Social Media – Made to ‘Connect’, not the other way round.

I was sitting at my workplace during a small break, I scrolled my Facebook account and burst into laughter by looking at the post related to an ugly picture of a fat woman who was tagged as “I am waiting for a smart guy to marry”. 125 comments were there and more than 100 emoji smileys were posted in response. Within a fraction of second, my laughter transformed into a deeper thought that how easily we laugh and comment on others’ imperfections, how pejorative we become while accessing others and how inhuman we are who laugh on others without looking at ourselves. We talk about equity and equality but we are still confined and caged in orthodox opinions about skin colour, gender, caste, and religion.

One weird comment on our post or profile pic makes us so annoyed and we block the spectator then & there only and on the other side, we become peculiar and pejorative while commenting on others, even sometimes they are not in our friends’ list too.

It has become a trend to show our anger through caricatures of our teachers, bosses and even parents too. Political parties are also using it widely to enrich their vote bank without giving a second thought that it’s spoiling our youth’s language and defeats the purpose of attaining democracy. We generally forget profane written words are more hurting as compared to spoken words. Written words leave the long-lasting impact on readers’ mind and on the viewer’s mind as well. We become too vocal when we protest about bullying in school and colleges but we never think that it is also a type of bullying when we become sarcastic about others and hurt them emotionally and mentally. This is an irony in today’s scenario that it’s an easy task to defame and criticise others but very difficult to appreciate them for their qualities.

Social Media is a platform for connecting people rather than creating a sense of discrimination or making someone feel disheartened or annoyed. While posting on social media, we must take care of the following points: -

·     Never post in anger. Count up to 10. Go for a walk. Take a deep breath. Just make sure the anger passes before you publish a word.

·     Check your facts. If you want to publicly claim something is true, confirm the facts through an authentic source before you post.

·     Make your context clear. What you see as an obvious exaggeration may be insulting to someone else.

·     Be careful with hashtags. Adding “#crook” may strike you as funny, but you can’t be sure everyone will take it as a joke.

·     Avoid modifying photos and videos. Images can be defamatory too, so don’t alter them to make someone look bad.

You may be right in your opinion based on the facts better known to you, it is still wiser to take a deep breath and think twice before responding.

We are humans, so we must behave like humans and maintain the dignity of all. Let’s spread the feeling of happiness, brotherhood, nationalism, and equality through sharing our thoughts and make the world more beautiful and a happier place to live in.

Nidhi Dewan

HOD (IT)

THE MANN SCHOOL

Why outdoor games are important ?

In today’s technology-driven times it is common to find more and more kids glued to the television and their gadgets. Kids of today are increasingly spending their time indoors which is negatively impacting their development and health. Studies indicate a steady escalation in childhood obesity.

On the other hand, playing outdoors offer several mental and physical health benefits to the growing kids. Exposure to outdoor play can positively shape the personality of kids, draw them nearer to nature, help them to develop essential social skills and give impetus to their creativity and imagination.

Benefits of Playing Outdoor Games for Children

1. Great Learning

Playing outdoor games can be a brilliant way to enhance learning abilities in kids. They may learn important life lessons and skills, develop a problem-solving attitude, get to explore nature, acquire new information and an elementary understanding of science.

2. Healthy Physical Development

Outdoor play keeps kids active and provides a means to increase their physical stamina and fitness, strengthen their muscles and bones, build immunity, lower the risk of many diseases like diabetes, heart problems, obesity and promote overall better health. 

3. Positive Attitude

Children who play outdoors tend to develop a positive attitude and have a calmer and happier disposition. Also, outdoor play provides a great opportunity to channelize the kid’s natural energy in a meaningful way.

4. Personality Development

Outdoor play aids in positively developing the personality of a kid. They learn to be independent and self-reliant. They learn to deal with situations on their own, handle emergencies, negotiate setbacks and unfamiliar conditions, sans adult supervision which may instill confidence and make them better equipped to tackle life situations later on. 

5. Attain Motor Skills

Engaging in outdoor games can help kids develop their gross and fine motor skills. They achieve better agility, coordination, and balance by playing outdoor games.

How to Encourage Kids for Outdoor Play

Making outdoor play fun for the kids can motivate them to take up outdoor games and sports. You can try taking your kid’s favorite toys like play dough, racing cars, ball, etc. outdoors and cheer them on to explore and play with them differently.

SEEMA RANA

TEACHER

THE MANN SCHOOL

SCHOOL DAYS

Growing up in this day and age.

With free expression all the rage,

Our young ones learn when starting

School. That reading’s fun and maths is

Cool while writing’s not the least bit

boring. It really is so much like drawing.

For every child it is essential

To realize their full potential

And teachers always do their best

To stimulate their interest.

When years of schooldays end at last

With all examination passed,

Will the children reminisce

And say, “Our schooldays we will miss.”

And as the final day arrives.

They were the best days of our lives.

