March 2016 - Greater Richmond Marathi Mandal

MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 1
RICHSAHYADRI
An E-Magazine brought to you
by the high schoolers of
Greater Richmond Marathi Mandal
Netflix:
The Modi:
King
Narendra
A Politician, A ProblemSolver, and A Leader
Of
pg.
5 Entertainment
Zayn Malik’s next step: MIND OF MINE
pg. 7
Apple vs. FBI Ojas A.
Tesla
Model 3: Electric Vehicles Are Going
NBA All-Star Weekend Abhit B.
Mainstream
Caution or Contempt? Neha K.
pg. 9
March, 2016
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Spotlight………………………………….……………..3
Business…………………………….…………………...4
Culture……………………………………….…………..6
Entertainment………………………………………...7
Politics……………………………………………………8
Science and Technology………………………….9
Sports..…….……………………………………………11
World News………………………………………….12
Food……………………………………………………..14
Kids………………………………………………………15
Art………………………………………………………..16
Editors: Riddhima Deshpande and Tanvi Verma
Writers: Ojas Amberkar, Prachi Sadekar, Vignesh Mulay, Devin Pendse,
Riddhima Deshpande, Neha Kulkarni, Swapnil Pande, Soham Apte, Abhit
Bhandare, Yash Korde, Archita Kadam, Aayush Lalwaney
SPOTLIGHT
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 3
Festivals of GRMM
-Ojas Amberkar
March has one of the most fun events
everyone enjoys, Holi! Holi, the festival of
colors, is enjoyed by many across the world,
and is full of fun with friends and family (to
know more about Holi itself, go to the
February edition of RichSahyadri and read
the culture article!). Our GRMM and the
temple itself hosts a Holi fest every year,
where the large Indian community in
Richmond comes out and has a blast by
throwing around vibrant colors, eating the
delicious food, and spending some time
with the friends that they’ve made and hope
to make! With that, GRMM also has many
other festivals through the year that
exemplify the culture of India and the Hindu
religion. Some of the festivals to watch out
for include Gudi Padwa, Trekking, and the
Ganesh festival. With great food and other
amenities, everyone is dying to come to a
GRMM function, whether it be a movie or an
activity like Holi! Over the past few years,
GRMM has been able to attract any Marathi
families in the area with the irreplaceable
events and fun events that they host to
bring together a large Marathi family. Being
part of one the families, we joined this mass
community because of its fun activities,
events, and gatherings. Our family was able
to really feel a part of this ‘mini-India’
because GRMM has been and does a great
job of showing the area what being an
Indian is about. GRMM keeps on coming
with the new, fun, and innovative ideas for
festivals, and enjoying these events and
festivals really brings out a great feeling, and
with even more on their way like Gudi
Padwa, which consists of a great
presentation from the Marathi Shala, is
always a blast! We all know that the festivals
that GRMM has shown us and let us be a
part of have been fun, and that there is
much more to come, so stay tuned!
BUSINESS
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 4
Chipotle Suffering Massive Setbacks after
E. coli Breakouts
-Prachi Sadekar
For the past couple months,
Chipotle has been struggling with
sales because of E. coli breakouts in
some
of
their
stores.
Approximately 192 people were
affected by these breakouts across
the United States. In order to tackle
this problem, Chipotle closed the
store one day in February in order
to brief all employees on their new
safety procedures. The company
has promised customers that all
food will go through additional
microbiological testing and high
resolution sampling to ensure that
all produce is safe to eat.
Chipotle's fresh and fast service
because
prices
are
relatively low for their quantity and
quality of food. That is why it is
unsurprising
that
the
rough year for the company. According to him, sales will be back
to normal from 2017 onwards but the only thing that can really
help Chipotle now is time.
If you haven't played Guac Hunter, the latest freebie
Chipotle is offering, I highly recommend trying it. The game
requires you to spot five differences between two pictures for
three levels under a time limit of a few minutes. Even if you aren't
able to spot all the differences, Chipotle will still give you a QR
