari I won't tell that he middle can never forget, a rainy day in t a moment that I round, nor about le, but miles above the g s inside me. I smi seen from twenty heavines is a oment. s strange kind of my reflection. It them about this m s this thing... thi I just looked at ll that is ems. But... there i k of it, y reflection of a g is perfect, it se way. Come to thin voluntar Everythin ist and turn that ? It is just an in Botanical name: Magnolia Grandiflora Botanical name: Hibiscus Rosa Sinesis Botanical name: Lagerstroemia Indica use my muscles tw om the heart, see time. only beca nder. It is not fr s? I look at the . Common name: Him Champa Common name: Shoe flower Common name: Jarul/ Crepe Myrthe smile. Yuck! No wo d cheer. Who know heart is so heavy horrible en that is feigne remember why my to e. Cheer. Maybe ev l 2010. I suddenly away. At a place Location: Opposite the staff room. Location: Subway entrance Location: Opposite the Khadim Ali around m . The year is stil re somewhere far on of August One mazing day! You a s you so much. I Block It is the afterno with us on this a on this day, I mis d whisper This evergreen tree is conical in shape Also referred to as the 'Queen of You are not here time. But today, Friends" band, an not here, Friend! been gone a long and a black "Best wish you. and can reach up to a height of 4 Shrubs', because of its unique texture, This deciduous shrub, which can grow You are letter. You have u a hug, n hear me when I cannot post this d, perhaps give yo s you ca day meters. It has large, deep-green waxy this shrub got its name from the word into a tree if left unpruned, grows from 4 where I e you by the han the same. Perhap asts... to the birth come to you, shak hear you wish me aising to o one want to in your ear, and d. They are all r r... but n leaves. The fruits appear as woody 'esbikos', which means marsh mellows. to 10 meters. It was named by Linacus ip Day" party of some kin or that guy's hai ill a "Happy Friendsh at this birthday this guy's looks ill happen. How w cone-like clusters and are generally pink This evergreen shrub can grow up to 2 after his friend, 'Mannus van Langstrom'. n't hear you. I am to that girl, to not know what w But I ca tch, to this girl, o your name. I do aybe yes. or red in colour, with red seeds inside, meters. The oval leaves are bright green, The leaves are arranged in whorls of Welham, to our ba re raise a toast t know. Maybe not. M boys, to you. I will not da ip Day'? I do not vent that caused hanging on fine threads. The saucer pointed at the edges and coarsely three and are about 5 cm long. The fruit raises a toast to on this 'Friendsh some historical e cades ld they become sad rt ranting about to do something de shaped white flower is one of the most toothed. The flower generally has five is brown and woody, containing winged people react? Wou ll about. They sta someone ch up iendship Day is a y'. Funny. It took her bands, to pat omeone what a Fr a 'Friendship Da t each ot y other beautiful flowers on the campus, with a petals and its long stamen hangs like an seeds. The delicate crepe like flowers I asked s year to be called her a hug, to gif rts more than an icular day in the d, to give each ot on this day, it hu happen on fleshy texture and an exquisite open bell. The colour of this flower on are rose pink or white in colour, with one part other as a frien to you der... do miracles alue each eone stops talking ag. I won ? Can fragrance. campus is white, red or pink. yellow stamens projecting out of them. back for us to v esting that if som ial 'Friendship' t his day so special nd yet it is inter ut with some spec so. Then why is t fights. A ust another day, b I do not think ial"? Satyendra Pal Because this is j t happen, happen? h-so-spec day. Why? t normally do no why this day is "o s? Do things tha u prove it to me such day you are? Can yo back from where riendship" day. I you come t is still that "F is the 010. And oh yes! I d even more weird I wait. omehow, is still 2 Weird. An lmost 25 YEARS AGO IN WELHAM t One. The year, s express feelings. the time. It is a evening of Augus Tangible stuff to me smile! Look at It is the to give to people. , they even make ?The whole of the Senior School went on a tree planting ght a few bands ile! Heck t have bou lly make people sm , you are still no these bands actua ut Friend excursion on Wednesday, the 21st of August (one of fact that ool. . 2010, man, 2010! B d. I dunno... I head back to sch w what year it is ay" to en the many plans set by the Government for the time, so you already kno this "Friendship D his day. Perhaps f August One, and r hours left for g special about t International Year of the Youth). The enthusiasm of the It is the night o here are still fou there is somethin have four hours hope", they say. T just wait. Perhaps day. Either way, I boys let them to plant more than four thousand five here. "Don't lose all. We will all o happen on this ou will come after erhaps, miracles d hundred plants despite the rain. The boys felt proud of perhaps y Friendship Day. P they say! cause I know it is something called a lways next year, reply" be the result of hard work. there is t, then there is a ill not write "do ut. Or if not tha ortal friend (I w to find o dship Day, my imm ?The Solar Heaters, which had arrived last term, have y it. Happy Frien I still have to sa been installed on the roofs of New Building (Triveni), meaningless!). White House, Woodseats, Riverside and Dining Hall. Love you forever, They will start working as soon as they are needed for Jaskunwar Kohli heating bath water. PS: Do reply! 06 07 The liphant The liphant

for me. CAN I HAVE In dismay, I sat down in front of the Khadim Ali Block. A friend passing by saw me and asked me the reason for my hangdog expression. I narrated the whole K Y EXPECTATIONS incident to him. He then said, "There was C a boy who was a scholar in all subjects W A R S OF A BETTER OUTCOME but was not good in maths. He always got AT E Azkaban, Bascilus, Doomsday. All of comparing the food of our institution and a scolding from his teachers but they S E never seemed to understand that all these Anger Management D these words may have different meanings, NIM. O O concepts, formulas and theorems were but for the Welhamite, all of it amounts to I toiled day and night, used literary Anger is a power which only we can W d us tough for him to understand. One day, he sed ther informe one thing, 'Prep'. statements and tried making it readable. control. If someone hits or insults me, collap ousemo ted e Wall ke up, our h psed. I wan thought that he would prove his friends I get angry. I attended a workshop on d ... Th . As we wo n, had colla As usual, I was sitting with a maths book Finally, determination, hard work, and An gust 31ST rotectio and teachers wrong by improving his ng of Au as for our p lower field. and register, practising the most dreaded concentration helped me complete the Anger Management. Dr. Veena he morni all, which w near the . It was t ndary w ed to go y downpour grades in the subject. He concentrated conducted the workshop for us. school bou re not allow of heav topic of all, 'Trigonometry'. I was tired and article. I hoped that my consistency and that the but we we -eight hours and the and practised day and night. His hard t and see it, due to forty Shikhar wall my head was aching because solving labour would reward me fruitfully. Sometimes, when we get angry to run ou f the day all, the ried that work paid off, and he topped his class , we feel arly hours o t the main w e were wor trigonometry was like finding a needle in in the e know abou tre and w ric "Judgement Day" arrived .The board went either bad or mad. We must never take It happened e got to vity Cen he elect with 95% in mathematics in his mid-term . when w nto the Acti ty, because t the haystack and memorising its formulas things said to us personally as 5:35 a.m flowed i electrici nge our through my article, but unfortunately, the assessment! Then, my friend came back . We must It w . Water had ere was no e had to cha were a pain in the neck. I thought of taking learn to control our anger e riding field spoiled. Th f water. W stel, supreme power ruling us had something . The best way hors ight get as full o ing to the ho to the present," This boy has set an flex court m s generator w re return ing a break, since sin, cos and tan had to control our anger is to take a deep the Terra school' hen we we ater flow else in the store for me. A classmate of example for me, which influenced me to wn and the chool w e saw w dominated my mind for a whole hour and breath or share the problem with an was do ools. After s e of them! W mine had already scripted an article on pole two sch all. I was on start scribbling down my thoughts for The s for the first ee the w 15 minutes now and given me such a NIM, which in the view of the board was adult. Anger is also a shortcut to danger clas oys ran to s ricks and Oliphant yet again... e naughty b in and b severe headache that I seriously needed a because we can get hurt. The thinking som . d had caved , so we ran far better than mine was, and blended into the field khar roa ousemother Crocin to reduce the pain. Today, I am writing for the Oliphant once directly The Shi w our h hradun properly too. He was the cause of my brain gets affected when we are angry. fic outside. en we sa tion De see the traf lood. Just th and destruc !). again, and although I do not have the Our thinking brain does not work and we We could ith the f the loss d the papers The pain subsided, and so did my prep. failure, but in a competition, only one gushed in w read about er to rea assurance of my article being selected for end up hitting or insulting someone. bles had pers we do not both as no games Now I was sitting idle with no work to do. triumphs, and so I took it as a fair peb tel. In the pa ting (as we worst w the latest issue, I hope to 'aim for the k to the hos of cars floa nter but the Repair Instead of pulling someone's leg, I tore a decision. I felt so distressed, that the next I feel anger is positive if we contain it. I bac w pictures tivity Ce eel sheets. . We sa s and The Ac ith heavy st best'. Writing this article has brought a suffered out the wall s closed w page from my register and with a pen in moment, I threw that sheet of paper into a learned that we must think before taking rrible ab wall wa oel complete change in me. The creativity We felt te he boundary Rachit G my hand, a thought of writing an article for nearby dustbin. I had to work harder, for any action when we are angry ay! Finally t or games. 5-B flows...and I start scribbling down my . Anger on Sund e could go f The Oliphant struck me. there were so many others who wrote management is important. It keeps us arted and w thoughts yet again... work st We recently visited NIM for our mid-terms, articles regularly and who, just like me, calm. want that gold-coated badge on their Still Writing! and I thought I would write an article Yaksh Sheoran blazers. However, for now, it had ended Rohan Sharma, X-B/J-A 5-B

