THE PATHWAYS GAZETTE
WEst side story: an exclusive interview of mr norbu tshering
The Senior School Annual Production, West Side Story was directed by Mr Norbu Tshering and performed on the 15th of December 2018. The show received great commendation and was enjoyed by everyone. Here's an exclusive interview of the mastermind behind the execution of the Broadway theatre at PWS, Mr Norbu Tshering:
How has your experience been directing this play?
It was full of mixed feelings but mostly fun. I’ve tried to not lose control as we had a limited number of days, and remain calm. But, it is really turning out to be a very good production.
How far is this out of your comfort zone?
This is very much in my comfort zone because its Broadway theatre and that’s my favourite type.
How is this production different from the previous school productions?
This felt different because, for the first time, I was given full independence to do whatever I wanted to do. so, I could experiment and express my creativity in a lot of ways which has been very good for me.
What was challenging about bringing this particular musical, WSS, to life?
This particular musical is a very physical form of theatre so one usually needs trained actors, dancers and singers. But, the actors have come a long way and they’ve learnt well. They have matured as true stage performers. So, I think that was the challenge, but we’ve overcome it successfully.
What sort of person is going to love this show?
All age groups! The young kids are going to love the Krupke song, the teenagers are going to enjoy the romantic songs, the older generation is going to adore America and an entire other generation is going to love the Cool song. So, this musical is tailor-made for 5 to 65-year-olds.
What’s going to surprise people about this show?
The fact that we did such a major production, with endless acting, singing and dancing, in such a short period of time. It looks like a proper movie, you know, and it will surprise the audience that we pulled all of this off in such a short while.
What was your favourite scene to direct?
Actually, I’ve enjoyed directing all the scenes. Every single scene has been my favourite!
How has the cast differed from your expectations?
When I started out, I was very nervous that they might not be able to perform that well, because there were a lot of kids that were dancing/acting for the very first time. But they’ve all worked tirelessly and managed to do a very good job.
Describe your cast in three words.
Hard-working. Irritating. Um. Amazing.
Who in the show is most like their character? Who’s the least?
According to me, Aastha’s and Rishit’s blend into their roles quite well. But, I think Samira is the least like Anita (even though she’s doing a fantastic job!).
What do you expect on the final day?
On the final day, I’m not expecting anything. It all depends on the actors. But, I know it’s going to be a good show.
What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?
They’ll either be humming, Tonight Tonight, I Feel Pretty or the America song.
Do you think you would want to continue as a director or are you more comfortable being a choreographer?
Choreography is my forte, however I love to take challenges when it comes to musical dramas, handling all three elements and blending them together.
What inspired you to pursue this profession when you were young?
I really wanted to dance and act at a very young age. I’m very happy I came into this school too, because Pathways offers a lot of opportunities all year round for me to do something I love. I get to try out new creative things every time. Since I was a kid, I knew I only want to do this in my life, no matter how much money I earn.
SCHOOL
the red and the pale
By Vivek Pant
some roses grew at the river brink,
sad was the sight when I saw one sink,
the other on the mud that fell down,
resembled my state,
a king with a crown yet powers fake,
so lo behold my dear friends,
death has no fashions,
it has no trends,
perished though both,
some sink red,
pale the others lie
Vivek Pant
valleys thriving
By Vivek Pant
The first whiff of this crispy morning,
Nostalgic, brought back that yearning,
Took me back to those hills, those rills
Where my soul belongs, and thrills
My heart with that feeling……
That sleepy wilderness yelling
Yellow reminiscence of autumn October,
I missed once again this year.
The first whiff of this crispy morning
Ecstatic, brought back that pining,
Took me back to those valleys thriving,
Lofty cliffs, the gentle breeze diving.
Acorns, small fires, warm wearing,
Sipping hot tea in the Chilly Zephyr
Of the mystic, oneiric November,
I missed once again this year.
