Music is the Rhythm of Life

Music is a very important aspect of life because it is one of the most perfect symbols of life. As one of the fine arts, music should be cultivated as close to perfection as possible for then it will have a good chance of being that effective symbol which points beyond its essence to something that defies explanation. The musical experience re-creates sound - physically when performed and mentally and psychologically when listened to. 

The world would be a very quiet place. Music is in many ways the fabric of our lives and the definition of society. It is a reminder of how things once were, an indication of how things are, and a view of where society is headed. Music is a direct reflection of the picture of society. Music can be a way to deliver messages, a poetic medium, a fine art, or nothing more than a source of entertainment. No matter what it is used for, music is the perfect art and our lives would be that much less complete without it that life as we know it would not at all be the same without music. Music is the perfect art. It has movement, because it progresses over a set period of time. All musical works have a beginning and an end.

Music is an art closely related to life. Each day of life is a new experience; each dawn opens a new paragraph of opportunities. The rhythm of living day-by-day is good because it is certain; it will more than likely arrive. But more important, each day offers unique experiences. The wise person never has a monotonous life. Each time music is interpreted it is a new creation ; it attains new life. 

The life of each individual reveals a theme. Each person has his own logical reason for being. All humans generate a melody in life, a basic attitude toward life, a philosophy of living whether he or she realizes it or not. The history of human musicians is rich, and has many fine people lining its ranks. Music has changed the artistic and non-artistic world immeasurably, such that a world without music is nothing more than a terrifying fantasy. The very prospect is difficult to consider.

Last but not the least, it is very essential to quote this fact that all the sounds of nature are all part of the greater Music of the universe. Man-made music is entirely influenced by the true music of nature. For humans to create music is inevitable. It is as natural as thought. With mankind being surrounded by nature’s music, he has no choice but to make music of his own. Therefore, the idea of a world without music is highly hypothetical. This "world without music" seems to have incoherence and cracks in it. It does not make sense and does not quite explain itself. Music is essential for the world to even make sense. A world without music would be a quiet place indeed.    

Students' Oxygen Movement View

16/09/2012                

Orphans are special

“THERE IS NOTHING FOR AN ORPHAN TO REMEMBER EXCEPT HATE, IF THERE IS NOT A LOVE FOR AN ORPHAN TO REMEMBER”     Orphans are common in fairy tales, such as most variants of Cinderella. Many religious texts, including the Bible and the Quran, contain the idea that helping and defending orphans is a very important and God-pleasing matter. 

Two of the most important religious leaders, Moses and Muhammad, were orphaned as children. Famous orphans include world leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Andrew Jackson; the Muslim prophet Mohammed; writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, and Leo Tolstoy.

In the common use, an orphan does not have any surviving parent to care for him or her. Orphans are relatively rare in developed countries, as most children can expect both of their parents to survive their childhood. Much higher numbers of orphans exist in war-torn nations such as Afghanistan. Wars and great epidemics, such as AIDS, have created many orphans. 

A child is like raw clay whatever shape we will give it will mould accordingly. Child is most truthful and innocent being, he or she should be treated with great love and respect, they have right to get good education, opportunity in society to grow as good citizen. They need protection from family to build confidence to face the world and care to nurture their childhood.

 Unfortunately there are millions of children who are living without any support, care and roof. They are deprived of family and education and forced to live in inhuman condition. Such helpless children are known as orphan. An orphan is a person who has lost his or her parents and therefore he is left alone and nobody is there to take care for them.

In Dubai orphans are treated as social responsibility of kingdom. They are first sent to pediatric hospital for first aid and basic medical treatment. They get all the basic needs like food, clothes and shelter. There is well devised adoption process where these orphans can be adopted by citizens.

 In order to bring about changes in these deprived children we all need to act together, government should make permanent arrangement to bring a wholesome environment and give them equal opportunity. It is important to educate children who have parents that these orphan children also need their help and support  & not sympathy.

All across the globe people work towards welfare of orphans. Great efforts are being taken by countries like Europe, Africa, US, Asia, and Russia. Great efforts of mother Teresa has resulted in changing lives of millions of children. Like she rightly said that "Let nothing perturb you, nothing frightens, you. All things pass: God does not change. Patience achieves everything who ever has God lacks nothing."

Students' Oxygen Movement View

09/09/2012

Our Teachers as role models

Teachers are one of the main pillars of a sound and progressive society. They bear the weight and responsibility of teaching, and, apart from parents, are the main source of knowledge and values for children.

Today, the Effective teacher is one who sometimes sees himself in his students. Therefore a teacher is just like an actor who plays many roles such as:

* A modern teacher is a helping teacher. It is the teacher who through the class room imbibes the feeling of ‘Share and Tell’, ‘Give and Take’, ‘Think and Do’ in the students which is later on generated in the society.

*A modern teacher is always Flexible in his Approach. The modern teacher encourages new trends in the field of education. He is ready to make experiments to make the teaching learning process effective by keeping in view the new trends, new waves in the modern society.

*A modern teacher welcomes changes and accommodates the society with upcoming trends. As the technological advances are taking place rapidly, everyday, it is new thought, new wave and teacher welcomes the changes and makes the society ready to face the new challenges, new trends.

* A modern teacher is Good Counselor. Teacher’s field is not limited up to covering the academic side but he also performs the role of a counselor for the students and the society. He is considered to be the specialist and highly knowledgeable person. People look up to him as a person who can really give a good piece of advice.

* Transmitter of values: He is the one who carries the higher values, virtues within him so as to become a role model of the society and thus strengthening the moral aspect of the society.

* Custodian and Architect of our future; Mrs. Indira Gandhi Said “Nation’s well being depends on teacher’s well being. Our teachers are the custodian of our future.”   Modern teacher has an important role to play to shape of the future of the country.

The teacher is the architect of our future. They are the one who show us the right path as someone has rightly said “Teacher is just like a lamp, who burns itself to light others”.

Along with all these qualities, modern teacher is democratic, sympathetic, self confident, industrious and most importantly self confident, having strong sense of duty. As someone has rightly said, “All things to all his pupils”.

As Dr. Radha Krishnan said, “The teacher’s place in the society is of vital importance. He acts as the pivot  for the transmission of intellectual traditions and technical skill from generation to generations and help to keep the lamp of civilization burning”. 

Students' Oxygen Movement View

2/09/2012

Politics- Don’t Hate it, Be a Part of it

POLITICS is defined as the science of government; that part of ethics which has to do with the regulation and governance of a nation or state, the preservation of its safety, peace, and prosperity, the defense of its existence and rights against foreign control or conquest, the augmentation of its strength and resources, and the protection of its citizens in their rights, with the preservation and improvement of their morals. Sadly Indian politics stands for none of this.

It was a different era when India fought for independence from British colonial rule. The giants of the freedom movement were those who were successful in their own professions or calling. What mattered then were education, integrity, talent and capacity to serve the nation. The scenario changed almost overnight as India became free. A new leadership emerged and with it came strange shady characters, which seemed to have a remarkable influence on matters of State and on the State’s leaders. Extra-constitutional power centers flourished.

As like any other democracy, political parties represent different sections among the Indian society and regions, and their core values play a major role in the politics of India. Both the executive and legislative branch of the government is run by the representatives of the political parties who have been elected through the elections.                                                                

Since India has a multiparty system there are a number of national and regional parties. 

But at present, Indian politics is facing many problems & disparities which needs immediate check & for that we have to take the initiative.

We need to exercise our right to vote, implement and use tools like the RTI effectively, we need to be aware about what is happening around us, we need to raise our voices against what we feel and know is wrong and most importantly we need to start thinking of joining this system because if there is any way we can think of doing a cleaning up act it is only from the inside.

We need to exercise our right to vote, implement and use tools like the RTI effectively, we need to be aware about what is happening around us, we need to raise our voices against what we feel and know is wrong and most importantly we need to start thinking of joining this system because if there is any way we can think of doing a cleaning up act it is only from the inside.

So let’s at least make an attempt in that direction by starting to speak our hearts and minds and hopefully one day we will be able to make the India of our dreams.

