Christ Nagar Hr Sec School – CISCE

“No footstep is so small that it cannot leave a mark in this world”

What do you want to be when you grow up? This is a question that everyone is asked. Some say that they want to be an astronaut, a singer, a dancer or even an actor, but only a few end up working towards their goal and achieve it. And just a fraction of them make a name for themselves in that field. Leaving a legacy means giving something back to the world that will be valued and treasured by everyone when you are alive and even after you have gone.

To leave a mark you should have a pure intention and a positive mindset and you should be able to impact people on a large scale and make sure it will outlast your life. Some of the living legends of our time are Amithab Bachan, Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, Shah Rukh Khan, M.S Swaminathan, Niger Shaji, Mayilamma, T.N.Seshan and many more.  They inspire us motivate us and give us dreams of a better tomorrow.

Have you ever thought, when does our influence become a legacy? By focusing on making a positive impact now, being authentic to our values, empowering others, continuously learning and growing and embracing change, we are creating a legacy that emerges from our daily choices and actions.

Scientists like Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton and J.Robert Oppenheimer are people that everyone studies as their work has impacted the world in both good and bad ways. Mahatma Gandhi, ‘The father of our nation’, was given the title due to his immense contribution in bringing independence to our country from the British. Even the soldiers of our country are leaving a mark as they are selfless people who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the greater good of our country.

You only live once, but once is enough if you do it right. Leaving a mark in its actual sense is something that is passed down, it is your legacy, your footprint, your contribution to the world while you are still alive.

I’d like to conclude with the quote by Benjamin Franklin, “If you do not want to be forgotten as soon as you die, then write something worth reading or do something worth writing”.

I Chinmayi V Nair, am here to tell you a bit more about the theme of our assembly which happens to be a very chemical-sounding name Carbon to Diamond.

As you all may or may not know, we are carbon life forms and diamonds are formed under pressure. These two facts put together form the message we intend to convey. The most beautiful things are formed under the most difficult conditions. Look to the sun shining high up in the sky, seemingly lounging in the vast blue expanse. Everything on this planet survives and thrives on its brilliant life-giving light; but do you know how exactly it burns so bright? Pressure; 250 billion atm of it at the sun’s very core squeezes the nuclei so that they fuse.

The stars which we turn to all occasions happy and sad, have been shaping human history, spreading fascination and hope and nourishing the curiosity to know what’s beyond our planet since time immemorial, to glow and gleam under pressure. Grapes must be crushed to make wine, flowers pressed to make perfume, seeds drained to make oil and candles burned to spread light. Each of us has our troubles, problems and pressures, both from the inside and the outside. It is okay to feel lost, and overwhelmed at times.

All that matters is that you find the courage to keep fighting, no matter what life throws at you; keep walking all though your destination seems unreachable; keep moving forward even when things seem most impossible. I hope this short speech of mine inspires you to be hopeful. I believe that by working together we can like our school anthem says ‘learn to love and brighten the world that is crippled and broken apart; we can make it whole an abode of peace.’

I believe that what makes life most beautiful is the fact that it is short, the fact that our time on this planet is limited. Some may say that our mortality makes our lives meaningless but I believe that time limit is what makes life all the more meaningful. I would like to conclude my speech with an all-time favourite quote -‘Hakuna Matata’.

Thank you all. Thank you so much for your patient listening.

I wholeheartedly hope you enjoy our take on carbon-to-diamond

Let me begin by clarifying that ROMANTISIZING LIFE is not about escaping reality or living in a world of fantasies. It is about finding the extraordinary within our ordinary lives. The beauty and potential even the simplest moments and inducing a sense of magic and wonder into a simple life, embracing the power of relationships and connections.

In a world where people are obsessed with #perfect life, it is essential to remember that life is a journey and not a destination. So embrace the uncertainty, the twists and turns for they are what makes our stories unique and beautiful. Instead of constantly longing for an idealised version of life.