Vivek Pant
By Rajal Monga and Meharr Talwar
High school relationships can be complicated. With immense school pressure, hormonal changes, and societal expectations, it can often be challenging to commit to and support a healthy relationship. For many, it is their first try at romance, making it even more complicated to cope with all the school-related stress. Parents and teachers will often label it as “invalid” or “unreal”, for they think of such relationships to be fleeting. However, is settling down and getting married always the end goal? Does a relationship lose its value just because it ended? Are high school relationships just a mere cause of distraction or perhaps a plea for validation?
To get a proper insight, we decided to survey students of similar age groups, as well as a
few teachers from our school. The survey results were extremely similar, where the
majority who voted for “yes, high school relationships are worth it” won by just 11.62%.
We were exposed to a wide array of opinions which stirred stimulating debates and
conversations among many.
There is no denying that getting into high school relationships can be a great source
of learning. They are enthusing and powerful experiences that can help shape one’s
personality and aid the teenagers to mature into independent individuals. They help you
understand the complexities of life in future and guide you to truly understand yourself.
You relate to your partner in a way which is quite dissimilar to anyone from your family
or friends, because they are with you through every hurdle you face; from getting
low-grades to quarrels and toxic friendships, they are there through everything. While we do agree similar qualities can be found in a best friend, having a significant ‘other’ makes your experience even more intimate and personal.
However, one may also argue that relationships act as interruptions to your responsibilities as a high school student. They could also adversely affect your mental health and well-being. Moreover, statistically speaking, most high school relationships end by college, hence one might want to abstain from this prospect to avoid the added stress and demand. However, even then, they do teach valuable lessons to those intimately involved in such experiences.
Apart from the stress that comes with maintaining such relationships, it cannot be ignored that some may also, more often than not end up in heartbreaks and pain. Experiencing a heartbreak at such a young age could almost be life-altering, for it could leave a long-lasting influence on one’s life. To get a better understanding, we interviewed our psychology teacher, Ms. Nazneen Abbasi who believes that “maintaining a relationship in high school isn’t worth it because most teenagers experience several behavioural and emotional changes. Teenage is a stressful period for both partners and hence, it is difficult to maintain stability in the relationship. Moreover, their emotional bank hasn’t completely developed. This makes it harder for students to handle relationships with the maturity required to deal with the pain and the heartbreak relationships come with. Infatuation and attraction are all based on senses and not the soul. The deeper the involvement, the greater the damage!”
No matter what, relationships are a much-needed break we get from the perpetual pressure of our academics. The awkward interactions, the side glances, the hesitant hand-holding are what make these young relationships truly precious. After all, those chick flicks are not all lies, are they?
To conclude, we believe that the fear that a relationship may not last shouldn't be the reason why it shouldn’t start. As long as you and your partner are ready and aware of what you’re getting into and are capable of striking a balance between your relationship and other responsibilities, we believe it is definitely worth all the effort and the pain.
The case has been made for all the optimistic and pessimistic approaches to this question. In the end, whether you get into a relationship or not is a matter of your personal choice.
cas
friends
against
milligrams
The FAM (or, Friends Against Milligrams) Club is a student-led CAS Project initiated by Chandan Samal of Grade 11 to spread awareness about alcoholism as a serious social and psychological disorder in Indian slums. Currently, the group plans on conducting campaign drives to help 5 selected families with alcoholic husbands recover from their disorder by guiding them toward certified psychologists present in government hospitals. In addition, FAM aims to somehow help the wives in the families find jobs to become financially independent in order to support the household while their husband recovers. They are a young organisation, already with 10+ members, looking forward to more enthusiastic minds to work alongside them and help create a change!
MERAKI
A Culture of Work
So you think it’s easy for me to say this
Because I know you’re going to hate this
But let’s see if you’re ready sit and listen
Because this conversation will not hasten
You expect me to watch as you are robbing me of my childhood
While my limbs are frozen with a throbbing pain.
...read more in the Meraki magazine. Get the latest copy now!
REUSE
INDIA
REUSE India would like to formally announce the first edition of the Bright Minds 4 Social Entrepreneurship competition!
