Power of words

Jayas Kumar, AGS Noida, IG2

Emotions, once the pulse of humanity, had disappeared from the core of Science City. Here, reason reigned supreme, and wealth held the ultimate power. Peace was maintained by rigid laws, and even friendships were forged and governed by unyielding rules. The people were intellectually brilliant, shaped by advanced technologies and elite institutes, but they were blind to the truth that learning was only a fragment of universal wisdom.

There was, however, one boy who still carried a flicker of feeling. Viraj stood out amongst the ocean of people who had taken on robotic personas to deal with the fast-paced, high-pressure life. He treasured two friends, Manoj, who had a scientific mind, and Alena, who thrived on challenges.

One afternoon, as Viraj was admiring the city’s sleek architecture and winding roads while sitting near a shimmering canal, he overheard two people having a conversation. No courteous greetings, no conversations, no warmth. Just a chilling exchange of coins. Was this how adult life looked like? Coins clattering louder than hearts! His chest tightened and a silent river of tears streamed down his cheeks as the cold reality overwhelmed him.

The next morning, Viraj confided in his friends. "Manoj, Alena, what I saw yesterday was terrifying. People are paying to feel, using technology and money to fake emotions just to survive." Manoj shook his head solemnly. "Those are the rules here. The community leaders have made them, and we must obey or face exile." Alena added firmly, "You’ll be

left behind if you challenge this system." Viraj’s gaze hardened with resolve. "What if we could transform this wealth and power into willpower? What if emotions could break free without a price tag?" Manoj’s voice trembled, "That path is risky, and one wrong step would mean imprisonment, or worse." "This fight isn’t with swords but with words and memories," Viraj replied softly.

He recalled the melody of his sixth birthday, the warmth of friendship, and the unspoken bonds that had shaped his world. With these treasures in his heart, Viraj began writing poem after poem to awaken the slumbering souls around him. Slowly, his verses spread like wildfire on social media, crackling through the city’s circuits and concrete. It seemed everyone wanted to hear what he had to say.

The community, once numb and mechanical, began to stir. Manoj and Alena, moved by the revival of feeling, joined the cause. And so did others. What Viraj had started was a movement. Genuine tears traced down cheeks, no longer bought but born from truth. The golden light of emotion bathed the city in warmth once more. As one had put it aptly, words can move mountains.

 

Duality of society

Tanishka Chakraborty, AIS Vasundhara 1, Alumna

This society holds people like you and me

Who face differences daily, yet let them be

Honestly, there’s not much that we can do

Even when life tests us through and through

Whenever a girl expresses herself by crying

People ignore and claim, "She’s only trying"

But when a guy tries to show his emotions

He’s marked weak, losing his impressions

If a girl finds happiness in dance and song

People will cheer on and say it’s not wrong

Yet in case of a man, music can’t be his bliss

Society mocks and laughs, says, "It’s amiss"

When a man is offered some chances to rise

People around praise him as bold and wise

Yet when a girl demands her rightful share

She’s told, "Not yet," and is expected to repair

Our society wounds men and women alike

Creating an atmosphere which all dislike

To treat people unfairly should be a crime

While kindness for all should stand prime.