Learning German

Dr Amita Chauhan , Chairperson

In today’s globalized world, learning a foreign language has become a valuable skill for students who wish to become successful global citizens. German is one such language which opens the doors to many academic and career opportunities, especially in fields where Germany excels, like engineering and technology. At Amity, we have always been ahead of the times, and had introduced German language at AIS Noida way back in 1995. At Amity, students learn with the help of state-of-the-art classrooms and libraries stocked with German literature and multimedia resources. The curriculum follows the CBSE framework and dedicated faculty uses innovative teaching methods, integrating technology and real-life scenarios to make learning process an engaging experience.
What’s more, students get to experience German culture firsthand through various cultural exchanges and immersive workshops. One of our oldest exchanges has been with Jawaharlal Nehru Schule in Neustrelitzt, apart from Kantschule in Falkensee and Nikolaus von-kues Gymnasium. Students have consistently secured top rankings in prestigious competitions, including the German Olympiad and Goethe-Institute assessments. Looking ahead, Amity is poised to build more partnerships with German-speaking institutions. This will ensure that students not only master the language but also appreciate the diverse cultural heritage it represents.
It’s Time to Say! Hip, Hip, Hurray!
Little chess masters of AIS Noida achieved a remarkable victory in the CBSE National Chess Championship - Manthan 2024. In Under 17-Girls category, Inaaya Kukreja, Anika Tyagi, Ananya Dudhoria and Ridhima Gupta clinched the bronze medal. In addition, Anika bagged a silver medal in the individual event.

Symbolism

We Over Analyse, Therefore We Are

Ekam Sibia, AIS Gurugram 46, X I

Symbolism - the literary device that turns a grocery list into a commentary on the human condition. Take a simple sentence, like “Billy grabbed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch.” Seems straightforward, right? Wrong. In the hands of a determined English teacher (bless their overthinking souls), this sentence becomes a treasure trove of hidden meaning.
Now imagine young Billy, eyes bleary with the existential angst. He stares into the abyss of his fridge, a vast, beige wasteland devoid of culinary inspiration. The jar of peanut butter - is it a metaphor for the crushing weight of conformity? Perhaps the jelly, a vibrant red, represents Billy’s yearning to break free from the shackles of societal expectations. Or maybe he’s just hungry.
The bread, in its humble neutrality, could symbolise the ever-present middle ground, the beige of life Billy desperately wants to escape. Each bite, a Sisyphean struggle, condemning him to another school day. Is the crust, hard and unforgiving, a reflection of the harsh realities of the world? Or is it just a little over-toasted?
The beverage of choice. Milk? A symbol of childhood innocence, soon to be lost in the churning sea of adolescence? Juice? A desperate attempt to inject some vibrancy into a world painted in beige and dread? Water? Well, water is just water.
But a voice, a voice of reason (perhaps your own?), might be whispering, “Isn’t Billy just a kid who likes peanut butter and jelly?” WRONG. The very moment you utter those heretical words, the spirit of literary analysis descends, metaphorical dagger poised for assassination. What if Billy isn’t rebelling against societal expectations? What if, dare we say it, he’s just hungry and enjoys a good peanut butter and jelly? This constant pressure to find profound meaning in every detail can be exhausting. Consider the great poets of the past. We hold Shakespeare up as a master of symbolism, dissecting his every line for hidden messages about society and the human condition. But what if, on a sunny afternoon, the Bard simply looked out of his window and saw a beautiful oak tree? Perhaps he just penned a sonnet about its majesty, its roots that burrow deep into the earth - without a single thought of social commentary.
The same goes for Ruskin Bond’s evocative poems about nature. Maybe Bond wasn’t always crafting metaphors for the human experience during a peaceful picnic in the hills. Maybe he just appreciated the beauty of a towering pine. Imagine these literary giants peering down from the heavens, chuckling at our relentless analysis. “Why didn’t we think of that?” they might muse. “A simple poem about a tree - a brilliant metaphor for the human condition!”
Perhaps there’s a lesson here. While symbolism can be a powerful tool, sometimes a sandwich is just a sandwich, and a tree is just a tree.

Less is more

Dr Arti Chopra, Principal

In a world that is facing resource scarcity, there is a bigger challenge of abundance of waste and uncontrollable trash driven by the failure to prioritise things. Simple living, yet high thinking, as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, emphasises how simplicity and moderation frequently produce more significant results. The human mind, too, when clogged with irrelevant thoughts like cobwebs, blocks creativity and clarity of expressions. From design and art to communication, lifestyle, and even problem-solving, the dictum ‘less is more’ has broad applications. Adopting this strategy aids in decluttering and making a long-lasting impression. For these reasons, our Chairperson Dr (Mrs) Amita Chauhan, lays stress upon the power of mindfulness and sustainability. The emphasis on quality over quantity and clarity over complication has paved the way to make Amitians, responsible citizens. This holistic approach fosters self-awareness, resilience, and the power of discretion to say ‘No’ to mindless expenditure, wasting resources, and respecting the environment. I am deeply touched by the efforts of our editorial board, who have taken up issues to cultivate a balanced mindset. The making of this newspaper has helped enhance their creativity, critical thinking, and skills of communication, thus shaping them to be Amity’s true ambassadors to the global community.

Democratic dialogues

Regina Mukherjee, GT Coordinator

Democracy empowers individuals. It encourages them to voice their perspectives and engage thoughtfully with the world around them. Democratic values lead to the holistic development of an individual by enhancing their ability to think critically and act independently.
This critical thinking, synthesis of knowledge and formation of new ideas is the pinnacle of intellectual achievement. By fostering the ability to create, Amity universe nurtures a generation of individuals who do not merely follow but lead with vision, empathy, and innovation.
In a school that publishes its own newspaper, these democratic ideals come alive. The experience of engaging in publishing their own thoughts pushes students to navigate the complexity of human narratives, all while nurturing their individuality and voice.
In this edition, not only our students reflect on the significance of the nature of democracy but also examine the cultivation of empathy - a cornerstone for a society that values respect and harmony for not just human diversity but all living beings. We hope that you enjoy and appreciate the insights and reflections of our students who have strived hard to showcase that we can harness a free, secular, and technologically advanced world.
Happy reading.