Gain a chance to be recognised by some of the most experienced and capable entrepreneurs, consultants and professionals across the nation for your entrepreneurial thinking skills!
Send us your ideas for a business model that can sustain environmental good by tackling the issue of air pollution, while still being profitable!
Just one page of thoughts, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be recognised on a national platform.
Connect with us for more details on how to register. All submissions are expected to be sent to our email ID indiareuse@gmail.com, after registering.
REVIEWS
The sari shop
Book Review by Sehej Bevli
‘The Sari Shop’, a novel by Rupa Bajwa, has strong elements of realism, which also transports the readers into a fictional world. The protagonist of the novel is the twenty-six-year-old, Ramchand, an assistant at Sevak Sari shop. He dreams of fulfilling his and his father’s lost desire to learn how to read and write English. He realizes that there is a huge world out there with infinite possibilities, and that ‘every coin has two sides’ which baffles him to the extent that it becomes one of the major ideas in his head that propels the plot of the novel further.
The novel fearlessly depicts the divide in class as well as the utopian urban India that is seen by the eyes of many. It shows the desires of the lower strata of Indian society and their eagerness to uplift their own status in society. There is no sugar coating in Ramchand’s life, it is depicted in an extremely convincing manner.
The author has shown Ramchand in a blind light at the beginning of the novel, but as the novel progresses, he gains knowledge and becomes aware of the injustices of the world. The book touches on several social issues like the abusive treatment of women, male patriarchy and stereotypical gender roles in society.
All in all, the book is an assortment of emotions which flow through the different characters represented in the novel. It portrays the vibrant colours and the chatter of the sari shop; on the other hand, it displays the dark emotions faced by the female characters as well as the realization, angst and resentment felt by Ramchand as he starts to gain knowledge about the world.
the drunken botantist: Go connasiure
Restaurant Review by Sidhant Kapila
How many of you have ever wanted to become a botanist, or ever wondered what it feels like to be one? Well you need not to worry about that anymore, as this restaurant takes that up a notch, now you can experience what it feels to be a drunken botanist.
The greenhouse-themed bar and diner filled with greenery all around represents the theme of a true 'Drunken Botanist'. In a mysterious yet lush setting, it places modern interiors in the lap of nature. The bar offers one of the best mixologies in the entire city, each drink has its flair of scientific botany, which is heightened by the experience offered by the restaurant. I recommend the drink 'The Doorbell’ which is presented in a wooden glass in a metallic cage.
Beyond its bar, the restaurant manages to serve state of the art, modern food, while still maintaining the casual feel of sitting in nature's lap. One can find a wide range of options to choose from, ranging from the ultra-creamy cosy pasta to a Japanese Pizza made of truffle mayo infused salmon. So, no matter what your taste buds prefer, you're sure to find it here...Connasiure!
ralph breaks the internet
Movie Review by Rusheen Bansal and Rajal Monga
When the much-awaited movie, Wreck it Ralph 2, came out, the child inside most of us went ballistic. We immediately headed to the theatre and dived head-first into this classic sequel. This movie essentially emphasises on the virtual world we all prefer to live in these days and the cinematic portrayal was commendable.
In summary, video game bad guy Ralph (John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) travel to the World Wide Web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope's video game, "Sugar Rush." In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet -- the netizens -- to help navigate their way, including an entrepreneur named Yesss, who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site BuzzTube. Anything sounds familiar?
With a new-age plot, with applications built like buildings, messages shown through cable cars, google turned into a human(!) and a very exciting cameo of all the Disney princesses, Wreck It Ralph 2 has it all. The big picture was incredibly interesting however towards the end, the movie dragged on unnecessarily which was frankly a bit disappointing.
If we look at it closely, the literal trip to the World Wide Web to look for the broken steering wheel was symbolic of how Artificial Intelligence can take over our lives any time. The concept was well thought out and demonstrated. Furthermore, personally, one of my favourite moments from the entire movie was the exploration of the internet world, which was animated extremely well and was fascinating to watch. Moreover, the fact that they showed Ralph’s insecurities as a virus in the system was genius as it signifies the exact role insecurities play in our lives too.
