School is a wonderful place for many of us. We get to meet new people, make friends for life and learn things that will shape us and make us understand and question the world around us. But sometimes and for some of us, it may turn out to be a scary place. It could be because we are afraid someone might hurt us or our friends. Maybe you have seen someone who was afraid like that or have been hurt like that in school? If you have, then you must know that what they are going through is called bullying. And sadly, it’s not just you’re school or a friend from your class, it happens in many schools all over the world. But that doesn’t mean it’s okay or that it can’t be stopped. So, let’s understand what school bullying truly is and what we can do to stop it.

What Is Bullying, Exactly?

Bullying is when someone purposefully and repeatedly causes another person pain, fear, or distress. It occurs frequently rather than just once. Bullying can occur in a variety of ways. Here are a few examples of bullying:

1. Bullying that is physical

This occurs when someone physically harms another person’s body by hitting, kicking, pushing, or otherwise. They might even damage or steal someone’s possessions. Keep in mind that the primary concept here is that someone is physically harmed.

Example: Every day, a classmate repeatedly knocks over a fellow student’s lunch tray.

2. Bullying by words

Name-calling, teasing, or ridiculing someone’s appearance, accent, attire, or family members are examples of this. Bullying here takes the form of saying something hurtful to the other person. Social bullying, which includes purposefully excluding someone from society and spreading rumours about them or making them look bad in front of others, may also fall under this category.

For instance, a classmate who wears glasses and enjoys reading is frequently referred to as a “nerd” or “loser.” In addition to talking behind her back and spreading rumours about her, bullies may also refuse to invite her to events where the entire class is invited. 

3. Bullying online

This takes place on the internet. It includes sending hurtful messages, disseminating false information on social media and sharing private images without authorisation.

For instance, someone makes a phoney account and makes offensive remarks about a classmate’s photos.

But Why Do People Bully Others?

Bullying is not acceptable, even though people bully for a variety of reasons. But we can react more effectively if we know why someone would commit something as heinous and cruel as bullying.

• They may be envious.

• They might desire to feel strong or well-liked.

• They may be experiencing internal pain.

• They might be imitating what they see online or at home.

• Sometimes all they want is attention, even if it’s not the right kind.

However, bullying is always wrong, regardless of the cause.

How Do I Know If Someone Is Being Bullied?

Your friends may not always report bullying to others. However, there are indicators that a friend may be having problems and you are the only one who can provide the appropriate support. Keep an eye out for:

• Mood swings (lonely, angry, or sad)

• Pretending to be ill or skipping school

• Broken or misplaced possessions

• Low grades

• Experiencing fatigue or difficulty falling asleep

• Behaving differently or refusing to engage in conversation

It’s time to speak up if you see these symptoms in a friend or yourself.

So, What Should I Do If I Am Being Bullied?

Even though it can be frightening, never forget that you are not alone and that you can escape this terrible circumstance. This is something that many kids experience and there is support. What you can do is as follows:

1. Inform a trusted adult

It might be your neighbour, your teacher, your parent, or the school counsellor. Speaking with someone will make you feel safer and might even help you escape this harsh circumstance.

2. Remain composed and leave.

Don’t give bullies the response they desire. If it’s safe, leave with assurance. Avoid displaying signs of distress.

3. Be in the company of friends you can trust.

It is more difficult for bullies to target you when you are with people you can trust. True friends support you and won’t tolerate bullies or speak behind your back. Be in the company of friends you can rely on and who will always be there for you.

4. Only get up if you feel safe doing so.

Use your voice if you feel comfortable doing so. Say something like,

• “That’s not okay.”
  
• “Leave me alone.”
  
• “I don’t like that.”

One powerful sentence can have a significant impact.

5. Maintain Documents

Save emails, screenshots and messages if someone is harassing you online. When you report it, it helps.

What Can You Do If You See Someone Being Bullied?

Being a hero doesn’t require you to battle bullies. Here are some effective and safe ways to assist:

1. Have a friend

Take a seat next to the victim of bullying. Speak with them. Let them know they’re not alone.

2. If it’s safe, speak up.

Saying something as simple as “Stop, that’s mean” can be helpful at times. However, if you feel unsafe, don’t try this.

3. Speak to an Adult

You are defending someone, not tattling. Adults must be aware in order to act.

4. Incorporate Other People

Ask them to work on a project, play, or have lunch. They feel more confident and included as a result.

What Should Schools Do About Bullying?

• Bullying is taken seriously at a good school. What schools can do is as follows:

• Establish guidelines to prevent bullying.

