Theme for this week: This week, we work on collecting information, working out its meaning, and presenting it in various ways. This is an important activity, and will greatly enhance your capability of organizing and processing information in English.
Remember that the activity for Day 4, “You, the Reporter”, needs some preparation—get started on that right away!

1. Day 1: Two of you come forward and have a discussion on “Who is the best actor in India?” The rest of you listen carefully and take notes. Once the discussion is over, step forward one by one, and summarize the main points of the discussion. Did you cover everything? Also, did the two debaters miss some important point in their debate? Check!
2. Your Headlines: Pick up the newspaper and read any article of your choice. Now imagine you have the responsibility to give it another headline. Make your headline brief, informative, and yet eye-catching. Get ready to move from the classroom to the editor’s room.
3. Finishing Touch: Complete the following story in a few more sentences. Think about it for about 15 minutes and then come forward and tell us what happened to the mother and daughter in the story in your own unique versions.If some points in the passage are not clear, help each other out as necessary.“Ellen wrapped her own shawl about her shoulders and tossing one side around and over again, picked up the lantern, which had already been lit. Taking her daughter Fannie’s right hand, the pair proceeded on the three-mile walk back home. Heavy rains during the last week had left the dirt road in a terrible condition. Ellen and her daughter would return home the way they had come, by following the railroad track. The track was about one half mile above the road. As they started, Ellen prayed for a safe return home………….”

   Tomorrow is reporting day. Are you prepared?

4. You, the Reporter: Talk to your family, friends and neighbours about some common problems they face like the inefficient and insufficient supply of electricity, water, transportation and so on. What are the things they feel should be changed? Put together all the information you get and deliver a brief report.
5. Discussion: Think about some books that you have read recently or are reading now. Which ones have you found interesting and useful? Come forward and tell us what are the things you liked in that book. Any book is fine–you can talk about your textbooks too, if you like.
6. The Most Vocal Group: Form groups. One group starts and gives another group a topic to speak on (such as “your views on terrorism”). Everyone in the group says a few lines and then gives another topic to one of the other groups. Continue this till all the groups have participated.

Theme of this week: This week we will focus on your power of observation and attention to detail. This is to ensure that you develop an eye for every detail while working with information.
The activity “Columbus”, scheduled for day 4 needs preparation. Get started right away

1. Random Thoughts: Place various articles like pens, books, newspapers, toys and anything else you can think of on a table before you. Now come forward one by one, pick up any article and talk about it for 3-4 minutes. Instead of merely describing what you see, we encourage you to look at things differently. For example you can look at a pen as a gun and try to see how the different parts of the pen can also be the parts of a gun. Hoping to see ordinary things assuming extraordinary identities. Have fun!
2. The Power is Yours: Be what you will be and show us how serious you are. Imagine all of you have become what you want to be in life. Now come forward and talk about all the duties and responsibilities in your various careers and how you are handling them. Assure all of us that our country is in good hands.
3. Observations on the Move: Think about a train ride that you have taken. Now talk about all the things you saw on the way. Try to remember everything you noticed—the colors, the size of the clouds, the color of the earth, the length of the shadows, the people, the houses everything!
4. Columbus: Think of the road you take to come to college from home. You think you are familiar with all the sights and sounds? Now try to observe keenly and you’ll spot several small things that you haven’t really noticed so far. Or you may find something new that has come up and you are yet to get used to seeing it. Tell us about all of them as we are sure that on a closer look, you’ll be amazed at how much you have missed. Happy discovering.
5. Spot the Song: How much of a music lover are you? This activity will answer that. One of you needs to come forward and either hum a tune or sing a line from the middle of a song. Then let your friends guess what the song is.
6. Shades of Life: I am sure we all have our favourite colours. But have you thought about why you like a particular colour or a particular shade and not others? What does that colour mean to you and what meanings do the colours have? Come forward and talk about your favourite colour and why you like it. Make sure you think about what that colour brings to your mind. What objects or emotions do you associate with it?
7. Donning the Chef’s Hat: Crazy about food? We certainly are, and we want to know about some interesting dishes and how to make them. Tell us about your favourite dishes and how to make them in about 5 minutes. Use Telugu or Hindi words in case you don’t know the English word for something. There’s no need to be stuck just because of a word or two. All of you must contribute since the more, the better.

Theme of this week: Remember all those arguments you have had with your friends and family about studies, movies and everything else? Remember the excitement of winning a hard-fought argument? Well, this week is all about learning to formulate opinions and arguments in English. So let the battles begin.

