Millions of people watch cinema everyday. Cinema is not only as a means of entertainment, but also as an escape from the monotony, boredom, anxiety and troubles of life. But do you know some of the blockbuster movies which Indian cinema given to us are based on some interesting novels. Does the movie represent the thing as it is which were written in the novel itself?There are some variations in the movies. Devdas movie was based on a bengali romantic novel written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The lead roles were played by Sharukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai. This movie was not as it is as written in novel. There were many variations in movie. If we talk about Kai Po Che which was directed by Abhishek Kapoor and was based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel The Three Mistakes Of My Life. The main lead of the movie were Shushat Singh Rajpur, Rajkumar Rao, Amit Sadh and Amrita Puri. Some major differences which movie and novel had were the climax, narrator and the added scenes which were not mentioned in the book.and last but not the least the highest gross movie of Bollywood which broke all box office records, movie which will always rule our hearts. 3idiots directed by Rajkumar Hirani was loosely adapted from the best selling novel of Chetan Bhagat named Five Point Someone. Lead stars of the movie are Aamir Khan, Karina Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan and Boman Irani. The movie have the biggest difference in the second half. While the book finishes at graduation, the film goes beyond it and builds on the future of the characters till 10 years later. It talks about how their careers have shaped and how their mediocrity in college played into the future. So, yes movie based on novel too have many variations in character, storyline and climax.
Day: December 17, 2023
WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY, IF ANY, SHOULD THE LAW ASSIGN TO OWNERS AND TO OCCUPIERS OF LAND?’
By: Moksha Grover
INTRODUCTION
In today’s world, where the environment is being exhausted day by day because of certain human activities which are directly or indirectly impacting the globe, environmental law enforcement agencies have been grappling with a million-dollar question: what responsibilities in connection with the environment and sustainability, if any, should the law assign to owners and to occupiers of land? This paper emphasizes the extent to which owners and occupiers of land should be held accountable for contamination of land, thereby, highlighting the importance of holding them responsible. This paper also addresses various questions that can arise in relation to and in contradiction to the writer’s idea and postulates the importance of re-defining the concept of property and ownership in the context of environmental concerns.
LIABILITIES AND PENALTIES
Every individual has a vital role to play in preserving the environment and guaranteeing its long-term viability. Land contamination is currently a big concern in several nations, including the United Kingdom and India. Contaminated lands pose unacceptable risks to human health, property and protected species. It can also result in considerable deflation of other natural resources such as water and air. This necessitates reducing land pollution and enacting environmental legislation, as well as certifying sustainability. However, the biggest question that arises is, who are the people who are liable to clean up the contaminated land and ensure their commitment to the prevention of land contamination?
The writer believes that the person who has first caused harm to the land should be penalised. The person should first be sent a remediation notice directing the person to pay a certain amount of charge and clean up the land within 10 days. Any non-compliance of notice and violation of legal rules committed by the person should be addressed through strict action. The following measures can be taken in case of violation.
- Imprisonment of up to 5 years and a fine of $1,50,000 or both
- In case of any other violation followed after the above clause or any sort of failure, an additional amount of $500 can be charged for each day.
However, what if such a person is nowhere to be found? Will then the owners or the occupiers of land be considered liable? Why do the owners have to be considered liable even when they have not caused any harm to the land? Let us know and look for the answers to all such questions.
If a person belonging to class A (class A includes people who have initially caused harm to the land and contaminated it) is nowhere to be found and no one can be located in his hierarchy then the owners or the occupiers of the land should be considered liable as the land belongs to them and they have the prime obligation of maintaining their land. Such a liability enforced upon them will make them warier of their land as well as the environment and will also alarm them about the increasing rates of pollution and the need for protection and conservation. Such liability, however, should be limited to the extent of only the cleaning up of the land and no fee should be charged from the owner in case the owner is proved to be innocent. The owner will clean up the land initially and if the person who initially caused the harm is found then the owner will be paid for the damages to his land by the person of class A.
The presence of malafide intention or actus reus is important to hold a person liable in the case of the owner.
QUESTIONS FOR AND AGAINST THE MOTION
While, to many, the writer’s strategy can be a skyrocketing one, however many will oppose this idea and many will be sceptical of this strategy.
