crystal quest magazine

CHRIST THE REDEEMER, BRAZIL

MACHU PICCHU, PERU

CHICHÉN ITZÁ, MEXICO

THE COLOSSEUM, ROME

A striking aspect of this beautiful Incan sanctuary, you will fi nd, is its architecture — it is said that the stones were cut and placed so precisely and perfectly that you cannot even insert a credit card in the crevices! What’s

even more astounding is that the structure was built on top of two fault lines, so when an earthquake strikes the region, the edifi ce just jiggles during the tremors and then comes back to its original position, without any damage to the stones.

MACHU PICCHU, PERU

At the height of its glory, this monument served as a massively popular site of entertainment. Fights between gladiators as well as between gladiators and animals were a major form of entertainment in ancient Rome. The Colosseum could house more than 50,000 spectators,

and so it was divided into four storeys above the ground — the top storey was for the lower classes, the lowest section seated only the most prominent citizens, and the area below the ground would include animals and mechanical devices.

The stones from the Colosseum were used for building iconic structures such as the Palazzo Venezia and St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as the infrastructure of River Tiber’s defences. Additionally, earthquakes and other natural and man-made calamities contributed to the destruction of the Colosseum.

Locally known as Cristo Redentor, this statue has been built in a man-made tropical forest, which is considered the world’s largest “urban forest” — the Tijuca National Park.

The people of Brazil donated $250,000 to construct the statue. Created during the art deco movement, this is the largest sculpture of that kind in the world.

Built atop the Corcovado mountain, in earlier times, you would have to climb 220 stairs to reach the summit. However, escalators and elevators are now available to make one’s journey easy.

THE COLOSSEUM, ROME

ROME

Located in the Yucatán state of Mexico, the most recognisable feature of this ancient Mayan city is the pyramidal structure of the Temple of Kukulkan or the El Castillo. The steps of the temple total to 365, indicating each day of the year. During the spring and autumn equinoxes,

a snake-like shadow forms over the pyramid. As the sun sets, this shadow fl ows down to reach a stone serpent head at the foot of the stairs.

The Mayans’ skills in astronomy were phenomenal — in fact, they could also predict solar eclipses! An observatory site built for this purpose exists at the site even today.

CHICHÉN ITZÁ, MEXICO

MEXICO

PERU

CHRIST THE REDEEMER, BRAZIL

BRAZIL

PYRAMIDS OF GIZA, EGYPT

THE TAJ MAHAL, AGRA

This majestic landmark is so long that it stretches from the Korean border west to the Gobi Desert for a staggering 5,500 miles (8,850 km). It is natural for one to get an impression that the wall is just a single structure. But you will be surprised to know that the actual wall spans 3,889 miles (6,259 km), more than

50 per cent of the total length. The remaining length is made up of trenches (223 miles or 359 km) and natural defensive barriers such as rivers and hills (1,387 miles or 2,232 km).

This prehistoric Jordanian city, which had been lost to the world for centuries, was rediscovered in the 19th century when a Swiss traveller named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt dressed as an Arab and sneaked his way into a heavily guarded area. Famous for its rock-cut architecture (it has been carved

out of sandstones and red, white and pink rocks), Petra was the location where many scenes from the 1989 Hollywood blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade were fi lmed.

A c c o r d i n g to theories, the Pyramids of Giza were named after three different kings. Yes, the largest pyramid, popularly known as the Great Pyramid, was

constructed for Khufu; the middle one for Khafre; and the third for Menkaure.

Over the centuries, owing to lootings both inside and outside, the pyramids have lost their original splendour. The limestone casings that covered them were stolen, as a result of which the height of the structures has greatly reduced. Imagine what the Pyramids must have looked like in their initial avatar, considering they look so stunning even today!

This one doesn’t need any introduction. Besides the iconic white marbled dome and arches, the interiors of the Taj Mahal are fi lled with exquisite treasures and art works, from the carvings and semiprecious stones to the decorative calligraphy of

the Koran etched onto the walls.Shah Jahan, the brain behind this magnifi cent structure,

was dethroned and imprisoned in the Red Fort by his son Aurangzeb. It is said that he was put in a cell that overlooked the Taj Mahal and from there he gazed upon that beautiful edifi ce till his death.

Map not to scale

PYRAMIDS OF GIZA, EGYPT

EGYPT

PETRA, JORDANPETRA, JORDAN

JORDAN

THE TAJ MAHAL, AGRA

AGRA

CHINA

The Eight Wonders of the World

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, CHINA

The Eight Wonders of the World

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, CHINA

Editor’s Note

Welcome to the year of the water snake! It’s a beautiful feeling — being alive. Life is indeed a celebration. Each month, there is something exciting happening around the world, and we at Crystal Quest aim to keep you updated about our world on a monthly basis. I also hope you must have incorporated your New Year resolutions by now. Hopefully, you have your planners up and are becoming well organised with every passing day.

Each month, the Crystal Quest team strives to bring you articles that encourage you to THINK OUT OF THE BOX. Every article aims to look at its subject matter from an unexplored angle. They are meant to trigger

your thought processes. After all, just as every coin has two sides, every thought or idea can be viewed from different angles.

In the recent past, we, along with the police personnel of Visakhapatnam, conducted a road safety drive in that city. Road safety was also part of one of our previous issues, where we showcased various ways of staying safe on the road. It is topics like these — relevant to you and I — that fi nd a place in Crystal Quest.

Along with road safety comes self safety. If we take care of ourselves by being smart and vigilant, we will not only be helping ourselves but also our police, who strive day and night for our safety. By being responsible citizens, we can ensure a safer environment for ourselves as well as for the people around us.

