Mid-term test over

I am now in a relaxed mood as our mid-term examinations are over. The evaluation and questions asked are different from last year. There is a change in evaluation for science especially . Now, we have to draw all those diagrams in Biology, and use only Equ of Motion in Physics. For Chemistry, it is allright 'cause I had full marks. I have only 88%. I was going to make it 90 but suddenly the principal decided to make Computer a grade subject. I had 100% in computer. That might have changed my entire percentage. It is really hard to get altleast an 80 percentage in English ( or make it 70). Teachers are very strict . They will reduce lot of marks even if the mistake is minute. I am determined to get atleast a 93% inthe terminal exams. It is really difficult to score but I will try my best. I have planned my studying and I am very confident . By the way, my younger sister, Gowri, had 99% for the Mid-Term exam. She is now in 4th standard.

I am there in Group Dance and Margam Kali in the CBSE Youth Festival. I am also there in Thiruvathira competiton, i.e, school house competitions. I saw our last year's Margam Kali perfomance. There were only four teams in it and we got the 4th Prize. Actually, after watching the video, I was surprised we even got the 4th prize (horrible!). I am praying to God to make Margam Kali and Group Dance on two different days. It is so tiresome if both are on the same day. We will have no time to enjoy. Let's see...

School Re-opened!

I am sorry I was not able to keep connected all these days because there was a problem in our net connection. It is already now...

OK, My school Reopened. It is not much of a bad news because I love school now! The entire thing is completely different from last year... Even before one month, our class teacher ressigned from the job because she got a govenment job elsewhere. This is a common practice in our class all the academic years. Now, teachers consider it lucky if they get our class. I am in the Yorkshire House and my sister is in Glamorgan. (You must be wondering why such names for houses, that is, even after more than 50 years, some schools' houses or teams are named after British Streets! A thing to be certainly ashamed of!) Last year, I was in the Science Club. Usually, science clubs are organised in Saturdays, and also all the programmes and competitions in the school are conducted on Saturdays. I am there in most of the programmes and house competitons, so, I was not able to attend the science club. In addition to that, science clubs are there only on Ist saturdays... So, I decided to join the Social Service and Nature Club this year. The main reason is that all my friends are there. But now I am fed up, because it is a field that I have no interest. I am trying my best to be back in the Science Club. There is a Science Exhibition that is to be conducted on August. The topic is anything related to the use of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR HUMAN SUSTAINABILITY. I've already thought of some ideas. Do help me if you have any...Our Mid-Term examinations are starting next week. Actually, for me, nineth standard is way better than eight in the case of studies...

In Varkala

My native place, cherunniyoor, is near Varkala. Varkala is one of the attractive places in Kerala. The most noted is the Beach at Papanasham and the cliff along it. It is a must-go place for Keralites or anybody. The Beach at Papanasham is considered very sacred. Actually, the word 'papanasham' means 'destruction of sins' and it is believed that taking a bath at this Beach destroys all our sins. So.., we had a bath. But our intention was 'enjoying' the sea. We had a great time there. We also went to the famous Kulamuttam Backwaters. It is an isolated place with little man-made structures. The sunset there was very beautiful. I have never seen the sun this much reddish. My aunt's friend's house is near this place. So, we also had a visit over there and had our meals there. That house is a good example of the Keralite Christian homes in old times (maybe even now). Our next soothing visit was on the famous Kappil backwaters. In there, Actually, along one side of the road is the arabian sea and the alomg the other side is the beautiful backwaters. We stayed at Cherunniyoor for almost 15 days and now I am back at home. My cousin is also with me here. We are having great fun. One month holidays isover,yet another one month is there for the shool to reopen. Now, I want to get engaged in some useful things for the coming academic year because I have a lot of expectation from me next year...

Vishu at Cherunniyoor!

We had our vishu celebrations in my native palce at cherunniyor, varkala. For you, I am just introducing this festival- this is celebrated extensively in the state of Kerala in South India. The festival marks the first day of Malayalam Year and falls in the month of Medam(April – May). Vishu follows the sidereal vernal equinox and generally falls on April 14 of the Gregorian year. This occasion signifies the Sun's transit to the zodiac - Mesha Raasi (first zodiac sign) as per Indian astrological calculations. The word "Vishu" in Sanskrit means "equal". Therefore Vishu is more probably denoting one of the equinox days. Vishu is also considered as the harvest festival of Kerala and thus the importance of this day to all Malayalees. The festival is marked with offerings to the divine called Vishukkani. The offerings consist of a ritual arrangement in the puja room of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers konna (Cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called uruli. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside. This arrangement is completed the previous night.

