Jobs & Careers – A choice of passion

Today I’m here with a topic, which atleast once all of us have thought of in our lifetime. Most of us would also have revieved lots and lots of advice relation to this, atleast i did, quite a large number of them. This blog is about career or job and the importance of following your passion. I would love to share my insight of the matter under consideration.

Well, undoubtedly the truth is all of us want a source of income to run our lives, indeed a stable one. This is one of the thing we are constantly reminded of since our childhood. But somewhere between choosing the right path to study and finding a right job, we overlook what our “Insight calling” says ! We are so focussed about the stability and monetary aspects of life that we ignore our passion. Most of us, settle for a job and never try to keep the career in first place.
On this note let me brief the difference between the career and a job. A Career is where you plan your every step towards achieving the goal you have set for yourself , whereas a job is just going to work to earn a paycheck. Majority of us can get a job with very little education, but right education is the building block of career.

I feel, our ultimatum must be about feeling happy, satisfied with each day of your life, with whatever you choose to do. When you come back home with a smile and eagerness to pick your work the next from where you left it. This eagerness only comes with the sense of satisfaction and happiness in your work is giving you. Basically, I believe this kind of work is what all of us have to choose and build a career in that field.
A career is about ambitions, being ambitious amd sucessful do not always deliver happiness as a result. So make your call based only on what makes you happy and satisfied and what you feel is worth all your hard work and sacrifices.
Choosing a job ot career is your choice but I feel when we look at our choices they should only make is proud of ourselves. We must try to not make decisions that end up with regretting and the worse part is that we will not even have a choice to rectify them.
Anshika Singh,
Grade 12th Commerce.

Kya hai Claylab?

Dur baithe logo ko paas laya,
Wo hai CLAYLAB
Nanhe se sapno ko Pankh lagaya,
Wo hai CLAYLAB
Kathinaiyo me bhi has kr jeena sikhaya,
Wo hai CLAYLAB
Padhai to bojh hai, us bojh ko
Ek naya andaaj banaya wo hai CLAYLAB
Raste to Bahot the lekin un rasto pr
Bina dare bina ruke chalna sikhaya wo hai CLAYLAB
Berang ki is duniya ko rangeen banaya,
Wo hai CLAYLAB
Anek jaati anek boli ke logo ka,
Ek pyaara sa pariwar banaya wo hai CLAYLAB
Jindagi ko jeena sikhaya,
Wo hai CLAYLAB
jo apno ko apno se jodta hai,
Jo nayi zindagi deta ek nayi umeed deta hai wo hai
Claylab wo hai CLAYLAB.

– Vinit Yadav, Grade 12 student at Claylab

Resolutions 2022

Guess what? We are finally in 2022 and with that most of us are already on our way to make some resolutions. Right from the kids to the elderly – everyone wants to do something different in the New year and as much as we love the idea of taking up something new, most of us often struggle to lock-in on our resolution. Yes, we all want to get fitter, healthier and more disciplined but where does one start and then stay committed to the resolution?

If you are someone with these questions this New Year – fear not, Claylab is here with some ideas to get you started (only if you want to, no pressure)!
Firstly, let’s understand why we make these resolutions. One of the most important reasons to do so is our innate inclination to have a sense of purpose while starting something new; in this case it is the year 2022.

So, before we tell you the most amazing resolutions for this year (oh, how we love the build up), understand that you can have completely different resolutions and this is not the holy gospel you ought to live by but hey, it is definitely exciting and enticing! And on that note, here we go:

Make a New friend a Month: Now we know that sounds ambitious, but we can try, right? Friends are great for your health. Therefore, technically you are just taking a step towards a healthier life. Obviously do not befriend strangers on your social media but go out there (with your mask) and meet some real people/animals – from your vegetable bhaiya to the new kitten in your neighbourhood – there are literally no rules.

Learn something you always wanted to as a child: Be it a hand-stand or riding a cycle – it is not the end of the world, in fact quite the opposite. It is a new year and what better way to kick it off than to learn something new.

Do something nice for others everyday: Most of our resolutions are inwardly focused – healthier body, wealthier bank account, happier mind and there’s nothing wrong with that but there’s a whole world out there too who is always in need of some kindness. This doesn’t mean you have to do something extravagant for anyone – just compliment your neighbourhood aunty and see how it makes her day!

Do something you are bad at: We know this sounds weird but why are we so scared to fail? Well… let us change that in 2022 and take up something that we know we suck at and still go ahead and learn it instead of shying away from it. Remember: It is the effort that counts, always.

