www.queenmira.com 1 2 YAGNA | March 2020

GLOBAL CONNECT

CHOPPY WATERS ’S TOP COURT OF BREXIT THREATEN STRIKES DOWN BAN DANISH FISHING ON CRYPTOCURRENCY TRADING

BILLIONAIRE MIKE FIRST TIME A FEMALE DUO BLOOMBERG QUITS THE DUBLIN-BASED YVONNE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL RACE, FARRELL AND SHELLEY ENDORSES BIDEN MCNAMARA WHO WERE AWARDED THE PRITZKER PRIZE HAS SCOOPED ARCHITECTURE’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD.

NOSTRADAMUS TIMES

APRIL • Material Distribution Editor In Chief • School Reopening S.HARITHA • Orientation • Aadukalam Sub Editors MAY KALPANA KARTHICK • Summer Vacation AYSHA SIDDIKA FEROZE • Summer Splash JUNE Student Editors • Freshers’ Feedback PRAJITH SELVARAJ SHERBOURN ISSAC.S • Path Session ANUSHA THENU SUBRAMANIAN CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR-ACADEMICS ...... 8 Q’S PARLIAMENT ...... 9 COUNSELLOR’S INSTINCT ...... 10 HARAPPAN SCRIPTS ...... 11 CONNOISSEUR’S EXHORTATION ...... 12 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ...... 14 QUASAR KIDS ...... 15 SIXTH SENSE ...... 16 PATH THE NAVIGATOR ...... 17 CAREER CHOICES ...... 18 GAITIES & CELEBRITIES ...... 20 FRESH THOUGHTS ...... 22 AMAZING FACTS ...... 23 TRAVELOGUE ...... 24 TRAIL BLAZER ...... 25 LEARNER’S COLUMN ...... 26 CONNEXIONS ...... 29 AGARAM ...... 30 JUNIOR JOURNALIST ...... 32 SPORTS ...... 34 Q’S ACHIEVEMENTS ...... 35 THE EDITOR

Dear Readers, I meet you with yet another article, the penultimate for the year 2019. As we draw towards a close of the Academic Year 2019, we wish to enrich you on a theme from a series. An old American Indian proverb: We Do Not Inherit the Earth from Our Ancestors; We Borrow It from Our Children Go Green is a statement / slogan that connotes all environmentally friendly behaviours /sustainable measures adopted to live sustainably with less waste / reduced footprint/damage to the environment. Reading the above two preceding paragraphs, its simple to comprehend that we are living on leased property, which is our responsibility to handover to our progeny to whom it rightfully belongs. This is a never-ending virtuous cycle. As part of this, we also need to teach and help them imbibe all measures of sustaining our environment and Earth. All our articles in this edition will list or highlight all such measures which we can adopt or implement from our individual perspective to help and support “Go Green” At this juncture, we thank the people who were behind yet another successful edition of yagna. We thank our subeditors, student editors, column in charges for extending their help in bringing this edition. We thank our Designing Partner - Odd Dimension Advertising and our Print Partner - Vinagaya Screens for their unstinting support. Lets meet again with our 11th edition Volume 11 issue 1 of yagna in the month of September 2020

Haritha.S Editor in Chief

6 YAGNA | March 2020 STUDENT EDITORS

We the student editors would like to share few 3. Save Water: You can make a huge measures to make our planet GREEN and difference even by saving each and every CLEAN. drop that drips from a leaking tap, as we are already facing alarming water scarcity “Be the green team and not the mean team!” situation. Going Green is no longer a thing of the past it is 4. Save Energy: Ensure the switches of the the way of life in the present. Going Green means appliances you use are switched off after embracing a way of life that helps to preserve the you use them, for instance tube lights, environment by reducing, reusing and recycling fans and what not… items. 5. Carry Cloth Bags: This surprisingly is The aim of going green is to: already being followed on a large scale • Reduce pollution therefore, if this practice is continued, • Reduce resource consumptions and eliminate then it will contribute extensively to the wastes “Go Green Movement’. • Conserve natural resources Please do embrace these simple yet effective • Maintain the natural ecological balance measures in your daily life, if you want to Some very basic ways to support the concept of contribute for the betterment of this planet and Going Green: make this a better place to live for the future generations! 1. Potting Plants: This is an initiative everyone must take. Even our school has As the saying goes, implemented this initiative, by giving “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, potted plants to the participants of the we borrow it from our children” BFIT Mini Marathon. So, let us join our hands together to make the 2. Don’t Waste Food: Lets reduce waste planet a finer place to live in! and use only what is required and hence be optimal

Prajith Selvaraj Sherbourn Issac.S Anusha Thenu Subramanian Grade 11, QMIS Grade 11, QMIS

www.queenmira.com 7 MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR ACADEMICS

and the front office have taken utmost care along with the academic team to improve the aspect of home-school communication. We welcome your cooperation in the same aspect in the years to come. vâujh¡ fh¡F« m¿Édh®¡ »šiy mâu tUtnjh® nehŒ. (FwŸ v©: 429) As rightly said by Thiruvalluvar, the one who is equipped to face the future, need not have to face any adversities. Having this futuristic need in mind, Dear Readers, QMIS strives to expand the horizon of learning to children in different verticals. Following the M¡f« mj®ÉdhŒ¢ bršY« mirÉyh successful launch of Einstein+ which was aimed C¡f Kilah DiH. (FwŸ 594) at enhancing the Intelligence quotient with due Success will find its way to the man of unfailing importance to the social quotient, QMIS is now efforts. It is not saturation or contentment focussing on strengthening the physical fitness that takes you to a progressive growth. It is the for a successful survival. With the advent of the willingness to learn and grow with untiring efforts new academic year QMIS is launching the BFIT that decides the success. The definition goes well program the comprehensive fitness solution for to an individual and to an institution. Willingness children from K-12. Children of QMIS will be to learn can happen only when we reflect on our experiencing a 40min – 1hour of fitness program thoughts and actions. QMIS is such a team which everyday. constantly reflects on its practices, celebrates the As the education world explores strategies to equip areas of successes and works intensely on the areas students with the skills and knowledge they’ll of improvement. need to be successful innovators in a 21st century Parents’ feedback is one of the key tool in getting workforce, there has been a growing emphasis our reflections. Valuing this, QMIS takes 2 surveys on STEAM — the educational discipline that every year (beginning and at the end of the year). engages students around the subjects of Science, I thank every one of you for your valuable inputs Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math. rendered by taking up these surveys every year. STEAM aims to spark an interest and lifelong love of the arts and sciences in children from an early age. Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math are similar disciplines in that they all involve creative processes and none uses just one method for inquiry and investigation. From the upcoming academic year Grades 3 to 6, will have the integration of STEAM as a pilot process and gradually to the other graders in the following year. With the impact of newer pedagogy and new program, shall catch you up in Yagna Volume 11.

