Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas & Happy 2008. May Your Dreams Come True.......May Happy hours and sweetest flowers be strewn along Life's way for you, UnceasinglyAnd may the light of love burn bright As god's own starsWhich shine for you, Unchangingly!

Christmas is a time of joy and getting all the blessings from above. While in school, we had a Confession Box and one of our sisters use to sit behind and encourage the sinner kid to confess her wrong doing. We had strong faith and we were taught moral science as a subject. This helped us in being nicer and believe in the power of the word of god. I happened to visit the Online Bible Radio . Like the preachings of Gita and the shlokes recites makes the surroundings holier, I feel the Bible readings are holier and daily messages to digest with chapter readings. This one year Bible reading Blog makes you read Bible in a year. I feel the Faith Gems by Robert Schuller are the best I ever come across and Daily Bread thats so much easier too.

Here's again Christmas time full of joy and happy memories, we have the late night mass with the holy birth of christ and happy holidays. Merry Christmas to all who pass by Kidsfreesouls and may there be a guiding light to bring peace and joy.

Here's Christmas Pages on Kidsfreesouls. I've added Bible stories a day especially for those who love to read the Bible stories and as I celebrate while getting me lot of gifts and plum cakes too, you surf away to find my earlier Christmas newsletter too. Enjoy!

- ilaxi
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for Parents and Teachers

Silent Night

Did you know, the carol-Hymn "Silent Night, Holy Night" was originally written in German as "Stille Nacht". The carol has been translated in 300 languages in the world and you can find 193 versions of Silent Night in 130 languages over here.

Here's the tune of Silent Night on Kidsfreesouls with lyrics and as the Kids were so happy to jot down the notes in their Scrap books. They even sang while they wrote! Nope, we have Indian children who are singing the hymn but it's a faith so strong and a keen interest to learn and know about the faith of other religions too.

Cross faith culture is always so live in Gujarat and many gujaratis too celebrate Christmas here. The schools are found to be spreading the word of the Lord and children excitedly participate in the wonders of making a crib, decorating a tree and listening to stories of Bible. Especially, the Inn-keeper Mark's goodness and the birth of Christ.

There was a Christmas Choir Festival on Dec.22, 2007 at the Loyola Diamond Jubilee Hall organized by the St. Xavier's Institute of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad. The objectives of the society are to bridge people through song, to develop young talent in good music by conducting talent concert and Children's Choir Festivals. The Choral Ensemble was established by a group of like minded individuals in 2006 led by Fr.Vincent D'souza and the members are from different religious and ethnic backgrounds who have come together to pool the talents.

Anyways, here's the Christmas Pages and the Carol Page with 'Silent Night, Holy Night.' And here's the Culture Page with Krishna, Ram, Ramzan and many more religious info. Enjoy!

- ilaxi
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Be Happy Attitudes

At Christmas time, here's a message - It's Attitudes that always count. The Magic rules to be Happy-Attitude Makes a Difference!

Find a review of The Be (Happy) Attitudes: 8 Positive Attitudes That Can Transform Your Life (Paperback) by Robert Schuller here on the Beatitudes Page. If you really want to read the 'right stuff' - adopt a 'Go for it' Attitude towards your life and dreams.

Here's the Be Happy - Beatitudes Page on Christmas and Attitudes article. Also find Beatitudes for Children to print and pin up in your Child's room - Enjoy!

- ilaxi
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers

Perfect Dance for You

Christmas is round the corner. So, what's the perfect dance steps for you this christmas?

Well, Dance on the floor this Christmas with special dance steps to suit you - as per your Sun Sign. I recommend 'What's the perfect dance for you'. However, if you think you do not have a dance class nearby, just hop on to one of the catchy numbers and start warming up!

Here's Christmas Pages on Kidsfreesouls. I've added Bible stories a day especially for those who love to read the Bible stories.

Btw, Carol singers herald start of the Christmas season here as YMCA club in town organized a special show. Melodious carols were sung by 22 groups of singers who showed their choir singing talents. Dressed in festive spirits, 300 youngsters representing schools and churches participated in Carol singing.

As I look forward to decorate my Christmas Tree and make the crib, I'm sure, there's a cheerful festive spirit at your end too. Here's Christmas Pages. Enjoy!

- ilaxi
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with resources for Parents and Teachers

Parents and Media responsible

Parents are the ultimate teachers of the world to kids is the ultimate Opinion you find in Google News. They are more responsible in providing world information to children and guide them in every aspect from academic to choosing creativity or even getting informed on various topics. The media is also equally responsible as children are watching and reading.

The recent election in my town had a wonderful civic lesson to children who got aware of the Voting rights. The civic lesson do not end to academic and this extended beyond, as the awareness made parents talking to children on development issues and voting rights. The political party leaders waged a word war but awareness made the children asking, 'Whom will you vote - the BJP or the Congress' and to my surprise, all the Swagat Children excitedly spoke on the development of my state. They were not all concerned with the past dark events or the past riots held in the state but instead argued, since last election, we have no riots.

As such, media do make a hype on sensational news, pop, politics or crime and investigative stories. However, it's up to parents and educators to provide the right picture. Get them involved for debates and talk of concerned issues too. Parents need to take out time and so do the educators need to guide the students as they learn the academic lessons.

Well, 17th Dec has been the day for the first flight by the Wright brothers. A day when men first flew! Here is the White House Proclamation 'Wright Brothers Day'. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Ed, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Jane Austen, an Amazing Romance writer

Pride and Prejudice and we always have Jane Austen's name on our lips but it's a Bollywood treat she gets in 21st century movies with the Bride and Prejudice - a movie performed by Aishwarya Rai and Martin Henderson.



Jane Austen was an amazing romance writer and the characters and feelings reach indepth as we read through the pages. Emma was Jane's fourth and last book she wrote, published a year ago before she died. In 1815, 2000 copies were printed and she earned less than 40 pounds then. Though, it earned more after her death.