Apart from being vigilant about the road and traffi c and ourselves, we should also be responsible for the environment around us. This month, we talk about water in our Eco Page, the next important element after air and that which is often misused. It’s time we take the responsibility, but not just by practising the good habit of saving and conserving water. We also need to get others to follow the same habit, motivating them through kind words and inspiring them with exemplary behaviour. It is also important to be fair and just and not get people to do the action that what we want them to do but don’t really practise ourselves.

With the summer setting in, writing an examination can indeed be uncomfortable in the sweltering heat. So, do take a break

to check out our recipe for Lemon Barley Lemonade in this issue. The cooling effect of this drink will help ease the heat. And do read what our teachers have to say about handling exam pressure.

This month, we also take you to see the Seven Wonders of the World... or are there eight?

Friends, it is very important for each of us to remember, no matter how much information we can access in the form of audio or visuals, we should read every shred of information that is available to us. Reading not only sharpens our mind but also makes us alert to the happenings around us. So, make it a point to read newspapers in English and in your local language.

Neelambari ShelarEDITOR

CQ TEAM

EDITORNeelambari Shelar

FEATURE WRITERSNeelambari ShelarNandini SenguptaRoma DindiSamrat BiswasFreyan PatelS. Dey

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSuman Agarwal

CREATIVE DIRECTORNeelambari Shelar

GRAPHIC / WEB ARCHITECTNiranjan Kumar Palla

GENERAL MANAGERJayasudha Gantasala

ASST TO THE EDITOR,

MARKETING AND

PROMOTIONS

Sandeep Kamble

MARKETING AND

PROMOTIONS

Deepa Bajamahal

LOGISTIC & DISTRIBUTIONReddy Ram Kumar

PRINTED BYSpenta Multimedia

CONCEPTUALISED AND PUBLISHED BYNeelambari Shelar

Hello my dear young readers, parents and teachers.Here’s wishing all of you a very Happy Chinese New Year and a Happy St. Valentine’s Day!

Read, Read,Read!

CQ

A brighter, sharper mind means a brighter, sharper future!

We have some fun, fun, fun activities for you. Check out our new Activity Pages!

Contents

4212

06 Feature – My Safety First09 School Review – Mumbai10 School Review – Hyderabad11 School Review – Goa12 Career – Teaching15 Education Abroad – U.K.16 Passion to Profession – Chef20 Chinese New Year Special21 Valentine’s Day Special22 Know Your Syllabus – ICSE24 Techno – Solar Panel26 Grammar – Vowels28 Little Globetrotter – Sikkim30 Activity Page34 Expert Talk – Calcium – The Hero 36 Sports – Marathon38 Teacher Talk – Pocket Money

39 Parent Talk – Pocket Money40 Children Talk – Pocket Money42 Grooming – Guide to Happy Feet44 Soft Skills for Parents – Handling Complaints from School45 Soft Skills for Kids – Behaviour in Public46 Soft Skills for Teachers – Handling Examination Pressure49 Confessions of a Prankaholic50 My Moral Strongest – Fairness52 Eco – Save Water, Save Your Planet54 Lost Games – Blind Man’s Buff56 Recipe – Lemon Barley Lemonade57 Yoga – Tall Aims58 On the Shelf – Gulliver’s Travels

Website: www.crystalquestmagazine.comHelpline No: +91-97011 10566Email: [email protected] Enquiry: [email protected] by Mark InternationalCover Image Credit: Imagesbazaar.com

Credits for images inside: Imagesbazaar.com, Shutterstock / IndiaPicture, Dreamstime.com, Alamy / IndiaPicture, Dinodia photos

Crystal Quest MagazineEditorial Offi ce:Flat No. 402, Trendz Developers, Rushikonda,Opp. Gitam College, North Gate,Vishakhapatnam: 530045, Andhra PradeshTel.: +91-97011 10566

Hyderabad Offi ce:Srinivas Nagar Colony, Shivam Road,Hyderabad: 500013, Andhra PradeshTel.: +91-87909 41414

Goa Offi ce:Edcon Towers, Unit No. 306, 3rd Floor,Near Fidalgo Hotel,Panaji: 403001, GoaTel.: +91-95525 65923

Mumbai Offi ce:36 Turner Road, Unit No. 201,Turner Road, Bandra (West),Mumbai: 400050, MaharashtraTel.: +91-97011 10566

DISCLAIMER: Duplicating all or any part of this magazine, including photocopying, recording, facsimile transmission, electronic or physical transmission, or otherwise, is prohibited. This magazine and its articles are for information purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation to buy any products or services.

The content of this magazine does not seek to infl uence the opinions/behaviours of the readers. The views and opinions expressed in the articles contained in this magazine are those of the authors and do not constitute the views of the publisher, Mark International, or the printer, Spenta Multimedia.

The publisher and the printer are not responsible for any damage or loss resulting from reliance on or use of any information provided in this magazine.

4024

6 Feature

February-March 2013 Crystal Quest

Preparing children for the unseen is a wise thing to do in this day and age, and here are some pointers to help you.

There are plenty of news reports circulating, in which it has been mentioned that a child’s safety was threatened or even endangered, leaving him/her with mental, emotional and psychological scars. India is a country where child safety still needs to be effectively implemented. Even places perceived to be safe, like crèches, schools, playgrounds and tuition classes, could have unsafe elements. Hence it is the responsibility of parents, teachers and guardians to not only protect children but also sensitise them to increasing threats.

Here are some indicators to identify the safety problem a child could be facing and measures to help deal with it competently. We also tell you how to keep your child and yourself vigilant.

Uncomfortable touching Bullying Being addressed with inappropriate language

Indecent exposure on the Internet

Eve teasing

Potential Safety

Hazards for Children

Know the difference between good and bad touch (refer to the ‘OK! STOP!’ game).

