AMITY-UNESCO RESULT
Answer: (Jarawa in Andaman, Lepcha in Sikkim,Jaunsari in Uttarakhand, Kondh in Orissa,
Bodo in Assam, Khasi in Meghalaya, Gond in Madhya Pradesh, Gaddi in Himachal Pradesh,
Rabari in Gujarat, Bhil in Rajasthan)
Decoding The Thin Line Between Disillusion & Reality
Tarunima Chakraborty
AGS Noida, Alumna
The digital age, a double-edged sword, offers unprecedented access to information while simultaneously blurring the lines between reality and curated content. OTT platforms, with their glossy allure and instant gratification, have become the cultural touchstone of a generation. For teenagers, navigating this complex landscape is akin to traversing a labyrinth, where self-identity often becomes entangled with the projected realities of OTT platforms.
Beneath the surface of entertainment lies a more Machiavellian influence. The carefully crafted narratives, often designed to appeal to the broadest audience, can inadvertently shape young minds, moulding their perceptions of beauty, success, and relationships. For a teenager grappling with self-image, the constant bombardment of airbrushed perfection can be devastating. The line between aspiration and disillusionment blurs, leaving young individuals questioning their own worth.
The danger lies in the subtle erosion of critical thinking. As young minds are inundated with pre-packaged opinions and lifestyles, the ability to form independent thoughts becomes increasingly challenging. The fear of dissenting from the popular narrative can stifle creativity and individuality. From ‘One Tree Hill’ to ‘Gossip Girl’, as adolescents, often we have committed the mistake of formulating opinions based on films and television shows because we relate to them. We put ourselves in the shoes of OTT characters, since content creators have the powerful ability to convince the audience of what may be the ‘truth’ or what is right or wrong in each context. It is highly important that we as teenagers, learn to distant ourselves from such virtual life content, every now and then, to know if our judgement is reliable or compromised. We can encourage creation of blogs like ‘Beyond the filter’, to voice our opinions relative to our immediate reality. It’s imperative to recognise that while OTT platforms offer a window to the world, they are not a mirror of reality. Teenagers must develop the discernment to separate fact from fiction, to question the messages they consume, and to cultivate their own perspectives.
Encouraging critical media literacy is crucial. By engaging in open dialogue about the impact of OTT content, parents, educators, and society at large can empower young people to become conscious consumers. Platforms that foster critical thinking, such as book clubs, debate teams, and art programs, can provide essential counterbalances to the passive consumption of digital media. By cultivating a strong sense of self and a critical eye, teenagers can break free from the constraints of the digital age and become the architects of their own narratives.
It is time to amplify teen voices, to nurture a generation of critical thinkers who can navigate the complexities of the digital world with confidence and resilience. OTTs and sensational propagandas may rule but are yet not powerful enough to cloud the opinion and the attention of sensitised young minds who can distinguish between their own opinions and the ones advertised online.
(Tarunima is pursuing BA (Hons) Applied Psychology (International) from Amity University, Noida).
A space of their own
Time and again, Amitians have proven that they are super-achievers, and their most recent triumph has been at the International Space Settlement Design Competition. Over the years, I have noticed how ISSDC and ARSDC winners have shown remarkable growth in their overall personalities, and this observation further inspired me to introduce ‘Amity Space Design Competition’. Launched in 2023, under the aegis of Amity Children’s Science Foundation, the contest, held at inter-Amity level, attracts hundreds of enthusiastic students from 17 Amity schools. Under the mentorship of eminent scientists from NASA as Dr Jennifer Blank and Dr Siddharth Pandey; and ISRO as Dr Shyama and Dr Girish; along with other prominent space research institutes, students create designs for potential space settlements. The top three projects are selected on the basis of innovation, presentation, communication, and futuristic relevance. To succeed in the competition, one requires a diverse team that can blend scientific expertise with creative vision, financial acumen with management skills, and entrepreneurial aptitude with leadership abilities. Under this platform, over 1500 young learners have been mentored and equipped with all these skills, necessary not only for space-related competitions but also for the world at large.
It’s time to say! Hip, Hip,Hurray!
Seven Amitians, from AIS Vasundhara 6, AIS Noida, AIS Saket, AIS Pushp Vihar and AIS Mayur Vihar, won accolades at the inter-school competition in public speaking and logo designing. The event was held at Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences to celebrate World Hepatitis Day.
A true sport
The Paris Olympics have drawn to a close, and though our medal tally was a bit disappointing, our hearts are full of pride and love for our athletes. Their exemplary behaviour and inspiring sportsmanship, both on and off the field, has brought the country more glory than any number of medals could. Neeraj Chopra, for instance, showed to the world what true sportsmanship means when he acknowledged his own shortcomings while praising the talent of his opponent, Arshad Nadeem. No doubt, this large-hearted gesture stems from the impeccable ethics instilled in him by his parents, as was further evident when his mother referred to Nadeem as her own son and celebrated the boys’ victories as a shared one. This genuine and warm gesture reflects the values of love, respect and brotherhood that Indian culture is renowned for.
In a similar display of humility, we saw Vinesh Phogat express gratitude when she returned home to a rousing welcome, despite having lost at the Olympics. When she said that the support of the nation meant more than winning a medal, it reiterated for us that true victory lies in the love we receive from our own people. Our legendary cricketer and coach Rahul Dravid once again proved why he is celebrated as the ‘gentleman’ of sports, when he refused higher compensation than his fellow coaches after India’s victory in the T-20 World Cup. Indeed, as our Chairperson ma’am often says, it’s only good behaviour that will leave a lasting impact. I hope that such great sportspersons will continue to inspire us into becoming better human beings.
Dear Editor,
This is in reference to the article ‘Unchanging change’, published on page 5 of the GT edition dated August 19, 2024. The paradoxical phenomenon of constant change that strengthens the human relationship with fear of the unknown is precisely portrayed in the article. Change, though often feared, resembles a catalyst that stimulates growth and development in diverse spheres of our lives. What resonated with me the most was the emphasis on the transformative power of change. The notion that we grow and evolve when we confront our fears and adjust to new circumstances is something I find particularly inspiring. The subtle ways we encounter change each day without even realising provoke profound reflection. I agree with the writer that the crucible of change can only be endured through acceptance!
Bulbul Verma, AIS Gur 46, XII B