1. Your Feedback: Read out a story or an article that you have recently enjoyed. You can choose from magazines, newspapers, or books. Explain briefly what it was about and offer at least 4 reasons why you enjoyed it so much.
2. Hobby Horse: What is your hobby? Do you enjoy reading, listening to music or collecting things? Why do you like to pursue it? Come forward and tell your friends what your hobby means to you.
3. Debate: Sports in India means only cricketThink about the following points:
   1. Do we take as much interest in other sports as we do in cricket?
   2. How we look at our cricketers: Think about all the things they get after winning a tournament. Do you think any other sportsperson gets that kind of treatment?
   3. How cricket is publicized and promoted: Think of all those advertisements featuring cricketers.
   4. The kind of money cricketers earn, all those cricket clubs in towns and cities. What impression does a child in India get from all this?

   Bring in more points of your own.

4. Contradictions: One person makes a point or proposes an idea. Others have to find out the loopholes and try to prove that the idea is not workable. For example, one person offers a statement like “I think death sentence should be abolished.” The person next to him/her now needs to disagree, and give reasons.
5. Criticisms: Read an article in today’s newspaper (preferably about politics and global events) and briefly express what you think about it. We want your opinion on:
   1. The style of writing: Was it easy or difficult to understand?
   2. Are all the things discussed in the article absolutely clear to you?
   3. Did you find it interesting? What was the reason? The topic, or the presentation?
   4. Finally, do you agree or disagree with the writer? Give reasons.
6. Day 6:
   Welcome to the second debate session of the week. Today’s topic:

   Popular movies are mostly just entertainers. They don’t teach us anything.

Theme of this week: This week, let us try some alternate ways of expressing. It is one thing to talk about familiar things in a familiar language, but what happens when the setting changes? That’s when you have to be creative. But where there’s will, there’s a way.

Important: The activity “Collage”, scheduled for day 4 needs preparation. Get started right away.

1. In a Land far far Away: Imagine you are in a foreign country and no one understands you. Come forward and use signs to make a person understand any of the 5 sentences given below:
   1. I am hungry.
   2. Where is the bus stop?
   3. I need to find a shop that sells books.
   4. Where is the college?
   5. Do you know English?
2. Graffiti: Divide into groups and design a poster with a slogan on it on any of the 3 given themes:
   1. Modern Technology.
   2. Transport in India.
   3. Terrorism.
3. Inter-Galactic Communication: Imagine you are talking to an alien who does not understand how the things that we use in our everyday lives work. Come forward and try to explain everything about any one of the following to the alien. Make sure you explain every aspect and also get the alien to understand what the articles/devices look like. Use words, gestures and sketches to make things absolutely clear.
   1. Books
   2. Computer.
   3. Table.
   4. Soap.
   5. Medicine.
4. Collage: Prepare a collage in groups on a particular theme or concept of your choice. It can contain write-ups, paintings, photos, and so on. Collect all that you can find and paste the material on chart paper. Decorate it as you like. Express yourself in any way you want.
5. Debate: Most people want to become actors only for the money and the glamour. So looks are considered to be important, but not the acting.
6. Discussion: Talk about any cultural programme that you have attended. Why did you like/dislike it? How well do you think the performers managed to get their message across?

Theme of this week: This week we are taking the e-plus clubs out of the classrooms as we focus on activities you can do on your own for a change. So time for some self-evaluation and fun in the holiday season.

1. Family Chronicle: Talk to any of your family members and get to know some interesting facts of his/her life. Focus on their childhood, or on the times that you were not with them. Now write it all down and tell us the stories when you come back. Thought you knew your family well? Think again.
2. Festive Spirit: Think about or observe any festival that happens in your house. Write a brief paragraph about all the procedures and all that happens during the festival. Read out your piece in your club.
3. A day with your favourite character: Who is your favourite character in the books you have read so far? Imagine you too are a character in that book and have a conversation with that person. You can keep the book open and respond to the things the character says in the book.
4. Discussion: Select any news article that interests you. Or think about something important you saw on television today. Now have a discussion on it with a friend or a family member. Prepare a brief report of the discussion and read it out in your club.
5. You go Live: Observe a news reporter reporting something on a news channel. What if you were reporting the event instead? How would you have done it? Imagine you are at that location and make your own detailed report in about 5-10 minutes.
6. Your Diary: Think about all that you did throughout this week at home, and with friends or relatives outside. Also think about any plans you may have for the next week. Now write them all down and tell your friends when you meet them in the club.

Theme of this week: Think of all those times when you have blamed people around for things going wrong. Ever wanted to be in their place and change things? Here’s your chance. Go ahead and plan big and yes, tell us about it.

