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Aarav Mehta New Era Public School Mayapuri, New Delhi
Category - Children
New Delhi Office Cluster Office for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, United Nations Nepal and Sri Lanka (GXFDWLRQDO6FLHQWL¿FDQG&XOWXUDO2UJDQL]DWLRQ
Year 1 AC (After Coronavirus)
Pan India Online Essay Contest 2020
The coronavirus pandemic is spreading rapidly throughout the world. However, the condition is still under control in India, as compared to other countries. Our Prime Minister has taken a timely and tough decision to lockdown the entire country due to which all schools and offices are closed. We cannot even go out of our homes until further notice.
Life has become hard and, through these difficult times, our
teachers have ensured that our education does not suffer, and they have allowed us to discover and learn in interesting ways. They have started giving online classes using the Zoom App. This is a novel experience for me, as I have never attended any online class before. I am thankful to my teachers for their initiative. In these online classes, my teachers teach all students by sharing the screen, showing presentations, and by showing videos. My teachers are working hard to make all efforts to make us feel as if we are in the school. I feel there is one thing that can never be replaced with technology that is the face-to-face discussion with my teacher and friends. I do not enjoy talking with my classmates by typing as compared to meeting them as I feel that we can understand the other person’s thoughts if we interact in person.
By being at home all the time, I am able to learn cooking and now can make Maggi, cake, tea, and omelets… all these used to be difficult. I enjoy spending time with my parents in the kitchen and playing games with them. I feel that this is a great time for all of us to bond as a family. I also help them in many household chores and share responsibilities like fold- ing clothes, dusting, cleaning etc.
Due to lockdown, my classes of table tennis and guitar are discontinued. However, I still practice playing the songs on guitar, which have learned in the classes before the pandem- ic. I am able to do this by watching songs on YouTube. I find it difficult as I am just a begin- ner. I even practice table tennis by bouncing the ball on the racket. Nowadays, I am also
Essay Topic: Learning at Home during Lockdown: My Parents and My Teachers
picking up a new hobby of gardening and assisting my father with it. Lately, we planted tomatoes seeds, and beautiful small beads like tomatoes have even started growing on some branches. We also have grown some herbs like coriander and basil, which my mother uses for cooking.
Present time is not entirely bad and I feel that I should try to learn new things and keep myself busy. I hope this phase will end soon and life gets back to normal, but I am unsure when this will happen.
Even nations who have sworn to immediate mutual destruction have buried the hatchet; they have realized that without people to govern, there is no meaning to the existence of the State. To ensure their citizens’ safety, they are cooperating to beat the pandemic. They are doing so in the hope of a cure and its distribution. Swapping treatments and vaccines seem to be the only way to survive this global level scare.
What we can infer is that even though solidarity has lain dormant in our minds, it has start- ed to emerge fully during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have begun to embrace it. We have grouped ourselves and grown more robust due to it.
Solidarity in the face of pestilence and warfare is perfunctory, almost reflexive. I believe that the effect that COVID-19 had on modern society will not be forgotten easily. COVID has affected all of our minds. We are slowly changing as a society.
Solidarity will most likely become a tenet of society after this epidemic, along with the many practices we have adopted. We will have realized their importance. Washing hands may be seen as a ritual. Handshaking maybe taboo. Social distancing may become the norm. All of this because of a relatively new word to us- solidarity.
Solidarity has acted as the gateway to humanity. In the times of the pandemic, it has main- tained the human psyche. It has prepped us for situations like this. We should be thankful for it remaining in the back of our minds, for it has saved us.
Atif Yamin IIM Kashipur Kundeshwari, Kashipur, Uttarakhand
Category - Youth
New Delhi Office Cluster Office for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, United Nations Nepal and Sri Lanka (GXFDWLRQDO6FLHQWL¿FDQG&XOWXUDO2UJDQL]DWLRQ
Year 1 AC (After Coronavirus)
Pan India Online Essay Contest 2020
Essay Topic: What will be the role of young people
in addressing the crisis caused by the pandemic
and related issues, such as new balances in power,
raising inequalities and reduced employment
opportunities?
