October 25

Fail I alone, in words and deeds?
Why all men strive and who succeeds?
—The Last Ride Together, Robert Browning
Very few succeed in their ventures, but 216 students from 19 campuses of the City Montessori School (CMS) did make their efforts towards creating a peaceful and united world on October 25, 2009 when they gathered at CMS Gomtinagar auditorium for the 8th Sunday Seminar. Mrs Sangeeta Negi, assistant-coordinator, Sunday Seminar, recorde the attendance of the attendees while super-hit Arabic songs echoed in the auditorium. Though the 8th session was not to include any new students, yet around 30 students from CMS Anand Nagar Campus lined the stage when students attending the session for the first time were separated.

Mr Raza Hasnain Naqvi, Chief Coordinator, Sunday Seminar, began the day with the welcome address. He proceeded with introducing the students to French. Being responsible world citizens, they ought to know about the culture and customs of different nations of the world. Pepe le Pew, a cartoon character famous in France, illustrated that Bon jour translates as Hello, comment ca va? means how are you, Bien et vu? translates as very well and you? Je vais bien means I’m fine, merci means thankyou, de rien translates as you are welcome, comment vous apellas? means What is your name?, Je m’apple translates as my name is, enchante` means nice to meet you, parlez vous anglais? means do you speak Englih? ui means yes, parlez vous francais? Means Do you speak French? Non, Desole translates as no, sorry, excusez moi means excuse me, comment translates as pardon, bonne chance! Means good luck! A bientot means see you soon, s’il vous plait translates as please, Bonsoir means good evening, while Pepe le Pew choose to say Au revoir when he meant to say goodbye.

The presentation was followed by a French video that showed a French man and a woman using these French words. A video of an adult penguin and his son was shown to the students to acquaint them with the French language. This was the story of a Papa penguin who wanted to go to a warm place, while the son persuades him not to go. The refreshment break followed this during which Heal the World, a video by Michael Jackson was shown.

The refreshment break ended at 11.30 am when the conservation of the environment became the focal issue. Global warming and other issues plaguing the contemporary world could be addressed if we take good care of our environment. A documentary film, Clean your act: a guide to treat domestic sewage was played for a few minutes, but it could not be completed because of certain technical constraints. The documentary emphasized on the judicious use of water. It also showed the methods adopted to treat dirty water.

The most important part of the day began when the children went through a dress rehearsal of the appeal that they would put before the judges attending the 10th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World between December 11 and 15, later this year. Twenty-two students lined up on the stage to present the appeal that they had written down. It turned out that they exceeded the time allotted for their appeal. They were instructed to choose from a list of topics supplied by the World Unity Education Department, write their appeal in 500 words and rehearse it properly before they come for the next Sunday Seminar on November 1.