code for a free bag of chips and guacamole because of their new
Many people are enticed by
especially
Chief Financial Officer, Jack Hartung, believes that 2016 will be a
Chipotle
stock, CMG, has not dropped since
partnership with Avocados from Mexico. Along with this game,
Chipotle has been using a variety of promotions to try and attract
customers to their door again. Hartung said that while the profits
may not be booming again, the stores are seeing an increase in
traffic because of these coupons. He claims that people have
already redeemed $20 million worth of free burritos.
So my recommendations would be to take advantage of
2006. However, over the last six
the deals at Chipotle while they last, especially going into the
months, the stock has seen a 36%
spring when they are planning on releasing buy one get one free
drop because of people feeling
promos. Also, following Hartung's comments, I would be cautious
unsure about the safety of the
buying the stock until there is some pickup in same store sales. As
food.
far as personally eating at Chipotle, my family and I always enjoy
Many analysts believe that
the stock will remain bearish for
the coming months and even the
our visits!
(Source: The Wall Street Journal and Yahoo Finance)
BUSINESS
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 5
Narendra Modi: A Politician, A Problem-Solver, and A
Leader
-Vignesh Mulay
When an entire country stirs at the same
While Singh’s aggressive actions labeled
exact time, the world- news stations, political
India as virtually a no-business zone, Modi knew
enthusiasts, and citizens- listens. And when the most
encouraging businesses to trust India was necessary
populous democracy on the planet stirs, every
for India’s development He didn’t sit back and hope,
government and corporate executive in the world
but made dozens of trips to various countries,
listens. As sports fans marveled at the incredulity of
negotiating and advocating for trade agreements. By
UCONN basketball and the population kept a close
committing his efforts to restructuring the flawed tax
watch on the intensifying Russia-Ukraine conflict,
system and regulating the rampant corruption, Modi
April 2014 in India saw millions flock to electronic
was able to kickstart an economy that is able to
voting machines across the country in order to place
sustain and progress a country with over a billion
their vote on who should lead India for years to
inhabitants. However, this isn’t your traditional
come. Their answer was resounding and irrefutable:
business article reviewing Modi, but a testimony to
Narendra Damodardas Modi. Newly elected Prime
the type of leader we all ought to strive to be.
Minister Modi was expected to revitalize India,
starting first with its hiccupping economy; and he
accomplished his objective with tremendous success.
Before Modi’s rise, predecessor Manmohan
Singh, ironically an economist himself, could do little
to ramp up India’s economic growth. Under his
prime ministry, India’s economy was crawling,
growing 5% in just two years and with an inflation
rate that once peaked at 11.16%. Knowing economic
success is often synonymous with national success,
Modi prioritized the economy, taking a radically
different approach to the issue than Singh.
Nahendra Modi is a man who possesses the
fascinating ability to identify and focus on issues,
attacking them with a remarkable combination of
innovation and intellect. He refuses to sit passively
and instead works with a fervor and intensity that
strikes fear into his opponents. Modi further
differentiates himself from others due to a true
passion for his cause, catalyzed by patriotism, rather
than a desire for material things like power and
wealth. Modi has not only inspired a country but an
entire generation of future leaders who are focused
on reaching their dreams.
CULTURE
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 6
The World Culture Festival
-Devin Pendse
The World Culture Festival is a
three day event, celebrating The Art of
Livings 35 years of service, humanity,
spirituality, and human values. With 155
countries and over 3.5 million people
participating, this year it was held in New
Delhi, India from March 11-13. The
festival celebrates the diversity in each
