Kalpana

http://www.amazon.com/README-FIRST-Users-Qualitative-Methods/dp/0761918914

By Madhavi
 * Walking in Injustice**

Today has been a long, boring day. Our teacher, Mrs. Nrets, has been reading Martin Luther King’s speech to us. Now she was reading it for at least the tenth time. I was desperately trying to keep my drooping eyes open. //Ugh, so tired!// In a dramatic voice Mrs. Nrets said, “I have a dream.” She repeated it, emphasizing the word ‘dream’. Now I was literally prying open my eyes. “I have a dream.” At that minute, I started to nod off in a deep sleep. I guess my dream was mixed up with what my friend had said earlier to me and the words, “I have a dream.” Sinking into the tendrils of sleep, I suddenly found myself on the streets of Chennai, India. I looked down, and saw that in my dream I was wearing all white and had pale skin. I was on the dark, cracked roads of Chennai searching the streets for anything familiar. I didn’t understand Tamil, Hindi, //or// Telugu which are the three main languages spoken in India. That was bad. Without any communication I couldn’t go anywhere. Of course, this was just a dream, in dreams you already know things. So with that thought I started walking toward a store that said பருப்புகள் மற்றும் வாசனை (Nuts and Spices). Quite a store it was, with all different types of nuts, spices, and grains. I searched the store with my hungry eyes and suddenly noticed something horrible. In fact, it was so horrible that I wanted it to stop it right away. What I saw were two boys, the same age, fighting over a package of cashews. Okay, that might not seem so bad, but there’s more to it. One boy had on a very nice green Kurta Pyjama with a crystal encrusted border while the other child practically had on rags. Finally the boy in green said, “நீங்கள் அருவருப்பாை னபயன், இந்த என் உணவு தான்! (You filthy boy, this is my food!” Obviously, the boy in rags had to let go of the cashews. I kept watching. As I observed, I saw that the boy in rags was quite skinny, with his ribs so prominent that you could count them easily. On the other hand, the boy in green was already with his family, ripping open the pack of cashews, spilling them carelessly on the floor. I guess the boy in rags had seen the cashews on the floor too, for he leaned over, and picked them up. They were already covered in ants, so I assumed that he was going to throw them away. Instead, he inched them closer and closer to his moth. //What!// He was going to eat them! Suddenly, I felt a surge of anger building up in my chest! That rich boy could have anything he wanted, yet the boy in rags was eating off the floor! The cashews were about to go into his mouth, the ants still on them, when I yelled, “Wait!” I didn’t care if couldn’t understand me. I didn’t care that everyone was staring at me. But I did care when the boy in green started laughing. I didn’t have any idea what he was laughing at, but I definitely didn’t like it! I leapt over to where he was standing, swung my fist and smashed it into his maddening face. It felt great! I soon realized that it hadn’t felt so good on the kid’s face. He tightened his chubby fists and locked eyes with me. //What is he doing?// I thought. Oops, bad mistake, he was simply distracting me, waiting for the right time to hammer me. Before he could do that though, the boy in rags spoke in rapid Hindi (at least I thought it was Hindi). He said, “ बंद करो, वह सिर्फ मुझे मदद कर रहा था! (Stop, she was just trying to help me!)” All of a sudden, a giant load of guilt piled up on my shoulders. This boy in rags could get into a whole lot of trouble for what he just did. At first I had a thought of just punching the kid again when I remembered that this was all a dream! I tried to will myself to wake up. Bad results. All it had done was make me more desperate. I didn’t want to be here anymore! It was just too terrible! I found myself shaking all over and immediately stopped. This was beyond my realm of scariness. I have never dealt with something like this before. Exploring my mind for anything, //anything// I could use to help me here. It was like someone had just cleaned my brain. You know like when someone cleans your room, and you can’t find anything. That is exactly what happened with my head! Nothing! Nothing at all was left! I did the only thing I could do, I ran out of the building! I was a fast runner, I could sprint a mile in 4 minutes. I was starting to have hope when I heard someone bark my name! //How did they know my name?// I thought! “You there, in the white. Nandini! Stop right there!” I wanted to keep running, to free myself from this horrifying dream, to pump my heart, to work my lungs! I wanted to run, and I would never stop. That is, until I tripped over a stand selling coconuts. I fell down, bruising both my knees and my elbows badly. After making a full check of my elbows and knees, I slowly stood up and examined the man selling the coconuts. He was pale, with white hair and white clothes. He had on white socks and white gloves. In fact, I could say that he looked somewhat like me. //Who could it be?// He looked a bit like I did. Maybe he’s having the same dream as I am. The first word that pops into my head is, AWESOME! I wanted him to talk to me and explain what was going on here. So I said, “Um, hi!” H turned around, saw me, and looked at my clothes. “You’re having the same dream as I am.” He said in a low, friendly voice. “Yes sir, I am. I sorda want you to explain to me what just happened in that store, Nuts and Spices.” He raised his eyebrows at me and said, “Well sweetie, that’s what we call the CASTE system. The CASTE system is a very unfair structure that puts people in different castes or classes.” Now I was getting really confused. Why would people care about someone’s class? “What do you mean?” I asked. The man sighed. “ I mean that people in higher castes are treated better than people in lower castes, like that boy in rags.” Now I was actually getting it. “Oh! So you mean that the boy in the green Kurta Pyjama was in a higher class ?” “Yes, you got it.” Well, I understood, but now I realized just how unfair it was. I wanted to stop it, unfortunately, this was just a dream. Me stopping it wouldn’t actually do anything in the real world. Before I could ask another question the man looked up in the sky and seemed to hear something. “Oh, it’s time for me to wake up!” He floated up into the air until he wasn’t more than a dot. //Oh, how I wish to wake up too!// I thought. Then suddenly, I heard a voice, and it sounded like Mrs. Nrets. //Uh oh,// I thought, //I’m in trouble.// I willed myself to wake up and like a miracle, I floated up into the air. I was slowly gliding up, and up, and up. Until, everything just disappeared and I was in Mrs. Nrets classroom. My head was laying on the wooden desk, my eyes just opening. She was asking me a question. “What was the point of Martin Luther King’s speech?” She said in a stern voice. She sounded annoyed, so I guessed that she had asked many times already. I took a deep breath and thought about it before I answer the question. I knew the answer, only because of my dream, definitely not because of Mrs. Nrets. “The point of Martin Luther King’s speech was to let people know that all people should have equal rights and be treated fairly. People should not feel that they are better than anyone else just because they were born a certain way. “ By the time I was finished, I knew that everyone was impressed with me. Even Mrs. Nrets was staring at me in awe. It was silent until the school bell rang. I couldn’t wait to go, I had so much to tell my parents.