Let’s take up the following questions for more lucidity and transparency
- Is historical deflation included in the purge-up liability? If not, who will be responsible for the clean-up?
History contamination of land should be included in the clean-up liability. In such a case, the owner might transfer the liability or responsibility of the clean-up of land to the accused who might have committed the offence in the history or hierarchy.
- Is the contamination of land a criminal offence?
Contamination of land will not be considered a criminal offence only if the person liable cleans up the land within the time period of the notice and does not prohibit any law. In the pretext of owners, there shouldn’t be any sort of malafide intention or actus reus.
In case of non-compliance, the contamination of land will be treated as a criminal offence.
- Any defences?
A person has defences if he/she proves that they are innocent. A person can be proved innocent only if the person had taken precautionary measures to prevent the contamination and if he proves that the defilation of land is due to causes over which he had no control.
- Is it legally compulsory to perform investigations of defilation in relation to the sale of the property?
No, it is not legally necessary to perform investigations of defilation in
relation to the sale of the property. However, it is highly recommended.
In Western Australia, any transaction that will involve the sale, lease or mortgage of a site that has been classified as contaminated or possibly contaminated under the relevant legislation must include formal disclosure of the contamination at least 14 days before completion[1].
In Queensland, it was recently held that a vendor is required to give written notice to any buyer or lessee of land that has been recorded on the Contaminated Land Register[2].
- Can the party responsible for the clan up of the land transfer his liability to the purchaser of the land?
This is possible only through a contractual agreement. If the buyer agrees to take up the clean-up work of the contaminated land through a contract agreement only then can the responsibility be transferred? However, if the owner has caused harm to the land and if he is transferring his liability, he still ought to pay the fee charged for the offence.
- If the polluters are both the owner and the occupier (e.g., the landlord and a tenant), how is the liability apportioned between them?[3]
In such a case, the liability can be apportioned based on the degree of participation of the owner and the occupier in the polluter’s operation[4].
- How do determine whether the clean-up is required or not and the level of purge-up that is required?
Pesticides, petroleum products, radon, asbestos, lead, chromate
copper arsenate and creosote. If any of the following substances are found in the land exceeding the relevant limits, then this means that there is an unacceptable risk to human health and the land requires immediate clean-up. In such a case, the person who is liable to purge the contaminated land has to first notify the legal body/authority/governor in his area. Any development on the land which has not been fully contaminated and does not pose any risk to human health should also be notified to the governing body.
When it comes to the level of purge-up required, the level can differentiate in accordance with different lands. It depends on a variety of factors like the amount and the type of substances found in the land, whether such substances can be proved to be hazardous for humans and what’s the present use of land. The prime importance of cleaning up contaminated land is to protect humans and their health. During the process of clean-up, the liable person can take the help of the governor/ officer to ensure that the land is purged up to the mark.
WHAT IF THE OCCUPIERS OR THE OWNERS OF LAND ARE NOT ASSIGNED ANY RESPONSIBILITY?
If the holders of land are not assigned any responsibility then how will they realise their duties towards the environment? It’s a human’s virtue to make mistakes. However, if humans are not made to realise their mistakes how will they improve upon them? The prime objective of the laws relating to the liabilities of the possessors of land and its occupiers is to make these people realize their responsibilities towards the environment and the importance of sustainability. When coming to the practical approach, if the person who initially caused harm to the land is nowhere to be found, who will clean up the land? Will the land be left for showcasing its hazardous effects on humans and depleting the environment? Therefore, it is important to enforce and implement such laws for the welfare of the people as well as to conserve the environment.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RE-DEFINING THE CONCEPT OF PROPERTY AND OWNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
Research shows that property rights can actually help in saving the environment. Garrett Hardin identified private property (or something formally like it) as a solution to the “tragedy of the commons,” and suggested that this sort of approach has been under-utilized in modern environmental policy[5]. However, in many countries, absolute rights over the land have led to its ecological impoverishment, as land is cleared for economic benefits and put to “productive use”[6]. It is now being essential that new obligations be imposed on landowners, to ensure that environmental considerations are applied before the land is transformed for productive use[7]. The conventional idea of ownership of land and the landholder’s unlimited rights to do whatever he wants with his land must clearly lead to broader concepts of stewardship today. Supervision concepts like these are based on a deeper insight into the worth of land and its physical operations, which comes with new scientific knowledge.