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone, irrespective of gender, age, religion, nationality, or ethnicity. Its effect has been not only physical and mental, but also economic and social. A new economic set-up, which works from home, is on the rise. Health and sanitation have become top priorities for citizens and nations alike. The unemployment rate was already the highest in history for several developing economies, including India, and this will continue to escalate.
Disruptions in the global supply chain have transformed work patterns, and a completely new range of skillsets will be required once normalcy is restored. People have started ques- tioning the priorities of their government, demanding increased focus on medical and educational facilities. The list could go on, but one commonality among all changes this pandemic has brought is that the young working population is either the driver or the target of these changes. Therefore, the role of young people in addressing the crisis would be most important.
Foremost, the participation of youth in policymaking is required. The average age of law- makers in Rajya Sabha or Council of States is 63.17 years, while that in Lok Sabha or House of the People is 54 years. This is in a country where 65% of the population is below 35 years of age. This gap needs to be filled by young people because the lockdown has made us realize that the priorities of our government should be in healthcare services, education, welfare, or vocational training for jobs as it directly affects us.
Locked up in our homes with enough food to survive our families, we have been hearing stories of the migrant labourers who walked thousands of kilometers to reach their homes.
Hardika Sachdeva University of Delhi Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi
Category - Youth
New Delhi Office Cluster Office for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, United Nations Nepal and Sri Lanka (GXFDWLRQDO6FLHQWL¿FDQG&XOWXUDO2UJDQL]DWLRQ
Year 1 AC (After Coronavirus)
Pan India Online Essay Contest 2020
The 21st century is supremely devoted to intelligent creations by human beings from branded smartphones brim- ming with great features to satellites promising fame to indi- vidual nations. The set of hundred years will be remembered for the latest pandemic COVID-19 for sure, but it will majorly be recalled for its failure to save lives despite several facilities. It is ironically disturbing that we work hard and engrossed in winning that apparent losses are invisible to us. Simply put, all of us work for ‘perverse incentives’. Are we justifying humanism?
As per research, "About 85% of global spending on research is routinely wasted on poorly designed and redundant studies". The same research also suggests that at least 30% of useful medical research papers later prove to be wrong and "exaggerated.” There is no requirement to pinpoint any failure. Failures are crucial in the process of progress. The trou- ble is that the scientists and researchers express that they are often snubbed by the condi- tion of ‘publish or perish’ to earn their livelihood and actualize their goals. To publish and grow, they helplessly lead to overexploitation of resources. It is evident that resources are scarce, and the problem of depletion begins. If we light the arena of medical facilities at present, we lack necessary medical infrastructure and other essential scientific equipment to get rid of the virus. The shortage of medical supplies and basic equipment like ventila- tors is a reflection of ‘everything for nothing’.
In the recent past, some countries are calling for a vital rise in spending for the military and other defence facilities by cutting funds for science and research. We know that even the most powerful nations are today ensnared due to the pandemic. How can we ignore basic science and research and recklessly run for missiles?
Essay Topic: The 21st century, with all its science and
technology, allows us to go to Mars and develop Arti-
ficial Intelligence. Yet, one virus brings us to a com-
plete standstill in a few weeks? Do you think there
should be changes in priorities for science and
research in future?
With billions of withdrawals as patronage for medical discoveries, we must agree that since "funding came to a screeching halt" for basic sciences, Artificial Intelligence is unintelligibly fostered. We are so busy in the space race that now, with the onset of COVID-19, there pre- vails awkward rush. The repercussions are easily noticeable in the form of deaths that could have been avoided; if we had known the duty of prioritisation. Admittedly, satellites and nuclear weapons cannot serve the purpose of medicines. In India, we are so proud of the Mars mission and our moon mission, but if we keenly observe the medical facilities, we will realise that they are sporadic. We sometimes see that doctors are often not available in rural areas, and essential medicines in some places fall short. A study suggests that at least 1. million people died due to poor quality of care in 2016. In the times of the pandemic, the situation is not the worst out of other nations, but it is agreeable more people could have been saved if healthcare was prioritized.