Get some sleep, you guys: We are moving towards this terrible culture of sleeping less to ‘get things done.’ Here’s a piece of advice: Anything that does not let you have a peaceful sleep of at least 8 hours a day is simply not worth it!

Like we said, these resolutions are definitely enticing! And now that we have your attention, remember: Whatever you choose as your resolution, don’t punish yourself for having a weak moment. Be honest, do better, grow but don’t lose your sleep over it – because then it is not worth it (like we said!).

Wishing you all, the Happiest New Year from our Claylab Family!

WHAT IF…

I remember the 5-year-old me, who once got scolded by her teacher for asking to repeat a topic.
That time I might not have had the power to speak up but now when I think of that time, I feel I should have said something about it.
Having a creative mind and a talkative nature was never my fault. I always had a habit of raising my voice but at that age I wasn’t able to; maybe because of the manner taught by my parents, where I had been told to respect teachers, bow in front of them. But what if children can share their opinions in front of their teachers and what if kids prove teachers as wrong? What if children can raise their voice?
I feel that stopping kids from raising their voice has always limited their capacity to dream. We as humans have always tried to fit in these boxes made by the society, even if we don’t fit. Everyone has a different way of thinking and a different way of adapting to things.
Today when I see myself in front of the mirror, I feel what if I was given an opportunity to do what I want. What if everyone had a safe space to share their feelings?
I believe nobody knows everything, but everyone knows something – if you go to a kid , they might not have as much knowledge as you but there will be at least one thing which we can learn from that kid. It can either be a lesson in how to be happy or how to forget small things So , I would request everyone not to take away their childhood, let them enjoy, let them feel safe to express themselves in front of us

Written by Pooja Mahaldar
Grade 11 Student at Claylab

How do we – as a society contribute in making a Patriarchal Society?

It is not new for me to say that our houses are male dominated. It has been like this since ages. Men are shown as strong and as breadwinners whereas women are picturesque like statues of love and compassion.
Over the years, we’ve been witnessing women who’ve changed the world for the better. Which shouldn’t be startling right?
However, we still need to mention this every time we speak about women and their achievements. We all have rights and aspirations yet we live in a patriarchal society, repeating the mistakes that our ancestors made. Do y’all know why?

Well, today I’ve come up with some reasons which are contributing in making our society patriarchal. In addition, e can see these mistakes that we often make could be unintentional but it is time we are more attentive.
So, here are the factors that make our society patriarchal:
Our choice of words: Have you ever paid attention to your class or a casual conversation? While talking, we often misuse words and sentences. Such as ”Policeman, Businessman, Mankind, Man-made” and so on. We all know that these positions can be taken up by anyone but still we tend to use “Man” after that. One of the very general examples that many of you are familiar with is greeting a group by referring to them as “Guys ” when the term “Guys” is for Men. We find it cool and normal. Just imagine calling a group of guys “Girls” weird, right? We need to pay attention to what we say.
Ideal He-Man: If I ask you to imagine a man, what would he look like? Most probably a Masculine Figure, rough and tough, tall and deep voice. It is not wrong but are all men like that? Because ever since we were born this is what we acknowledge what a Man should be or look like.
Illogical Beliefs: There are some societal beliefs that we people agree and follow blindly. For instance, Boys don’t cry. Boys don’t feel pain. A husband is entitled to his wife. Men who are harsh, violent are manly. Women are sacred, baby making machines and they should stay at home working tirelessly.
Gender Roles : We as a society need to know that now women can be independent too and men can stay at home and do babysitting. Gender Roles have always been a resistant to an equal and just society. We should not put Gender and its role in a specific basket.
After understanding the constraint, let us brainstorm and find our way to change our society. This is what I’ve acknowledged too as a student.
Using more Gender Neutral Words. Instead of saying Guys, Police man, Mankind say Folks, People, Police Officer and Humankind. It makes sense. Now as you are using Gender Unbiased words, educate others too. Amplify your learning.

Learn to accept diversity. It is not necessary that every man has to be tall and rough; some can be calm and sensitive. Women can be harsh and enthusiastic too. Understand them and respect them. See them as humans.

In a nutshell, respect everyone and understand everyone’s worth. Don’t deprive others of their rights in order to be powerful.
Let us step ahead and establish a society which is safe and equitable – Neither Patriarchal nor Matriarchal.

Writer: Khushi Singh
Grade 11 CBSE Student at Claylab

Cheers to us!

