Dear all,

As your summer vacations have started and all of you are safe at home take a moment to reflect. This is the moment when you have to do your best with a mission to be with others ,leading a life of patience, care, assistance and empathy. The virus has prompted us to gain a heightened self-awareness. At this crucial time, I am sure all of you have been practising social and physical distancing, and coming together on social media for mutual morale boosting, conversations and sharing with others .This will be the best way to counter the pandemic.You must have a positive attitude to life as well as studies. It is said, "Positive energy offers you a beautiful perspective of life and arms you with the ambition, drive and motivation you need to move ahead. " Have a happy and healthy holiday season with positivity in you. Each and everyone of you is valuable. Children, you matter to me, to your friends and family and to the world too. Take a great care of yourself and your elders too. Have a happy and healthy holiday season with positivity in you.

Mrs. Savita Saxena, Editor e-Magazine , senior staff, AMI

The whole world is at a standstill amid an acute sense of loss ,anxiety and insecurity in this grim situation of Coronavirus Pandemaic. Work …study…rest and play….all under one roof. This is the reality for millions of us. We are being told to hunker down in our apartments or houses to maintain social distancing. Though it seems a very deeply unnatural practice for humans but social distancing is one of the main and essential weapons we have, to fight with the virus.

Behavorial changes such as low mood ,anxiety disorder, insomnia, anger,irritability, mood swings and depression are some major problems people are facing during this lockdown. People are stressed about the risk of infection, fear of becoming sick or losing loved ones. There is the prospect of financial hardship or losing of jobs. With plans being cancelled and the uncertainty of the life ahead , disappointments are high during this time. The viral contagion is ravaging economies , people and livelihoods.

However we all know that this is a temporary phase that will pass sooner or later.There is always a silver lining. If we compare the pre-coronavirus period to the present situation we are living in, a lot of people now have an opportunity and extra time to sit together for meals and other activities with their children and parents and revive their bonding with each other. It’s the time to revive one’s forgotten hobbies such as painting, embroidery or craft to fill the time. While some can pick up activities they have always wanted to pursue such as cooking, movie watching, gardening , yoga. Children are also taking active part in such activities and doing household chores. It is a good idea to set up a schedule and delegate a different responsibility to them every day. They will learn to be accountable for their work.

I think mostly all children are die-hard catoon film buffs. They can spend hours by watching TV. But now, as the schools are shut and they can’t go outdoors to play, there has been a drastic shift in their TV-viewing habits. Thanks to Doordarshan. Since when the Ramayana and Mahabharta are being telecast everyday , they have stopped watching other shows. Perhaps this is the first time in the lives of this generation that they are enjoying the stories that are culturally rooted and are high on ethical values, quality and content. There are valuable life lessons from every character and scene for them to learn. Now there are no robots whipping out gadgets, no nonsensical dialogues and no violence..This is a welcome change from the perspective of children and parents.

We all know that hygiene is the first lesson and precaution is the only cure for coronavirus.It is necessary to understand the importance of sanitation and cleanliness. The outbreak has forced us to keep a respectful distance from others. This self imposed isolation can be taken as an ideal opportunity to ponder on our journey so far and future path. As we are passing through a tough phase, let’s turn this challenge into an opportunity. Once the world conquers coronavirus, we will be back to our fast-paced and stressful routine life. Therefore the opportunity for us to make a change is now while we are in the middle of this crisis. We need to recalibrate our priorities, distinguish our wants from our need and take steps not to repeat our past negative actions towards ourselves, our community and our planet to build a new future together…….future that leads us to live a modest life, treat everybody equal and respect nature.

Miss Poornima Gangele, Editor e-Magazine , Junior staff, AMI