In several common law countries, the Roman notion of public trust has been adopted, owing to the necessity to safeguard the environment. The generational trust was born out of the understanding that future generations may have locus standi to take action for environmental conservation. Both are encroachments on conventional concepts of “absolute” ownership, imposing, as they do, a new standard of “absolute” ownership.
CONCLUSION
To sum up, the writer would like to conclude that we human beings share the earth with billions and trillions of other species. Therefore, it gives us no right as human beings to sabotage the environment around us in any way either through direct or indirect actions. As a result, the law must take rigorous measures to safeguard the environment’s safety and long-term viability for future generations. For the last few decades, land pollution has been a major issue that the world has been grappling with. The article discusses several countermeasures and penalties that may be used to stop individuals from defiling land and ensuring due diligence. This essay also emphasises the relevance of indicating such obligations and the value of implying such responsibilities.
[1] ‘Contaminated Land 2015’, Baker & McKenzie (2015) < https://www.bakermckenzie.com/-/media/files/insight/publications/2015/10/international-contaminated-land-guide/qrg_environmental_contaminatedlandguide_oct15.pdf?la=en> accessed 12th April,2022.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Megan McArdle, ‘How Property Rights Could Help Save the Environment’, The Atlantic (May 29, 2012) < https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/05/how-property-rights-could-help-save-the-environment/257756/> accessed 12th April,2022.
[6] LYE Lin Heng, ‘Land Law And The Environment’, JournalsOnline (2010) accessed 12th April,2022.
[7] Ibid.
Good news for cricket fans, India to host 2025 Women's World Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday unveiled the host countries for the next major ICC tournaments in the women’s category. It is a matter of happiness for the Indian fans that India has got the host of the 2025 Women’s World Cup. The next ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025 will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka will host the ICC Women’s T20 Champions Trophy in 2027, provided they qualify for the event. Bangladesh will host the Women’s T20 World Cup for the second time. The hosts were selected through a competitive bidding process under the supervision of a board sub-committee chaired by Martin Snedden with Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Skerritt along with Claire Connor. The ICC Board accepted the recommendations of the committee and thus got three Asian countries hosting. The BCCI has already said that it wants to take all forms of cricket forward. Whether it is the issue of holding the women’s IPL or the return of cricket after 24 years in the Commonwealth, these are all indications that no stone is being left unturned to take women’s cricket forward. On this occasion, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said that “We were keen to host the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 and we are happy that we have won the rights to host the Women’s Cricket World Cup. India won the 50-over Women’s World Cup in 2013. The game has changed tremendously since hosting the Cup.” After receiving the host, BCCI Sachin Jay Shah has said that “We are delighted to host the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and let me tell you that BCCI will leave no stone unturned to make it a memorable event. We will try to enhance the game. Many steps are being taken.The popularity of the game in the country will increase further by hosting the World Cup at the grassroots level.
Shamshera Box Office Collection: Ranbir Kapoor did not live up to the expectations of the audience
Ranbir Kapoor returned to the big screen after four years with the film ‘Shamshera’.Vani Kapoor was seen opposite Ranbir Kapoor in the film made under the Yash Raj banner, while the same San-Jay Dutt’s Dum was also seen in the film.After watching the trailer, the curiosity of watching the film increased in the minds of the people.Seeing Ranbir on screen after four years was no less than a treat for the audience.But alas, the audience going to the theaters is not liking the story of the film much.This is the reason why Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt starrer film ‘Shamshera’ failed to show its amazing performance at the box office on the weekend.Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Shamshera’ earned only so many crores over the weekend Ranbir Kapoor’s film ‘Shamshera’ is struggling a lot in terms of earning at the box office.Yash Raj’s film, made in a budget of about 150 crores, has not been able to do even half the collection on the weekend.On the first day, Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt’s film ‘Shamshera’ did a business of 10.25 crores.So on the same day the collection of the film was 10.50.Now if the reports are to be believed, the third day collection of the film also went from 10 to 11 crores.So far the total collection of the film has done business of up to 31 crores.Ranbir Kapoor was seen in double role in Shamshera Ranbir Kapoor is going to be seen in back to back films.After Shamshera, his film ‘Brahmastra’ is going to be released in theaters on 9 September 2022.He will be seen with wife Alia Bhatt for the first time in this film.Ranbir Kapoor will play the character of Shiva in the film.Ranbir Kapoor appeared in a double role for the first time in the film Shamshera.The film, made under the direction of Karan Malhotra, was shared on 4000 screens.However, despite its release on so many screens, Ranbir Kapoor’s film could not make a place in the hearts of the fans.
