To cultivate the reading habit in students, schools should initiate student book clubs. Schools can start hosting in-class reading sessions where students go to the library and pick a book to read. The teachers could then hand out homework on the books that the students have read, and conduct group activities so that reading physical copies of books will become their habit and a bond between students – a friendship maker!
Mathew George Kandathil (13)
Mahatma Gandhi International School, Ahmedabad

First, schools should revamp their libraries into inviting spaces, offering a diverse range of books and magazines that cater to various interests and reading levels. A well-curated collection ensures that students find topics that resonate with their curiosity. Secondly, integrate reading into the curriculum by assigning relevant materials that complement subjects taught in class. This makes reading a practical and enriching part of their academic journey. Thirdly, embrace technology by providing access to digital resources such as e-books and interactive magazines. Technology not only makes reading more accessible but also engages students through multimedia elements. Lastly, foster a culture of reading through extracurricular activities like book clubs and author visits. These initiatives encourage social interaction and allow students to share their reading experiences, further igniting their interest in books and magazines.
Jigisha Soni (17)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

Schools should enrich libraries with diverse, captivating books to spark interest. Dedicate 30 minutes daily to silent reading to nurture a lifelong love for reading. Host inter-house reading competitions and integrate oral segments into language exams to help students develop extensive vocabulary and eloquent speaking skills. Parents must recognize the essential role of fostering reading and speaking abilities in their children so they can converse confidently and navigate communication challenges in the future.
Sara Tamseel Khwaja (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Gandhi Maidan, Patna

To spark students’ interest in reading, provide a wide range of books and magazines that cater to their diverse interests. Create inviting reading environments and organize engaging activities like book clubs, reading challenges, and interactive discussions. Incorporate creative projects related to the reading material to make the experience enjoyable. Allow students to choose their reading materials to ensure they are engaged and motivated to read regularly.
Meghna Ghosh (14)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

Incorporate reading into the curriculum with creative projects and assignments. Use social media tools to create book-related content and communities. Conduct book fairs, reading competitions, book clubs, etc. to encourage students to create their own stories or book reviews. Provide access to e-readers and audiobooks for varied reading. Provide rewards for reading milestones.
Anshuman Singh (16)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

In an age of screens, fostering a love for books among students is crucial. Schools can ignite this passion through interactive book clubs, inviting author sessions, and themed reading weeks. Cosy reading corners and diverse genre offerings further entice exploration. By blending traditional and digital formats, educators ensure accessibility, making the journey from reluctant to avid reader an exciting adventure for every student. By blending technology with timeless paperbacks, schools cultivate a reading culture that not only enriches academic growth but also sparks lifelong curiosity and creativity among the young minds of tomorrow.
Nishka Kashyap (13)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

To foster student interest in reading books and magazines, schools can implement engaging book clubs, organize author visits, establish reading challenges with rewards, create cosy reading corners, and host book fairs. Teachers should recommend diverse genres and topics, connect readings to real-world issues, and integrate technology for interactive learning experiences. Encouraging parental involvement and showcasing student book reviews can further stimulate reading enthusiasm.
Shruti Thakur (16)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

Schools can implement interesting programmes like book clubs, where students discuss their favourite books with one another, to encourage a love of reading among the pupils. To pique interest, libraries can hold author-interactive workshops or reading challenges with a theme. Interests are also expanded when reading lists include a variety of genres and subjects. Last but not least, creating a relaxing reading space with nooks and access to a range of publications can stimulate discovery even more.
Aviral Yadav (14)
Fr Agnel School, Greater Noida

These interactive activities can make reading a social and enjoyable experience:
Guest Author Visits: Invite authors to speak about their books and writing process.
Reading Rewards: Implement a reward system for completing books or reading challenges.
Digital Integration: Use e-books and audiobooks to cater to tech-savvy students.
Creative Projects: Encourage students to create their own stories or book-related art.
Reading Buddies: Pair older students with younger ones to read together.
Themed Reading Weeks: Organize events around specific themes or genres.
Personalized Book Recommendations: Tailor suggestions based on individual interests.
Dhananjay Mishra (12)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

Utilize technology by offering access to e-books, audiobooks, or digital magazines, catering to different learning preferences. Encourage peer recommendations and allow students to suggest books they find interesting, fostering a sense of ownership in their reading choices. Implement reading challenges or competitions with incentives like certificates or small rewards to motivate students to achieve reading milestones.
Lavanya Neeraj (14)
Fr Agnel School, Greater Noida

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To address the problem, we can make additions like college credit system in high school with the introduction of AP courses, vocational courses and learning based on experiment. Qualities like communication and problem-solving skills can be boosted through extra-curriculars. We ought to prioritize career guidance and internship opportunities in the field of interest so that we relieve the youth of the usual quarter life crisis.
Myra Walia (15)
St Luke’s, Solan

The curriculum in our educational institutions is lagging behind in youth skill development due to numerous reasons. Firstly, regular career counselling for children is significant in implementing good values and skills that will help them overcome any situation in the job market. The government must provide resources for educators to stay informed about technical advancements. Educational institutions should collaborate with various business and industry tycoons to help children understand the demands of the market. Finally, schools and colleges should facilitate opportunities for students to gain real-world experience through internships and start building their abilities from childhood. I believe that if the government adopts these ideas, India will surely become a nation full of teen-preneurs.
Aadya Kumar (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School Jethuli, Patna, Bihar

Educational institutions can take the following steps to improve curriculum implementation:
Provide Support Structures: Districts can support schools and teachers with professional development networks to implement an effective science curriculum, instruction, and formative assessments.
Promote Holistic Development: Teachers and parents can promote students’ holistic development in both academic and non-academic spheres.
Prioritize Foundational Literacy and Numeracy: Students should achieve foundational literacy and numeracy by grade 3.
Provide Flexibility: Students should be able to choose their learning trajectories and programmes based on their talents and interests.
Eliminate Hard Separations: There should be no hard separations between arts and sciences, curricular and extracurricular activities, and vocational and academic streams.
Daksh Bhardwaj (13)
Notre Dame School, Badarpur, New Delhi

