leaving neverland coverpage -combined

Letter from the Editorial Team
As children, we’ve all read Peter Pan and
longed to live in a Neverland where we
wouldn't grow up and would never have to
deal with the realities of a fast-changing
world. However, now that we’ve grown up
and are more sensible youths than we were
back then, we have come to realize that
Neverland isn’t all that it seemed to be.
Leaving Neverland refers to the rite of
passage from childhood to adulthood, and
how our perceptions have progressed from
childish imagination and wishful thinking to
mature understanding and sensible
thoughts. In the book, Peter Pan, the Lost
Kids who live in Neverland along with Peter
Pan never grew up. Human children, unlike
the former, are compelled to grow up, often
too fast in the ever-changing world.
Certainly, it would appear easier to live in a
world where we would never grow up and
have to take on responsibility, but it's
imperative that we realize that the future is
in our hands and we must shape it. It's this
thought that inspired us to take up the theme
“Leaving Neverland” and embark on this
enlightening journey of learning and
rethinking, addressing old myths and
fairytales, debunking age-old stereotypes,
and representing the youth in its entirety.
And thus, comes into play our title, Leaving
Neverland. Leaving Neverland is an
indication of maturity and understanding
the world in a new light,
an idea which has been carried forward in our
magazine from our artworks describing
broken dreams to poems talking about
mythical creatures “sirens” who we once
thought to exist to our notions about various
communities. Our magazine is a safe haven
for everyone, just the way they are because
growing up doesn’t mean giving up identities.
To stay in line with our theme of a magical
realm, “Neverland”, we’ve decided to name the
sections of our magazine after the chapters of
the original book Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.
This "train of thoughts" came to life and was
digitally revived thanks to the efforts of our
entire team of 11 members. We wouldn't have
been able to provide the readers with such a
diverse range of content, all of which pertains
to our theme if it weren’t for the contributions
of our entire class 11 Science C.
Working on this magazine with the rest of the
editorial board was an experience that will
remain etched in our hearts till the end of
eternity, or in simpler words, unforgettable.
We hope that this magazine communicated to
you our theme in all its splendour.
We would like to thank all the teachers of the
English Department who gave us this golden
opportunity to publish our thoughts in our
very own magazine thus letting us unleash our
true potential in various domains.
Lastly, we would like to wish all of our readers
happy reading!!
With regards,
Anvi & Sradha
Chief Editors

CHIEF EDITORS:
ANVI ANNA KOCHIYPE
SRADHA AZHUTHUPURAKKAL PRADEEP
ZOBIYA MOHAMMED JAVED ANSARI
MANAGING EDITORS:
ARYA VINOD
KAATHI TERESA SIBI
NEHA ANIL
1
2
MEET
THE
TEAM
COPYEDITORS:
ARCHITA YOGESH PATANKAR
JOANNA ANN JOHNSON
NAQIYA INAYAT HATHIARI
3
ART DIRECTORS:
AMRUTA EKNATH MANCHEKAR
VAISHNAVI VADLA
ZOBIYA MOHAMMED JAVED ANSARI
4
SPECIAL CREDITS:
NEHA ANIL: TITLE CREDITS
ZOBIYA ANSARI: CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
5
The Indian High School Dubai
P.O Box no. 106
Oud Metha
Dubai, UAE
Contact us:
editorialteam11scic@gmail.com

05
Extremely
Happy Hook
Our childhood memories often resurface.
Moments filled with different emotions often
leave us feeling nostalgic and making us wish
they'd never end. Here are a few of the highlights
from our childhood that still hook us up and make
us extremely happy.
T E L L U S Y O U R S T O R Y

06
Moments
B Y F A T I M A K H A N
Memorable
Everyone has a memorable
unforgettable moment in their lifetime
and will cherish that moment as long
as they live. I am one of those many
with a memorable loving moment. I will
never forget it. It has been one of many
favorite moments in my life.
My sweet 16 is definitely one of my
most favorite birthdays I have ever had.
Although it was the time when Covid 19
had started and everyone was scared
to step out, I felt I would never have a
sweet 16.
As a girl, sweet 16 is the most
important birthday anyone could have
and mine was during the deadly
pandemic.
As the day had begun, I was hopeless
and figured out that I would just spend
the rest of the day sleeping and binge
watching Netflix. I was lying on the
couch when the bell rang and to my
surprise it was my two best friends with
gifts in hand and a cake and I was on top
of the world. I was the happiest teen at
that point of time. It was so surprising
that they would even turn up for my
birthday with the whole pandemic going
on. I love small gestures and these small
gestures mean a lot.
My sweet 16 might not be the one I have
dreamt for but It was the best day I have
had yet. This was the most memorable
moment I have had till date.

08
Where wishes
become a reality...
True
Come Island Featured here, our writers show
how they weave ideas together to
create a whole new universe.
Come along, dear reader as we
unravel threads of creativity and
imagination and bring intricate
thoughts and feelings to life.

09
The siren
Beyond the gaps between the days and nights,
A vengeful sound that lures and bites
Easily beguiled into a compliance
Filling the distance with tears and diamonds
The cruel and cold wind left behind a darkness
That lead to a sky of vain promises
The creature’s wings grew closer and closer
Before we knew it, we were a shipwreck ashore.
~ A Poem written by
Soha Saifullah Khan