List out and study the areas where you go, and know and use quick routes to escape from danger.

Shout and call for help if your safety is under threat. Never keep secrets from parents and teachers. Memorise important addresses and telephone and helpline numbers.

Keep a record of all people in the proximity of children. Talk to children about their daily experiences, both good and bad. Be alert for signs of depression or anxiety in children. Encourage children to ask questions and participate in discussions on safety.

Monitor your child’s usage of the Internet and curb inappropriate exposure to television.

Teach children to never share personal information with strangers. Create a bond of trust where a child does not feel the need to keep secrets or shy from telling the truth or even expressing his/her opinion.

Precautions for Children

Precautions for Parents, Guardians and Teachers

Myth: Only pretty little girls are attacked.Fact: All children, including boys, could be at risk.Myth: Usually, strangers are the villains.Fact: Risk factor could be from close relatives, babysitters and even neighbours.Myth: My child will tell me or show signs of discomfort.Fact: Children rarely understand what has happened and may not communicate due to fear. Myth: Only teenagers are at risk.Fact: All children, including infants and toddlers, can be vulnerable to danger.

Myth Busters

My SafetyFirst

I am like a flower in your hand, Fresh and blooming in the sunlight... Make me smile by keeping the thorns aside... You have the power to keep me safe and alright.

Annabel Dsouza

9School Review – Mumbai


Category: Day SchoolAddress of Campus 1: Gregorios Path, V. N. Purav Marg, Besides Fairlawn, Chembur, Mumbai: 400071Address of Campus 2: N. B. Patil Marg, Ghatla, Mumbai 400071Tel.: +91-22-2520 3790 (Campus 1), +91-22-2520 3791 (Campus 2)Email ID: [email protected]: www.stgregorios.netGrades: Nursery to Class XIISyllabi: ICSE and ISCAdmission Months: December/JanuarySchool Strength: Around 2,000 students

History of the SchoolIt all started in 1992 with the formation of the St. Gregorios

Education & Medical Trust, with the aim to give back something special to the community in which the Trust was based — enlightened and enthusiastic young people, ready to do their bit for mankind. The inspiration was none other than the patron saint of the Trust, St. Gregorios, who stood for love, affection and sympathy. And so was established St. Gregorios High School.

In 1993, the Gregorian Nursery and Kindergarten started operations, and in 1994 the main school came into force with just 21 pupils in class I. However, almost two decades later, the school is now housed in a massive five-storey building and also has a basketball court, a long-jump pit, a throwball court and stadium. Last year, the school inaugurated its second campus at Ghatla.

Facilities and Activities A staff of about 100 teachers that also includes counsellors,

special educators, physical educators and those imparting education in subjects such as Music, Dance, Speech and Elocution, Computers, and Yoga, among others.

Facilities such as well-equipped science laboratories, hi-tech computer labs with Internet access, and a library.

A proactive PTA, which organises a variety of programmes and activities and brings out a quarterly newsletter called ‘BRIDGES’.

Regular medical and dental check-ups of students and staff members.

Career-counselling sessions for standards X and XII. Annually held excursions India and abroad for

project assessments.

Achievements and Awards St. Gregorios High School ranked among Mumbai’s top 50

schools in Hindustan Times’ Top Schools Survey conducted last year.

The Principal, Mrs. Ranjini Krishnaswamy, was awarded the 2009 National Award for Teachers/Principals by the Government of India.

10 My Moral Strongest

Feb 2013 Crystal Quest

2410 School Review – Chaitanya



11School Review – Goa




My Moral Strongest


12 Career


13


13




Career14


Feb-March 2013 Crystal Quest

24 Confessions of a Prankster


15Education Abroad




16 Passion to Profession


17

Feb 2013 Crystal QuestFeb 2013 Crystal Quest

17




18 Passion to Profession


20 Chinese New Year Special


Every year, Chinese communities across the globe ring in the New Year in a celebration of tradition, love, colours and loads of fireworks!

Freyan Patel Legend has it that the mighty Jade Emperor, the ruler of all

heaven, decided to throw a New Year party one year and invited all the world’s animals. But only 12 showed up, which angered him greatly. To reward the ones who came, he named a year after each of them, which is how we got the years of the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Water Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. This year, on February 12, Chinese communities around the world welcomed the Year of the Water Snake.

The Chinese New Year is the most important festival in the Chinese calendar. This 15-day festival starts on New Year’s Day, the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar — a new-moon night — and ends on the 15th day, a full-moon night. It is based on the lunar calendar, so its date changes every year.

How Was The Chinese New Year Born?

There are numerous myths wound around the celebration of the Chinese New Year, but a favourite is the story of the Nian. A Nian — a terrible mythical beast — used to attack a village on the first day of every New Year and eat its animals and people. To save themselves, the villagers started putting food out on the first day of every New Year. Then, one year, something frightened the Nian… it was a child dressed in red. The following year, the people knew how to deal with the Nian, and, instead of food, they hung red lanterns and scrolls because a Nian is afraid of the colour red! To frighten it, the people also burst firecrackers, and that worked too! From that day to the present, the Chinese New Year is celebrated with bright red lanterns, hangings and, of course, lots of fireworks! And the traditional Lion Dance you see at Chinese New Year parades is a depiction of the Nian’s defeat.

New Year!i Hao,

Celebrations kick off on the eve before the New Year, when families have a special dinner and, at midnight, dumplings. Besides, homes are cleaned and new clothes are bought.

Day 1: People welcome the gods of heaven and Earth, burst firecrackers and burn bamboo sticks. Parades with Lion Dance troupes, musicians and acrobats crowd the streets. This is the day to honour elders and for the married to present little red packets of money to the younger members of their family.