Students' Oxygen Movement View 

26/08/2012

Festivity of Eid

The significance of Id-ul-Fitr stems from the special meaning it holds for the entire Muslim community. Legend says that Prophet Mohammad had laid down Eid ul Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha as days of rejoicing and feasting for the Muslims, in the remembrance of Allah. Since then, Muslims fast for the complete month of Ramadan and offer spiritual devotions to the almighty Allah, believing that the fasting will bring them close to Allah and also get them forgiveness for their past sins. It is believed that whoever fasts during Ramadan with absolute faith shall have his past sins forgiven. 

Another important aspect of Eid ul Fitr lies in the distribution of charity on the day. Every Muslim who has some means must pay Zakt-al-Fitr, a sum to be donated for the month of Ramadan, to impoverished Muslims. 

Id-ul-Fitr is also a festival that fosters brotherhood and interactions, as people visit each other on the days of festivity. Friends, relatives and loved ones are greeted and offered sweets. Gifts are given to children, mostly in the form of money. Some Muslims also pay a visit to the graveyard to pay homage to the departed souls. Some scholars also believe that the month-long fasting is undertaken to acknowledge the superiority of the spiritual realm over the physical realm. Nevertheless, the spirit of conviviality surrounds the celebrations of Eid ul Fitr throughout the Islamic world.

Students' oxygen Movement View

19/08/2012

Talent Sharing Program

We believe that the world would be a better place, if it had more bridges than walls, if there were more people than machines, more hearts than brains and more sharing than gathering. We believe that through sharing talent between young leaders the world will be a better place to live in. 

Talent Sharing Programme is one such activity that can strengthen the foundation of the society. Under this initiative, students from Private schools will undertake the task of enhancing the language skills of Governmental school students. Sharing of talent is one aspect of involvement; the students from both sides will gain in ways more than one. 

First, a society with good communication will develop. Second, the students from different social backgrounds will get to interact with each other where they will learn to relate with each other despite the prevailing barriers both social and economical. Students, who are graded and barred by mere boundaries of money will experience a sense of belonging, hence, working together with mutual consensus towards a better and collective future.

Students will get to feel the real taste of life, realizing that it is not a cake walk for majority of mankind; and stories of success after constant struggle belong to personalities who walked on earth in flesh and blood. They will learn to equip themselves with readiness to accept and move out of the comfort zone, into the world where living and survival are terms synonymous with each other. One will be able to see beyond the aspects of personal fulfillment, and a sense of equality in all walks of life, and for all, would set in.

The less opportune students, on the other hand will be able to see that no dream  is too big, and money is never a problem till the quality of education is right. Talent Sharing Programme, when taken seriously can bring major changes in the society.

When a private school student gets an idea about what life is for a govt. school student, who might be studying without electricity, using a second or third hand book, may be subjected to dead insects and rotten grains in the name of midday meal, and studying after all these hardships- he will realize the importance of who we are over what we have; hence, demolishing the concept of measuring someone on the Money-meter.

It might seem that students from the cream class may be above the not very well off ones, but this is not the case, and more often than not, the situation is the opposite. These “ not very well off “ students are better equipped  and ready to take on life, because when they rise, they won't forget their roots, or the fact that they weren't born with a silver spoon.

This programme is an effort to eradicate the unnecessary and unhealthy gap created between two faces of the society. It requires the contribution and willingness of the private school students- an endurance , that the “present” student is a “future” leader, irrespective of anything at all, and to make a good system, mutual coexistence and collective development are the keywords- which has to start right from now, the formative phase. Talent Sharing Programme is a step to bridge the gap and shun the walls, which, we believe, will make for a better place to live in.

Students' Oxygen Movement View

12/08/2012

Value of Friendship

The causes of modern social problems, from divorce to homelessness and obesity, are often thought to be based in areas such as poverty, stress or unhappiness. But researchers suggest we are overlooking something crucial: friendship. It would appear that our society is ignoring its importance.

The value of friendship is something that not many people take time to ponder over and appreciate, and it may be said that we often take our friends for granted. Often we only realize the value of friendship when we find ourselves in need of a friend: when we are confined with problems and need a shoulder to rely on and to get advice for our complicated issues.

If we find ourselves to have lost a close friend we understand what we have truly lost, and understand the importance of friendship in our lives. We have many people entering our lives, some for a short time, others longer, each on a varying scale of personal relationships from associations to intimate love and marriage. We form a bond of true friendship with only a select few, those that move with us through the stages of our lives.

Friendship comprises of many human values such as sympathy, mutual understanding and compassion, but above all it is about honesty, trust and love with a degree of intimacy. Friendship is undoubtedly a central part of our lives, due to the concerns we have for our friends and also because our friends can shape who        we are as a person. Most of the times we need friends for companionship, conversations and laughter, but the real virtue of friendship lies in the support that we get from our friends, and the concern that they show.

There are many things we value about friendship; aspects that can be seen from the outside such as spending time together and doing activities together. But the values in friendship, the intrinsic values, are what make friendships a core part of an individual and his personality. 

There can be many more reasons why our friends are so dear to us and why their friendship is so precious. Friends fight for us when we are insulted, defend us in front of the world and pray alongside us in difficult times. But as important as it is to have friends, equally important is to know how to maintain them. The seeds of friendship need to be sowed deep and the plant needs to be carefully and tenderly nurtured to bear a great fruit.

Friendship is one of the most beautiful and fragile relationships in the world. Our friends are our pillars of strength and give us the much needed support and comfort that we all seek in life. 

Students' Oxygen movement view

05/08/2012

Peer Pressure

Peers influence your life, even if you don't realize it, just by spending time with you. You learn from them, and they learn from you. It's only human nature to listen to and learn from other people in your age group.
Peer pressure is one thing that all teens have in common. You can't escape it. It is everywhere. Whether it is pressure to conform to a group norm or pressure to act, peer pressure is something everybody has to deal with at some time in his or her life.
Children, especially during adolescence, begin to spend a lot more time with their friends, and less time with their family. This makes them more susceptible to the influences of their peers.
Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids might make fun of them if they don't go along with the group. Others go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The idea that "everyone's doing it" can influence some kids to leave their better judgment, or their common sense, behind.
How successfully you handle peer pressure depends a great deal on how you feel about yourself and your place in the world. There are certain "risk factors" for peer pressure, personality traits that make you more prone to give in to peer pressure.                                                              
Peer Pressure is two types; such as positive and negative peer pressure.  Peers may pressure others into negative behaviors or away from positive behaviors, but can push in positive directions as well. Not all teens react to peer pressure in the same way. Gender and age are factors.
It is tough to be the only one who says "no" to peer pressure, but you can do it. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do. Inner strength and self-confidence can help you stand firm, walk away, and resist doing something when you know better.
Students' Oxygen movement view
29/07/2012

Schools......Say NO to cold drinks !!

In the last couple of years, Coca Cola has started to worry more about how to create itself a positive image compared to the healthier new drinks, and that's because a lot of accusations were placed on its behalf. More and more people started to express their concern on whether Coke has a brutal effect on children, creating obesity and other effects given by the fizzy soft drinks.Children are pouring huge amounts of liquid sugar down their throats every time they have a fizzy drink. Typical servings of everyday favorites such as Coca-Cola, Fanta are the equivalent of several lollipops or packs of sweets.Because of the high consumption of soda, the level of sugar recommended daily is sometimes one and a half times higher than normal. Children as young as 15 years old showing signs of diabetes, liver damage and heart disease - chronic disease not usually seen until people are in their 40s. School age girls who drink a lot of carbonated soft drinks are increasing their risk of osteoporosis.Increasing attention is being paid to the role of soft drinks in the obesity epidemic. An ingredient used in Coca-Cola and Pepsi is a cancer risk and should be banned. The concerns relate to an artificial brown colouring agent that the researchers say could be causing thousands of cancers.Colas should be excluded from daily life because it is a main contributor to the rising obesity rate. Arnold Schwarzenegger passed legislation soft drinks in California high schools.Carbonated drinks are the cause of broadest stokes. Soft Drinks are the main cause to numerous medical issues found within the digestive systems of many people who consume these toxic beverages. The effects of soft drinks can be seen within a matter of weeks as you glance at your smile in the mirror, a matter of months as your waist line continues to increase, or the consequences can be dealt with later in your life as the your bone marrow density has decreased due to the consumption of soft drinks.To summarize, it can be briefly said that soft drinks are nothing but an alternative for Slow Poison.Water is becoming an obsolete option while soda is on the rise of popularity. However, weight gain is predominant more so in women rather than men, but the risk is still present for both sexes. Soda drinks in the long run can contribute to the silent killers that strike when least expected. Refrain from drinking colas, your life depends on it.