The great scientist Stephen Hawking warned that the Earth is becoming "increasingly pre- carious because of threats from epidemics and asteroids," and the human race will cease to exist before the end of this millennium. He also suggested that we should colonise some other planet to support human existence. Following their hearts and Hawking's advice, the scientific world is recklessly hunting for another celestial body to be dilapidated by greed and pride. The principal question is that why did we ignore the warnings of threats? The intelligent world should have dealt with basic health services so that other giant matters can be solved. In fear of human extinction, we are terrorizing ourselves overwhelmingly. The blissful science and research have become reproachful tentacles hungry for humanism without humanity. All of us want to reign and prosper but the victory will not survive with the phantoms of humankind. Human beings must be alive and healthy to ‘colonise’. Most importantly, if Hawking is right, why can't we make these thousand years incredible instead of conquering something that will cost lives in the name of the space race and material progress?
It is significant to preserve the most important fields of science and research. Let us be modest with our dealings, or else we will lose the few years of our existence.
Instead of global withdrawal and self-interest, we can see outpouring support and solidari- ty. What is more appreciable, is the fact that this support is not only limited to the boundar- ies of a nation. For instance, the videos made by the people of Italy to warn the other coun- tries, asking them not to give this pandemic the cold shoulder, was out of genuine concern.
Further talking about the nations united, every country is on the ball and trying its best to face this inevitable situation. Everyone, regardless of the country’s size is chipping in. While France and Germany donated medical equipment, China sent its medical team to Italy; one of the worst affected. Czech Republic donated protective suits to Spain and Italy despite going through a lot themselves. India also decided to help the world by allowing the export of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), despite of being in the crosshairs of a catastrophe itself. The United States has announced $174 million financial assistance to 64 countries, including $2.9 million to India, to help the latter fight this crisis. This support not only came in the form of monetary donations or essential medical equipment such as masks or ventilators. Luxembourg has gone to the extent of taking in intensive care patients from France and treating them.
The post-pandemic stage will see the unfolding of a new human race; the ideologies of the people will differ from what it was before this pandemic took place. People are now ready to make sacrifices on a personal level for the betterment of society.
There is light at the end of every tunnel.
The light at the end of this deadly one is the emergence of new solidarity. Every nation has to bite this bullet and keep humanity and world solidarity above nationalism. I believe the rest of the world will follow the example of those countries that have selflessly lent a hand to this battle. Their case will make us push ourselves even further, and soon, we shall catch sight of this new world, gleaming like never before!
Panshul Verma New Era Public School Mayapuri, New Delhi
Category - Children
New Delhi Office Cluster Office for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, United Nations Nepal and Sri Lanka (GXFDWLRQDO6FLHQWL¿FDQG&XOWXUDO2UJDQL]DWLRQ
Year 1 AC (After Coronavirus)
Pan India Online Essay Contest 2020
Essay Topic: Not everything we find online is true!
‘Seeing is believing’- a common phrase encourages us to see the truth and believe in it. However, this is not the case for the online world. Indeed, if we start believing everything available online, we will end up fooling ourselves.
Is it not true? When we receive terrifying chain letters in the mail or come across any bizarre news on the cover of the tab- loid magazine, we doubt its credibility. Yet, we hardly question ourselves when we come across similar information on the social media platforms and instant messaging apps. It has become challenging to identify any internet hoax; we end up believing them and unintentionally contribute to the rolling of the fake post, and altered images. Share to an extent that it becomes mass beliefs. Unfor- tunately, publishing anything online is like a walk in the park.