Let’s strive to find the containment of gratitude in the present moment and cherish the friendships we made, the knowledge we gained and the experiences that shape us to be who we are now. This will guide us to a life truly divine.

In conclusion, my fellow friends, I encourage you to embrace the concept of ROMANTISIZING LIFE, see the beauty in the world around you, and find the wonders in the smallest of things.

So let me end by once again reminding you that life is a magnificent tapestry of experiences wanting to be explored and celebrated.

So break the chains that confuse you and live your life.

Thanking you!!

Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu,

When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.

I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin.

When he smiled I realized I’d passed it on to him.

I thought about that smile, then I realized it was worth it.

A single smile, just like mine could travel around the earth.

So, if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected.

Let’s start an epidemic quickly, and get the world infected!

What an amazing poem!!! Written by Jez  Alborough first published in his book titled Shake Before Opening.. 

Folks, did you know what else is highly contagious apart from viruses and diseases like COVID-19? Your emotions and your moods, your pessimism and your despair, your joy and your enthusiasm, your anger and your smiles – thanks to mirror neurons all highly contagious!!! Yes, you heard it right- a smile is contagious!! Have you ever noticed when you smile at someone, they smile back at you?

When was the last time you made someone smile? Making someone smile not only makes the other person feel good, but it also makes you feel good too! Think about how great it would feel if you were the reason someone – a different person each day – smiled every single day. Wouldn’t that be amazing? Imagine if everyone strived to make at least one other person smile every day. Just think about how happy the world would be!

Smiling is one of the simplest yet most powerful things you can do to brighten your day and the days of those around you. A single smile can lift your mood, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost your immune system, relieve pain (by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers) etc.

Now why it’s Important to Make Others Smile. Everyone has bad days. Sometimes, all someone needs is a smile from someone else to turn their day around. You’ve probably experienced a similar situation before. You’re tired, grumpy, and feeling like the world is against you, but then someone does something nice for you or even smiles at you, and suddenly your day doesn’t seem so bad anymore. By making an effort to put a smile on somebody else’s face, you may find that you’re able to make your day a little bit better. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

As Roy T. Bennett says: “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” You can be the reason every day. Why not start today?

ORU CHIRI = BUMPER CHIRI… or to put it in simple English. A single can make the whole world smile. 

It might sound like a simple notion, but beneath that friendly curve of the lips lies a force capable of profound transformation. Imagine a world where every person, regardless of their background or circumstances, greeted one another with a warm, genuine smile. It’s a world where kindness and empathy prevail, where barriers between people dissolve, and where the divisions that often plague our societies begin to fade away, you can also just think about a time when you were feeling down or having a tough day, and someone unexpectedly flashed you a genuine smile. In that moment, you likely felt a glimmer of hope, a sense of connection, or even a surge of happiness.

That’s the magic of a smile – it has the power to lift spirits and brighten someone’s day, no matter how challenging it may be. The beauty of a smile not only lies in the joy it brings to others but also in the positive impact it has on the one who smiles. Moreover, scientific studies have shown that smiling can have numerous health benefits. It can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even boost our immune system. So, not only does a smile make the world a better place emotionally, but it also contributes to our physical well-being. In conclusion, a single smile has the remarkable ability to make the whole world smile, Furthermore; a single smile can have a ripple effect. Think about the last time you received a smile from a stranger.

Chances are, it brightened your day and made you more inclined to pass on that warmth to someone else and most of you may know something called Domino’s Tiles. Yes you all may have noticed how it works right? If we push one tile it pushes the other one and then another one and so on, thus our smiles also have the same impact called the domino effect. Once someone smiles at you, you may send that smile to another person and thus it will also go on. Thus let us all smile and live a happy life with each other, and let’s make the world smile, one smile at a time.

Perseverance is the key to success. Persevere is a persistent attempt to do or achieve anything in the face of adversity, failure or opposition. It is the action, state or instance of preserving.

The perseverance of a human being is the key to success in any area. Success in life does not come easily. It often involves overcoming numerous setbacks and obstacles to achieving one’s goals. As a result, it is a crucial factor that distinguishes success from failure.