Educational institutions should take several steps, for example, offering career counselling services to help students understand the job market, identify their strengths, and align their educational paths with their career goals. This guidance can assist students in making informed decisions about their academic choices. Implementing internship programmes or work placement opportunities for students can bridge the gap between theory and practice. Real-world experience gained during internships can enhance students’ employability and readiness for the job market. Organizing skill development workshops, seminars, and guest lectures by industry experts to provide students with hands-on experience and exposure to the latest industry practices. By implementing these steps, educational institutions can bridge the gap between educational curricula and job market demands, better equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their future careers.
Priya Raj (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

To address the misalignment between educational curricula and the job market, both institutions and governments must undertake immediate steps. Institutions should foster partnerships with industries to understand current skill demands, updating their curricula accordingly. Emphasizing practical, hands-on learning experiences and integrating technological advancements into course work can better prepare students for real-world challenges. Simultaneously, governments should incentivize collaboration between educational institutions and businesses, allocating resources for retraining programmes and promoting apprenticeships to bridge the gap between education and employment. Additionally, establishing regulatory frameworks that encourage flexibility and innovation in educational practices can facilitate swift adaptation to evolving job market needs. By fostering closer ties between academia and industry while promoting adaptable educational policies, institutions and governments can effectively address the issue of youth skill development.
Parth Sahore (14)
Notre Dame School, Badarpur, New Delhi

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It would be advantageous for India to have a singular central board with optional state languages. First, the students will benefit most. There will be uniformity in the syllabus; all students will learn the same syllabus except for the state languages. Second, students moving from one part of the country to another wouldn’t face the challenges of adapting to a different curriculum. It would result in decreased stress and inferiority complex among students, as India often experiences a situation where one board is considered superior to others. This would also improve the migration level, and providing optional languages would allow for greater flexibility. Students can choose languages based on their interests, career goals, and backgrounds. Last but not least, it would be easier for the government to manage the education system, policies, and practices and keep improving on them.
Ishani Chamling (13)
New Horizon Scholars’ School, Thane, Maharashtra

State boards often incorporate state-specific content, making them more culturally and regionally aligned. CBSE is often preferred for students preparing for competitive exams in India due to its focused curriculum and alignment with national level entrance exams like JEE and NEET. CBSE promotes uniformity in education regardless of their location. State boards allow for more flexibility in curriculum design, which can lead to variations in the quality and content of education between States.
Sneha Suman (12)
Notre Dame, Badarpur, New Delhi

The main reasons for me to go with the choice of singular Central Board are:
1. Nowadays, almost every level of competitive exam in India is based on the syllabus of a particular singular Central Board like CBSE (NCERT). So, if a student wants to clear the NEET, JEE or even UPSC exam, he will have to study the CBSE based books. This makes the student think that it is a lot tougher to clear such exams.
2. If India has a singular Central Board with optional state languages, then every student will get to know the culture of each other’s state. Thus, we will get to know our country which will increase its unity. As the term suggests “Unity in Diversity”.
Kanishka Singh (13)
Montfort Inter College, Mahanagar, Lucknow

I believe having a centralized education is indispensable and the need of the hour for diverse countries like India. Invariability in the education system is necessary for imparting proper and quality education to all students across the country. If a centralized board is constituted, then bias and partiality among children will be eradicated. Improvement in Governmental and private institutions will take place and all stakeholders will be able to manage the education properly. The uniformity may be helpful for assimilation of knowledge and further parents of transferable jobs will not face any problems while managing their child’s education. The uniform curriculum will lead to enhancement in the standardisation of books and teaching methods. Furthermore, the regional culture and traditions may be incorporated in optional state language making education more accessible and agreeable for all.
Sara Tamseel Khwaja (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Bankipore, Patna

Yes, it would be advantageous for India to maintain the current diversity of state, central and international board in the following ways:
Recognized internationally: These boards are advantageous for students planning to study abroad and for parents wanting to shift abroad.
Advanced education system: These boards are recognized internationally, and their education system is advanced in technology, language and orientation.
Flexible syllabus: CBSE offers a lot of flexibility to the students to pursue their fields of interest.
Strong connection with their state’s culture and traditions: State boards are more rooted in the culture and language of the specific state.
Daksh Bhardwaj (13)
Notre Dame School, Badarpur, New Delhi

A central board with optional state language might be beneficial for students. The education and examination system will be uniform throughout India. In case of an interstate change of school, students can cope with the study pattern easily. More underprivileged students will benefit from the singular central board. However, this would have some drawbacks. Presently, the state board teaches regional history, literature, and cultural heritage of one’s state in a very comprehensive manner, so value in maintaining the diverse knowledge will be lacking.
Nandita Singh Bariha (14)
Kendriya Vidyalaya, NHPC Singtam, Sikkim

Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, influenced by India’s unique socio-political, cultural, and economic context. Standardization might ensure that students across different regions have access to the same quality of education, resources, and opportunities. This could help bridge educational disparities between urban and rural areas, or between states with different levels of educational infrastructure. The choice between a singular Central Board and maintaining the diversity of boards depends on balancing the benefits of standardization and national integration with the need to preserve local significance and foster innovation. A possible middle path could involve a hybrid model that establishes a core national curriculum complemented by region-specific modules, allowing for both uniformity in essential educational standards and flexibility to cater to local needs and identities.
Priya Raj (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