Sometimes people create fake posts just for fun or to be admired and earn their two-min- ute fame. At times, the purpose is to scare others. There are innumerable instances when people attach a virus to mails and messages to collect all kinds of personal information about people. The latest case is the controversy surrounding an online meeting app, where people claim that it collects and sells user information to the highest bidder. Similar debates have surrounded social media platforms.
Sometime back, I came across an article about the family of a three-year-old girl who had been mauled by her grandfather’s dog. They filed complaints and created a ruckus when a manager at KFC asked them to leave because her injuries were scaring the other custom- ers. The news spread like a forest fire all over the internet and, under duress, KFC pledged $30,000 to pay for the girl’s medical bills. Donations flooded online to the tune of around $135,000 as this news generated sympathy among a large number of people. A week later, it was found that the entire incident was a hoax. Such reports make us wary of helping people and trusting even real stories.
Sai Snigdha Kodali The PSBB Millennium School OMR, Semmancheri, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Category - Youth
New Delhi Office Cluster Office for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, United Nations Nepal and Sri Lanka (GXFDWLRQDO6FLHQWL¿FDQG&XOWXUDO2UJDQL]DWLRQ
Year 1 AC (After Coronavirus)
Pan India Online Essay Contest 2020
While sitting in front of a glaring TV screen with surging mor- tality rate figures, and reporters bellowing about COVID-19, I muse on a different outcome: the benefit of this entire pan- demonium. Or what if this ‘benefit’ is a peril in disguise?
Many speculate that the pandemic will force us to redefine the quest for better use of natu- ral resources, though I firmly believe that it will not be the case.
As most of the people are staying at home, food delivery services and online purchases have increased, thereby intensifying the usage of single-use plastics. Many environmental sustainability programs, and recycling projects, have been halted in response to the pan- demic. It is also evident that hospital waste are plummeting through the roof. For instance, Wuhan is said to have disposed of over 200 tons of waste per day, compared to the previ- ous 50 tons a day. Officials warn that global carbon emissions will abruptly rise in post-pan- demic situations to counterbalance the pre-pandemic progress.
Nonetheless, positive outcomes might generate this desire to live in such an alternate reali- ty in the future and will force us to be mindful of our choices and help in fueling the idea of sustainable development. Not only will this be beneficial for our generation, but it will also ensure the continuation of our civilization. Studies highlight that there is about 30 to 40% decrease in Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 ) levels in Italy, China, and the United States due to imposed lockdown but this is likely to rise in the future. Venetians observed water being cleared up in canals owing to less boat traffic. City dwellers gawk over the sights of clear skies, empty roads, and decreased pollution levels.
Essay Topic: Do you think that the COVID-19 pan-
demic will force us to redefine the quest for a better
use of our natural resources? Will there be a before
and an after for environmental issues? If so how?
Post-bedlam, I wholeheartedly reckon that there will be a clear distinction between before and after events for environmental issues. When one recollects the pre-pandemic situa- tions, there were even some deniers looming these issues as a “grand hoax” plotted by scientists. The damage of air pollution fueled due to carbon and NO 2 emissions alongside recent events of Australia’s wildfires also reveal that climate change undoubtedly is not a joke. At the drop of a hat, many epidemiologists address issues of habitat destruction and deforestation. It is evident that by disrupting the biodiversity equilibrium already exist- ing, we are bringing the doom upon ourselves.
Talking of post-pandemic events, I suspect that all nations will thoroughly approach this pressing issue with the guidance of scientists. The stimuli that inflicted this pandemic are as follows.
Firstly, the critical justification is habitat-destruction and deforestation. When we disturb ecosystems, build houses in them, and hunt their population, do we not provoke further consequences? By disrupting the predator-prey balance, we are letting the prey (rats and mice) to increase in number and act as a channel for pathogens to leap from wildlife to humans. To avoid this, we should control the magnitude of deforestation and provide clear-cut boundaries for wildlife. Major companies that benefit from such pursuits should be carefully scrutinized and controlled. By maintaining the biodiversity equilibrium now, we are paying a small price for a hefty task of sustaining future generations.