With warm wishes This year ratings show the growing confidence and the progress QMIS has shown over these 10 years heeding to your suggestions in the interest Sujatha Guptan of the majority. Our Parent relations manager

8 YAGNA | March 2020 Q’S PARLIAMENT

SESSION ON IGCA front of our eyes, is more about how everyday life decisions affect the environment and lives by Dr. Sarvesh Naidu, of others thereby discovering, understanding Executive Director - , and respecting different cultures. Later duing New . the session Dr. Sarvesh Naidu also shared his “Your own self-realization is greatest service life experiences which helped him discover his you can render the world” true self and made him what he is today. It was This session was an eye opener for all those who very inspiring and motivating. The students were are aware of Global Citizenship. This session assigned to research about Desmond Tutu, South happened on 17 th February 2020, at our school’s African human rights activist. Terry Fox is not western musical studio, in the presence of School only a Canadian athlete but also a humanitarian Parliament Members, the Prime Minister and and cancer research activist. the Deputy Prime Minister, along with the Towards the end of the session the parliament President of the School Parliament-Ms.Sujatha members were segregated into groups and were Guptan, Director - Academics. The session asked to come up with ideas of being a global was also witnessed by our Managing Director citizen. Students presented their ideas effectively Mr. Abinath Chandran and the Head of Global in an interactive way. The session came to an Citizenship Committee, Ms. Haritha and other end, where Dr. Sarvesh Naidu urged the students staff members associated with GCC and school to have their vision in them and take a step closer council. As already said, this eye opening session to it every day. was less of facts being shared and more of the details being discovered through self- realisation. In a nutshell the session was an enormous The parliament members were asked to explain learning experience for every one who were the their scope of work by Dr. Sarvesh Naidu. And part of it. then he proceeded by asking the ministers to “Do your little bit of good where you are, come up solutions for simulated problems that it’s those little bits of good put together that can be faced by students and how would we overwhelm the world” ~ Desmond Tutu. approach it as members of the school parliament. We learned that it is less formal approach to attain global citizenship. All we want right in Teacher Incharge: Ms.Anita Rajesh Student Incharge: Guhan Kaalai.C

www.queenmira.com 9 COUNSELLOR’S INSTINCT on child’s performance. If so, how best do we frame a statement such as “I’m proud of you”? Dr.Preethi: Definitely. As I said earlier “every child is gifted”. Praise does not help in bringing up any child. I don’t believe that parents need to say “I’m proud of you” to show their support and their emotional connection with their child. Instead they can say ‘I believe in you’, ‘I trust you’, ‘I accept you’. Our children need to know that we Bringing in the light to yet another believe in them, that we trust, support and love parenting technique to the readers our them. team members Ms.Rohini Nethaji, KG Co Harivarshini: Is it necessary to impart Money Ordinator and our student Harivarshini value to children? of Grade 8 had visited Dr.Preethi of Child Dr.Preethi: Children shouldn’t be rewarded Psychologist and Guidance Centre. for behavior they should do any way. The child Thoughts that were highlighted are here should understand that when they grow old, for the readers to bring more light in they won’t get rewards for doing what they are your kid’s life supposed to do. The best way to start your child’s Ms.Rohini: What is the best way to discipline financial education is when you stop rewarding any child. What role should a parent play with the child. “Teach them to fish” Make them the school in order to discipline the child? consider their financial goals at an early stage. In the world of online shopping and credit cards, Dr.Preethi: It is important to ensure the parenting money has become invisible. That’s why it is style in supporting the healthy growth and important for families to discuss openly about development of the child because the way the finances when possible with the child to make parent interacts with their child and how they them understand reality. discipline her/him will influence them for the rest of their life. Permissive parents Don’t enforce Ms.Rohini: What are the values to be injected rules, they treat “Kids as kids”. Authoritative into young parents? parenting focuses on obedience, punishment Dr.Preethi: Right from the start the child is over discipline. Authoritarian parents are those watching and learning from you. Parents are who create positive relationship and enforce the ultimate role models. In the modern world rules. Parents should identify and categorize where ‘Helicopter parents’ and ‘Tiger mom’ themselves and help the child. have been into everyday language, start by being Harivarshini: Children nowadays are unable to gentle with yourself. The way that you treat and accept failures. How important is it for parents talk about others will impact how your child to teach their child to endure or face adversity does it too. / failure? Thus, the solution to every parenting problem Dr.Preethi: Failure is an option. That’s how can be dealt with 3 phrases we have to see it. A little disappointment can I am here, I hear you, How can I help you? actually help children as long as you teach them Happy Parenting !!! how to bounce back from it and cope up with failure. “Let them try & fail”. Teacher Incharge: Ms.Rohini Nethaji Harivarshini: Does parental pride put pressure Student Incharge: Harivarshini

10 YAGNA | March 2020 HARAPPAN SCRIPTS

Teacher Incharge: Ms.Manimegalai Student Incharge: Muhamed Aslam.S CONNOISSEUR’S EXHORTATION Mohammed.I-KG2C

“THE FIRST out and everything got spoiled. Then I sought advise from WEALTH IS the Forest Department and HEALTH” Agriculture office and planted some trees and plants, that RALPH WALDO worked out well. EMERSON Harish: What variety of crops The interview began with a do you grow? short introduction about Mr.Shenbagaraj We grow Mr. Shenbagaraj and his family. Tomato, Brinjal, Chickoo, He gave a brief overview about Chillies, and some trees his profession and passion organically. and how his passion has turned him to be an organic Harish: How long will it take farmer. Though he is an IT for a land to change as organic professional, his main aim is to land? create awareness among people Mr.Shenbagaraj: When you about the food we consume in started using natural pesticide, our day to day life and how it natural manure and proper could affect our generations. crop rotation then normally it will take 3 years for a land to Harish: What made you to change as Organic Land. become a farmer? speaking, this is how I started Mr.Shenbagaraj:According to farming. Initially without any Harish: What kind of pest me Farming is a passion and farming knowledge I spent control measures do you use? instead of advising people around Rs.5000 and planted Mr.Shenbagaraj: We use to consume organic foods, some Lemon and Amla trees in natural pest controls like I thought of acting before my farm but nothing worked neem oil cakes and we may

12 YAGNA | March 2020 not use pesticides on a regular pesticides. Practice of olden farming to eradicate weeds basis, but only in special days of putting natural manure strong pesticides are used circumstances when there like cow dung and leaves is the which has a strong chemical is an infestation or maybe at main secret of organic farming. that destroys the pests. So there the beginning of the growing Neem oil is used as a pesticide is no labour charge, whereas season. which is very good for our in organic farming either health. Before two generations persons will remove the weeds Harish: What is GMO seed and only natural manure was used. manually or animals will be left Do you use GMO seeds? there for grazing those weeds Mr.Shenbagaraj: GMO Harish: What have you done to and so they need extra charge – Genetically Modified protect your farm from other to pay to the labours. Organism. Earlier they injected pesticides? the GMO in plants to grow Mr.Shenbagaraj: I have done Harish: Any example for vegetables/fruits bigger, natural fencing in the farm healthy soil? brighter and accordingly so that pesticides spray from Mr.Shenbagaraj He explained how they need. Alarmingly, neighborhood farm (a chilly if you see cranes coming to a nowadays some people are farm) doesn’t affect my farm. farm when ploughing it means injecting the GMO in the seeds I have planted Bur flower tree the soil is good and organic. directly which in turn makes (Kadambam in tamil. Used to Cranes only come to eat the the plant to produce all GMO grow in abundance in Madurai worms which emerges from the vegetable/seeds. in ancient days) in my farm soil during ploughing. which also acts as a fence. For example papaya trees are I cannot stop people using Harish: Any message for grown naturally to the height pesticides in neighborhood students and teachers? of 11 ft. But nowadays seedless farms, I can only do so much to Mr.Shenbagaraj: Teachers can papaya has emerged, which will protect and ensure it does not motivate students to grow grow very fast and its only 5 affect my farm. vegetables by themselves at ft in height. If there is no seed home or at school and can at all “How will germination He shared ways of ploughing a conduct competition for take place” was the quote and field with tractor to avoid soil growing plants at schools in point to think. This new hybrid erosion. He summed up that it group wise for grades 5, 6 genetically modified variety is has to be ploughed vertically to and above all awareness can highly dangerous to health. store rain water. be created with enthusiasm. Elaborating about hybrid Terrace farming and in farming he explained to us that Harish: Do you receive any playground plantations can be there are two types of Hybrid benefits from the government? developed at school. processing. One is the new Mr.Shenbagaraj: The hybrid which is genetically government gives certification Students are the change modified like seedless papaya. as organic only after three years makers, so remember “Health Second type, is the old of observation. For crops to get is Wealth” to be wealthy in your tradition of original hybrid organic certification it takes future you should be healthy. where one stem is cut from one five years. For drip irrigation Eat well but go Organic. plant and joined with an other 90% subsidy is given by the plant’s stem. government. Teacher Incharges: Harish: What is Organic/ Harish: Why Organic Ms.Archana Karthikeyan Natural Farming? Vegetables and fruits are Ms.Samira Mr.Shenbagaraj:“Real Farming expensive? Student Incharge: without using chemicals and Mr.Shenbagaraj : In normal Samira Afshan