The six volume set of Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen is a best pick for the Literature fans. It has all works; Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey and persuasion and Minor works. Here's the Oxford University Press site and click to India site too.

You can find Jane Austen's profile here on Kidsfreesouls Literature pages and even find links to her books. Jane Austen was born on December 16.

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Authors Birth-dates

John Milton and Emily Dickinson are the two poets born in December. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson is one of the best picks in Swagat Library along with others. Emily wrote close to two-thousand poems, only seven were published during her lifetime. After Dickinson’s death her sister, Lavinia, discovered hundreds of poems in her room. Lavinia persuaded an editor and a family friend to publish the verses. “Poems” is the first published collection of her work, consisting of 125 short poems.




Here's the Profile of John Milton whose birthday I missed on 9th December and Emily Dickinson's Profile here and her Birthday falls on 10th December. Isn't this great to celebrate Birthdays of great Literature Characters? Well, check this out as you also find the updated Google news on the Kidsfreesouls-Google news pages. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of Guardian of Angels

Games & Noise

Noise Pollution and are we concerned when we listen to music? Especially, children today get to listen to their ipods and are fond of the High School Musical Guitar. Toys are a craze with the kids as so are the video games that rock kids like the Guitar Hero III - Legends of the Rock for PC with a Jam session to 70 different songs.

Ipods and mp3s have potential for harm to kids. Constant listening to the rock n rhyme do injure the cells in longer run. High decibel sound is always damaging. Children are very sensitive to toys and other devices that emit loud and high pitch sounds or that rely on earphones. Research done by University of California reveals an alarming result with decibels and charts out High School Musical Rockerz Jammin Guitar to top the list with 106 decibels. This is followed by Cheetah Girls in Concert collection Doll, Hannah Montana and even Tickle Me Elmo which topped 100 decibels at full volume.



Well, it's more on parental influence and educating a child as to what is safe for them and what isn't. What needs supervising the child while at play and making them use products which are not potentially harmful. Too much love and too much pampering lead to too much offering - as such, children are apt to follow herd mentality and convince parents to buy the products what is in demand and what their friends play. However, safe monitoring and role playing helps children to select better toys and games.

Here's top ten games I listed earlier and games to choose for kids. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and children
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Started in a Garage!

Making a Cartoon requires a person to be creative - a bit humorous, alert and a keen observer. Necessarily, a Cartoonist need not be an Artist but the feeling comes from within, just an idea and an imagination and one can do the tricks - Ask any kid!

Maybe, this is how we see the Walt Disney Characters so appealing and Walt Disney who was born on 5th December 1901, drew Mickey Mouse, the first cartoon which became ideal for animation. Walt Disney had first started his studio in a Garage - a so alike fact of Google founders who even opened its door at Menlo Park in a Garage!

Here's the profile of Walt Disney on the Cartoon Fun page. Even find the Snow White sheet for coloring from the Grammar Fun worksheet pages. You can also visit the Cartoon Factory and enter into the You can do it page and draw cartoons using numbers, letters and common every day shapes. This is much fun and I've tried a hand on this.

Kids Free Souls, get those pencils and use your whacky brains, stuff the funniest ideas and swing ahead to give the strokes of sheer joy to draw. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel

Ed, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids withs Resources for Parents and Teachers

Author of : Guardian of Angels

Learn and Teach Singing to kids

Are you a parent? Learn to Read, Sing if you've left behind the joys of life! A national parents academy in UK is all set to train teachers, psychologists and social workers to intervene in the lives of families and become the 'parenting workforce'. Children need to develop emotional intelligence and flexibility along with good problem solving and interpersonal skills too.

Kidsfreesouls features Grammar songs and songs for children on its pages. It is found that most of the Indian kids who are studying in English medium schools sing filmy songs and regional language songs. When kids in Swagat wanted to sing, I was quite pleased to allow them to do so. But, to my dismay, they began with the Hindi filmy songs one can't imagine that they knew the words by heart! As such, I taught them simple songs in English in the Swagat class room. They enjoy not only music but also develop an accent for speech. Why parents, even the teachers need to learn the songs for children and the yester year songs which had real meaning to the words. Songs like, Do re me and Sound of music movie songs, songs of My Fair Lady..remember that 'Lots of chocolates..?' and Papa who loves mama or the Lemon tree, etc. I also recommend the Pogo channel featured songs of Hi Fi, the Australian group and these songs are just great singing to be taught to school children. The double the Fun album of Hi Fi is at the best - Btw, the Highschool Musical 2 is the latest hit that is becoming fav amongst children here. Of coz, in Hindi, the presentation is by the famous Shanker-Ehsan-Loy and John. You can listen and watch a track here on You Tube. Also find more on Highschool Musical 2 on the Google Search. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers
Author of: Guardian of Angels

Computer Literacy Month

Computer Literacy Day - 2nd December was proclaimed by British Columbia here and even NIIT set the path of observing Computer Literacy Day in 2001. You can find the pics here of the day's Events at various places in India with NIIT Computer Literacy Day attended by CM Narendra Modi.

What's so surprising is, aren't these days just the days of Observances? The show is over for a year and the profits seen rolling later on with not a mention of World Computer Literacy Day!
Well, Kidsfreesouls Projects every year have December 2 as the World Computer Literacy Day and children/parents are made aware of the use of Computers. Kidsfreesouls readers can peek-a-boo here for the December Project and sure, it's all about technology we need to be aware of and make the kids use computers in a right manner. Explore the sections and you may create your own ideas on how to use kidsfreesouls/any other websites in classrooms. Why, you can watch a You Tube video.

Btw, You Tube is not a safe site when Children are given projects. The best option is to download the video on the computer for presentation in classroom. You can find a help here on how to follow this. Some teachers in Britain last year had children targetting them on You Tube. I think, teachers need to model effective use of technology in the classroom - get aware and 'Teach with the Times' and know 'Is Computing Safe for Kids?' (my two articles in Guardian of Angels). Parents and teachers want their kids to use computers, even feel the pride that their children are using it but they really don't get to know much of it. Children can now be teachers as well when it comes to teaching computers when parents/teachers fail to know much. Here's a wonderful 10 things we need to unlearn. Very true, these technologies will make harder for old voice of Education to survive.

