Whose truth do we believe in? Short Story

He was all charged up, his dream of serving as a soldier to the unit was finally coming true. All these years he desired to be noticed, to make a difference, contribute to his community and avenge for the wrongs done to his community. The dreams of gaining a revered place in the heavens filled his mind. He looked up at his leader, the one man who believed in him with utmost devotion and paid heed to his every word and command. The leader had every detail planned out intricately and the soldiers were the vital keys to the success of the plan. The leader had left his well standing position as Vice President of a leading Pharmaceutical company to dedicate his life to the community and religious sect and ensure freedom for all. He was the epitome of leadership and the soldier felt blessed to be under his guidance. Together with his other team mates they pledged their lives for this mission and moved towards the goal.

Armed with body suits filled with bombs, they huddled themselves in the car to be driven towards their target, a school with innocent children and dedicated teachers. He had felt a pang of uneasiness but quickly erased it out from his mind. The leader that mentioned that people needed to be pierced through their hearts. Only then would myopic world be enlightened; and what better than seeing their young flesh and blood strewn across the floor in pieces. 

Few minutes along the way, the vehicle died down and the journey paused. The soldier was chosen to run along and drive in with a new vehicle as he was young and agile. Feeling important he jogged quickly to the site and see his leader the last time and take his blessings. 

When he reached the site, no one glanced up to him or acknowledged him. The keys were handed and the people moved towards their work. The soldier was momentarily taken aback but got in the vehicle and started driving towards the leader’s station. Knowing he had only a few precious moments, he ran quickly towards the leader’s cottage. 

As he stood outside he heard laughter, he moved towards the window and saw his leader toasting drinks with other supervisors. The leader in high spirits mentioned, "As long as we have educated fools willing to believe in us, our mission of ruling the world will be successful. For a few seconds of self-importance, they are willing to trade in family and friends, keep building their self-esteem friends, it works for us". All the members cheered and he saw a group of young girls, scared and nervous been let in. He saw the lust filled men pouncing on the young girls and felt miserable and cheated.  He hadn’t bargained his life for this debauchery.

He walked towards the vehicle with mixed emotions running through him and drove towards his comrades. The comrades looked happy to see him as they shared the same devotion towards their mission and today they were going to be martyrs. 

The soldier started the car but drove back to the outpost. The comrades surprised, started questioning him but the soldier paid no heed. He drove the vehicle straight to the leader’s cabin, looked up at the sky and pressed his bomb button. In a minute, explosions were all around and the entire outpost was in flames. Bodies burned, screams were heard but no one was spared. No one had realized what was coming towards them. The soldier had finally achieved his mission.  

What's your perspective? - short story

Rose sat on her rocking chair in the balcony with her cup of coffee hoping to catch a few precious moments for herself after the hustle bustle of sending her children to school and seeing her husband off to work. The entire family depended on her for their every need and she never failed them. While sipping the coffee she started planning for the rest of the day. She had errands to run, socials to attend and a visit to the parlour was long overdue. At the same time, she knew she had to be home at particular times to let the servant run her magic broom over the place, greet the children when they came back from school and cook for the evening. She kept wondering how she was going to manage.

At that very moment, she observed from the balcony her neighbour, Sheila walking confidently towards her car dressed so professionally, carrying a laptop and appearing so worldly. Suddenly she felt so low, her self-esteem slipping away. Questions kept running in her head, 'What is my standing in the professional world today? 'What is my identity apart from a homemaker? Look at me today, what value do my post graduate degrees hold?

In few minutes, she heard her mobile ringing, the errands were beckoning her. She jerked off her self-doubts and proceeded towards the tasks. 

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Sheila had woken up at 5 am that morning to cook the food for the family and complete her son's Geography project. She felt that the studies were truly getting complicated, she had to set aside time to help him with research and presentation for the project. At 7 am she finally was able to grab a bite while completing all household tasks. She had minimal time to get ready for work. She had a long day ahead of her, there were hordes of meetings lined up with her superiors and clients and her boss was a tough nut. He kept pushing for more and more work to be delivered and the returns comparatively were paltry but they needed the money. She had to keep going till a good job proposal came by her way. Both she and her husband had taken house loans and had placed their child in a good school with high fees. 

As she stepped out of the building with her laptop, she glanced up and watched Rose having her coffee in the balcony and felt a stab of pain. 'Wish I could enjoy those few moments by myself? Hope that time comes soon and moved inside her car. 

You receive what you believe in

Every challenge opens new avenues, so welcome it

Life is truly amazing. At one point it can elevate you to the highest pinnacle and the next second drop you like a sack of potatoes. The crests and troughs are truly mind boggling and sometimes the time given to you to digest the circumstances is so short that you just don't know whether to stand still, walk or run.

                                         We are all aware that change is the law of the Universe.  

I am sure everyone faces it every now and then. In fact have seen great survivors welcome it with open arms as once again it propels one to stand at the threshold, reflect on unique capabilities built along the way and make new decisions for oneself.

I know that the last time I took the plunge, it gave me the recognition of the Global Top 50 teacher. Thus stand with your arms stretched high and go with the flow. Let's see where the journey takes you. You are already at the ebb so there is every possibility that you will move up and never down. Look forward to some more learning about yourself and miracles will happen.

I have watched so many of my friends rise from ashes and wish to share few great lessons learned from their and mine mistakes and experiences so that you may not repeat our follies.