All in all, this movie largely focused on the current world events and revolved around the theme of friendship, love and self-sacrifice. A little cliche, I agree, but the animation made it worth it.
chilling adventures of sabrina
Tv Show Review by Rusheen Bansal
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is the all-new, and like all the other Netflix specials, experimental series that came out last month, leaving a trail of an unexpected fandom behind. Personally, I initially resisted watching this show as it seemed “basic” and “cliched”, replete with witches, dark magic and predictable supernatural twists. However, one sunny day when I was scrolling through Netflix trying to procrastinate away my stress, I stumbled upon this series and decided to give it a try. Let me tell you this: Best. Decision. Ever.
Like the rest of you, I assumed that because the older TV show, Sabrina: The Teenage Witch, was a sitcom, with its funny elements and educational lessons, in essence, meant for a younger age group, this show will follow those popular footsteps. However, I slowly realised that this show is perfect for us millennials, with really-dark plot twists, an AH-mazing wardrobe, and an incredibly talented cast. This new show is nothing like the older one, which for the first time ever, is a good thing. It has great screenwriting which flows perfectly with the immersive storyline. The “chilling” touch gives it a sense of overall unpredictability.
My favourite part of this entire series was the portrayal of the strong female leads. CAOS makes uses of feminism as a modern viewpoint of displaying Sabrina’s gifts, intellect and courage which lead her to remain in control of her life rather than the various great forces seeking to control her, including Satan himself. It explores the concept of power further with the side characters and how they differ the uses according to their personal intentions. Moreover, the side characters have been built so well, that although the central romance is not that appealing, their bright and engaging personalities aid the show from getting dragged down by it.
Lastly, I think Kiernan Shipka is the perfect Sabrina, both canny and uncanny, simultaneously wise and innocent. We’re still waiting for Ross Lynch and her to be a thing.
P.S The winter special was sub-par but her new hair looked amazing!
fantastic beasts:the crimes of grindewald
Movie Review by Tanvi Jha
Whenever a new movie of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter releases, we all expect it to blow us away with its magic every time we re-enter its world, which most of us remember as being the sole structure of our childhood. However, this movie fell below our expectations this time for the simple fact that many fans found that the movie was in simple terms - unnecessary.
The movie opens with Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) escaping from captivity while he is transported out of the prison in America. Meanwhile, our charming protagonist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is being persuaded by the Ministry of Magic and Dumbledore (Jude Law) to travel to Paris and find Credence (Ezra Miller) while Jacob Kowalski is in search for Queenie in Paris after a spat between the two of them.
As a Harry Potter fan myself, I was really excited to watch the sequel. The first Fantastic Beasts movie was adventurous, charming, with an icing of sweetness for all the romantics. The sequel was in some ways attempting to recapture these qualities, however, the biggest problem was the lack of plot.
Before I begin with the plot, it’s important that I address the acting in the film. For all of you die-hard Eddie Redmayne fans, I can assure you that his performance was nothing less than ‘fantastic’. His portrayal of Newt Scamander always finds a way to surpass my own expectations and I find that his character continues to find its own way to defy the cinematic portrayals of ‘masculinity’. It was his character’s moments that I feel made watching the movie entertaining enough.
Meanwhile, the remaining actors, Katherine Waterson (Tina Goldstein), Ezra Miller (Credence), Dan Fogler (Jacob Kawolski) and Alison Sudol (Queenie Goldstein), were excellent in their performances, upholding their characters whilst developing them through the plot. Now coming to the elephant in the movie, Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Grindelwald is quite well done despite the controversy. However, I find it very hard to imagine his Grindelwald with Jude Law’s Dumbledore as a past love interest, especially since J.K. Rowling herself has proclaimed that the characters were once lovers. Still, he brings an impressive performance to the table.