The recording was a first experience for all Finally, we were all set. Before the actual 'Khaas Khiladi') would go up and become The positions were: S... seven of us; we were excited, nervous beginning of the shoot, the hosts of the a challenger to the Khaas Khiladi. The GHT and curious. The contestants were asked show briefed us all the rules etc. loser among the two would come back to Rachit - 7th I to be in Noida a day before their shoot the normal position and the quiz would L After a long wait the T.V host, Mini Mathur, Jatan - 7th and they were accommodated in different came out of her make-up room and onto continue in the same manner. At the end CAMERA... guest-houses all over Noida. of the third round, four of the lowest Anant - 5th the stage. At the beginning of the show A On the day of the shoot the contestants she asked all the contestants about their scorers would get eliminated and six Bharat - 5th CT were taken to the Eagle Studios five hours profession, likes, hobbies, etc. and then would remain, out of which four of the next IO low scorers would be out of the show at Shourya - 7th N!.. before the scheduled shoot time. It was the quiz started. during this time when we got to know the the end of the fourth round. Only two Sahil - 8th Last term an 'All India Sports Quiz' was conducted in various centers all The quiz was a complicated one and it would remain at the end and would fight people with whom we would be was as follows: over the country of which Welham Boys School was one. This was a competing. The co-ordinators of the show for first and second position for the semi Kuvam - 7th selection round for the T.V. Sports quiz, 'Synergy Sports Kaa Superstar'. were kept on their toes for the preparation The top scorer from the 1st round went up finals. to a different podium and was called the A team from our school sat for this quiz of which those who were of the show - choosing dresses, This TV experience was a real eye-opener 'Khaas Khiladi'. The 'Khaas Khiladi' was Kuvam Behl selected, were Bharat Manchanda, Jatan Singh Soni, Rachit Nandwani, reimbursing tickets, providing for me personally - to be behind the then asked four questions for which he XII-Sci Shourya Jaiswal, Anant Gupta, Sahil Jain and I. There was a wave of refreshments etc. These were the screen and also on it. None of the moments when we got a small taste of got Rs 1000 for every correct answer. At excitement amongst all of us when we were told that we would appear on Welhamites qualified for the further how stars in this industry are treated. the end if the second round, the top the National Channel 'DD'. scorer among the participants (except the rounds.

08 09 The liphant The liphant for me. CAN I HAVE In dismay, I sat down in front of the Khadim Ali Block. A friend passing by saw me and asked me the reason for my hangdog expression. I narrated the whole K Y EXPECTATIONS incident to him. He then said, "There was C a boy who was a scholar in all subjects W A R S OF A BETTER OUTCOME but was not good in maths. He always got AT E Azkaban, Bascilus, Doomsday. All of comparing the food of our institution and a scolding from his teachers but they S E never seemed to understand that all these Anger Management D these words may have different meanings, NIM. O O concepts, formulas and theorems were but for the Welhamite, all of it amounts to I toiled day and night, used literary Anger is a power which only we can W d us tough for him to understand. One day, he sed ther informe one thing, 'Prep'. statements and tried making it readable. control. If someone hits or insults me, collap ousemo ted e Wall ke up, our h psed. I wan thought that he would prove his friends I get angry. I attended a workshop on d ... Th . As we wo n, had colla As usual, I was sitting with a maths book Finally, determination, hard work, and An gust 31ST rotectio and teachers wrong by improving his ng of Au as for our p lower field. and register, practising the most dreaded concentration helped me complete the Anger Management. Dr. Veena he morni all, which w near the . It was t ndary w ed to go y downpour grades in the subject. He concentrated conducted the workshop for us. school bou re not allow of heav topic of all, 'Trigonometry'. I was tired and article. I hoped that my consistency and that the but we we -eight hours and the and practised day and night. His hard t and see it, due to forty Shikhar wall my head was aching because solving labour would reward me fruitfully. Sometimes, when we get angry to run ou f the day all, the ried that work paid off, and he topped his class , we feel arly hours o t the main w e were wor trigonometry was like finding a needle in in the e know abou tre and w ric "Judgement Day" arrived .The board went either bad or mad. We must never take It happened e got to vity Cen he elect with 95% in mathematics in his mid-term . when w nto the Acti ty, because t the haystack and memorising its formulas things said to us personally as 5:35 a.m flowed i electrici nge our through my article, but unfortunately, the assessment! Then, my friend came back . We must It w . Water had ere was no e had to cha were a pain in the neck. I thought of taking learn to control our anger e riding field spoiled. Th f water. W stel, supreme power ruling us had something . The best way hors ight get as full o ing to the ho to the present," This boy has set an flex court m s generator w re return ing a break, since sin, cos and tan had to control our anger is to take a deep the Terra school' hen we we ater flow else in the store for me. A classmate of example for me, which influenced me to wn and the chool w e saw w dominated my mind for a whole hour and breath or share the problem with an was do ools. After s e of them! W mine had already scripted an article on pole two sch all. I was on start scribbling down my thoughts for The s for the first ee the w 15 minutes now and given me such a NIM, which in the view of the board was adult. Anger is also a shortcut to danger clas oys ran to s ricks and Oliphant yet again... e naughty b in and b severe headache that I seriously needed a because we can get hurt. The thinking som . d had caved , so we ran far better than mine was, and blended into the field khar roa ousemother Crocin to reduce the pain. Today, I am writing for the Oliphant once directly The Shi w our h hradun properly too. He was the cause of my brain gets affected when we are angry. fic outside. en we sa tion De see the traf lood. Just th and destruc !). again, and although I do not have the Our thinking brain does not work and we We could ith the f the loss d the papers The pain subsided, and so did my prep. failure, but in a competition, only one gushed in w read about er to rea assurance of my article being selected for end up hitting or insulting someone. bles had pers we do not both as no games Now I was sitting idle with no work to do. triumphs, and so I took it as a fair peb tel. In the pa ting (as we worst w the latest issue, I hope to 'aim for the k to the hos of cars floa nter but the Repair Instead of pulling someone's leg, I tore a decision. I felt so distressed, that the next I feel anger is positive if we contain it. I bac w pictures tivity Ce teel sheets. . We sa s and The Ac heavy s best'. Writing this article has brought a suffered out the wall s closed with page from my register and with a pen in moment, I threw that sheet of paper into a learned that we must think before taking rrible ab wall wa oel complete change in me. The creativity We felt te he boundary Rachit G my hand, a thought of writing an article for nearby dustbin. I had to work harder, for any action when we are angry ay! Finally t or games. 5-B flows...and I start scribbling down my . Anger on Sund e could go f The Oliphant struck me. there were so many others who wrote management is important. It keeps us arted and w thoughts yet again... work st We recently visited NIM for our mid-terms, articles regularly and who, just like me, calm. want that gold-coated badge on their Still Writing! and I thought I would write an article Yaksh Sheoran blazers. However, for now, it had ended Rohan Sharma, X-B/J-A 5-B