We are in the last month of the year 2021! Yes, yes we agree that this year lasted a second. Having said that, it was a wholesome year. We celebrated festivals after two years (Oh, yeah the virus was kinder by the end of this year) and most of us got vaccinated and resumed our normal lives.

But the fear of the pandemic is still looming over our heads and though we are back living our pre-pandemic lives, we must not forget the lessons this pandemic has taught us. No, we aren’t preaching much here. All we want to do is remind you about a few things we all should take into the coming year. Wondering what those are?

Read on…

Stay connected to the people you love: Let’s not wait for a lockdown or a virus to make us realise the importance of our loved ones.

Exercise, eat well and value your health: If anything, the pandemic has taught us the importance of our health – both mental and physical.
Remember to eat right and listen to what your body needs.

Learn things beyond academics: Develop skills and keep learning new things in life. Pandemic or not, boredom hits when you least expect it. So, keep reinventing and innovating yourself.

Be self-sufficient: Cooking, cleaning and maintaining your own house aren’t skills but necessities and it is time we normalise doing the needful rather than being dependent on someone else. Be responsible for who you are and the rest will follow.

Kindness can never be replaced: Humanity is our ultimate religion and we should remember that irrespective of a calamity looming over our heads.

Lastly, wear your mask. The virus is still here. Protect yourself and others.
Remember: None of us are alone, if we choose not to be. Reach out and give all the love.

Here’s to the last leg of 2021! We got this.

Can every day be a Celebration?

Don’t we love the season of festivals? The parties, the delicious food, the sparkly sky and endless laughter fill the air. Festivals allow us to celebrate life and the people we love. But here’s a question – Why do we need a certain time of the year to celebrate these things?

Wondering where we are going with this? Well… not to sound too preachy but here’s an insight that we can use to celebrate life and ourselves every single day, festival or not. Now we know, there are bad days and nobody can be happy all the time but this is about experiencing life for what it is – the good, bad and the ugly. So, here’s how we start –

First, dance a little: Yes, you read that right! You don’t need a reason to dance it out. Groove to your favourite song every single day and shake off your inhibitions.

P.S. Even if you have 2 left feet – Go for it! This isn’t about being the best dancer.

Second, Cry out loud: We know crying doesn’t sound like a celebration but trust us when we say this – A good cry can fix anything. Happy or sad – never hold back those tears.

Remember: If you can’t cry out loud when you need to, you can’t laugh out loud when you want to!

Third, Cheat on your diet sometimes: No celebration is complete without having a little fun and that includes eating things that aren’t so healthy. So, stop worrying about those calories and eat that extra ladoo.


Lastly, don’t wait for festivals to miss the people you love: Reach out to your loved ones whenever you like. Trust us, it will make their day and yours too!

Life is always going to be unpredictable and imperfect. We can’t wait for festivals to make it better. So, find our joy and celebrate it whenever we like and not when the calendar tells us to.

Cheers and a very happy life to everyone!

Matters of the mind

Do you know what is the most intriguing aspect of human beings? If  you’re thinking – the mind, you’ve got it right! As captivating as the mind is, it is equally confusing, conflicting, imaginative and curious. Though the mind has existed since life started on this planet, the attempt to understand it has been made only a few centuries ago. Wonder why? Because it is intangible, unlike our physical problems which can be diagnosed and detected through a series of tests. But fortunately, recent studies and researches have given enough and more evidence on the importance of mental health. 

Though the conversation has begun, did you know one of the key elements of mental health is the fact that it presents itself differently in different age groups? Well… if you didn’t, we are glad you are here to read about it! 

The most imperative time to build the mental health framework is during childhood.  The brain is still developing, schemas are still being formed – it is the most impressionable age. Hence, we bring you ways to keep a check on the mental health of the young minds who are going to shape our tomorrow. Now, we are no experts but hey, dealing with children @claylab.education did teach us a thing or two about their well-being. So, here’s our two cents: 

Have continuous check-ins: As mentors/teachers we check-in with our students regularly at Claylab. This way they have an outlet and a safe space where they can share anything and everything that is bothering them. Not just that, children can help themselves by writing down everything that happened during the week. This way they too can keep a track of their moods, events and growth. 

Create a buddy system: In this virtual world it is a task to form real connections and this impacts how a child perceives the world. So, partner up students or form a group where the children have the simple task of getting to know each other beyond the world of reels, looks and likes. 

Introduce activity and exercise as a daily task: Remember: The body and the mind are connected. Therefore, engage children into some sort of physical movement; it could be anything from dance to sports. 