Now facing the big question of “why the plot was so weak?” I have said this to many and I will say it again; the main revelation in the movie (which will be left out to avoid spoilers) is presented in the last five minutes which could have easily been the prologue of the next movie. As a matter of fact, most of the events taking place are largely quite pointless. Although, one would expect that a slow plot would give room for character development or progression of the love stories but sadly the opposite happened. While our characters all go through their own moments of blissful romance that would make anyone blush, they had no real significance. Any or all emotions expressed throughout this movie were no different from the ones that had been expressed in the previous movie. It is no wonder that many felt unsatisfied by the time the end credits rolled.
Regardless of the mixed feelings of many fans, there is still hope for the overall franchise and I believe that the entire cast will return shortly, taking this weaker movie as an opportunity to surprise us with new one that will certainly leave us stunned.
patriot act with Hasan minhaj
Tv Show Review by Rusheen Bansal
Patriot Act, the name itself, makes you wonder what all this fuss is about? Who is Hasan Minhaj and why is everyone suddenly talking about him? Well, he is the “homecoming king,” and unlike every other talk-show host, he stands! He walks around his set, which has an ever-moving kaleidoscope of multimedia in the background that seems designed specifically for our generation that, whenever the mood strikes them, is quite comfortable with accessing multiple screens at once. There are no interviews, no sketches or no pointless games with celebrities. It’s simple Minhaj, speaking for 30-so minutes on one subject for an entire episode.
After years of Colberts and Fallons, white liberal men who address the latest Trump debacle with a sing-a-long and a wink, Hasan Minhaj feels like a relief. His unapologetic attitude is so refreshing, it’s easy to forget that Patriot Act isn’t that much different from the other talk shows where liberal comedians spoon-feed you the center-left take.
I heard it in passing from a friend that this is a great show so I decided to give it a try. Let me tell you how surprised I was. Like every other talk show, I expected a desk, a celebrity or at least a small sketch. Instead, Minhaj threw that out and lit up the stage with his charismatic smile, winning aplomb and the fact that he is the first Indian-American to host a talk show (wohoo india!). I was hooked.
One thing that I absolutely loved was that Patriot Act focused more on evergreen topics, like the Rise of Amazon, the disguised oil-spills, affirmative action and so on. However, in the chase of laughter, he can flatten his opponent with irrelevant side tangents that attempt to undermine their credibility and because it is such a short episode, it always feels like he’s rushing. Personally, I prefer the fast pace.
On the whole, Minhaj is making the most of the international platform he has been presented with, and his international audience is absorbing all of the unique perspective that he has to offer. In a way, each episode of Patriot Act With Hasan Minhaj is a 26-minute stand-up set, which will give you the perfect topic to discuss at your next awkward conversation.
ART WORK
Is Gatsby The Future Self of Jack from Titanic?
By Anahita Devesi
Titanic, the tragic tale of two lovers caught aboard a sinking ship is one of the highest grossing movies of all time. Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, a novel centred around an enigmatic millionaire, is read by most students during their days in high school. Many of us are probably aware of the trivia relating to both these popular stories, yet will be shocked to hear an outrageous but quite plausible fan theory. Could Jay Gatsby, the protagonist in the novel, be the future self of Jack Dawson? There are some highly compelling similarities between the two characters, impossible to ignore.
Jack Dawson is a poor 20-year-old who wins a ticket to the doomed transatlantic liner as a result of his gambling addiction. In the final scenes of the movie, as the Titanic is swallowed by the ocean, Dawson is shown to have died of hypothermia. But what if Dawson actually survived, becoming rich through gambling and living a privileged life as the inimitable Jay Gatsby? After all, both men have mysterious, secretive pasts, which they always seem hesitant to talk about.
Before enlisting for World War I, Gatsby was in a relationship with Daisy Buchanan. After serving in the war he apparently went to Oxford University, and after just five months, came back to the States. But what if Gatsby didn’t go to Oxford and instead decided to sail the Titanic from Southampton to New York. This impulsive journey then set the stage for an ocean liner romance that breaks class taboos but succumbs to the viciousness of an iceberg. Dawson not only survives the icy cold waters of the North Atlantic and the strict conventions of classist England but goes on to live the American dream of celebrating excess and hedonism, rekindling his obsessive love for the much-married Daisy.