08 09 The liphant The liphant

On the 23rd of May, at the beginning of the the east the impressive snow capped more convenient to load our rucksacks on 3 km one way, but it was the toughest. summer holidays, nine Welhamites and five ridgeline including Chaukhamba I (7138 mules. During this arduous but enriching Our guide, Mr. Gosain led the way with teachers embarked on a journey to Rupkund m), Chaukhamba II (7068 m), part of our journey, a funny incident Rajat and me in tow. We crossed many (5029 m), also known as 'skeleton lake' Chaukhamba III (6974 m) and occurred; Pranav meets some British small glaciers, where each step had to because of the mystery surrounding the Chaukhamba IV (6854 m) and somewhere trekkers on the way with whom he starts be taken with utmost care. On the way, findings of numerous human skeletons and in that mass of snow was Rupkund. The discussing soccer. Pranav had barely told many of us used our oxygen bottles. those of horses as well. The magnificent stay at Bedni was a treat for all of us but them that his favourite club was Chelsea, Finally in a wide bowl perched high on a Rupkund lies in the shadow of Mt. Trishul and for Mr. Puri, it was paradise. Armed with a when Mr. Joshi walks up and tells them snow laden rocky shelf, lay Rupkund is surrounded by rock strewn glaciers and camera he captured the expansive views that Pranav is a great supporter of AC (5029 m), our much-awaited destination. snow clad peaks. Krishnanand Singh, Rajat, of the bugyal carpeted by exquisite wild Milan! This really amused us, and we had Reaching there was a moment of Pranav Chadha, D.T. Ja Khole, Gaurav flowers with Himalayan Griffons and a hearty laugh! spiritual calm for all of us. The breath Gaggar, Aditya Bhandari, Siddharth Gupta Lammergeiers soaring above. The We reached Bhagwabasa (4100m) at taking views were worth the entire trek; to and I went along with our teachers Mr. Karna teachers made up a story to tease us - around noon, and now, we were in a see such a pristine paradise in a world Puri (trek leader), Mr. Sanjay Kuqsal, Mr. they said that they had eaten delicious hot region surrounded by stretches of snow so far removed from ours. The sacred Laxman Bhandari, Mr. Joshi and Mr. Aseem momos in a Nepali household just beyond with the Trishul towering over us. From lake was still covered with ice. I envied Tripathi. the ridge, and seriously, we all believed here we could clearly see the location of Mr. Kuqsal and Mr. Joshi posing for them! Rupkund. That night terrible headaches pictures taken by Mr. Puri as the battery The early next day we started out for seriously made us doubt whether we of my camera was not working. Mr. Bhagwabasa, our base camp for could make it to Rupkund, luckily Mr. Bhandari somehow managed to get it Rupkund, in four stages. Stage one: The Tripathi's and Mr. Bhandari's medicine going; otherwise, I would not have been Bedni Camp site to a saddle on the bag helped us to cope with it. The next stuck with a frozen camera. As for the mountain, where the trail crosses over. morning all of us were fit and fine. Nights bones we only saw two femurs, but that RUPKUND Stage two: A gradual descent to Patal turn extremely cold here with inside the was enough for our photo session on the Nachauni over the Ghora Lotani tent temperatures dipping to 1°C and snow. We also saw some tufts of hair of meadows. Stage three: An almost vertical, outside to -2°C to -3°C. We got into our people who had frozen to death there, back-breaking ascent to the Kalu Vinayak sleeping bags in all our warm clothes to supposedly in a hailstorm. A MEMORABLE (black Ganesh) shrine on the ridge. Stage brave the night. The wind chill factor made On the way down we stopped at many four: A descending walk on the snow line the -2°C to -3°C seem more like -6°C or places, each as pretty as a picture The first day took us to the road head for to Bhagwabasa. This days trek was more. postcard. The best of them was Ali our trek, Loharjung (2530m) village, deep 10kms and one of the toughest. We were Come morning it was destination Bugyal. It was here that the venerable in the Garhwal hills. Greeted by chilly all totally drained by the effort. To top it all Rupkund. We woke up at around 4:45. It Khole, (maybe the vegetarian food was Himalayan winds we got off the bus and the effects of the lack of oxygen made it was freezing. After a tasty hasty breakfast getting to him), decided to take matters were soon introduced to our guides, Mr. worse, most of us had splitting of egg fried rice and hot tea we began our into his own hands by chasing a hapless Gosain and Gabbar and the rest of the headaches. Worn out, some of us found it final ascent to Rupkund. This stretch was Himalayan Mouse Hare who was out to trekking team, who eventually became our investigate the invasion of his domain. I good friends. The 'mystery lake' had got couple returning from Rupkund. am sure a painful lesson was learnt, that us very excited and the one question that TRIP a seemingly helpless mouse hare has kept popping up was "will we see any The next day dawned bright and sunny. also got a set of very sharp teeth and un- bones in Rupkund?" I, personally, must We tucked into a delicious breakfast of brushed at that, which necessitated anti- have asked this question a million times. omelette and bread washed down with hot chocolate, before crossing the Bedni tetanus and anti-rabies jabs to suitable Next morning we trekked 15km to Ganga and heading up a steep trail parts of his anatomy, further contributing Wan(2600m). We reached in high spirits, through a thick forest of oak, pine and to the misery of this brave 'Mouse briefly stopping on the way to see a rhododendron. What with the Catcher'. We camped a few kilometres typical Garhwali wedding. At the Wan temperamental weather and the weight of below this place. The next day, we campsite we stretched out our weary our rucksacks, not to mention having to continued downhill, for almost 3000ft and bodies and dozed off in the late afternoon tackle 13km of tricky uphill stretches, we camped in idyllic Raun Bagad, a grassy sun. But the day was fast fading so we eventually made it to the grassy rolling bank on the river Wan. For the final night rushed to finish pitching our tents before meadows of the Bedni Bugyal (3350m), a we climbed back up to Loharjung, where nightfall. Alas, we were overtaken by the sight for sore eyes. Mr Puri's fantastic Rajat organised a soccer match. The star most violent hailstorm I have ever sense of humour kept us in good spirit players were Krishna and Mr. Tripathi. experienced, which pounded us for 3 throughout the trek. The next morning we left for Dehradun, hours soaking through all our tents. and thus, our exciting adventure came to Bedni Bugyal was beautiful! Its exquisite Fortunately, we found a cramped but dry an end. shelter in the adjacent Forest Department beauty relieved the pain in our worn out Varun Agarwal limbs. From the camp we appreciated the log hut where the 14 of us huddled into X-B the only available space for the night! We towering Trishul (7120m) and Nanda had to share the hut with an Australian Ghunti (6309m) to the north and towards 10 11 The liphant The liphant WHO KILLED RISPANA? An Awakening The 13th of March, 2010 was a great day. Why, you may ask? Well, it was face that had every right to be smiling at the CROSS the day the "greatest ever" (as quoted by many) Welham Newz was thought of having missed it. We could not afford to stand 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd… or even screened. Here I was, basking in the success, realizing that finally, after 2nd. As and when they announced these one, whole, formidable year of torture and defeat, Welham Newz was awards in that order, we were praying, "Let KHARDUNGLA back ("with a BANG", may I add!). I had already started planning the next us not be sixth…", "Let us not be fifth…"… till edition, when something happened that forced me to, what am I the second prize. And when they announced the second prize, and it was not us, I only Sometimes in life you do unexpected SAYING!?, something made me realize that there would be no next said one thing to Meraj, "Dude, we're either things, meet unique people and go to edition. At least this term. Mr. Brahma Raina, or BR, the new Teacher-in first, or we're nothing." amazing places. Charge came to the Newz Room, an excited expression on his face, and And then the announcer said, "And now… said, "Kohli, there's this International Young Filmmakers Festival guess who's first?" This is exactly what happened with me We left on the 26th of June and checked dawn, we proceeded to the real 'Heaven', Competition, Would you be interested?" Well yeah, I thought. However, I guess that the spirit of our movie, and its during my vacation. As I had cleared my into a hotel in Manali . The next day we Leh. The very look of it made you feel as life isn't so easy. power, and its effect, and its wonder, that it Board Examination with decent grades, visited a small town called 'Surchu', which if the Gods are present there. was not us, but three other schools that my father wanted to give me a nice is at height of approximately 15000ft "What do we have to make a film on?" I finished for him, "Great." After a day in Leh, we carried on to answered: "WELHAM BOYS! WHO KILLED surprise. above sea level. asked. The first question that a director, or a "Mr. Gael Metroz will be helping us," That RISPANA!" Khardungla. A question occurred to both director-to-be, has to ask. Well, he made all the arrangements for a We never realised that it was the of us, "Why not skate up to the top?" We was reassuring. Mr. Gael Metroz is a "Yes!" She said, "It is another school not from trip to Leh and informed us only two days beginning of an unforgettable adventure. wanted to show off our skills to our uncle "Here's a list of topics. Have a look. We have professional filmmaker from Switzerland who Delhi, but are our very close neighbors, from before the journey, so that we could pack who had established the world record by to choose any one," BR said. will be with us in Welham till November. The the foothills of Mussoorie, from Dehradun, The road to Surchu was like the path our bags.[We later came to know that my skating down from Badrinath to Dehra Here's what I had in mind: a cool storyline, mere thought of that put a smile on my face. Welham Boys School!" leading to heaven. Our very own country some nice actors from the batch, hardcore "So, Kohli, we're the in-thing today, eh?" With father had planned this trip many a times has so much beauty and grace to offer. Dun on skates. An involuntary cry erupted from somewhere but somehow, it had not materialized.] cinematography, super-duper editing, that, BR walked out, leaving me thinking within me. Meraj and I walked those ten Every mountain looked different from the The roads were very bad so we skated "whoa!" sound effects, and the best music already. steps to get our trophy, and my mind was At the last minute on an impulse, my kid other. Every single mountain looked as if from South Pulaoa, which is some twenty- from the loyal iTunes. Here's how the * muddled with all the thoughts of the last two sister and I packed our skates, though we God himself had carved it out. four kilometres away from Khardungla daydream was shattered: the list of topics. Exactly 61 days later, Meraj and I stood in months, when so much had happened, so were a little apprehensive whether it would and is at a height of 18,382ft above sea Yep, it seemed all the most boring topics in Just before reaching Surchu, we had to the hall of the National Science Centre, much had happened… but it was worth it. It be permitted or not. We had done so level. It also happens to be the highest the world had been listed on that paper. cross a bridge. Reading the words expressions tense, jaws clenched. They was totally worth it. because we imagined this would be motorable road in the world. 'Importance of family in my life', 'Danger Ahead', our driver thought of were announcing the final result: they were And when we finally held the magnificent, another boring trip to mountains where 'Environmental Awareness', 'HIV/AIDS' and bypassing the bridge and we landed up We started to skate for fun but when we announcing the first position. gigantic little trophy in our hands, a smile the weather is unpredictable. When things so on… with a tilted car! Eventually it had to be reached the top of Khardungla, we were Fifty two schools from not only India, but broke across our faces, and we only said, got boring, we could cheer ourselves by "So basically," I said, "It's a documentary. We pulled out by a truck. On reaching Surchu, in a very bad shape. Tourists there were Argentina, Thailand, and Slovania had come. "This one's for you, Welham!" skating on the roads. have to make a documentary on one of the we put up a tent and the next day at amazed to see us on skates and clapped The International Young Film Makers' topics." for us. We were happy to get this Festival, 2010, was reaching its climax. We Team of "Who Killed Rispana? unexpected welcome and to express our "Yep," he said, "And the Principal's advice is were glad to have missed one exam, and -An Awakening" joy we did figure skating , which was that you make it on 'Environmental were desperate to go back to school with a again cheered by the tourists. Only now Awareness'." did we realize that we had broken a world "So basically, we have to make a record by completing the Journey in five documentary, a documentary, on and a half-hours.. Environment." The next skating 'shift' was at the 'Nubra' "Also," BR continued, "You mustn't forget that this movie is going to Delhi-" Valley where the roads were better and smoother. But of course you do not get "Oh!?" I exclaimed. good things easily. To achieve something "…And so, you can't use music without you have to work hard. This is the lesson I official permission. Which basically learnt the 'hard' way! Never in my wildest means…" He gave that classic expression of dreams had I expected this. Thanks Dad! his. -Shrey Painuli "…That we have to make the music," I XI-Sci 12 13 The liphant The liphant WHO KILLED RISPANA? An Awakening The 13th of March, 2010 was a great day. Why, you may ask? Well, it was face that had every right to be smiling at the CROSS the day the "greatest ever" (as quoted by many) Welham Newz was thought of having missed it. We could not afford to stand 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd… or even screened. Here I was, basking in the success, realizing that finally, after 2nd. As and when they announced these one, whole, formidable year of torture and defeat, Welham Newz was awards in that order, we were praying, "Let KHARDUNGLA back ("with a BANG", may I add!). I had already started planning the next us not be sixth…", "Let us not be fifth…"… till edition, when something happened that forced me to, what am I the second prize. And when they announced the second prize, and it was not us, I only Sometimes in life you do unexpected SAYING!?, something made me realize that there would be no next said one thing to Meraj, "Dude, we're either things, meet unique people and go to edition. At least this term. Mr. Brahma Raina, or BR, the new Teacher-in first, or we're nothing." amazing places. Charge came to the Newz Room, an excited expression on his face, and And then the announcer said, "And now… said, "Kohli, there's this International Young Filmmakers Festival guess who's first?" This is exactly what happened with me We left on the 26th of June and checked dawn, we proceeded to the real 'Heaven', Competition, Would you be interested?" Well yeah, I thought. However, I guess that the spirit of our movie, and its during my vacation. As I had cleared my into a hotel in Manali . The next day we Leh. The very look of it made you feel as life isn't so easy. power, and its effect, and its wonder, that it Board Examination with decent grades, visited a small town called 'Surchu', which if the Gods are present there. was not us, but three other schools that my father wanted to give me a nice is at height of approximately 15000ft "What do we have to make a film on?" I finished for him, "Great." After a day in Leh, we carried on to answered: "WELHAM BOYS! WHO KILLED surprise. above sea level. asked. The first question that a director, or a "Mr. Gael Metroz will be helping us," That RISPANA!" Khardungla. A question occurred to both director-to-be, has to ask. Well, he made all the arrangements for a We never realised that it was the of us, "Why not skate up to the top?" We was reassuring. Mr. Gael Metroz is a "Yes!" She said, "It is another school not from trip to Leh and informed us only two days beginning of an unforgettable adventure. wanted to show off our skills to our uncle "Here's a list of topics. Have a look. We have professional filmmaker from Switzerland who Delhi, but are our very close neighbors, from before the journey, so that we could pack who had established the world record by to choose any one," BR said. will be with us in Welham till November. The the foothills of Mussoorie, from Dehradun, The road to Surchu was like the path our bags.[We later came to know that my skating down from Badrinath to Dehra Here's what I had in mind: a cool storyline, mere thought of that put a smile on my face. Welham Boys School!" leading to heaven. Our very own country some nice actors from the batch, hardcore "So, Kohli, we're the in-thing today, eh?" With father had planned this trip many a times has so much beauty and grace to offer. Dun on skates. An involuntary cry erupted from somewhere but somehow, it had not materialized.] cinematography, super-duper editing, that, BR walked out, leaving me thinking within me. Meraj and I walked those ten Every mountain looked different from the The roads were very bad so we skated "whoa!" sound effects, and the best music already. steps to get our trophy, and my mind was At the last minute on an impulse, my kid other. Every single mountain looked as if from South Pulaoa, which is some twenty- from the loyal iTunes. Here's how the * muddled with all the thoughts of the last two sister and I packed our skates, though we God himself had carved it out. four kilometres away from Khardungla daydream was shattered: the list of topics. Exactly 61 days later, Meraj and I stood in months, when so much had happened, so were a little apprehensive whether it would and is at a height of 18,382ft above sea Yep, it seemed all the most boring topics in Just before reaching Surchu, we had to the hall of the National Science Centre, much had happened… but it was worth it. It be permitted or not. We had done so level. It also happens to be the highest the world had been listed on that paper. cross a bridge. Reading the words expressions tense, jaws clenched. They was totally worth it. because we imagined this would be motorable road in the world. 