THE PATHWAYS GAZETTE
In this Issue:
The Ridiculous Expectations of Top Universities
Regulation of Phones in school
A Recap of What Actually Happened in KASHMIR
SUMMER @ UCHICAGO
By Rusheen Bansal
Rusheen's Summer @ UChicago
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
MKT
Restaurant Review by Sahil Balani
Location: Lower Ground Floor, Chanakya Mall, Chanakyapuri, Delhi
Cuisines: Asian, Mexican, Italian, North Indian, Seafood, European
Cost for two approx.: Rs. 3000
Rating: 4.5/5
Do you ever wonder, “what if there was a restaurant which had every kind of cuisine? A go-to place where I can try a new cuisine each time and not get bored?” well your wait is over. I present to you, MKT. Trust me, it will never disappoint you, with its joyful ambiance, friendly staff and stellar food quality.
The last time I visited MKT was for a Wednesday brunch for my parents’ anniversary. With a wide range of cuisines and 7 specialty kitchens, it boasts delicious Asian, Mexican, Italian, North Indian, Seafood and European cuisines. You will find everything here from rare cheese to organic food, from scrumptious cakes to the best virgin Margaritas 🍸🍸. I would sincerely suggest the rose and cinnamon one!
I also had some interestingly cooked prawns with Thai spices which are a must for any pescatarian. I had their ‘Rajma Ke Kabab’ which were properly cooked as they melted in my mouth revealing to a range of tasteful flavors. I also tried their cheese dim sums and to my disappointment, it was just a lot of melted cheese. I would strongly advise not having one! Moving on to the main course, trust me when I say that their Black Dal (Kali Dal) is better than Bukhara’s! We had the dal with the stuffed naan which was hot and crispy. Each item was freshly prepared and flavorsome. However, it was brought to our notice that certain vegetables won't be available, which is something you don’t hear a lot at upscale restaurants. All in all, although the restaurant is a little expensive, the prime location and the food quality makes it worth it!
2001: SPACE ODYSSEY
Movie Review by Karthikeya Gautam
It is often with ease that one can watch a movie and make a guess as to how old it may be, each cinematic era carrying its own uniqueness which even novice eyes can detect. This, however, is not the case with 2001: A Space Odyssey. A person with no background information on it at all can make one of the following two guesses – either that it was released a couple of years back using 21st century technology, or that it is a Stanley Kubrick film. Well, they would be right if they choose the latter, as simply saying that the 1968 movie was “ahead of its time” would be a shame.
With breathtaking cinematography and visual effects, the movie checks all the boxes in terms of aestheticism. Complementing this is the realism added to the mix, which is a commendable achievement for a sci-fi set in space. With smooth transitions between scenes that allow the audience to meditate on what they are observing, this aesthetic masterpiece’s reflective nature sets a unique mood for all watchers. This, added to the thematic and cinematic brilliancy, makes the movie truly timeless.
The movie’s central characters are HAL 9000 (a computer whose progressive artificial intelligence crossed the barrier into a sentient territory, causing it to develop antagonistic features), and protagonists Dr. David “Dave” Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole, who are astronauts aboard the spacecraft “Discovery One”. The incredible performances by Douglas Rain, Keir Dullea, and Gary Lockwood as the protagonists have been commended by critics on numerous occasions. Having delivered performances that were so influential, the astronauts are remembered as some of the greatest fictional characters ever, even half a century later. Moreover, HAL’s gradual transition from being a reliable AI computer to an unprecedented villain with conflicting goals is one of the most well-crafted character developments to have ever been designed.
Instead of accepting the plot without consideration, the movie requires audiences to form personal interpretations of various scenes. This allows it to transcend into an almost philosophical realm if careful thought is given to details, making one question various aspects of life. The plot, in essence, is supposed to be based around an abstract framework, which allows it to provide audiences with interpretational freedom. This, however, may make it appear “slow” for some audiences due to limited dialogue and heavy reliance on music to convey emotion, and therefore those seeking a film to simply pass time may not enjoy it considering the unconventional approach to storytelling.
Setting a benchmark for all following sci-fi movies to live up to, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a brilliant work of art that needs to be watched with a clear and open mind to be appreciated as one of the best movies ever made.
SPIDERMAN FAR FROM HOME: A DISGUISED COMING-OF-AGE STORY
Movie Review by Tanvi Jha
Our favorite web-slinging hero returns in his sequel: Spiderman - Far From Home. Everyone in the audience were on the edges of their seats for almost the entirety of this movie. This is the first installment since the events of Endgame, and we get a look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after the deaths of some of our favorite heroes. It is also the first step into Phase 4 of the MCU timeline.