Diwali By: Nikhita Diwali is a major festival celebrated by Hindhus worldwide on Amavasya, the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin. It celebrates the joyous occasion of King Rama’s coronation after his war with Ravana, the demon god of Lanka. The 1st Diwali celebration was completed on the day of King Rama and Queen Sita’s arrival after 14 years of exile. Cities all over India were lit up with rows of oil lamps, which welcomed the royalty back to Ayodha, a holy city. Today, in modern times, Diwali is celebrated mainly by Hindhus in India and America. In America, big celebrations such as this usually take place the weekend following the actual day of Diwali. The occasion is highlited with grand functions including classical dances and songs, as well as bollywood performances. Oil lamps called diyas are floated down rivers and streams, as well as lovely firecracker displays. Of note, in San Antonio, Diwali is celebrated citywide yearly, which has been going on for the past three years. Lot of interesting events such as cultural programs in the Arneson theatre, delicious food stalls, palm-reading, and henna stalls, bring a taste of culture to the day. Scenic oil diyas floated down the San Antonio River and beautiful fireworks displayed in the Hemisfair Park, highlight the festive event. In India, the occasion is celebrated in similar ways but with extra details as well. Early in the morning, doorways are hung with mango leaves and marigolds. Rangolis are drawn with different colored powders on the front porch/steps to welcome and recognize the special day. Oil diyas, after which the holiday is named, are arranged in the house as well as around. Like in America, there are dances and songs, fireworks, and the floating of lamps down rivers and streams. New items and gifts are bought for many family members. It is very auspicious to buy something metallic, such as silver. In both India nad America, Diwali is celebrated with fun, new gifts for many, and most importantly oil diyas, lamps, and fireworks, which illuminate the mind and remind one that it is the day of Diwali. Everywhere, this special occasion is celebrated with much festivity and happiness, marking it as one of the most special festivals of the Hindhu year.