'Importance of family in my life', 'Danger Ahead', our driver thought of were announcing the final result: they were And when we finally held the magnificent, another boring trip to mountains where 'Environmental Awareness', 'HIV/AIDS' and bypassing the bridge and we landed up We started to skate for fun but when we announcing the first position. gigantic little trophy in our hands, a smile the weather is unpredictable. When things so on… with a tilted car! Eventually it had to be reached the top of Khardungla, we were Fifty two schools from not only India, but broke across our faces, and we only said, got boring, we could cheer ourselves by "So basically," I said, "It's a documentary. We pulled out by a truck. On reaching Surchu, in a very bad shape. Tourists there were Argentina, Thailand, and Slovania had come. "This one's for you, Welham!" skating on the roads. have to make a documentary on one of the we put up a tent and the next day at amazed to see us on skates and clapped The International Young Film Makers' topics." for us. We were happy to get this Festival, 2010, was reaching its climax. We Team of "Who Killed Rispana? unexpected welcome and to express our "Yep," he said, "And the Principal's advice is were glad to have missed one exam, and -An Awakening" joy we did figure skating , which was that you make it on 'Environmental were desperate to go back to school with a again cheered by the tourists. Only now Awareness'." did we realize that we had broken a world "So basically, we have to make a record by completing the Journey in five documentary, a documentary, on and a half-hours.. Environment." The next skating 'shift' was at the 'Nubra' "Also," BR continued, "You mustn't forget that this movie is going to Delhi-" Valley where the roads were better and smoother. But of course you do not get "Oh!?" I exclaimed. good things easily. To achieve something "…And so, you can't use music without you have to work hard. This is the lesson I official permission. Which basically learnt the 'hard' way! Never in my wildest means…" He gave that classic expression of dreams had I expected this. Thanks Dad! his. -Shrey Painuli "…That we have to make the music," I XI-Sci 12 13 The liphant The In Australia, I think the media has to respond to it as the media's impact can affect INTERVIEW WITH people's attitudes. Oli: Now on to something lighter; You have MR. JAMES come to Welham Boys and have been li 24 X 7 engaged with the music department. What do you have to say about Indian Music? James: I am certainly falling in love with the Sitar, and Mr. De is opening up for me WELHAM NOW GORING different types of Indian Music. I don't quite Mr. James Goring has joined us in understand some aspects of it. I suppose Welham Goes International Singh Soni, Yuvraj Goswami and Raj Boys School stood second in the Western Welham this term. Fresh from vocal melodies are a bit difficult to follow at Shekhar. music category. ?Mr. Dev Lahiri was accorded the honour of Australia, he is here to work with times, but the tablas and the rhythms... that being invited to the Wasatch Academy in Careers Department ?St.Georges College, Mussorie our Music Department. Apart from is just some of the most beautiful music I Utah to deliver the Baccalaureate Address ?Ms. Arti Chandra from 'SilverLine Career commenced on the 7th of August. Welham teaching keen guitarists new tabs have ever heard, to be honest. on their Graduation Ceremony. He spoke Boys School stood second in the Western Counsellors' conducted a Careers Oli: Sir, all of us have seen you with your about the challenges of life in the 21st music category. and chords he is a truly fun loving Workshop for Class 12 on the 23rd and person who has developed a bond Australian football. Do you think we have century. 24th of July. New Additions to our with us Welhamites. Let us take a the stamina and calibre to play such a ?After the success of Welham's at its first Welham Newz (Productions!) 'W' Community peek into the conversation Oli had rough game? Do you think Indians can International Competition last term, the also pick up a sport like Australian football ?The Welham Newz Department conducted ?The following teachers have joined our with this hard-to-forget individual. school's MUN Team comprising Shriyam despite our tendency to play more the first-ever student-driven workshop on faculty. Oli extends them a very warm Gupta, Rajat Arora, Shivam Khanna, disciplined sports like cricket (where we of video-editing and camerawork from the welcome and hopes that they have a long Sheikh Burhan, Yuvraj Goswami, Shashwat course have Australia as one of the Agarwal, Himanshu, Ritanshu Dokania, 12th-14th August, 2010. and successful stay at Welham. Oli: Good Morning, Sir! Welcome to India. constantly being asked about, and it does greatest teams)? Talking about Australian Om Kesarwami, Bivab, Shreepath Jain and Is India the same as you expected it to be make me feel a little ashamed of my people Miscellaneous 1.Mr. Pushpak Bhandari (English) football, do you think students at Welham Shantanu Vachani accompanied by Mrs. or has it been a different experience? in Australia. But, it makes me want to be ? 2.Mr. Rakesh Bhatia (Economics) have the ability to play a sport like Indrani Lahiri and Mr. Mohit Sinha Shrey Painuli was recently honoured by James: I think it's always going to be a very here even more, and to show you people ? Australian football? represented Welham at the WEMUN 2010 being given the once-in-a-lifetime Our school's Activity Centre has recently different experience, what you read and what that Australians are not that bad, to tell you opportunity of carrying the Queen's Baton at China from the 4th-12th of August. They been renovated with a new state-of-the-art you get, but I feel more than welcome at that it can be a safe place and that it is full of James: Of course, of course, I think the for the Commonwealth Games 2010. He won eight awards, including four plastered terra-flex basketball facility. This Welham and it sort of feels like my home. In good people as well. Australian rule driven football game is Outstanding Delegates and four Honorary also set the record of being the youngest is sure to improve our already high- responsible for a very wild stereotype about fact, it is a lot like my high school. I am Oli: Sir, you talked about racism. What Mentions. in-line skater to scale the highest achieving basketball team's status. It is the Australian people, and I think it fits really settling in quite well and people have exactly is the situation in Australia with motorable road at Khardungla Pass. probably the best basketball court in North accepted me better than I had expected. In well in this instance. The game is very Quizzes Subsequently, after skating at the Nubra India. regard to the recent attacks on Indians and terms of cultural differences, Welham has rough, very fast, and very physical. But, ?The school recently participated in the 'All valley, he was presented an Achievement the issue of racism generally? been quite a comfortable experience for me. that's not to say that people who are India Synergy Sports Quiz' held in Delhi Award by the minister of Children and James: The problem has been going on But outside the school, I do encounter a lot generally known to play more tactical and during the summer break. The show was Women's Empowerment, Uttarakhand. since I left from Australia in January. I think it more of the 'Indian culture' which is very far slow sports can't adapt to this sport, and I broadcast live on DD National. Quite a few is a multi-faceted issue. I think it has a lot to Self Development away from the Australian culture. think you can get something out of every Welhamites managed to catch a glimpse do with Australians being quite an old- sport. And the next time I go around with my of it. We were represented by Jatan Singh ?Mr. S.S. Khaira and Mr. Jai Ranjan Kagdee Oli: Sir, you talked about how going fashioned and a very proud community. ball, I expect many boys to come and give Soni, Bharat Manchanda, Anant Gupta, participated in the 3 day National level outside the school, is a different Some people do not know how to handle 'Data Users' seminar from 25th to the 27th me a shout and join me! Shourya Jaiswal, Sahil Jain, Rachit experience, a different encounter students of other cultures who they feel of July, 2010. -Yuvraj Goswami and Punit Agrawal Nandwani and Kuvam Behl. altogether. Do you feel that the Indians are threatened by (Oli: But they are a minority). It Debates ?The seminar was organised by the editors not comfortable with an Australian, or any is still a minority, but they feel threatened by of the magazine, 'Geography and You'. It The-Rainfall-Wall-Fall-Catastrophe other foreigner for that matter and do not something different coming in and shaking ?The school participated in the Cambrian was supported by Department of Science engage with them? Do you think that that up their world a little. Also, Indian students Hall Debate and stood 5th out of a total of ?Owing to heavy torrential rainfall on the and Technology, New Delhi, ONGC, IIRS, kind of mentality is still prevalent with us are so intelligent. I think some Australians WOBS 15 schools. We were represented by morning of 31st July, the school suffered FSI and hosted by the SOI. The subject of Indians? ?The Old Boys had a get together at some significant losses. Three walls of the have the mentality that they are going to take Shivam Khanna and Parambir Singh Bajaj. the workshop was relevant Geography Mumbai and Kolkata these during school collapsed because of high water James: I don't think it is a specific mentality their placements from the universities. It ?An English debate was hosted by curriculum such as Forests, Hydrology, the holidays. We look forward to pressure. In addition to this, the Activity for Indian people in general. However, it should not matter where the students come St.Georges College on the 2nd of August. GIS training and Renewable energy. more information about such Centre was flooded with water. Fortunately, does vary in some parts of country you go from, it is the substance that matters. It was conducted in two parts, 'The Bro. ? Jatan Singh Soni was awarded the IPSC there were no injuries and miraculously the events. Masterson Silver Medal Debate' and 'The to. I have been travelling for a couple of Oli: Sir, do you feel that there is media scholarship for the year 2010. basketball court was safe. Senior school ? Bro. Bergin Gold Medal Debate'. months before coming to Welham. The hype or sensationalism over this issue? The Old Boys AGM is due to be ? grabbed the opportunity to help clear the St.Georges emerged victorious in the A staff workshop for the school teachers Tibetan communities did respond differently held on 4th September in Delhi. debris. The situation is under control. Oli James: I think there should be more hype in former and Welham Girls School swept the was held on the 17th and 18th of July at on seeing a western person. However, I don't ? takes great pleasure in thanking the Australia because as far as I am concerned, Saurabh Narang (Batch of 1994) latter. Welham Jaypee Manor, Mussorie. think there are any negative thoughts or administration for the incredibly prompt the reporting of these events has not been along with Anant Grewal had an art ?The annual Milestone competition by feelings towards a western person. ?Boys School bagged the third position in response, thus limiting the damage to the made as clear as it has been made in India. exhibition 'Tangible Mysticism' from St.Georges College, Mussorie Obviously there are issues in the media at both the debates. Our school was bare minimum. I have heard a great deal on the news. The 11th August to 16th August at the moment regarding Indian students in represented by Abhineet Kanodia, Jatan commenced on the 7th of August. Welham Indian media has responded to it a lot more. Delhi. Australia, racism issues, which I am 14 15 The liphant The In Australia, I think the media has to respond to it as the media's impact can affect INTERVIEW WITH people's attitudes. Oli: Now on to something lighter; You have MR. JAMES come to Welham Boys and have been li 24 X 7 engaged with the music department. What do you have to say about Indian Music? James: I am certainly falling in love with the Sitar, and Mr. De is opening up for me WELHAM NOW GORING different types of Indian Music. I don't quite Mr. James Goring has joined us in understand some aspects of it. I suppose Welham Goes International Singh Soni, Yuvraj Goswami and Raj Boys School stood second in the Western Welham this term. Fresh from vocal melodies are a bit difficult to follow at Shekhar. music category. ?Mr. Dev Lahiri was accorded the honour of Australia, he is here to work with times, but the tablas and the rhythms... that being invited to the Wasatch Academy in Careers Department ?St.Georges College, Mussorie our Music Department. Apart from is just some of the most beautiful music I Utah to deliver the Baccalaureate Address ?Ms. Arti Chandra from 'SilverLine Career commenced on the 7th of August. Welham teaching keen guitarists new tabs have ever heard, to be honest. on their Graduation Ceremony. He spoke Boys School stood second in the Western Counsellors' conducted a Careers Oli: Sir, all of us have seen you with your about the challenges of life in the 21st music category. and chords he is a truly fun loving Workshop for Class 12 on the 23rd and person who has developed a bond Australian football. Do you think we have century. 24th of July. New Additions to our with us Welhamites. Let us take a the stamina and calibre to play such a ?After the success of Welham's at its first Welham Newz (Productions!) 'W' Community peek into the conversation Oli had rough game? Do you think Indians can International Competition last term, the also pick up a sport like Australian football ?The Welham Newz Department conducted ?The following teachers have joined our with this hard-to-forget individual. school's MUN Team comprising Shriyam despite our tendency to play more the first-ever student-driven workshop on faculty. Oli extends them a very warm Gupta, Rajat Arora, Shivam Khanna, disciplined sports like cricket (where we of video-editing and camerawork from the welcome and hopes that they have a long Sheikh Burhan, Yuvraj Goswami, Shashwat course have Australia as one of the Agarwal, Himanshu, Ritanshu Dokania, 12th-14th August, 2010. and successful stay at Welham. Oli: Good Morning, Sir! Welcome to India. constantly being asked about, and it does greatest teams)? Talking about Australian Om Kesarwami, Bivab, Shreepath Jain and Is India the same as you expected it to be make me feel a little ashamed of my people Miscellaneous 1.Mr. Pushpak Bhandari (English) football, do you think students at Welham Shantanu Vachani accompanied by Mrs. or has it been a different experience? in Australia. But, it makes me want to be ? 2.Mr. Rakesh Bhatia (Economics) have the ability to play a sport like Indrani Lahiri and Mr. Mohit Sinha Shrey Painuli was recently honoured by James: I think it's always going to be a very here even more, and to show you people ? Australian football? represented Welham at the WEMUN 2010 being given the once-in-a-lifetime Our school's Activity Centre has recently different experience, what you read and what that Australians are not that bad, to tell you opportunity of carrying the Queen's Baton at China from the 4th-12th of August. They been renovated with a new state-of-the-art you get, but I feel more than welcome at that it can be a safe place and that it is full of James: Of course, of course, I think the for the Commonwealth Games 2010. He won eight awards, including four plastered terra-flex basketball facility. This Welham and it sort of feels like my home. In good people as well. Australian rule driven football game is Outstanding Delegates and four Honorary also set the record of being the youngest is sure to improve our already high- responsible for a very wild stereotype about fact, it is a lot like my high school. I am Oli: Sir, you talked about racism. What Mentions. in-line skater to scale the highest achieving basketball team's status. It is the Australian people, and I think it fits really settling in quite well and people have exactly is the situation in Australia with motorable road at Khardungla Pass. probably the best basketball court in North accepted me better than I had expected. In well in this instance. The game is very Quizzes Subsequently, after skating at the Nubra India. regard to the recent attacks on Indians and terms of cultural differences, Welham has rough, very fast, and very physical. But, ?The school recently participated in the 'All valley, he was presented an Achievement the issue of racism generally? been quite a comfortable experience for me. that's not to say that people who are India Synergy Sports Quiz' held in Delhi Award by the minister of Children and James: The problem has been going on But outside the school, I do encounter a lot generally known to play more tactical and during the summer break. The show was Women's Empowerment, Uttarakhand. since I left from Australia in January. I think it more of the 'Indian culture' which is very far slow sports can't adapt to this sport, and I broadcast live on DD National. Quite a few is a multi-faceted issue. I think it has a lot to Self Development away from the Australian culture. think you can get something out of every Welhamites managed to catch a glimpse do with Australians being quite an old- sport. And the next time I go around with my of it. We were represented by Jatan Singh ?Mr. S.S. Khaira and Mr. Jai Ranjan Kagdee Oli: Sir, you talked about how going fashioned and a very proud community. ball, I expect many boys to come and give Soni, Bharat Manchanda, Anant Gupta, participated in the 3 day National level outside the school, is a different Some people do not know how to handle 'Data Users' seminar from 25th to the 27th me a shout and join me! Shourya Jaiswal, Sahil Jain, Rachit experience, a different encounter students of other cultures who they feel of July, 2010. -Yuvraj Goswami and Punit Agrawal Nandwani and Kuvam Behl. altogether. Do you feel that the Indians are threatened by (Oli: But they are a minority). It Debates ?The seminar was organised by the editors not comfortable with an Australian, or any is still a minority, but they feel threatened by of the magazine, 'Geography and You'. It The-Rainfall-Wall-Fall-Catastrophe other foreigner for that matter and do not something different coming in and shaking ?The school participated in the Cambrian was supported by Department of Science engage with them? Do you think that that up their world a little. Also, Indian students Hall Debate and stood 5th out of a total of ?Owing to heavy torrential rainfall on the and Technology, New Delhi, ONGC, IIRS, kind of mentality is still prevalent with us are so intelligent. I think some Australians WOBS 15 schools. We were represented by morning of 31st July, the school suffered FSI and hosted by the SOI. The subject of Indians? ?The Old Boys had a get together at some significant losses. Three walls of the have the mentality that they are going to take Shivam Khanna and Parambir Singh Bajaj. the workshop was relevant Geography Mumbai and Kolkata these during school collapsed because of high water James: I don't think it is a specific mentality their placements from the universities. It ?An English debate was hosted by curriculum such as Forests, Hydrology, the holidays. We look forward to pressure. In addition to this, the Activity for Indian people in general. However, it should not matter where the students come St.Georges College on the 2nd of August. GIS training and Renewable energy. more information about such Centre was flooded with water. Fortunately, does vary in some parts of country you go from, it is the substance that matters. It was conducted in two parts, 'The Bro. ? Jatan Singh Soni was awarded the IPSC there were no injuries and miraculously the events. Masterson Silver Medal Debate' and 'The to. I have been travelling for a couple of Oli: Sir, do you feel that there is media scholarship for the year 2010. basketball court was safe. Senior school ? Bro. Bergin Gold Medal Debate'. months before coming to Welham. The hype or sensationalism over this issue? The Old Boys AGM is due to be ? grabbed the opportunity to help clear the St.Georges emerged victorious in the A staff workshop for the school teachers Tibetan communities did respond differently held on 4th September in Delhi. debris. The situation is under control. Oli James: I think there should be more hype in former and Welham Girls School swept the was held on the 17th and 18th of July at on seeing a western person. However, I don't ? takes great pleasure in thanking the Australia because as far as I am concerned, Saurabh Narang (Batch of 1994) latter. Welham Jaypee Manor, Mussorie. think there are any negative thoughts or administration for the incredibly prompt the reporting of these events has not been along with Anant Grewal had an art ?The annual Milestone competition by feelings towards a western person. ?Boys School bagged the third position in response, thus limiting the damage to the made as clear as it has been made in India. exhibition 'Tangible Mysticism' from St.Georges College, Mussorie Obviously there are issues in the media at both the debates. Our school was bare minimum. I have heard a great deal on the news. The 11th August to 16th August at the moment regarding Indian students in represented by Abhineet Kanodia, Jatan commenced on the 7th of August. Welham Indian media has responded to it a lot more. Delhi. Australia, racism issues, which I am 14 15 The liphant The liphant