10
Those were
the days
It was a warm dawn, two hours behind sunrise, and Nancy lay on her soft bed dreaming.
The radio alarm was already alive with the dulcet tones. Nancy’s hand moves to the
mobile screen next to her bed to hit the snooze button. A snooze would help her relax a
little more. The alarm did its duty once again, but this time it woke up not only Nancy but
her mom in the next room too.
Nancy was wide awake but didn't want to get up, more like she was feeling overwhelmed
and wasn't ready to face the day. With the list of assignments flashing through her mind.
It's said that ‘real studies start from grade 11 and Nancy was not prepared for all that.
She crawled out of her bed and Nancy’s parents greeted her with lovely smiles but their
smiles faded…." Did you pull an all-nighter again? " Nancy’s mother asked, looking at the
dark circles around her eyes. Nancy’s mom sighed and told her to get a few more hours of
sleep. She shook her head indicating she couldn't.
She got the morning routine done in a while and then headed to the kitchen to make her
favorite coffee. While having coffee she sat down at her desk to get some work done.
Nancy’s desk looks brighter as the sunlight is now hitting through the windows. Sunny
room with a cup of coffee and good books! But there’s more to it than that. Sunlight
makes people happier too. When she was getting it done Dad barges into the room to tell
Nancy “We are going to Lia's home for lunch as it’s a holiday”. Lia is Nancy’s 8-year-old
cousin. Nancy had just started with her assignments and was not in the mood for a ride.
She wanted to go but the list of assignments was stopping her. “But what about the
assignments? Never mind, I'll do them later,” she told herself. She got dressed and then
followed her parents to their car and sat in the back seat. She bobbed her head to the
favorite songs, not forgetting the assignments in line. Her excitement and happiness
quadrupled when she met Lia and pulled her into a deep hug. Lia smiled from ear to ear
and pulled Nancy into her room. They were talking and giggling and playing so much that
Nancy couldn’t stop herself from envying Lia. She seemed so free and happy. It made her
think about her childhood days and made her want to turn into a child. “Being a teen isn’t
bad either. Besides, I have to create an identity now, and when you put it like that it
doesn’t seem so bad.” They both enjoyed it so much they lost track of time and it was time
for Nancy to go back home. They bid their goodbyes and Nancy returned home. Later in
the evening, she managed to complete all her assignments at a stretch. At 5 in the
morning, she got up from her desk only to get a 2-hour nap before she had to wake up to
attend her online lecture.
~A short story by
Neha Prashant

11
teenagers
One day they disappear
Into their rooms.
Doors and lips shut
And we become strangers
in our own home.
in pace the hall, hear whispers,
a code I knew but can’t remember,
mouthed by mouths I taught to speak.
years later the door opens.
I see face I once held,
Open as sunflowers in my hands. I see
Familiar skin stretched on long bodies
That move past me
Almost glowing like pearls.
~A poem written by
Sameeha sabeer

Leaving Neverland
12
I wonder how much we really change,
or is it everyone around us who keeps changing?
I wish I could remain a kid immature and honest,
Why is it always necessary to be mature and
dishonest?
I miss those days where I played tag with my
friends,
Now I play tag with all the burden that never ends.
Decent clothes, proper behaviour, good job
their expectations aren't that high,
but in the burden of that, we forgot our innocence in
life
What can we do now?
We are left with no choice,
so let's act like grown-up toys
~ A Poem written by
Riona Benny

13
wish i was older
Looked at the bigger picture,I was a supporting role
World was a better place, I was given a protecting layer
shielding me from the reality
Those faded shade from the pencil never gave me the
reality check of those coloured life that I could have been
living with
I wish I knew the path of roses were full of thorns and
bushes
The child in me was never prepared for the harsh men
around me
I wish those fairy tales showed me the real picture , instead
of the glittery page that showed , the prince would come
dim the light of my sufferings
I wish I knew the bitter truth!
~A poem by Prarthana
Sutheesh Kumar

Bulletin
for teens
Growing up is losing some illusions in
order to acquire others.
~Virginia Woolf
Join us as we embark on a
journey growing up and saying
goodbye to all the delusions that
blinded us when we were young
kids. Within this section, we
discuss some important topics
that are key to our transitional
phase and that need to be
addressed among the youth to
help shape a better future.
14
Growing Up and Good-byes
Section edited by:
Zobiya Mj Ansari

The Token Gay
17
Is Queer Culture in Media for
Queer People?
The queer cinema also tends to
have an excessive focus on pain and
suffering as key plots in place of
happy endings. This is also known
as the "Bury Your Gays" trope.
Whether torn apart by death,
homophobia, or the dissolution of a
relationship, the common thread
was LGBTQ+ characters were being
torn apart by something.
ENVISION MOVIE NIGHT.
You've bundled up in your
chunkiest quilt, prepared all
the hors d'oeuvres, and
scrolled through the black hole
that is the Netflix homepage. A
film with a sapphic couple on
the poster catches your eye, or
so you thought. You just
wasted one hour and fortythree
minutes of your life on a
botched movie with a worn-out
stereotypical lesbian character
that only had 2 minutes of
screen time. Yes, we are all
unsatisfied. Pressures us to
often wonder why media
marketed towards queer
people is such a let-down to
said people.
Sadly, numerous queer stories are sterilized to
fit the heterosexual gaze. To appeal to a
larger straight audience, queer storytelling
tends to be over-fetishized, or the characters
are created to be the butt of the joke. This is
why it's important to have a queer crew
working behind the scenes to provide an
accurate portrayal that satisfies the audience's
desire of finding normal and realistic versions
of queerness rather than the token gay guy
present there for comedic relief. Other poor
depictions of the LGBTQ+ community in media
include bisexuality being "just a phase",
pansexual people as promiscuous individuals,
and the glamorization of pedophilic and
abusive relationships which perpetuates false
stereotypes to people who do not know better.
There is also a severe misrepresentation of
transgender and bisexual men in media.
Queer culture in India is limited
because of the widespread social
stigma around it but there has been
a progression. The first Hindi film to
openly deal with homosexual
relations is ‘Fire’ (1996) which
heated up controversy throughout
the country. ‘The Journey’ is a 2004
Malayalam feature film and is a true
story about lesbian lovers in the
south Indian state of Kerala and
Shelly Chopra's ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha
Toh Aisa Laga’ is a landmark of
LGBTQ+ representation in
Bollywood. These films played a
vital role in the acceptance of queer
communities in India. Nevertheless,
most LGBTQ+ appearances are
used in satirical or comical ways
which defeats the purpose of having
a queer role on screen for queer
people to relate to.
Over the last decade,
representation of the LGBTQ+
community in popular culture has
increased exponentially. But from
music to film, it is straight people
who are often reaping the rewards
of queerness becoming more
mainstream. So it is necessary to
switch it up and deliver narratives
about queer people that boost their
voices and represent them
genuinely instead of labeling baiting
storylines as "visibility".
A R T I C L E W R I T T E N B Y :
K A A T H I T E R E S A S I B I