Cutting to Peter Parker, played by the adorable Tom Holland, he is doing his best to move on after losing his beloved mentor, Tony Stark. It seems like he is the next prospective leader of a new generation of Avengers. However, he doesn’t feel ready for the duty and avoids all kinds of questions about it. The movie climaxes when everything seems to be going well, almost too well, when the hidden identity of Mysterio, Spiderman’s alleged ally, is revealed, drawing loud gasps from the audience. The action is further propelled by impressive characterization of both the protagonist and the antagonist -- which also helps establish a solid ending.
When I observed closely, I realised Far From Home is a simple coming-of-age story disguised as a superhero movie. It can even be compared with movies like Ladybird or The Edge of Seventeen. The movie begins with Parker struggling to accept the great responsibility that comes with becoming a leader, being a mere young adult, as he wonders whether he will be able to live up to Iron Man’s legacy or not. It ends with self-acceptance, of not a reluctant but a determined Peter Parker. This framework can be noticed in other stories too, where teenagers are pressured into making important decisions, which mostly end up hurting their loved ones. As a result, they second-guess themselves but then have a dramatic moment of realization that growing up means making mistakes but also having the courage to correct them. Such plots are meant to parallelize the transition from adolescence to adulthood in real life -- the way young adults grow to accept the darker aspects of life in order to embrace it for what it is.
The biggest shockers to the audience were the two end-credit scenes. The first one shows Spiderman and MJ in the city center. A fake clip made by Mysterio, before he died, of course, is broadcasted online, depicting Spiderman as his murderer. He also takes this opportunity to announce Spiderman’s secret identity to the public. The scene cuts off with Parker cussing in shock. It is quite obvious that Peter Parker’s days of being a “friendly neighborhood” Spiderman are definitely over.
As the credits begin to roll up, the audience gets only five minutes to process what just happened when the second clip starts. It shows Nick Fury and Agent Hill talking to someone on their devices before shape-shifting into the green Skrull leaders, Talos and Soren, revealing that they are actually not present on Earth. The camera then cuts away to the person to whom they are talking to -- Nick Fury, who appears to be on a Skrull spaceship.
We do not know what this means, but some NEEEERDS on the internet pointed out that during Captain Marvel, Fury specifically told Carol Denvers that he only eats sandwiches cut diagonally. Yet, in Avengers: Age of Ultron we see that he cuts them right in the middle. So, many have suggested that this could be proof that the swap between Fury and Talos has been happening for a while now since the second Avengers movie. Could it be possible? Or just inconsistency on the Russo Brothers’ part?
While the theories are practically swimming around the internet, one thing is for certain, Phase 4 of the MCU will be unlike anything we’ve seen before
CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI’S
PALACE OF ILLUSIONS
Book Review by Shubhangi Dutta
Rating: 4.3/5
I recall my grandmother reciting the Mahabharata to me when I was about 5 years old, and I especially remember how my imagination ran wild when she described the weapons, palaces and the flying carriages. Reading Divakaruni’s rendition of the same brought
me a sense of nostalgia, and at the same time it felt unfamiliar. This book is a mythological fiction narrated by a female i.e Draupadi, because of whom we are able to see this age-old tale in a new perspective. It’s a very cleverly and beautifully crafted novel, and with a spellbinding narrative. To read about a woman’s stance in a highly patriarchal society, to learn about the experiences of Draupadi in an epic like Mahabharata, is perhaps one of the most gripping mythical commentaries a reader could have the privilege to read.
The story is a journey that begins from Draupadi’s birth and lasts till her demise, forming quite an enthralling plot. Her life outlines a grand scheme of different relationships: one of which she shared with her brother Sikhandi (who was originally born as a woman), her father, the Kauravas, her 5 husbands, and one, of course, the constant tussle with her mother-in-law. After all, does the ‘saas-bahu’ saga ever leave the Indian tradition?
Draupadi’s swayamvar (choosing a husband amongst a list of suitors), if not the most important event, is of utmost value – it is her involvement with the 5 Pandavas that triggers a catastrophic war in the future. And if you’re a reader who loves a bit of juicy, secretive, as well as forbidden romance – this book is just the right pick for you!
What I especially find unique about Divakaruni’s adaptation is her characterization of Draupadi. She has been depicted as a strong, independent and inspirational woman much beyond her time. There are many different layers to her intricately complex mind that has been so skilfully displayed and conveyed to readers. Unlike my grandmother’s version, Draupadi doesn’t sound pitiful at all. I often felt like her character gave me strength, and many would relate with the constant battles she faced and overcame with herself.