It would be a great benefit for India to have a singular central board. Singularization of boards will help students to transfer and take admission throughout schools easily as the exam format and syllabus would be consistent. With uniformity among various boards, students can concentrate fully on studying a single curriculum rather than relying on multiple textbooks for support in upcoming competitions. Standardization can reduce the administrative costs and also promote regional distinctiveness due to the availability of optional languages. Although it risks cultural diversity, it is advantageous for both students and teachers as it creates a straightforward and more compact way of learning in just one schedule/course.
Aadya Kumar (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna, Bihar

I think it would be advantageous for India to have a singular central board with optional state languages as many people of other states do not understand English or Hindi as many have their different languages for their different states, regions and places like villages and so on. I see value in maintaining the current diversity of State, Central and International Boards because many don’t know about their culture of a particular city, state, place or region.
Darshmeet Kaur Saluja (12)
St Francis Convent Inter College, Jhansi

It would be advantageous for India to have singular Central Board with optional State Language. It would bring uniformity in standard of education, evaluation and grading system all over India. It would provide equal opportunity to students of India and would promote national integrity. It would also minimise the cost incurred on education. The language problem and problem of variability in the educational standard, earning outcome, performance and their comparison would be automatically solved by a singular Central Board.
Aditi Shekhar (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

The post Would it be advantageous for India to have a singular Central Board? appeared first on The Teenager Today.

This statistic holds promise for the future, as young people are often seen as the drivers of change, progress, and innovation. However, despite this significant demographic advantage, it is puzzling to see a lack of capable and talented young leaders emerging to guide the nation forward. One reason could be the lack of opportunities and resources available to the youth. Another reason could be the cultural and societal expectations placed on young individuals. Furthermore, corruption and nepotism within the political and social systems can also discourage young, honest and well-educated individuals from entering leadership positions. However, it is essential to recognize that there are also positive signs of change. With the rise of social media and technology, young Indians are increasingly finding platforms to express their views, engage in socio-political discourse, and advocate for change. 
Sameedha P. Batthe (15)
School of Scholars, Wanadongri, Nagpur

Today, politics in India has become a dirty business. Almost all political parties are filled with dubious people with multiple criminal and civil cases. When any bright, honest person joins politics, he has to join a party, and as soon as he joins a party, he gets threats. An honest person cannot survive and flourish in a party without money support or support from other powerful leaders, and no parents would want their child to get threats.
Yuvraj Singh Rajput (12)
Notre Dame School, New Delhi

This youth bulge is often considered a valuable asset for the nation’s progress. However, despite the abundance of young, honest, talented, and well-educated individuals, there is a notable absence of their active participation in leadership roles.
Traditional Mindsets and Hierarchical Structures: One of the significant challenges hindering the ascent of young leaders in India is the prevalence of traditional mindsets and hierarchical structures within various spheres of society. Established norms often favour experience over innovation, leading to a reluctance to entrust leadership roles to the younger generation.
Political Landscape and Dynastic Politics: In the political arena, the influence of dynastic politics remains a prominent barrier to the rise of young leaders. By recognizing and nurturing the leadership capabilities of the younger generation, India can unlock its full potential and pave the way for a brighter, more dynamic future.
Priya Raj (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Sometimes it can be puzzling why young, honest, talented, and well-educated individuals in India aren’t stepping up to lead the country, despite the fact that a large portion of the population is under the age of 35. It’s possible that limited opportunities and support for young leaders might be discouraging them. Additionally, the complexities and challenges of politics can be daunting for anyone, especially for those who are just starting their careers. It’s crucial to create an environment that nurtures and empowers young leaders.
Palak Roy (14)
Notre Dame School, Badarpur, New Delhi

The average age of MPs in India is 57, while the average age of an Indian is 28. This clearly suggests that the youth of our country are quite uninterested in politics. We have a general perception that states that one cannot get into politics without getting one’s hands dirty. Also, the current scenario depicts that it is actually the old political families who are governing our country. Nowadays, the youth lack the chief traits of leadership, which are, communication skills and effective campaigns. One needs to face a lot of challenges, travel constantly and put efforts on the ground level. Despite toiling so hard, there is no guarantee of being a familiar face to the public. Thus, most of the Indians, though ambitious, prefer not to lead our country.
Anwesha Ajay (13)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

The lack of young, talented, and well-educated individuals coming forward to lead our country in spite of India’s significant youth population is a complex issue. Possible reasons could include limited opportunities for political engagement, a lack of trust in the existing political system, or a preference for other career paths. It is crucial to address these barriers and create an environment that encourages and supports young leaders to step forward and contribute to the nation’s progress.
Babatto Baby (14)
St Michael’s Anglo Indian High School, Kannur, Kerala

Some of the reasons why good and educated people stay away from politics are:

1. When good people enter politics with the intention of doing something good for their nation they are suppressed and oppressed by unscrupulous politicians.
2. Politics is not everyone’s cup of tea. Educated people are very conscious about their image. Politics is risky, but they don’t want to take a risk.
3. Politics require large amounts of money and not everyone is affluent.
4. Politicians over-promise and lie to get elected. They have manipulative and deceitful skills. Nowadays, politics has become a haven for thugs and criminals. That’s the reason why educated people keep away from politics.
   Sneha Sharma (15)
   St Mary’s Convent Inter College, Prayagraj

Since our democracy has become riddled with casteism, nepotism, racism and criminalisation, young, honest, talented and well-educated people are not coming forward to join politics and lead our county. Lack of political consciousness and vouch for having leadership quality is another reason for this trend. Besides this, most of our youngsters belong to such economic class which compels them to secure life through jobs and refrain from choosing politics as a career.
Aditi Shekhar (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna, Bihar