Students' Oxygen movement view
22/07/2012

Pen is Mightier than Sword

The pen is indeed mightier than the sword. It is the power of the pen that has through the ages shaped human history.The pen is mightier than the sword means that a person can cause people to change their opinions on a large scale whereas a sword can only change a person's opinion by force and then often only results in the person's death. We may also understand from it that ideas are more effective than violence.
A pen can do a lot more things than a sword. Unlike a sword, it can be both constructive and destructive. And its destructive power is stronger than the sword's. The power of a pen is out of people's imagination. First, the pen is much more influential than the sword. As history and facts have revealed, the impacts of wars cannot last long. It can last for a few centuries, at most. Yet books can last for thousands of years. Moreover, a pen can hurt others eternally. As a matter of fact, a sword can cause trauma in someone. Yet that kind of trauma is physical and can be healed. However, for most of the time, the wound, which is caused by words, cannot be healed easily. For example, if you have a fight with your friends, and you quarrel with them, you may talk to each other after a few days. But if you write a letter to revile your friends, you may not be able to be friends with them anymore. It is because the harm that words can bring to others can be huge. Yet, a pen can actually make people to something with all their might, no matter whether the thing is merciful or felonious.In conclusion, people can do huge things with a pen, as it can control people's minds, cause trauma on others eternally, and influence people. The power of a pen can change a person's mind from inside out, while a sword can only hurt or kill the body. The sword is powerful, but the pen is much more powerful.

Students' Oxygen movement view
15/07/2012

Its all about Personality Development.............

Every man who wants to develop his personality also wants to become popular. Man’s life is a burden without popularity. If we leave aside certain action, there is not much difference between a man and an animal. Personality development is for two purposes: one is to achieve success in material life and the other is to achieve success in spiritual life. For both purposes it requires to have balanced and developed faculties like physical body with sharp sense organs and working organs, concentration, memory, sensitivity, emotions like love (concern) and enlightened ego, will power, confidence, courage, good discrimination, intelligence and many others.Power, fame and money or all the three are one set of components of life. Though they are considered harmful to human growth, these are important for getting success in material life. Man can use them for betterment of society. Simplicity, knowledge, and happiness or all the three are another set of components of life and they are important for getting success in spiritual life. These can be achieved only by development of personality. What is personality?The word personality comes from the Latin word persona which means the 'mask'. In Sanskrit' vyaktitva' is the word for personality, which means the essence of vyakti (human being). Hence, personality means the essence of character and behavior of a individual. It has two dimensions: one is internal and the other is the external.Internal personality means the essence of character and behaviour of oneself with the internal world and the external personality means essence of character and behavior of oneself with the external world. Both dimensions of personality are inter­connected, inter-related and interdependent on each other.Personality is defined as the enduring personal characteristics of individuals. An individual's personality is an aggregate conglomeration of the decisions they have made throughout their life and the memory of the experiences to which these decisions led. There are inherent natural, genetic, and environmental factors that contribute to the development of our personality.Personality development is the developing cult so as to create a strong positive impression among everybody and also about self. The experiences that a person has during the course of his life contribute in a large number of ways to the formation and development of his personality. The three principal raw materials of personality are physique, intelligence and temperament which are determined by heredity and by conditions subsequent to birth and are also related to social environment.

Students' Oxygen movement view

08/07/2012

Right to Information

We all pay taxes. Even a beggar on the street pays sales tax when he buys anything from the market. This money belongs to us. But where does this money go? Why are there no medicines in the hospitals? Why are people dying of starvation? Why are the roads in such pathetic conditions? Why are the taps dry? Now we have a right to question governments. The Parliament of India has passed Right to Information Laws, which empower citizens to question the government, inspect their files, take copies of government documents and also to inspect government works.If you think that the RTI Act does not affect you, "YOU ARE WRONG!" If you are a citizen of Indian, the RTI Act has given you a lot of power that you can and must use. For example, next time you ask for a “phone line” or a “water connection”, if you use the RTI Act, you can get your work done quickly. You will not have to make 15 trips to the Govt. offices and bribe and beg the officials to get your work done. RTI has changed all that. Are the roads outside your house terrible, RTI will help you solve the problem. Is there a problem of un-hygiene in your area, RTI will help you solve your problem. RTI stands for "Right to Information". Right to Information is a fundamental right that every citizen has! Basically, the RTI gives you all the information that you want about the Govt. and what they are with your tax money! The Act applies to all States and Union Territories of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The RTI Act specifies that citizens have a right to: request any information ; take copies of documents; inspect documents, works and records; take certified samples of materials of work; and obtain information in the form of printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode. Considering that providing each and every information asked for under the Act may severely jeopardise national interest, some exemptions to disclosure are provided for in the Act.The information under RTI has to be paid for except for Below Poverty Level Card holders.This act, has given the people, the power to CHANGE the country. The RTI act has made the inner working of the Govt. transparent!

Students' Oxygen movement view

01/07/2012

Future of Street Children ...?

For them education is an unattainable luxury, or an irrelevance.......Most street children have some family links but spend most of their lives on the streets. They beg, sell trinkets, shine shoes or wash cars to supplement their families income. The remaining children live on the streets, often in groups with other children. Known as “street children “ they sleep in abandoned buildings, under bridges, in doorways or in public parks. Children live and work on the street because their parents are poor, they are orphans, or they have run away from home, often to escape abuse. They are invariably malnourished, receive scant education and medical treatment, and are involved in child labour from an early age. They represent one of the neediest peoples on the planet.Abandoned on city streets by parents too poor to feed them, or forced to flee political instability or oppression, they face a future of begging, stealing, prostitution, teenage pregnancy, chronic illness and early and often violent death.Before developing a plan for street education, it is important to determine what the street children need to learn. Training should only be given on the knowledge and skills that they lack. Educating street children involves helping them acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes in specific areas of need.In order to be effective, the teaching of street children should be planned. One has to understand the needs of street children the local situation before one embarks on any teaching. The common and effective teaching methods that one can use for street children are: group discussions, demonstrations, field visits, games, role play, and brainstorming.Education should also aim at minimizing or avoiding the consequences of substance use and problems related to reproductive health among street children. Substance use, violence and involvement in risky sexual behaviour are some of the ways in which street children cope with the harsh reality of their lives. Street children need to develop healthier, more constructive coping strategies that help them to deal with their difficult circumstances.When information is shared with street children, they gain knowledge on the subject which helps in bringing about changes in behaviour and can become the foundation for taking appropriate measures for protecting oneself. Street children are not a new phenomenon. There have always been children who have turned to the street as a means of survival. Some street children are highly visible, and the subject of public concern because they are 'out of place'. Some see such children as victims; others see them more as small criminals. Very often, we choose not to see them at all. Life moves at its regular pace for most of us. But, deserts do exist beyond our green pastures. It's just that they are overlooked by our money-blinded eyes.