Day 2: The birthday of dogs, who are given special treats.

Days 3-4: People spend time with close family and don't visit anyone.

Day 5: The birthday of the God of Wealth. People pay homage to him by eating dumplings. It is considered bad luck to visit people on this day.

Day 6: From this day onwards, people start socialising again, and in Taiwan, businesses reopen.

Day 7: The birthday of humans. Meals traditionally include noodles. In Malaysia and Singapore, the entire family eats yusheng, a raw-fish and fres h vegetable salad, with chopsticks. The person who tosses the salad the highest is said to get the best luck that year.

Day 8: Dinner is a big family affair, and towards midnight, people get ready to bring in Day 9, the Jade Emperor's birthday. The celebrations continue till Day 12 and slow down on Day 13, which is dedicated to General Guan Yu and when light vegetarian food is eaten.

Day 14 is spent by people preparing for Day 15, the big finale called the Lantern Festival. Candles are lit outside houses to help guide spirits. Children carry lanterns to temples and public spaces at night. Parks are lit by a beautiful sea of lanterns that contain special messages in the form of riddles that their carriers solve.

How is The Occasion Celebrated?

21Valentine’s Day Special


Held globally each year in the month of February, Valentine’s Day rejoices the spirit of love.

S. DeyFew occasions are celebrated with as much pomp

and eagerness all over the world as Valentine’s Day. Commemorated annually on February 14, it is devoted to the celebration of love. It is a day when one can profess affection for anyone who holds a special place in their lives, including parents, siblings, friends and even teachers.

How was Valentine’s Day Born?The history of Valentine’s Day seems to have its

origin in Christianity, and there are different accounts of how the day possibly came

to be celebrated. The most popular story is

that of St. Valentine, a priest who lived near Rome around 270 AD. The Roman

Empire had outlawed marriages, and St.

Valentine is said to have assisted Christian

couples in getting married. Eventually, he was caught and

executed on the orders of the Roman emperor. There are many tales

of the miracles the saint performed before his death. There is also a legend that St. Valentine used to cut out hearts from parchment and distribute them among people, especially soldiers, to remind them of God’s love and to encourage them to stick to their faith. Whether the story is true or not, the heart remains a symbol of the spirit of Valentine’s Day.

It is difficult to correctly ascertain when the occasion

first came to be celebrated. Most believe that it is celebrated in the memory of St. Valentine, though many historians and scholars disagree with this view, saying that the celebration has its origin in regional rituals and festivities.

New Ways of CelebrationWhile Valentine’s Day was initially a religious

ceremony, over many centuries and especially in recent years, it has come to be celebrated as an occasion for professing one’s love and affection. The day is now celebrated in many countries all over the world. Some of these countries have even devised their own traditions that are followed on the occasion.

In India too, the day is now marked with great enthusiasm. The concept became popular

here during the last two decades, and its popularity has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years.

In Celebration of Love

The symbol of the Valentine

also appeared through the

medieval times in songs

and literary works of the

likes of William Shakespeare

and John Donne.

The practice of exchanging cards seems to have started around the

18th century, which gradually evolved

into the modern tradition of giving cards and gifts to each other on the day.

To learn to make an interesting and fun Valentine’s Day DIY craft, visit www.crystalquestmagazine.com.

CQ



22 Know Your Syllabus


23

Feb 2013 Crystal QuestFebruary-March 2013 Crystal Quest

24 Techno


Talking about renewable sources of energy, what can be better than the abundantly available solar energy? Let’s meet the medium through which this valuable energy can be used for our daily purposes — solar panels.

Our dear sun is screaming out to all of us daily through his beautiful yellow and crimson rays, asking each one of us to make use of his brilliant energy. Even the sun god, Lord Surya, has approved of using his abundant and unlimited supply of energy and has had it streaming in on Earth for millions of years now. So, why don’t we make use of this energy and reduce the cost of electricity and also help bring down the use of the rapidly diminishing fossil fuels, which is causing a dent in our pockets?

Solar Panel

I am the solar panel, and I will enable you to cut costs and use the most effective source of energy to generate power — the sun. I help generate electricity for large commercial and residential establishments. I am a connected package of assembled photovoltaic cells. All solar panels are rated by their DC output power under standard test conditions and the power output of each of the panels typically ranges between 100 and 320 watts. I consist of solar panels, sometimes a battery, a solar tracker, wiring for interconnections, and an inverter.

25


How I Convert Solar Energy into Electricity

My panels are made up of solar cells, which are attached by a wire to a circuit. As light hits this semiconductor, i.e. my solar cells, it gets converted into electricity, which flows through the circuit.

My Birth

I was born sometime during the beginning of the 19th century, and it was observed that the presence of light is capable of generating usable electrical energy. Most of my solar panels are rigid, but I am also available in semi-flexible models based on thin-film cells. My initial panels were first used in space in 1958. Many of my modules are currently produced from silicon photovoltaic cells. Most parts of my modules can be recycled.

How I can Heat Water and also Reduce Costs

At home, most of you use hot water generated from the geyser. Why don’t you install me? I make use of photons, which are light energy from the sun, to produce electricity via the photovoltaic result. My water-heating collectors confine and preserve heat from the sun and transfer this heat to the water, which is stored in the storage tank attached to the heating unit. I am designed in a way wherein I can deliver hot water most of the year, thereby reducing the cost of electricity.

Clean energy source: One of my biggest advantages is the lack of pollution while generating electricity.

Savings: Although the initial cost incurred while installing me could be a bit of a disadvantage, it is majorly seen as a reasonable price to pay, when you realise the savings you could make on your electricity bills.

Renewable: The sun is a renewable energy source, unlike the source that is currently generating your power supply.