Today, young minds prefer to settle in other countries rather than getting engaged in political affairs. Social expectations and family obligations might steer young individuals toward more conventional and stable career paths rather than the unpredictable nature of politics. It is also very difficult for young and talented people to rise in the political conflict, as most Indians vote based only on religion and caste, which is not fruitful for our country. The existing political landscape might be perceived as challenging with complexities, corruption and bureaucracy deterring potential political leaders. Addressing these issues may lead to an improvement in our political system.
Aadya Kumar (13)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Brain drain has been a very important issue for India in recent years; many talented Indian minds are working for other countries. India is losing its young population, drastically. This could be due to:

1. Higher standard of living.
2. Good employment opportunities and higher salary.
3. Better medical, education and recreational facilities.
4. Autonomy and liberty in dissemination of information.
5. Advanced technology and hospitable working conditions.
6. Less population and strain on social amenities.
7. Secure economic and political conditions.
   Sara Tamseel Khwaja (14)
   St Joseph’s Convent High School, Bankipore, Patna

The post Why are the young, honest and well-educated not coming forward to lead India? appeared first on The Teenager Today.

To raise athletic talents in the country the following should be considered:
1. Establishing initiatives in schools to introduce sports early, identifying and nurturing talent from a young age.
2. Introducing scholarships to support promising athletes, enabling them to focus on training without financial constraints to help encourage poor but talented athletes.
3. Investing in training and development programmes for coaches, ensuring they have the skills to identify and nurture talents effectively.
4. Educating the public about the importance of sports, encouraging participation and fostering a culture that values athletic excellence.
5. Implementing nutrition programmes to ensure athletes receive proper dietary guidance for optimal performance and recovery.
By implementing these measures at the state and central level, we can create a robust framework for identifying, nurturing, and supporting athletic talents, contributing to overall better performance in sports.
Priya Raj (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

To foster athletic talents in India, a holistic approach is needed. Central and state governments should invest more in grassroots sports programmes, enhance sports infrastructure, and provide better coaching facilities. Additionally, promoting a sports culture in schools and colleges is crucial. Offering scholarships and financial incentives for athletes, irrespective of their background, can help create a level playing field. Encouraging private sector involvement in sports development can also boost India’s performance on the international stage.
Divya Singh (14)
Notre Dame School, Badarpur, New Delhi

India has shown a lot of improvement in sports in recent years and it is mainly because of talented athletes and the policy of the Indian Government. To raise athletic talents in our country for better performances: 1. New planned policies should be formulated by the government. 2. The budget for sports should be raised. 3. The government should promote and encourage talented athletes who have the potential to excel at the international level. 4. It should provide good training centres and nutritious food along with better equipment. 5. It should support especially girls/women training, and also participation at both the national and international level.
Sneha Sharma (15)
St Mary’s Convent Inter College, Prayagraj

Improving athletic talents in India requires investing in sports infrastructure, implementing grassroots programmes, offering specialized coaching, providing financial support, and emphasizing sports education in schools. A collaborative effort between central and state authorities, the private sector, and sports organizations is crucial to create a comprehensive ecosystem fostering talent development.
R. Yazhini (14)
St Joseph’s Matric Hr Sec School, Nagercoil

A few measures can be taken by the government or a community to accelerate athletic talents in our country:
1. Building proper sports setup in schools with basic necessities.
2. Assurance of annual sports programmes in school.
3. Parents should be encouraged to allow their children to take part in sports.
4. Various governmental schemes and scholarships for easy access to sports for the rural community.
5. Sports insurance programmes in schools.
Sara Tamseel Khwaja
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Bankipore, Patna

Some suggestions to improve performance are: Attract young budding talents by revamping our education system with equal importance given to sports. Then world class training centres need to be developed and sports universities to be established. A categorical separation of management and sports activities. Increased investment through corporate sponsorship for funds. Integration of sports academies with schools and colleges.
Yuvraj Singh Rajput (12)
Notre Dame School, Badarpur, New Delhi

India has a rich athletic history with many talented athletes in various sports. Indian athletes have won medals at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Overall, India’s athletic prowess continues to grow, inspiring future generations.
The following steps can be taken to raise athletic talents in our country for better performances:
Provide good coaches, nutritionists, doctors, support staff.
Provide modern equipment.
Support players if they are poor.
Start from the lower classes in schools.
Teach youngsters the importance of sports in life.
Indians should develop an interest in other sports apart from cricket.
Invite foreign coaches to India to train players.
Safiya
Girls’ High School, Prayagraj

India mostly focuses on a particular sport like cricket, and rarely prioritizes other sports. The government should give equal importance to every sport so that any sport could achieve national pride. In India, the caste system is prevalent in most rural areas of the country, and it is mostly the richer sections of society that are given facilities. So while participating in sports there should be no inequality between players. There should be proper infrastructure and training facilities in educational institutions especially in underdeveloped states like Bihar and Odisha.
Ananya Mohanty (15)
SAI International School, Bhubaneswar

India is achieving great feats in the field of athletics, but much is yet to be done. The state governments should build coaching centres specifically for sports and provide financial support for the less privileged to access them. Various competitions and events should be held all over India to find those with athletic talents who may be competent to participate in international competitions. To encourage children to have an interest in a particular activity, the government should mandate that athletics be taught as a subject in educational institutions.
Aadya Kumar (13)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

This year onwards, e-sports has been recognised as an official sport at the Asian Games. India has the second largest game base in the world. However, Indian parents still take online games as a ‘mere hobby’ and see no future in it. The same goes with other sports as well. The main cause of this is the lack of awareness among people. The government should come up with promotions to make people aware of the sports world and the bright future in it. There must be sports institutions in every district and financial support should be provided to athletes. Undoubtedly, most Indians are cricket lovers and don’t look beyond it. The government should promote every sport. Additionally, schools must have good coaches and trainers so that students can build an interest in becoming athletes.
Anwesha Ajay (13)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