For us, kids, the most part is the vishukkaineettam and the vishukani. Vishukkaineetam is the money given by the elders to the kids. On the day of Vishu, the custom is to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with the eyes closed so that the Vishukkani is the first sight of the new season but my Vishukani was my father and then only I saw the traditional Vishukani. All these years, I have been seeing the vishu kani in the home in my native place . It is really a wonderful experience. We went to the Varkala Janardhanswamy Temple. Also, we had sometime in the Papanasham Beach. During Vishu, its also celebration time for the media nd channels. They are trying their best to keep the viewers in front of the Television. Very interesting vishu related programmes and new films are broadcasted on this day. I, myself saw two films. Then it was time for us to go home. Most Probably, next trip will be to the Poovar Beach, then again to Cherunniyoor. By the way, I forgot to remind you that I have passed the exams. Hurray!

A visit to The Padmanabhapuram Palace

Atlast managed for a small trip with family...

We had a great time to Kanyakumari.

In Padmanabhapuram Palace...

We visited The Padmanabhapuram Palace in the capital of the historical country of Travancore. It is almost 450 years old. Its beautiful and extraordinary architecture with simplicity is the reason for its fame. It is difficult to express its beauty in words. It is a must-see place for tourists. The Dance Hall is the most beautiful in there. It clearly shows us the customs practices early in South India and Kerala's unique style of architecture. Another attraction is its glazing floor. It is made of natural ingredients which is not well known now. It remains as a unbreakable secret because those generations are gone now. There is also a museum showing the various archeological imprints, paintions, statues, early weapons and guns used by the Dutch. One who is visiting there will never forget their experience in this astonishing palace.

Exploring the divine wonders; in Suchindram Temple..

The next place we visited is the Suchindram Temple. It is the best example of Tamil architecture. Actually, a temple of wonders. The beautiful rock carvings is the most noticing. Most places in there is built in a single rock. This is a temple dedicated to a deity who is the representation of the combined forces of Siva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is one of the few temples in the country where the Trinities are worshipped. The temple has a beautiful gopuram, musical pillars and an excellent statue of the Hanuman, apart from a valuable collection of art from different periods.

Visiting the Famous Vivekananda Rock...

At around 2 past noon, we visited the Vivekananda Rock. Most of us were a little afraid to boat in sea-water as the rock is situated only after a small distance from the coastof Kanyakumari. This memorial stands on one of two rocks separated by about some meters. It was built in 1970. This memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, the greatest social reformer. Swamy Vivekananda was supposed to have meditated on the rock where the memorial stands today. A meditation hall is also attached with the memorial. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. It houses a statue of Vivekananda. The divine foot print 'Pada Parai' of Devi is also seen here. Actually, we feel like flying in there. The seabreeze is breathtakingly strong. For me, that is the most wonderful experience.

Enjoying Beauty of Sea and... Statue!

The minor rock adjoining the Vivekananda rock memorial lies a Statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar, the author who gave us quintessential words of wisdom through his philosophical work 'Thirukkural', a treatise in Tamil on the Indian way of life. The statue, standing amid the dancing blue waves, creates a lasting impression as it rises high over the rock. We can stand more higher than on the Vivekananda Rock, that means, wind more than imagination.

However, we missed to visit the Gandhi Mandapam. It is said to have the urn containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was kept for public view before a portion of its contents was immersed in the three seas. According to my knowledge, it resembles an Oriyan temple and was designed so that on Gandhiji's birthday (2nd October), the sun's rays fall on the place where his ashes were kept .

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Kanyakumari is still beautiful after the horror and destruction caused by the Tsunami in Dec 2005. The Tamilnadu government is trying its best to bring the monuments back as it was before the tsunami. But, now everything seems to be untouched by destruction and are having a peaceful existence. There was also my cousins and relatives with us, so the trip was just wonderful and enjoyed fully. The only thing is that we were not able to enjoy the beach. So, we decided for a trip to Poovar after Vishu. I am going to my native place after some days...