www.queenmira.com 13 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED HERITAGE CLUB As a part of Heritage Club, traditional games were conducted for graders 3 to 8 on 3rd January 2020. The children played different games like Sottangal, Pooparikavarigirome, Kolakolaiya mundhrikai. Children enjoyed themselves as they had never played these games, which were played a few decades ago. Graders 6 to 8 had their traditional games on 6th January 2020. They played different games like hopscotch, Green horse, Sottangal and Poopariga varigirome. ERUDITE CLUB These games made them to understand the value of our past as these simple games convey a lot of Erudite club’s focus is to enhance communication hidden messages and impart skills. The children skills of the children. The club involves students were told that these would be really helpful in of Grades 3 – 8 to enrich linguistics skills. improving their concentration power. Children were given a brief on what a Talk Show is and how to present it to a crowd. Talk Shows are an excellent format for discussing topics that viewers might not otherwise be exposed to. It develops speaking skills. Students were given a topic about Sustainable Development Goals. They were expressing their views on how the implement SDGs in their daily life. They were trained to deliver flawless language and to instill a higher level of confidence in their speaking. jÄœ k‹w« jha;nkhopahk; jkpo;nkhopia tYNthLk; POPCORN CLUB nghypNthLk; ifahz;L gy;NtW jpwd;fis tsu;f;Fk; nghUl;L QMIS jkpo; kd;wk; “Movie making is telling a story with the best Muk;gpf;fg;gl;L rpwg;ghf nray;gl;L tUfpwJ. technology and great creativity” kd;wr; nray;ghlhf xt;nthU khjKk; xt;nthU Pop corn club plays a predominant role in nray; jpl;lj;jpid tFj;J khztu;fSf;F sharpening the theatrical skills to bring out gaDs;s tifapy; nray;gLj;jp tUfpNwhk;. the best from the students in movie making. fle;j [dtup khjk;; gz;ila jkpou;fspd; Now it’s the peek time to see the harvest of tpisahl;Lfshd jhak; gy;yhq;Fop Fz;L this year process in kindling the interest of the tpisahl;L fapW jhz;Ljy; Nghd;w students. The progress is visibly seen through tpisahl;LfisAk; mit czu;j;Jk; the children’s involvement and the work done. gad;fisg; gw;wpAk; mwpar;nra;Njhk;. Students formed small groups and implemented kd;wr; nray;ghl;by; khztu;fs; kpFe;j their knowledge into action in scripting and Mu;tj;JlDk; kfpo;r;rpAlDk; gq;Nfw;wdu;. screening. So, many groups submitted their short films were few groups are still in progress. After the selection scrutiny, the best short films will be Teacher Incharges: screened to the other members as a motivation Ms.Joy Sheeba & Ms.Archana Rajendran for the upcoming film makers. Student Incharge: Fadilah Asima

14 YAGNA | March 2020 QUASAR KIDS GRANDPARENTS DAY “Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do”.

the home, yet within the secure environment of the school. The little ones got a chance to unwind and relax, away from the constant attention of the parent yet under the caring vigil of their teachers. To celebrate grandparents, KG department of QMIS organized Grandparents day on Saturday, Today’s parents are very enthusiastic and 15 th February 2020.The day began with encourage their children to participate in varied auspicious prayers delivered by kindergarteners activities. The children enjoyed the stay with followed by Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu and welcome their friends by involving themselves in various address. There were many power packed activities activities like Aerobics, Movie with popcorn, engaging both grandparents and grandchildren the warmness of the campfire, changing into the which held the audience spellbound and pyjama suit, early morning hello to the sun and thoroughly mesmerized. jogging. Grandchildren act as the future connect for FAMILY VISIT grandparents, the vice-versa was also true. The icing on the cake was Hot Wheels Relay and “Families are like branches on a tree, we grow Aerobics. Grandparents shared ethical stories in different directions yet our roots remain as from mythologies. They also played traditional one” games such as Snake & Ladder, Hop Scotch, Family is considered to be an integral part of a Sottangal, PallanKuzhi. These activities helped person & life. Children who are surrounded by establish a bond between grandparents and family lead a sheltered and happy life. As a part of grandchildren. the Curriculum, QMIS Kindergarten department Grandchild’s favorite lunch was prepared and planned to visit a Nuclear and Joint family on 09 brought by the grandmas’ for potluck. They January 2020. It taught students the importance enjoyed feeding grandchildren and had lunch of relationships and the familial values. together at our campus. The success of the event Home is where the heart is... was evident in joyful smiles and happy tears of The parents whole-heartedly welcomed our grandparents as they were overwhelmed to see children. Children learnt to respect other people’s their grandchildren indulge in activities with opinion. They also learnt about sharing material them. possessions, food, clothes to friends & cousins SLUMBER BASH by interacting with other children and elders at home. As long as families are brought together “A good friend knows all your best stories; a to connect and spend time with each other it will best friend lived them with you”! be successful. QMIS had organized the Slumber Bash for KG 2 students on 7 th March 2020. The underlying idea Teacher Incharges: was to have fun and make children acquire social Ms.Priyadharshini & Ms.Jagadeeswari skills like how to behave outside the confines of Student Incharge: Anbuselvam.S.M.C

www.queenmira.com 15 SIXTH SENSE Jayson-KG2 B Jayson-KG2

‘G’ FOR GREEN ENERGY school with the implementation of solar energy, LED / CFL lights and bulbs, Reverse Osmosis Our soul and body is said to be healthy only (RO) water system, 5S which help conserve when we eat healthy food, consume lots of electricity. water and breathe fresh air. If we forget any one of these, we are spoiling our health. The most The entire campus having avoided the use of important aspect for us to lead a healthy life is to plastics by shifting to metal water bottle and protect soil, water and air which is the bountiful lunch boxes which are more sustainable and can provider. When we protect our environment, we be used over a long term. are heading towards go green initiatives. Students gift eco-friendly products like wooden In order to protect the environment we need pencils with seeds when they celebrate birthdays, to reduce pollutants. The best way is to evolve sapling / seed balls take aways at staff weddings energy sources in our day to day life. How to go and the list goes on. about making effective use of energy sources is - Sustain ‘Green environment in our city, nation what we are going to see now. and globe’ By taking a few steps as shown below from our Next time you go for shopping, shop for products end we can ensure the effective implemention of after checking the ingredients if it is edible or go green initiatives. can be recycled or not. While buying products, - Create a ‘Green Home’ atmosphere at home consciously pick up recycled products so that If we use solar heaters, LED bulbs thus save electricity and thus are conscious of minute aspects at home, we are already on the way to implement go green initiatives at home. Spread the information to your neighbors, friends and relatives about saving energy. - Learn from ‘Green Initiatives from School’ We as QMISians can learn from the go green initiative which is already in existence in our