DISNEY
PRINCESSES
Role models or A rebranded
representation of societal stereotypes?
19
Growing up, we all had a phase where we
wished to be Disney princesses. Be it, Ariel or
Belle, we wanted to be as beautiful as them,
and marry our very own prince charming.
However, now, as young adults, we don’t find
them, good heroes or role models. In fact, at
times their stories fail to amuse us. Leaving
Neverland, a sign that we’re growing up, also
that changes the way we think. We no longer
think that princesses have to be fair and thin to
be beautiful, or that they need a man in their
life to make it complete. Appalling as it may be,
a majority of the Disney princesses are
teenagers, Snow White, the youngest, being as
young as 14. She gets married to a random
prince that kisses her awake. Thinking about it
as educated young adults, there is no
involvement of consent.
The prince didn’t ask her permission before
kissing her, how is he then a perfect
gentleman? How can it be that he is her prince
charming? At the end of the story, she marries
him, a mere teenager, marrying someone she
met once. Yes, it truly is a heartwarming tale.
The story of Ariel had reduced many of us to
tears. Her everlasting love for a prince that
fails to recognize her as his savior, and a father
prevents her from following the man she loved.
Or saying it as if it was the man she saw once.
When we were younger, we hated Ariel’s dad
for not letting her go after the man she loves,
for not letting her explore the human world as
she wanted. Yet, now, with our minds more
capable of comprehending situations, we longer
think so. Leaving behind her entire life,
sacrificing her voice for a man she saw once?
Love at first sight though it may be, I don’t think any of us would leave lives
behind our entire lives to follow a man whom we saw once, whose name we
don’t know. Can we really blame Ariel’s dad then? He simply wanted to
protect his daughter from the human world, from humans who captured his
wife. I consider it perfectly justified in telling her no. It would be the
reaction of any dad when his daughter tells him that she wants to leave her
home and go in search of a man she saw once. Realistic? I believe not. What
makes it more comical is the fact that a Disney movie, Frozen, made the line
“You can’t marry a man you just met” very popular. I fail to understand how
Ariel can marry a man she saw once and knows nothing about, but Elsa can
stop Anna from marrying a man she just met because she just met him. This is
why I think that Disney princesses are not magical fairy tales of happily ever
afters, but unrealistic approaches to societal stereotypes, with a rebranding of
course because when we watch Disney movies, we too fail to understand these.
An article written by Sradha
Azhuthupurakkal Pradeep

20
A R T I C L E W R I T T E N B Y : Z O B I Y A M O H A M M E D J A V E D A N S A R I
The Mark Of
Shame
The Stigma Around
Mental Health
DO YOU REMEMBER BEING ON THE BEACH AS A LITTLE KID?
The feeling of salty sea breeze, miles of powdery white sand glittering by the
ocean as far as the eye can see, and because you're little, you start playing in the
sand. You'll run your fingers through it and trace a circle around yourself. Now
imagine you can't leave that circle, and this stretch of surf is yours, miles and miles
of space, and you're trapped in this little circle. To make it even better you're
surrounded by family, friends, doctors, teachers cheering you on telling you that
you can do it, you can scuff out that line. But only you have the power to break
that circle and breaking it is the scariest thing you'll ever do because that circle is
your disorder and that surf is your brain and mental disorders prevent you from
using your brain to the extent of its capacity. They prevent you from engaging in
so many vital experiences. Take a roller coaster for example - Just think of that
shiny new roller coaster that enthralls everyone but terrifies you because of
severe anxiety or OCD that rejects red machinery. You'd really like to ride it, but
only the blue one next to it because touching the red one makes you want to wash
your hands, your face and rub your temples three times. Maybe you can ride it but
you can't enjoy it because you're saddled with major depression.
Mental illness is commonly thought of as conditions like depression,
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, intellectual disturbances like
autism, learning disabilities like ADHD, as well as addictions to alcohol and drugs.
Some that are very prevalent these days include Anorexia, bulimia, and binge
eating, which are neither lifestyle choices nor cries for attention - they occur
frequently due to low self-esteem and body image and social media is the root
cause. All of these conditions affect the same areas of the brain and disturb, by
varying degrees, cognition, perception, and emotion regulation. The WHO has
estimated that 20% of the world's population suffers from mental disorders at
some point in their lifetime. That's one in five people, which constitutes a billion
people worldwide. If you do the math, everyone would know someone who
suffers from a mental disorder, and the fact that many of us may think we don't,
reflect three inconvenient truths: we lack an understanding and awareness of
what mental illness is, we're reluctant or ashamed to admit it and lastly mental
illness is highly stigmatized.
Now, Stigma literally means "dishonor" or "disgrace" associated with a particular
circumstance, quality, or person. Why should mental illness be similarly
stigmatized? Well, to show you how insidious stigma can be, let's do a little
thought experiment. Imagine that you were invited to celebrate your friend’s
birthday party, and you were picked to bring the cake. However, on the day of the
event, you got sick. When you call to cancel, would you prefer to say that you
couldn't come because you had a kidney stone or that you were depressed and
suicidal? Or would you rather say you threw out your back or were having a panic
attack? Or would you rather explain that you were having a migraine or you were
strung out on prescription pain medication? If you would prefer the former to the
latter in each case, you are affected by stigma. Even on those days when you use
mental illnesses as adjectives to interpret descriptive emotions or vehemence that
last for a minuscule moment contributes to the stigma that makes people isolate
their mental illness for years. Claiming these illnesses to describe emotions is
derogatory and triggering to those who are currently suffering, experiencing
trauma, undergoing treatment, or even confined and constricted in hospitals.
It can be very annoying when your
condition is assumed as illegitimate
because of a lack of visual proof. This
is the main difference between
mental and physical afflictions
because, with the more superficially
physical, everyone knows instantly -
it can be an alienator but it yields
instant sympathy, which is a contrast
to reactions towards mental
afflictions. This insensitive nature is
why prejudices arise to a degree -
these people have isolated
themselves so far from other
sufferings that they simply don't
care. Another quite often
misinterpreted situation that
displays illiteracy is people having a
mental image of what depression
looks like. But depression is not
always a frown on the face, a
sorrowful outlook, or a hint of
sadness. Even an active person with
the perfect lifestyle could be going
through it and you wouldn't even
know. Just because you can't see it
doesn't mean it's not there. Everyone
with a mental illness goes through a
different cycle, what may be a
symptom for one may not be a
symptom for the other.
Stigma is not unique to mental
illness. We've seen it associated with
illnesses throughout human history
such as Tuberculosis, leprosy,
cancer, and the most dramatic
example being AIDS. In the late
1970s, at St. Vincent's Hospital in the
Greenwich Village section of New
York City when the first cases of AIDS
began to appear, patients came into
the emergency room with terrible
infections, and the doctors couldn't
figure out what was wrong with
them. They had no treatments, and
soon invariably died. This by itself
would have been enough to
stigmatize this illness, but the fact
that it was occurring predominantly
in discriminated groups, including
members of the LGBTQA+
community and intravenous drug
users, made its victims virtual
pariahs. In response, the AIDS
Advocacy Group and community
aggressively spoke out. They
expanded awareness, and they
pressured the government to fund
research. Within five years, two
scientists isolated the human
immunodeficiency virus, the cause of
AIDS.