• Hold support groups and counselling.

• Teach your classmates about empathy and kindness.

• Teach educators to identify bullying early.

• Make it simple for your classmates to report bullying.

Speak with your principal or teacher if your school doesn’t already implement these measures. With your friends, you can even start a “Kindness Club.”

We Are In This Together

If you are being bullied, remember it’s not your fault. If you are bullying someone, remember you can change. If you see bullying, remember you can help.

Everyone makes mistakes, but we can learn and grow together. Remember:

• Be brave.
  
• Be kind.
  
• Be a helper.
  
• Be yourself — because who you are is enough.
  

Let’s say it together: “No more bullying. Yes to kindness.”

Have you ever watched Doraemon and wondered why Nobita behaves differently from his friends? Or maybe why does Shinchan behave so differently from all his friends? The answer is simple we all are different in our own ways. There can never be two people who are exactly alike. And sometimes some people have something called Autism, it is not a sickness that needs to be cured but rather a difference that we understand more about. So let’s dive in!

So, What Exactly is Autism?

Autism is actually a short form which stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder (also referred to as ASD). It’s not a sickness or something that needs to be “cured.” It just means that a person’s brain works a little differently from other people’s brains.

Think of it like this: some people’s brains are like Windows computers, others are like Apple computers — both are awesome and do amazing things, but they work in their own unique way. Doesn’t mean one is better than the other; they just function differently and are good at and bad at things.

People with autism might:

• Think or learn in special ways
  
• Have strong interests in certain topics (like dinosaurs, trains, music or space)
  
• Like to follow routines
  
• Feel uncomfortable with loud sounds or bright lights
  
• Find it hard to understand emotions or body language
  

But remember: every person with autism is different. That’s why we call it a spectrum. It’s like a rainbow, full of different colours and shades. Some people might need more help with things and others might not need much help at all. Hence, just because you have met someone with autism doesn’t mean that another with autism will also behave in the exact same way.

So, who can have autism? Anyone can be autistic, boys, girls and even adults. Autism isn’t caused by anything someone did wrong and it’s not anyone’s fault. 

Some people are born with it. And you can’t definitely catch it like a cold and there’s no way to tell just by looking at someone. That’s why inculcating understanding and kindness is so important. You might not always know if someone is autistic, but you can always choose to be a good friend.

So, how does an autistic person’s brain work? Just like yours would, but with a little difference. Our brains are responsible for a lot of important functions, such as making decisions, understanding emotions, problem-solving etc. Someone with autism also uses the same brain functions, but it just works a little differently in their case. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t work or is working poorly, but just differently. 

Some autistic kids might talk a lot, while others might not talk much at all. Some might flap their hands when they’re excited or cover their ears when a fire alarm rings. Some may be really, really good at math or drawing, while others might find it hard to make eye contact.

All of these things are part of how they experience the world.

What Does Autism Look Like From The Outside?

Here are a few things that some autistic children might do that you can observe. But remember, not everyone is the same, so always ask your friend or their family members if they are diagnosed with autism before making a judgment.

• Communication:

Some autistic children talk less or not at all. Others might repeat phrases or speak in a unique way.

• General Body Language:

They may not always smile, wave or hug you or look you in the eyes. But that doesn’t mean they don’t like you! They may just not be comfortable doing the above-mentioned things, to know if they really like you, look for other signs, like do they try to spend time with you and share their hobbies and interests with you, etc.

• Playing With Others:

They might like playing alone or find it hard to join group games. Some prefer to watch before jumping in. So, give them time, but encourage them without forcing them to join in.

• Routines:

They might want to eat the same food every day or wear the same clothes. Changes can feel scary. They may like to follow routines.

• Interests:

They can have super interests, like knowing every type of car engine or every single Pokémon name or every species of Penguin, it could be anything.

What Can You Do To Be Their Best Buddy?

Being a good friend means understanding that everyone is different. And here are a few ways you can do just that:

• Be Patient

If your friend talks or acts in a way you’re not used to, give them time. Everyone communicates in their own way.

• Include Them

Invite them to join games or activities, even if they sometimes or often say no. Just knowing they’re welcome means a lot. But remember to respect their no and not force them to join in the play. In fact, sometimes join in the games they are interested in playing too, that way you will get to know them better as well.

• Ask Questions

It’s okay to ask politely if you don’t understand something. You might say, “What are you drawing? It looks cool!” Be kind and respectful and treat them as you would like to be treated.

• Respect Their Space

If they don’t want to be touched or if they need quiet time, that’s okay. You’re still being a great friend by respecting their wishes.