Monkeypox: What is monkeypox, know its causes, symptoms, prevention and remedy
In the midst of the corona epidemic, the number of patients of monkeypox is also increasing rapidly. Monkeypox has knocked in many countries of the world including India. It is an infectious disease, which is caused by contact with an infected person or animal. According to experts, monkeypox belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, which looks like smallpox. This also includes the variola virus. Small pox is caused by this virus. Monkeypox in animals first appeared in the year 1958. When monkeypox infection was found in monkeys. At the same time, in the year 1970, for the first time in humans, monkeypox was found in a child of Congo. Whereas, after the eradication of smallpox in the year 1980, it has emerged as a serious problem. Come, know everything about this disease- How does monkeypox spread?According to the CDC, monkeypox is spread due to contact with infected fluid from the body of an animal or person suffering from monkeypox, bites, touches, etc. In particular, it is more spread by rats, squirrels and monkeys. At the same time, there is a risk of monkeypox by touching the things kept around the person suffering from monkeypox. Apart from this, monkeypox is also caused by having physical relations with a person who is already suffering. symptoms of monkeypox -fever -headache -muscle pain -back pain -Swollen lymph nodes – chills -Exhaustion -skin eruption – body rash -sore throat – frequent coughing – lethargy – itching problem
Prevention from monkeypox. For this, first of all follow the guidelines issued by the government. If you are suffering from monkeypox, then definitely get the smallpox vaccine. To prevent infection, keep distance from the infected person. Do not panic if you see the symptoms of monkeypox, but contact the doctor immediately. Wash hands with soap and clean water after coming in contact with an infected person. Apart from this, make sure to use sanitizer. Do keep a sanitizer with you. Wear a mask while leaving the house. Treatment of monkeypox There is currently no cure for monkeypox. Get vaccinated against smallpox if you have monkeypox.Keep in touch with the doctor. Disclaimer: Story tips and suggestions are for general information. Do not take these as advice from a doctor or medical professional. In case of symptoms of illness or infection, consult a doctor.
Yamaha Electric Scooter: Yamaha has released the timeline of its first electric scooter in India, may knock by 2025
Yamaha Electric Scooter: Yamaha India has been working on its first electric scooter for a long time.It may come to India under the name Neo.Now the company has released a timeline regarding the time of its launch, in which it has been said to launch it by 2025.Along with this, the company is in the process of deciding whether to assemble it in India itself or bring it through the CBU route.Let us tell you that Yamaha is also working on a new E01 electric scooter, which was showcased a while back.Yamaha Electric Scooter: Engine Power This electric scooter from Yamaha will be brought with a removable battery pack.In this, you will get two battery packs of 50.4 V and 19.2 V and will be connected to a 2.5 kW electric motor.Talking about its range, the company has claimed that you can run this electric scooter up to 70 kilometers on a single charge. Yamaha Electric Scooter: Design Yamaha’s electric scooter is already sold in some of the European markets coming to Taiwan, which gives little information about its looks. The model sold in the global market comes in a slick look.In terms of design, the scooter gets a host of features including an all-LED lighting system, alloy wheels and 27-litre underseat storage.At the same time, features like fully digital LCD instrument console, smart key integration with smartphone connectivity are also seen in this e-scooter.Reportedly called the Neo, the electric scooter also gets conventional telescopic front forks and a rear monoshock.It was launched in the European market with a price of 3,099 Euro (about Rs 2.58 lakh).Because of this, the Indian variant is expected to fall in the affordable range.
World Brain Day 2022: Know from experts which habits will be healthy by adopting the brain, as well as say hey to these habits
The mind is the essence of the brain, so it is very important for a person to be mentally balanced in order to have a healthy mind and body.World Brain Day or “World Brain Day” is celebrated on July 22 each year.On this day disorders of the brain are determined and how it can be kept healthy.Neurological problems can become a major cause of intellectual disabilities.Billions of people around the world are affected by this type of disease.Therefore, one should know what is necessary to keep the brain healthy.It can prevent many types of brain diseases (brain disorders).On World Brain Day
1, learn how to keep your brain healthy.Exercise Daily to Keep Your Brain Healthy To keep your brain healthy and active, take just 15-20 minutes of exercise 4 to 5 days a week.This improves memory and problems like stress, depression stay far away.