16 YAGNA | March 2020 wastage is reduced. Apart from that eco-friendly products PATH - THE and re-usable products can be chosen as gifting ideas such NAVIGATOR as jute / cloth bags instead of plastic carry bags. WEBINAR ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. Pave way for birds and animals Univariety conducted to enjoy nature and have their webinar on the topic “Careers own space without human’s - He shares examples of solar in Artificial Intelligence - AI harmful presence. Place water heaters used in homes and how driven world and why one for birds. Taking care of nature it impacts in saving cost and energy over a period of time. should learn data science” also saves our flora and fauna. on 8th January 2020 by Once we take care of our home - Institutions which use solar Mr. Abhijit Dasgupta, and city it will lead to a larger energy are said to have increased Dean of Computer Science ecosystem being created. the value of the premises itself. Department at SP Jain University, . He At the National level Swach - Solar energy is clean energy and contributes towards started the session by Bharat Mission and Namami interacting with students environmental protection and a Gange and such Government through live chat and cleaner society. of India (GoI) initiatives ensure gathered details about sustainable green initiatives that - As a result the Nation and their expectations from the have been learnt from many Globe benefits in terms of webinar. The resource person other countries and are under achieving goals of energy provided an overview of data implementation. They are - consumption and also very science. Then he explained Sustainable public transport, importantly alleviates the how artificial intelligence investing in green tech, problems faced to a great extent. has had its impact in the sustainable housing, sustainable world like prediction of What if… lifestyle and green agriculture weather, cancer research, respectively. … we do not go green? We drug discovery, DNA would lead a life towards global fingerprinting and AI based warming when we use up all the warfare etc. The guest also resources, contaminate water listed out various colleges and pollute our environment. offering the course on AI This would in turn lead to and its duration. He also natural disaster with bigger explained the process of storms or hurricanes or application in those colleges. tsunamis or worse and thus Overall the session was highly ruin the lives of the younger informative. generation.

Pranav Sai Saran.P-4 B Sai Saran.P-4 Pranav Hence, let’s protect our environment by Going Green. Research Facts ‘Gift yourself with Go Green Prof.Yogi Goswami – Director Initiatives’ of Clean Energy Research Center, USF elaborates about the pros and cons of clean Teacher Incharge: Ms.Kundhavai Santharam Teacher Incharge: Ms.Parasakthi energy as follows: Student Incharge: Student Incharge: Rijutha.S Mahaveera Vishal.S

www.queenmira.com 17 CAREER CHOICES

SINGAPORE University of Technology and • Singapore’s National Design in 2008 and involved in Universities like NTU/NUS/ AS A STUDY the development of the Institute SMU are amongst the highly DESTINATION from scratch. rated universities in the world. Singapore is close to Hi Readers! Why study in Singapore? home being just 5 hours by flight. It’s refurbishing to meet you Singapore is a premium all with yet another choice of education hub with top quality • Safety: The Singapore higher studies in the Lion City public and private institutions Government takes law and catering to the academic order very seriously and Singapore is one of the top needs of the students across strict action is taken against educational destinations in the various countries and different any offenders as a result of world. Despite being small, backgrounds. which crime rate is very low. it has several highly reputed It is considered to be one of educational institutions which With a strategic location right in the safest destinations in the are known for their standard. the heart of South East Asia, the world. Currently more than 80,000 influence from East and West students from 120 countries converges here, thus exposing Education landscape in are studying in Singapore. students to a multicultural Singapore: Singapore Government spends environment. Public Universities: There are around one fifth of its annual • Singapore is a developed budget on Education and currently 4 public universities nation with a high standard in Singapore, namely- is managed by the Ministry of living. of Education (MOE). The • National University of rising popularity of Singapore • Same standard of education Singapore as a preferred higher study and living at a lower cost as destination is evident from the compared to the west. • Nanyang Technological fact that Massachusetts Institute University • Many Universities from all of Technology in its biggest over the world have set up • Singapore Management collaboration till date with campuses and collaboration University MOE has established Singapore in Singapore

18 YAGNA | March 2020 • Singapore Institute of TESTS TO PREPARE Technology and Design Private Education Institutions SAT - Scholastic Aptitude Test (PEIs) offer courses at the SAT exam is a standardized certificate, bachelor andentrance test mainly taken by post graduate level. Through those candidates who want partnerships with popular to study in the USA. It is not international universities from compulsory to appear for SAT to the US, UK, Australia etc,. Some study in Singapore universities foreign universities associated but is highly recommended as with PEIs: admission process in Singapore. • University of London It is highly competitive and SAT score will lend more weightage • University of Birmingham to the application. The exam has a standard format and divided • University of Buffalo, into four sections. The test has New York three 800 point sections: Math, • University of Wollongong Critical reading and writing. • University of Sheffield Hallam IELTS - International English Language Testing System: • RMIT University IELTS is the International • Stirling University English Language Testing What are the popular courses system, world’s proven English in Singapore: language test. Popular courses in Singapore TOEFL - Test of English as a include Computer Science / IT, Foreign Language: Engineering, Business, Art & TOEFL test is the most widely Design and Social Sciences respected English-language Work Options: test in the world, recognized by more than 8,500 colleges, Excellent and consistent universities and agencies in performance of the economy more than 130 countries. guarantees job opportunities for graduating students. Singapore Application procedure & being home to more than 7000 timelines: MNCs is a hub of business in Students can visit the office Asia and considered a fertile of admissions link of the ground for Banking & Service desired university and follow industry. It is also world’s instructions to apply online. No.1 producer of Electronics, Supporting documents can shipping and logistics & Bunker be uploaded on the website or Oil guaranteeing plenty of job couriered directly to the office opportunities. of Admissions. Teacher Incharge: Ms.Kalpana Karthick Student Incharge: Jeevana Rose.M.J

www.queenmira.com 19 GAITIES & CELEBRITIES

SANGAMAM 19-20 PONGAL CELEBRATION – An Amalgamation of Arts… “Oneness of nature and human denote the “Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and pongal celebration” the thrill of creative effort” The commencement of the New Year augurs - Franklin D. Roosevelt the harvest festival which Indians eagerly anticipate. Pride and festive cheer marked the pongal celebrations held on 13th January 2020 at Queen Mira International School. Children came in traditional dresses and they filled the campus with traditional festive aura. Students learnt that these festivals are sacred moments that help everyone to establish love, unity and nourish relationships. Teachers prepared and served delicious sweet pongal to students. Pongal is our traditional thanks giving to the Sun God, the single biggest source of energy in this universe who ensures overflowing prosperity for all humans dependent on him. This is as much a traditional and reaffirms our pagan roots which best depicts the love between nature and humans. The word also connotes to ‘boil over’ and also it is the name of a sweetened dish in which rice is cooked with lentils and jaggery in milk.