Apart from this epic transformation of Dawson to Gatsby, our theory reveals other striking parallels between the two tales. Rose and Daisy seem to be mirror images of each other - rich, beautiful women trapped in a loveless or abusive relationship. Both the protagonists Dawson and Gatsby are drawn to large bodies of water. Further, they both travel as young men and have an affinity for the finer things in life. And of course, in case you missed it, Leonardo DiCaprio stars in both the Titanic and the most recent adaptation of Fitzgerald’s classic. Now I think it’s time for me to definitely re-watch Titanic and the Great Gatsby.
CONSPIRACY THEORY
Pathways INSHORTS
around the globe
How We Fell In Love With Adidas
By Manan Vaid
Remember when Nike use to dominate the sneaker scene in India with kids begging their parents for a pair of Jordans? Regardless of the model, whether it was a training shoe, or the classic Jordan 1 for flexing in parties, kids were practically throwing their wallets (and purses for hypebæ) on Nike store cashier, to wear and tear the Jumpman logo. Adidas back then meant only Superstars for those ‘typical blogger’ girls and Stansmiths for those ‘Skinny Delhi Boys’. Well, things changed after Kanye left Nike.
The Yeezy brand joined Adidas on the "Yeezy Season 1" collection, which first officially released on October 29, 2015. After that, we saw hypebeast and surprisingly Indian celebrities like Ranveer Singh. I’ve even seen drivers with foogazi yeezys with baggy pants. The point is, that Yeezy changed it all. But it’s never been practical to own a pair of Yeezys, especially in India, due to the super limited size runs in the model and the fact that you have to pay ridiculous shipping and tax on the kicks if you are daring enough to order it from the States. The sneaker game was changed then, rich kids got those holy grails, while the others hung posters of the shoes on top of their beds. But Kanye had another trick up his sleeves. On his Saint Pablo tour, he wore a basic training shoe from Adidas called the “Ultraboost”. People didn’t really care about it at first, “Some training shoe" they said. Then on his next show, he wore the same shoe, people started to notice it. On his Inglewood show, he wore it again. Let me remind you, this is Kanye West we are talking about, an idol in the fashion industry, a man who probably walks about with a thick wad of cash in this LV duffle bag, yet he still wore the same damn training shoe. Well, within the next 24 hours, all Ultraboost models were sold out on the Adidas website. Kanye is indeed a prodigy, and he somehow found a way to satisfy those ‘rich’ clients that are loyal to his work, and those kids who idolized him and drew Yeezus logos at the back of their maths workbook.
Luckily, as I’m writing this article, Adidas is re-releasing the Ultraboost in its OG colourway! For a spare 16K and lying dormant on your parents’ feet while throwing a tantrum as if your EE question got rejected for the 17th time, you can own the shoe that started it all!
(P.S vote for a “Streetwear day” at school in the poll below. It's more of a ‘No uniform day’.)
saudi journalist's unusual death
By Vansh Bali and Ananya Sharma
On October 2nd, Jamal Khashoggi, a well-known journalist and critic of the Saudi government, walked into the country's consulate in Istanbul, where he was murdered. Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor has said that Khashoggi was killed inside the building on the orders of an intelligence officer. Turkish officials however say they have evidence, including gruesome audio recordings, that the journalist was killed by a team of Saudi agents on orders that came from the highest levels. The steady stream of disturbing allegations, along with the complex diplomatic situation, means that it can be difficult to keep track of the full story.
As a prominent journalist, he had covered major stories including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the rise of Osama Bin Laden for various Saudi news organisations. For decades, he was close to the Saudi royal family and also served as an advisor to the government; however, he fell out of favour and went into self-imposed exile in the US last year. From there, he wrote a monthly column in the Washington Post in which he criticised the policies of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
In his first column for the newspaper, Khashoggi said he feared being arrested in an apparent crackdown on dissent overseen by the prince since he became first in line to succeed his father King Salman. "The people being arrested are not even being dissidents, they just have an independent mind," he told the BBC's NewsHour programme three days before.