1. Voice of the voiceless: Imagine you are a tree or an animal. How would you like people to treat you? What message do you have for them? Come forward and speak for 3-4 minutes.
2. Discussion: India’s position and progress after 60 years of gaining independence. Some pointers to get you started:
   1. India’s position in the world.
   2. Corruption and law and order.
   3. Sports and games.
   4. India’s prospects in various areas.
3. Charge of the Youth Brigade: Imagine yourselves as heads of teams formed to solve various social problems like education, lack of amenities, crime etc. Prepare a clear plan of action and present it to the group. Think about dividing various tasks between your team members—how you would get reports from them, which tasks you would assign to yourself and so on.
4. Guiding Light: Who inspires you the most? Leaders, parents, somebody else? Think about their lives and all that they have done. What would you have done in their place? Done things the same way or differently? Tell us.
5. Rebels for Causes: Form 2 groups. One group has to think of something important that students can do for the society (like participate in voluntary social work) and explain why they think it is important and how people can be made aware of it. The second group then needs to agree or disagree. The groups can take turns.
6. Tabloid Tales: Think about some movies you have watched that offer an important social message (Rang De Basanti, for example). Do you think the movie managed to make the message clear? Do you agree with the ways in which problems get solved in these movies? If you were the director, how would you have handled things?

Theme of this week: Found yourselves facing problems and obstacles? As we say, it’s all part of life and livelihood. This week, let’s discuss a few such moments in our lives and also consider how to go about facing more and coming out on top.

1. SOS: Form 2 groups. Choose any situation from the three given below and think about what you will do if you suddenly have to face it. Give us a solution. The other group now has to come up with an alternate way. All three situations thus get resolved in 6 different ways.
   1. Your house has been burgled.
   2. The bus you were travelling in has met with an accident in the middle of a highway and there are injured people who need help.
   3. Your local MLA is corrupt and is doing nothing for the locality.
2. Debate: We are suffering so many terror attacks since our security is not up to the mark. Think about the following:
   1. Do you feel your area is secure?
   2. When you travel by public transport, how safe do you feel?
   3. What do you think about security at railway stations, bus stands and cinema halls?
   4. Which are the other important places where terror attacks can take place?
3. Untying the Knot: Have you ever been in a difficult situation? How did you deal with it? What did you learn out of the whole experience? Come forward and tell us.
4. Our Ingredients, Your Dish: Use the following words to create a short story of your own. Take 15 minutes to write it and then read it out. You can compose poems or write essays instead, if you like.
   Student, exam, preparation, hall, teacher, results
5. Hawk Eye: Pick up today’s newspaper and select any picture in it. Now talk about all that you see in the picture. Don’t just describe it. Instead, talk about what you feel and about anything you see in the picture beyond the obvious.
6. You, the Arabian Knight: Imagine you have got Aladdin’s lamp and the genie wants to grant you 3 wishes. What will your wishes be and why?

Theme of this week: This week is dedicated to India and its manifold aspects. Let’s find out how we see our country from our own unique perspectives and how we plan to go about shaping its future.

1. What’s Your Muse?Think about a poem or song in your language which you have really enjoyed. Why do you think you liked it so much? Recite it if you can and explain it. Now ask your friend to come forward and explain another poem or song similar in theme. When you have found two similar songs, start over with a new theme.
2. Getaway Beckons: Which of these destinations would you like to visit? – Hill stations, the seaside, forests, or maybe something else? What do you like it about it so much?
3. Debate: Nowadays students are more interested in going abroad than studying in India.
4. From the Silver Screen to the Assembly: Many people think that film-stars cannot become successful politicians. However, we cannot ignore their presence in politics. What is your opinion on this? Imagine you are a popular film-star and have decided to become a politician. Tell us how you will use your fame to make a difference.
5. Ambassadors: Imagine yourselves as representatives of India in a foreign country and your friends as a group of foreigners who know very little about India. Now come forward one by one, and explain specific aspects of India to the foreigners. You can explain sports, politics, the monsoons–anything you choose. But do not repeat a point already made by someone else.
6. Away from the Spotlight: Think about some sports and games which are neglected in India. We do agree there are plenty of those. Each of you choose a particular sport, and explain why it is being neglected with 5 clear reasons. Do you also have reasons for why it should not be neglected? Write your points down, and read them out.

Theme of this week: Science and technology are all around us and so is the battle between tradition and modernity. We would like to know what you feel about the world changing around you. So go ahead and tell us how you get ready to welcome the new and how much of the old you still retain.

1. Pick Your Nook: Do you prefer city life or life in a village or small town? Think about the differences and similarities and make a list. Now tell us about your findings and which among the three won your vote.
2. Debate: Science versus Arts.Think about the following points and more:
   1. The way students of science are looked at and the way students of arts are looked at
   2. Parental preferences regarding education
   3. Opportunities available
3. Growing Changes: Think about all the changes in your locality brought about by technology since you were a child. Tell us about them. Do you think all the changes have benefitted you and your neighbourhood? Think about changes in agriculture, irrigation, electricity etc. What other changes do you think will happen soon?
4. A Vision of our Tomorrow: Think about India 50 years from now. How will it look and function? What new things do you see coming in? Write a paragraph about your vision of the futuristic India and read it out.
5. Spine Chillers: Do you believe in ghosts and the supernatural? Do you read horror stories? Follow horror movies and serials? How about the stories you hear from friends and relatives? Share a story with us, and also tell us why you believe/do not believe in ghosts.
6. Discussion: Form two groups and discuss whether mobile phones should be allowed in colleges.