Rightly said by a leading Educationist Mr. Rajabhai Pathak in a press report (TOI) today on 'Schools gaining PCs but losing Playgrounds.' The Educational scenario is completely transformed and on the back seat goes, reading and sports! Director of Sattva Vikas School and Udgam School, Rajabhai is now an Advisor to the NCERT for Computer Education in Schools. Check the print newspaper to read of search Google above to find the article on TOI. Enjoy!

-ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers
Author of: Guardian of Angels

Stop Aids

World Aids Day was on December 1 Make a Difference, Shine a Light on HIV/Aids. Stop the Virus. Kidsfreesouls lighted the 14185th Light to Fight two year ago. Last year, it was 246669th light of Kidsfreesouls.com out of the candles lighted on this website which is Bristol-Myers Squibb Initiative in co-operation with the National Aids Fund. This Year, the Kidsfreesouls Light is 6837th light to support the initiative.

It's never too late! You can also Light & Support to Add your Light to the Fight. You can read or share your stories on HIV here, tell a friend or sign up for a newsletter too.

More than 11,000 children are affected by HIV Aids and children represent a significant number of cases. In India, Gujarat is rising to a higher position with highest number of HIV Aids cases and a major risk is for children who are innocent and fall a prey to this disease recently though the exact numbers are not known. HIV Aids is not curable although there are various treatments. A Doctor's advice is the best option.

Btw, NACO and NFHS (National Aids Control Organisation and National Family Health Survey) has revealed the HIV/AIDS cases in India has considerably lowered at around 2.47 m, almost half the estimated 5.3 m. However, youth indulge in serious risk to catch the infection. It is alarming to know as per the Report of ActionAid and VSO, UK, nearly 40 pc of those contacting the HIV virus in India are women. Over a 21,000 children are affected this year compared to the previous number above.

Well, join the campaign if you wish or at least, be aware, beware! Aids can Kill and spread the message to 'Think, Stop, Be Aware, Beware of Aids.

Web Resources Government of India www.goidirectory.nic.in/ National AIDS Control Organisation www.nacoonline.org/ CDC Global AIDS Program in India The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one is the principal agency in the United States government for protecting the health and safety of all. www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/gap/countries/india.htm

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Profile of Louisa May Alcott & Fav classics

Here's my Childhood Fav Classics with the added upcoming pages of Books & Just Books Here with an Introductory Index. Though, the Book sections for Parents-Teachers and Kids are not yet designed, I am sure you will find a world of Information over here on books.

Anyways, have you read The Little Women? Louisa May Alcott was born on 29th November 1832 and her Little Women was the most well-known American Novels which tell the story of the life of Jo March and her three sisters — Meg, Beth, and Amy. Here's the Profile and a part of 'Little Women' on Kidsfreesouls Literature Pages. Enjoy!



And here's to vote for Rick Paul at the Indie Islands e-Magazine!

- ilaxi Patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with resources for Parents and Teachers

Father's care may harm kid's & cookie-man sets bad example!

November month has come to an end with a great Thanksgiving parade at the Macy's on 28th Nov. in NY city. You can find a good deal of info on the Balloon characters here on the wiki.

Well, recently a survey says, 'Father's care may harm kid's intelligence'. Scientists at Bradford University in Britain looked at the early childcare experiences of over 6000 children born in the early 1990s who lived at least their early lives in a household with parents. They check on the evidence to suggest that boys who spent at least 15 hours a week in their fathers care as toddlers perform worse on academic assessments when they start going to school. Some fathers who take care of children are not as intelligent as mothers and this difference is almost likely to be found after the child passes his first birthday!

Do you agree? Let me know What you Think!

And here's a new video added my You Tube Vlog below. Seems the Sesame Street has ever been so popular but now, the Sesame street shows are just for the elders and not suitable for kids! The Cookie Monster has become a problem coz he encourages obesity and Alistair Cookie, used to smoke a pipe before dinner and this pose for modelling 'bad behavior'.

Btw, William Blake who was born in London lived most of his life with powerful Imagination. And as his birthday was on 28th November, here's the Profile re-designed in the Literature pages. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Author of : Guardian of Angels

Go Veg!

Thanksgiving Day - fourth Thursday in November. And we have un-ending days round the year like we have un-ending Festivals, all 365 days!

November month is almost coming to an end with a great Thanksgiving parade at the Macy's on 28th Nov. in NY city. You can find a good deal of info on the Balloon characters here on the wiki. And well, I got to know of the Macy's coz my cousin's been doing a great job there!



Well, we have a Thanksgiving day in a different way. Kids are taught to write 'Thank You' notes as a sign to show their courtesy and gratitude. This can also be a part of learning good social skills. Children can taught to be appreciate by writing Thank You notes to their friends, teachers or even to you or just anyone. Writing Thank You note is a habit and it is not learnt overnight. Such courtesies are ever formed more with an influence. Appreciate your child's work and say, 'How well you've done. Thank you for being a good child' - Sure, the child picks up the values. Kids learn to appreciate and even respect others.

Well, Gandhiji had been Mascot followed by Sadhu Vasvani (25th Non Vegetarian Day) for vegetarianism. He said, "Take food as medicine and not in order to gratify the palate. Eating non veg itself brings out evil thoughts in human minds who become violent and destructive. Kids in west marvel at Thanksgiving day celebrations and they smack their lips at many food dishes that were eaten at the first Thanksgiving like wild turkey, geese, ducks, deer, lobsters, clams, oysters and fish along with vegetables and pop corn. Even here, more Gen Y is towards eating Non Veg and it's becoming a fashion n style. A simple argument goes, "If all eat veg, there will be more need of food and people would starve'

This reminds of a proverb which is rightly said, "What you think, you cook and what you cook, you eat and what you eat, accordingly thoughts flash in your mind". So, Check it Out! After all, its your Life - Attitude makes a big Difference! Here's my Recipe for Life - enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers

Hi

Hi! How often we begin saying 'Hi or just Hello' - Well, it's 35th Annual 'World Hello Day' - 21st November'. It began in response to the conflict between Egypt and Israel in the fall of 1973. Almost 180 countries observe this day all over the world now. Brian McCormack, a Ph.D. graduate of Arizona State University, and Michael McCormack, a graduate of Harvard University, work together to promote this annual global event.