Queen Mira International School memorialized its 9 th Annual Day – Sangamam 2019 – an amalgamation of arts on the 20th & 22nd of December, 2019 with the most captivating theme ‘Celebrating Womanhood’. The setting up for the opulent occasion took its centre stage since the last week of November, 2019. From then on the stake holders had put in their heart and soul towards the triumph of this fantabulous carnival. In accordance to the name given, the two days programme obviously manifested the harmony that prevailed within the powerful & supportive Senior Management Team, the passionate Principals of Senior & Junior School, the strenuous squad – the Sangamam Coordinators, the tempestuous teachers and the appealing and scintillating students.

20 YAGNA | March 2020 STAFF DINNER Management Team and grade 10 & 12 handling teachers, followed by which an oath refurbishing On Saturday, 25th January 2020, a staff dinner success and responsibility were conferred to was hosted at QMIS. It was packed with lots the students by the Principal of Senior School, of surprising & exciting performances. The Ms. Christinal Shanthi. A recorded AV which had event itself was a delight as always. The elegant the optimistic wishes from teachers was played. atmosphere at QMIS set the stage for a wonderful The motivational deliverance of Director – evening filled with lively entertainment. The Mr. Abinath Chandran reminded the students event started off with a prayer song. We had about the focus they should have to reach greater the pleasure of welcoming our Chairman. Our heights & targets. The experiential felicitation Director Academics Ms. Sujatha Guptan gave an of our beloved chairman, Dr. C. Chandran informative speech and laid out the challenges for threw light upon the power of parents. The the future. Our Managing Director Mr. Abinath auspicious evening served as the best platform Chandran acknowledged and appreciated for the students to remind themselves on the the efforts of teachers, support staff, drivers, responsibility they hold. It was undoubtedly a conductors and janitors. This was followed by momentous occasion for the students. an array of cultural events, where impeccable performances were delivered through dances, songs and dramas. The evening ended with a delightful dinner.

IN-HOUSE LAUREATES “Failing to win is not important, but failing to participate is.” CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY “When you focus on being a blessing, Almighty makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance. The months of February & March are vital and momentous for the board exam appearing students. On 29th January, 2020 - QMIS organized the candle lighting for the students of grades 10 & 12. The ceremony started with QMIS organized In-house Laureates (prize the choir of teachers chanting bhajan invoking distribution ceremony) for all the QMIS kids. positive vibes on every single person who made The students were awarded for academic their presence. The multi religious prayers that excellence and good performance in extra- were said by the faculty members made everyone curricular activities at school by the parents of to feel the omnipotent presence of the Almighty. other graders. The program began with a prayer Ms. Sujatha Guptan, our Director – Academics song followed by prize distribution and ended welcomed the gathering and instilled confidence with a thanking note. among the students. The lit lamps which were synonymous to success were handed over to Teacher Incharges: Ms.Jennifer Ruth, Ms.Nandhini the students by the members of the Senior Student Incharge: Lisa Arul

www.queenmira.com 21 INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION ISA activity on Natural Calamities The students of Grades 6 & 7 were offered this experience through research where they could prepare a project or chart work on any FRESH one natural calamity. In order to widen their THOUGHTS knowledge and to portray the cause and effect the students were motivated to do a bulletin GO GREEN board display compiling different types of There is heightened sense of awareness and natural disasters and the various steps which consciousness among people, which has led them may help prevent such disasters from occurring. to be more responsible towards environment, As part of this activity, students were encouraged however, this may seem inadequate. This needs to explore creativity in the form of dance thereby to become a mass movement, where everyone depicting various forms of nature and suffering does their part and this holistically helps the from such natural calamities. The students were society by making the environment safer while able to think on broader perspective of linking adopting sustainable living methods. We should this activity with sustainable development goal try everything we can at an individual level to of “Climate Action”. This made them to think save our environment like using biodegradable more and beyond which indeed makes learning things, avoiding use of plastic, using eco-friendly better. items, etc. If everyone starts doing their part to save the environment and our earth, then it won’t be difficult for us to save this planet and ecosystem being over-burdened. By Vishnuputhran, 8B

Basically, going green means to live life, as an individual, as a community in such a way that is harmonious / friendly to the natural environmental and is sustainable for the Earth. ISA activity for Grades 1 & 2 was conducted It means contributing towards maintaining the in the month of February to understand kid’s natural ecological balance in the environment futuristic dreams / expectations from their and preserving the planet and its natural systems campus. Students once again proved their mettle and resources. by articulating their thoughts and vision. This It also means taking steps, whether big or small, has enthused our teachers and management to minimize the harm you do to the environment greatly as it provided valued inputs on various (including reduction of the carbon footprints committees which have operated on campus as you leave behind), as a result of inhabiting this well as a lot of key insights and understanding planet. If you need help for all your hazardous of how students want their campus to shape up waste or any kind of waste you can get some info in the future. This activity not only kindled their here at Act-Environmental Services-Hazardous creativity but also the ability to envision among Waste Disposal. kids which is must to become a great leader. The activities created a great experience to the little By S.Lishanth, 8A ones of grade 1 & 2 with our motto “More and B e y o n d ”. Teacher Incharges: Teacher Incharges: Ms.Ramalakshmi & Susikala.A Ms. Lawanya Jeyakumar & Ms.Gomathi.U Student Incharge: Dharani Student Incharge: Sowmya

22 YAGNA | March 2020 a large area. She has planted more than 500 trees AMAZING FACTS in her village and aims at leaving behind a living legacy of her own for her future generations. “Go Green” is the talk of the world now. India has also contributed to it in its own way. We will look into the works of some of the common people who have made tremendous contribution even though they have not got the basic awareness as we do. Jadav ‘Molai’ Payeng is a forestry worker who came to be known as the “Forest Man of India”. Over the course of a several decades he had planted a forest along the banks of River Teacher Incharge: Ms. Uma Maheshwari Brahmaputra and had revived it to house Bengal Student Incharge: Sai Naga Abirami Tigers, Indian Rhinocerous, deer, rabbits, monkeys and birds. HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

SAFE SENSE DAY We all know that the sensory organs play a vital role in our life. To imbibe the importance of taking care of sensory organs, QMIS Grades 1 Saalumarada Thimmakka is a 105 year old & 2 Department organized “Safe Sense Day” at woman, who has not had formal education but QMIS on 06th February 2020 for the children. had the foresight to save earth. She was given the Dr. Saravanan, Pediatrician from Navamani child name “Saalumarada” (meaning-rows of tree) as care clinic addressed the children on the topic. she had planted and nurtured about 400 banyan The session was very interactive and informative. trees along a 4 km stretch between Hulikal and Kudur. She has planted around 8000 trees and He shared many tips to ensure care of sensory had received National Citizen’s Award of India. organs. He advised and emphasized on the She was also honoured with the Padma Shri in need to avoid headsets as the decibel levels may 2019. cause irreparable damage to the ear drums. He also advised not to use cosmetics with strong fragrances and instead use a mild soap of the same brand and not to change them from time to time. The session ended with a great learning.