To all the kids out there, running amidst nature is much more fun than Subway surfers or PubG. 

Never say NO to sleep: This is even for the adults –  the easiest way to give your mind some rest is to take a nap. Trust us, you will function much better and that 8 hour magic sleep can literally do wonders. 

There are a million other things we all could do to assure that the mental quotient of our young ones can be at its best. And to the leaders of tomorrow, the above applies to you too. It is your duty to maintain your mental as well as physical health. Being a child or a student is all about being carefree and being ready to take on the world but to do that – the mind must be in the right place. 

Life will have its ups and downs but remember this while you go through them: ‘The mind is a great servant but a terrible master.’

Friendship for a Lifetime

Do you remember the first time you met your best friend or how you started talking? On revisiting that memory, some of you will realize that it is was an instant connection while some of you will recollect it to have taken a few days to form the bond. Well, the story is no different when it comes to books and reading. 

Though some find it effortless to drown in a book to escape from reality, others still struggle to stay afloat. But does it mean one should stop swimming? Definitely not! All you’ve to do is find a book that can be your anchor. Then there is no looking back. If you’re wondering ‘How’? Here’s your answer – Like all other friendships, this equation also starts off with taking the first step – getting acquainted and putting in effort to build it. Simply put, you just need to give reading a chance. 

By this point, you might have the thought of giving this a shot, right? But again, don’t know where to start? We have got you covered. If you are a new reader wanting to get blown away by the magic of reading or a seasoned reader wanting another miracle in your life, you’re at the right place.

Even though they might be underrated by many, there’s always a book that can help you deal with every struggle, situation, feeling and mood. Books are works of literary excellence created by revered souls for our consumption and growth. 

However, from a galaxy of stars, we’ve managed to pick some that are sure to make you look at life in a different light: 

• Find your calling with – ‘The Alchemist’

An inspiring tale of self-discovery that encourages a young boy to listen to his heart and follow his dreams. This gem is sure to inspire you to brave the path of pursuing your dreams. 

• Believe in the unbelievable with – ‘Life of Pi’

A book that will surely make you realise the importance of believing in something – be it God, Mother Nature, or your own strength.

• Break the barriers with – ‘I Know Why The Caged Birds Sing’ 

A must read for our generation that is stuck on social media. This autobiography shows how love for literature can help you overcome just about anything. 

• Embrace your teenage with – ‘The Catcher in the Rye’

Learning to cope with his teenage angst, a young boy finds himself trying to deal with his transition from teenage to adulthood  and the difficulties that come with it. A book that each one of us will surely resonate with. 

• Indulge in Nostalgia with – ‘Malgudi Days’

A compilation of short stories that will melt your heart with its relevance in the life of an Indian household and the problems that come with it. 

While the number of great books at our disposal are insurmountable, these picks are a great start to build a lifetime of association with reading! Irrespective of the timeline, books have rightfully managed to secure the title of being called one’s best friend. Even if you find yourself lost in a book, remember that it’s probably where you’ll find yourself too. 

So what are you waiting for? Pick one or all of tye above books and let us know which one you loved the most or introduce us to your best friend that did not make this list! 

A better country will look like this..

One fact about India as a country is that people here belong to different religions, regions and castes. Despite belonging to a unified nation, people of India still fight over different regions, castes, communities, religions, languages, etc. These are the main obstacles for our country and the reason why we still lag in many fields across industries.

These days the news is filled with updates about domestic violence, kidnapping, murder, theft, riots due to communalism and a lot more. We rarely get to see about new inventions that are made by India because our main focus is on all the negativity instead of focusing on the positives.

One of the pressing reasons for this is poverty which stems from people in the villages migrating to cities and settling in slums with sub-par facilities and means. India’s urban infrastructure has worsened over the years due to this. We see slums in almost all the major cities which have become the cause of diseases, poor facilities, improper drainage systems, fights, difficulties living conditions, lack of jobs,crime, etc.

Trust me, things would be very normal and our country would progress if – ‘We the people of India’ begin to understand each other’s language, religion, cast, views, opinions and perspectives. This would help us not only to know each other well but also build strong relationships within and even outside our country. It’s this basic understanding that needs to be popularized to make sure that our future doesn’t remain in the same state as how it is now. The only means for it is to educate people. Education creates an understanding that we all are equal and removes the idea of discrimination by bringing the feeling of oneness. It gives an inspiration to focus on the good aspects which will prove to be helpful for all.