કેમ છો? is Hello in Gujarati
कैसे हो ? is Hello in Hindi (try here at Google)
Bonjour (bohn-Zhoor) is hello in French
Jambo (JAM-bo) is hello in Swahili
Hola (OH-la) is hello in Spanish.
Ni hao (nee-Ha-OW) is hello in Chinese

Click on the Google Translate to find more on How to say 'Hello' in different languages. Children should be taught at least three languages and show them the different speech styles and phonic sounds along with the body language. It's Power of Voice that influence people. Ever noticed how do you SOUND???"HELLO"

Well, Greet ten people saying Hi or encourage kids to write-email Hello Cards to ten friends. See the Difference! Sometimes, just a word - makes a big difference! Even if the Hello Day is over, it's never too late to say 'Hi' to some one!

- ilaxi patel

Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/

Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers

Cartoons in classroom

Harp Week, an electronic access to Harper's weekly, the 19th Century, 56 years of 'Journal of Civilization (1857-1912). And there's where you got to explore the Literature Cartoons esp. Shakespeare characters! Here's the link. Harp Week offers this free website as a public service. It provides a revealing glimpse into the nineteenth-century world of Thomas Nast and Harper’s Weekly, and the influence that William Shakespeare had on it.

Btw, it oft happens, we tend to ignore Cartoons while we read print newspapers and even children find it the message hard to understand! A lesson plan can help to create love for Cartoon viewing and knowing the message it means to convey. Also, children can get to know of the current affairs and this would make sense of the Editorial cartoons. Show two published cartoon clips and get them to analyze. They can jot down their noting and paste the cartoon clips in their scrap book. Even add more cartoons of their choice. I've taken up a class on this and children find 'amazing' to even discuss on the cartoon clips that appear in newspapers related to Politics and Leaders or in general.

You can find the Cartoon Section here of Sudhir Tailang's Cartoons used in Swagat along with other Cartoon Strips appearing in Times of India, DNA (page 2), Comics pages etc. You can even find Vikram Nandwani's Cartoon Blog space here with Interesting stuff.

You may look forward for more to appear on Cartoon Kids Resources. Meanwhile, here's the Literature Index I just made with yet to add more Resources in due course of time. You can also peek-a-boo to the Word Search on Thanksgiving Day and find the Word Sheet useful. The Space Exploration word search worksheets is added too as you explore the nasa-space and Have Fun Learning-surfing. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Mickey Mouse Birthday!

Dive into 'Dream Fantasy' to surf on 'Cloud Nine' at Disneyland and join the Disney Club to enjoy and celebrate the best of Cartoons at Disney World. Walt Disney characters have inspired and entertained many souls and widened their doors of imagination.

Mickey Mouse originated in 1928, created by Walt Disney. Walt Disney Company celebrates Mickey Mouse's Birthday on 18th November 1928 upon the release of Steamboat Wille.
Find the Walt Disney Profile here and link to Mickey Mouse Wiki. You can make the Best School Team in India too with 'High School Musical 2 'My School Rocks' - by registering your School Team now and enter for the Dance Competition at Disney India. Here's Cartoon Fun on Kidsfreesouls.

Btw, Mickey Mouse promotes Jihad? The popular character look alike seems to have entertained Palestinian children who teaches them to fight for Israel's destruction and Islam's domination over the entire world. You can find the video here.

Club penguin.com - Screenshot by Kidsfreesouls

Anyways, I just mentioned of Club penguin.com website a few days ago in Kids links. Walt Disney Company acquired Club penguin.com last August, the fastest virtual web for kids. Children can waddle around and make new friends with nothing to download but play games, have fun and interact with each other. This do sound great, isn't it?

And there's the BBC for kids too - soon drawing attention too! All you got to know is the 'Safety Rules' and Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for Parents and Teachers

Author of : Guardian of Angels

Global Warming!

Though the Bush administration has been slow to even admit that global warming is a serious issue, and has rejected the terms of the Kyoto Protocol (an international agreement calling on developed nations to curb greenhouse gas emissions), more than 30 U.S. states have passed legislation and/or formed regional coalitions on their own to promote energy efficiency and reduce the emissions that cause global warming.

Climate change and sea level rise present complex environment security risk all over the world. At this issue, India and China will be hit especially hard by climate change, and there is a possibility of a reversal of decades of human development across the Asia, a powerful coalition of aid and green groups has warned.

Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the need of the hour. Environment experts believe that people take in Climate changes as an abstract long term environment problem rather than an urgent threat. Also, the initiatives are taken but not part of a bigger movement. There is a lack of awareness on action or drive to be taken to make individual difference. Here's a site that shows what action we can take. A conference was held in Nederlands in February 2007 when our very own CEE Director, Kartikeya Sarabhai attended. (You got to use the Google Translate in case you find it hard to read!) Also, the Fourth International Conference on Environmental Education is held in Ahmedabad from 26th-28th November for a sustainable future. You can find the details on the CEE website. As such, all the Hotel rooms are packed over here, it seems!

Here's the update on Environment pages Q & A - Do send in your concerns, if any.

Well, today's the sixth day and Diwali celebrations are almost over for now. Here's the Diwali info in case you wish to read on this. However, we have 'Dev Diwali' yet to come our away in a few more days!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Children's Day in India

Children's Day in India - 14th Nov and Chaha Nehru's Birth Anniversary.
Here's the profile of Chacha Nehru. You can find a book link and a chapter of the Book 'Nehru-The Making of India' by M J Akbar for whom, I blog as the Official Blogger on the web! He has indepth details on Nehru Biography and has even been the Spokesman for Rajiv Gandhi for some time during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure.