To understand more about autism watch the video below:

Women’s Day is a day dedicated to women all over the world. And although it sounds fancy it has really small and humble beginnings. Do you know why it is celebrated though? Before we get into that, imagine this, you wake up every day and start doing the work at home and then go to a factory to work there only to come back home to work again. And for all the work you do in the factory you only get Rs. 200 while your friend who does the same work gets Rs. 400. And more than that you don’t even get to take breaks in the middle of the work for even a few minutes and you have no say who gets to decide what is good for you. Sounds horrible right? Well, that was just a small peek of what life looked like before Women’s Day. Let’s understand more!

History of Women’s Day

Going back as late as the 1900s, women back in the day were not treated equally to men in any way. They were not allowed to vote, express their opinions or even get fair pay for their work. In 1908, a group of brave women marched the streets of New York demanding better working conditions, fair pay and the right to vote just like their male co-workers. This was a huge step back then because people at that time used to think that women were not as skilled as men or as smart as men or anywhere near in comparison to men. This was the first time women dared to ask to be seen as equal to men. 

World War I and World War II gave a space for women to prove themselves as efficient workers outside their homes as men were busy fighting the war, but their efforts were far from being recognised. In 1909, the first National Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States on February 28. Women across the country gathered to talk about their rights and the changes they wanted to see in society.

Soon word spread and in 1910, Clara Zetkin from Germany suggested that Women’s Day should be celebrated worldwide on the same day every year to remind everyone of the struggles and achievements that women have gone through to reach where they are now. And soon enough, many countries across Europe started supporting her idea. March 8 was declared as the official date for International Women’s Day. And in 1975, The United Nations (UN) gave official recognition to the date as International Women’s Day.

What Can You Do?

Instead of just liking posts on Instagram dedicated to women all over the world and saying Happy Women’s Day here are a few things you can do to ensure every day is a women’s day.

• Never Forget:

Never forget all the love and support you have received from all the women in your life. Thank them with a sincere heart. If you want you can make something to show your appreciation as well.

• Stand Tall & Stand Strong:

In order to help others stand tall and strong you need to become taller and stronger. Not just physically but in terms of your career as well. Work hard to reach a space where you can ensure that other women don’t have to face the same challenges that you had to deal with. And always and we mean always, stand up for what’s right.

• Dream Big:

At the end of the day, it all starts with a dream! So, dream big and put in everything you have got to make that dream a reality just like the women in history!

• Never Stop Believing in Yourself:

And the most important thing of all is never ever stop believing in yourself. You can pull someone up or help someone when you yourself are in a stable position, physically and mentally. So, to believe in another sister you first need to believe in yourself, sister.

Let’s follow these up and make every day worthy of being celebrated as Women’s Day!

Food is an integral part of our lives as human beings. But did you know that it can tell a lot about who you are and where you come from? It’s all in the ingredients! Looking at the kind of food and the way it is made tells a lot about the place or state in India that you hail from. As the saying goes, “There’s more to food than what meets the eye!” (or maybe we tweaked it a bit), food goes beyond just eating, you experience it through your eyes by looking at its colour and your nose by experiencing the smell first. And it is this experience that varies from one place to another. Let’s take a look at the food habits in different parts of India to understand the rich diversity and culture of our nation.

North India

Chole bhature, butter chicken, gulab jamun, jalebi, etc. are bound to fill your imagination when you think about North India. And it’s not your fault, North India is known for such rich gravies, bold flavours, fried items and a lot of dairy products in their food. The simple reason this part of India has such dairy-rich and heavy food is because of the cold climates in the North. The dairy-rich, heavy food ensured that people in North India were warm and safe against the biting cold. Plus, the availability of spices and wheat, made roti, naan and paratha served with spicy, bold flavoured dishes a staple food here. 

South India

Idli, sambar, dosa, puliyogare, rasam, coconut chutney, etc. must have already crossed your mind when you read the sub-heading, “South India”. And who can blame you the food in South India is entirely different from the food in North India. The main reason for this difference is again the climate. The hot and humid climate in South India makes it easier to digest food that is light, tangy and spicy while also cooling your body. Hence majority of the dishes prepared in South India have coconut or rice as a main ingredient. Another reason for rice and coconut being a top choice is their high availability, easy-to-digest and cooling properties. And just like North India loves their Chai, the people in South India love their filter coffees! 

