Personality Development

1st Prize - I worked hard but could not win the first prize…

I was touted to be the best contestant of 'Indian Idol'. Votes of the public poured in. I was supremely confident, I cruised along, practicing with my mentors. Yes, I was poised to win. It was not only the fame, what was most important, I wanted the winner's money very badly. My father was seriously ill with a rare heart problem. He needed surgery. He had been slogging for the comfort of the family for years, with the result, he didn't have money for his own treatment.

I saw the advertisement on the television for selections in the music show. Yes! This was my opportunity to use my talent. I gave in my name and the next thing I knew, I was called for an audition. I prayed to God like never before to get selected. God was kind to me. The judges gave me the ticket to Heaven!

The day finally arrived. There were butterflies in my stomach. No one in my family could attend the function as my father's health had taken a serious turn. My performance would decide my fate-his fate. I started perspiring at the collar. Rivulets of sweat were pouring down my cheeks. I felt like crying. It was a sad song I selected to sing. I thought it suited my mood; but it was really touching.

I broke down in the middle. Everyone wanted me to win; they urged me but I just couldn't take up the thread. I withdrew, my head bent; total defeat was written large over my face. There was desperation on the faces of my friends. The judges looked disappointed. I didn't have to wait for the declaration. I came a poor third. My dreams were shattered, crumbled to the ground!

Then came the sound of a loud applause. All were looking at me. The anchor came towards me and lifted my hand. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, one of the judges, promised to give me all the songs in his upcoming film. The TV channel announced a special prize for me! My cup of happiness was full again. Luck comes in different guises. One should never lose hope.

I could get my father treated with the money I received and he is perfectly all right. Proper post-operative treatment could be given with the rest of the money. Later, I felt proud of my country; not only for the expert treatment given, but for all the love and care of my countrymen. This experience made me realize, that victory need not come in the form of a prize. My defeat enabled me to earn much more than what I could have earned by winning the title. Today, I trust God, trust humanity and trust myself. I am a confident teenager full of optimism. I will never lose my positive outlook and I learned that failure is not the opposite of success. It's a part of success.

I could get my father treated with the money I received and he is perfectly all right. Proper post-operative treatment could be given with the rest of the money. Later, I felt proud of my country; not only for the expert treatment given, but for all the love and care of my countrymen. This experience made me realize, that victory need not come in the form of a prize. My defeat enabled me to earn much more than what I could have earned by winning the title. Today, I trust God, trust humanity and trust myself. I am a confident teenager full of optimism. I will never lose my positive outlook and I learned that failure is not the opposite of success. It's a part of success.

1st Prize - He turned the key in the lock and opened the door. To his horror, he saw…

The entire room was water clogged. There was water everywhere. The slippers were swimming in the water. The bedsheet on the divan had started to drench. The newspaper on the lower shelf of the table was all wet. "What the hell," he thought! The thought crossed his mind that he must have forgotten to turn off the kitchen sink tap.

He started to think, “Mummy is going to be very angry when she sees it. She had asked me before going out if I could take care of the house.” Rohan had smiled and replied, 'Why not? How difficult it could be ? After all, all he had to do was to watch TV, play games with kids in the neighbourhood and enjoy himself. As soon as she left, some friends invited him to play outside, he rushed to the kitchen to keep his breakfast plate in the sink, washed his hands and forgot to turn off the tap.

A couple of hours later when Rohan came back, his fun turned into horror. As he turned the key in the lock and opened the door, to his horror, he saw that his house had become an ocean and there was water everywhere.

He rushed to the kitchen and turned off the water tap and then went on to pick the wiper, and started cleaning. He was hungry too, but the house had to be cleaned first.

Thoughts kept coming. He had always thought it was easy to be a mother, all she had to do was to cook, clean and stay at home all day, apart from shouting at him on every single thing he did. But now he came to know that he felt free because his mother cared for everything. If Mummy was here, this would have never have happened. She managed everything so well.Thoughts kept coming. He had always thought it was easy to be a mother, all she had to do was to cook, clean and stay at home all day, apart from shouting at him on every single thing he did. But now he came to know that he felt free because his mother cared for everything. If Mummy was here, this would have never have happened. She managed everything so well.

He suddenly started missing his mother. How she had been taking care of him tirelessly, she loved him immensely and always wanted to be his best friend. She enjoyed the time they spent together.

Mother is like a breeze in life, you don't realize how it makes your life cool unless you miss it and that's what he was feeling today.

The bell rang, he wiped his tears and braced himself for the reprimand. He deserved it, he thought. Mother came in and hugged him even before looking anywhere and smiled. Then she looked at the condition of the house, smiled again and said, "Don't worry, accidents happen," and she started cleaning. "I love you Mother," he said. They hugged and laughed.