and every culture all around the world.
Over 37,000 artists played on a 7 acre
stage. The festival first started off with
the inauguration of the WCF. They then
held a parade featuring of all the
par ticipating countries cultures.
Afterwards, a few keynote speakers
gave speeches. Some of the speakers
include H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Hon. Mr.
Arun Jaitley, Hon. Mr. Piyush Goyal, Hon.
Smriti Irani, and many more. The
speeches were followed by meditation.
The second day started off with a global
leadership forum. The second event on
the schedule was a world forum for
ethics in business. After a break for a few
hours, there was an inter-faith meet.
Then, another cultural celebration.
Followed with more keynote speeches,
the second day ended with another
round of meditation. The third and final
day had a global leadership forum and a
world forum for ethics in business just
like the second day. Again after a few
hours, the festival started once more with
a valedictory function. The final day then
ended with more cultural celebrations,
keynote speeches, and meditation.
ENTERTAINMENT
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 7
Zayn Malik’s next step:
MIND OF MINE
-Riddhima Deshpande
On March 25, 2015, millions of hearts were
album is very different comparing to One
shattered after hearing that Zayn Malik had left
Direction’s most recent album, Made in the A.M.
One Direction. Malik quit the famous pop band
ZAYN channeled an R&B vibe with his album,
because his ideas concerning the songs weren’t
rather than the generic pop music vibe that One
being heard by the producers. He wanted self-
Direction has.
expression in his songs, which he couldn’t
interpret in a band with four other people. He
also didn’t like how the band’s music sounded the
same as every other song on the radio. When he
left, fans everywhere were asking the same thing;
what’s next for Zayn Malik?
th
to RCA records on July 29 , 2015.
He also
announced that he was to release an album on the
one year anniversary of him leaving One Direction
(March 25, 2016). He released his first solo single
“Pillowtalk” on January 29, 2016, which was an
One month after, he released “iT’s
YoU”, “LIKE I WOULD”, AND “BEFOUR”, all of
which were hits in and out of his fan base.
On March 25, 2016, ZAYN released his
album Mind of Mine.
with at least 6 sensual songs, and 6 explicit tracks.
ZAYN said that he captured influence from various
R&B singers, like R. Kelly, Usher, and the infamous
Tupac Shakur.
There is also some Bollywood
influence in his music, as well some excerpts of
Zayn (or his stage name, ZAYN) was signed
instant hit.
Mind of Mine is a very seductive album,
The album includes 18
songs, and feature from R&B singer, Kehlani. His
Urdu in “INTERMISSION: fLoWer”.
Personally, I’m in love with this album. The
first few times I listened to it, it wasn’t doing
anything for me. After 3-4 days of listening to it, I
finally realized how much I really do love this
album. It’s very different from his One Direction
tracks (and maybe even a bit better).
I would recommend this album to anyone
above the age of 13-14 and likes R&B music.
POLITICS
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 8
Cruella de Clinton vs.
Cinderella: The Many
Personas of a President
Candidate
-Neha Kulkarni
Hillary
Clinton,
the
once
astute
senator,
in a way few politicians do.
sophisticated first lady, and commended former secretary
of state, is seen by many Americans without the esteem
such coveted positions generally elicit. Rather, Clinton has
been condemned as evil, elitist, and corrupt; a Cruella De
Clinton’, perhaps. This degrading image is often ironically
juxtaposed by the exact opposite, Jon Favreau, former
Obama ‘08 speechwriter, writes, offering a different
perspective on Clinton. Beginning informally in an
editorial for the Daily Beast as, “I hear you’re still not
‘Ready for Hillary’. I get it. I didn’t start off as her biggest
fan either,” Favreau details how his initial repugnance of
Clinton transcended to a deep respect for her as a
political persona; he explains his view with an overall twoword theme: “she cares”.
No matter what side of the political spectrum you
are in, it’s vital to recognize many personas of every
candidate.
Sure,
Hillary