East India

Known for their simple and unique flavours, dishes like macha besara, litti chokha, pakahala, rasgulla, etc. are bound to fill your head when you think about East India. Being close to the coastal regions, seafood is considered a big part of their diet in Odisha, West Bengal and Assam while being a landlocked area makes the dishes in Bihar very simple and requires only a few ingredients. East India being a part of India that experiences both very hot and cold climates has dishes that fit different climates such as Pakhala in summer in Odisha and Santula in winter in Odisha. Mustard oil is another commonly used ingredient in East India’s cuisine. 

Northeast India

Dishes in Northeast India are very different from the rest of the Indian dishes as they are very ingrained in their culture and nature. Some of their dishes are even inspired by Tibetan cuisine like Thupka. Many of their dishes contain ingredients like bamboo shoots, herbs and pork. People in Northeast India also consume a lot of fermented food to boost their immunity and enhance the flavour of the food. 

West India

Vada pav, dhokla, dal baati churma, fish curry, etc. are the dishes that might pop into your head when you hear the word, “West India”. Though West India consists of four states primarily, i.e., Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Goa, the food that is prepared in each of the states is rather different from one another. Maharashtra has more rich and savoury foods to offer that are a combination of both sweet and spicy. Gujarat on the other hand offers a variety of vegetarian options that are light and airy like dhokla, thepla, etc. Rajasthan being a desert region mostly consists of food items that are dry and spicy like dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, etc. Lastly, Goa being a coastal state with a heavy Portuguese influence has a unique cuisine of its own and includes dishes like prawn balchão, vindaloo, etc.

Reasons Behind The Difference in Food Habits

The major reason that the food items differ so much from one state to another is because of the climate and geography of the state. The crops and ingredients grown in a particular state also decide the food that the people in that state consume the most, such as coconut in South India. The history and culture of a state such as Portuguese influence in Goan cuisine and Mughal influence on North Indian cuisine along with their religious beliefs like the people in Gujrat of West India who majorly follow a vegetarian diet because of their religious beliefs also shape the food habits and practices of different states of India.  

Food Practices & Tradition Uniting India

Regardless of the cuisine and food habits, it’s the food practices that are practised in different parts of India that always unite India together. Starting from the habit of eating with one’s hands to enhance the taste of the food, to eating from a big thali or banana leaf depending on the particular part of India you’re in, to having specific dishes that are made for every festival such as pongal during Pongal, biryani during Eid, modak during Ganesh Chaturthi, gujiya during Holi, these are the tiny yet big features across India that ties all the states together.   

When we talk about being healthy, we always tend to mean physical health. This means that if you have a healthy body, then you’re perfectly fine and healthy. But is a healthy body all that is truly needed? What if you have a healthy body but don’t feel good or your mood is off? What if you have a healthy body but everything irritates you? What if you have a healthy body but don’t feel like doing anything that used to make you happy earlier? What if you are constantly feeling bad? Then is it alright to just be physically healthy? Caring about your mind is what is called taking care of your mental health.

Why is it important to take care of your mental health?

When you get hurt you bruise and bleed and it is visible. But when it comes to not feeling that great mentally you don’t visibly bruise or get hurt. And that is exactly why it is more important to look after your mental health because you can’t see it but you can feel the pain all the same. Remember the way you felt when your friend ignored you and didn’t talk to you? The feeling of doing something wrong when you don’t know what it is? The feeling of being so lonely that you start thinking that maybe you deserve it in some way? The feeling of doing your best but never getting the praise that you know you deserve, that’s when it hurts your mind. But you can’t physically show it to anyone as it’s not visible to anyone but you. And that’s why taking care of your mental health becomes all the more important because only you can see it and seek help when required.

What are the signs of bad mental health?

Though it is not always possible to notice specific signs for specific mental health unless you are trained in the same, like a psychologist or a psychiatrist is, there are a few things you can look at to understand when your mental health or the mental health of someone closer to you starts getting affected.

Feeling Sad: 

If you feel sad a lot or too often then it is a sign that something is not okay with you or your surroundings. Though feeling sad is normal (hey we love sadness from Inside Out!) feeling sad often or for too long means something needs to be done as you deserve to be happy too. When you face such long sadness you must try to identify what could probably cause this sadness. WARNING: When you are trying to find out what made you sad it won’t be easy or feel good but once you find it you will feel better soon as now you know what it is that makes you feel sad.

Feeling Angry:

Getting angry at things that irritate you is very common. But if everything around you seems to anger you or annoy you then it is not good or normal. This could also be a sign of something affecting your mental health. Although we do love Anger from Inside Out but if he appears more often and doesn’t allow your other emotions to have a space to express themselves then it becomes an issue. When this happens next time try to search and find the source of your anger and annoyance and maybe you may just find a solution to your anger.  

