A Remarkable Quote on Relation between Writers & Life

 "It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by.  How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment?  For the moment passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone.  That is where the writer scores over his fellows:  he catches the changes of his mind on the hop"  - Vita Sackville West

Strewn Garbage on Streets Mar the Environmental Beauty of Kolkata

Kolkata is growing in terms of population. Urbanization of the city is on the go in full swing. The city has become crowded more densely than before. Though development is on the go, the city that is a place of Indian cultural heritage is infested with problems, one of which is garbage. Garbage heaps on the streets is a common picture to behold in North and Central Kolkata. 

It results in several problems for the auto drivers and pedestrians. The huge heaps of garbage on one side of a street narrow the street and make it difficult for the vehicles to run smoothly. The situation turns worse during peak hours of the day when there is a jostling traffic.

Stray animals like dogs and cows keep roaming around the garbage heaps dumped on streets. The pedestrians sometimes land in trouble because of stray animals. Moreover, the animals keep digging the garbage heaps, as a result of which the rubbish gets scattered here and there, making the surrounding dirty and stingy. An unpleasant smell emanates from the pile of garbage and lies heavy in the air of the surrounding.

The worst of the problems resulting from the dumping of garbage on the sides of the street is the spread of flies and insects like mosquitoes. The garbage heaps are an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes that carry the germs of such serious diseases as malaria, dengue etc. 

The city of Kolkata is a beautiful hub of culture and history. But the strewn garbage mars the environmental beauty of the city that, in turns, makes a negative impression on tourists and travellers in the city.  It is a shame on the Municipal Corporation and its administration.
                                                                                      By Koushik Pal, Student of class IX

For more essays on problems in Kolkata, follow: 

The Sorry State of Local Trains from Suburbs to Kolkata

 

“Progress does not mean turning richer” – an Explanation in Details

Progress is such a phenomenon that it can be defined in a number of different ways. For some, it is growing richer in whereas for some it is acquiring knowledge. Many things like wealth, money, knowledge, power, etc, are taken as unites to measure the level of progress. However, in the present era, many people think that turning richer means making progress. But they are absolutely wrong. 

A man who grows richer and richer is so miserly that he minds giving alms to a beggar. He is not supposed to be on the way to progress from the perspective of humanity. If a man who has accumulated lots of wealth is mean in thought and poor in mind, he is far behind progress. 

Today’s youngsters from the well-do-do families keep up with the latest fashion trends to flaunt their rich social status. But they turn indifferent to their own culture and customs, the base of existence in society. They sniff at the cultural heritage of their ancestors. These youngsters are at a distance from progress from the perspective of cultural development. 

Many people aim at making money as the only goal in their lives. They work hard day in and day out to pile on money. They think that having lots of money is an index to social progress. But it is not always true. One’s quality also serves as the base of one’s social reputation and progress. It is not only money or wealth but also humanity, virtues, high thoughts and good deeds which can take a man to the peak of progress. 

The same is applicable in case of a nation. In the 21^st century, a country is said to be developed or developing on ground of its economy and technology. The booming economy of metropolitan cities and the advanced technological infrastructure are taken as the yardsticks to measure the progress of countries. But the picture of progress fades when one takes a look into the heart of rural backwaters. For example, India where hundreds of farmers commit suicide every year when the harvest is very low and they run into debt, is surprisingly supposed to be developing in economy. 

So, turning richer is not the only sign of progress.     By Tanzil Ansari, Student of class XI

Other thoughtful essays: 

Generation Gap is a Myth or Reality  

Sorry State of Local Trains in Kolkata

The Changing Face of Journalism in Digital Era