Clinton
has
had
some
questionable occurrences in her history-- we can probably
assume that of most political candidates. But in trying to
cultivate this image of her as an evil, vindictive old lady,
we have lost something far greater than her prospects in
this election-- our own value of judging character. Maybe
you’re not ‘Ready for Hillary’, but it’s less plausible that
Hillary is ready to be president. If we continue to center
candidates--
any
candidate--around
one
‘tell-all’
message, then we self-decept, skewing the election and
the progress of America as a whole. So, whether it’s
seeing the media flash “Bernie Sanders: The Ultimate
Favreau describes Clinton’s kind and admirable
Socialist”; “Ted Cruz: The Zodiac Killer”; or “Hillary Clinton
personality off the stage and away from the rallies as
Adopts Alien Baby”, take a moment to think-- the book’s
someone who is consistently prepared and assiduous,
cover rarely tells you the whole story.
spending an enormous amount of time and energy on
“things that offered no discernible benefit to her political
future—saving elephants from ivory poachers, listening to
the plight of female coffee farmers in Timor-Leste,
defending LGBT rights in places like Uganda.” Favreau
centers his take on Hillary Clinton around her compassion,
a side of her most of the general public doesn’t often see
(and some refuse to notice); he mentions her way of
surprising people with birthday cakes, calling when a
grandparents pass away, and working for and with people
Read Favreau’s complete editorial here: http://
www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/26/why-electinghillary-in-16-is-more-important-than-electing-obama-in08.html
SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 9
Tesla Model 3:
Electric Vehicles
Are Going
Mainstream
-Swapnil Pande
On March 31, Tesla Motors is having a
rear seats. These two cars have destroyed the
conference to unveil their latest car in their
notion that electric cars are compromises to
lineup of electric vehicles: the Model 3. This car
protect the environment. In fact, they have
is the next step in Tesla’s grand business plan to
proven that electric cars be huge upgrades over
bring electric vehicles (EV) to the mass market
their gasoline counterparts.
and to encourage other automakers to start
manufacturing EVs as well. The Model 3 is
coming off the heels of the Model S and Model
X, Tesla’s highly successful attempts at proving
the capabilities of the electric cars. The Model S
is their high-end sedan that functions as a
sports car, commute car, and family car all in
one package. Despite being a sedan, it can seat
up to seven people and has the highest safety
rating of any car in the United States. As a
commuter car, the vehicle is able to completely
drive itself, requiring the user to intervene only if
it loses sight of the lanes. And yet with all of this
technology, the car puts out 691 horsepower
and can rocket from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds. The
Model X is Tesla’s SUV version of the Model S,
with the main highlight being gull-wing doors
that open upwards to allow easy access to the
The only issue with the Model S and
Model X are their price points: $70,000 and
$120,000 respectively. This is where the Model 3
comes in. The Model 3 is going to start at
$35,000
and
depending
on
could
the
drop
below
subsidies
$20,000
that
state
governments provide for owning an electric car.
There is no information on exactly what features
the Model 3 will have, but it seems that the car
is going to be a slightly scaled down version of
the Model S. The success of this car will put
significant pressure on other automakers to
begin producing their own electric cars to rival
the Model 3. If all goes according to Elon Musk’s
plans, the Model 3 will bring electric cars to the
mainstream and will boost the automotive
industry’s transition to clean, renewable energy.
SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 10
What to “Look Up” to
in April 2016
-Soham Apte
It
is
essential
that
our
local
In April, Mars will be visible before
astronomers spend their time gazing into
midnight. By the end of April, you will see
deep space this month. With April
it rise in the southeast at around 10 pm.
coming, using the proper instruments,
