Sayonara Totto-chan! - Anvesha Rana

Yasuaki-chan left Totto-chan, and now Rocky also vanished. Everyone whom Totto-chan loved seemed to disappear one after the other. Tai-chan no longer spoke to her, Rocky could no longer be heard, and Yasuaki-chan no longer stayed with her. It was as if her little world of love was tumbling down and she was walking alone on a broken road with the rain constantly thumping over her head. Her near and dear ones had gone far away in sight but not in mind, for love is what remains even after you are gone. The little Totto-chan had learnt lessons that made her stronger and bolder in a world full of strangers. She now knew that she had to live up to her limited time in this race on earth, but Totto-Chan remembered to always run with happiness and happiness that makes others happy. 

I have often heard a story of a woman who lost her son but was so desperate to get him back that she went to Lord Buddha to bring her son to life again. In listening to her story, Lord Buddha said he would bring her son to life again only if she could get a fist full of mustard seeds from a house where no one had died. So the woman had set out on her task, she had gone to every home in each locality, but there was not a single house where someone had not died, be it the grandfather, father, mother, child, someone or other had always passed away. Lost and depressed when the woman returned to Lord Buddha, he had simply told her that human lives are like flickering lights. They light for a long time, but suddenly they extinguish. We need to learn to accept the loss and let the ones gone be always loved in our hearts. Just like Totto-Chan will always love Rocky and Yasuaki Chan.

When Ryo-chan, the janitor at Tomoe, had to leave for the War, all the students had organized a special Tea Party just for him. Everyone drank saké and shared something or the other for Ryo-chan. It was a fun time and the children continued the tradition of the Tea Party even after Ryo-chan was on the war ground. It was the last time they had ever gathered at Tomoe. 

Whenever I have to drop someone at the station and bid goodbye, I feel as if they could have stayed just a little longer; no matter how many days we spent together or how much fun we had, at that point, all that matters is whether they can be here for just a bit more time because no amount of time feels enough when you are with your loved ones. 

Sayonara, Sayonara is a Japanese goodbye, but it literally means 'if that's the way it is'. We have learned so much from Totto-chan, the Headmaster and Tomoe. It is even so unique that a young girl, simply through the means of her actions, has taught us friendship, responsibility, coping with loss, freedom and most importantly, love. So all we can say is Thank You and Sayonara, Totto-chan! 

Anvesha Rana,

Grade 10-B, 

Gyanshree School

What Independence means to me - Rishona Chopra

Independence is not the right to do as we wish but the right to do what is right. Independence is the essence of freedom, the feeling that we are not ruled by anyone else but have the opportunity just like others to explore and learn. Independence is to make our own decisions. In the national flag of India, the top band is of Saffron colour, indicating the strength and courage of the country. The white middle bar indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra. The last bar is green in colour, showing the land's fertility, growth and auspiciousness. Our country is developing, but its heart is devolved with unity and pride.

We have so many languages,

Each of them gives us so much knowledge.

Lots of different cultures,

Each one of them is precious!

This rich diversity,

Gives me a new identity.

Everyone is so unique,

Together when we come, no one is weak!

Even though our differences create problems,

We should understand our differences are our customs!

We are all united as a team,

We can together make a dream.

After all, it's unity in diversity,

We are just so extraordinary!

This country makes me feel proud,

It makes me unique in this big crowd.

I love my country the way it is,

All the fights were challenging quizzes.

Salute to those who lost lives for us,

So we live in a better world, and there is no fuss.

I see people dancing with pride on the street,

And giving each other sweets.

I see them saying "Jay Hind" proudly,

They say it clearly and loudly.

Rishona Chopra Grade VI Gyanshree School

What Independence means to me - Yashraj Sharma

Freedom to me is to express and enhance my ideas freely. When I am free to learn from my mistakes, it is a token of privilege.

On this occasion of Independence day, I want to be grateful to my parents, my Shreegurus and all my well-wishers to keep trust in me and for always give me my space to enhance my thoughts and creativity.

But as it's said, freedom comes with responsibility,

They are the two sides of a coin.

Genuine freedom is the ability to choose the most beneficial action or direction for ourselves at every moment. This is not easily accomplished. It requires a keen sense of self-awareness. Without self-awareness, it is unlikely that we would understand the real meaning of freedom.

To maintain self-awareness, we need to cultivate responsibility. 

Like it's not just sufficient to host our national flag at national festivals and sing some patriotic songs, but along with this, we should make sure to do our bit for our country to make it a happy and prosperous nation.

Happy Independence day, everyone!!

Yashraj Sharma

Grade: VIII

Gyanshree school