Power for everything: I use the sun’s energy to provide light and hot water to homes, offices and industries. For a moment, think about what the most likely source of power you are using for reading this article could be.

I also work in remote regions: I have the advantage to harness power even in the most remote areas, as the biggest source of energy I use is the sun, which can be seen everywhere. My home solar panel can generate a home solar power system, which can make a difference to communities where it is difficult to construct power grids and power lines.

Better ways of using energy: Newer technologies have emerged, which enable us to store electricity that is harnessed though the use of solar-powered battery chargers.This is another reason why you should switch to solar power.

on

it u

t

hichr powered battery chargers

Why You Should Choose Me

Illus

tratio

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Tea

m O

ktop

us



24 Career


26 Grammar



27




28 Little Globetrotter


Feb 2013 Crystal QuestFeb 2013 Crystal Quest

29


1 S P 2R I N G 3S C 4R I P 5T W E Y A 6R O W 7 A U C K 8L A N D 9G 10A R Y T I E N C O C P A E C U H E R Y 11Q U O T E E N R 12S O L 13O 14A I 15M 16V I T 17A M I N C 18U S E

19G E R Y L 20A P 21P R 22E N T I C E 23C A D L L M S H

24L E A G U E 25Y 26B 27S E T O A E 28B O U T I Q U E 29G R E E N

Maze

Solution for Crossword Puzzle 1

30 Activity Page


Solution:

31


CAREER

CHILDREN

COMPUTER

CONTEST

CRYSTAL

EDITOR

EDUCATION

ENVIRONMENT

GAME

GLOBETROTTER

GOA

GRAMMAR

HYDERABAD

MATHEMATICS

MUMBAI

PAGES

PARENT

PEN

PENCIL

PROFESSION

QUESTION

RECIPE

SCHOOL

SCIENCE

SKILLS

SOFT

SPORTS

STUDENT

TALLY

TEACHER

PUZZLE 1Find the key words in the alphabet square given above them.

G S C H O O L P E N C I L T E

C L S C I T A M E H T A M N N

R R O P R O F E S S I O N E V

Y E N B T Q U E S T I O N D I

D E C A E S S C M P F E T U R

P A L I K T H A A A C O L T O

T L B I P I R R Q N G U S S N

Y S L A L E E O E I A B M U M

R L E D R N O I T A C U D E E

S O R T T E C L A T S Y R C N

E E T S N S D T O L E C E D T

N T U I E O J Y G A M R E Q T

H S D G D X C T H S P O R T S

T E A C H E R G R A M M A R N

F P K R E T U P M O C T C P F

T

F

G S C H O O L P E N C I L T E

C L S C I T A M E H T A M N N

R R O P R O F E S S I O N E V

Y E N B T Q U E S T I O N D I

D E C A E S S C M P F E T U R

P A L I K T H A A A C O L T O

T L B I P I R R Q N G U S S N

Y S L A L E E O E I A B M U M

R L E D R N O I T A C U D E E

S O R T T E C L A T S Y R C N

E E T S N S D T O L E C E D T

N T U I E O J Y G A M R E Q T

H S D G D X C T H S P O R T S

T E A C H E R G R A M M A R N

F P K R E T U P M O C T C P F

Solution:

32 Activity Page


ARMY

ATTENTION

AWAKENING

DELIVERANCE

DUEL

ENEMY

FAME

FELONY

HUNGER

IMAGE

INDEPENDENCE

INDIA

INTEGRATION

INTERNATIONAL

KINDRED

KINGDOM

MALE

MESSAGE

MISSION

RARE

RATIFIED

ROUGH

SOLDIERS

TERRAIN

WAR

WARNING

WARSHIP

PUZZLE 2Find the key words in the alphabet square given above them.

R P E I S O L D I E R S A F I

E I G N A H L Y N O L E F M E

L H A D I N T E G R A T I O N

A S S E N E M Y U T N D W K I

M R S P I M A G E D O D W A A

I A E E C N A R E V I L E D R

G W M N X G R P F A T A N F A

V N T D I A N L T M A R O T T

R T I E I D M T O W N M I R I

R E G N U H E O A T R Y S M F

S M D C E N E R D P E E S E I

A I P E T K N R D G T K I M E

A K Q I A I A P A N N Z M A D

Y F O X N P S W L R I I Y F P

Q N H G U O R D A R D K K D R

R P E I S O L D I E R S A F I

E I G N A H L Y N O L E F M E

L H A D I N T E G R A T I O N

A S S E N E M Y U T N D W K I

M R S P I M A G E D O D W A A

I A E E C N A R E V I L E D R

G W M N X G R P F A T A N F A

V N T D I A N L T M A R O T T

R T I E I D M T O W N M I R I

R E G N U H E O A T R Y S M F

S M D C E N E R D P E E S E I

A I P E T K N R D G T K I M E

A K Q I A I A P A N N Z M A D

Y F O X N P S W L R I I Y F P

Q N H G U O R D A R D K K D R

Solution:

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Like our Little Globetrotter page? Now it’s time to test your knowledge on the destination covered in this issue, i.e. Gangtok and its state Sikkim. Here you go!

1) The famous dynasty that once ruled Sikkim: N _ _ G _ _ L

2) The study of Tibetan culture: T _ B _ _ _ L _ _ Y

3) The most important river in Sikkim: T _ E _ T _

4) This elegant dress of Sikkimese women is mostly made from Chinese silk brocade: B _ K _

5) This famous Bollywood actor was born in Sikkim: D _ N _ Y / D _ _ Z _ _ _ P _

6) One of the most popular sports in Gangtok: F _ _ _ B _ _ _

7) This popular footballer hails from Sikkim: B _ _ C _ _ _ G / B _ _ T _ _

8) The art in which craftsmen depict Buddhist paintings on silk with embroidery: T _ _ N _ K _

9) The state animal of Sikkim: R _ _ / P _ _ D _

10) The state bird of Sikkim: B _ _ _ D / P _ _ _ S _ _ T

By Annabel Dsouza

Answers: 1. Namgyal 2. Tibetology3. Teesta

4. Baku5. Danny Denzongpa6. Football7. Baichung Bhutia

8. Thangka9. Red Panda10. Blood Pheasant

Little Globetrotter Quiz

34 Expert Talk


WHAT IS CALCIUM AND WHAT IS ITS IMPORTANCE FOR OUR BODY?