Mars will be the best for observing a few
you will be able to look into the cosmos
hours after dawn. This is due to the fact
with a new found curiosity.
that around those times, Mars is at its
Jupiter will remain a visible, bright
planet as it did in March in the eastern
half of the sky. On April 6-7, Jupiter’s
moon Io will cross the planet at about
9:52 pm. Jupiter’s moon Europa will also
be seen using an eagle-eyed telescope at
10:48 pm those same days.
Mercury
has
always
been
a
challenging object to observe, but this
month, it will be seen 10 degrees above
the horizon after sunset. Using a proper
telescope, you will be able to clearly see
its phases. Many people describe the
most common/persistent phase as a tiny
crescent moon with about 1/3 of its
visible surface illuminated.
highest point in the sky. Progressively,
Mars will get brighter this month. Around
the mid of April, you will also have a
chance
to
see
Anatares,
the
red
supergiant star. “Antares” is translated to
“rival of Mars” and many say that the two
objects look very similar.
Lastly,
April
brings
the
Lyrids
Meteor Shower which will be visible to a
naked eye. This will definitely be a
moment to experience. Viewing will be
the best before the dawn on April 23 in
the direction of the constellation Lyra.
The full moon will be in the background
of this shower making for optimum
viewing.
SPORTS
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 11
NCAA March Madness
-Abhit Bhandare
Preview
2 Location, location, location: The Jayhawks won’t
March is upon us, which only mean one thing
for many sports enthusiasts like me, it is the
NCAA March Madness Tournament. March
Madness is the time of the annual NCAA
college basketball tournament, generally
throughout the month of March. This year the
tournament started on March 17th and will go
until April 4th.
have to travel far in the NCAAs Midwest Regional. If
KU can win two games in Des Moines, Iowa, the
Jayhawks would advance to Louisville for the Sweet
16 and Elite Eight. The Final Four is in Houston. The
Jayhawks, of course, travel to Texas quite a bit during
the Big 12 season.
3 Team offense: The Jayhawks have been explosive
more times than not this season, pushing the
basketball to the tune of 81.8 overall points per
Favorites and Upsets
game during a 27-4 regular season. The team hit
Some favorites in tournament are:
Kansas, Oklahoma, Michigan State, Duke, UNC,
Villanova, Virginia, and Kentucky. But with every
game in the tournament, there are always
upsets. An upset is when the lower seed beats
the higher seed. The biggest upset this year was
When 15th Middle Tennessee beat 2nd seed
Michigan State. Allowing with this shocking
upset, there have been too many upsets to
count.
49.2 percent of its shots and cashed 42.9 percent
Prediction
I believe that the Kansas Jayhawks will beat the 2016
NCAA tournament champions for many reasons.
1 Experience: The Jayhawks have one senior starter
in Perry Ellis (#34), three juniors in Frank Mason III
(#0), Wayne Selden Jr.(#1) and Landen Lucas, and
one sophomore in Devonté Graham. This is quite an
experienced KU ballclub.
from three. If the team needs points it could
conceivably rack up a bunch in a hurry. During the
regular season, the Jayhawks hit 484 of 691 free
throws for a so-so 70 percent.
4 Team defense: KU, which prides itself on sticky
man-to-man defense, allowed 67.8 points per game
off 39.7 percent shooting during the regular season.
WORLD NEWS
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 12
North Korea: A threat to the USA?
-Yash Korde
On January 6th, US officials confirmed that
North Korea had partial success in detonating a
hydrogen bomb. According to the pentagon, the test
was conducted more than two times deeper
underground than originally assessed, which is a
depth consistent with what might be needed for a
hydrogen bomb. However, the size of the seismic
event and other intelligence indicates points to the
test not being fully successful. The official said it's
possible the North Koreans believe they conducted a
full hydrogen bomb test, but the U.S. believes it was
likely only some components, perhaps a detonator,
that exploded. Even though the test was likely not to
be fully successful, the news caused a lot of alarm for