2.Getting enough sleep to keep the brain healthy Sleep is very important to maintaining our mental health.Due to its deficiency, there is a possibility of getting diseases such as heart problems, weight gain, diabetes and high blood pressure. dr RC Mishra, Director, Neuroscience, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, says: “Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure negatively impact brain health, so avoiding stroke and other problems related to chronic conditions is important to prevent Get eight hours of sleep a day and eat a balanced diet. Exercise regularly to keep your brain healthy.In addition, protect the brain from external influences. Use a helmet.People who already suffer from brain disease should be given equal access to resources, care and rehabilitation.”
3.Quitting smoking to keep the brain healthy According to a study, smoking cigarettes activates the cortex part of the brain, leading to thinning.The cortex forms the outer surface of the brain.Due to its thinness, it affects the ability to think.So quit this habit as soon as possible.
4.Relax the brain to keep it healthy.The habit of enduring stress too much and the all the time increases the risk of dementia along with Alzheimer’s.So try to keep your mind free.Take some time out of your busy schedule and meditate.Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed. Dr (Prof.) Sumit Sinha, Director – Spine and Neurosurgery, Paras Hospital, Gurugram says: “The brain is the main part of our body.Even the smallest damage to the brain can cause problems with memory, feeling, and even speech.Anyone can suffer from brain problems.These problems can also happen to you because of an injury or trauma, a tumor, even old age, or someone else in the family who has had this disease before.So take good care of your health. To ensure that everyone has access to diagnosis, treatment and care for brain diseases, we should put more emphasis on quality neurology and brain health and implement a national health policy to prevent such diseases.” 5. Be Social to Keep Your Brain Healthy Social people tend to live happier and longer than when they are alone.So socialize a little, spend time with friends and family.Share important things with them Brain healthy and active.
OPPO's YouTube channel suspended during launch for comparing OPPO Reno 8 with iPhone, know the whole matter
OPPO Youtube Channel Block: Smartphone brand Oppo (OPPO) was embarrassed Monday night when the official OPPO India YouTube channel during the live streaming of the launch event of the OPPO Reno 8 series smartphone. Has been suspended. Let us inform you that the launch of OPPO’s flagship smartphone OPPO Reno 8, OPPO Reno 8 Pro, OPPO Pad Air tablet and TWS earphones OPPO Enco X2 took place on July 18 at 6 p.m. , at the same time for violating the Rules of YouTube.OPPO India official YouTube channel has been shut down. Channel banned for violating YouTube rules After that, a notice was issued on OPPO’s YouTube channel that the channel was blocked for violating YouTube’s terms of service. So far, however, no information has been provided by Oppo on this matter. why youtube channel was blocked There is news that the smartphone of the OPPO Reno8 series was compared with Oppo’s Apple iPhone, against which it was postponed after the complaint on the company’s channel. Earlier, smartphone brand Oppo faced controversy over Rs 4,389 crore of tax evasion.Oppo was subpoenaed on this matter by order of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). The launch of these products, including the Oppo Rena 8 smartphone Two flagship smartphones Oppo Reno 8 5G and Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G (OPPO Reno 8 Pro 5G) have been launched by Oppo. Both smartphones have an amazing portrait camera.Also, Oppo has launched its first tablet OPPO Pad Air and TWS earphones OPPO Enco X2.
City Life- A Poem
All my life, I have lived in a city
In constant noise, I have found home
I love how there’s always something to do
I love how there’s always somewhere to roam
The busy air would drive some crazy
But the constant movement is my happy zone
Whenever one feels sad or lonely
They can find a family like the ones they’ve always known
The Real Mona Lisa
The pandemic seems to be excellent at ruining all possible vacation plans. Today, I was particularly missing the thrill and excitement of travelling and as a result, found myself walking down memory lane. So, I remembered my trip to Paris and the Louvre museum and I couldn’t help but think about my experience there.
It was the chilly autumn of 2019 when my family and I made the visit to France and Belgium. When in Paris, visiting the Louvre is a must and so, visit the Louvre we did!