25 STEPS to build a Positive Personality

Step 1 : Accept responsibility

Step 2 : Show consideration

Step 3 : Think win-win

Step 4 : Choose your words carefully

Step 5 : Smile and be kind

Step 6 : Don’t criticize and complain

Step 7 : Put positive interpretations on other people’s behaviour

Step 8 : Be a good listener

Step 9 : Be enthusiastic

Step 10 : Give honest and sincere appreciation

Step 11 : When you make a mistake, accept it and move on

Step 12: Discuss but don’t argue

Step 13: Don’t gossip

Step 14: Turn your promises into commitments

Step 15: Be grateful but do not expect gratitude

Step 16: Be dependable and practice loyalty

Step 17 : Avoid bearing grudges

Step 18: Practice honesty, sincerity and integrity

Step 19: Practice humility

Step 20: Be understanding and caring

Step 21: Practice courtesy on daily basis

Step 22: Develop a sense of humour

Step 23: Don’t be sarcastic

Step 24: To have a friend, be a friend

Step 25: Show empathy.

Preeti Arora

Teacher

The Mann School

THE MANTRA OF SUCCESS: SELF-CONFIDENCE

All of us want to be successful in life. However, only some among us are able to relish the sweet fruits of success. Why it is that success eludes some of us? The answer to this lies in the fact that most of us are not able to utilize the potential strength in us. We can realize our strength only if we have the right attitude, positive thinking and firm faith in ourselves. For being successful, we need to have confidence in ourselves. The very first step in climbing the ladder of self-confidence is firm conviction about one’s own ability. People who underestimate themselves do not accept challenges and responsibilities and thus lose wonderful opportunities in life. We should not doubt our inner strength and have a positive attitude. Failures should not deter us for they are the beauty of life.

The next step to develop self-confidence is perseverance. As Thomas Elva Edison says, “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration”.

One must possess tremendous will power and self-respect to succeed.

Finally a definite goal and one-pointed concentration help us to manifest tremendous confidence. As Swami Vivekananda said, “Take up one idea, make that idea your life; think of it, a dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea alone. This is the way to success.”

Self-trust is the first secret of success.

NAVPREET KAUR

TEACHER

THE MANN SCHOOL

MESSAGE BEHIND GREETING

Today I am going to share a very interesting and valuable knowledge. Before that tell me one thing if our hands are tied together, can we fight with anyone? The answer is NO. Here I am going to share your meaning of types of wishing in a different culture with their purpose.

Whenever we meet anyone, stranger or known, in Hindu we join our hands and say "Namaste”, in Muslim we say “As-Salam- u - Alaikum", in Sikh we say "SatSriAkaal l "and   in Christians, we shake hands and greet each other.

In all types of wishing, styles are different but one thing is common. In all ways of greetings, we expose our hands to the other person with a smiling face.

The styles are different in all religions but the message is ONE that I am here with a message of PEACE and not FIGHT. Because as we shared earlier also that with joined or tied hands we cannot fight. And while wishing we offer ourselves our hands.

Similarly, there is another way of giving respect to seniors is, touching their feet. Friends the best part of our human structure is HEAD. Whenever we go out we comb our hairs and wash our face. And on the other hand, our feet touch the earth and goes in all dirt on the earth.

So whenever we touch our senior’s feet, we convey him/her the message that He or She is so respectable that, my best part i.e. my HEAD, is equal to their last or dirty part i.e. their feet.

So whenever we meet others, we should greet them with positive energy which helps to make a positive and peaceful environment.

Deepa Sharma

Teacher

The Mann School

Dealing WITH anxiety and REDUCING STRESS

As we go about our lives, we’re constantly weighing up situations and deciding

what we think about them: good or bad, safe or unsafe etc. How we interpret a

situation influences how we feel about it. If we think a situation means ‘you are

in danger’, we feel afraid. If it means ‘you have been wronged’, we feel angry.

And these feelings determine how we react to the situation. We translate

meanings into feelings very fast. With anger, that speed sometimes means that

we react in ways we later regret.

How do our bodies respond to anger?

“My heart was racing,

I was physically tense,

I was gob smacked.”

Anger is an emotional state and aggression is just one of the ways that people

behave when they are angry. Aggressive behaviour can be physical or verbal and

gives the signal that someone intends to cause harm. It can mean people become

violent towards others or throw things. Aggression often takes over when people

act on their instinct to protect themselves or others.

When you feel the first surge of anger boiling up inside you, pause for

a moment. Think about what has made you angry, think about the

consequences of exploding in a rage and then choose how to respond.

HOW CAN WE CONTROL OUR ANGER?

1. Count to ten before you act.

2. Drop your shoulders and breathe deeply to help you relax – your instincts

 may be telling your body to get ready to fight, but your rational self can

 reverse this message by telling your body to chill out.

3. If you feel the urge to throw something or hit out, remove yourself from the

 situation and try taking it out on something soft like a cushion that you

 won’t damage and which won’t hurt you.

4.Try screaming if it won’t disturb people near you or scream into a pillow to

 release your tension.

5. Talk yourself down – imagine what your

calmest friend would say to you and give

yourself the same advice.

 6. Imagine yourself in a relaxing scene

.

7. Distract yourself or take yourself out of

the situation that made you angry - read a

magazine, do a crossword, listen to

soothing music, go for a walk.

8. Pour out how you feel in writing or redirect

your energy into another creative activity.

9. Off load to a friend who will help you get

perspective on the situation.

10. Work off your anger through exercise –  

                   

ANURADHA MALIK
TEACHER
THE MANN SCHOOL