Losing Interest in Things You Loved:

Imagine you love writing but all of a sudden the very idea of writing makes you feel tired and annoyed. You love dancing because it makes you feel so happy but now all it does is just tire you every time you take a step forward. Getting bored of doing something you love for a while is fine but completely losing interest in something that you love dearly is probably a sign of something bothering you mentally. In situations like this sit-down and try to figure out what exactly you love about an activity, be it dancing or writing or singing and the next time you try to do that thing, try to do it in such a way that these exact things that made you fall in love with that activity take centre stage. For example, if you like singing because it feels good to hit those high notes, next time pick a song that has a lot of high notes that are arranged in a way that you like. If you like writing because you can bring animals to life, write a story for animals like The Jungle Book.

Not Concentrating: 

We all love to daydream and sometimes, it is hard to focus on a certain task. But if you find it hard to concentrate on most days, even after days of rest and you find yourself spacing out a lot while completing a task, then it might be a bit of a concern unless the task is boring. You probably find it hard to concentrate because you are already concentrating on something else, in which case, first resolve the previous problem before moving forward to another one.

Worrying Over Small Things:

Getting worried about something is completely normal. Just like the function of Fear from Inside Out, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. But if every small thing causes you worry, it’s a sign that your mental health is being affected. 

Not Eating Properly:

Imagine a piping hot plate of momos or a delicious bowl of ice cream sundae or maybe a big juicy pizza. Doesn’t it make you feel hungry? That’s fine because probably you’re not a big fan of momos or ice cream or pizza. Or you probably just had food and hence don’t feel so hungry. But if you don’t feel hungry in general when you look at a variety of food then it is concerning. Many times if we are not feeling good we end up not eating properly or don’t feel like eating at all. This is another sign for you to notice to see if somebody is not mentally well.

How can you take care of your mental health? 

Talk It Out:

The simplest way you can ensure you have healthy mental health is by not holding back what is bothering you and letting people you trust know what is bothering you. Everyone has those days when something doesn’t feel right but rather than suffering through it all by yourself you can share. Sometimes hearing others’ opinions can help you see the problem from a completely different angle. Always remember that: “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. 

Eat Healthy & Sleep Well:

Eating a balanced diet that sometimes includes your favourite treats and sleeping for 7-8 hours every day ensures that your body has enough energy to battle any problem. Though eating and sleeping may not exactly make your mental health problems go away, they will give your brain enough fuel to run like a super-fast car.

Exercise More:

Exercising and staying active helps your body release the happy hormones (dopamine). And with happy hormones your mental health is bound to get better soon. So, don’t forget to go out and play.

Spend Time With People You Love:

Spending time with people you love makes you feel safe just like Nobita feels with Doraemon. And when you feel safe you slowly start feeling more happy. As you feel happier, your mental health also feels better.

Do Mindful Deep-Breathing:

Feeling nervous or upset? Try doing this: 

• take a deep breath in through your nose for 4 seconds
• hold it for 4 seconds 
• slowly breathe out through your mouth for 4 seconds.

This small deep breathing exercise will help you calm down and focus on what’s in front of you. Be mindful of the seconds you are counting. When we feel nervous or upset, we tend to think of too many things at once. By counting the number of seconds, we can focus on one thing, which helps us calm down. 

Various Activities You Can Try: 

• Gratitude Jar: Write something you are grateful for every day and put it in a jar. Open the jar only when you are feeling really bad. Reading the words on a bad day will help you realise how great things have truly been for you.

• Nature Walk: Take a walk in the park or a forest without any electronic devices to bother you. Focus on the birds and the bees and the clouds and the animals. Try talking to them and who knows you might have a hidden ability to communicate with them just like Snow White. 

• Music & Dance: On days when you are too mad or sad at the world turn up the speaker and dance your heart out. The exercise from the dancing will release the happy hormones and who doesn’t love Taylor Swift? 

Me Time: Make it a habit to carve out at least an hour or so just for yourself. This time is just for you and you only. This will ensure that you remember what you need and do what you like instead of always trying to do what your friends or siblings like.

You can also try out these various activities to help you feel more relaxed.

Seek Help, Don’t Hesitate

Although the above tips are helpful, if you feel like you are mentally not keeping well no matter how much you try any of these above tips, don’t hesitate to seek help from a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Gone are the days when you are supposed to visit them only when you have gone completely insane. Many psychologists and psychiatrists are trained to help you with your day-to-day problems that become too much for you to handle.