for both parents and the school to be on unfortunate but it is a cultural context. We reproduce below a letter INTERVIEW WITH the same page. Oli: Sir, since they are independent written by Mr. Joseph Loftin, and do not need to be tracked all the WASATCH Oli: Sir, how would you compare the President, Wasatch Academy to American Education system to India's? time, is a similar scenario not possible our board. Our Principal, Mr. in India? Mr. Lahiri: See it is a totally different ACADEMY, Dev Lahiri, was invited to deliver context and a totally different ball game. Mr. Lahiri: It is not possible presently the keynote address at Wasatch To begin with, I think the clientele is very because even the experiment to let a School with Academy's Graduation MR. LAHIRI people have more freedom in this very Oli: Sir, you travelled a lot during the different. The average American child is happening at schools is that there is very Ceremony. vacations and visited a number of far more mature than the average Indian school have failed. When we are little time or inclination to talk about schools while most of us were home. child is. They have to grow up on their independent, it also means that there is a Difference values. Unfortunately, because of the Could you tell us more about it? own, they have to look after themselves. a huge amount of responsibility and demands being made on schools, they From day one they do not sleep with their accountability that goes with it and I am Mr. Lahiri: Well, my first trip was to the are becoming curriculum delivery parents, and they do not hear any baby afraid that our children because of the United States in the summer because the machines and the whole business of talk. When they are in high school, they cultural milieu in which they grow up President of Wasatch Academy, who had producing good citizens with right sound have their own pocket money and are not prepared to be that visited school earlier in the year, had values is being overlooked. It is something everything, so they grow up very accountable and responsible. Dear Sirs: invited me to address their Graduation we are already paying a price for and will differently and therefore that education Ceremony, a very prestigious ceremony continue to pay a bigger price for, in the Oli: How can we improve on that Last weekend Wasatch Academy, Utah's oldest prep school; founded system suits them. Here we have to have for American schools. I took that future. front? 1875 had the honour of receiving one of the most profound greater emphasis on discipline and rules opportunity to spend four days at Mr. Lahiri: I think you have to work as a graduation addresses given in the school's long illustratious history. Oli: So do you think we should and so on and so forth which is rather The Baccalaureate Address delivered by the Principal of Welham Wasatch interacting with students and community and work very consciously. emphasize on fundamental values? Boys School, Dev Lahiri, spoke of the challenges in the 21st staff. On the final day, I addressed the In boarding schools, you must learn to century and provided our graduates and all attending the ceremony school. It was a huge ceremony where Mr. Lahiri: Absolutely, I think it is important take responsibility for little things like with words of wisdom with words of wisdom cultivated by a man parents, staff, local individuals were to give schools the time and space to be being on time, respecting other excelled in the face of extraordinary life circumstances. This year's present? it is the most sacred ceremony able to talk about values and to drill home peoples time, not wasting food, not graduation was my 22nd as President of Wasatch Academy. In the of their calendar, equivalent of our these values. We can do that in a wasting electricity. These are small boarding school but what about a day course of that time our school had senators, astronauts, highly Founders. The subsequent trip was a things but they go a long way in awarded authors, world-renowned scientists, international dignitaries school? A kid finishes at 2:30, goes for holiday to Europe where I took the nurturing our sense of responsibility. and leading educators address the graduating classes of Wasatch tuition, and is on the tuition circuit until opportunity to visit schools, particularly of Unfortunately, in school I find that the Academy students. Never, though, I have seen a speaker impact nine at night, trying to balance IIT and the children with whom I was staying, as I emphasis is always on what can the an audience at this event as powerfully as Mr. Lahiri. class 12th together. know their parents. school give to us and not on what we Thank you for granting the Wasatch Academy the privilege of Oli: Sir, what did you talk about in your Oli: Sir, you also speak about the role of can give to the school. hearing your principal address the Wasatch Academy graduating address at Wasatch? parents in your article. How instrumental Oli: Finally, what would you like to class of 2010. It is our hope that two outstanding institutions can do you think parents are in a boarding continue to partner in exchanging ideas and sharing resources for Mr. Lahiri: I talked about the convey to the school through the school? the purpose of advancing the students of Welham Boys School and responsibilities of young people who Oliphant? Wasatch Academy in their preparation for life in today's globally- come to school such as ours, in the Mr. Lahiri: I think parents have a vital Mr. Lahiri: Well, I think it is very connected fast moving world. context of today's world, what exactly we role to play. They must see important for Welham Boys, and it is It is an honour that I can consider Dev Lahiri a colleague in this expect of them, what the world expects of themselves as partners, the my dream, which keeps me going that most noble profession. Congratulations to you as the Trustees of them really, in order to make this world a school must see itself as a Welham Boys must have a USP. Some Welham Boys School for selecting an extraordinary leader to serve better place. partner of the parents, and schools have a USP that they provide together they must as your principal. Oli: Sir, with reference to your article great infrastructural facilities such as air speak the same 'Relearning the alphabet' in Hindustan conditioned classrooms etc but I think language. There Times in which you talk about the Indian Welham Boys must have a USP that it Sincerely, is no point in education system, what do you think can is a school that exists with a soul. A my telling we do to improve it? school that thinks about the country you that and which is determined, in its own Mr. Lahiri: To talk about the Indian honesty small way, to try and make this country education system in one interview is not Joseph Loftin is a a better place. It is driven by that one President possible as it is a huge subject. However, good passion. And I do not mean all this like Wasatch Academy there is one area of particular interest to virtue and a politician, I mean this as a teacher, as 120 South 100 West me, which is what I feel has happened in Mount Pleasant, Utha somebody else a classroom teacher, that we are this country, with the growing emphasis telling you that you dedicated to the effort to make this on performance and growing emphasis can tell lies. This country a better place to live in. on securing marks to get into universities way children end up Rajat Arora and high powered entrance exams to IITs confused. So I think and so on and so forth. What is it is very important 16 17 The liphant The liphant