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Apart from being a component of our bones and teeth, it has a wide range of functions. For instance, it regulates many cellular processes. Then, the functioning of the nervous system requires calcium in order to conduct impulses between the neurons (nerve cells).

Calcium and vitamin D are required for the prevention and therapy of osteoporosis. In fact, a good calcium intake during the first ten years of one’s life makes one more resistant to bone fractures caused due to osteoporosis in the older ages. It has been proposed that calcium and vitamin D have additional benefits such as increase in HDL or good cholesterol, maintenance of colon health, reduction in blood pressure, and facilitation of weight loss. Calcium is also important for hormone production.

FOOD SOURCES OF CALCIUMThe best sources of calcium are milk and milk

products such as cheese, , yogurt and buttermilk. Soybean and shellfish, too, are highly rich sources.

There are many other sources of calcium that one can include in their diet, although the absorption is lesser compared to the aforementioned sources.

Calcium – The Hero I make your bones strong,I help your teeth last long.I give you good health every day,So you won’t feel tired all the way.

These are not the only things I do. Read about my powers from what nutritionist Suman Agarwal has to say.

Suman Agarwal is a qualified nutritionist and the founder and owner of Selfcare India (www.selfcareindia.com).

Parents should include certain foods in their children’s meals. Here are some of the recommended food items:

Breakfast: Milk, milk products, milk with cereal Lunch: Any two from chicken, curd, paneer

and tofu Dinner: Any two from chicken, curd, paneer

and tofu

Besides the above, milk or buttermilk (lassi) should be given as an evening snack to children.

Recommended Amount of Calcium-rich Food

CEREALS

PULSES AND LENTILS Bengal gram Whole black gram dal Green gram Horse gram (whole) Moth beans Soybean

DARK GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES

Bottle gourd leaves Colocasia leaves

(black) Colocasia leaves

(dried) Curry leaves Drumstick leaves

Fenugreek leaves Garden cress Turnip greens

NUTS AND OILSEEDS Sunflower seeds Almonds Coconut (dry) Nil seeds Groundnuts Mustard seeds Niger seeds Piyal seeds Safflower seeds White sesame seeds

FRUITS Apricots (dry) Black currants Dry dates Custard apple

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CALCIUM DEFICIENCYIf one, especially a teenager, has calcium deficiency,

their growth, particularly height gain and bone structure, will be affected. Apart from this, the following health risks/diseases can be caused due to calcium deficiency:

Osteoporosis High blood pressure/ hypertension Muscular disorder Muscle cramping, especially in the legs Dry skin/ brittle nails Yellow teeth Tetany Pigeon chest Bone fractures or breakage

MAIN CAUSES OF CALCIUM DEFICIENCYCalcium deficiency is caused due to low vitamin

D3 levels and a poor intake of calcium-rich food. Thus, lack of sun exposure and insufficient consumption of milk and milk products could lead to calcium deficiency.

The test for determining serum-calcium levels is best for checking your vitamin D3 levels, considering the nutrient helps in the absorption of calcium.

OTHER BONE CONDITIONS THAT ONE NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF

Apart from fractures, rickets is a condition to watch out for. This disorder may happen in children with calcium deficiency or a poor dietary intake. It can also be caused due to poor absorption, so, in this case, it is best to maintain vitamin D3 levels. Then, there is the metabolic

bone disease, which is another common outcome of the low dietary intake of calcium. One must also guard against connective tissue disease, commonly known as brittle bone disease, an inherited tissue disorder which can be present in small to lethal forms.

RECOMMENDED EXERCISES Any kind of weight-bearing exercises should be done.

Exercising in the sun is best for calcium absorption. Any sport, especially something with cardiovascular exercises, is good. Research also shows that jumping on the trampoline helps increase calcium levels.

CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTSIn case of children and teenagers, calcium should come

from their diet and not from supplements. Vitamin D3 supplements may be consumed, though. Children should avoid calcium supplements unless they are on steroids. Lactose-intolerant children and adults can consume milk products instead of milk. If required, one can take up to 500 mg of a calcium supplement once a day. In case of severe lactose intolerance, one can consume 500 mg of calcium per day, along with vitamin D.

Recognising a FractureFractures are cracks or breaks in a

bone/s caused due to injuries. When there is acute pain and swelling in the part where one has hurt themselves, it is a sign of a fracture.

Treatment of a Fracture A fracture must be immediately looked into by a

specialist. It can be treated by a cast or, in extreme cases, by a surgery. An X-ray is used to identify the breaking of

the bone. During the cure procedure, it must be ensured that the patient’s calcium intake increases and that their body has high vitamin D levels to enable the absorption of calcium.

First Aid Till the Patient Reaches the Hospital

The best thing to do is to immobilise the affected body part and use a stick or support on the broken area. Do not apply any pressure on or massage that portion of the body. One can take a dose of a painkiller.

HEALING FRACTURES

The ideal amount of calcium intake for children and adults is as follows:

Children: 500–800 mg Growing children (ages 9–18): 1,300 mg Adults: 1,000–1,200 mg

Pregnant and lactating women, as well as those who have undergone menopause, require a higher intake.