Nehru The Making of India By M J Akbar
Chapter from the Book




Btw, as Educators and psychologists, we often have the fear that students with Bad Behavior problems often end up lagging behind with lower grades in the classroom. However, a new research just reveals the result findings that this is not the case and such behavior do not correlate with academic results.

The findings says, Kindergartners who interrupted the teacher, defied instructions and even picked fights were performing as well in reading and math as well-behaved children of the same abilities when they both reached fifth grade. Moreover, 3-5 percent of school age children are found to be having the A.D.H.D. disorders and are affected due to brain deficit or delay in development.

You will find the NYT article here on this - a Kidsfreesouls link on Children's Day. I do come across children who are affected with the A.D.H.D. Syndrome and this link may be useful to some.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for children with resources for parents and teachers
Author of Guardian of Angels

Book Week

November 12-18 is Book Week. Kidsfreesouls has it's own unique Book Week sessions in November too. The difference is that children get to read more stories and narrate them. Later, they write the Book reviews. Since 1991, all kids who entered my Library have submitted their book reviews. There's always good competition among children while reading and submitting reviews as to who read and wrote the most books and reviews.

However, many younger children like to listen to a stories. Stories like Hansel and Gretel, Red Riding Hood, etc. that influence the child and they learn the Moral Values . Read the stories aloud to kids and also find the trouble shooting areas on their reading habits. Teachers/Parents may follow the Guidelines and use these stories for 'Project work' - Make them read, write reviews, know the moral and find what part they like best and why. Once a week, 52 times and you have a child reading at least 50 stories and writing 25 book reviews. Gradually, children develop interest in reading and writing.

Get to Swagat Children Library Page for further Book Reviews Hall of Fame List and members. Supportive to reading, conduct various activities mentioned therein.

You can find the Projects page here for November month projects on Reading and writing stories - In case you are a teacher or a parent and missed on this section. Enjoy!

Keep the faith!

ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for children with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Green Collar Economy

It's been Happy Days away from the web - yesterday as the Diwali Day and today the New Year - A complete sparkling celebrations going on amidst bursting crackers & dazzling lights, glowing candles and socializing! However, here's a brief update on the New Green Collar Economy. "Can the sustainable jobs save the American Middle Class? "

The E-magazine quotes, "With rising costs, outsourced jobs and a struggling economy, the American middle class is feeling the squeeze. But new green opportunities across every business sector may provide the well-paying manufacturing, management and entrepreneurial opportunities needed to bring security to American workers. E Magazine looks at the possibilities for this new “green collar” economy. Click here more to read this.

Btw, I am sure you must got to read the Breaking news at the Nasa_space page on kidsfreesouls. If you wish for worksheets and educative resources for Science in classrooms, there's a lot of info on this page and you will find the resources much more informative and helpful as much as I do.

Have a nice time as I enjoy a nice freaking out and having fun socializing this five days of Diwali. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Happy Diwali & Sunita Williams with Kidsfreesouls kids

Wishing all who pass this way...

" A HAPPY DIWALI & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR "

May your each day glow with Happiness and be bright with the colors of Joy!

There are magical moments in life and where there is love, there is peace! Here's the Diwali page on kidsfreesouls with all the info. Enjoy!

Btw, Sunita Williams was interviewed by Kidsfreesouls Kids Reporters. Here's their pics on the Kidsfreesouls main and click for the Nasa_space.htm page here. Do encourage the children with your comments on their blogs.

- ilaxi patel

Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Author of Guardian of Angels

Jackie Chan rocks

I was just watching VH1 and it's wow, Jackie Chan rocks! Yeah, I couldn't believe, the guy who kicks is all to rock with his singing in Hongkong last July! The worst part was he was drunk and disrupted the concert and the Hongkong audience just shove him off 'Go Jackie, out n over'. Well, Jackie sings and it's cool. You can check out his videos on kidsfreesouls.com.

29th October had been the World Internet Day and I guess most of you must be prowling on the web to scoop information. And here, for me it was a pleasure speaking on Internet at a meeting on this day! Here's more on Tech Tree and also on old article on Dot com page here. Btw, Is Computing Safe for kids? Or Learn and Teach with times? You DECIDE!

Well, come Halloween Day on 31st and it's always, Mystyfying myths remain mysterious even though ultimate truths could be discovered using the human mind alone. Science has yet to reveal what caused them. Satanism, Blackmagic, tell tale, mythology and all, lead to beliefs of evil omens to exist on earth as Ghosts or demons or witches. It takes a fraction of a second to hear the sound ‘AUM’ at such times of spirit scare and take a walk outside the mind, moving from head to heart. We are all hung up in the head. One solution is get down from the head to the heart. Mysteries remain but problems disappear and evaporate leaving the trails of mysteries behind. Read More Here on Halloween Day . Also on All Saints Day and All Souls Day falling on 1st & 2nd November.

You can copy the widget to place on your site from the Halloween Day or get to Face Book and add my Developer Applications. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with resources for parents and teachers
Author of Guardian of Angels

English Grammar

Here's Kidsfreesouls Online Grammar Resource Page. Btw, I have added Online English Grammar and Reference Web - Syndicated to English4Today with contents for ready reference and download Free English Guides.

I hope the Grammar Fun section is useful to many parents and teachers as well. Do check this for additions from time to time. I get many a phone calls asking for my Stories with Grammar and Comprehension in a Book form like my book 'Guardian of Angels'. However, this is a slow but steady updates I make here in this section. So, keep checking in -all those who are interested.

I am sure, the English Grammar Section will be useful to even parents and teachers as the updates keep regular with the syndication with English4Today.

Btw, with Halloween on 31st October, here's the Word Search on Halloween for print. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of Guardian of Angels

Spare the Rod...

Once, we had a debate in our class - "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child" OR "Pick up the Ruler, Improve the Child" Some children were prompt to respond as you will find their answers here along with the article on 'Spanking'.