For example, ‘Teach for India’ is an organisation which aims at providing excellent education to all the children. They have a slogan called ‘one day all the children will attain excellent education’. This means that they are not only providing education in terms of teaching the subjects but they are also providing important skills to children like critical thinking, analysing, hypothesis, thinking out of the box and learning circles which teaches that we all are equal.

Even though we are getting dragged down by the illiteracy and poverty prevalent in our country, a well-educated country is our doorway to progress. Despite being pulled a year back because of the global pandemic, a country that is working on their growth, skills and development will never face another challenge again.

The secret behind the Golden boy of India

One swift powerful throw at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, was all it took for Neeraj Chopra to become a
household hero in India. Within minutes he became the talk of the town, the centre of every conversation
and the Pride of India. Every Indian celebrated his golden victory as if it was their own. Whilst basking in the
glory of numerous victories, every Indian heart secretly hoped, wished and prayed for the success of all the
other athletes that represented India. This is the beauty of playing a sport. Not only does it cause millions of
hearts to dance with you when you win but also ignites innumerable dreams. Above all, it unites people
despite their differences – Isn’t that wonderful? The power of sports goes beyond just winning a medal or a
title; be it Cricket, Kabadi or Hockey, the roar of success or the cry of failure is heard across the country.
Aren’t sportsmen and women legends? They manage to unite a diverse nation like India for one common
purpose (A task no politician has achieved till date!). The athletes and sportsmen/women of India are the
ones who are etched in our history and minds forever. Though no single day can ever do justice to the
revolution they create but to commemorate our legends, India celebrates 29th August as the National
Sports Day every year – a celebration that marks the birth of a revered hockey player – Dhyan Chand Singh,
who has left behind the legacy of three consecutive Olympic wins!

As proud as we are of the achievements of our Indian athletes, more often than not Indian parents are
skeptical about the future of their child in sports. Ever asked yourself why does that happen? Besides our
stringent beliefs, our education system has given more emphasis on academics (Thank you, East India
Company!) and somehow we assumed that this is the best way to go about education. Whereas, the
foundation of sports in India can be traced back to the Vedic era (Much before the Brits came, guys!). Over
the years, millions of dreams have been crushed citing that being a sportsman isn;t dignified or serious
enough. Well… we can change this narrative and celebrate not just the victories but the contribution and
necessity of sports in our lives. The future of sports lies in our hands. The next Sachin Tendulkar, Mary Kom
or Neeraj Chopra can be discovered in any lane of our country. However, what makes these athletes
invincible is not pure talent but a combination of skill, determination, hours of practice and tons of support,
training and guidance.

If you are wondering – how do we do this? Here’s where we can start:Equal if not more emphasis should be
given to physical education in schools.The burden of good grades has retracted the attention from indulging
in a sport – this is the first step towards creating this change followed by support from parents. When there
are more children taking up sports the government will have no choice but to invest in better facilities,
provisions and training. Even if not to reach global levels, an hour in the court or under the Sun is all that it
takes to charge up one’s body and rejuvenate one’s mind.
So this National Sports Day, let’s vow to celebrate sports and its many achievements not just on the 29th of
August but every single day by engaging in a sport of some kind. This isn’t for the medals but instead, it is
for a healthier, fitter and a more determined nation.
And don’t forget: Sports not only build better athletes but also better people!

A student’s letter to online class

Dear Online class,
You came in the life of students at a critical point. We were under a lockdown but you were traveling the entire world helping people do what they do in the middle of a pandemic. One of the people who you were very kind to was – Me. When I met you, you were the one-stop solution for all my problems.

I remember the day when I saw Zoom. He has helped me alot with my Online classes though sometimes it did hurt as a I would struggle to ask my doubts in class, thanks to our common enemy – POOR NETWORK! Sometimes I wonder if the network was jealous of our bond and growing friendship.

Dear, you have so many qualities like – a camera, microphone and the my favourite: CHATTING. I can easily talk to my friends and get all the information from them. Your emojis help me to express my feelings and emotions without using any words or sentences in my message.

One day I met my school teacher and she was talking about you. She was telling me that with the help of your support she was able to stay connected with her new students of 10th grade. Because of your family member – Google classroom, she was able to collect all the homework from her students and easily review it.
But just like me, she too suffers a lot to due to the network.

All things aside, we are all so grateful to you that you came into our selfish world and helped us without asking for anything in return.

For everyone who is reading this, jus think: What would happen if my friend didn’t exist in this world? How would we have managed our work, school and most importantly, check- up on our loved ones during the covid situation?

See you soon!

~ by Aayush Sharma, G12 student at Claylab