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2438 Teachers Talk



39Parents Talk




2440 Children Talk



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42 Grooming


Our feet are, in a way, our extremely important companions because they enable us to walk, run, jump and play. Hence, it is crucial that we look after them for a happy and active life.

A typical day for children involves various activities such as walking, running, playing and jumping. Our feet not only support us in all these activities but also carry most of our body weight. Many of us tend to neglect the cleanliness and well-being of our feet, and, as a result, we become prone to injuries and infections. Can you imagine what may happen to one’s playtime if their feet are hurting? Hence, it is important to include maintaining foot hygiene and foot care in our schedule.

There are two main reasons why children’s feet need special attention and care. Firstly, unlike adults’ feet, children’s feet are in the growth stage and hence their bones, muscles and tendons are supple and highly prone to injuries. However, in case of an injury, children’s feet recover soon after receiving orthopaedic help. Secondly, owing to rigorous playing and sweating, children’s feet may meet with many wounds and infections.

Following are some common foot problems that occur in adults as well as children:

Guide to Happy Feet

Verruca/Plantar Warts: Types of warts that grow on the soles of the feet and can be itchy or painful.

Calluses/Corns: Raw and hurtful areas of skin that has thickened. Also known as hyperkeratosis.

Athlete’s Foot/Tinea Pedis: This is a skin infection caused by a microscopic fungus. Also known as ringworm of the foot.

Ingrown toenails: This is a painful condition of the toe, wherein there is pain along the edges of the nail.

Foot Hygiene

Along with overall cleanliness habits such as brushing their teeth and having a bath, children should be taught to ensure foot sanitation as well. Following are some simple and effective ways that help when done regularly:

Always trim toenails. Dirt collects easily in long nails and crevices, resulting in foul-smelling feet.

Immerse your feet in hot water with some antiseptic and soak for 15–30 minutes.

Gently scrub your feet with a loofah or a pumice stone after washing them.

Sana Krishna and Annabel Dsouza

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Before going to bed, massage some coconut oil onto your feet and wear socks. Wash your feet thoroughly the next morning.

Treat for Your Feet — A Mini Pedi!

Sometimes, after a long playtime, all you may want to do is take off those stress-filled shoes, unwind and relax your feet. A mini pedi (mini pedicure for children) will help you do just that.

Yes, who says pedicures are just for our parents? This simple and fun pedicure can be performed at home by following just a few steps.

Mommy, I would need these:

Nail clipper Cuticle cream Cuticle pusher Cotton pads Emery board Loofah or pumice stone Gentle foot scrub Foot moisturiser A bucket, with soapy water and lots of bubbles in it

Mommy, let’s do this:

Clip your nails to a decent size and shape them using an emery board.

Soak your feet in water containing; half a cup of sea salt, lemon juice, few drops of your favourite liquid soap and 10–12 drops of any essential oil such as lavender and eucalyptus. Immerse your feet in this water for 20 minutes. Pat them dry and remember to dry the space between your toes.

Apply some cold cuticle cream to your feet and leave it on for 5–7 minutes. Exfoliate using a gentle pumice stone to get rid of the dry and dead skin cells. Wipe off the cream and use a cuticle pusher to push back your cuticles lightly (ask an elder to assist you with this). Then, wipe your feet dry and gently massage them with a foot scrub.

After scrubbing, wash your feet well, dry them, and apply a generous amount of moisturiser on them.

A healthy and happy life depends a lot on the well-being of your feet. Hence, you must take care of them and also create awareness among your friends and family members. Ask your sports teacher to show you stretching exercises for the feet and always warm up before you start intensive running. Also, do not ignore any pain in or injury on your feet and inform your parents/teachers immediately. This will ensure that you keep tapping to the tunes of life with your healthy and happy feet.

Our footwear forms an integral part of our attire. Whether going to school or for a birthday party, we choose our shoes to suit the occasion. However, we must also consider our comfort and cleanliness while selecting footwear. Following are some points to remember while choosing footwear:

Try wearing comfortable shoes such as trainers and sneakers as and when possible. Avoid wearing high heels for too long. Measure your feet every six weeks if you feel your shoes get too tight after some time of purchase. Choose well-fitting shoes and ensure they have enough space so that you can wiggle your toes. While buying sports shoes, press your heel onto the ground to check whether you have sufficient cushioning. Wear fresh, clean cotton socks and change them everyday.

A Boot that Suits

A specialist who treats foot problems is known as a podiatrist.

A human foot and ankle consist of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments.

The foot has over 25 per cent of the bones of the human body.

Roughly 5,00,000 sweat glands exist in a pair of feet.

The afternoon is the best time to shop for shoes, as the feet tend to be more swollen then.

Fun facts about the feet



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2445Soft Skills for kids




2446 Soft Skills for Teachers


49Confessions of a Prankaholic


Last Christmas, I wanted to gift something to my 18-year-old brother but didn’t know what. On the night before Christmas Eve, I got an idea. I stealthily walked into my brother’s room and stole his beloved gaming console. The next morning, my brother was all panicky and teary-eyed, as he wasn’t able to locate his prized possession. I then suggested that we pray to Santa Claus for the console to be returned and also put out a huge stocking near the window in the living room. At night, when my brother went to his room for sleep, I furtively put his console into the stocking. Finally, on Christmas, when my brother opened the stocking, he was overjoyed to see his lost gaming console brought back to him. He somehow sensed that something was fishy, so he asked me whether I had anything to do with this “weird” situation. It was no use withholding the truth from him, so I admitted my prank. Much to my surprise, my brother wasn’t a bit angry. In fact, he bought me my favourite comic book as my Christmas present.

