Work in progress

A Meeting To Discuss SDGs Organised By The SDGs

 Ananya Agarwal
AIS Gur 46, XI E

The clock struck midnight on December 31, 2020, and a commotion of blueprints is heard at the UN headquarters. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted on September 25, 2015, rise to report their progress.
SDG 4 (quality education) commences the conference in a condescending tone, expounding its online reboot due to COVID-19. Explaining new strategies, it claims to have established an unbreakable bond with students. While it is speaking, it is forced to clam up by SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) who point out the inaccessibility of online education, considering how poverty and unemployment have increased. To prove their statement, the duo mentions: ‘According to 2020 Global Multidimensional Poverty Data, 1.3 billion people live in poverty. Adding to it, children show higher rates of multidimensional poverty: half of poor people are children under 18. One in three children is poor compared with one in six adults’.
The ambience is soon interrupted by SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) who are bitter about gender pay gaps and increasing violence against minorities. SDG 5 shares the statistic released by UN Women: ‘Worldwide, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by men’.
With all the negative statements only echoing in the conference, SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15 (life on land) ardently announce their success with clearer skies, dropping AQI levels, green covers thriving and wild animals reclaiming the land, but also warn that these changes are transient. Wheezing and coughing, SDG 3 (Good health and well-being) narrates its story of despair.
With the entire world focusing on getting a vaccine and developing international relations, a satisfied SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions) reclines as a proud ambassador for people who readily support one another. SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG 12 (responsible production and consumption) boast about how they have been in much attention as countries switch to more sustainable sources showing phenomenal results and helping other SDGs. Not to make anyone doubt their improvement, they point out the contributions and target of countries working in the same direction - Sweden, who aims to be the world’s first fossil fuel free country by 2040, followed by Costa Rica who have already achieved 95% renewable electricity whereby it also aims to be completely carbon neutral by 2021, Scotland’s initiative of building the world’s largest wind farm etc.
SDG 17 (partnership for the goals) silently observes the whataboutery that transpires, and entreats the human population for support: “Although human progress and problems go hand in hand, what we do in the present lay our future’s foundation and these goals are stepping stones of growth. Don’t disappoint the SDGs, Humans.”
With this the commotion stops and SDGs go into a deep slumber for five years again, just in a hope to experience better efforts by humans to fulfil all the goals or may be some of the unsatisfied ones.

What a steal!

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SWOT analysis
But what’s the harm in buying these counterfeits, you ask, given that most of them come at half the price of their original counterparts, sometimes even one fourth? And not all of us can afford luxury. So when you can, then why not?
The answers are aplenty. While the international garment industry incurs a loss of USD 3 billion every year, the amount stands at USD 2 billion for the cosmetic industry, courtesy – fake products. According to OECD, “5–9% of the global trade volume is counterfeit production, which translates to a basis of a yearly volume of USD 9 billion; this means that the counterfeit industry accounts for a loss between USD 450 million and USD 810 million.”
In India, these products across various sectors are causing over one lakh crore rupees to our economy every year, whilst in the auto sector the cost of loss from the government exchequer goes up to INR 2,700 crore per annum along with the invaluable cost of human life. 20 per cent of road accidents in India are attributed to fake automotive components. A study states that the Indian government lost nearly INR 6,000 crore to the grey market of FMCG personal goods. So, for those asking what’s the harm, hope this answers it.
The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), a self-regulated industry body of anti-counterfeiting and traceability solution providers, has reported that counterfeiting incidents have risen steadily in the last few years, with 2019 alone witnessing a 24% hike from 2018. This begs the question – in a world full of fakes, will we lose the original?

True awakening

While every single success of Amitians fills me with pride, there are some occasions that hold a much deeper meaning. I am referring to the stellar achievement of Amitians at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Ignited Minds Children Creativity and Innovation Award competition. Their accomplishment touches my heart as this event was organised as a tribute to Dr Kalam, a visionary leader and teacher. Also the award seeks to instil samvedana (compassion) in young minds, a value nurtured and inculcated in every Amitian from a young age.
Secondly, winning at this event was not an easy task. Participants were required to present innovative ideas that could help solve grassroot problems. There were over 4,000 creative ideas from children of over 20 states and the jury had selected only 20 finalists. Four of these were Amity children, proving that they have fully imbibed the two greatest virtues needed to be a successful human – an analytical mind and a compassionate heart. Krish of AIS Saket bagged his award for the topic titled ‘Exclusionary Nature of Virtual Learning for Children with Special Needs’ and his schoolmate Himanshu chose an equally important subject of protecting crops from weed growth. Avni of AIS Noida impressed the jury with her analysis on how one could ensure access to the internet for specially-abled people. Also from the same school, Shreya Devgan dealt with the difficult subjects of organ donation and acid attack survivors. At Amity, our mission is to ignite young minds with creativity and passion, along with the will to work for the society. While awards are commendable, what is even more commendable is that these young students are a catalyst for change, and that I think is the greatest achievement.

Embracing fitness regime

 

A good thought process is the ignition point of innovation which has always helped humanity to survive the challenges of changing times. Had Newton ignored the falling apple or Wright brothers not dreamt of flying, we wouldn’t have enjoyed the fruits of their wisdom. Good education programs are driven by the realisation that training the mind is as important as training the hands. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us to upskill and reskill ourselves with tools of technology and trust the power of resilience. The emerging realisation with us at Amity is that a healthy heart thrives in a healthy body that is controlled by a healthy mind. Students who wish to be innovators, writers, entrepreneurs, designers or policymakers, must endeavour to practice a healthy routine for the fitness of their body, heart and mind. It is important to have good habits of reading, writing, exercising, indulging in creative pursuits and assigning sufficient time for self-reflection.
All students must make use of the fitness opportunities offered by the school during the online classes. ‘Post Lesson Reflection’ cards and self-reflection on learning outcomes of each lesson taught at Amity is a great stride towards making students reflective practitioners. Amity  believes in not only developing the cognitive aspects (our minds) but also all the qualities that make us human (our hearts) and this fitness regime gives meaning to our life in a bid to stay happy.

Peace in chaos

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will!”
– Mahatma Gandhi
A global pandemic can affect our mental and physical health – and that’s without even catching the virus! This motivational quote from the great Mahatma Gandhi reminds us that strength is an exercise of the mind, not just the body. By staying positive and refusing to give up, our inner strength will endure in the face of the challenges that come our way.
In the education sector, especially the below 18 categories, where we deal with the nascent youth, we as educationists stand witness to the extreme energy, enthusiasm, optimism that this age group has to offer. To channelise this fresh, raw, unexplored spirit and building piece of art, must be the aim of every educational institution. As one of the proud mentors of the Amity Group of Schools, I can safely state that we are participants of a holistic creative journey, nurturing our pupils to blossom into their best versions.
Amity International School, Gurugram 46, presents to you yet another edition of The Global Times Newspaper, put together with a lot of sincerity and undocumented toil. I request you all dear readers to read all the pieces and become a witness to the journey our students have undertaken to develop this edition. Being at home, tasks were being compiled online, interviews were conducted via online channels, ground reports were undertaken through laborious means; the formats were certainly different, considering the situation.What remained unchanged was the undeterred spirit of our pupils, who even during these unprecedented times carried the light of optimism and focused their energy towards creating a work of art. Happy reading!