Prabha Devi is a 76 year old woman who had made it her passion to create a forest in her village Palashat, in the district of Rudraprayag, Uttarkhand. Affected by the deforestation for materialistic reasons, she started to plant trees in Teacher Incharge: Ms. Jainool Fatima a small holding of land and extended the same to Student Incharge: Nakshatra.R.K

www.queenmira.com 23 TRAVELOGUE

OUR TRIP TO OMAN - MUSCAT which lines the beach, with coffee shops, cafes and BBQ areas. Shatti Al Qurum is also a Muscat is the capital of Oman and is located in popular sunset spot and the views are stunning the north of the country, on the Gulf of Oman. as the sun goes down over the Gulf of Oman. We had a flight in the morning from It was crowded in the evenings as temperatures International Airport at 7am. We were excited to in Muscat head south. Usually, a lot of activities board in Oman Air, our airbus flight to Muscat. like playing group sports such as volleyball and We landed on the same day around 10am after football are going on at Shatti Al Qurum. a 4 hours of travel and immigration process, We visited temples like Krishna Temple at we came out of airport and entered the city of Darsait Ruwi and Shiva Temple at Muscat. It Muscat, a sprawling city with several interesting was near the sultan’s palace. The Name of deity neighbourhoods. is “Motieswar” built by Gujaratis from India After entering the city, we were excited to see the settled around 400 years ago. The age of the city of Muscat. We had a complete rest and the temple is around 350 years. The temple was next day morning we visited The Sultan Qaboos extensively renovated before 10 years. There is a Grand Mosque arguably the most impressive well which contains water throughout the year mosque in all of Oman, which was bulit in the though Muscat is a desert. year 2001. Its five minarets define the pillars of Another interesting moment was the desert Islam, with the tallest reaching around 91 meters drive at Bidiyah Desert which was the most in height. Outside the mosque, there were several interesting part of Muscat trip. We had a desert pristine and meticulously maintained courtyards tour of 1 hour. Dune bashing and sunset. We and walkways, each with their own impressive took memorable photographs and camel rides patterns. for 1 hour. Inside the mosque, we found interesting and Next day we had full shopping, at malls like beautiful pieces of art. The mosque had the lulu malls. Al Almarai and carefour, we bought world’s largest chandelier. Besides 600,000 memorable gifts to our relatives and boarded our Swarovski crystals covering its 14 meters of flight back to Chennai. We had pleasant stay and height, the chandelier is also covered with 24 had loads of fun and memories to cherish. carat gold plating. They say the chandelier weighs 8.5 tonnes. Next day we visited Shatti Al Qurum a lively beach in the heart of Muscat, with its P/O Shiayam. S Grade 5B golden sands and clear waters. The beach is a Moshikaa.S Grade 6A popular spot for relaxing, swimming and feeling Teacher Incharges: the sand between one’s toes. We had a lovely Ms.Anitha Thiliban & Ms.Lilly Jeone walk along the coconut tree covered promenade Student Incharge: Ibrahim Shakir Syed

24 YAGNA | March 2020 TRAILBLAZER (GRADES 1 & 2)

PEPPY FAMILY FAIR FAMILY VISIT “A family is the most essential cell of human “In family, love is the oil that eases friction, the society.” cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.” We at QMIS ensure to construct the best harmonious rapport with our management and parents. By mirroring this on 25th January 2020 our courtyard was brimming due to our buzzing bee’s ebullient exuberance. The event started with a fun game called “Connection” which was to connect pictures with related words to invent a new word. The little masters proved to be far ahead of the adults and demonstrated their creative brilliance. Flameless cooking show left us all dumbstruck with simple yet novel and innovative ideas of making new receipes. The surprising element was kids were keen in garnishing healthy munches. After our taste buds received the much-deserved due attention from delicious dishes our mental appetite was addressed by Mr. Bharath’s thoughtful words about spending quality time Learning is an amusement and even more with our children. Our tiny tots took home fun when it comes with a privilege of field human values along with souvenir’s in the form trip. A Family visit was organized by Grade of sweet memories. 1&2 department on 01.02.2020 (Saturday) to understand the concept “Unification Intimacy” in Joint family and nuclear family. Our children were taken to their comrade’s dwelling. They manifested their waves in a valuable way and enjoyed the warm hospitality. Our little ones were given a moment to scout themselves by patronage their code of behaviour in a fresh environs. A delightful salutation and a cute smile from the host were the brands which we relished Endowment were contributed from the family end and our little one’s had happily received it. Undoubtedly this experience will remain fresh forever in their memories. “Family gives strength for the roots to stand tall and strong.”

Teacher Incharges: Ms.Kayalvizhi & Ms.Aruna Rajkumar

www.queenmira.com 25 LEARNER’S COLUMN

On the 11th January, 2020, Ms. Tara Mohan, the Assistant content editor for The Hindu Step conducted a post course workshop for the teaching faculty to understand and recapitulate the learning experience the team had whilst undergoing the course. The resource person conducted activities where the participants had a chance to revisit the course materials. PHONIC SOUNDS – SENTENCES A SESSION ON EXPERIENTIAL ‘Learning to read is like learning to run’ LEARNING On the 4th January, 2020, Ms. Hilarie ‘A mind that is stretched by a new experience Balachandran conducted the session on phonic can never go back to its old dimensions’ sounds exclusively for the teachers who handle Kindergarten & Primary Levels. The resource On the 1st February, 2020, Ms. Ezhil Roja, AVP person Ms.Hilarie explained how Phonics & Ms. Kundhavai Santharam, HR Manager instruction teaches children to decode letters presented a session on Experiential Learning. A into their respective sounds, she added that it is a total of 24 teachers from KG, Grades II to IV and skill which is essential for young learners to read VI to IX participated in this session. unfamiliar words by themselves. She strongly The session covered the below topics: believed that having letter-sound knowledge will • Learning activity pyramid help children to link between unfamiliar print • Kolb’s cycle words and their spoken knowledge. It was a very • Elements of Experiential Learning active session that rejuvenated thought process • The Wordle & alimentarium academy, of every participant. education.com resources • Minds of Experience • Suggested activities in classroom Teachers were divided into 4 groups of which two represented the role of Teachers and 2 groups represented the role of students of mixed grades. The topic and subject for presenting an experiential learning atmosphere were given. The topic chosen was Shapes and Angles of Mathematics subject for Grade 3. The teachers and students roles were well played and finally the minds of experience and presentation were interrelated and discussed for better assimilation. POST COURSE WORKSHOP ‘The conquest of learning is achieved through the knowledge of languages’

26 YAGNA | March 2020 ALL ABOUT THE IGC AWARD The International Global Citizen’s Award is • non-competitive “The IGC Award is not just another award: it’s • voluntary a way of life.” • for young people aged 11 and over, although adults are welcome too • operated by recognised centres During the programme, people become • more engaged and active as global citizens Dr. Sarvesh Naidu & Dr. Pathma Naidu visited • better informed about certain global issues Queen Mira International School and had and concerns a daylong session with the SLT, MLM & the • more reflective about what it means to be a middle & senior school students. Dr. Sarvesh good global citizen Naidu’s meetings & sessions were scheduled • and, we hope you would become better global to understand the better operation of the CIS citizens whereabouts and the resource person shared his The award programme involves a commitment possible inputs the team wanted to know about to action and development in four areas over at the proceedings of CIS. least six months: Dr. Padma Naidu met the middle school 1. Understanding other cultures and outlooks handling teachers and shared information about 2. Personal Global Footprint the IGC Award. The following were discussed 3. Influence and involvement with others by Dr. Padma. 4. Recording and reflecting on change and development. The International Global Citizen’s Award is a programme that encourages young people to MLM & SLT who were a part of these sessions become better global citizens by felt as though the long day came to an end • finding out about other cultures and outlooks within a wink of an eye. • finding out more about how their everyday lives affect the environment and the lives of others • working with others in various capacities • taking small actions to help to make the world a better place, and • reflecting on their developing knowledge and awareness The Award recognises development and action by participants over a period of time by not reaching a fixed “standard”. Let’s Not Be Mean! Rather Let’s Go Green’ “We are living in a crucial time. The future The programme is operated and run by local of our planet depends on the actions we take centres in different countries, following the today. Since long time, we humans have lived same international model. our lives on this planet as if we own the Earth. To make way for societal developments, we have destroyed many natural habitats to many plant and animal species. We have been carrying out deforestation and clearing of natural grasslands at alarming rates, for reasons such as to extract resources (eg. paper, tin, etc) from the earth, or simply to get more land for developments (eg.