Secondly, the flaws of animal trading should be recognized. When animals are picked from their natural abode and transported to a crowded place, they come in contact with other animals, and humans. Viruses in such situation spread easily as animals are kept in cramped and dirty conditions, and can easily spread to handlers or customers. Such ventures should be shut down.
Lastly, it is evident that particulate pollution quickens the chance of virus transmission. Efforts to harness air pollution should be introduced as soon as this crisis calms down.
In Gina McCarthy’s (American Environmental Health and Air Quality Expert) words, “The pandemic has shown people will change their behaviour if it is for the health of their families. This has been the lost message on climate, that it is a human problem, not a plane- tary problem. We have to show you can have a stable environment and your job, too.”
I agree that a ’ peril in disguise ’ is not the case; rather, a beacon of hope delivers the message better. From polishing our core values of altruism and by acknowledging the forgiving nature of our Earth, this incident will bring light on the issue that it is not too late to change our ways.
intrinsic cognition that ‘men’ would not opt for household chores. Until today, men them- selves had not conspicuously stood out to share the load of domestic work even if woman was the bread-winner of the family. The concept on which the edifice of separate spheres stood has finally come to test during the hour of COVID-19.
The pandemic has halted our world and has given us time to introspect and learn new things at home that we never paid attention to. I learned about my impassive father who was notorious in his college days and that my mother’s favorite curry was of okra. She ensured that my father never picks a leaf at home. Albeit not explicitly, there was a belief that men are not meant to do household chores. This ‘together time’ has made my father do household chores, which even in my wildest dreams have not thought of. The person, who never lifted his dinner plate to wash now mops, hang clothes to dry, and even at times makes breakfast for us!
As I come to think of it, the concept of gender stereotyping is in society at large. My mother, a teacher by profession, wanting my father to reach heights by weighing herself down with the burden of creating a home all alone, is gender stereotyping because my grandmother taught her always to put her husband’s life first. I, lifting his dinner plate, was gender stereo- typing because I never felt the need to question this habit. My father has introspected his actions and amended them. Now, there is respect and care in his eyes towards my mother for all the work she did throughout her life. Sharing the load at home has allowed my father to realize that no task is smooth and has also made him compassionate. The word ‘Equality’ in our Constitution was added to change precisely every social rule that put natural differ- ences as an indicator in allocating social roles to men and women. This pandemic has allowed us to break past the social barriers we set ourselves.
While it enlightened my father that the work you do does not define your gender, it has allowed people at large to appreciate women at the forefront battling COVID-19. Gender stereotyping and the lines of ‘separate spheres theory’ seem to have finally blurted out, allowing men and women to enter each other spheres and work towards a common goal, a goal to create a better world.
Varun Vikas Srivastav Amity Law School Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Category - Youth
New Delhi Office Cluster Office for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, United Nations Nepal and Sri Lanka (GXFDWLRQDO6FLHQWL¿FDQG&XOWXUDO2UJDQL]DWLRQ
Year 1 AC (After Coronavirus)
Pan India Online Essay Contest 2020
Essay Topic: What will be the role of young people
in addressing the crisis caused by the pandemic
and related issues, such as new balances in power,
raising inequalities and reduced employment
opportunities?
“As we look ahead into the next century, young leaders will be those who empower others.” -Bill Gates
As the coronavirus is spreading across the globe, youth has decided to take care only about the social life they are main- taining. The younger generation is exclusively concentrated towards their virtual world even when there is a colossal pandemic spread or forest fires etc. The WHO has given a message to young people: the choices they make on going out can be a considerable danger, or can cause a situation of life and death to someone else.
If we talk about reduced employment opportunities, then young people, in particular, will be the ones targeted disproportionately in the virus-related layoffs. Youth are the most significant part of our workforce, and every person performing their role with candour will become a great help for others.