The Significance of Ramnavami By Gowri Mukunda Vatsala Iyengar

Ramnamavi is dedicated to the memory of Lord Ram’s appearance on this earth planet to defeat Ravana. It is also lesser known to celebrate the significance of the sun. Ram’s dynasty was called the Sun dynasty (Raghu means sun, Raghu Kula means Sun Descendant). The hour that lord Ram appeared on this earth planet was the hour in which the sun was emitting the most radiance at its highest point in the sky. Many languages or cultures use the common Latin syllable “Ra” to describe the Sun or any other form of light, an example being the Egyptian sun God called Amon Ra or simply Ra. Ramnavami falls on the 9th day of the month of Chaitra, which in the American calendar is March-April. Ramnavami is more important to the Vaishnava sect of Hindus. Many people take a strict fast for nine days. Temples are decorated in honor of Lord Ram and Sita. In Ayodhya, a fair is held and in the south, the “Sri Ramnavami Utsavam” is celebrated for nine days. Ramnavami is also widely celebrated by devotees of Shiva. Devotees Meditate, chant manthras, and perform elaborate poojas on this day every year. During Ramnavami, each house is cleaned and offerings of fruit and flowers are given to Ram and Sita at the shrine. The youngest female in the house leads the puja, first applying teeka to all the male members of the family and bindis to all female members of the family. People who choose to fast take a diet including potatoes made with turmeric, garlic, ginger or onion. They can also eat fruit, root vegetables, curd, tea, coffee, milk, and water. Two plates are kept near the puja are filled with roli, aipun, rice, flowers, a bell, and a conch.

The World of 2025 Mohan M. Iyengar

The world of 2025 will be a home to a new generation of people, a place where electronics will rule and poverty will still be prevalent in many countries around the globe. The population of our earth would drastically increase and with it the impoverished population would also increase. The planet of 2025 will be one of rapid change, both negatively and positively. The world of 2025 will be one that is primarily run by electronics such as e-books, electric cars, robots (medical, household, etc.), and many other contraptions. In most cases electronics will be beneficial. However, electronics can lead to laziness, addiction to such devices, and dependency on these devices. Cyber-bullying would flourish because of the prolonged use of electronics by children. No longer would reading be considered a free time activity for fun but instead a chore; many children would be swallowed by the malignant vortex created by electronics that has already swallowed many children today. The addiction of children to video games and TV would prove to be a challenging obstacle in the way of their success in school, high school, and life beyond. While the rich on earth become wealthier, the poor on earth will gradually become even more impoverished. Third-world countries will slowly degrade further; millions would starve because of the waning support they receive from the wealthy. Ignorance would be one of the greatest factors in the increasing world poverty; the new generation of adults on our planet would have inherited much from their parents. Many of the children in the world today are growing up with extremely lenient parents whose lack of strictness has allowed their children to do drugs, get bad grades, etc. all behind the backs of their parents without worry of penalization. What then, would prevent them from continuing their hedonistic lives shielded from the pains of others by the wealth that covers their unknowing eyes? Although I have listed many negative factors about electronics in 2025, there are also many positive aspects of the sophisticated technology of the future: advanced medical practice (robotic surgery, etc.), electric cars, military-robots (to detect mines, carry injured to safety, etc.). These electronics would improve the environment, produce healthier humans, and save many lives that would otherwise be placed in great danger. With the new electronics would come a new generation of people whose primary working tools consist of electronic devices. In 2025 I plan to have completed my medical school. In what specialty I would practice I am unsure, but I hope to have started a successful practice in whichever field I choose. My mother has greatly influenced me to perform charity like she has her whole life. When I have started my medical practice, I plan to visit my father’s village in India, Mavanur, and offer clinics free of charge for those who cannot afford proper treatment themselves. The part I would play in 2025 would be one of charity and aid to those impoverished people on the earth. In conclusion, some of the challenges the world of 2025 will face are worsened poverty and addiction to electronics. The future world of 2025 will face many challenges but also have the advantage of revolutionized electronics.