www.queenmira.com 27 GREEN SOLUTION: GET GREEN: THE GREEN REVOLUTION We need to be responsible and proactive in protecting the earth’s ecological balance. This environmental consciousness should be present, whether we are dealing with government policies, or industrial and economic activities, or in our daily living. farming, building of cities, landfills). It should not be a matter of convenience or doing In the process, we have stripped other creatures of whatever we can within the limits of our societal their habitats and even lives. With the destruction or economic constraints. In fact, considerations of forests, we are also hindering the earth’s ability for the environment should come first. For to rejuvenate itself of excessive pollutants and without a planet to live in, there would be no carbon dioxide (which contributes to global room for societal or economic life. warming), resulting in a less ideal climate for As individuals we should not over-consume (not both ourselves and other living organisms. just food, but other goods and services as well). To feed our increasing population, we have been In addition, we should also encourage those stretching the earth beyond its limits, through around us to do the same. By consuming just activities such as over- farming and over-fishing. what we need, we reduce the strain we place on Unrelenting, we continue to seek to challenge the earth as a source of our resources. these limits, by inventing new ways of producing Keep an organic garden, or even start an organic more to satisfy our greed. We introduced the farm, and help reintroduce more life (beyond use of chemical fertilizers, artificial hormonal humans and our needs) on this planet. Use injections in farm animals, and genetic organic products instead of products that release modification of seeds. harmful chemicals into the environment. Donate In the process, we have introduced many man- regularly to forest or wildlife conservation made and harmful substances to other species, efforts. Or better still, protect a piece of forest the environment and ourselves (unwittingly, we land under your name. Respect the lives of have also tainted the quality of our food supplies, other living creatures (plants and animals alike, and brought harm to our bodies). And many not just pet dog or cat), and educate our kids of these substances have impact beyond our on the importance of doing so. In this way, you comprehension. would have built the foundations for a more environmentally conscious generation. The ecological balance we have with other living organisms has been greatly upset. Many plant and animal species have gone extinct as a result of man’s actions. And this is even before we have discovered their existence! The loss of numerous plant species also means goodbye to important sources of medicinal plants and herbs that could potentially be cures to deadly diseases plaguing mankind today.

Teacher Incharge: Ms. Aysha Siddika Feroze Student Incharge: Prajith Selvaraj Sherbourn Issac.S

28 YAGNA | March 2020 CONNEXIONS

Teacher Incharge: Mr.Ajithkumar AGARAM

TAMIL HINDI gRik Éoaš Shruthika Sri.M.M-G-1A Shruthika

ngUfp tUk; efu;tsj;jhy; RUq;fpg;NghdJ tdtsk; md;wpUe;j fhLfSk; MWfSk; - ,d;W Fg;igNkLfsha; fopTfs; XLk; rhf;filfsha; cUkhwp epw;fpwJ! ,e;epiy ePbj;jhy; cyfk; moptJ cWjp! - vdNt Gy;ntspf;fhlha; vq;Fk; glu;e;J gy;Yapuidj;Jk; Rfkha; tho fhg;Nghk; gRikia! kl;fhj;jd;ik nfhz;l nefpopiaj;jtpu;j;J ,aw;ifAk; ejpAk; nfhQ;rk; nfhQ;rkha; nrJf;fpa kziy Ruz;Lk; nfhs;isau;fs; gpbapypUe;J fhg;Nghk; gRikia! gho;gl;l epyq;fis tpisepykha; tsk; nropj;j ehlha; cUthf;f fhg;Nghk; gRikia! gUtkio ngha;f;fhJ nga;a Gtpapd; ntg;gkJ Fiwa fhg;Nghk; gRikia! kioapd;wp ,g;Gtpapy;iy ,g;Gtpapd;wp ehk; ,y;iy - ,ij czu;Nthk;! ,dp ,e;j gRik tpbaiy

ehdpd;wp ehkhf;fpdhy; Sudhiksha.S-1B xU ehs; ek; Njrk; gRikapy; fz;tpopf;Fk;!

Teacher Incharges: Teacher Incharge: Ms.Revathy Ms.Murugeshwari & Ms.Mangalajothi Student Incharge: Dathrisri

30 YAGNA | March 2020 JAPANESE FRENCH

SUPPORT TO SAVE GREEN Trees are an indispensable asset to mankind as they are sources of food and shelter. It helps in regulating climate and rain providing us water, which is a necessity. It also provides us with fresh air and helps reduce global warming. It also helps maintain soil fertility and prevent erosion. Summing it up, trees help maintain the ecological balance of Earth. These days, there is a huge threat to forests / trees because of multiple reasons. Human beings cut the trees for Kitakyushu in Japan was the first boron various reasons especially for commercial exploiting like wood, paper etc. It is time to realise the importance transformed from industrial wasteland to “Eco of trees and stop the people from cutting down the town” of the 20th century. This city has long trees. This poem “Sauvons la planete” highlights the been a champion on the environment. Tokyo’s importance of trees and pleads to mankind to extend Metropolitan Government is working to turn the support to conserve the forests, hence protecting the city into the world’s most eco fervent mega city. bio-diversity of the eco-system. In the midst of a sluggish global economy Tokyo Sauvons la planète is the first city to try cap and trade program for Le Monde est un grand terrain various environmental issues. Pleine d’arbres robustes et des forets ténébreuses Japan is continuously promoting clean Ces espaces verts nous fournissent des avantages technology and other waste recycling services nombreuses to maintain cleanliness. They actually put more Pour les animaux et les être-humains. emphasis on the community rather than the Les forets qui improvisent la purification d’air individual. Réduisent certainement la pollution de la terre. Une promenade simple entre les verdures They have a proper garbage disposal system efficiently supported by proper trash segregation Diminue le stress pour sûr. which helps them maintain cleanliness and Symbole de vie, de pérennité, et de sagesse hygiene. They don’t expect others to care for Elle nous fournit des produits forestiers Qui nous donne des bénéfices économiques their mars. Taking responsibility for own mess augmentant notre richesse. starts as early as childhood in Japan. Every class Agissant comme les protecteurs des sols, is responsible for tidying up their classrooms and Elles promeuvent largement les productions two more places in the school, cleanup schedules agricoles. are not only for kids. Adults in the neighborhood Aujourd’hui, les forêts sont dans une grande menace have regular cleanup schedule. This sounds semi Car les hommes les coupent pour des raisons obligatory, but this is how it is in the country. inefficaces. Japanese people ensure that wherever they are, C’est à cause de la déforestation, their surroundings are well arranged and tidy. Que les espèces sont dans un état de disparition. Japan has excellent public transportation system. Qui affecte ainsi l’équilibre de la biodiversité It is considered to be absolutely the best in the Et Provoque également le réchauffement de la terre. world. Apart from this the country’s emission C’est l’heure pour lutter contre le déboisement control is one of the strictest in the world. Japan Et protéger notre terre du réchauffement is the leader of pollution control technologies Commençons a promouvoir la croissance des arbres and it has adopted the world’s first fuel economy Et soutenons-nous pour sauvegarder les forets regulations for heavy duty vehicles.