Americans and the media. Ever since then Obama
consulted with Chinese President Xi Jinping after the
Jan. 6 nuclear test, and with the leaders of Japan and
South Korea after the North Korean rocket launch on
February 7th, to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to
their security.
The U.S. has also opened talks with South
Korea about developing more missile-defense
systems to eliminate the possibility that a North
Korean missile could reach U.S. facilities (CNN 2016).
After this wave of North Korean aggression, many
people are asking, “will the United States of America
go to war with North Korea?” The short answer is no,
and in all reality North Korea poses no threat to the
US. The reasoning behind this is that the North
Koreans have started many acts of aggression and
have put up many war threats on the US.
All of these however have ended up being
blank threats. In fact, Kim Jong Un’s young regime is
on a seemingly endless tear of warnings and
provocations. From threats of a nuclear holocaust to
artillery strikes near disputed borders, North Korea
issues threats against the US and other nations on a
near-daily basis (Foreign Policy 2013). The Hermit
Kingdom also lacks economic power compared to
other first-world countries. It only has a GDP of
15,454,000 dollars which is only 1% compared to its
neighbor, South Korea, whose GDP is $1,304,554. In
addition, North Korea’s economy is mainly based on
agriculture and is un-modernized compared to most
other countries. Even with the creation of new
nuclear weapons, the combined forces of a lack of
allies and a weak economy, North Korea poses no
severe threat to the globe.
WORLD NEWS
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 13
The Zika Virus
-Archita Kadam
The Zika virus was first detected in Brazil in
May, and since then the life-threatening virus has
spread to more than twenty countries. Zika virus is
a mosquito-borne illness that is spread by the Aedes
species. The main concern of the Zika virus is a
possible link to microcephaly. Microcephaly is a
condition when babies are born with abnormally
small heads that causes possible brain damage. Ever
since the outbreak of the Zika virus, microcephaly
cases have been rising as well. There is currently no
proof that these two cases are connected; however,
extensive research is underway in Brazil, Colombia,
and El Salvador. “The evidence is growing and it’s
getting strong,” Dr. Chan stated.
The outbreak of the Zika virus has now been
declared an international public health emergency
by the World Health Organization (WHO). The
emergency states that pregnant women should
avoid traveling to Zika affected regions as a
precaution. The Zika virus isn’t only affecting
people’s health. It is also affecting many travel and
tourism plans. Brazil is preparing to host the
Olympics this summer, but due to travel bans, it
could be difficult.
Important facts on Zika
- Typically occur in tropical climates
- Infection is linked to travel to tropical regions
- Symptoms can last up to a week
- Sometimes symptoms aren’t visible
- Infection can spread from a mother to a fetus
during pregnancy
- There is no treatment for the virus currently
- Avoid mosquito bites!!
FOOD
MARCH 2016
RAD RECIPES
RICHSAHYADRI | 14
- Aayush Lalwaney
As a ninth grader at The Steward School, I received the opportunity to travel with a small group from the
same school to Spain to experience a colossal variety of Spanish foods. Over the course of nine days, we traveled
through three cities, Malaga, Granada, and Seville. Along with the many foods my group tried, we also had the opportunity to meet and live with Spanish host families for about four days, learning about their culture, their daily
lives, and how the landscapes/ the weather changed tremendously with every city we visited. Some of the foods
that my group received the chance to cook in Seville were extremely palatable; they were:
Paella:
Spanish dish of rice, saffron, chicken, seafood, etc., cooked and served in a large shallow pan.
(http://allrecipes.com/recipe/84137/easy-paella/)
Ingredients:
Gazpacho:
A Spanish-style drink made from tomatoes and other
vegetables and spices, served cold. A refreshing beverage to enjoy on a nice hot summer day fulfilling all
your senses.

