Silent companion

A Pillow’s Lifelong Watch

Aashi Jain & Khushi Gupta, AGS Noida, IB2

A pillow is more than a soft piece of fabric stuffed with fluff. It is an intimate symbol of safety, warmth, and quiet comfort, the kind of solace humans instinctively seek in the face of a chaotic world. But here lies a paradox - comfort, in all its glory, can sometimes have an insidious underbelly.
Cavemen only had a warm fire for comfort. But today, we chase comfort in increasingly complex ways - ergonomic chairs, plush mattresses, climate-controlled homes. Every innovation, every invention, was born from the desire to ease our physical and psychological health.
And yet, there exists one unsung hero of our comfort story, the pillow. It may seem like a trivial accessory, but when you consider how it improves our sleep quality, marking the end of a day’s struggle and preparing us for the next, you realise that the pillow holds far more significance than you thought. It’s the small, soft sanctuary we nestle into, both literally and figuratively, each night. In its embrace, we find renewal.
But what happens when that comfort turns into a trap? The problem with comfort is that, unchecked, it can breed complacency. At some point, this object becomes a symbol of being slow - which gradually changes into a sloth-like state.
Sloth, mind you, is not laziness in the traditional sense. It’s not about being inert for the sake of it. Rather, it’s a quiet surrender to ease, a retreat from effort; a turn inward when the world asks us to turn outward. The pillow, while comforting, becomes a cocoon, a space that encourages us to remain within our own bubble, shielded from the discomforts of life. And it’s not just the physical pillow that plays this role, it’s the metaphorical pillow too, the padded corners of our lives that we retreat to when we feel overwhelmed.
In fact, there’s evidence that suggests that the more we envelop ourselves in comfort, the harder it becomes to push ourselves to rise. A study published in ‘Frontiers in Psychology’ in 2021 delves into this very concept, showing how our increasing reliance on comfort can lead to reduced productivity and even mental stagnation. The data proves that when people are too comfortable, they become less likely to take the steps necessary for growth or action.
This is where the pillow, despite its soft, inviting exterior, serves as a mirror to our choices. It doesn’t force us into laziness, rather reflects our decisions between rest and resistance. It invites us to rest when we need it, but also subtly challenges us to recognise when our need for comfort becomes a barrier to progress. And in the right light, it becomes a checkpoint and a place to pause.
In the end, the pillow carries with it a metaphor - it is a checkpoint, not a destination. For those who understand this, the pillow becomes more than just a place to sleep; it becomes a reminder that it’s okay to rest, but soon it will be time to rise again.

Born out of a dream

Heartiest congratulations to all the winners, nominees, and participants of the 16th GT Awards. As we mark this milestone, I would like to share with all of you the story of how this journey began. I had always dreamt of giving every Amitian an opportunity to develop confidence, creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills that I admired in some of the finest journalists I followed. The vision was clear, but it needed the right people to bring it to life. When I met a vivacious, young journalist whose passion and communication skills deeply impressed me, I shared this dream. That conversation marked the beginning of a journey that transformed an idea into reality.
The next big challenge for us was naming the newspaper. We chose The Global Times, only to discover that the title had already been registered. At that crucial moment, our Founder President, Dr Ashok K. Chauhan, stepped in with his unwavering support and determination, ensuring that we could secure the name that today has become synonymous with creativity and excellence. From that small beginning, emerged India’s only RNI-registered student newspaper - a platform that has nurtured not only skilled writers, photographers, and designers, but also ethical, courageous, and compassionate young citizens through initiatives such as Youth Power and The GT Making a Newspaper Contest.
So, my dear Amitians, it’s a proud moment for all of us that a single dream has today grown into a movement. It is our Founder President’s vision to build confident, capable, and compassionate Amitians who shall contribute to our Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Creative home run

Our path-breaking newspaper, The Global Times, was envisioned by our beloved Chairperson ma’am with one purpose - to give young Amitians a platform where their voices could be heard, ideas could flourish, and creativity could inspire. Today, that vision has blossomed into much more than a student newspaper. It has become a vibrant learning ecosystem that has nurtured thousands of confident communicators, critical thinkers, and creative storytellers. Each issue is a culmination of curiosity, commitment, and countless hours of effort. Behind every published article are drafts rewritten, facts verified, and ideas refined. Every illustration, photograph, and every design reflects imagination, patience, and passion.
Even though only some of the submitted entries find a place in print, each submission represents a student’s willingness to learn and persevere. In fact, for many Amitians, The Global Times is where they earn their first byline, conduct their first interview, see their first photograph in print, and learn their first lesson in responsible journalism - memories they cherish forever.
For sixteen years, the GT Awards have acclaimed this very spirit - recognising excellence in illustration, photography, design, and editorial creativity, but, more importantly, celebrating the journey of every young creator who dared to express an idea. We celebrate not only the winners, but countless young storytellers who have transformed curiosity into creativity and ideas into impact. Here’s to every dream that found its first words in The Global Times and every page that continues to inspire many more.

GT mail

Dear Editor,
It is an honour to say that our team was conferred with awards in all three school categories - Best Newspaper, Best Editing, and Best Design. This result feels like a satisfactory reflection of our consistent hard work over the past year. What makes the Contest Edition creation process so beautiful is that while every team performs the same tasks, which is drafting articles and their respective illustrations and graphics, each editorial board encounters a unique experience that can never be exactly worded or replicated - not even by them ever again. It brings us together and creates bonds for life. The GT Awards ceremony is not just a prize distribution but a celebration of the end of an era for each school and writer. What makes it especially electric is the camaraderie that all Editorial Boards have. I am so grateful to our beloved Chairperson ma’am and the entire GT team for giving us the opportunity to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.
Disha Dhir
AIS Gurugram 46
Editor-in-Chief
(Batch 2026-27)