Theme of this week: As we enter the thirteenth week, let’s stop and ponder over the number 13. Some of you may know that 13 is considered to be an unlucky number. This also leads us to think about superstitions in general. What is your opinion? Let’s hear it from you this week.

1. Beyond Logic? Talk about the various superstitions you have heard about. Do you believe in any of them? What are they and why do you believe them? Have you actually experienced anything?
2. Sense or Nonsense? What do you think about astrology, palmistry, and fortune-telling? Do you believe these methods actually work? Why/why not?
3. Debate: Horror movies and stories make people superstitious and afraid.
4. Getting Creative: Write something on either of the two following topics. You are free to write a paragraph, story or poem. Read your work out once you are done:
   1. Darkness.
   2. Being Alone.
5. Your Script: Read the conversation below which can be the beginning of a horror story. Now come forward in pairs and continue the conversation for about 5 minutes. Let’s see how you choose to end it.
   PAUL

   We bought this building a year ago because it was cheap. We’ve always wanted to start a restaurant, but couldn’t afford it.

   PATSIE

   The reason this building was so cheap was because people claimed it was haunted.

   PAUL

   We never believed it.

   Everything went great for a while. This became a popular little spot to eat.

   PATSIE

   Then strange things started to happen.

   PAUL

   Things started to disappear. Objects would be in one place, then show up in another.

6. Debate: Only old people are superstitious.

Theme of this week: “Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle” says Lewis Carroll’s immortal creation, Alice. All of us maybe believe in the saying that we know ourselves best. But sometimes we do strange things and make certain decisions which question our conviction. Would be interesting to look at ourselves a little closely this week.

1. Fall and Get Up: What do you think was your greatest mistake in life so far? Come forward and tell us about it. What did you learn from that mistake?
2. Black and White: This activity requires members to get into a confessional mood. Members sit in a circle. One person starts and talks about a bad quality and a good quality in him/her (talking about a bad habit and a good habit will be fine as well).Then the person next to the one who spoke continues and the session ends when everybody has spoken.
3. Fantasies: What is the one thing that will make you really happy? Why do you want it so much? Tell us.
4. Debate: Money is the most important factor when we choose a particular career path, or a particular job.
5. Eyesore: Look around you and think of the one thing that always disappoints you or upsets you (think about college, your house, your locality etc.). What would you like to do to improve things? Express your feelings and describe your solution in an essay and read it out.
6. Discussion:We blame other people for being selfish, but all of us are selfish in various ways.

Theme of this week: In India, some region or the other is always in the festive mood. While it’s a lot of fun enjoying the festivals, they throw up several questions which we should deal with. Let’s hear your views on some of them this week.

1. Discussion: Do you think all the celebrations in India are justified? Do we really need so many celebrations?
2. Another Red Letter: If you are asked to add a new celebration to the calendar, what would it be? Think about a cause, a person or a date that is not getting as much importance as it should. Also tell us how you would like to celebrate it.
3. Special Effects: Every celebration has some unique rituals and customs attached to it. Talk to us about the festivals you attend and their unique customs. Which ones do you enjoy the most?
4. In The Shadows: We celebrate the New Year, Valentine’s Day and other such days with a lot of enthusiasm. But there are other important days which go unnoticed. What do you think should be done on these days to make people aware of these issues? A few dates are given below. How do you think these days should ideally be celebrated?
   1. World Heart Day (27^th September)
   2. World Environment Day (5^th June)
   3. World Cancer Day (4^th February)
   4. World Animal Day (4^th October)
5. Transitions: Festivals are changing as time goes by. Some customs have disappeared and new ones are being added. Talk to your parents or grandparents and find out how they used to celebrate some of the festivals you celebrate today. What was different in their time? Also find out if there were any festivals in those days which do not exist anymore. Now tell us all about it in the club.
6. Discussion:We spend a lot of money during festivals only to show off. This money should instead be utilized for other important purposes.

Theme of this week: The E-Plus club is all about having fun with the English language. This week let’s focus on getting creative and playing with the language. Enjoy.

1. An I for Innovation: Think about a line from any poem (e. g., “And then my heart with pleasure fills”) and try to replace the line that follows with a line of your own (e.g., Instead of “And dances with the daffodils”, you can say “As I down my daily antacid pills”). Add as many new lines as possible and create a new poem altogether. Or, if you prefer, choose any short story that you have liked and replace the ending with an ending of your own.
2. Be the Muse: Each of you think of a plot for a short story. Sit in a circle and ask the person next to you to write a story on the plot you have chosen. Evaluate each other’s work after completion, and have fun seeing whether the other person has been able to see what you saw.
3. New Avatar: What does your name mean in your language? Find out and explain the meaning to us in English. Now choose an English word which means the same and tell us what your new English name would be.
4. The Long and the Short of It: Pick up today’s newspaper and select any article. Now rewrite the article reducing it to half its length. But make sure you do not omit any important points. Read out the shortened article after you are done.
5. Mirth Unlimited: Think about some jokes in your language and translate them into English. Let’s share some fun and bring new humour to the English language.
6. VocaBoost:Pick up a dictionary and open any page. Choose a word from the page and try to find 5 more words similar in meaning. You can use the dictionary to locate the words.