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Annual vacation is a great time to figure out what an individual is good at. One can spend their holidays reading good books as it would help build one’s personality, learning music or dance. And it’s not just about extracurricular activities, one can also join an abacus class to improve one’s mathematical ability or spend some quality time cooking as it has been proven to increase happiness. One can also spend time writing poems and articles. And last but not the least, and the most important, is to focus on physical health as ‘it is health that is the real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver’. And finally, spending time with our loved ones is like a cherry on the cake!
Gauri Sharma (16)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Holidays are the best time to take a break from studies and pursue our hobbies, spend quality time with family, collect new information, improve our physical health, develop our skills, destress ourselves, become a volunteer, or take up a part-time job, keep ourselves fit, and plan for the next semester, analyse the previous year’s mistakes and overcome them with the best strategy for the next semester. This annual holiday, students can collect the best memories of their life. These are the best beneficial ways for any student to spend their annual vacation in their whole life.
Aparajita Mani (13)
Naval Children School, NSB Visakhapatnam

During the annual vacation, we don’t have the burden of school exams and studies on them, so we can utilise it for a good purpose. We can spend our days performing art forms like painting, dance, music, and even learn a language. Reading a novel or a good book also widens our knowledge and is a great way to spend our time. We can even study some books of further classes. If possible, we can also go to tourist places as it helps us to refresh ourselves and explore the various places in our country. Since our mother serves us from dawn to dusk, we can help her in household chores. These are the days which give us a wonderful opportunity to perform the work we are interested in.
Anwesha Ajay (12)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

After a tiring schedule of exams, we get annual holidays which is a session break for students. But sadly, most students think that annual holidays are meant for enjoyment and leisure time without actually knowing their benefits and advantages. Students could spend their annual vacation in many beneficial ways. They could prepare themselves for the next session with the help of previous question papers available online and they could also brush up their skills further more for perfection which has been in a dearth due to excessive study hours. They can also enhance their life survival skills by attending adventure camps which can help them to get out of their comfort zone.
Ananya Mohanty (14)
SAI International School, Bhubaneswarl

Annual breaks, for many students, mean relaxation, whether he is a pre-schooler, a middle schooler, a high schooler or a college student. Students can spend their time on hobbies and develop new skills. But for a high-schooler or an academically weak student or a college attendee, taking everything into consideration, it would be much better and beneficial if they spent their time studying. On the starting of the new session, it will prove helpful to them in understanding things thoroughly because their basic concepts and understanding will be strong. However, for the ones who will pursue their hobbies, they should work hard and excel in whatever they do.
Rudrani Singh (15)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Who doesn’t love vacations? Everyone does, especially children. When annual vacations come, parents want their children to have a vacation that is beneficial for everyone. There are many ways for a beneficial vacation — visits to historical places, temples, or even just staying at home and learning new skills, or trying some new skills outdoors such as skydiving, etc. In this way, children will be able to learn and experience things which can be beneficial in their future.
Aastha (14)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar

Vacations are the most incredible days in a student’s life. They allow us to explore new things and relax. Vacations at proper intervals are especially necessary for young people who are engaged in laborious works. They give our mind and body rest from everyday life. Holidays, spent right, will help us to go back to our work with zeal and vivacity. Here are some of the best ways we can spend our annual vacations:

1. Spend quality time with friends and family.
2. Learn new activities.
3. Pursue a hobby.
4. Take plenty of rest.
5. Read a good book.
6. Learn time management skills.
7. Work out.
8. Travel.
9. Try out different recipes and cuisine of different countries.10. And the most interesting thing you can do is to learn a new language.

Sneha Sharma (14)
St Mary’s Convent Inter College, Prayagraj

The annual vacation is a time for teenagers to get ready for the upcoming session, but most teenagers don’t know how to utilise their time in a beneficial way and end up wasting their precious time. To avoid this, the best way is to prepare a proper schedule. Students can pursue their hobbies such as drawing or reading books and give a couple of hours to study their school subjects. Studying is necessary during this period as children don’t bear their school’s burden and can easily acquire more information. Next, they should limit the use of mobiles and television as teenagers these days spend their time mostly on those. Further, they can add a period of regular exercising and socialising, so that they can be both physically and mentally fit.
Aadya Kumar (13)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

All the schools have an annual vacation after the end of the session, and students get a lot of time to enjoy these days. Students can develop some hobbies, try different activities, spend time with their family members, interact with new people and enhance their skills within this time period. They can use every day to improve themselves in different fields. They should not waste their time on electronic devices but should do some physical activities to improve their health.
Ariba Fatma (16)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

During our vacation, we can utilize our free time by doing that which we can’t do in our routine days. We can spend our leisure time accomplishing hobbies like classical music, dance, painting, creative writing, etc. We can lend our helping hands to our parents in their household chores which also help to improve our various skills. We can assist poor children in completing their home assignments or by tutoring those who can’t afford to go to tuition.
Harsargam Kaur (13)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar

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It is clear that obesity is very common among children between 12 to 18 years old. The most common causes are eating excessive junk food, not exercising regularly and stress. Obesity causes many complications in a child’s physical, social and emotional well-being. These days, children are careless and they adapt bad eating habits such as eating junk food. Also, when children play video games or surf the internet, they sit idle in one place and barely move, contributing to obesity. We should start with ourselves by not eating junk food and by exercising to reduce the rate of obesity.
Aadya Kumar (12)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Obesity is a common disease which is mainly caused by excess eating and not exercising. Today’s youth are becoming lazy because of this. We can prevent it if we choose healthy eating options, limit the amount of food we eat, and avoid junk food and beverages. We also need to be limiting our screen time and exercising regularly. With these methods, obesity can be prevented and our youth will be healthy and fit.
Aastha Agarwal (13)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar

Nowadays, we see many children, especially the youth, becoming obese. The reason behind this increase in obesity is that the young generation do not get involved in physical activities but are busy with their gadgets; they are also more dependent on junk and unhealthy foods. To lower this percentage, we should do some physical activities and exercise regularly to stay fit and healthy. We need to change our daily routines and eating habits. 
Ariba Fatma (16)
St Joseph Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna 

In my opinion, obesity or being overweight is nowadays more of a psychological problem than a physical one, despite being related to one’s physique physically. It is needless to say that today’s youth and many others are easily becoming victims of obesity. “Anything too much or in excess is bad or harmful.” Some of the reasons could be hormonal deficiency, hereditary differences, inappropriate diets, lack of moderation in eating and drinking, lack of physical and mental exercises, medicinal defects and so on. The remedy for this situation today could be: consistency in doing physical and mental exercises, following adequate and proper diets, maintaining a good time-sense for meals, avoiding alcoholic drinks, and eating fresh vegetables and eatables that contain more proteins and vitamins.
Uday (25)
Don Bosco Philosophate, Karunapuram, Warangal

Yes, it is true that obesity has increased in children and in youth today, the biggest reason for this is lack of physical exercise and eating too many calories, although sometimes family genes and stress are factors, too. By changing our eating habits, including exercise in our daily routine and avoiding the causes of stress, we can avoid obesity and other diseases in the future.
Aparajita Mani (13)
Naval Children School, NSB Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Nowadays, teens are so addicted to mobile phones that they spend most of their time indoors. Due to the dearth of physical exercise and constant sitting, the fuel provided by food is not used and is stored as fat. To become fit, youth can do simple yoga or try different sports of their interest, or even schedule a workout routine. Aside from this, one should eat wholesome food with proper nutrients.
Amrita Khaira (13)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar

Youngsters, especially school-going children, are becoming obese day-by-day. Genetics, socio-economic factors and poor lifestyle are some of the causes of obesity. When parents are obese, this may be passed down to their children. Overeating and a sedentary lifestyle also contribute to obesity. A diet full of sugary, high fat and refined food leads to weight gain. Watching TV for a long time also plays a part. Here are some solutions: Exercise daily for at least 30 minutes. Have a balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals. Instead of playing indoors, children should be encouraged to play outside in the open air.
Sneha Sharma (14)
St Mary’s Convent Inter College, Prayagraj

Statistics show that 1 in 5 children are prey to obesity. For this, some industries are to blame. These industries produce addictive junk food which once tasted is tough to relinquish. Children prefer online games to outdoor games. To restore their health, children must be bound to a small limit for using electronics and eating fast food. Good health leads to a smarter personality and higher self-esteem.
Janisha Bhatia (13)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar

Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects youth. Regularly eating high-calorie fast food, lack of exercise, personal or parental stress, socio-economic factors, etc., lead to obesity. In certain conditions obesity may include diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. To prevent obesity, the eating and the exercise habits of children must be properly developed.
Rashmo Mehta (15)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

India has the second-highest number of obese children in the world with 14.4 million cases. The number increased rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical activities among children were reduced comprehensively and the youth suffered several drawbacks in their lives and had a stressful time. Some other important factors are high consumption of calorie-loaded food, sedentary lifestyle and reduced physical activities and exercises. To prevent obesity, we should cut down on sugary food items and beverages. Instead, we should include healthy, leafy and protein-rich food items in our diet as they help in our all-round body development. We should get a good amount (approximately 7-8 hours) of sleep daily, and perform physical activities and exercises. Children should spend a limited amount of time with their gadgets as a sedentary lifestyle is enough to cause excess body weight. It is essential for the young generation, especially children, to have a normal body weight. If not taken care of, there are maximum chances for the children to gain weight when they grow up. Obesity can lead to adverse health effects like diabetes and high blood pressure. Thus, it is extremely necessary for the youth to have a normal body weight.
Anwesha Ajay (12)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

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It’s true that social media is influencing the lives of everyone, predominantly teenagers. To make them a part of family gatherings, we can plan a family night with snacks and fun. Make sure that everyone switches off all their electronic devices. Teens do better when their families eat concurrently at least five times a week. Execute that! The most uncomplicated way is to go for a walk or a drive together.
Amrita Khaira (13)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar, Punjab

We live in the social media era. When it’s missing, we feel awful. Every person’s living style has been altered due to social media, which has also made commodities more accessible. Concerning the negative effects that social media is having on human existence, I am a little concerned. We no longer have close ties to our family and other loved ones. How can we handle it? First and foremost, all parents and educators must teach their kids and pupils how to use social media as a tool to showcase their own skills and talents. Social media is being used by many people, especially the young, for their personal enjoyment. Spending more time with children can help parents understand them better and guide them in the proper direction. These trivial deeds can help them to re-create the bond with the families and near and dear ones rather than with social media.
Little Merinth Aamose A. (20)
St Xavier’s College, Thiruvananthapuram

There is definitely no doubt in saying that social media is destroying our culture. Not just our culture but it is also killing our society too. Women, young and old, have changed their way of dressing; there are hardly any family gatherings now. People who don’t like these social trends are often called old-fashioned, but this is a truth that the youth should accept now that social media is working like a weapon to destroy our culture. We should stop this social trend today itself by not using those apps that are unnecessary for us.
Bhavya Narayan
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

We are most of the time on social media which separates us from our family and friends. Individual culture practising has also weakened the love between each other. We should respect everyone’s social and cultural beliefs. All should reduce the usage of social media and interact with everyone. We have to sit with our family and participate in all family gatherings.
Ariba Fatma
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