Another character who was much different from what my grandmother stated, was Karan. While I often viewed him as a weak coward, Divakaruni managed to build an affectionate image of him instead. Moreover, Krishna, who was my favourite character, was exactly how I had envisioned him to be – thoughtful and kind. It was as though he had control over every hurdle that came in his way.
What I enjoyed the most were the unexpected twists in every chapter. It made things all the more exciting and engaging. This novel will make you laugh, cry, and sometimes, perhaps make you raise an eyebrow. Although this book definitely makes it to my top 20 all-time-favourites, I was still dissatisfied with the ending. A good conclusion can become the highlight of the story, but Divakaruni leaves it open-ended. Yes, she does close the narrative with Draupadi’s death, but it still feels unfinished and leaves you asking for more.
Nonetheless, the author had consistently kept me engaged, and not once did I bear a heavy eyelid. She effectively brought the characters to life, and delivered all the emotions with just the right amount of detail. I wouldn’t mind a re-read at all. This is definitely a must-read!
ARTWORK
PATHWAYS
INSHORTS
CAS CLUBS
Written by Lavanya Guha & Vedika Mandapati
The Design & Technology Club
The Design and Technology Club, or popular known as the D Team, is made up of a group of students who all seem too shy to talk to outsiders about their projects. After a lot of prodding, two brave students stepped up to enlighten us about their initiatives. These included designing cupboards, slippers made of tyres and multipurpose sofas/beds for the village community around us. However, many meaningful glances exchanged within the group makes us wonder if they were hiding something from the press. Nevertheless,keep your eyes peeled for the products that should be launching anytime before the students graduate. Hopefully, they'll be worth the wait.
The French Club
Five Grade 11 students are doing their best to learn and teach French through La Gazette des Sentiers. Alongside Ms Sandrine, they publish an edition of the magazine on the 9th of every month- so French speakers look out! They're one of the few clubs that already has a result and is on track to continue publishing for the next few months! Read about a variety of topics regarding French Culture, without worrying about understanding. Everything's bound to be simple because not all the members are French students, and none of them have time to work on the magazine during the CAS Slot!
Maybe that's the key to success...
OPINION POLL
AROUND THE
GLOBE
THE SCIENCE BEHIND CRYING
Written by Sanjana Sethi
As humans, we laugh. We scream. We get excited.
We get bored. And yes, like any other functioning individual with feelings, we cry. It may be a disappointment for you. Fear for another. Loneliness. Love. Heartbreak. The list is endless.
As teenagers, we all know, when we’re dumped by the “love of our lives,” when tears race down our cheeks, and gut-wrenching sobs tear through us— it’s the end of the world. And yes, it hurts...
6 STAGES OF IB
Designed by Lavanya Guha
HIGHLIGHTS
EDITORS' NOTE
The Pathways Gazette, now an official publication of the Ed-Board, began in a small english room with simply 8 members - friends we had persuaded with big smiles and pleading eyes. It was inspired by Gilmore Girls, a suburban television series where the protagonist Rory Gilmore constantly wrote intriguing articles for Chilton Prep School as well as the Yale Daily News. Her spark and her determination stirred a desire to make our voices heard. We simply wanted to create something bigger than ourselves, a publication students would wait every month to read, where compelling news from school as well as all over the world easily reached minds. A platform of candid creative expression for the student community - where we can explore new methods of reporting, dissect the most recent controversies, review the latest cultural trends and write about anything we would want to.
Over the past year, we have proudly published 79 articles, contributed by over 20 members. We have gone through three english teachers and finally stuck with one -- for whose guidance we are extremely grateful. It’s been an incredible ride, and we daresay, only uphill. We cannot wait to see what the future holds for our dream project and deeply hope to find successors to take this meaningful initiative forward with the same fervor and passion as we did.
- Rajal Monga & Rusheen Bansal
MEET THE TEAM!
Writers:
Aayush Dayal, Akshita Mathur, Anahita Devasi, Angelina Jain, Anika Sharma, Karthikeya Gautam, Kyra Kumar, Lavanya Guha, Meharr Talwar, Naina Goel, Rajal Monga, Rusheen Bansal, Sachin Gautam, Sahil Balani, Sanjana Sethi, Shubhangi Dutta, Tanvi Jha and Vedika Mandapati
Editors:
Akrit Agarwal, Rusheen Bansal and Vedika Mandapati
Designers:
Aadhaar Agarwal, Ameerah Mahajan, Gowri Kashyap, Lavanya Guha, Prathana Dayal, Rajal Monga and Zobiya Jamal
Teacher:
Mr. Saad Ahmad
Photographs:
Clicking Club