I think, loving parents demonstrate more values and are considerate in their disciplined upbringing. They do not control their kids nor allow the kids to take control over their feelings. They do not violate their kids by spanking – hitting them physically or abusing them with harsh words. Instead, they set limits to unacceptable behavior. So should the teachers too follow the simple 'Spare the rod, do not pick up the Ruler' but yet, sort for disciplined children.

Every child need the vital ingredients of self esteem:

Physical safety-freedom from physical harm.
Emotional security-no pressure and fear
Affiliation-sense of belonging and being wanted
Competence-capabilities
Purpose-feeling of some meaning in life and looking for direction

Problems need to be defined so as to avoid spanking. They can be ranging from School and learning problems, behavior problems or social problems. It is the role of a parent to make the children feel physically safe. If they have a feeling of safety, they would learn to be open and trust others. They will maintain an eye contact and display confidence. Here's further on to this read on 'Spanking' as the news goes around 'Deathly Punishment' in Kidsfreesouls News section.

Are adults more responsible for Discipling children? Should they be spanked? You decide and let me know what you think.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of Guardian of Angels - Read on 'Spanking' in this Book!

California burning....

California recently faced a major disaster. The news came in to my desk too sharp for me to notice the wildfires forcing 500,000 people to evacuate homes with over a 1300 homes destroyed and over an excess of $ one billion losses incurred. 15 fires blazed across on the fifth day when fire fighters said cooler temperatures and weaker winds allowed them to win a measure of control for the first time and that the worst was behind them.

As reported, Santa Ana fire was ignited due to machinery operated near dry brush, campfires or carelessly tossed cigarettes - a price which people have to pay for their own actions. You can find the five facts about California Wild fires over here on the Reuters website.

Even the world's oceans appear to be soaking up less carbon dioxide, new environmental research has shown, a development that could speed up global warming. Read more on this here.

Btw, I was real worried for my Bro, Uncle and friends who stay in California but it's a relief to know that the worst has not touched those areas. This is the time, when we realize the human values esp. some one who is close and I really feel bad for all those who were affected by the fire...it's a miserable state nevertheless. God Bless. Here's on California Fire Survivors with Gratitude.

Many of us took part on Blog Action Day and we realize how important it is for us to put our concerns to action with the Global warming. And here's Earth Talk Q & A related to Environment. Keep checking in for updates every week! Even on the Spanish Blog.

It is said, God made the heavens on earth but it is humans who made it a disaster!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Author of Guardian of Angels

State of Fear

Author Michael Crichton's Birthday was on 23rd Oct. Best known for Jurassic Park and State of Fear. Jurassic Park has ever been the all time favorites but State of Fear - call it a techno thriller with an alarm note on Global warming. A student of Harvard medical student, Michael Crichton wrote ER, the popular TV medical drama based on his experiences in the emergency room. People's magazine listed him in 50 people list as most Handsome person. In "State of Fear," environmental groups set off terrorist acts to focus attention on global warming. He thinks, researchers who study global warming often exaggerate the problem in order to get grants, often using celebrities to promote their cause. Quite Obvious!

People from all walks of life can play a role in slowing global warming by advocating for smarter government policies, better corporate practices, and informed consumer choices. This reminds me to mention on 'The Blog Action Day' marked for 15th October 2007 had a wonderful response with over 20,603 Blog Participation, 23,327 Blog Posts and over 14,631,038 RSS Readers. And here, Bloggers who united spread the message of Actions to be taken to save environment. Green allowed Al Gore to win the Nobel Prize. Celebrity Stars shine out to support the cause. However, this has been the Internet Power to speak for a cause. Only remains to see who follows the actions! Well, Here's the five year long Earth Talk on Kidsfreesouls.com in English and Spanish - If you have any question to ask, just send across.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Carry on, Jeeves

P G Wodehouse was born on 15th October 1881 in Guildford, Surrey. Here's the Profile on the Literature pages and I am sure, you will like to read more in this section as I keep updating on this.

The first time I came across PGW, it was just at a local store - too many in the series and I casually picked up to find me with amusing reads. Yeah, I am talking of P G Wodehouse who is best known for his Jeeves and Wooster stories. He became a leading humorist with the characters of Bertie Wooster and his manservant Jeeves in the volume :The Man With Two Left Feet (1917), The Inimitable Jeeves (1923),Carry On, Jeeves (1925) - With a more than 90 widely read books and BBC TV series highly entertaining, this is the best book links you find on Kidsfreesouls.com.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Adventure Rock by BBC

Children in cyber world creating imaginary places and spaces with their fondest activities is no new now with the already popular Club Penquin, Disney, spozgirl, Barbie and many more. However, with leisure time shifting more on virtual world, BBC has launched a Beta version of a new game for ten thousand children who will be sending their comments to the CBBC Message boards. Known as Adventure Rock, the kids are free to register, explore, create, interact and innovate - creating content like music, dance, drawing and animation. Set in a 3 D virtual landscape, children can express themselves and play games in a free cyber world. You can find the story of the Adventure Rock here. Further to this, a Conference for Virtual World for Children is set for May 2008 and the research findings will be focused thereby.

The KOL - Kids aol is yet another great site for children to explore. The so colorful place with loads of activities with even Homework help is so welcoming on cyber space. Well, you can find some great links for 'Games for kids' in Google space here on WEB. Btw, do you think kids exploring on the web is so safe? It needs parental guidance and safe surfing on web. Here are two sites for safety that might interest you - Online Guard and Web Safety for kids.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers

Thoughts rule the world!

Navratri - today is the 6th day of the Festival of nine nights of dancing and it's ever the happy celebrations beginning tomorrow. Faith rules and people are merry dancing for nine nights followed by tenth as Dussera and later up to Full moon.

Osho said “Every emotion arising in you is a great opportunity. Master the mind. It is a state of consciousness when the outer world is reflected in . Mind is nothing but the process of thinking, the traffic of thought” Thoughts rule the world and it is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.