Students' Oxygen movement view

24/06/2012

Blood Donation: A noble deed

The most satisfying act of giving of any donation is obviously giving something of your own and it comes back to you just in three month's time fresh and ready to give again..It is not your investment, not your interest on deposits or business.Yes it is the BLOOD DONATION...Blood is the fluid of life. Lack of blood in a human body can cause death too. Thus donating blood is a noble cause that gives you the opportunity to save someone's life. Its feels nice when your blood can be useful to some one and save a life and in return get blessings from their family members.The need of blood is great. On any given day, an average of 34,000 units of blood are needed to save precious human lives from accident and burns, heart surgery, organ transplants & patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer & other diseases.Survey says that nearly five million people die every year due to lack of life saving blood transfusion. At present only five percent of the eligible donors readily donate blood on a regular basis where we are in need of approximately 32,000 pints of blood every day. Thus there is an urgent need to spread awareness amongst the rest of the eligible donors so that many more lives can be saved by blood transfusions.Medical studies state that anyone who is 18 years and above weighs a minimum of 45 kgs. and is declared to be medically fit is eligible to donate blood. An average adult can donate blood two to four times in a year till the age of 65.The donor should have a proper meal at least three hours before donating blood and should accept the snacks given after the donation and have it too. This is very essential. He/ she should not consume alcohol or smoke at least 24 hours before donating.The good news is that one blood donation - in just one hour - can save up to three lives. People need blood and we have it in us to give.Many health care centers and medical organizations regularly hold campaigns where donors are invited to donate blood. Many local organizations too set up annual and bi annual blood donation camps where blood donation is held after a thorough medical check up of the donors.Blood…it runs in our veins and plays a vital role in the body mechanism. But have you ever spared a thought for those who are fighting with some disease and need blood urgently. Act now and donate your blood without any worry. It won't cost you a thing but could bring back the smile on someone's face.Its such a noble cause to help save someone's life. Not only does it holds importance in people's life who receive your help but it makes a difference to you as well. It gives you a sense of fulfillment by returning something out of the lots the society and nature has given you. We can make this world a better place by utilizing our energies into good and noble causes.

Students' Oxygen movement view

17/06/2012

An Ideal City

Every city is unique with different resources, problems and opportunities. Every city has a unique set of people with their own fears, hopes and dreams. Every city has its own unique culture.“A great city is one where people want to go out of their homes. Public space is a magical good, and it never ceases to yield pleasure; we should give it a lot of attention. A great city is where we all feel not excluded. A prerequisite of a good city is mixed use neighborhoods, density and walkable streets. It should have mixed use neighborhoods where every 200 acres of development is self contained where all activities of residential, commercial, retail, hospitality and basic entertainment facilities are available. Diverse and mixed-use neighborhoods keep crime down, allowing for more “eyes on the street.” By celebrating its diversity, this city affords a multitude of cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities. The city should also have an intensive bike and walking trail system, providing another legitimate mean of transportation, in addition to recreation. The most valuable asset in a city is its road space. The road space can be used as a society wishes. Sustain ability and efficiency is important for a good city. This means environmentally friendly buildings, urban design, and of course transportation. The ideal city has minimal sprawl and retains its historic urban form and density. Public transportation is an integral part of the city landscape, comprising of rail and bus modes.The majority of our society relies on municipal water sources to supply their household needs. Most city water sources contain highly contaminated forms of water that are then sanitized with potent chemical agents. Water filtration is especially important to make municipal water acceptable to drink.An ideal city should undertake the responsibility of adapting a policy to reduce, recycle, and re-use consumed goods.The simple answer to a good city is to return the focus to people, especially the poorer people. You create a vision based on the right values of a good city for the poorest people, providing equal access to essential services like walking, transit buses, libraries, sidewalks, and schools. This makes all people equally happy. With dignity and happiness all take pride in their city, in their public spaces. The streets come alive and people enjoy the outdoors together.An ideal city should be centered around a historic, yet vibrant, downtown that is built up densely with pleasing urban form. A smaller city with exceptional urban form and culture would be much better than a larger metro made up of only cheap sprawl.Cities are for all people. A city’s public space should make all the people that live in the city happy. Making people happy requires that they have dignity, are treated equally, and have hope.

Students' Oxygen movement view

10/06/2012

Our life at a glance

Life today is governed by the offshoots of science. We have many new comforts of life that our forefathers did not possess. Should we jump to the conclusion that we are really happier than our forefathers were? It is a very puzzling question. Let us first see what kind of life they led.The world of our forefathers was different from that of today. They lived in villages. Scientific inventions were not made. There were no planes, no cars, movie, radio etc. Televisions and telephones were not invented. There was no electricity so they were deprived of all those comforts which we enjoy with the help of electricity. They moved in the jolting, slow-moving carts and carriages. The life was so simple. They were engaged in tilling the soil for a living. They got there daily needs easily. They had a plenty of everything. There were many cool and sheltered spots for innocent pleasures. They took active part in all sorts of simple and innocent games. Contentment and happiness prevailed there.In our modern age, life is full of comforts and luxuries. We wonder how our forefathers lived without them. These are the blessings of science. We can travel in railways, ships, motor cars and airplanes. The old days of trouble and difficulties have come to an end. In every walk of life we have began to use electricity. Medical science has done great service to man. Even the most serious diseases are cured very easily. When we are tired by the day's hard work, radio and television provide us nice recreation. We comfortable homes, fine schools, hospitals and many other amenities of life. We still feel doubtful if we are really happier than our forefathers. Material civilization has, no doubt, made a wonderful stride but the moral development of man or moral values has been totally neglected. IT has nothing to do with happiness, goodness, beauty, courage, adventure, justice, friendship, love of family, love of country etc. All these values are necessary for happy life. Scientific development has out-stripped our spiritual or moral progress. I am of the opinion that a balance should be maintained. The existing condition without a balance will make our lives miserable with a horrible future.We live in an age where men admire riches more than spiritual power and long for luxury of the body than the peace of mind. This age is of materialism will never be happy till men pay more attention to the old values taught by our forefathers, True happiness is a state of the mind, can better be attained in the cottage than in the king's palace.

Students' Oxygen movement view

03/06/2012

The Journey has Begun...

From ignorance to initiative, from thoughts to actions, from dreams to reality, from darkness to light- The journey has begun. This journey has completed its nine years, and in its ninth year it has strengthened- with each year passed, each task accomplished and each individual touched.

25 th May was no ordinary day. Students' Oxygen Movement turned nine years old on May 25, 2012. This completion was marked by a joyous, reminiscing and prayerful celebration among the leaders of Oxygen- old and young- who have given their best to make Education the biggest issue. Oxygenius had a splendid time relishing this cherished moment. It was a memorable event for each one of us as we had every reason to celebrate this special moment.

On this auspicious occasion, the Chief income tax Commissioner of Bihar and Jharkhand, Mr. Vijay Sharma took out valuable time from his busy schedule and made a brief appearance in our 9th Oxygenious Meet. He extended his heartfelt congratulations to everyone present over there on the eve of completion of nine glorious years. He praised our efforts and applauded Students’ Oxygen Movement for working towards building a student cum youth friendly education system and carving a niche in society. This landmark event was also attended by guardians, prominent activists, bureaucrats, other professionals, media persons and well-wishers.

On a special note, we extend our heartiest gratitude to Hotel Chanakya for sponsoring this significant event of ours. Everybody present over there had a gala time and all of us enjoyed the mouth watering delicacies to the utmost prepared by the staff of Hotel Chanakya. We owe our sincere thanks to all the staff and crew members of Hotel Chanakya, for their generous support.

The movement started on May 25, 2003, with a handful of students participating in the Sunday discussion on the topic- “Expectations from the system and the Educated”, has now spread its activities, like Creativity Scholarship, No Horn Campaign, Fight against Coaching Scam and many others to encompass, and sought answers seek answers to the evils of the society. It also has thousands of students, working efficiently in various fields as system makers; and thousands of others , who are achieving more marks in more fields to serve more people.

Oxygen is not a mere four-walled organization that seeks to establish in the social arena. Moreover, it is a spirit- of being good and doing good- whose rightful place resides in the minds and the hearts of individuals. Rightly so, the real success of the movement will be when people get instilled with a natural sense of responsibility and social guardianship, and an urge to give back more than what they received.

And the road less traveled taken by the Oxygeniuses, has made all the difference. As they become prophets of a better tomorrow, winds of change can be felt by one and all.