Pranav Arora of class XI went to Germany for the students exchange trip for 6 weeks. This is a letter sent to school by THE EYE OF THE DRAGON his foster parents. WEMUN EXPO 2010, BEIJING Initially, there were twelve distinct versions of this article. What we had to produce was a detailed report on our MUN experience in Beijing, but the outcome was more of an emotion driven account of our Chinese extravaganza. Some reports showcased the Chinese as masters in piracy; another was confined to comparing the duty free shops in Beijing and New Delhi! However, after a lot of thought, we have tried to bring some unanimity in this report on Welham Boys School in Beijing, for the WEMUN Expo- 2010. We reached the climax of our excitement even before crossing the gates of school! Our visas were rejected and this 'breaking news' hit us ten hours prior to departure. However, we were given hope when we were asked not to unpack, as some last 'status' in school next year. The Welhamites were a part of nine moment chance might just come our way. vegetarians were dealing with the rats in committees, namely - The Somali Cabinet, But, we 'were' there for the conference, their stomach; some were worried about The Disarmament Committee, The Press, right? So, what exactly had happened...? what they must have missed in the maths WHO, The UN Security Council, The Arab- Organisers from China flew over to Delhi class that day. Israeli Negotiation Committee (AINC), for a very special meeting in the Chinese We suited up in thirty three minutes only to ECOFIN, UNCIO and UNICEF. All councils embassy's office for reconsidering our find ourselves in a maze. I headed to the comprised of roughly 50-80 delegates. To visa proposals. So, with the visas on our help desk to find out where my our astonishment, there were 1700 passports by the next day, the twelve plus conference room was located, and there I delegates from thirty two countries who two of us hit the highway for takeoff! came across this (damn!) language were part of the WEMUN Expo. During meals, no one recognized each other by With a twenty four hour shift in the problem. Everyone seemed to be their schools or nationalities, everyone programme, our tickets had to be misguiding me around the Epoch City. was a delegate. It often happened that in rebooked. It so happened that we were Finally, feeling lost and demented, I broke the midst of the global atmosphere we now departing at three AM! In a bit of a down on a sofa in the lobby. An Indian were in, it took time recognizing the vacuum in terms of time in the organiser approached me; I found that I 'Welhamite' in the suit he was in. Strange Commonwealth city, we went for a movie. only had to take the elevator to the isn't it! 'Inception' was what we watched (which I second floor of the same hotel to be in my personally found to be some sort of conference room! As for our performance in the conference psychic torture!). rooms, most of us seemed to have 'impressed' their chairs to the next order. It felt great to eventually land in China. Himanshu should be credited for the After all that fuss over our visas, we were boldness he displayed in delivering a rose finally there for what we had been to his director; now, maybe that was also preparing for, for the last two months. We a diplomatic move! Burhan was drove to the 'Grand Epoch City', which enchanted with the 'Swiss' charm a was indeed 'Grand'! Shriyam Gupta had delegate from Switzerland carried in her already started lobbying in the bus; committee. Shivam Khanna and Rajat Shreepath Jain was collecting email IDs Arora took advantage of being the only and phone numbers; Shivam Khanna ones needing a shave, and hence added wore a tense look thinking about his 18 19 The liphant The liphant