HIMANSHU R., 11 years

I once wanted to play a prank on my elder brother just for fun. Each of us has a pair of jeans which are of the same colour, make and brand but differ in times of size. One day, while my brother was having a bath and his clothes were lying on his bed, I replaced his pair of jeans with mine. When my brother emerged from the bathroom and tried to put on his pair, he just couldn’t get them on him. He tried, tugged, pushed, pulled and forced them up his legs, but the jeans just didn’t fit him. And then he noticed the sticker on the jeans where the waist size was written. He also saw me laughing from behind the door. So, he ran after me, caught me and tickled me to no end. But, I must say, it was fun to watch my brother struggle with the pair of jeans that he can never get into.

SIDDHARTH B. KULKARNI, 12 years

My best friend is a huge fan of a famous Bollywood actor. She really wants to meet him someday. Once, all of us friends wrote her a fake letter from that celebrity, in which “he” said that he really admires her as a fan and wants to meet her. My friend was so overjoyed. But one of our group members accidentally slipped out the truth and dashed all her hopes. She was so crestfallen. However, we assured her that we will soon help her meet him one day. We then got her a DVD of a film starring that actor and watched it at her house. She was cheered up.

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57Yoga


Looking to increasing your height? Then get started on these simple yoga exercises, which also come with a lot of other health benefits.

Priyanka Agarwal

It feels great to be blessed with a good height. After all, our height is an indicator of our growth and development levels. Here are some easy-to-do yoga , which, if practised regularly and dedicatedly, can help boost your height. Also described are their health benefits other than height increase.Sukhasana

Sit on the floor and stretch out your legs. Now, fold them in to form a cross-legged position.

Make sure your hands are resting on your knees and your back is straight. Also, your bottom should be pushed to the floor and your knees should be as close to the floor as you can bring them to be.

Close your eyes, do some deep breathing, and concentrate on it.

After five deep breaths, raise your arms above your head while you inhale and bring them down while you exhale. Repeat this 5–6 times. Straighten your legs and relax.

Tall Aims

Benefits:

Calms your mind and relieves tiredness. Strengthens your back and stretches your knees

and ankles. Fortifies your collarbones.

Precaution:

You should avoid performing this in case there is an inflammation or injury in your knee or hips.

Tadasana Stand straight with the big toes touching each other

and heels a bit apart. Try to keep all your toes in alignment; if doing this is difficult, keep a distance of about 3–5 inches between your feet.

Sway back and forth on your toes. Once you feel your body weight is evenly distributed on both your feet, stop swaying and stand firm.

Keep your thighs firm, but do not lock your knees. Pull your belly and hips in. Position your arms on the sides of your body with

your palms in and fingers together. Slightly pull your shoulders away and back to open your chest.

Stand tall, take a few deep breaths, and visualise a tall mountain that is aiming to reach the sky.

Benefits:

Improves your posture and strengthens your core muscles, thighs and legs.

Improves organs as well as life processes such as digestion and respiration.

Facilitates mind-body balance.

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2458 On the shelf


Visakhapatnam Merchant Details Nature Of Discount/OfferChill Out Ice Cream Parlour Get an ice-cream Sundae worth ` 65/- on bill value above ` 400/-

She Collections Clothing Store 10% on Clothing

Punjabi Tadka/Hangout Cafe 10% on Food

Dolls-n-Chic Boutique 10% on Clothing

Club Latitudes - Spa, Salon & Health Club 15% on Spa, Salon & Health Club

Rana’s Fashion Port 10% Flat discount on shopping above ` 1000/-

Gini & Jony 10% Flat discount on shopping above ` 1000/-

Purple Fashions 10% cash discoount on all products

Aarif Opticians 15% to 30% discount

Wardrobe Clothing Store 10% discount on clothing

WFC - Food and Gaming Zone 15% on Food

Deep Blues Clothing Store 30% on Clothing

13 Square - Food and Gaming Zone 20% on party hall, 12% on food and gaming

Suhagan Beauty Parlour 10% on all services

Nu Yu Beauty Salon From 10% to 20% on Skin and Hair services *T&C Apply

Raaghavi Beauty Parlour 10% on Beauty and Hair Services and 25% to 30% on Gym services*T&C Apply

Hyderabad Merchant Details Nature Of Discount/OfferPriyanka Enterprises 10% on any saleArchies Dilshuknagar 10% On GiftsArchies Kothapet 10% On GiftsThe Looms 10% From ` 3000 & 5% From 1K to 2999Sri Rama Kids Wear 10% From ` 500 OnwardsNagender Ribbon and Bangle store 5% on all itemsAbhinav Homeo stores 10 % on all treatments and productsHeera Stationery and Novelties 10% on all books and stationery (except note books)Tripura Gifts and Novelties 10% on all gifts and toysHonest Bag Centre 10% on all ranges of bagsBombay Gift House 10% on all gifts, toys and stationeryYSSR Computers 5 - 10% on all itemsSmart Training and research India Pvt Ltd 5 - 10% on all itemsDBRS Naturals and Herbals 10% on all items

GOAMerchant Details Nature Of DiscountAhsaan Bags 10% on all productsFootmark Bicholim Goa 10% on all productsJai Santoshi Pearls,Panji 15% on all range of pearls

Kanekar Corner 10% on all branded earrings15% on other prodcuts

KGN Gifts and Toys Corner 10% on all accessories

Laxmi store (book store) 10% on stationery and gifts5% on sports wear 20% on bags

Singbal’s Book House 10% on all books (other than notebooks)Tanin garments 15% on all range of clothesBlue Lady water park Free entry to the park (FLAT ` 350/- discount)Time Zone (Play area for kids) Free entry to the park (FLAT ` 250/- discount)

List of Merchants and Offers Valid on Student Discount Card

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