Theme of this week: We have all experienced the joys of travelling some time or the other. The anticipation and the excitement of travelling as well as the wonders of a new place fascinate us all. This week let’s talk about travelling and all that it has to offer in addition to sheer fun.

1. Discussion: Visiting a place teaches us more than reading about it.
2. The Sojourner: Think about a long trip you have taken. What did you do on each of those days? Write down a detailed day-by-day account, and read it out.
3. Time Travel: Let’s try to go back in time and think about taking a trip of the India of the past. Each of you tell us how you think your place would have looked so that we can get glimpses through your descriptions. Remember all that your parents and grandparents told you about how things were before you were born.
4. Be the Guide: Come forward in pairs. One of you acts as a tourist and the other acts as a guide. The guide has to think of a place he/she has visited and about which the tourist has no idea. Now imagine both of you are in that place. The guide has to show the tourist around. Describe everything in detail, and make sure you tell your tourist whether the place has any historical significance or myth attached to it.
5. Spoilt for Choice: When you visit a new place, what do you look forward to the most? The places to see, the food, shopping, or meeting new people? Also tell us about a memorable experience you have had during a journey.
6. Discussion: Travelling and visiting new places is becoming unsafe day by day.

Theme of this week: There is no getting away from advertisements, is there? How many times have we been frustrated by commercial breaks interrupting our favourite shows and movies? Wherever you look, advertisements look right back at you. So let’s devote some time this week thinking about the phenomenon that is advertising.

1. The Catcher of the Eye: Which is your favourite advertisement on radio or television? Why does that advertisement appeal to you so much?
2. Debate: People only buy good products, and advertisements do not make any difference. No one falls for advertisements these days.
3. Paths to Prominence: What do you think is the most effective way to advertise a product? Radio, television, posters, newspapers or campaigning in person? Explain in detail.
4. Turn on the Limelight: Imagine you have to advertise a product. Choose a product from the list given below and tell us how you will advertise it. Do you think just one way of advertising is enough or would you think of more? Draw up a plan and tell us all about it:
   1. A new college.
   2. A book.
   3. Clothes.
   4. Food products.
5. Old Wine, New Bottle: Form small groups. Each group has to select an advertisement that is aired frequently on radio and television (groups can also pick up the newspaper and select an advertisement in it) and then think about presenting it in a different manner. Think about changing the caption, the look or the events shown in the advertisement.
6. Discussion: Advertisements often pollute the sorroundings. (Think about the posters, writings on the walls and the pictures you see on hoardings and billboards)

Theme of this week: Family and other relationships which we value are definitely our prize possessions. In a lot of ways they leave their imprints upon us and mould our characters. This week, let’s focus on this very important aspect of our lives.

1. Debate: Elderly people are not respectedin the family these days
2. Are They Recognized?: Do you think we treat people who work in our houses and who serve us in different ways (people like servants, dhobis, milkmen etc) properly? Come forward and express your views.
3. Once Upon a Time: Make a list of some people who were important for you at one point but have moved away from your lives now. Why did this happen? Think about all the reasons and write a short essay.
4. Do They Match Up?: Many films are made on family values and how things change within a family. Do you think what the films generally portray are accurate? Which is your favourite film on family and why?
5. Clash of Past and Present: Form two groups. One group acts as the older generation and another acts as the younger. From each group members have to come forward one by one and give two reasons why the generation they represent is better than the other.
6. Debate: Today’s small families are better than yesterday’s joint families.

Theme of this week: As all teachers will tell you, being a teacher is all about making a subject as interesting and fun as possible. In our respective professions also, we need to often train people under us or guide them as they get accustomed to professional life. A successful and popular teacher is always an asset and this week’s activities are meant to bring out the teachers and trainers within us in their creative best.
The activity “Hello Professor”, scheduled for day 4 needs preparation. Get started right away.