two more years to their real age whenever The next day's itinerary was eagerly in conversation with blondes! Jokes aside, looked forward to. We were visiting the Welhamites did distinguish themselves in Great Wall of China! It was a three hour the roles they played as an international drive from the city. The great wall's entry THE RISING INTELLIGENTSIA diplomat and a fun loving bloke, during was similar to Delhi's Qutub Minar. But as the event. we climbed on higher and higher, we Our conference was over in four days and recognized the greatness of the great within that time, we made some friends wall. We trekked up to the highest edge of forever .Some even sacrificed a piece of the wall we could reach from our part of For a day called Independence their heart in that time. Some cursed the 3000 kilometres boundary. The Unfurled for the sixty-third time. The brother, who was killed in a 'misfiring' by country just for a day? Tomorrow is Chinese food for the non-availability of gradient was very steep. We had actually rhythm of a tabla synchronises with the the Indian army. He wants to heal those bound to come. We keep reminding vegetable manchurians. We were part of a But, that was not the end. Next morning walked just eight hundred metres, but tune of a harmonium. A mass of five wounds. Another boy is flying a kite with ourselves that we are born in an sophisticated global youth festival called we left for Tianmen Square. It was huge, from the top, it seemed as if we had hundred boys clad in white Kurta Pyjamas the Indian tricolour imprinted on it. Yet independent and liberal society where 'global village' where we were supposed 700m in length, 500m in breadth. Walking climbed up quite a high hill. join in the anthem. A young mind from the another is excited about the movie that is we children hold a vital stake in to promote our country's culture and in that much space was an experience in The last day left us with mixed feelings of congregation is overcome with to be screened on Independence Day. For determining a positive and bright future heritage. We found out that we had left itself. From there we moved to the sadness and excitement. Sad, because it nationalistic feelings as the tune fades most, the essence of this day limits itself for this nation. For that one day, we want our traditional percussion instruments Forbidden City. It is named so because it was indeed the 'last' day, and excited with the final 'Jaya He'. That boy might to a day where there are no classes! to glorify over our achievements as a perhaps at the airport. However, Welham was forbidden for the commoner. The because there was shopping to do! We otherwise be seen as an ordinary Year After Year, we Indians have found this democratic country. We want to ignore Boys still performed, with our very own mistresses of the emperor were also visited the 'silk market', the hub of Chinese teenager, but today he is conscious of the an annual event to feel happy and be our hung judiciary, which has repeatedly magician, Burhan, stealing the show with forbidden from exiting the palace once piracy. After packing into our bags the fact that he belongs to this 'great proud of. Political rallies are held in the proven how 'justice delayed, is denied' in his street magic, as someone danced on they had entered it. Interestingly, the king additional weight of our extensive democracy', India. The boy mulls over it. capital, where patriotism is sold by India. This is not just a rhyme, but a stage. had 3000 mistresses! The palace had shopping, we boarded our bus, to finally His eyes are set on the unfurled tricolour glorifying the heroism of our freedom serious and a relevant cry for justice. Our nine thousand nine hundred and ninety set off back home. which a billion of people are saluting fighters, who fought for 'our' freedom. politicians, for once, speak in one voice The next four days, post conference, were today. when they exalt our road to for exploring Beijing. We shifted to another nine rooms. We were told that the number, This was the school's first international Radios are tuned into the PM's speech. All nine was of great significance to the Like that boy, there are many more young this while, the boy from the crowd of those independence. It is just one day when hotel in downtown Beijing, the JIntao MUN endeavour, and we came back with our newspapers maybe do not seem Apartment Hotel. It was a splendid drive emperor as it was considered lucky. So four 'honorary mentions' and four minds who see themselves as the true 500 white Kurta Pajama clad people, there was this great obsession with the future of their country. Some take pride in settles on the steps of the hall and feels 'Indian', as they take a short break from through the 'Peking' city. I remember 'Outstanding Delegate' awards. Of course, criticism! someone noticing Volkswagen as taxis, number nine everywhere. Even a flight of the prizes are the jewels of our themselves by looking at how much India mesmerised as the thoughts ring through whilst in India; it was still the holy stairs would have nine steps in a set. The experience, but the people we met, the has prospered, particularly in view of his head. He is still staring at the Indian As the day's magnificent 24 hours comes Ambassador. We were delighted to find architectural beauty of the wood skills we imbibed (not just learning to use staging the Commonwealth Games. flag. Tomorrow, it would no longer remain to an end, the country becomes a year that there was a departmental store in that structures was marvellous. In the evening, chop sticks!), and the moments and Some scratch their heads over the hoisted on the soccer field in school. His older. The headlines repeat themselves; place where we could find some food of we came back to present time 'phone numbers' we came back with, was loopholes of our democracy when the friends have all dispersed after collecting the corrupt minister has not changed, the our taste, (other than the everyday architecture when we visited the like truly meeting the eye of the dragon... headlines read, 'Train derailed in West their shares of ladoos. Tomorrow, those freedom fighters who were gods until last infrastructural marvel, 'Birds Nest'. It was Bengal', allegedly due to the Maoists. In sweets will not taste the same. They are night, return to the status of textbook Chinese cuisine) like the Chinese I even picked up some Mandarin just the previous day that Barcelona FC the meantime, a Kashmiri boy curses the all very special only for this one day, the characters. adaptations of our all time favourite picnic (Chinese)! food, Maggi! Also, there was a sports bar had played a game with the Honk Kong government over why he has become a 15th of August. The boy feels lost. He cannot find sense where many, like me, tried their hand at football team in that stadium. With its "CHE CHE" victim of inconvenience and pain for no This boy is just a teenager, moved by the in the hope that arose in the heart. Yuvraj Goswami & Sheikh Burhan; Xth pool. aesthetic lighting, the Golden Nest looked fault of his own? He has seen his people importance we have given to this one day Someone reminds him; "This is India". majestic. bleed. He is infuriated and grieves when in our calendar. What changes when we Yuvraj Goswami he recalls what had happened to his own change our perceptions towards 'our' X-B

The function was jointly organised and co- awareness, of the conflict between human sponsored by the Association of activities and environmental constraints, Super Organizations on Nature and Environment, preparing to venture into a new New Delhi, Indian Institute of Ecology and millennium and finally to help save the Environment, The Global Open University, fragile and endangered planet with the Sardar!!! Nagaland, Confederation of Indian natural resources already overtaxed. Universities, the Educational Standards On behalf of the school, the Oliphant On being asked about how he felt about and Testing Council Of India and The the award, Mr. Khaira said, "I am now WELL...HMM... congratulates Mr. Khaira on making the School of Oriental Medicine. school proud. This year on 5th June compelled to go full throttle in my humble (World Environmental Day) Mr. S.S. Khaira According to the citation, the award is capacity in making the world a better was conferred the "National conferred on accomplished individuals place to live in". Environmental Geography Award" at who, through their work, help in guiding This is yet another feather in his cap India International Centre, New Delhi. The the human race living in a historic (turban)... Keep it going Mr. Khaira! award comprised a citation and a shawl. transitional period of burgeoning