As a teenager, I would like to visit historic museums and cultural sites to restore our cultures and traditional practices. We should read spiritual books or study literature and poems on culture of the place. More importantly we should publicly speak on the importance of preserving our culture. It is a necessity to preserve our cultural heritage to maintain our identity as a nation.
Tejal Verma (15)
Notre Dame School, New Delhi

In my opinion, to restore this social trend one can go for a family gathering once, so that he or she could realize that there are many benefits. Family gatherings help one in strengthening the bond with the family. To make these gatherings more entertaining, parents can add some activities and eatables, so that teens are excited to take part in these events.
Aastha (13)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar, Punjab

Social media has changed our lifestyle in many ways and we have become isolated from our family and friends. In today’s world, people do not meet their loved ones very often as they are so glued to using social media. To resolve this problem, we must meditate to be at peace. We should also shorten our screen time. Moreover, if we want to talk to someone, we should try to meet them physically instead of calling them on our phones. Social media is very detrimental to our society and we should limit its use. A family should celebrate an event or festival with all family members to keep them connected and to carry on the cultural traits from one generation to the next.
Aadya Kumar (12)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

The word ‘social’ itself conveys the meaning that we are interconnected. Media is an instrument to be in relation. Because even in social media, I am with the other. I, by myself, cannot use social media, there must be a person who responds to me. But often it is forgotten that we bring the dignity of a person down to a text message. However, a person should not be reduced to a text message. As humans, whether we are online or offline, we are interconnected, not disconnected. In African Philosophy the concept of “Ubuntu” means “I am because we are.” Because “no man can live as an island.” This is the humanity and a real transformation and a transcendence.
Sureshbabu (22)
Don Bosco Philosophate, Karunapuram

Social media is slowly and gradually weakening our old tradition of physical meeting and gathering. To restore our old traditions, we should reduce the usage and formation of social media groups. Instead, we should encourage people to meet each other physically. We can also organise get-together parties and meet our family members. We should try not to skip community jamborees. Moreover, a resolution to meet our family members and dedicating at least one day a month to them can also bring about a change. These steps can help us to socialise with our close ones.
Anwesha Ajay (12)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Although India’s institutional framework remains very conducive, there are indications of a weakening social fabric. Currently, the rate of change is fast. Often technology can bring negative/zero interactions between family members. It starves the family of learning and modelling with each other. Today, people care less for the family and remain busy on phones to avoid family gatherings and conversations.
Rashmo Mehta (16)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

India has a very rich culture and among them the most prominent one is a social gathering. Social media is indeed making people sweep away from social gatherings. Youngsters have started being self-centred. Also, a feeling of social phobia is at its peak these days. People avoid social gatherings as their first and foremost priority is “privacy”. The only solution for this is trying to limit the usage of mobile phones. Its minimum usage will always be beneficial for all those who avoid community jamborees. Mixing with people and getting fascinated by their stories and lives would also remove social phobia and make them more confident.
Gauri Sharma (16)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Patna

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While going to school, I see many kids who don’t have even basic facilities like food and clothes; these cannot afford to educate themselves. They are not privileged, but we are. We can share a few of our things that can help them. We can give them our notebooks, course books, stationery, etc. Some children don’t have clothes. So can’t we give them our clothes? We should help them by providing them with basic things.
Bhavya Narayan
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

We all have equal rights to education, girl or boy, rich as well as poor or middle class. We, who are fortunate enough to get an education in a good institute or school, should do the following: 1. There should be classes provided to those children who are not financially able to get an education in private institutes or schools. 2. We should teach orphan children on weekends or go to the slum areas to educate the children.
Harshita Kumari (15)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

As a teenager you can help less-privileged children by starting a mobile school in which you can visit your nearby locality and teach underprivileged children. If you are good at any specific vocational skills like stitching, basket-weaving, paper recycling, etc., you can teach them these skills so that they can start their own business in the near future, as raising an entrepreneur rather than an employee is always a better option. We can also tweet or post on Facebook asking for books, clothes, blankets, etc.
Srishti Rajput (20)
Meerabai Institute of Technology, New Delhi

We can collect old books from neighbours, family, friends, colleagues, etc., anyone who is keen to contribute to your cause. Put up a Facebook post or tweet asking for books and other necessities of life. Go to a nearby locality where there are many underprivileged children and give these collected things to them. You can also set up a mini library where children can browse through books.
Yuvraj Singh Rajput (11)
Notre Dame School, New Delhi

Most of us want to make a difference but get stuck on the ‘how’ part. Our small donation can help lift children out of poverty and educate them. Tutoring, helping them with books, clothes, food, etc., can surely help them live a better life. Volunteering our time and effort to help children can make a very big impact.
Rashmo Mehta (16)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli

Not everyone on this earth is blessed. We all are God’s kids and we ought to help our underprivileged brothers and sisters with whatever we can. As a teenager, I can tutor the needy for free. Many children do not have basic amenities. We can help them by providing them with our used school supplies, clothes, etc.
Unnati Bhardwaj (15)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Patna

Every child in this world has the wright to receive education. However, some underprivileged children are not able to claim what they are supposed to obtain due to their financial condition. As a teenager, we can make an effort to give them our old books to study; we can also educate young children for free.
Chahat Gupta (12)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Patna

As a teenager we can take many steps to help less-privileged children get educated and receive other necessities of life by using a mobile school on weekends. We can also do this in our homes. We can organize an old books and clothes drive, or contact any local school to see if they have any after-school activities to tutor children, or we can contact local charities to help children get educated.
Yeshbi Agrawal (14)
St Joseph’s High School, Jethuli, Patna