And whenever there arises even a little doubt regarding the fulfillment of our dreams, remember, “Deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome some day….”

Students' Oxygen movement view

27/05/2012

All about celebrating Mother’s Day

Mother's Day celebrates the glorious ideal of love and sacrifice called motherhood. It is a special day for all mothers. It is also is a great opportunity for us to thanks and show respect towards the lady who has done so much for us. Mother's Day means making our moms feel proud and special.

Mother's day is a concept born in the age of the Romans and since then, it has been celebrated in different parts of the world in various ways. Mother's Day is the special day for a very special woman. Children should consider it essential to acknowledge their mothers with some special arrangements, for being fortunate to be blessed with such great figure. The day is glorified by giving gifts like chocolates , cards, crockery, apparels and jewelry to mothers on this day. This day is dedicated to thank all mothers for their responsibilities and hardships they undertake in a child's upbringing.

This festival is celebrated across 48 countries on various days. Though the days of celebration are different, the feeling and essence remains the same all over - to show gratitude for their efforts. The Mother's Day celebration has undergone a big transformation in the recent years. Earlier Mother's Day celebration included praying for the well being of the mother, feasting and a barbeque. But soon the western ideas began to be adopted by others places of the world. Today the Mother's Day celebration involves sending gifts of love to dear moms. There are stores that have come up with a huge array of gifts like cakes , flowers , jewellery , and memorable show pieces .There arephoto albums gifted to moms which can take her down the memory lane. The basic idea behind these gifts is make mothers feel happy and rejoiced. Some also make handmade gifts to show their respect and affection for their mother. Grown up children prefer to buy gifts from the stores ranging from clothes, accessories to jewelry.

Some people arrange for get together with their moms and throw parties in the honor of their dear moms. People staying away from the families make efforts to spend the day with mothers to make them feel special. This way Mothers Day has turned out to be family reunion day for many. While those who cannot visit their moms call their mother on phone and send greeting cards to express their gratitude and love for them.

In the recent times the online gifting companies have created a platform where you can send a priceless gift to your one and only mom online. You just have to order, the rest is done by the company which delivers the gift to your mother on time along with your message.

Children play games with their moms. Even would be mothers are treated on this special day. This day a woman is specially made to understand the bliss of motherhood. She feels great about being a mother.

Just like in any other country, in India also people celebrate Mothers day with a lot of enthusiasm and gusto. The festival of 'Mother's Day' has come to become a part of our culture now. What it offers is an opportunity to honor and show our appreciations for our mother - the one person who has stood by us through thick and thin.

Students' Oxygen movement view

20/05/2012

Significance of Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is celebrated in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Gautama Buddha is one of the greatest spiritual teachers of mankind. He is called the 'Light of Asia' and his message has captured the hearts and minds of millions of people the world. He has also been revered as an Avatar (incarnation) of God. He is the founder of Buddhism, the religion and philosophical system that produced a great culture throughout much of southern and eastern Asia.

The essence of Buddha's early preaching was said to be the Four Noble Truths: i. life is fundamentally disappointment and suffering; ii. Suffering is a result of one's desires for pleasure, power, and continued existence; iii. in order to stop disappointment and suffering, one must stop desiring and iv. The way to stop desiring and thus suffering is the Noble Eight-fold Path of salvation - right life, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mind and right concentration.

During Buddha Purnima, devotees refrain from killing of any kind and are encouraged to partake vegetarian food. Birds, insects and animals are released in thousands as a 'symbolic act to liberation'. Some devout Buddhists will wear a simple white dress and spend the whole day in temples with renewed determination to observe the eight Precepts. Celebrating Buddha Purnima means making special efforts to bring happiness to the unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped and the sick.

Buddhist Pilgrims come from all over the world to Bodh Gaya in Nepal to attend the Buddha Poornima celebrations on birthday of Buddha. The day is marked with prayer meets, sermons on the life of Gautam Buddha, religious discourses, continuous recitation of Buddhist scriptures, group meditation, processions, worship of the statue of Buddha and symposia.

The Mahabodhi Temple wears a festive look on the occasion.

Buddha Jayanti Festival is the most sacred day in Buddhist calendar. It is the most important festival of Buddhists, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Although Buddhists regard every full moon as sacred, the moon of the month of Vaisakh/Baisakh (April - May) has special significance because on this day Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and Nirvana. This strange, three-fold coincidence, gives Buddha Purnima its unique significance.

Buddha's overflowing love for the downtrodden and the destitute people has acted as one of the factors for social harmony and justice to the weaker sections of the society. The spiritual and moral forces generated by Buddha have strengthened and enriched Hinduism. As days have passed, the effect of Buddha's teachings has not only influenced the people of India but spread over a vast region of the globe.

Students' Oxygen movement view

13/05/2012

Celebrating Labour’s Day

The Labour Day in India is celebrated in order to honor the contribution of working men and women. It is observed on the first day of the month of May. The Labour Day in India is also known as the May Day. May 1 corresponds to the International Workers' Day which is celebrated around the world. It is observed as a national holiday in around 80 countries including India.

The Labour Day is celebrated as the day for protests not only in India but around the world. This is when the working men and women participate in processions to defend their rights and safeguard their interests. Various labour organizations and trade unions come up with their processions so that the economic reforms they've proposed become effective in a short period of time. Other than processions, you'll find contests being organized for children to participate and understand the bond of togetherness. This way the children can understand the strength of unity which is the essence of the processions that are a part of the Labour Day celebrations.

In addition to processions, there are public speeches held by leaders of various political parties in order to celebrate May Day. This is the day when Maharashtra and Gujarat attained statehood in 1960 once the old Bombay State was divided on the basis of language. Hence, the May Day is celebrated as the Maharashtra Diwas and Gujarat Diwas in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The Labour Day is a special occasion when people worldwide celebrate the true spirit of the working class. It's the day when workers get together and showcase their strength which indicates how effectively they can struggle to bring in positive reforms for the working class of the society.

Labour Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

In India and other countries like England, the day also has the significance as the spring fertility festival, so people celebrate it to honor goddess of spring. International Labor Day is celebrated with lots of joy and fervor in towns and villages. They celebrate fertility in the month of, May (spring) with village fetes and community gatherings. The most significant of the traditions is the traditional dances by men and women. Towns and villages in England plan huge celebration on the day.

The day has a historic significance which dates back to May 1 1886. On this International Labor Day several Labor unions all over the US decided to go on strike. They demanded a workday of eight hours to be accepted as a standard all over the US. In Chicago a bomb explosion planned by revolutionist led to the deaths and injury of over 100 people. Ultimately the protests proved fruitful and effective thus standardizing eight-hour work days as the new norm in many countries across the globe.

Students' Oxygen movement view

06/05/2012

Benefits of Time Management

Our life is like a bubble, a short morning dream. Therefore, we should take good care and make the best use of it. In other words, we must understand the value of time. Time management is basically planning and dividing one's time in a constructive way.

Time management creates a false impression. Time can not be managed; it can only be controlled by each individual person and the way time is directed. Scheduling is extremely important when it comes to managing the use of time. It is important to manage time wisely. When time is managed and organized wisely; it can make the difference between a productive day and a very hectic day

For instance, we have a number of activities that have to be taken care of in a particular period of time. So we should be able to plan our activities in such a way that we are able to complete all the work in a given span of time.

It is a fact that if man takes care of his minutes' then the 'hours' and 'days'' will take care of themselves. It is said that 'Time is more precious than money'. This is because, money lost in business or otherwise, can be gained or earned again. But time once lost, can never come back.

We all grow in time, live in time and ultimately, perish in time. There may not be an exact definition of time, but we all know what it is and its great value in a person's life. A man has a lot of wants. We all want fame, success, money, happiness, love, etc. There is no end to our desires. However, only a few are successful, prosperous and happy. These few are the ones who realized the value of time. They made the best use of their time and attained an enviable position in the society.

People, who made effective usage of time at their disposal, got the best from time. But those who forgot the value of time found to their utter dismay that it was harsh on them later.