Midori no Sekai e youkoso Teacher Incharge: Ms.Sountharya Teacher Incharge: Ms.Seetha Lakshmi Student Incharge: Akash Nagu Subramaniam

www.queenmira.com 31 JUNIOR JOURNALIST Mr.Karthikeyan Nachiappan, Nanneer Foundation

Karthikeyan Nachiappan has dedicated himself Mr.Karthikeyan: we have a structured program in bringing a change in the way water has and this structured program is mainly conducted been conceived and consumed in the urban for school students. So, we invite them here for a households. His team with their missionary zeal science trip in groups of maximum 50 and the has committed to play a decisive role in realizing sessions go on for around 3 hours depending on the key objectives of the foundation-“Nanneer”. the interaction of students.

Nanneer’s Madurai Water Gallery at Swathi: which grades do you invite sir? AppanThiruppathi is a one stop centre for water literacy and water conservation activities Mr.Karthikeyan: mostly graders above 6 are with respect to urban/rural dwellings. It is the called here. only water conservation museum available as Swathi: sir how do you make graders below 6 on date in entire Tamilnadu promoting water understand the necessity to save water? literacy from a 360 degree perspective. It has exclusive real time structures for Rain Water Mr.Karthikeyan: we start with a simple activity Harvesting, Groundwater recharge apart from like for example how they brush their teeth. an old fashioned well and pond. It also has 3D There will be many answers like one kid would models and display materials to educate the say that he uses the running tap for around 5 visitors, especially the younger generation about minutes and another would say that he hasn’t the various methods of water conservation on actually timed how long he lets the water to run. their day to day life. Nanneer’s signature Water So we demonstrate them how much water is Warrior programme is one of its kind, that wasted in those 10 minutes. Running a tap for 10 ensures the students attending it, turn out to minutes wastes 20 litres of water whereas 200ml be responsible citizens who use every drop of is more than enough water sensibly and act as ambassadors of water conservation in reality. Swathi: sir do you run this program only for schools or also for the public? Swathi: Do you conduct programs or is this place like an exhibition sir? Mr.Karthikeyan: we run this program on two platforms, one is at the school level and the other

32 YAGNA | March 2020 is for those who want to install such set-ups at people in and around the world that are striving home. For those who want to set this up at the toward ending hunger and poverty that not many home level, we support them through advisory. people actually pay attention to saving water. And when requested, we set up programs for Moreover, I grew up in a time where people them too. really struggled for access to drinking water and I didn’t want the younger generations to suffer Swathi: Sir is there some sort of rule or policy the way that we adults suffered. that you follow here at nanneer?

Mr.Karthikeyan: yes, we actually follow “4R’s”.

• One is reducing the usage of water

• Second is rain water harvesting

• Third will be recharging the ground water and

• Fourth is recycling and reuse.

We don’t focus on renovating the rivers and all those; we come from a perspective that it is the individual’s responsibility to conserve water. Whoever is consuming water should also be responsible to also save it.z

Swathi: What do you mean by Water Warriors sir?

Mr.Karthikeyan: water warrior technically means that it is not their individual responsibility but it is a combined responsibility. It means that the children have to spread the word around about water conservation around their community and by doing so they become water ambassadors.

Swathi: What are the school level programs that you run sir?

Mr.Karthikeyan: from our side, we want every school to have a water conservation lab. Most of the schools have a chemistry, biology and physics lab and here at nanneer we think that there should be a lab for water conservation and it should also be given equal importance. By setting up a water conservation lab in one area, it will help provide water for many people around that area. And this can be done with any amount area, from 100 sq. Feet to 400 sq. Feet.

Swathi: Why did you choose to save water and Teacher Incharge: not anything else like hunger or poverty? Ms.Praveena Rajan Student Incharge: Mr.Karthikeyan: the thing is that there are many Muthu Swathi Lakshmi.M

www.queenmira.com 33 SPORTS

Akilan Basketball Player

“Hey, well played man”, was a tar court with wooden said Coach Lebron James, backboards, which for us was simultaneously high fivinglike heaven.” Akilan picked one of his players, a young 5ft up the basics by watching his 9 inch 23-year-old man from school seniors. “My father used by the name of to come home every weekend, Akilan P. The occasion was and he taught me how to the 2013 All Star Weekend at dribble and shoot.” Soon Akilan Houston, Texas. NBA superstar got selected to his school team. James, arguably one of the One day, his father saw a greatest basketball players of newspaper ad announcing his generation, was coaching a selection tryouts to the under motley bunch of international 13 Coimbatore District team. players —from China, Chinese “In those days, I used to Taipei, Lithuania, Mexico, be pretty fat because of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, US constant pampering from my and India—as part of a Sprite mother’s relatives in Pollachi. exhibition game against another Earlier, at Coonoor, all that legend Kobe Bryant’s team. As walking around in the hills had Akilan sat back on the bench, kept me fit.” Akilan went to he asked himself yet again in the tryouts but wasn’t selected disbelief “Basketball has taken among the twenty probables. me across the globe, what else is half of whom used to turn up “My father told me bluntly that it going to do for me?” barefoot in trousers and shirts!” I had to lose weight and become Akilan joined the LMHS School fitter.” Akilan began practicing From 2002 to 2008, Akilan was in fifth standard, and then in earnest at the local club. a regular in the Tamil Nadu started playing basketball. “In “Every morning and evening, line up and captained the u-13, our school, there weren’t a lot of before and after school, I played u-16 (youth) and u-18 (junior) facilities for many sports. There against 20 and 25 year olds, sides. After completing his 12th

34 YAGNA | March 2020 standard, he joined the PSG College in Coimbatore and in Q’S ACHIEVEMENTS 2009, graduated with a B Com (Corporate Secretaryship) degree. Within three months of joining Jeppiar, Akilan was offered a job in the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. “The fact that I was a graduate, and a bronze medal winner at the junior nationals meant that I was eligible to join at the higher position of a senior clerk.” After “KALAM WORLD RECORDS” ACHIEVED BY close to two years, in 2011, SAI HAASINI .R OF GRADE 1-A. # ROPE CLIMBING Akilan was recruited by the # 7 METERS CLIMBED IN 42 SECONDS Income Tax Department. The same year, he was selected for the first time to the senior Tamil Nadu team. It was in Income Tax that in 2012, Akilan participated in the inaugural NBA 3 on 3 championship. Akilan paid particular attention to those NBA players who played in his position: point guard. After easily winning the South Asian Basketball Championship, the Indian team has now qualified for the Asia Cup in Wuhan, China. “No doubt, the competition QMIS STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN 5TH DISTRICT is going to be a lot tougher, as LEVEL TABLE TENNIS TOURNAMENT AND WERE we will be up against Asian POSITIONED THE RUNNERS WITH 2680 POINTS heavyweights Iran, Korea, AMONG THE 18 SCHOOLS China and Philippines.” But like always, Akilan is confident of his journey. “A year ago, I was watching the Indian team on TV. Now, I’m a part of the “SUCCESS IS NOT FINAL, s qu a d .” FAILURE IS NOT FATAL, Basketball continues to take THE COURAGE TO WIN him places. THAT COUNTS”. - SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL Teacher Incharge: Mr.Murugan Student Incharge: Thirupathi.M 36 YAGNA | March 2020