As teenagers, we may feel like we are unable to make a significant difference in the world, but it’s better to change even one person’s life in a small way than to do nothing at all. Teenagers can work with their schools to set up fundraisers, where donors know exactly where their money is going, to the extent of which their sponsored child would benefit from the donation. We can also encourage adults or our families to sponsor a child’s education or help provide them with necessities.
Sami Polumohanti (16)
Primus Public School, Bengaluru

Success can only be achieved when the child is well aware about the significance of education and is determined to have a positive future. As a teenager, make them aware of the many measures our government has taken. For example, Right to Education Act under which free education is ensured to every child, or the mid-day meal programme concerning their food. Furthermore, we teenagers can provide them with books which are not useful to us anymore. We can save a portion of our money and supply them with the required stationery or provide them a pass to nearby libraries. This is surely possible when children are passionate and their families are attentive towards the significance of education in our society.
Harshita Lakhpatani (15)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jaipur

As teenagers, the responsibility of helping less-privileged children should be our primary duty. We can form a group of teenagers and fix a place for teaching those children once or twice a week. If possible, we should also collect money and show them educational movies or take them to any such place where they can gain knowledge, be it historical or scientific. On special occasions, we can give them gifts such as clothes or toys to make them happy. By doing such activities we will be able to educate those children and the future of our nation will be brighter.
Aadya Kumar (12)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Being a teenager, education is the light by which I can take underprivileged children from the shades of darkness. I can teach those children in my free time and also help them become better human beings. They would be able to support their families financially if they receive a proper education. Moreover, I would help them with my savings and also provide them with stationery items and eatables. Door-to-door collection is also a way by which I would be able to collect some money for their well-being. I would help those children make their future enlightened so that they become a source of inspiration for many other underprivileged children.
Gauri Sharma (16)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Patna

The post Help less-privileged children receive necessities of life appeared first on The Teenager Today.

Teenagers commit suicide usually because of their studies, lack of motivation, and scolding from parents, friends’ circle, bullying, etc. People often fail to understand the mental state of a teenager. Teenage is a time in life when the individual is very sensitive emotionally. This affects the future of the individual as this is the golden period of a student’s life. Some teens find it very easy to cope with everything, while others find it difficult. This can be prevented if those around the adolescent try to understand his/her sensitive mental state. They should talk to the adolescent about how they are feeling. Parents should discuss any problems with the teens. Teens should pursue hobbies to feel less depressed. Negative thoughts often cause teens to choose the wrong path, causing them to hurt themselves. Better parenting, pep-talking and persuading teens to be optimistic is all that is needed for a teen to be raised properly.
Rudrani Singh
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

India ranks at the top in terms of suicide rate in the world and the majority of suicides are committed by students. The pressure from parents to score the highest marks is one of the major reasons for the increasing suicides among students today. Moreover, due to the lack of student counselling, the situation is becoming worse. Unlimited syllabus in each subject in the education system is making students stressed out even more. The government, schools, as well as each individual, must take initiatives to create awareness among students regarding suicides.
Pamila Lexcy (20)
Women’s Christian College, Tamil Nadu

During their teenage phase, teenagers go through several emotional and physical changes. They come under bad influences which are like an attraction to them. Surfing the internet and social media, getting involved in love affairs and substance addiction are some of the major reasons for suicidal tendencies. During adolescence, youth go through insecurities such as peer pressure, over-expectation from parents to perform well in examinations, racial, sexual or even body shaming online. Helicopter-parenting can also be a reason for suicidal attempts among the youth. They try to find a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and that is to end their life.
Apurva Gupta (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Losing the hope to live or feeling like there is no one for us, getting depressed when we fail at doing something, makes one think “I am of no use, who needs me, then why to live?” etc. Giving hope to youngsters will give birth to winners, instead of scolding them, give them a second chance. Until you lose, you won’t win. If we do so, many lives will change.
Sonu Joy
Darshana Institute of Philosophy, Sawangi, Wardha

Every hour, one student in India commits suicide, but why? Nowadays, the pressure of studies imposed on children is the main cause. Some parents force their children to fulfil their dreams, even though their children do not find interest in that particular stream and are not able to cope with their studies. After getting admission in colleges, sometimes junior students are harassed by senior students to such an extent that they become very embarrassed and think that suicide is the only way out of the situation. Parents should understand the interests of their children and support them, so that the child never thinks of committing such an act.
Aadya Kumar (12)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna, Bihar

“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” A suicidal feeling is not a character fault, but a strenuous situation that is uncontrollable. It is a brave deed to face death and students should use this fortitude to confront life, to gain skills to overcome depression, and to find the firmness to keep moving. Crisis lines, supporting networks, sensory strategies to relax, meditation, breathing techniques can challenge any self-defeating thoughts. Remember: “Problems that seem hopeless have solutions”.
Harnishya Palanichamy (15)
Hebron School, Ootacamund

A study reveals that India’s large proportion of suicides occur between the ages of 15 to 29 years. These deaths resulted from poor relationships with parents, excessive expectations, the feeling of being unwanted, poor understanding of their peers, romantic relationships, etc. Family background plays an important role in determining how young people cope with despair. To avoid such a situation:

1. Mental health and wellness should be added into the school curriculum.
2. If students are self-motivated to face failures, there will be no tendency to commit suicide.
3. Cultural or religious beliefs can discourage suicide and promote healthy living.
4. Good support and communication from family members can enhance the mental health of students.
   Abina Binu (16)
   B. V. J. M. H. S. S. Perumpadave, Kannur, Kerala

The thought of meeting their parents’ huge expectations triggers a student’s mind, and when a student fails in the process, it makes him/her doubt their potential and efficiency, leading to depression and finally suicide. The only way to reduce a suicidal tendency is to bridge the communication gap between parents and their children. Students should be counselled and encouraged that failure is not the end; rather it’s the stepping stone to success.
Gauri Sharma (16)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Patna

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