In other words, successful persons use time in the best possible manner to achieve their goals. Most of us waste our precious time in unnecessary things such as gossips, roaming-aimlessly, grieving over the past blunders or day dreaming. It must always be kept in mind that, Time and tide wait for none. Time can be spent wisely or foolishly. The choice is ours and so are its consequences. Problems are faced by men of courage only. If difficult times arrive, they would prepare us for a better life. We would be able to handle problems in future with more maturity, stability and courage.

Basically, time and opportunity once lost can never be recovered. The flow of time is ceaseless and eternal and we all are like small insignificant particles in this endless and continuous flow. Time is eternal and endless but human life is very limited, finite and short-lived. hence, successful people make the best use of time in their lives. A word done is time earned. A decision taken at an appropriate moment can work wonders. hence, let us strike the iron when it is red hot.

We must make the best us of good times. We must make arrangements for the bad times during the good times. When the bad times knock at our doorstep, we should face them bravely with perseverance. That is how a rational and strong man is supposed to fight his battles of life. Ultimately a seasoned and an experienced human-being would be able to master time with his resources, skills and careful planning.

A proper use of time means the right use of an opportunity. As a very popular saying goes - 'A stitch in time saves nine'. As opportunities in life are few and far between, so is time precious and limited. Those of us who miss an opportunity or waste time, have to repent all our life. This implies that we must be punctual, disciplined and regular in our work-schedule.

One should inculcate the habit of early rising as one can complete a number of takes before the day has even started. For this, once must never be plagued with lethargy and bad habits. Some of them are sleeping late at night, laziness, passivity, remaining glued to the television or addicted to certain drugs. etc.

To conclude, it is foolishness to think that we can make up for the lost time There is a popular saying that 'the past is dead and the future is unborn'. There are no tomorrow and yesterdays. It is 'today' which is important. Time is very powerful. It ha more power than the mightiest of monarchs. For they come and go, but time remains forever, without an end or a beginning.

Students' Oxygen movement view

29/04/2012

The magic of Surya Namaskar

Worship of the Sun God or Suryopasana is as ancient as Hinduism itself having its origin from Vedic times. Hence numerous hymns addressed to Him are found in all the four Vedas - e.g. Saura Sukta of the Rg Veda, Aruna Prashna of the Taittiriiya Aranyaka, Surya Namaskara mantras, Surya Upanishad of Atharva Veda etc. These hymns describe the celestial body as the source of energy and sustainer of all life on the planet earth. They portray the Sun as the store house of inexhaustible power and radiance.

The Sun god is also referred to as Aditya. The origin of the worship of the Sun in India is thus several centuries old.

Surya is usually equated with Brahman as "asaavaadityo brahma", meaning the Sun is the icon of Brahman.

Rig Veda says "Surya Atma Jagatastasthushashcha" meaning the Sun God is the Soul of all beings, moving and non-moving.

References to the Sun worship are also found in the Puranas. The famous Aditya Hridayam is a part of the Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana wherein Sage Agastya initiates Rama into Sun worship to bolster up His spirits while facing Ravana in the battlefield. We find references to Surya in the Mahabharata also.

Mayura, who lived in the court of Harshavardhana composed the Surya Satakam in praise of Surya and is believed to have been cured of blindness.

It is customary to perform Panchaayatana puja daily among Hindu homes. It is a daily worship of the five deities viz., Ganesha, Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu and Surya (The Sun). Surya occupies a special status among these five deities because He is the only Pratyaksha Devata i.e. He is the only one Deity who is visible to the naked eye not based on any Anumanam (inference) or any other means of knowledge like Sabda etc.The objective of another prescribed daily ritual, Sandhyaavandanam, is the worship of Surya during the Morning, the Mid Day and the Dusk. The Gayatri mantra recited during this ritual is the most sacred invocation to the Sun God praying for a Good Day similar to the modern “Good Day to You” type.

Surya Namaskara, like most yogasanas must be performed only on an empty stomach. Therefore there must be a gap of at least two hours after eating and before performing the namaskara. It is generally practiced in the morning before breakfast or in evening. Surya Namaskaras are performed on a mat, not on the floor.

In some traditions, 12 Surya Namaskaras are performed at one practice. If starting that practice for the first time, it is generally started with fewer (3 to 6) Namaskaras per day, and then gradually increased to 12 Namaskaras per session by the time a week is over.

Shavasana is practiced at the end of practice for rest .Breathing (pranayamas) is synchronized with asanas .Mantras are pronounced at start of each Surya namaskara. There are a total of 8 different postures in the sequence of 12 posture changes of Surya namaskara. Some asanas are repeated twice in the same cycle of a Surya Namaskara. Practice of yoga postures (asanas) generally follows a surya namaskara practice.

In a traditional Hindu context, Surya Namaskara is always performed facing in the direction of the rising (east) or setting (west) sun.

Early morning Suryanamaskar performed for about 20 minutes a day increases bone, muscle and lung power in healthy individuals, while keeping chronic ailments under control in patients.

Surya Namaskar has a deep effect in detoxifying the organs through copious oxygenation and has a deeper relaxing effect. What it can do to your body which months of dieting cannot. And it can do to your mind what no spiritual discourse can.

Not surprising, the world is going crackers over this ancient yogic tradition of worshipping the rising sun. From improving your posture, strengthening muscles to whittling extra inches around the waist, the benefits of Suryanamaskar are many, provided you adapt it the right way.

Weight loss is just one consequence; you can so much as put your life together with this ancient yogic tradition.

Students' Oxygen movement

22/04/2012

Unity in diversity

Heritage means what we inherit from our ancestors and from our past. The heritage of India is the result of developments in the social, economic, cultural and political life of Indian people over a period of thousands of years. The land and people are the two components of this heritage.

Nature has made India into a distinct geographical entity. India is a vast country. It extends for nearly 3000 km from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south and for the same distance from its western-most parts to its eastern-most parts. The Himalayan ranges in the north and the sea in the east, west and south separates it from the rest of the world.

India has been a crucible of various 'races' and ethnic groups. They have all contributed to the making of Indian history and culture. The people from other cultures and civilizations have brought with them their own traditions which got intermixed and integrated with the pre-existing traditions.

Similarly, people of India have gone to other parts of the world and various elements of culture carried by them have intermixed and integrated with the preexisting traditions. The mountains and the rivers systems have been an important factor in the emergence of a number of distinct cultural zones within the country. India's culture has been changing and developing due to internal factors and contacts with other cultures. The Harappan culture was the first urban culture to emerge in India.

Jainism and Buddhism which arose in the sixth century B.C. left a lasting influence on Indian life and culture. This period saw the spread throughout the country of beliefs and practices associated with Hinduism, including Vedic religion. The next phase in Ancient Indian History covers the period from about 200 B.C. to about A.D. 300. There were the Indo-Greefes, the Shakas, the Parthians and the Kushanas. There was significant progress of Buddhist art in the Deccan, and the beginning of Tamil literature in the south.

The Gupta's built a large kingdom during eighth century. In the Deccan, there were kingdoms of the Pallavas and of the Chalukyas. After the fall of Buddhism and the rise of Hinduism idol worship became popular and building of temples on a large scale started in the south and the Deccan as well as in the north.

Medieval period is important for the growth of modern Indian languages, architecture, sculpture literature, and philosophy flourished under the patronage of the Chola Kings. The establishment of the sultanat of Delhi: It saw the introduction of new features in art and architecture of India. Two new languages-Arabic and Persian became a part of India's linguistic heritage. It replaced Sanskrit as the court language and through out the country under the influence of Persian, new forms of literature such as the ghazal were introduced.

The Bhakti movement which had started earlier spread throughout the country. Kabir and Nanak, disapproved of religious narrow mindedness. The Bhakti saints condemned caste inequalities and laid stress on human brotherhood. The Sufis or the Muslim mystics preached the message of love and human brotherhood.

Sikhism began to emerge as a new religion based on the teachings of Gurunanak.