Shanze I have worn the same necklace around my neck for seventeen years. At first glance, it looks like a simple gold pendant. However, upon further investigation, the secret is revealed—an Islamic prayer engraved in miniscule and intricate Arabic print. Having lived in America my whole life, it is fortunate that I have rarely happened to run into negative judgment from those I know due to my Pakistani-Muslim background. Despite that, I have always been highly aware of a deep racism and prejudice running through the hearts of many people in the United States of America. I was just seven years old on September 11, 2001. While settling into class for the day, we all heard about what had happened and the teacher turned on the news. We all watched in a mixture of childish fascination and fear as the Twin Towers were knocked down. Soon after, I learned what the term “racism” means. At that time, I lived in a small town in East Texas, and I felt the full-blown aftermath of 9/11 personally. Everywhere I looked, I saw American flags hanging outside homes and bumper stickers showing support for the United States. In music class, the teacher gave us lyrics and turned on the CD player, and we all sang along to patriotic songs. I sang with particular gusto and pride in this country that I call home. Despite my passion for my country, it became common knowledge that Muslims were to blame for the September 11 attacks. Children always have a tendency to take in information in an extreme manner, and eventually, my classmates began to understand that, “All Muslims are terrorists.” Soon enough, the teases and taunts commenced: “Go home, Muslim,” “You and your people shouldn’t be allowed on airplanes, who knows who else you might kill,” not only from the other children, but offhand comments and subtle glares from certain teachers indicated to me that, somehow, I was to blame. Even at such a young age, I managed to realize that in a time of distress, people tend to make assumptions and point fingers, so I just decided to forgive and forget. However, things took a serious turn for me when my best friend told me of how her brother put his backpack in the classroom and the teacher told him to leave it outside. When he asked why, she simply answered, “There could be a bomb in there.” For the teacher of small child to make such a comment was simply inappropriate, and that is when I realized just how serious the situation was. It is 2011 and Osama bin Laden is dead. I logged onto my Facebook to see many celebratory posts and updates, as well as offenses such as, “One Muslim down, the rest left to go.” Racism still exists… but times are changing. Although I still live in Texas, I go to a liberal private school in a bigger city. At times even though I feel some acidity from immature classmates, it always reassures me when it is the majority of my school that respects and defends my people and me. I swell with pride when after a sports league refuses multiple Islamic schools admission, my school fights back against this subtle racism. In response, my friend founds an Interfaith Group at our school, focused on tolerance and love for all, which fills me with deep gratitude. One April day of my junior year, on behalf of the Interfaith Group, I give a tour of my mosque to many students. I practically boil over with appreciation when a huge group attends, shows respect and interest, and genuinely thanks me afterward. I am equally relieved when the head of our mosque tells me that my group made a wonderful impression on the many people attending that same prayer. My initial effort was nothing but to allow students to take a peek at our mosque through a tour, but they instead end with a deeper respect and understanding for Islam. Times like these are the ones that continue to reassure me from time to time, that even though racism continues to exist, it is an ongoing battle that is possible to fight. It is one I participate in by choice, and I hope that one day my efforts to change majority opinion will be successful and that one day, the people of my otherwise wonderful country, will see what my necklace represents to my people and me, and that they may have a deeper appreciation for who Muslims truly are.