1. Donning the Thinking Cap: Come forward in pairs. One of you has to act as the coach while the other poses as the pupil. The coach has to think about his/her favourite game or sport (can be an indoor or an outdoor one) and assuming the pupil has no idea about it, train him/her to play it.
2. Tourist Guide: When we think about going to a new country or visiting a new place, we usually try to find out more about what to do and what not to do. We try to know more about the people and their customs. So if a person comes to you from a foreign country and asks you how to go about visiting your place; how to behave, what to wear and what specialties to try out, what will you tell that person? Make a list and tell us.
3. Linguadvantage: Just as all of us are learning English, there are people who want to learn our mother tongues as well. What if you are required to teach your language to someone who knows almost nothing or very little? How will you go about it? Make a plan for the first week of your classes and tell us all about it.
4. Hello Professor: Have you learnt something new this week or this month that you found really interesting? It could be some new concept learnt in your subject or something you have come across in a book or newspaper. We want you to share it with us so give us a brief description of it and tell us all that you have learnt. You can use the blackboard and all the material you have used to collect information regarding your presentation
5. Tech Freaks: Many of us have to help our family members with new gadgets that are becoming important to us. Show us how you will help someone who doesn’t know anything about operating the following machines (Choose any one):
   1. Television.
   2. Mobile Phone.
   3. Computer.
6. Discussion: Teaching should not always happen inside a classroom.

Theme of this week: We all love to read. It’s a fun and entertaining activity, and a great way to learn a language. Reading also brings us face to face with many questions as we think about what the authors have to say and whether what they are saying seems right. This week we are dealing with reading and analyzing, so bring out those thinking caps.

1. Discussion: There is nothing good for children to read nowadays
2. Priorities: Imagine you are the editor of a newspaper and have to decide what goes in the front page. What stories, according to you, should appear there? Remember you have complete freedom to chose only those stories which you feel are important enough. So go ahead and let’s see some fresh perspectives.
3. Tete-e-tete: Which is the latest book/article you have read? If you have to interview its author, what questions will you ask him/her? Make a list and tell us
4. Subject Matter: Are you happy with the quality of the text-books that you read in college? What do you think needs to be changed to make them better?
5. Your Wall: Imagine you have to start a magazine along with a few friends. What would be the theme of the magazine and how will you collect articles for it? Also let us know the name of your magazine.
6. Debate: Becoming a writer is not a good career option.

Theme of this week: Professional life. That’s what we are all preparing for aren’t we? At this stage of our lives, all of us get concerned about various factors while standing on the threshold of this transition. This week, let’s think about those factors and maybe come up with some interesting plans as well.

1. Your Niche: What kind of a professional life do you think is ideal for you? What would you expect from your workplace?
2. Discussion: A lot of people around us are becoming workaholics and neglecting families and personal life.
3. The Way It Was: Talk to your parents and elders. How were their lives after they completed their studies and started working? Now look at the way the present generation works. What are the similarities and differences?
4. You,the Entrepreneur: If you have to start a business, what would you like to deal in? Or if you get to start a new company, what would be your focus? Think about it and tell us how you will go about forming it.
5. Be the Boss: Imagine you are the leader of a team of workers under you. What will be your approach? What benefits and privileges will you grant them, and how will you deal with problems like underperformance, regular absence etc?
6. Debate: Private Sector vs. Public Sector. Think about the following points:
1. The kind of jobs available.
2. Competition to get a position.
3. Various Skills required.
4. The tests/formalities involved.

Spots of Joy: Look back on your life so far and write an essay on some of the happiest moments you have had.

Putting Tests to Test: What do you feel about exams? Do you think they are the best way to assess students? Can our abilities be judged by the marks we score? If not, what kind of an assessment would you recommend? Think about it and write an essay giving us your opinion.

Show the Way: It’s election time and all our political leaders are making lot of promises. If you were contesting the elections, what would you promise your neighbours and friends? Try giving an election speech to your friends and family and make a list of all that you would like to do if elected.

Describe and Alter: Make a list of the names of all your friends, family members and relatives. Include your name as well. Now try to explain the meanings of these names in English and see if you can find English synonyms for them.

Alternate Persona: Observe a character you like in a TV serial or a movie. How would it be if you found yourself in the same situation as him/her? How would you have handled things? Write about your approach and solve problems in your style.

Silence Speaks: There are so many things we use every day that we can’t do without (furniture, television, refrigerator etc). If they could speak then how would they describe their existence? Imagine yourself as any one of the various things you use every day and write about its life since it was manufactured.

Debate: Think about both sides of the following statement. Write a short passage supporting the argument and another passage opposing it.

India should have just one common festival.

In That Era: One of the issues that always bothers us is the problems with our education system. Our elders do not understand this since they feel we are getting lot more facilities compared to what they got when they were students. Talk to your parents, neighbours and relatives and find out what their complaints were when they were students.

Discussion: Pick up today’s newspaper and read any article that you find interesting. Now have a discussion on it with your family members and write down their opinions and arguments.

Childhood Fantasies: A lot of us had strange ambitions when we were children. What did you want to become as a child? Have fun revisiting your past and write a short essay to let us know about all that you wanted and thought about in those days of childhood.

The Din and Bustle: Observe a local market and write an account of it. Pay attention to the different kinds of people, the articles on sale, the sellers, the sounds, smells and the overall feel of the place.

Altered Garb: Select any poem or short story in your language and try to translate it into English or you can choose to write your own poem or short story on the same theme.