The eighteenth century marks the beginning of the modern period of Indian history. Politically the period saw the decline of the Mughal Empire and the birth of a number of small and big independent states in different parts of the country. The process of colonization of vast areas of the world by a few European countries had been under way since the sixteenth century. From about the middle of the 18th century, the conquest of India by Britain began.

For the first time in her history, India came under foreign rule. A new system of exploitation of one country by the dominant classes and groups of another country came into being. . From the early decades of the nineteenth century, various social, religious, cultural and intellectual movements started which aimed at removing the state of stagnation of Indian society. The nationalist movement united the Indian people on a new basis.

It recognized and cherished 'the unity in diversity' and composite nature of India's - culture as its unique feature.

Students' Oxygen movement view

15/04/2012

Be a change - Be Eco Friendly

Are you eco friendly? You may not be doing your part to make the world a cleaner place for all of us to enjoy. Even if you like your modern conveniences, you have a responsibility to do your part. Being eco friendly doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite products. It simply means you make better choices so that you aren't contributing to the ongoing problem.

There is simply too much energy out there in our society being wasted. Since those resources used aren't able to replenish themselves, they will soon be gone. We do have some alternative renewable energy resources out there, but they aren't being used enough yet to give us the benefits we need. By cutting down on waste materials, you will also be cutting down on the waste of energy.

Being eco friendly is something the entire family should take part in. As a part, you need to teach your children from a young age how important it is. That way they will be making continuous efforts to be eco friendly over the course of their lives. Many schools and community programs are also promoting the importance of being eco friendly. Do your part to make this world better for yourself and everyone else in it.

Taking the time to recycle is one of the most powerful ways in which you and your family can save energy and be more eco friendly. It is estimated that at least 60% of what the average family tosses into the trash bin can be recycled. On average, that could mean a family would save 5,000 hours of energy if they choose to recycle.

Help your community to become more eco friendly as well. More people will take part in it if it is easy. Having convenient drop off locations for glass, cardboard, plastics, and other types of recyclable materials means people can conveniently participate. You should also implement such efforts in your office. Using both sides of the paper and even using old papers as notepads can significantly improve your ability to be eco friendly.

There are plenty of terrific eco friendly products on the market to select from. When people are buying more of them companies pay attention. They are in turn going to create more of them so that they can generate higher volumes of sales. It is in this way that being eco friendly allows consumers to have a strong say in what we will see for sale out there.

Even the materials used for packaging your products should be eco friendly. Many of them have the symbol on them to indicate this fact. Shop with your own reusable bags when grocery shopping when you can. Otherwise, you should frequent those shops that make paper bags out of recycled paper.

By avoiding use of plastics, individuals and organizations will be saving the planet for the future.

Going green provides opportunities for organizations to manufacture environment friendly products and to enter new markets. By adopting environment friendly processes, companies can save on toxic waste disposal costs. A research study has revealed that 15% of customers are willing to pay more for green products

Eco-friendly cleaning products like vinegar and lemon juice clean more effectively than their eco-unfriendly counterparts. Using soap and shampoo made from eco-friendly ingredients promotes healthy skin and hair. Regular shampoos and soaps are laden with chemicals which may cause damage to hair and skin.

Avoiding the use of cars will help in reducing green house gases. This prevents pollution. It also saves the cost of fuel and provides exercise for the individual. Constructing eco friendly houses will benefit the individual in the long run. Using email instead of regular mail will save paper. This will save trees from being cut. High efficiency light bulbs will consume 25% of power consumed by regular bulbs. These bulbs also last 10 times longer.

Governments should frame their policies in an effort to promote environment friendly behavior. Individuals should "go green" and encourage their friends and relatives to do so.

It is very important for all of us to be as eco friendly as possible. We have the ability to make this world better for ourselves, our children, and for future generations. Having clean air to breath and eliminating various types of waste from our world is something we can all be proud of. Take the time to learn ways in which you and your family can start being eco friendly today.

Students' Oxygen movement view

08/04/2012

Computers- A Boon or A Bane?

Technologies and inventions have revolutionized the modern era. In modern age, with booming techno world, the computers have extended their reach to everyone from children to adults and it has got everyone hooked onto it. As computers have become really affordable for families, nearly every household of upper class family has one.

The introduction of 3-D games and the consistent use of it have left a negative impact on children's minds. Psychologists and sociologists believe that some of the violent game leads to imitation of violent activities in children. Thus we find a behavioral change in them. Evidences have been found regarding the addiction of these computer games. People aged between 25 to 30 years cannot retreat from this childhood activity within themselves.

Computers are a big boon to children as they not only help them with their education but also help them enhance their knowledge in many ways. But due to the presence of this electronic device, children have started spending more time in front of it as computer games have become more dearly thing to them. This has not only led to their health getting affected but has also put their social life on the back burner.

Computer’s influence have taken over children lives so much that today they prefer to play games on it rather than go out and indulge them in some physical exercise by playing various sports. Such a thing severely affects a child's health as a lack of physical exercise could lead to health problems. Research shows that youngsters who spend their valuable time in playing video games fifteen hours a week are intended to be more aggressive in nature.

Together with the computers, internet today have more or less erased the physical boundaries between people. With online social networking fast catching on among children also, social lives of children have been affected very much. Earlier children used to hangout with each other in groups, have fun playing board games with each other, etc. But now they prefer interacting with each other online. This has led to them becoming less active with the people around them and has also affected their personality.

The role of the internet to students is not be undermined. The internet has a wealth of information awaiting resourceful students. The students can click onto the masses of information on a vast number of subjects for their perusal and research purposes. Also, they can contact authorities on these subjects from various universities globally. For example, there are readily available website on literary texts and criticism. What amazing is that the website not only provide notes but also provides answer for literary assignments. This is great as students do not have to spend a bug sum of money or time to discuss issues with authorities on specified subjects. In addition, there are chat rooms that facilitates e-forums on literary issues. Hence, students can pose their questions or clear the air with other literary enthusiasts.

Finally, the computer is a source of recreation for students to spend their time fruitfully. Exciting computer games that challenge the mind help develop alertness among students. They can also relax while listening to music or watch a movie on the computer. Since the world is computer-savvy, students need to equip themselves with the basic computer skills to meet the demands of the job market.

Nowadays, acquiring computer skills is not a privilege but a necessity, not just for students but for the general public as well. In short, the computer is a boon for students.

It is necessary for children as well as parents to understand the dire consequences of this mind gripping machine. To avoid children getting sucked into the world of computers so much so that it starts affecting them health wise and disconnects them from the real world, parents have to start advising them at an early age about the ill-effects of too much computing and they should take care that their children spends more quality time with their family and friends.

In this way computer would not only help children have better worldly knowledge but also make them responsible adults in the future.

Students' Oxygen movement view

1/04/2012

Coaching Centers-Selection with Caution

Coaching centers! the name people and students listen everyday. .Thousands of coaching centers have been established everywhere. It is been spreading like a huge epidemic. In earlier days parents as well as teachers considered that those students who go to tuition were failures in life . But the time has changed a lot and students consider it a passion and status too. But we never see the dark side of it.

Coaching centers are earning a lot's of money and it's a sort of business nowadays. Some of them are merely earning money with less focus on teaching. Some of them are doing their duty sincerely with much focus on teaching. It's a awakening message for all that whatever you do, do with awareness.

Definitely coaching centers are not a boon. A student is sent to coaching centers by parents when he/she fails to get good marks in examination. Parents should try to find out the reason behind their failure instead of sending to coaching centers. Travel to coaching centers kills students valuable time like anything. Moreover coaching centers will take the students in wrong path by providing important questions. Students are greatly affected by depending on the important questions. So students should say a big no to coaching centres.

The mushrooming of coaching centers all over the cities big or small, metros or districts highlight the growing trend of students opting for coaching classes apart from the regular curriculum. Once upon a time coaching was a rare phenomenon, generally unheard of and only taken by those who were weak in their studies. But now it is a way of life for students, aggressively promoted by the teachers and too some extent by the parents also.

But does coaching really help in scoring good marks in school or in competitive examinations? Is it advisable for the school students to opt for coaching? When is the right time to join coaching? Does it take away time of self-study and make student dependent on coaching center? Or does it give your career the right boost and direction?