He first visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 28 September to obtain a document certifying that he had divorced his ex-wife so that he could marry his Turkish fiancée. But he was told he would have to return and arranged to come back on 2nd October. "He did not believe that something bad could happen on Turkish soil," his fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, wrote in the Washington Post. "Jamal was hardly concerned ahead of his second visit."
He was seen on CCTV arriving at 13:14 local time for his appointment, which was scheduled for 13:30. He reportedly told friends that he had been treated "very warmly" on his first visit and reassured them that he would not face any problems. Despite this, he gave Ms Cengiz two mobile phones and told her to call an advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan if he did not come back out.
Was this an act of revenge by the Crown Prince or an innocent death? Nothing's certain but all we know is that we cannot trust him easily. (Tune in to the next issue to learn why.)
CHINA'S SOCIAL CREDIT SYSTEM
By Akshita Mathur
The Social Credit System is a way for the Chinese government to rank citizens and businesses on the basis of economic and social reputation. What may seem to be a bizarre episode of Black Mirror, is reality in many parts of China as of mid-2018, with the primary purpose of this system being encouragement of positive behavior. This is to be fully implemented, nationwide by 2020.
This system rewards points on the basis of how socially responsible an individual is, with acts such as caring for one’s children, serving in the military and having a fine-free driving license adding credit. Points can similarly be deducted for refusing to serve in the military, jaywalking, and even for playing too many videogames. The government plans to monitor the above using a mix of both public and private organizations, checking internet searches and credit/debit card records. Individuals with a high credit score have been placed on a red list while those with a poor score have been placed in a black list.
The benefits of this system include the ability for those with a high credit score being able to receive better healthcare, housing and education. In the business sector these benefits can include assurance of quality of product, resulting in a healthier consuming environment.
The system has been widely criticized for its oppressive repercussions. For example, having a low credit can result in individuals not being able to travel abroad, not receive high internet speeds, and in case of the 17 individuals who refused to serve in the military last year, prevent one from receiving higher education. This system can increase social disparity, as those with lower credit scores are likely to receive fewer job opportunities, and hence be in a worse position to care for the future generations, continuing a cycle of economic instability.
Moreover, the system is an added form of authoritarian control, giving the government exponentially increased power over people’s lives. It marginalizes low income groups as the social credit system leaves them unable to aim for a higher standard of living. Those growing up in harsh living conditions are both more likely to have a low social credit score due to high crime rates and require more healthcare due to a poor standard of living. In wake of the system currently being implemented, these individuals would now be further from receiving the care they need as it would be reserved for only those with a high credit. This again limits the population’s right to knowledge as travel would be highly monitored and reserved primarily for those with high credit scores.
The Chinese Social Credit System marginalizes low income sectors of society and takes away a great deal of control from the general population. It could possibly act as a way of limiting availability to information as well as necessary education. It can increase social disparity as knowledge of one’s credit score would be made public on various censuses. This would make it difficult for individuals to get jobs for reasons as small as their online shopping list. Overall, this is a system that discriminates against many groups as well as offers the government access to people’s private information, that can lead to halted development.
RADIUM GIRLS
By Gowri Kashyap
On April 10, 1917, 18-year-old Grace Fryer started work as a dial painter at the United States Radium Corporation. It was four days after the US had joined World War I, and Grace wanted to do all she could to help the war effort. She had no idea that her new job would change her life — and workers’ rights — forever. This is the story of how a catastrophic incident lead to life altering regulations in the workplace.
Hundreds of young women were employed in clock factories, painting watches and military dials with luminous radium paint. Dial painting was considered "the elite job for the poor working girls"; it paid more than three times the average factory space.
At work, the girls were told to use “lip, dip and paint” routine, wherein they were instructed to slip the paintbrushes in between their lips to create a fine point. Every time they would slip the paintbrush into their mouth, they would ingest a small fraction of the toxic glowing paint. At the time, it was believed that the small amount of the paint ingested was, in fact, beneficial to health, bringing about some colour in their cheeks.