The pyramid-shaped museum would take at least a week to explore entirely and while giving it the credit it is due, however, we had just an evening to achieve this monumental task. So, like most tourists, we moved to visit only the highlights and then the souvenir store to make sure it is known that we were in Paris.
Not unexpectedly, there is only one thing that all tourists were dying to see- the Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa is an overly-hyped-up portrait painted by Leonardo da Vinci. Chances are that even a painting and art-based amateur would be familiar with the Mona Lisa. The excitement and anticipation built up as we feverishly made our way toward the famous painting. We made it to the room housing the golden portrait, however, for a minute, we thought we had the wrong room (despite the crowd). Why did we think that? Well, the reason was that we couldn’t see the painting anywhere despite the clamouring tourists.
Everyone seems to have built-in their heads the notion that the Mona Lisa was a massive painting. It comes as an unexpected and underwhelming surprise to note that it is quite small. In fact, it is so small that it is hard to see even when you’re right in front of it. It is merely a painting you experience for a few fleeting moments before being asked to move on.
And that is the underwhelming and slightly disappointing truth about the Mona Lisa. Despite this, if you ever find yourself in Paris, don’t hold yourself back from going to the Louvre as it is still a truly magical experience!
My Top 3 John Green Novels
John Green is a beloved Young Adult Contemporary Fiction author and is without a shadow of a doubt one of my favourites as well. One of the things I loved the most about his novels is the fact that he truly gave each character their own voice (whilst writing in the first person). Along with perfectly heart-wrenching plot lines, John Green quickly grew close to my heart. Here are my three favourite John Green novels!
#3- Paper Towns
One of the things John Green does the best is showcase contrast in all its various forms- whether it is between expectations and reality or simply two characters. The contrast between the lives of Quentin and Margo combined with this really makes Paper Towns a memorable read.
I finished this particular one in one sitting when I was fourteen. A wild-goose-chase with plot twists around every corner makes a riveting read thus justifying its position in my top 3 books.
#2- The Fault in Our Stars
Owing to its popularity, it may be surprising to some that this book is not my #1 favourite John Green novel. While not occupying that coveted spot, The Fault in Our Stars is, in my opinion, a modern classic and also the perfect introduction to John Green’s writing. It is a perfect example of how Green manages to make every character reach the readers’ hearts and make what might seem like a cliche story, an unexpected, beautiful, and real love story.
The Fault in Our Stars was the first John Green book that I- and several others, I am sure- read. The tragic and heart-wrenching story of Hazel Grace and Gus holds a special place in my heart.
#1- Looking for Alaska
Looking for Alaska was the most surprising John Green book that I have ever read- there were changes along the road that I could have never seen coming. Of all books, this one really showcases how out-of-control life can actually be. All of the characters are so very flawed and not even in ways in which everyone can relate to. Somehow, I believe that the characters of this novel are the most likeable out of all of John Green’s novels.
This book is written in a Before/After format and we spend the entire first half of the book in anticipation of what could possibly happen while slowly falling in love with the characters and their lives. Alaska’s death is probably one of the most heart-breaking events in the John Green universe but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Steps- A Poem
First steps are always shaky
They’re tentative
But as you keep walking you get stronger and stronger and stronger and stronger and then
All of a sudden
You stop
You don’t pause, you stop
Because until then, you never paused
Life engulfed you like a whirlwind, pulling you and pushing you dragging you in every possible direction until you fall
And when you fall it mocks you
You hear the taunts even when you shut your ears
“You just want attention.”
“You’re too young to feel so negative.”
“You aren’t depressed, it’s all in your head.”
And these voices
Oh, they go on and on and on and on until you’re crying
And you’re no longer trying
Because what’s the point
You still walk because you have no other choice
And every step feels like you’re Sisyphus going on and going on and going on while nothing changes and everything remains the same
They say “Fake it til you make it” so that’s what you do
Every time someone says, “Hey, what’s wrong?”
You shake your head and say “I’m fine.”
“But I’m just trying to-”
“I’m fine.”
“Please don’t push me away-”
“I said I’m fine.”
You whisper, “I’m fine.”