Perseverance is the driving force that separates those who achieve their dreams from those who fall short. The relentless determination to keep moving forward allows individuals to overcome adversity. It fuels one to remain focused on their long-term objective, rather than succumbing to temporary setbacks or short-term pleasure.

Further, perseverance also plays a major role in personal growth. When we persevere through challenges, we naturally develop resilience and strength, and more importantly learn from our failures, modify our strategies and emerge stronger, both mentally and emotionally.

Moreover, perseverance perpetuates ambition in the pursuit of excellence. Ambitious people know that success often requires persistent effort over an extended period. They understand that setbacks and failures are not signs of defeat but stepping stones towards success. This very trait enables us to cultivate and maintain a positive mindset, stay motivated and continue working towards our goals, even in the face of daunting adversity.

Thus, as perseverance plays such a significant role in our individual lives, naturally its
domain also extends to making a positive impact on the world. History is replete with examples of great people who, through unwavering perseverance, have brought about significant societal changes. From civil rights activists like Nelson Mandela who spent 28 years of his youth in prison to scientific pioneers like Newton who spent a whole year of quarantine in his home working 16-18 hours a day, all have left a lasting legacy and have been able to do so by persisting in the face of immense challenges, opposition and distractions.

The title of our assembly: “Swapnakoodu” is derived from the general theme of “Redefining success”. I would like to elaborate on the theme more by showcasing different examples of passions and aspirations. By the end of the assembly, we wish to redefine success for every one of you. In a student’s life success often takes the definition of academic success. So for a child success becomes completely academic-centric. But Success is subjective.

So can we define success? No, we can’t. I can and you can but my definition of success won’t be yours. We are different people with different aspirations, hopes, goals and passions.

To the older people on the campus, we had dreams which we would have loved to call our successes. Where did that go? Sadly, we live in a world where our success doesn’t coincide with our dreams.

Success is when accomplishment becomes fulfilment. For many, success lies in the poetry field or the singing field or even the academic field. Many people are afraid to take risks because they’re scared of failing. To feel that satisfaction, they live day by day, they limit themselves to the smaller joys. They follow the quote “Carpe diem” but I disagree. ‘Carpe diem’ roughly translates to urging someone to make the most of the time they have now, rather than worrying about the future.

I believe in the concept of ‘carpe vitam’ which translates to capturing or being in control of the day and living your life. Success is not about enjoying weekends; it is about enjoying life. It is not ‘carpe diem’. ‘Carpe Vitam’ is not about enjoying 2 days out of 7. It is about enjoying all seven.

Now with all the examples of different passions and aspirations that we have showcased, can we try defining success more inclusively? Yes, we can! Success can be defined as when an individual meets personal goals or expectations – As I conclude I would like to add one final thought:

Our journey has been about giving a definition for success that fits us as a whole. We have successfully found a suitable definition of success. But that isn’t all.

“The world is but a canvas of our imagination and in the canvas of imagination we bring our dreams to life”

Life is a blank canvas created by God.  But he left the canvas blank to make the best painting of our life.  And it’s up to us to fill it with the colours of our imagination.

And that’s exactly what we tried to convey through our class assembly theme – Kalpana or Imagination!!

Imagine you being in a beautiful garden… you see so many things around.. beautiful flowers, birds, colourful butterflies… While we delight in a butterfly’s beauty, have we ever imagined a butterfly with a broken wing?

Yes, that’s the case with millions of people around us too… those have the same dreams, same desires, same aspirations, same passion as us… but need someone to accept and embrace them. Imagine how nice it would be to help them change the narrative of their imagination by being the other side of their wing!!

It is said that people will forget what you said and what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.  So friends … Live and let live… Be kind… because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.

The most beautiful thing in the world is to see a person smiling…and even more beautiful is knowing that you are the reason behind it!!!  We hope you all get an opportunity to touch someone’s heart today and forever and make this world a happy, better and beautiful place!