Comprehensive Take: Take a look at today’s newspaper and select a news item that interests you. Read all about it from various sources and follow it on TV news channels too. Then write your own report incorporating all that you have learnt.

Then and Now: Look back at your school days and think about how you were taught your mother tongue/English/any other language. Did you feel comfortable or were you confused? Do you feel teaching has improved now with better facilities? Write down your views. You might want to visit a local school or talk to some students for your report.

Actor plus Director: Observe an interesting scene in a regional movie or TV serial. Now imagine you are one of the characters and try to enact the scene in English. Rope in your friends or family members to play other roles and translate their dialogues as well. Alternatively, you can also choose to act your part alone.

Parallel Proverbs: Make a list of proverbs that you commonly use in your mother tongue. Now try to find out if there are proverbs in English which mean exactly the same. For those proverbs which do not have an exact English equivalent, see if you can find one which is close in meaning. For example, the English equivalent of the Telugu proverb “manassunte maargamuntundhi” would be “where there is a will; there is a way”.

Tune In: Listen to music from the 60s and 70s and compare it to the music we listen to now. How do you think music and songs have changed in terms of lyrics, tunes, presentation etc?

Turning the Pages of Time: Find out the history of your town/city/village and write an essay on it. Keep the following points in mind: -

1. When and by whom was it founded?
2. Any historical significance?
3. How has it changed over the years?
4. Change in Population.
5. Changes in construction styles of buildings.

Debate: Think about both sides of the following statement. Write a short passage supporting the argument and another passage opposing it.

We Don’t Need Computers.

Plus Points: Summer is on and most of us are cursing the heat. But think about certain things that you can enjoy only in summer (certain fruits, food, activities etc) and write down all that is positive about this season.

Indoor Excitement: Write a short paragraph about an indoor game that you play frequently. For example, chess, carrom etc. Tell us all about the rules of the game and what makes it so interesting.

Onward to Victory: The IPL, according to some, is a mockery of cricket while some others are of the opinion that it has revolutionized the game and generated worldwide interest. What is your opinion? Would you like to make some more changes to the game to make it even more exciting? If you get the chance to own a team, which are the players you would like in your side? Also choose a name for your team.

Infancy Revisited: Sometimes we all wish we could go back to those good old childhood days. Look back at some of the things you used to do as a child that you cannot do anymore. Write a short nostalgic essay telling us about them.

Debate: Think about both sides of the following statement. Write a short passage supporting the argument and another passage opposing it.

Long Vacations are Boring.

Different Takes: Choose any one of the topics given below and ask your family, friends and relatives what they think about it. Collect all of their opinions and write them down. At the end, make sure you express your opinion as well.

1. Elections
2. Summer

Rhyme and Rhythm: Add another stanza to the one given below. The second stanza should follow the same rhyme scheme and should elaborate the idea of the first one: -

With the descending night,
I grope and try to find
Is the approaching darkness
Also clouding my mind?

Alternatively you can also choose to write an essay on the idea hinted at by the stanza.

The Perennial Cycle: Have you noticed how the trees, water-bodies and the sky change with the changing of seasons? Think about an entire year and write an essay on the journey of nature through the various seasons.

Old Wine, New Bottle: A ladder is usually looked at as an instrument for climbing. Similarly, there are specific usages of most instruments and we generally do not think of using them for any other purpose. Well it’s time to be innovative and think about some alternate usages of the instruments listed below. Think about 3 different ways of utilizing them apart from the obvious:

1. Nails.
2. Hammer
3. Wires.
4. Television Set.
5. Books.

Debate: Think about both sides of the following statement. Write a short passage supporting the argument and another passage opposing it.

It Would be Great to Remain Young Forever.

Choose Your Haven: If you are given the option of settling in any country/city of your choice, where will you choose to live? Select the destination of your dreams and explain why you would like to live there.

Call it Right: Most of us will agree that watching sports on TV wouldn’t be as much fun without commentary. Listen to the commentators as they cover your favourite sporting event and try to translate what they are saying into your mother tongue. Thus you get to be a parallel commentator too.

Picture Perfect: Pick up today’s newspaper or a magazine and select a picture that appeals to you the most. Now without looking at the caption or the article associated with it, write a short paragraph on what you see in the picture and what you feel about it.

Voices: We hear so many conversations around us every day. Some happy, some funny and some angry. Can you recall some interesting conversations you have heard? Write them down and let us know. Alternatively, you can also choose to write an imaginary conversation between:

1. Two passengers on a bus.
2. A customer and a shopkeeper.

Mood Swings: Our reactions under various circumstances can be quite unpredictable. We often surprise ourselves by reacting in unexpected manners in certain moods. Think about how you usually react when you are angry, happy or sad. Do you think you handle such emotions well? Introspect and express yourself in a short essay.

What’s For Summer?: Every season has its own flavours. There are certain special dishes we look forward to as a new season comes along. So what are the special attractions of summer? Make a list of all the delicious preparations that you associate with summer and let us know the recipes as well. Feel free to take help from seasoned cooks you know.