2nd Prize - I worked hard but could not win the first prize

I am a student of Class VIII and have entered my teens. I've always been sluggish and laid back in all my ventures! I admit that this attitude of mine has made me obese as well and my mother keeps on nagging me for the same!

There are times you realize that enough is enough! I must prove my worth to my mother and the whole world! Although taking up challenges and giving my 100% is again not my cup of tea, but I told myself ‘Now or Never!’

I came across an online essay writing competition "Be the next Shakespeare” organized by the Times of India and NBT. The topic given was "My teacher; my role model." I knew that I had to take part. But the last date was the next day. There are many teachers, I idealize, but it is our Headmistress, Mrs. Ranjana Bharti, whom I look up to! So I prepared a rough draft and penned down all my ideas. Of course, my mother gave me the much required guidance.

Sticking to the world limit was also important, so editing had to be done. Finally, by 12 o' clock in the night, I was through. Then came the arduous task of typing the essay. As the entry had to be sent online, keeping my fatigue aside, I typed in haste, being very careful not to make errors. Paragraphing, using correct font size, highlighting, punctuation marks–everything needed to be in place. After all it was a state level competition! Finally, I accomplished my task and posted it, heaving a sign of relief!

The result had to be declared in 2-3 days, so I waited with much apprehension. Every day, I used to check my mother's email inbox. On the final day, I said a small prayer and opened my Mom's email and lo and behold! I was selected in the "Special Mention" category.

My mother was thrilled not only at my achievement but also because of my hard work and sincerity. She declared that I had indeed grown up! Her baby was grown up into a young writer!

I was patting my back as I had given my mother so much happiness but in some corner of my heart, my desire to have secured the first prize has kept haunting me ever since. I have learnt a very important lesson that "Your resolution to succeed is more important than anything else in the world."

2nd Prize - Tribute to someone you regard as hero

Humanity is a word which means to show humane behaviour towards others. Unfortunately, these days, no one even bothers to think about these things. In actual practice, we do not give importance to humanity and the lack of humanity in this world is the root cause of terrorist attacks and conflicts. Many innocent people have suffered from these activities all over the globe and will suffer in the coming years. Terrorist attacks take place either due to religious causes or to make the government agree to their demands. Religion is the main cause of such activity. What is the use of so many Gods and so many religions as they lead to dividing the people? Everyone should follow one religion i.e. One God. The knowledgeable people also do not revolt against these people as their family's life could be in danger. Napoleon has rightly said, "The world suffers not because of the violence of bad people but because of the silence of good people."

Such a terrorist attack took place on the midnight of 26th November, 2008 in Mumbai, India. Ten terrorists entered the city and started killing people one by one from the Leopold Café till the Cama Hospital. About 166 people died including one brave officer named Ashok Kamte.

Ashok Kamte, a brave police officer, was killed by one of the terrorists beside the Marine Drive. Ashok Kamte is a real hero not only in the eyes of other Indians but also holds full respect in my eyes. The bravery shown by him in that emergency situation is indeed a matter of great pride for us. Mr Ashok Kamte even implemented a plan for killing the two terrorists left out of ten but couldn't get the opportunity, as they had left earlier. Courageous officer, Ashok Kamte was later honoured with a prestigious medal, Ashok Chakra. Officer Kamte was a negotiator in crisis situations and it was one of the biggest reasons to deploy him on the night of 26/11. I think that any type of respect is not enough to be given to him for his bravery and courage.

Many policemen are deployed in the police department every year but only a few come up with their talents and the reason is corruption. But because of these few people, the rest of the department goes in the black list. If one officer tries to be honest enough, he is suspended. I don't know which type of world, we are heading towards. But if officers like Ashok Kamte are there, the world should not be afraid of terrorists as they are there whenever we need help. A tribute and a salute should be given to him.

Music & Dance Training at CMS

Research at California University shows that children who learn music develop a greater capacity for absorbing knowledge, and have better learning outcomes, in studies, co-curricular activities and sports.

To encourage music and dance, CMS has well-trained and experienced music and dance teachers at all Campuses (55 music teachers and 35 dance teachers). Children are imparted high quality training in classical music, western music, and individual or group lessons in musical instruments such as violin, guitar, synthesizer etc. on a regular basis. In dance, they are taught the various classical dances like kathak and bharat natyam, folk dance and various genres of western dance.

This year, apart from individual violin and voice lessons at 6 campuses, tabla classes have been started at the CMS Gomti Nagar Campus I and CMS Aliganj Campus I. Children are learning the art of tabla playing with great interest at these CMS campuses.

Indian music (Tabla)

Western music (Violin)