1. Love all but trust yourself.
2. You don't need to look strong always, sometimes it is okay to let your emotions run. The cleansing is important for you to begin afresh the next day.
3. Love your job but don't get attached. Attachments only pull you down.
4. Sometimes your best ally could be your biggest stabber so watch your back.
5. Have deep confidence in yourself. Don't let other people's opinion pull you down. It is their perspective, you have your own which is more important.
6. Chill, people can only take what they can access from you so guard yourself.

At the end, Murphy's law "whatever can happen, will happen" but the journey does not end here. The experiences make you richer, more beautiful and more forgiving. Who knows, but the next story could be written on you.

I DARE TO DREAM

Be happy and spread happiness

It was a normal day routine, getting up, going to work, come home and work on home chores and finally late in the evening peruse over the newspapers before watching TV. for some time and off to bed. That evening I came across news of a young student committing suicide as part of an online game, 'Blue Whale'. It was shocking and enervating. The very next day in school we planned for a talk by a Cyber crime expert for our parents and students. 

Coming across articles on violence, crimes, building collapsing, mass deaths, terrorism have become routine, you actually search the newspapers to read something good happening across the world. Sometimes when the day has been tough I prefer to give up the newspapers because it stresses me more than calming me.

It should not be difficult to mention good work done by people because the majority of people I come across wish to make a change. They are optimistic human beings contributing positively to the global community. Their very presence creates a serene atmosphere in the room. They are always smiling and turn a negative statement into a positive opportunity. Always ready with a helping hand whenever a catastrophe has happened within the city, country or elsewhere. In fact the number of people joining hands to spread the UN 2030 Sustainable Development goals are so many. All around the globe, people want to work towards peace, equity and excellence. Then why are we not promoting these constructive actions, thoughts and feelings on a grand scale?

Personally I count my blessing that I am surrounded by wonderful friends, family, educators and social workers whose contributions towards life has always been filled with gratitude and love.

When we adults get so affected by these disturbing news all the times, then what effect is it having on our children? How are they visioning the world and people around them?

Our children need to hear the good that is happening around the world, they need to believe that good triumphs over evil, that there is hope, love and happiness all around us. They need to see us smile more often, laugh wholeheartedly and connect with our near and dear ones more now than ever. 

Together we can alter mind-shifts on a grand scale if we stand united.

How? Simple few steps undertaken by both adults and children can make a difference:

1. Love yourself - Start with yourself. Believe you are special and beautiful then your self esteem multiplies. 

2. Law of attraction - What we give is what we receive. So send out positive thoughts to all and see how people start viewing you in process. Empower yourself with good books. 

3. Avoid people who are cribbers - You are influenced by the company you keep so check the set of people you mingle with.

4. Meditation and self time - Give yourself some quality time. Meditate to reflect on yourself and talk to yourself. You are missing knowing the best person you could come across. 

5. Know our priorities - Ensure your work does not take you away from your near and dear ones. Learn to say 'NO'. 

All this will translate in you being happy even in states of unhappiness. Sometimes circumstances may make you unhappy but those moments will last for shorter times because you have learned how to bounce back faster, happier and more optimistic than before. Believe that you matter and the world needs you then the chain of good thoughts will translate into good actions across the world. 

Schools should connect STEM in School to Industry to develop relevant skills

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math will discover answers to current and future global challenges. Research shows STEM jobs are growing fast and will soon be 17% of the global economy compared with current 10% measure. Employers will look for workers with STEM skills and they will earn higher salaries due to demand. 

Knowing what the future demands, what do we offer students today?

Today’s adolescents are offered classes to prepare for exams. These turn the power and creativity of science into rote boredom void of opportunities to apply STEM skills to the wonder of maglev trains, rockets, spacecraft, autonomous vehicles and their interests.

What if we rethink school-industry systems? Reimagine industry and local business, this time communicating with teachers and schools as well as policy-makers, all attuned to real world challenges? What if older students applied their learning as interns with a variety of industries? What if cities, industry and schools collaborated to offer hands-on learning for future citizens?

Kathleen, Patricia, Beenish and myself envision a thriving, just and sustainable world energized by vibrant School-Industry relationships.

There has been exponential population growth since the Industrial Revolution

Now 25% of the world's population is under the age of 25

Since the 1969 photos of the Earth –  "me and you" awareness is replacing "me or you”.

This New Story is part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Currently, if everyone lived as North Americans do, we’d need four Earths.

For everyone to live as Europeans do, it would take two and one half Earths.

In other regions, people are living beyond the capacity of one Earth as well.

China and India are presently living just around the ‘one Earth’ level, but

given the rapid industrialization and economic growth of both countries, that’s sure to change”.         

Nature cannot regenerate at the rate of current resource consumption and consequent pollution. It’s like we’re living off our credit card, but it is humanity living off its ecological credit card. Nature can’t keep up. We are now eroding the natural capital that all of life depends on.

Imagine industry linked with schools both awake to a vision of a thriving, just an sustainable world for children alive today and future generations.

"Where do we begin? What skills are essential?"

The 4C's skills need to be taught explicitly and as early as possible. As students approach each new level of their academic career, they use STEM skills to address challenges and make connections to their world.

What we can dream, we can create.

We created tools to help you, your students and co-workers dream big!

A Teacher Manual

Building Purposeful School-Industry Relationships in STEM

Please follow the link given below and share with us your experience and feedback.

http://prezi.com/ckxjwlmaza5k/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

We hope that in future schools do connect with Industry through various programmes like summer programs, internships, projects, fairs, workshops, boot-camps and much more to promote and develop relevant STEM skills.