21
By 1987, AZT was introduced, the first treatment for AIDS and now AIDS is like diabetes. It's a chronic illness but you could live
a pretty normal life with treatment. Contrast the outcome of actor Rock Hudson, who was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984, and
was no more within a year, to the former Lakers player Magic Johnson, who was diagnosed with HIV AIDS in 1991, and he's
still living a normal life. That is the power of science leading to knowledge, awareness, and effective treatments. Treatments
don't just eliminate the symptoms of the illness, they also eliminate prejudice and stigma.
A particularly difficult condition that psychiatrists treat is called borderline personality disorder. This affects young people
and produces extreme mood volatility, self-mutilating behavior, and stormy relationships with people. The noxious nature of
the behavior drives away family and friends, and even psychiatrists are reluctant to treat patients. Therefore, we don't have
treatments for every disorder and not all patients respond well.
As we’ve known, there's been no anti-oncology movement that's trying to ban cancer treatment and there's no anti-cardiology
movement that's trying to stamp out cardiology. But there's a virulent anti-psychiatry movement that claims there's no such
thing as mental illness and wants to eliminate psychiatry. If we think of mental illness like we do heart disease, then symptoms
like depression would be like chest pain, anxiety would be like shortness of breath and psychosis would be like an arrhythmia.
In the former case, symptoms emanate from the brain. In the latter case, they emanate from the heart. But the brain is
infinitely more complicated than the heart, or any other organ in the human body, for that matter.
The heart is a pump composed of four chambers, a dozen blood
vessels, and two billion muscle cells. The brain, on the other hand, is a
three-pound corrugated mass of tissue composed of over 100 billion
neurons, which makeover 30 trillion connections and form an intricate
array of a myriad of neural circuits, which simultaneously orchestrate
functions as basic and vital as breathing, temperature regulation,
hunger, and coordinate movement. It also forms your personality and
who you are as a person. The brain gives rise to consciousness and
creativity, and it also houses the human spirit. It's no wonder that it's
taken us so long to understand the brain and appreciate how it relates
to behavior and mental illness.
It’s particularly ironic that while people
have suffered from mental disorders
throughout human history, due to the fact
that we had no knowledge and limited or no
effective treatments, in the 21st century when
we do have treatments, the biggest barriers
are lack of awareness, lack of access to care,
and stigma.
UNTREATED
MENTAL ILLNESS,
PERPETUATING
MISCONCEPTIONS
AVOIDANCE
OF HELP AND
RESOURCES
STIGMA
The Vicious
Cycle Of
Stigma
FEAR OF
DISCRIMINA-
TION
NEGATIVE
PERCEPTION
OF MENTAL
ILLNESS
How can we stop the suffering, the violence, the
stigma? We have to begin by recognizing mental illness
for what it is, a medical condition that can be treated
like we do physical illness. If you looked around and saw
somebody next to you who was grimacing in pain or
choking, you would rush up to them or you would ask
them, "Is there something wrong, or can I help you?"
But we don't do this when we see somebody who's
emotionally distressed or acting strangely, or too often
intoxicated. However, that's what we need to do. We
need to be involved, show our concern, and not be
afraid to ask. What's the worst that can happen? They
say to you indignantly, "Mind your own business"? Or
"I'm fine, thank you"? But the best that can happen is
you may be able to get somebody's help and alleviate
unnecessary suffering and potential harm to themselves
or others. Now, that will work for those around us, or
those who are close to us, but to have an effect on the
whole population, we need to influence the government
and the media, either individually or through advocacy
groups. We have to make them understand that mental
illnesses are real medical conditions and that we have
effective treatments that must be made available to
people.
Compassion is something that we all can show to people, including those with mental illness. You know, Lady Gaga said, “We
gotta take care of each other. So if you see somebody that’s hurting, don’t look away. If you’re hurting, even though it
might be hard, try to find that bravery to dive deep and tell somebody.” If someone around you is trying to open up to you
about what they're going through, please listen, don't minimize what they're trying to tell you, and be patient because imagine
how hard it is for them. Mental health is not a destination but a journey, it's about how you drive and not where you're going.
So while science and medicine continue to pursue the causes and the cures of mental illness, I ask that you find the
heart and muster the will to reach out to all people, particularly people who may show signs of mental illness, to raise
awareness to the public, to the government, and to the media to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY
ACORN KISSES
AND
JEALOUS FAIRIES
22
Ever wanted to know what it would be like to peek
into a vibrant & colorful world filled with dazzling
details that fill you with awe and wonder, and
encourage you to not let go of your imagination,
just like something straight out of a dream? Well,
dear reader, you’re in luck because this next
section is filled with beautiful, intricate artworks -
with each piece telling its own little story.