In time, the dial painters came to be known as the “ghost girls” as they would literally glow after their shifts. Radium’s luminosity was alluring and the working women made the most of it by wearing their best evening dresses so that they’d shine in the dance halls at night. They would even paint the glowing paint onto their teeth and cheeks for an illuminating smile.
In 1922, one of Grace’s colleagues, Mollie Maggia had to undergo removal of several of her teeth, due to a grotesque infection that was spreading. To her dentist’s shock, when he prodded delicately at her jawbone, it broke against his fingers. He then proceeded to remove it, "not by an operation, but merely by putting his fingers in her mouth and lifting it out."
She was literally falling apart. And she wasn’t the only one; by now the other workers were having trouble with their jaw and suffering pains in the feet. One by one, the radium girls all saw the same dreadful fate – following the others into their glowing graves. And nearly 100 years later, their graves are still glowing.
The case of the radium girls was the first wherein an employer was made responsible for their employees’ health. It led to life-saving regulations and, ultimately, to the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which now operates nationally in the United States to protect workers. Before OSHA was set up, 14,000 people died on the job every year; today, it is just over 4,500.
What’s wrong with Manchester United?
By Ishan Agarwal
One can argue that since Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United haven't been the force they once were. However what is it that has gone dramatically wrong and resulted in several poor league finishes and poor transfers.
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The appointment of David Moyes
In theory when Sir Alex Ferguson left the club United wanted to replace him with a young upcoming manager and they selected David Moyes to take over the throne. This wasn't a bad appointment when it was first announced as Moyes had shown loyalty to Everton for several years. With smart player acquisition he had made Everton staples of the Premier League. However, he wasn't able to take control of the dressing room when he was in charge. The squad he inherited from Sir Alex Ferguson wasn’t the youngest either. This meant that Moyes had a much bigger job in hand to which he might not anticipated earlier. Due to this and a host of other reasons, Moyes and his Manchester United started suffering on the pitch, United persisted with him for a season but his contract was terminated soon after.
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The appointment of LVG
It is quite evident how the first two reasons stated in this article for United’s demise have been two of their former managers. Louis Van Gaal was the first manager who was brought in by United’s faithful chief executive- Ed Woodward a man with an accounting degree who just believes in making profit, be it with player signings or in bringing in managers. And due to the reason of Woodward wanting to make money from managers he brought in Louis Van Gaal one of football’s revolutionaries. Louis Van Gaal would have been a great appointment for the side 8-10 years earlier but him having joined United in his later years did show how he had rather gone out of favour. This is because of the style of football he implemented was boring and was going extinct in the fast modern world of football, Van Gaal never really had his own squad as he was still tasked to trim the squad from Sir Alex. To Van Gaal’s side though he did win the only trophy in the post Ferguson era as he brought home the English FA Cup to United in his final game incharge.
● Results have little impact on United’s ability to make money – Woodward
In modern day football it is imperative for a club to have a director of football model. One can understand how Alex Ferguson was a micromanager and had a say in everything that happened at a football club. However that was a concept that was pretty ancient and in modern times there are different departments who are responsible for their work. As aforementioned Ed Woodward believed more in profit than anything else. This made him make decisions which were definitely beneficial for the financial holding of the club but this made them suffer as for the results side of the business. Woodward brought in players which he felt would appeal to fans all over the world rather than improving the current team at hand. This coupled with those players not suiting the manager’s philosophy made United a real mess on the pitch.
Does this mean United can only progress further if they lessen the power Ed Woodward has on the club and if so then will they be worse off financially?
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Akshita Mathur, Anahita Devesi, Ananya Sharma, Gowri Kashyap, Ishan Agarwal, Manan Vaid, Meharr Talwar, Rajal Monga, Rusheen Bansal, Sehej Bevli, Sidhant Kapila, Tanvi Jha, Vansh Bali
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