Joint Family System Aswin

The joint family system is practiced in many different countries, where younger generations can take care of their loved ones. This system is all about grandparents, parents, sons and daughters, spouses and their children living in the same household. There are both advantages and disadvantages with a joint family system Some advantages of this system of living is that the whole family would share the burden of financial support. Some joint families have even had generations living in the same house. Another advantage is that the whole family would respect the elder’s decisions at times. On the other hand, a disadvantage of the joint family system is that the whole family might fight on the right thing to do if one member in the family has a better solution to the problem, for example. Some joint families even break up and never want to see each other’s faces in their life ever again. Many families may break up because of one’s religion or personal decisions. What I would say to this type of system is that I would not recommend this type of system now a days because many families will start to hate one another because of their decisions in the family or in the community. Another reason I would not support this system of living is because that the family’s choices of punishment may be different when the generations change. Some families might not even have a punishment rule. Other families may support marriage from one’s own community/social class or religious background. In conclusion, the joint family system is a social practice where generations of family live under the same roof. This system may be beneficial to some, but it has some disadvantages as well. Hence, I do not support this type of system because many families have different points of view and opinions about matters in life.

** The Story of Maheshwara ** By Ritvik Age : 7yrs

Once there was a man named Maheshwara. He never believed in God his whole life. One day, he was climbing a mountain. He accidently slipped and started falling off the mountain. He shouted for God to help him. As he was falling, suddenly a branch stopped him. “What is happening?” he thought. “I am a good mountain climber. I have never fallen.” He suddenly heard God’s voice. “How many years have you not believed in me?” asked God. “You never pray to me, you never thank me for anything. I feel so sad that you thought of me only when you are nearly dying”. Maheshwara was scared. “I am sorry for never believing in you,” said Maheshwara. “But now I totally believe in you. I will pray to you and think of you all the time.” “If you really trust in me now, just let go of the branch you are holding and I will save you” said God. “No way!” said Maheshwara, “I am not an idiot to let go of my only hold on life.” God went away. Maheshwara was alone, hanging off a branch from the mountain. It was getting dark too. There were no people around. No one came to help him. A few weeks later some people found the dead body of Maheshwara hanging from the branch just a few feet from the ground. If he had listened to God and let go of the branch, he would have landed on a grassy patch just below him and lived on for years. He died because he didn’t trust God.


 * Moral ** : Always believe and trust in God.

I miss my mom Mazen The most one I have missed since I came to USA is my mom. I could not believe that it is going to be like this. I mean to live far away from my family. Now, I know why I cried so much when I kissed her head before I left my home. When I was in my home, my mom does everything and when I say everything I mean everything. She does the cleaning, cooking, and every simple action in home. Whatever I say about my mom, I am guarantee that I will miss something about her. I love my mom more than anything in my life; actually, she is my life. When she got sick with Cancer, my life was destroyed. I cannot imagine for one second that I can live without her. We went to the best hospitals to find the cure for my mom. I lived two years and seven months in my life under a black cloud. Now, I am in USA; I clean my clothes by myself. I try to cook with my friends and sometimes we burn the food. I do everything by myself now. There is no mama here. I remember when I was in high school; my mom comes to me every morning to wake me up. I hated these moments when she wants to wake me up because I know I have to go to school. Now, I wish that she wake me up every morning. She was fighting with me every morning to wake me up. Now, I hate every single second that I have been sleeping and not to look at her face every morning and now I have to listen to alarm to wake up! There is no fun in this at all. Believe me when I say this. When something bad happened to me, I don’t tell my mom about it. I don’t want her to be worried about me anymore. When I was in my country, she told me before I left the house and come here to study that there is an application they call it skype, you can see me every time I want to. She said this will help us to communicate like we are together. In fact, Skype made me miss my mom more and more. I wish I just can kiss her head and let her be last person that I see before I go to sleep in my room. I wish now that I wake up every day and listing to her voice shouting at my youngest sister or shouting at me because I over slept, I accept that. Mom, I really miss you and I need you to be with me.