Philosophy of Life

Ugadi is symbolic of life. Let’s celebrate the six tastes of life called Ugadi festival. The word “ugadi” is derived from Sanskrit word, Yuga-adi where Yuga means period and adi means beginning. It means the beginning of new life. Which means it is the last day of waning of moon and the first day of waxing of moon. This phenomenon signifies the beginning of new time. You can observe and see it is the first day of Vasant Ritu and that means it is the beginning of spring season. From this day onwards, trees and plants start shedding their leaves and new growth appears.

Thus, even nature signifies new time.

Ugadi is observed with a dish of six different tastes and flavors like tender Mangoes, Jaggery, Tamarind, Neem flowers, salt and green Chilli. It tastes  sweet, sour as well as hot. This festival symbolizes the different phases and experiences of life that every human being undergoes during the journey from cradle to grave.

Human life is a mix of different flavours similar to Ugadi “Pachadi”. This festival symbolizes that life is a mixture of unique experiences and that we should accept every variety in life throughout the New Year. It signifies that life is a mixture of happiness fear, anxiety, sadness anger and surprises.

Life without any of these emotions is incomplete. All of them come together to teach us various things, make us strong and give us the resourcefulness to face any situation. It teaches us that every shade and every phase must be dealt with in distinct ways.

So this festival is celebrated to welcome a new start in life every year with the expectations of happiness, well-being, growth and prosperity.

Happy Ugadi, folks!

New Year is here

First of all, EFF team wishes a very happy new year to all the teachers, students, volunteers and readers! Every year begins with new hopes and wishes. It feels great to start a year with new ideas and rules set by ourselves to get succeed in our life. In other words we call ‘resolution’. New Year resolution is very much popular in all squares of the world.

As a part of new year activity, I made some students of Red Cross Govt Girls High School to speak about their ‘new year’s resolution’. Here are some interesting ones from classes 7^th to 9^th.

-          “I will not watch T.V. in this New Year” (are you serious!). – Sowjanyna, Class 9

-          “I will not speak bad words in this New Year.” – Ashwinin, Class 7

-          “I will speak in English with my friends at school.” – Sony, class 9

-          “I will help my mother in household chores.” – Radhika, class  7

-          “I will give water to birds on our terrace.” – Anitha, class 7

-          “I will not bite my nails.” – Shruthi, class 8

-          “I will start writing a diary.” – Bhargavi, Class 7

-          “I will not waste food.” – Yasmine, Class 8

-          “I will help the poor” (don’t know what help) – Tahniyath, class 8

-          “I will participate in the activities conducted by Ambica teacher” (is it true?)– Hamida, class 8

-          “I will not hurt people with my words when I become angry!” (is that possible?) – summaiya, class 9 

Well these are some of the notable resolutions which seem to be so easy but really challenging to practice.

One more important thing in New Year is Greetings! In this gadget world we wish each other through electronic greetings i.e., by sms or email. But wishing each other by giving a greeting card is a traditional way of wishing the New Year. As a part of New Year activity, I gave home work to prepare a greeting card for my 7^th and 8^th class students. On a condition – the greeting card should be prepared with used or waste things at home, no buying stuff. Within a day, these pupils have come up with innovative cards. Some of them are here –

That's a great start for the year 2014. Once again wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year 2014!

Related posts:
http://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/promises-to-keep/article5544582.ece