The
23
Playground
PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN BY AYESHA
MAQBOOL NAKHUDA
What are some of the most memorable
experiences that we have had in our
childhood? Going to the beach,
learning how to ride a bicycle for the
first time, a terrifying visit to the
dentist, meeting friends at school,
and enjoying the playground. When it
comes to the playground, we see loads
of happiness and joy around us, and
of course, a LOT OF SAND!
Running to the swing so no one else gets to it
first, trying to find a partner for the seesaw,
burying our bare feet in the sand, making sand
sculptures, holding on to the monkey bar and
doing stunts are all memories we can’t seem to
forget. An indelible memory is getting hurt on
our knees and getting shouted at by our parents
later, yet we would not hesitate to make mischief
in the playground the next time despite all the
warnings! We all wish to go back to those days…

25
A T I M E T O
R E M E M B E R
T E L E V I S I O N F L I C K S
A R T W O R K B Y S A R A H A R O U S H
C h i l d h o o d m e m o r i e s a r e s p e c i a l f o r e v e r y o n e b e c a u s e t h e y t e n d t o b e
t h e m o s t p e r s o n a l . I c a n ' t i m a g i n e m y c h i l d h o o d w i t h o u t r e m e m b e r i n g
a l l t h e t i m e I ' v e s p e n t a t n u r s e r y a n d t h e f i r s t f e w y e a r s o f s c h o o l .
C o m i n g h o m e a f t e r w h a t I w o u l d c a l l " a l o n g d a y " , a n d w a t c h i n g
t e l e v i s i o n w a s m y f a v o r i t e t h i n g t o d o . I w o u l d w a t c h a v a r i e t y o f
s h o w s a n d c a r t o o n s s u c h a s H a r r y P o t t e r , D o r a e m o n , S p o n g e B o b ,
S c o o b y - D o o , C a r s , a n d o f c o u r s e C h h o t a B h e e m . I w o u l d i m a g i n e m y s e l f
a s t h e m a i n c h a r a c t e r , a c t t h e m o u t a n d s o m e t i m e s d r a w t h e m t o o . T h e
o b s e s s i o n w a s r e a l . A s I g r e w u p , I g o t c a u g h t u p w i t h t o u g h e r c l a s s e s ,
h o m e w o r k , a n d s t r e s s . B u t e v e r y t i m e I l o o k a t m y 6 - y e a r - o l d s i s t e r , I
r e m e m b e r m y c h i l d h o o d a n d n o s t a l g i a h i t s . W e o u t g r o w t h i n g s , b u t m y
c h i l d h o o d w i l l a l w a y s r e m a i n s p e c i a l t o m e .

26
GROWING
UP
By Salma Batool
The path to adulthood is, at times, a rough one. As a child
grows up, he/she experiences tremendous amounts of
pressure to fit in. Growing up is a hard and tough job. It takes
time, patience, and the ability to stick with it. It's a time of
learning at an extremely fast pace and making huge
mistakes. To grow up is to take up responsibility. Growing up
means sacrificing all the other things you could be by
adopting a frame that is constricting. Once you’ve gone
through that narrow part of your life, it also develops you at
the same time. You then come out the other end with new
possibilities at hand.

27
madhubani
BY KHUSHI ROHILLA
MADHUBANI PAINTINGS ARE CHARACTERISED BY FIGURES THAT ARE
PROMINENTLY OUTLINED, LIKE BULGING FISH-LIKE EYES AND POINTED NOSES.
THIS MADHUBANI PAINTING IS OF AN ELEPHANT . THE ELEPHANT IS HOLDING
ITS TRUNK HIGH TO INFORM EVERYONE THAT IT IS MOVING FROM ITS LEAVING
ITS CHILDHOOD TO GOING TO ITS ADULTHOOD.

29
The
Mermaid
Lagoon
MUSIC
BONANZA
The sirens await
LEGEND SAYS THAT IF YOU
HEAR A SIRENS’ SONG, YOU
HAVE ALREADY UNHOOKED
YOURSELF FROM LIFE ON LAND,
BEWITCHED BY THEIR
MELODIOUS VOICES. BUT LET’S
CHANGE THE PERSPECTIVE,
HOW ABOUT INSTEAD OF
TRYING TO STEAL YOU AWAY,
THE SIRENS WERE SIMPLY
TRYING TO HELP YOU OPEN
YOURSELF TO NEW MUSIC.
WHAT A LOVELY TIME THAT
WOULD BE! ON THAT NOTE,
HERE WE HAVE SOME SWEET
TANTALIZING
INTERPRETATIONS OF POPULAR
ARTISTS & SONGS.

The King Of
32
Pop
WRITTEN BY:
MUSKAAN SHARMA
American singer, songwriter, and dancer Michael Jackson dubbed
the "King of Pop", is regarded as one of the most significant
cultural figures of the 20th century. Michael Joseph Jackson, born
in Indiana in 1958 began his music career at the age of 5 under his
dad’s guidance. In the 1960s, Micheal along with his brothers
formed an american pop group “Jackson 5” and went solo in 1979.
With his solo album “Off the Wall” which featured the Grammy
Award-winning single "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough,". Soon
after, Thriller, released in 1982, became the best-selling album in
history, generating 7 Top 10 hits staying on the charts for 80
weeks, holding the No. 1 spot for 37 weeks. Thriller also garnered
12 Grammy Award nominations and got 8 wins, forming world
records. The music video showcased a metaphor for the existing
racism and conflicting emotions towards African Americans in the
USA. He paved the way for African-American artists to receive air
time on MTV. He viewed the world from a different perspective
expressing his life struggles and political problems in his music.
His work has been immensely enjoyable, from the start till the
end. It has set the bar to be phenomenal in today's era of
entertainment. He, as an artist, moved beyond being an
entertainer, to creating a deeper connection with the audience
creating life lessons that we can receive. He has become the icon of
the modern world, indescribable in written capacity. Not only did
he teach me to chase my dreams, but he also taught me that
anything is possible and we can achieve it if we work hard and stay
motivated. He is truly one of the Greatest Of All Time.

M U S I C T O Y O U R E A R S
33
HIGH
FIDELITY
S T R E A M O U R C U S T O M - M A D E P L A Y L I S T W H I L E
V I E W I N G O U R M A G A Z I N E T O E X P E R I E N C E A
C E L E S T I A L A M B I E N C E A S Y O U M A K E Y O U R W A Y
T H R O U G H A J O U R N E Y T O N E V E R L A N D A N D
B E Y O N D !