These are some of the questions which every student and their parents face.

Even though coaching center loots thousands of rupees from innocent students in the name of coaching only some number of students will be benefitted through coaching. Now a days coaching centers are making business with the money of students by announcing short term coaching. With in short period of time student can't learn the subject and examination tricks. So for long term preparation of any kind of examination coaching centers are needed but for short term preparation it is waste of money and time. The Government should also make sure that the coaching fees collected by such coaching centers do not become a burden upon the children and their parents.

The craze for coaching has led to opening of coaching center in every by lane of cities selling dreams of guaranteed success. One can see the newspapers, magazines or roads filled with advertisements like you can 'learn English in 30 days' or 'score 90% in Boards with our guidance' or 'clear PMT/IIT with our two year package'. More and more students are flocking these centers as an alternative or supplement to school teaching.

.This coaching industry has occupied a major space in the field of business as well because nowadays education is mainly being considered as a commodity salable in the market. To be precise, education has been commercialized to a threatening extent.

Many experts believe that education is a natural process of learning. For the regular and attentive students coaching is not really required till class twelfth.

.There are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration before selecting a coaching center. The quality, experience and expertise of the teachers should be the top priority. One should also talk to other students before taking admission. The standard of coaching can best be analyzed by the success rate and academic performance of the students studying there. Whether to join a coaching or not is an individual's decision. If a student is sincere and hardworking with good grasping power he or she can prepare for competitive exams even at home. But if professional help is required then select the coaching center which offers the best options.

Students' Oxygen movement view

25/03/2012

The Truth of The Coaching Hub

Noted scientist and educationist Prof Yash Pal has said that there is maximum corruption in the education sector of the country. “Large-scale corruption is prevalent in the education system. Coaching classes are hell, as they are killing the creativity of students.” said Prof Pal.

Like every thing else, education too has fallen to corruption. Right from admission of students to issue of certificates, recruitment of Vcs, faculty and non-teaching staff, procurement of grants and funds, all our educational institutions and educators are facing the dark forces of institutionalized bribery and back scratching. And that coaching institutes are not mere commercially driven teaching shops is also evidenced by the fact that a large number of them offer modestly priced correspondence courses which are invaluable to students in poorly managed, under-served government schools in rural India where teacher absenteeism is an epidemic.

It is difficult to deny that coaching institutes which benefit only the urban middle class who are able to afford their high fees, deepen the existing education-led inequalities in society. Over the years, there has been a constant growth in the number of coaching institutions. You can find a coaching institution at every nook and corner of the city. But the moot question is do coaching institutions really help us?

Nowadays parents have started admitting their children in these coaching institutions from the moment the children start schooling. The coaching centers have somewhat made the students dependent notwithstanding their extremely high charges. Before analyzing and looking up their problems and working over them, the students directly expect the coaching centers to clarify all of it.

In this connection a committee of experts was constituted to register centers after proper assessment of their functioning. Had the move been implemented properly, it would have put an end to exploitation of students by unauthorized centers in the name of called quality education.

The centers over-charge students in the name of imparting quality education. Through attractive advertisements in both print and electronic media, the coaching centers lure the students promising quality education and other facilities, which they never fulfill. The centers woo the students by floating attractive advertisements but on ground, students are made to suffer.

To make education as the biggest issue, Students’ Oxygen Movement has led a fight to protest against the exploitation of the students by the so- called coaching institutions. Students from different schools and colleges have made their presence felt by organizing Bachchon Ki Adalat on a regular basis where they raise their voices to bring about transparency in the field of education which has also received a thumbs up from the guardians, teachers and even noted educationists.

As we continue with our fight against coaching scams, we place three basic and genuine demands in students' interest-

1). Coaching fees to be paid on monthly basis.

2).Total number of students enrolled in a coaching institution to be made public.

3).Details of special coaching groups to be published.

We sincerely hope that in the near future we would certainly be able to bring about a speedy revolution.

Students' Oxygen movement view

18/03/2012

Colours of Holi

Entire country wears a festive look when it is time for Holi celebration. Market places get abuzz with activity as frenzied shoppers start making preparations for the festival. Heaps of various hues of gulal and abeer can be seen on the roadside days before the festival. Pichkaris in innovative and modern design too come up every year to lure the children who wish to collect them as Holi memorabilia and of course, to drench everybody in the town.
Holi is also called the Spring Festival as the season itself is so gay. Nature too, it seems rejoices at the arrival of Holi and wears its best clothes. Fields get filled with crops promising a good harvest to the farmers and flowers bloom coloring the surroundings and filling fragrance in the air.
It is said the spirit of Holi encourages the feeling of brotherhood in society and even the enemies turn friend on this day. People of all communities and even religions participate in this joyous and colorful festival and strengthen the secular fabric of the nation. Besides on this day, people do not differentiate between the rich & the poor & everybody celebrates the festival together with a spirit of bonhomie & brotherhood.Celebration of the various legends associated with Holi reassure the people of the power of the truth as the moral of all these legends is the ultimate victory of good over evil.The legend of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad also points to the fact that extreme devotion to God pays as God always takes his true devotee in his shelter. All these legends help the people to follow a good conduct in their lives and believe in the virtue of being truthful. This is extremely important in the modern day society when so many people resort to evil practices for small gains and torture one who is honest. It close the wide gaps between the social classes. Additionally, Holi lowers the strictness of social norms. Holi helps the people to believe in the principles of righteousness, to forget the feeling of hardship and bitterness and most importantly to fight away the evil. It is the ideal time to shed all our inhibitions, to come out from our comfort zone and explore a new vision and also to carve a niche for ourselves, for our society in which we reside and above all for the whole of humanity.
Students' Oxygen movement view
11/03/2012

The Menace of Coaching Scam

Education is certainly the biggest issue. Indeed it is a weapon which can carve any lay man’s future. It transforms a human being into a social being. It is a right of everyone and no body should be denied of it. It is a very sensitive measure of directing a person’s life and it is a solution to many a problems that we face in our day to day life. Education makes a man. A man who is educated is well respected in the society and a person who educates others is genuinely worthy of sheer respect and praise. Our society works in tandem only of well educated people. And the people who serve the society by imparting lessons to the youth of tomorrow share a greater responsibility in the smooth running of society.But in the past few decades education has been commercialized to a great extent. It is a matter of serious concern.
4th March, 2012 is quite a day of significance. It's the day of action and that also against coaching scam. Since 11.00 am in the morning students assembled near S. K. Puri, Childrens’ park where till 1.00 pm they put forward their views regarding the exploitation of students by the coaching institutions and not only they appealed to the coaching institutes but also towards the state government to take student friendly policies and acts to bring about transparency in the field of education. This gathering of BACHCHO KI ADALAT was addressed by school and college going students along with teachers , parents and educationists who whole-heartedly supported this effort.
Convener of Students’ Oxygen Movement Mr. Binod Singh, was of the opinion that Coaching institutes should think about the benefit of students rather than thinking about doubling their profits. As we continue with our fight against coaching scams, we place three basic and genuine demands in students' interest-
1). Coaching fees to be paid on monthly basis.
2).Total number of students enrolled in a coaching institution to be made public.
3).Details of special coaching groups to be published.
Coaching institutes have mushroomed in a great number and it is a matter of concern regarding the prospective future of the youth of tomorrow. Students’ Oxygen Movement is fighting for bringing about transparency in the field of education. Coaching institutes should be student-friendly.They should be clear and transparent towards their approach. The commercialization of education has to be stopped at any cost. They cannot exploit people in the garb of imparting education. The big banners and advertisements and hoarding of coaching institutes are nothing less than a mirage. Coaching institutes nowadays are more commercialized and to generate their revenues they aren’t even sparing the students. It is high time that we raise our voices and protest against the commercialization of education. There has to be complete transparency in the field of education and we should strive to achieve it till the last moment and that also unanimously. Our sole aim is to signify education as the biggest and imperative issue.
Students' Oxygen movement view
04/03/2012