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon paprika

2 teaspoons dried oregano

salt and black pepper to taste
Ingredients:

2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into 2 inch pieces
½ red bell pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil divided 2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tomatoes

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 cups uncooked short-grain white rice

1 pinch saffron threads

1 bay leaf

1/2 bunch Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

1 quart chicken stock

2 lemons, zested

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 Spanish onion, chopped

1 Red bell pepper, chopped

1 pound chorizo sausage, casings removed and crumbled
(http://culinaryginger.com/gazpacho-cocktail/)
½ red onion
How to make it:
1.
In a medium bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons olive oil, paprika, oregano, and
salt and pepper. Stir in chicken pieces to coat. Cover, and refrigerate.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat.
Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, and rice. Cook, stirring, to coat rice with oil, about 3
minutes. Stir in saffron threads, bay leaf, parsley, chicken stock, and lemon zest. Bring
to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer 20 minutes.
3.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat.
Stir in marinated chicken and onion; cook 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and sausage;
cook 5 minutes.
4.
Spread rice mixture onto a serving tray. Top with meat mixture.
KIDS
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 15
My Fear of the Dark
-Advika Punje
The room was as dark as the midnight sky, with wind blowing on tree branches, and banging my window. Wind seems to have a mind of its own. Strange shadows creep from outside and cast on my wall. Objects create weird shapes that look like gargantuan, scary monsters. My vivid imagination makes me think of
horrific monstrosities that will come and attack me as I sleep. Strange and mysterious things happen under
your bed. Maybe a party for evil elves, or a feast for gnomes. Baffling and questionable things happen in the
night. Only those who are brave will survive their fright. The dark frightens me. It’s where all the ghosts,
ghouls and evil spirits live. It’s also the right time for wind to make strange shadows, and cast them on your
wall. It also terrifies me, because it strange sounds want to taunt me, therefore, it gives me insomnia. The dark
is a terrifying, and eluded place.
First off, ghosts, ghouls, and other evil spirits, haunt you until dawn. In result, it will make me have insane insomnia. I also feel as if my life may end this night, and the night feels like a day long. A time when I feel
like there was evil around me, was when there was distinct chatter near me. It was definitely not my parents or
my brother. There was no doubt in my mind that it was evil spirits. Another time I felt that there was evil, was
around 3:45 in the morning; there was a something was pushing on my chest, meanwhile, there was something tickling my toes. As if the spirit knew what my weaknesses were. I tried calling for my parents, but for
some reason, I couldn’t say a word. After that, a slight cast of a human-like body was standing right in front of
me, and then in a second, it disappeared. This was one of the most terrifying nights of my life. This is one of
the many reasons why I am so petrified of the dark.
Secondly, the wind and tree branches seem to work together to make weird and terrifying shadows
that cast mysterious pictures on my wall. They also make weird noises too. One time, the tree branches
seemed to have a brain, and wrote the word “run.” As if it was telling me to. I was petrified. Another time, the
tree branches made a weird picture of a ghost-like image. Then later in the night, I had a dream about ghosts.
I thought it was some sort of a way of communicating, or maybe even just a strange coincidence.
Lastly, loud, bashing noises occur in many nights. I sometimes think that it is my very vivid imagination, other times I feel that there is a strange presence. Recently, loud footsteps would re-occur for the whole
night. They would keep growing louder, and louder the more I thought about it. The times I don’t think about
it, quiet, but strange scraping noises burn into my mind. It annoyed me so much, I couldn’t take the pressure
anymore. I just decided to go sleep with my parents. It was only then, the creepy noises stopped. As I thought
more about it, I wondered if the noises were afraid of my parents. I thought I was losing my mind. Then I went
to sleep in peace.
The dark is like the universe. It is sometimes calm, but other times, it can be a strange and hectic place.
In my opinion, the dark is one of the most terrifying setting in the world. The dark can be the home to ghosts,
ghouls, goblins, and other evil monstrosities. It is also the perfect setting to create scary work of art on my
walls. The noises can sometimes be a pain in the neck, and they can also keep you awake till dawn. The dark is
an eluded, and frightening place. But we all know, there is light behind all darkness.
ART
Below: Ketaki Guhagarker
Above: Mrunal Kute
MARCH 2016
Below: Advika Punje
Above: Ira Kelkar
RICHSAHYADRI | 16
MARCH 2016
RICHSAHYADRI | 17
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