34
- CHILDHOOD
FAVOURITES
There is something magical
about home; it feels good to
leave, and it feels even better to
come back.
Here, we take a walk down memory lane,
recalling our favorite things, ranging from food
items to films, all things that provided a sweet
taste to our lives.

35
Unlocking Your Childhood Memories
1. Kidzania
First up is the top destination for field
trips planned by the school. From being
a doctor to a bank manager to a radio
jockey and more, this was the one place
where we witnessed what it was like
being an adult.
2.Chip Chops
"Chip chop chip chop which colour do you
want?" This origami game was our source
of enjoyment. There was always that one
kid who put a lot of effort into making
these.
3. Snacks
Whether it's a class party or a
long school trip, these were the
must-have snacks for every
occasion!

Unlocking Your Childhood Memories
36
4.Modesh World
Summer break was incomplete without a trip to
Modesh World to meet our friendly yellow being
- Modesh. Modesh World was one of the most
fun seasonal events consisting of games and
rides that gave us many memories.
5. Scoobies and Loom Bands
How could we forget the tiny pieces of multi-colored elastic
bands that littered our summer months in 2014 and the
artistic craft laces hooked to our school bags? Loom bands
and Scoobies were a huge craze of the past. The bands were
often used to make friendship bracelets that marked the
start of a new strong bond and making these quirky
keychains (scoobies) was everyone's secret talent.
6. Children's City
Children's City was yet another top
destination for educational trips. Its
Planetarium consisting of many galleries
& exhibits gave our young minds a very
captivating insight into the wonders of
science and space.
By:AryaVinod

My Memorable Moments
37
As a little girl, my most joyous moments, the days of excitement
were our annual holiday trip, to my native place Goa. We went
there to meet my loving Grandparents, who we all lovingly
called Nana and Big Papa.
I still can visualize Nana at the airport, looking eagerly, trying
to get a glimpse of us. Our small village had a population of
approximately 200 families. Here, each one knew each other
and was welcoming. For me, this was my paradise. Trees laden
with fruits of mangoes, guavas, bananas, coconuts, etc., and
green paddy fields. Every evening, my brother and I along with
the village children would either go to our nearby beach or
splash in the spring water. The vast horizon, the shimmering
sand, the rushing sound of waves, and the calmness of the
breeze, in its totality, were mesmerizing.
Oh! How I miss and cherish my favorite childhood memories.
By:SaachiMishra

38
Childhood Memories
My childhood memories are like a golden time to me. It was
indeed the most precious time of my life. When I think of my
childhood, there’s a lot of things that come to mind. Back in
those days, I would come home from school, get comfortable
clothes on, grab my juice box, and put on my favorite tv
show that would usually be Jessie or Good luck Charlie. I
would usually go for my afternoon nap after watching an
episode. After a power nap, I would usually go hunting for a
snack in the kitchen, a grilled cheese sandwich or mini
pizza. After finishing all my schoolwork, I would usually go
outside to play hide and seek with my friends or build
sandcastles. One day while playing on the field, I fell and
got hurt in my leg. It caused me a lot of trouble, and I could
not attend school because of the terrible pain for a week.
When I remember my childhood, I feel a pulsation of both
joy and sorrow in my mind.
By:Anmoldeep
KaurPabla

My Favourite Childhood Recipe
-Sheer Khurma
39
Cooking Time:
25-30 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
½ cup water
1 tin condensed milk
1 litre full fat milk
7-8 dates, seedless and chopped
3-4 green cardamoms, crushed
½ cup sugar
¼ cup ghee
2 tbsp chironji
¼ cup golden raisins
7-8 pistachios, sliced
8-10 almonds, sliced
8-10 cashews, chopped
1 cup whole wheat vermicelli
(seviyan),
¼ cup dessicated coconut
Chopped nuts, for garnish
Saffron, for garnish
Rich and creamy Sheer
Khurma is an elegant
dessert often made
during Eid. Eid festivities
are kind of incomplete
until and unless you have
Sheer Khurma
Sheer Khurma is a rich
vermicelli pudding made with
milk, lots of nuts, dates and
sugar.The dish literally means
milk with dates. Its often
made during Eid in the
Indian subcontinent,
Afghanistan and also parts of
central Asia.
I have very fond memories of waiting
eagerly for Sheer Khurma while my
mom was making it during Eid. And the
moment it was served, I would eat it like
there was no tomorrow. Oh, it used to
be so good!
The festival of Eid is all about sacrifice
and sharing I remember how my mom
used to share the sheer khurma with
the neighbours during Eid. our
neighbours who were muslims also
shared their Sheer khurma with us
tasting these different recipes of sheer
khurma always made me happy.

Process:
40
Add water in a pressure cooker and immerse a tin of
condensed milk in it.
Cover and cook for 2 whistles on medium flame.
Meanwhile, heat milk in a deep-bottomed heavy
kadhai. Add dates and cook till it begins to change its
color and reduces.
Add in crushed cardamom pods, allow to cook on
simmer for 3-4 minutes and add in sugar, stir until
the sugar begins to melt in.
Add the cooked condensed milk, mix well and cook till
the milk begins to thicken.
Heat 2 tbsp ghee in another pan, add in chironji
and roast till fragrant.
Add in raisins, pistachios, almonds and cashews.
Roast till they begin to turn slightly brown.
Add in the seviyan and begin to roast till they turn
brown.
Add in dessicated coconut and roast till fragrant.
Add in the seviyan and dry fruit mixture to the milk,
mix well and cook till it comes to boil and thickens.
Garnish with dry fruits and saffron, serve hot.
This recipe can be served Hot or cold I personally like
it Hot.
By:KhadijaMurtaza
Ujjainwala