Thus, goes the meaning of Navratri - overcome the obstacles that finds roots in life and know the divine self. Greed, temptation, gossip, bickering, self centeredness and any evil disguises are to be overcome otherwise it is the end like Mahishasura, the demon. The goddess reflects the noble intentions and kind deeds, determination to end exploitation and stand by the righteousness. Find here on 'Why Navratri' - Enjoy!

Btw, did I mention earlier? October has been named "National Sarcastics Awareness Month" in an attempt to help everyone understand both the positive and the negative effects of sarcasm. Here is my article 'Tame the Temper' - Sarcasm?Criticism?Rejection? To control anger is not an easy task but to melt down is certainly a positive signal to defuse a conflict and avoid the sarcastic remarks and think Positive! Here's on Tolerance. Send me your views as to how will you react when you face a blow of 'Sarcastic' remark and what you will do to defuse Anger.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Go Green

It's Earth Day - 365 days!

'Wanted! Seas & Oceans-Dead or Alive?' Campaign in wake of World Environment Day earlier by Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt of India, actively spread awareness on the use of Plastics. Plastic waste kills more than 20 Lac birds, one lac sea mammals and countless fish each year. More sea creatures are killed by plastic decompose but the plastic remains there killing again and again. The Plastic should be almost banned or its use reduced. It should be reused and recylced to generate minimum plastic waste.

Even for a day, Go green and follow the Go Green steps - children are our future. A good place to start is with curbing consumption. How many Beanie Babies, Barbies and IPODs will be in landfills 10 years from now?

Find more concerns, ideas and links to curb pollution, save environemnt - save mankind on environment pages here. If not all, at least one action a day to save environment makes a difference.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Environment concerns

Since more than five years, Kidsfreesouls.com is associated with E-magazine column 'Earth Talk' - the Q & A column by Editor Doug Moss. So many concerns and issues related to environment that we need to reframe our life, back to basics if we really want to sustain life. However, life is ever on a faster trail with a no reverse gear but we can make a difference by creating awareness around us.

When I started blogging the Q & A column on Kidsfreesouls, every week has been topics of concerns from readers. Find the Concerns here and Just think for a while! What should be/can be done - what are the alternate ways - how to curb the problems...n more...Know the answers and spread awareness too. Maybe, while creating awareness, we even end up taking measures and find some solutions too.

Some concerned issues:

The Compact discs (CDs) and digital videodiscs (DVDs) have become the de facto standards for media storage and playback for millions of consumers and businesses around the world. But these very discs are made of metal, plastic and dye is taking a serious toll on the waste stream. According to the Worldwatch Institute, more than 45 tons of used CDs are discarded globally every month. Ironically, CDs and DVDs are made from recyclable materials, yet the vast majority ends up in landfills or incinerators anyway.

Paper usage is at an all-time high around the world, and the average office worker prints and copies through some 10,000 pages every year. Hopes that the advent of electronic communications would drastically cut paper consumption have not panned out thus far, but individuals can still do their part by replacing printed communications with electronic ones whenever possible. Find some tips here. Office Paper Reduction Quick Tips, California Integrated Waste Management Board

According to a report by the international environmental organization Greenpeace, the ecological damage from the 1990s Gulf War was “unprecedented.” More than two-dozen chemical, biological and possibly nuclear facilities were destroyed or badly damaged, dispersing airborne toxins over hundreds of surrounding miles. Bombing and troop movements ruined hundreds of square miles of fragile desert surface, while land mines killed and maimed not only humans but also many thousands of wild animals. Humans could suffer for decades to come from the effects of the use of weapons containing depleted uranium. Depleted uranium (DU) is a waste product of uranium enrichment for the production of nuclear fuel and weapons. An International Commission to Ban Uranium Weapons was formed in 2003 to try to convince military leaders to stop using DU.

Find more Q & A in English and Spanish on Kidsfreesouls - Raise your Voice and join the Force Action with the Unite Bloggers Initiative. Kidsfreesouls Support the Blog Action Day and the mission to Save Environment. Get Involved, write your thoughts on Environment and Register your Blog at:

Blog Action Day : On 15th October 2007, Bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind - Environment. Get Involved & Register your Blog. Make a Difference!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/

Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Author of: Guardian of Angels

Stamp Collecting Month & Letter writing

Colorful world of Stamps and as a hobby collecting them is great fun and exchanging with friends. October is the month for the World Post Day. Celebrated on 9th October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern, it was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Since then, countries across the world participate annually in the celebrations. The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services. A World Post Day message from the Director General of the Universal Postal Union is sent each year to all Posts.

The Gujarat Postal Circle had organised a State level philately exhibition and quiz for different schools in Ahmedabad from October 6-8. Students of VIII-X standard from North Gujarat, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar participated in the regional level competition at Philatelic Bureau, Ahmedabad GPO. The qualifying candidates then participate in the State Level Contest.
Stamp Collecting is a great hobby - it combines learning of geography, travel, history and even admiring people and fond cartoon characters. Philately is an all time favorite hobby also one of the channels for education - The World Post Day can revive the fading Letter writing to epals. Most of us have stopped using a writing instrument with the new tech gadgets.Here's the Google search above where you can find a host of Indian stamps on the WEB . Find the Project of the Month 'Stamps' and an activity with whole month collecting stamps and writing letters to friends.

Btw, here's seven mini stamps featuring the brilliant jackets of the HP Books has been released by Royal Mail in UK (Harry Potter stamps ) with 3,40,000 people pre-ordering it even before it's release. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents & Teachers

Author of : Guardian of Angels

Is Computing Safe for Kids?

Children and safety? Always a concern on the web. With the so rosy Social networking websites, most of the children are tend to hook here. However, if encouraged to write Blogs, they do learn to be more disciplined and responsible to the words they write. They improve their writing skills and enhance vocabulary too. A lot more goes with the Blog making. Well, October is a month set aside to focus on the importance of the newer technology and understand the importance of the role it plays in our lives. Every day is a new learning experience and as we drift on the web, learning is more gaining Computer literacy.

