2020 – even reading this makes you sigh, doesn’t it? I feel the need to fetch a dictionary or else I would run out of words to describe the roller-coaster 2020 has been! Be it mentally, physically or emotionally, 2020 has changed us all in numerous ways. This year holds great significance in everyone’s lives and not just because of the adversities we all have been through but also because of what we have achieved and who we have become post overcoming all the obstacles that have befallen in the way.
Category Archives: 12+ years
Book Review – Pinkoo Shergill Pastry Chef
Book Title – Pinkoo Shergill Pastry Chef
Author – Vibha Batra
Illustrator – Shamika Chaves
Genre – Realistic Fiction
Publisher – Scholastic
Recommended Age – 7+ years
The Fate Of Faith
The ringing of bells and the chanting of priests echoed resonantly through her ears. The smog from the fire was soaring higher and higher in the air. The waft of incense sticks hovered in the room. The instant Neha came out of the room, she felt as if she could finally take a breath. Nobody understood how troublesome it was for an atheist to be a part of a pooja. For her, it was like being somewhere she did not belong. She didn’t understand the purpose of believing in God because she could believe in herself and that belief was what mattered to her. Although, she didn’t have much choice. Most of the times, when anyone heard about her being an atheist, they would get startled; all the more because for people around her an ideal girl should have been following their rules of devotion. Her mother believed that religious worship was crucial as she thought that God was the only one who could protect her at all times.
Evolution of children’s literature in India
My first foray into the world of literature was when I was three. My dad got me a magazine called ‘Magic Pot’ and simply said ‘You’ll like this. Read.’ I admit, I initially read only for the free stickers that came with the book, but as I grew older, most of my time was spent swimming through pages of monthly magazines and storybooks that my cousins passed on to me.
Continue reading Evolution of children’s literature in India
Gloom And Hope
A sunflower sings this for its beloved lover and caretaker- the sun.
Always has it been a boon for me,
Adjudging the sight of you;
But, time flies; and so do you, at dusk,
Leaving me with, but
Gloom and hope.
Rogue Paths
I wake up to find myself handcuffed to the hospital bed. The drug they injected me with to tame me seems to be wearing off. Ugh! This again. Better to get it over with, I guess. I drag my free hand into my bun and retrieve a small blade. As usual the dumb police never bothered to check in there thinking a man’s bun would just be a fashion statement. I twist to my side and turn the blade in the keyhole clockwise. My hand comes free. I learnt to pick locks when I was young, one of my many talents. I shake my hand hard to get rid of the stiffness and get up from the bed.
Dear Future
Dear future,
You may not have given us what we want,
But have taught us what to do and what shan’t.
You may not have acquainted us with flight,
But might’ve given us the potential to fight.
Two To Tango By Shreyas & Aditya – Special Mentions
At Beyond the Box, we are constantly thinking of ideas to give something unique, refreshing as well as challenging to our community of writers. Two to Tango was one such endeavour to encourage the participants to work along with another writer as a team and bring about a creative synergy. 66 teams participated in this one-of-its-kind contest and the winners were chosen by an eclectic jury panel comprising of prolific authors Ramendra Kumar, Shilpa Suraj and Apeksha Rao. Below prompt was given to the writers and they were asked to narrate the same story from two different points of view.
Continue reading Two To Tango By Shreyas & Aditya – Special Mentions
Book Review – Playing
Book title – Playing
Author – Sunaina Ali
Illustrator – Debasmita Dasgupta
Genre – Children’s Fiction/Picture Book
Publisher – Katha India
Recommended age – 6+ years
‘Playing’, written by Sunaina Ali, is a short yet delightful picture book for children aged 6 years and above.
Dear Dad – Father’s Day Special Poem Feature
Your pain is never conveyed,
But when I am sick
On my bedside you have stayed.
Continue reading Dear Dad – Father’s Day Special Poem Feature