There will be huge impacts on the lives of young people, which include low access to health insurance and receiving limited healthcare facilities; increased unemployment and inaccessibility to internet for online education especially by underprivileged youth. Thus, it is needed that their Right to Health, Right to Education, and Right to Employment, is safe- guarded.
According to a survey around one in five of the world's youth is not in employment, educa- tion, or training. The social protection mechanisms which are enforced during COVID- should take into consideration all the susceptibility faced by youth. Moreover, there are around one billion youth that are no longer able to attend school after the closure of schools and universities in various jurisdictions. Therefore, distance learning should be scaled-up.
Veddika P. Dutta K.D. Amabani Vidyamandir Motikhavdi, Jamnagar, Gujarat
Category - Youth
New Delhi Office Cluster Office for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, United Nations Nepal and Sri Lanka (GXFDWLRQDO6FLHQWL¿FDQG&XOWXUDO2UJDQL]DWLRQ
Year 1 AC (After Coronavirus)
Pan India Online Essay Contest 2020
Essay Topic:
Inequality has been a part of society since the beginning of human civilization. From ancient to modern households, ‘distributing responsibilities’ was given as an excuse to draw a line and limit a whole community or gender. However, will a pandemic change that archaic thought? The question asked makes the whole concept ridiculous. Movements, rallies, laws, amendments, awareness, or even, precedence could not make universal equality possible. Hence, expecting a ‘pandemic’ to do the job is nothing but grotesque.
With time and education, women began to understand what they were barred from understanding and acknowledged what they never paid attention to. Therefore, they began the struggle to gain equal standards and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men. After years of revolting and suffering, women are still underestimated and discriminated against. It is yet to see if the pandemic changes all of it.
The coronavirus pandemic closed the doors, brought school to home and made ‘work from home’, a general concept. It also got families closer and brought attention that was required. The ‘head’ of the family noticed how hard the women in the family worked; men saw how their wives and daughters struggled. Did it make any difference? No!
“It’s their job! ”
There are men in the society who will still think, even after seeing their women in pain that she did nothing. End-up in ridiculing, dwarfing, and commenting- “She did it but, it does not mean you could too.” They are the ones who disrespect women their whole life. They are the ones that blame females for every wrong. How can we expect them to change? They are the ones that make us question if a pandemic make this archaic
The lockdown affected men and women
equally. At home, it also forced them for instance to
share household chores. Do you believe this crisis will
have long-lasting consequences on gender roles and
stereotypes in the country?
concept go extinct. When you see this image, you will never get a positive response.
A question for the future generations.The ones that stand with women to fight or retro- spect their action before acting. They are the ones who would think so when they see the women of their house suffering. They are the ones who would do the dishes when she gets tired after spending hours in the kitchen. They are the ones that give her a break after an exhaustive meeting. They are the ones that make the ‘change’ matter. They are the ones who would use their mind to reason and logic. In the end, they are the ones who keep the hope of a ‘better world’ alive.
The real issueis the pandemic bringing change in the ones that have the will to change.
Sharing chores is a mere act of distributing the household jobs, and no one would expect it to change something or start a chain reaction. It surely does momentarily. Like in a nuclear family of four, a man works from 8am to 12 pm, through an online platform; as he comes out of his room, he notices that his wife was still in the kitchen when he left for the job. The wife was in the kitchen for his and children’s breakfast; then, she made her younger child ready for the online class. By the time she completed having her breakfast, cleaning, and dusting, it was lunchtime. He tries to help with the dishes or attempts to cook. When he walks of his room, he watches his children making her online-work hard. Hence, he tries to manage them and give her time to complete her job.
There can be found the change: the one that taunted ‘what did you do the whole day!’ or yelled, “Your job is easier than mine,” was helping her do the job that made her life harder. The time spent together made him sympathetic and responsive. That is the change where he considers her his equal. The change is gradual but persistent.