Computer Learning month has more spreading awareness and teaching technology, communication, building a world of freedom, understanding, knowing the current events, showing talents and above all, get to be tech savvy with the computer literacy.

You can find the Computing section on Kidsfreesouls.com - For the Computer Literacy, the NIE Tips can be helpful for learning Computers in the classroom. A host of activities for the whole month and sure, you have easy setting up the Blog, Google Pages, using G Docs, writing jokes, poems, and many more tips mentioned therein.

The concerns remain 'Is Computing safe for kids? but it always has a positive say with 'Learn and Teach with Times' - get the Smart Kids to adopt the right technology with the newly added 'Blogging' Article here that I just wrote yesterday. The past blog notes has a more on various Ed notes with mentions of tech too. Explore the Kids Blogs too! Enjoy!

Ilaxi Patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents & Teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Amar Chitra Katha

In my earlier note, I recommended Amar Chitra Katha as it spreads awareness about Indian culture. Amar Chitra Katha is full of colorful pictures, simple language and easy narrative with Mythology and folk tales of Ramayan, Mahabharata, Panchtantra, Jataka Tales, etc. Panchtantra tales attempts to teach how to understand people, how to choose reliable and trustworthy friends, how to meet difficulties and solve problems through tact and wisdom, and how to live in peace and harmony in face of hypocrisy, deceit and pitfalls in life. The Akbar and Birbal stories are full of wisdom and wits whereas Bhagat Singh, Rabindranath Tagore, Shivaji, Arjuna, Krishna, Shiva, Mirabai and many more, inspire the kids. Amar Chitra Katha reveals the 5000 years of India's mythology, history and legend packed in volumes. Uncle Pai is the soul behind these tales and you can find his website here.

In Swagat class, most of the children have read Amar Chitra Katha and we have actual sessions of Book reading since quite a number of years! Apart from this, kids read the Archie comics, Fairy tales, stories for children and even the classics. Later on, the kids get to narrate the story, write the reviews. Sometimes, this is difficult but nevertheless a try. The kids get Quiz questions from these Amar Chitra Katha books and divided in groups, they sort for the answers. Many past students must be remembering the Gandhiji Quiz and how they looked into pages of all Gandhiji books in the library to find the answers. Refreshing memory of yester years is always so memorable too. And as teachers, we get the Stars - feathers in our cap!

Well, meaning to say - Make the class interesting and we have a learning session in progress. Like we have learning sessions every day as we explore the web! Finds Tips to use Kidsfreesouls and News in classrooms Here. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel

Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/

Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Author of : Guardian of Angels

Games for words

The Scrabble - All a game of fun and learn. I remember the word trivia games we played at the Talkcity chatrooms and still the game is great going all the time pick. Scrabble was introduced in 1948. These days it is produced in 27 languages, according to Mattel Inc., which owns the non-American rights to the game. Scrabble ranks # on Top 10 games in Kidsfreesouls List of games. Rest follows Monopoly, cake mania and all leading to X Box games like the recent Halo 3 - The Master Chief who makes it Big.

Teaching Board games to kids is just challenging and fun learning. The spelling rules as well as building a vocabulary is all in process as kids engage to a word building play activity. With Hangman and other spelling activities, encouraging a child is quick and easier while sparing a few moments for play. With a scrabble, an age appropriate spell fun works best as you begin to play with the letters, keeping in mind, the vowels and consonants which are verbally formed. Kids can have a Family Game Night, ready with the word list so as to be easy with the game. When I play the game of scrabble or rather allow the class kids to engage into a Scrabble game activity, the first thing I noticed is the enthusiasm as they can make their own words. Of course, we do have cheaters who spell wrong and yet, make it appear correct. This is when we find children disappointed and embarrassed when we can emphasize on what it is to learn or what means 'winning'.

Well, for the online free plays, here's Mattelscrabble and AOL games for the game lovers. And here's on Honing Sports Spirit - an article in my book - Grab a copy NOW for the read. Btw, here's recent Worksheets of Wordsearch added to the Wordsearch index and Ctrl+Print for classrooms. Enjoy!

ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author : Guardian of Angels

Gandhian values

Gandhi, The Father of the nation and here is the profile of a leader who influenced thousands of Indians and people round the globe with his non violence philosophy. On the D Day of the Mahatma, a two-day international conference was organized on last January 29-30 by the All India Congress Committee to mark the centenary of the launch of Satyagraha Centenary entitled "Peace, Non-violence and Empowerment - Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century'.The conference structured around four presentations by Scholars and Gandhians. The subject emphasized was:

conflict resolution and peace-building
Gandhian philosophy for poverty eradication,
education and people's empowerment
dialogue among peoples and cultures
towards a nuclear weapons free and non-violent world order

The 192 UN Member countries finally declared 2nd October, Mahatma Gandhi's Birth Anniversary as 'International Day of Non Violence' Day desiring to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence. In further effort to promote, UN also declared 12 September 2007 to 11 September 2008 as “The year commemorating the Ethiopian Millennium.”

Kidsfreesouls had earlier mentioned on this initiative in the News page in January.
Kidsfreesouls salute the great leader and highly believe in the Gandhi Principles. You can find the profile of Gandhiji here alongwith the Constructive plans and a Quiz on My Experiments with the Truth from the print media competition taken earlier.

However, today on 3rd October - News comes around and it's sad to say, in the Gandhian land of Gujarat, Ahmedabad Schools, college students and even the University were almost closed with children enjoying snake charmers and harry potter by a social organisation rathar than celebrate Gandhian festival with the cleanliness drive or competitions and quiz in memory of Mahatma and freedom. There has been no concern to spread Gandhi's teachings and ideologies amonst the present generation.

Well, it was too heartening to see a press pic of a mom and her two children offering their tribute with flowers at a city statue! And all so popular were the Foreign crowds at the Sabarmati Ashram!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author : Guardian of Angels