Comfort Food:
Nostalgia in a Bowl
41
Each one of us has a comfort food dish. A food item that has some sentimental value to us. Something that is
nostalgic and brings back memories. Something that helps us feel better emotionally. Ask five people what foods
they consider comforting, and you’re likely to get five different answers. That’s because comfort food is all about
nostalgia—memories of a parent at the stove, family gatherings around the table, even a dish you hated as a
kid but inexplicably long for once you’re old enough to have a kitchen of your own. So it’s no wonder that when
you’re feeling low, homesick, or just plain sick, nothing sounds better than curling up on the couch with a
blanket and a hot bowl of something you grew up eating.
What qualifies as ‘comfort food’, you may ask?
Well, it’s broadly defined as anything that a person uses to feel better. You may feel pretty sure that you know
what comfort foods are. And whatever you think, you’re probably right. That’s because there is no single
definition for the term “comfort food” – and because the concept is so entwined with not only childhood
favourites but with whatever your native culture eats as well.
However, does comfort food really comfort or is it just in our head?
Comfort foods offer many benefits – at least psychologically, if not physically. These foods make possible the
release of dopamine into the body, conferring rewards such as pleasure, stress relief, and warm feelings, often
accompanied by deep memories that can include caring and love.
To be frank, I have a lot of comfort foods, from various cuisines. A few of them being the classic Indian Pav
Bhaji, M&Ms, ice cream from Baskin Robbins, pizza, pasta, brownie, cookie dough (yes, you read that right)
and the list can go on.
However, my ultimate favourite comfort food is pancakes. A pancake is a breakfast dish, a flat cake that's
made by pouring batter into a hot pan and frying it on both sides. Many people like to eat their pancakes with
a drizzle of maple syrup. They are delicacies that remind us that we can have heaven on earth. Pancakes are
welcome around the world in "the humblest cottage to the grandest palace. One reason why they’re extremely
special to me is that there was a time when I used to have pancakes for breakfast every. single. day. I used to
wake up to bless my taste buds with those fluffy sweet lovely pancakes. My mom is a master at making them,
thanks to me. The best part about pancakes? Well, they’re EXTREMELY easy to make. They require the most
basic ingredients and almost no cooking skills at all.
Apart from pancakes, the lockdown has gotten me to fall in love with something I’d like to call the Gooey
Caramel Brownie Mug Cake Sundae. OH BOY, what a dish! Imagine you’re home in your most comfy clothes and
a dessert craving hits. You could just have a bowl of vanilla ice cream. You could have a handful of chocolate
chips. OR YOU COULD GATHER UP A FEW THINGS FROM YOUR PANTRY AND HAVE THIS CHOCOLATE
MONSTROSITY.
Well, I’m sorry if reading this article made you crave some yummy food, but I shall take your leave now.
By:SaiSriVyshnavi

Carried Off
The Time Capsule
42
Dear future self...
Here are some "letters in a bottle" we hope will
someday reach someone after they have been
carried off in the oblivion of blue hue that lay
beneath the sun-filled sky.

43
Hello, future me!
I’m writing this letter in hopes of you reading this many, many years into the
future. As of now, I’m sixteen years old, sitting idle on a hot summer day of
July 2021. Firstly, I just want to check up on you: How are you, are you doing
well? Are you successful and satisfied with what you have accomplished? Has
the hard work you put in paid off? On a lighter note, do we still have the same
interests? Have the people around you changed? Most importantly, are you
truly happy?
The COVID-19 pandemic I am in currently has not only impacted me but
many others worldwide, and I hope there is a brighter future for all of us
where we have returned to the state prior to this unprecedented event.
If you are reading this as an adult, how well are you coping with the added
responsibilities? Did you get into your dream university and secure your aspired
job? I hope you’re taking care of yourself and are not let down by the growing
competitive nature of this society, and that you are continuing to work hard. I
hope you take some time off for yourself to explore new things and travel the
world. Lastly, I wish you happiness and good fortune. I love you for who you
are, and I hope you know that you are loved <3
Yours sincerely,
Merrill Mathews

44
Dear Future Self,
How have you been? I am sure there is a lot going on right
now. Just don’t lose track of what’s important and what’s
worth making time for. All the successes and failures were
worth it. Spend time with people you love. You’ve got the
sweetest friends and an above-average family. Take a
moment to step outside and be grateful for the fact that the
sun is constantly shining down on you.
Everything that you did has led you to this moment.
Everything worked out exactly as it should be. The things
that are bothering you currently are temporary, so cheer
up. Remember that you are still loved and you should strive
to become stronger than ever before. You live once, life is a
gift so enjoy every second while you’re here.
Yours truly
Malak Khan

THE
HAPPY
FAMILY
45
A happy family of three
generations shares their
personal views on life and
childhood via an interview.

46

47

By: Aysha
Aboobacker
Sithiq
48

or Me Hook
Time! This
49
From the Roaring ‘20s to
Y2K, whether it's with a
shift in social norms,
politics, culture, or
technology, fashion has
always been the indicator
of current cultures in
history. This section
explores how fashion
trends have evolved
throughout the years and
how we, as growing
FASHION
adults, have incorporated
them into our wardrobe.
Take a look and see
INSPIRATION!
which style gets you
hooked!

BY: NAQIYA INAYAT
HATHIARI
50

51

5.
6.
7.
8.
BY EDWEENA TONY
RIDDLES
pointed fangs I sit and wait; with piercing force I crunch out
With
grabbing victims, proclaiming might; physically joining with a
fate;
bite. What am I?
single
am a five-letter word. I sound the same when you remove my first
I
I sound the same when you remove my 3rd letter. I sound the
letter.
when you remove my last letter, and I sound the same when
same
remove all three. Which word am I?
you
is it that you ought to keep after you have given it to
What
else?
someone
can bring a smile to your face, a tear to your eye, or even a
I
to your mind, but I can't be seen. What Am I?
thought
goes up but never comes back down?”
What
on earth, yesterday is always before today; but there is a
Here
where yesterday always follows today. Where?
place
I am heavy, but backward I am not. What am I?
Forward
is black when it’s clean and white when it’s dirty?
What
life tough, what do you have that you can always count on?
If 9. gets
letter word can have a letter taken away and it still makes
10. 8 What
word. Take another letter away and it still makes a word. Keep on
a
that until you have one letter left. What is the word?
doing
Stapler 1.
Empty, mpty, emty,
2.
mt emp-t,
A Promise
3.
Your age
5.
Dictionary
6.
The word ‘Ton’
7.
A chalkboard
8.
Your Fingers!
9.
starting, staring,
10.
sting, sing,
string,
in, I sin,
52
1.
2.
3.
4.
4. Memories