You whisper it like you’re trying to convince yourself that you’re fine when you’re not
But hey,
It’s okay to not be okay
And when you realise that
You take a step again
You’re taking your first step again
And first steps are always shaky
They’re tentative
But as you keep walking you get stronger and stronger and stronger and stronger and this time you’re not walking alone
Every now and then you pause to admire the view
And hey,
You may trip, you may stumble but you won’t fall and you will not crumble because this time
There’ll be someone to catch you
Happily Ever After- A Poem
i close my eyes and dream
of a perfect world
of the one promised to me
when I was 6
fairies and mermaids
princesses and unicorns
little did i know
that there were no kingdoms under the sea
there were no happily ever afters
every time a promise is broken
i die a little but inside
but now
i create my own perfect world
and long no longer for the rainbows
i have grown
and learnt
to see the beauty in the rain
i now realise
that my happily ever after
is right here
and right now
The Real Mona Lisa
The pandemic seems to be excellent at ruining all possible vacation plans. Today, I was particularly missing the thrill and excitement of travelling and as a result, found myself walking down memory lane. So, I remembered my trip to Paris and the Louvre museum and I couldn’t help but think about my experience there.
It was the chilly autumn of 2019 when my family and I made the visit to France and Belgium. When in Paris, visiting the Louvre is a must and so, visit the Louvre we did!
The pyramid-shaped museum would take at least a week to explore entirely and while giving it the credit it is due, however, we had just an evening to achieve this monumental task. So, like most tourists, we moved to visit only the highlights and then the souvenir store to make sure it is known that we were in Paris.
Not unexpectedly, there is only one thing that all tourists were dying to see- the Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa is an overly-hyped-up portrait painted by Leonardo da Vinci. Chances are that even a painting and art-based amateur would be familiar with the Mona Lisa. The excitement and anticipation built up as we feverishly made our way toward the famous painting. We made it to the room housing the golden portrait, however, for a minute, we thought we had the wrong room (despite the crowd). Why did we think that? Well, the reason was that we couldn’t see the painting anywhere despite the clamouring tourists.
Everyone seems to have built-in their heads the notion that the Mona Lisa was a massive painting. It comes as an unexpected and underwhelming surprise to note that it is quite small. In fact, it is so small that it is hard to see even when you’re right in front of it. It is merely a painting you experience for a few fleeting moments before being asked to move on.
And that is the underwhelming and slightly disappointing truth about the Mona Lisa. Despite this, if you ever find yourself in Paris, don’t hold yourself back from going to the Louvre as it is still a truly magical experience!
My Top 3 John Green Novels
John Green is a beloved Young Adult Contemporary Fiction author and is without a shadow of a doubt one of my favourites as well. One of the things I loved the most about his novels is the fact that he truly gave each character their own voice (whilst writing in the first person). Along with perfectly heart-wrenching plot lines, John Green quickly grew close to my heart. Here are my three favourite John Green novels!
#3- Paper Towns
One of the things John Green does the best is showcase contrast in all its various forms- whether it is between expectations and reality or simply two characters. The contrast between the lives of Quentin and Margo combined with this really makes Paper Towns a memorable read.
I finished this particular one in one sitting when I was fourteen. A wild-goose-chase with plot twists around every corner makes a riveting read thus justifying its position in my top 3 books.
#2- The Fault in Our Stars
Owing to its popularity, it may be surprising to some that this book is not my #1 favourite John Green novel. While not occupying that coveted spot, The Fault in Our Stars is, in my opinion, a modern classic and also the perfect introduction to John Green’s writing. It is a perfect example of how Green manages to make every character reach the readers’ hearts and make what might seem like a cliche story, an unexpected, beautiful, and real love story.
The Fault in Our Stars was the first John Green book that I- and several others, I am sure- read. The tragic and heart-wrenching story of Hazel Grace and Gus holds a special place in my heart.
#1- Looking for Alaska
Looking for Alaska was the most surprising John Green book that I have ever read- there were changes along the road that I could have never seen coming. Of all books, this one really showcases how out-of-control life can actually be. All of the characters are so very flawed and not even in ways in which everyone can relate to. Somehow, I believe that the characters of this novel are the most likeable out of all of John Green’s novels.
This book is written in a Before/After format and we spend the entire first half of the book in anticipation of what could possibly happen while slowly falling in love with the characters and their lives. Alaska’s death is probably one of the most heart-breaking events in the John Green universe but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
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