20 21 The liphant two more years to their real age whenever The next day's itinerary was eagerly in conversation with blondes! Jokes aside, looked forward to. We were visiting the Welhamites did distinguish themselves in Great Wall of China! It was a three hour the roles they played as an international drive from the city. The great wall's entry THE RISING INTELLIGENTSIA diplomat and a fun loving bloke, during was similar to Delhi's Qutub Minar. But as the event. we climbed on higher and higher, we Our conference was over in four days and recognized the greatness of the great within that time, we made some friends wall. We trekked up to the highest edge of forever .Some even sacrificed a piece of the wall we could reach from our part of For a day called Independence their heart in that time. Some cursed the 3000 kilometres boundary. The Unfurled for the sixty-third time. The brother, who was killed in a 'misfiring' by country just for a day? Tomorrow is Chinese food for the non-availability of gradient was very steep. We had actually rhythm of a tabla synchronises with the the Indian army. He wants to heal those bound to come. We keep reminding vegetable manchurians. We were part of a But, that was not the end. Next morning walked just eight hundred metres, but tune of a harmonium. A mass of five wounds. Another boy is flying a kite with ourselves that we are born in an sophisticated global youth festival called we left for Tianmen Square. It was huge, from the top, it seemed as if we had hundred boys clad in white Kurta Pyjamas the Indian tricolour imprinted on it. Yet independent and liberal society where 'global village' where we were supposed 700m in length, 500m in breadth. Walking climbed up quite a high hill. join in the anthem. A young mind from the another is excited about the movie that is we children hold a vital stake in to promote our country's culture and in that much space was an experience in The last day left us with mixed feelings of congregation is overcome with to be screened on Independence Day. For determining a positive and bright future heritage. We found out that we had left itself. From there we moved to the sadness and excitement. Sad, because it nationalistic feelings as the tune fades most, the essence of this day limits itself for this nation. For that one day, we want our traditional percussion instruments Forbidden City. It is named so because it was indeed the 'last' day, and excited with the final 'Jaya He'. That boy might to a day where there are no classes! to glorify over our achievements as a perhaps at the airport. However, Welham was forbidden for the commoner. The because there was shopping to do! We otherwise be seen as an ordinary Year After Year, we Indians have found this democratic country. We want to ignore Boys still performed, with our very own mistresses of the emperor were also visited the 'silk market', the hub of Chinese teenager, but today he is conscious of the an annual event to feel happy and be our hung judiciary, which has repeatedly magician, Burhan, stealing the show with forbidden from exiting the palace once piracy. After packing into our bags the fact that he belongs to this 'great proud of. Political rallies are held in the proven how 'justice delayed, is denied' in his street magic, as someone danced on they had entered it. Interestingly, the king additional weight of our extensive democracy', India. The boy mulls over it. capital, where patriotism is sold by India. This is not just a rhyme, but a stage. had 3000 mistresses! The palace had shopping, we boarded our bus, to finally His eyes are set on the unfurled tricolour glorifying the heroism of our freedom serious and a relevant cry for justice. Our nine thousand nine hundred and ninety set off back home. which a billion of people are saluting fighters, who fought for 'our' freedom. politicians, for once, speak in one voice The next four days, post conference, were today. when they exalt our road to for exploring Beijing. We shifted to another nine rooms. We were told that the number, This was the school's first international Radios are tuned into the PM's speech. All nine was of great significance to the Like that boy, there are many more young this while, the boy from the crowd of those independence. It is just one day when hotel in downtown Beijing, the JIntao MUN endeavour, and we came back with our newspapers maybe do not seem Apartment Hotel. It was a splendid drive emperor as it was considered lucky. So four 'honorary mentions' and four minds who see themselves as the true 500 white Kurta Pajama clad people, there was this great obsession with the future of their country. Some take pride in settles on the steps of the hall and feels 'Indian', as they take a short break from through the 'Peking' city. I remember 'Outstanding Delegate' awards. Of course, criticism! someone noticing Volkswagen as taxis, number nine everywhere. Even a flight of the prizes are the jewels of our themselves by looking at how much India mesmerised as the thoughts ring through whilst in India; it was still the holy stairs would have nine steps in a set. The experience, but the people we met, the has prospered, particularly in view of his head. He is still staring at the Indian As the day's magnificent 24 hours comes Ambassador. We were delighted to find architectural beauty of the wood skills we imbibed (not just learning to use staging the Commonwealth Games. flag. Tomorrow, it would no longer remain to an end, the country becomes a year that there was a departmental store in that structures was marvellous. In the evening, chop sticks!), and the moments and Some scratch their heads over the hoisted on the soccer field in school. His older. The headlines repeat themselves; place where we could find some food of we came back to present time 'phone numbers' we came back with, was loopholes of our democracy when the friends have all dispersed after collecting the corrupt minister has not changed, the our taste, (other than the everyday architecture when we visited the like truly meeting the eye of the dragon... headlines read, 'Train derailed in West their shares of ladoos. Tomorrow, those freedom fighters who were gods until last infrastructural marvel, 'Birds Nest'. It was Bengal', allegedly due to the Maoists. In sweets will not taste the same. They are night, return to the status of textbook Chinese cuisine) like the Chinese I even picked up some Mandarin just the previous day that Barcelona FC the meantime, a Kashmiri boy curses the all very special only for this one day, the characters. adaptations of our all time favourite picnic (Chinese)! food, Maggi! Also, there was a sports bar had played a game with the Honk Kong government over why he has become a 15th of August. The boy feels lost. He cannot find sense where many, like me, tried their hand at football team in that stadium. With its "CHE CHE" victim of inconvenience and pain for no This boy is just a teenager, moved by the in the hope that arose in the heart. Yuvraj Goswami & Sheikh Burhan; Xth pool. aesthetic lighting, the Golden Nest looked fault of his own? He has seen his people importance we have given to this one day Someone reminds him; "This is India". majestic. bleed. He is infuriated and grieves when in our calendar. What changes when we Yuvraj Goswami he recalls what had happened to his own change our perceptions towards 'our' X-B

20 21 The liphant

LASAGNE OLI'S THROUGH Dudette of the Month… BELIEVE THE The Learning Resource's Centre would not library. Unless the book is unavailable, IT OR ELSE KEYHOLE… be as half as exciting and well maintained she will point it out to you in no more than if it were not for Ms. Amita Kandhari and 15 minutes. She has also helped make ?Mr. Karna Puri has started driving =Samarth- Oye, there are photos of beautiful women in The Economic Times her crew. The LRC is the archive of the the books more accessible by making it slowly. Gursimran- Oye, yaar, must be because AAJ-KAL everything is on sale. school and has books from the 80's and possible to search for books or suggest ?Welham is being infested by the (Mr. Tripathi you flipping through it?) at the same time glitters with the gloss of new books with the help of the school's Bhandari clan Rakesh, Alka, =Mr. Bhatt to Gursimran - Start studying, you have got 8%. the latest Penguin paper backs. Amita intranet. Lakshman and now Pushpak! (Julius Gursimran- Sir, give me half mark more I will pass. (Percent means OUT OF ma'am, you need the credit, and we Caesar conspiracy... et tu Bhandu's!) library. Unless the book is unavailable, 100, not 25, Gursimran!) extend our gratitude to you for your she will point it out to you in no more than ?Shriyam Gupta learnt how to speak in dedication, hard work and contribution in =Narayan- Children's Day is on 14th of September. 15 minutes. She has also helped make English, just in time for his China making the LRC a place where students =Mr. Kandpal- Sir, I was calling you and it was... call waiting. the books more accessible by making it MUN. are conditioned to be more aware and joined our society in 1991 as Assistant possible to search for books or suggest =Aman Bansal- I can't speak as I have tonsils in my neck. responsible for looking after the Librarian and left in 2003 to rejoin the new books with the help of the school's =Deepanshu Sharma while talking to a girl, "OK... Bye... I'll KETCHUP with you resources. school in 2007 as the LRC teacher in- intranet. later." charge. She is understanding and Thanks to Ma'am, we have a system in the The Learning Resources Centre is what it forgiving most of the time, but if she =Dr. Bhandari, drawing a circle on the board, writing 'Sun' underneath it, and LRC that runs smoothly. From supervising is and it gets better only because we have catches you mistreating any of her 'dear saying: "Why isn't it called Daughter, yaar?" the LRC council, to looking after the Amita Ma'am as its heart and soul .You dear' books then...you had better watch =Devanshu Goyal to Mr. Khaira- Sir, I am support staff children (trying to say books, to running the Readers Club, to can always find her either working at her out. If it was not for her sterner side, I my SUPW is support staff children). helping maintain the sanctity of the LRC, desk in the LRC or encouraging doubt the LRC would be so well =Shriyam Gupta (Referring to the Gupta Period): Ma'am... they had the the list seems never ending. The Welhamites to visit the library and to take maintained, as Welhamites both fear and reniance! Herculean task she does includes chasing up reading as a life-long habit. We are RAZZMATAZZ respect her at the same time. She has Welhamites with books not returned even proud to have people as dedicated and IL: What? been working in the library so dedicatedly after the due date. Her quest to make the hardworking as Amita Ma'am and her Shriyam: Ma'am... that... reniance! that she's knows the book arrangement ? LRC even better never comes to rest. She staff. We wish you all the best for the Finally, Welham has formed a like the back of her hands, maybe even IL: Reliance? is always there chasing sleepy future, Ma'am! new "Akali Dal"...What say better than that. Don't believe it? Just visit Shriyam: No! N-E-R - something... Reniance! Welhamites out of the LRC. The stalwart Narayan, Lauren, R.K??? Or her and ask her for any book from the should that read "Akela Dal"... Jaskunwar: Renaissance? Shriyam: Yeah! Raneysow! ?Anant Gupta has finally =Was announced in Mr. Lahiri's office (referring to Gael Metroz): Sir, Metrogyl received a matrimonial offer. EVER Separated milne aaya hai... It's a girl! From the "meena" WONDER at birth community. DL: Hospital se doctor ne dawaiyi bheji hai? Reply: Nahin sir... Metrogyl sahib, Metrogyl sahib... WHY… ?Mr. Mishra has decided to ?Harshit Beria is excited and anxiously looking forward to Mr. Laxman Bhandari Sallu(Dabang) apply for "India's Magic Star", 'Polio Ravivar' on the 1st of August? Kunwar Lawren Suppandi (Tinkle) as is evident from his ?Prateek Bordoloi has nightmares of x and y axis? Mr Jimmy and Harman Bagga Bombay Rockers "electroplating magic!" in WHATS IN WHATS OUT Class-12 science. ?There's a Dominos deliveryman at the Oliphant gate every Ashutosh Agrawal Rishabh Dixit Letters Facebook second day, asking the guard, "Yeh North Block kahan Nani Kungkong Jirklimjar Pancho ?Dr. Bhandari has finally had a Bowling (Astley Hall) Bird watching hai?" Sanchit Gupta and Surya Bhai(Mass) and wardrobe upgrade, his flashy Samdish Khurana and Varun Sharma Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim. ?There is a high demand for Chinese goods? new Tees have gathered a fan Shivesh Kumar Jaadav(Don No. 1) Forlans and Villas Ronaldos and Messis ?Narayan has started speaking English in an Aussie-Anglo- Mr. Dabral Vin Diesel following. Fall of the Shikhar Wall Fall of the Berlin Wall Saxon accent? Akshay Nair Rudranath Ghorai

22 23 The liphant

INTERHOUSE WBSMUN 2010 3 Days The world is here. Are you coming? 5 Chairpersons A Lifetime Experience 5 Committees

100 delegates 27th, 28th, & 29th August, 2010

Editor - in - Chief Correspondents Jatan Singh Soni Akul Gurtu, Yuvraj Goswami, Raghav Dahuja and Editors: Parambir Singh Bajaj Abhineet Kanodia, Rajat Arora, Jaskunwar Singh Kohli Staff Editors Ringside View Mrs. Indrani Lahiri and Ms. Indira Mahajan Kishlay Jha Registration No.: 20208/86 EDITORIAL BOARD Desktop Editor E-Mail : [email protected] Shreyansh Bhalotia Website : Cartoonist : www.welhamboys.org Miraj Nisar Khan Designed and Printed by Xpressions, 9219552563