BY NIRANJANA
COMIC
KIRUBAKARAN
53

tuntun Mausi
1.
Diamond head
2.
Phoebe 3.
Hedwig the Owl
4.
BY CALISTA DEVONA
QUIZ
Cartoon network
5.
Shake it up, KC
6.
undercover
Baby, never say never,
7.
to love
somebody
Start- 2010
8.
Cat, the red head
9.
We still don’t
10.
54
What was Chutki's mothers’ name?
1.
2.
Which ben10 alien has a chest made of crystal?
3.
Which friends' character has a twin?
What is the name of Harry Potter's owl?
4.
5.
What channel is the amazing world of gumballs
on?
6.
Name two shows Zendaya was on
What were a few of the top hits by Justin Bieber in
7.
the 2010s?
When did one direction come together and split
8.
up?
9.
What role did Ariana Grande play in victorious?
What does the fox say?
10.
know till this day.
Split up-2015

crossword
55
Done by Harini Ramu
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Age
13
Adolescence
Aim
Stereotype
Stress
CN
Candidness
Openminded
Cat

The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
The Book Thief uses the appeals of
children, freedom, and history to grab
the reader’s rs attention. Markus
Zusak portrays children as being
innocent and cute but they have a
hidden fire inside them to do bigger
and better things; from the reader’s
perspective, this creates a great
personality to read more into it.
We Should All Be
Feminists
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Adichie's "We Should All Be Feminists,"
succinctly unearths the need to transform
social beliefs and gender constructs that
promote the disparity between men and
women. Being a feminist entails
championing the rights of women and
trying to make the world a better place for
women.
57
Educated
Tara Westover
Westover demonstrates that
education can serve as the bridge
to personal and intellectual
growth. Throughout the memoir,
her perspective broadens as her
academic journey leads her to
learn about the world in new and
transformative ways.
The Kite Runner
Khalid Hosseini
“The Kite Runner” deals with some
strong themes that shouldn't be taken
lightly. It addresses friendship,
betrayal, guilt and redemption. It
shows how these threads can impact
your life and that of those around you.
It definitely makes you aware of the
bigger picture and not simply focusing
on what works best for you.
Wonder
R.J. Palacio
The main theme of Wonder is
kindness. The book is flooded with
examples of kindness, and the
reader finishes the book with an
understanding that simple, basic
kindness can make a big difference.
The Outsiders
S.E Hilton
It is a fantastic representative of youth
culture, both in the sixties and now,
and has many positive influences.
Respect and Social tolerance are the
most prominent themes in the book; It
is highly didactic and the narrative is
hugely driven by the social injustice the
protagonist, Ponyboy Curtis,
encounters.
I Am Malala
Malala Yousafzai
The most important lesson I
learned from reading this book is
to stand strong for what you
believe in, and never turn back
during adversities. Malala is an
incredible young woman who has
always stood up for her beliefs and
is willing to take the extra mile in
order to see a change.
Great
Expectations
Charles Dickens
The moral theme of Great
Expectations is quite simple:
affection, loyalty, and conscience
are more important than social
advancement, wealth, and class.
Being Jazz
Jazz Jennings
In her remarkable memoir, Jazz reflects on
these very public experiences and how
they have helped shape the mainstream
attitude towards the transgender
community. Jazz has faced many
challenges like bullying, discrimination,
and rejection, yet she moves on with her
life and educates others about her life as a
transgender teen.
A Seperate Place
Jhon Knowles
“A Separate Peace” is an
exceptional work of literature that
combines all of the best elements
of writing. The characters are wellwritten,
the prose is lovely and the
classic themes resonate with the
reader long after the book has
been put down. For this reason, the
story is timeless.

Good times
1974 ‧ Sitcom ‧ 6 seasons
Florida and James Evans struggle to
raise their kids – irrepressible artist
JJ, voice-of-reason Thelma, and
politically active Michael - in a
Chicago housing project. They have
help from wisecracking neighbours,
buffoonish building
superintendents and friends.
How the Grinch
Stole Christmas
2000 ‧ Family/Fantasy ‧ 1h 50m
Grinch lives in solitude just outside
Whoville. He hates the townsfolk and
despises Christmas. Cindy Lou, a sixyear-old
girl who believes in the spirit
of the festival, sets out to reform him.
True love does not come with a price
tag, so don't try to buy love with
expensive gifts
58
Toy Story
1995 ‧ Family/Comedy ‧ 1h 21m
Andy's favourite toy, Woody, is
worried that after Andy receives his
birthday gift, a new toy called Buzz
Lightyear, his importance may get
reduced. He thus hatches a plan to
eliminate Buzz.
Mary Poppins
1964 ‧ Musical/Family ‧ 2h 19m
Mr Banks is looking for a nanny for
his two mischievous children and
comes across Mary Poppins, an
angelic nanny. She not only brings a
change in their lives but also spreads
happiness.
Modern family
2009 ‧ 11 seasons
Three modern-day families from
California try to deal with their
kids, quirky spouses and jobs in
their own unique ways, often
falling into hilarious situations.
Inside out
2015 ‧ Family/Comedy ‧ 1h 42m
Eleven-year-old Riley moves to San
Francisco, leaving behind her life in
Minnesota. She and her five core
emotions, Fear, Anger, Joy, Disgust and
Sadness, struggle to cope with her new
life.
Home alone
1990 ‧ Comedy/Family ‧ 1h 43m
Eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally
left behind when his family leaves
for France. At first, he is happy to
be in charge, but when thieves try
to break into his home, he tries to
put up a fight.
Alvin and the
Chipmunks
2007 ‧ Family/Comedy ‧ 1h 32m
Dave Seville teams up with three
musically-inclined chipmunks in
order to make a mark in the
industry. However, Ian Hawk, a
greedy record producer, tries to
split the group and exploit the
chipmunks.
Spy kids
Film series
Spy Kids is an American spy adventure
comedy family film series created by
Robert Rodriguez. The main series
follows the adventures of Carmen and
Juni Cortez, two children who become
involved in their parents' espionage.
Up
2009 ‧ Family/Adventure ‧
1h 36m
Carl, an old widower, goes off on an
adventure in his flying house in
search of Paradise Falls, his wife's
dream destination.