Debate: Think about both sides of the following statement. Write a short passage supporting the argument and another passage opposing it.

Colas are Better Than Fruit Juices.

Giving Voice: We all marvel at the majesty of the mountains, the vastness of the sea and the mystery of the forests when we see them while travelling. Lots of poets and storytellers have spoken on behalf of these wonders of nature through their writings and they have all had different stories to tell. How would you tell their stories? Write a short biography of any creation of nature that you admire. Start from the formation and end with a vision of the future.

Shifting Spheres: Make a list of your favourite personalities from various spheres such as movies, sports, music, art, politics, etc. Now, if they hadn’t been what they are, which role would have suited them? Do you think Rahul Dravid could have been a successful film star, for example? Think about different roles for all of your icons and tell us why you think they would have succeeded in those roles.

Changing the Face: Some people are not happy with the way subjects are taught in our schools and with the education system in general. Do you hold similar views? Are you happy with the syllabus of your favourite subject and the way it is being taught? If not, here is your chance to think about improvement. Start from the basics and design the syllabus of the subject(s) that appeal to you. Give us a detailed account of which topics to be covered at what stage and your ideas on how teaching should progress.

Extempore: Providing maximum information within a limited time is an important speaking skill. Given something to speak on, it is desired that you make things absolutely clear very soon and don’t beat about the bush. Try speaking for exactly 2 minutes on each of the following topics and ensure that you give as much useful information as possible.

1. Keeping the surroundings clean.
2. Saying “No” to discrimination.

Vivid Imprints: We dream almost every night, but there are some we remember as striking or even prescient, showing us something that we feel will happen in the future. Write brief accounts of some unforgettable dreams explaining why they have left such impressions.

Debate: Think about both sides of the following statement. Write a short passage supporting the argument and another passage opposing it.

It is good to be afraid sometimes.

Face Off: Take two different newspapers and read a news item which has appeared in both. Pay attention to the way the news has been put forward in the two and look at the accompanying images, if any. Now write a short paragraph comparing the two and which one you found more useful and informative. Compare the writing styles, research, layouts and illustrations.

Reminiscences: Pick up some old photographs of you and your family. Study them carefully and write what you feel about them. Think about how you and the others were feeling and what you were doing at the time the photos were taken and what you feel now when you look at them.

If Walls Could Speak: Your house has been witness to a lot in your life starting from your birth, perhaps. We all are emotionally attached to our houses which have so many memories associated with them. Just like you have seen your house change over the years, the house also has seen you grow and change. Imagine you are the house and write an essay on all the changes it has seen in itself and the family living within its walls.

Create and Elucidate: Read an English poem and try to understand all that the poet is trying to say. Now write an essay on the poet’s views. Also see if you can identify parts that seem a little too complex. Now think about composing your own poem on the same theme in a much simpler manner.

Makeover: Watch a Telugu or Hindi movie or a serial and make a list of some dialogues that you find striking or interesting. Now translate them into English and see how they turn out. Maybe you will contribute some new proverbs to the English language.

Debate: Think about both sides of the following statement. Write a short passage supporting the argument and another passage opposing it.

Test and One-day matches should be stopped. Twenty 20 is the future of cricket.

Collage: Most articles in newspapers and magazines are accompanied by images that explain the stories further. But a sequence of images can also speak and does not need many words to accompany it. Look through your collection of photos, or collect pictures from newspapers and magazines and arrange them so that they tell a story.

Their Way In: There are lots of things around us which we use everyday without thinking much about them. How about looking at them a little closely and trying to find out how they gradually became a part of our lives? Find out some facts about tea, coffee, telephones, shaving razors, or some common games that you play, and write a short essay on their histories. Tell us when they were used first and how they gradually became immensely popular.

Tell A Tale: Write a short story using the words given below. Make sure you have used all the words. You can use each word only once:

Bucket, outbreak, fields, death, film star, balloons, happiness, trance, life, darkness, ambition.

Lasting Impressions: Have you ever wished that time would stand still? Has it ever happened that you wanted a particular moment to last forever and never move on? Look back on your life and write a short account of all those moments and why they are so special to you.

Turning Point: All of us have our own takes on how to live life, what is right and what is wrong etc. Sometimes a book, or a poem or a song influences us deeply and makes us embrace the views put forward in it. Write a short essay on something you have read or heard that has changed you in a certain way. You can also choose to write about books or songs that you have found interesting owing to their takes on life and values.

Debate: Think about both sides of the following statement. Write a short passage supporting the argument and another passage opposing it.

Fat Books are Usually Boring.

This or That?: We have all had various ambitions when we were younger. We thought differently and wanted different things from life. So what were your ambitions at that age? Give us a brief account of all that you wanted to do and how your aspirations changed with time.

Unwanted: If you are asked to remove one thing from this world, what would you choose to remove? It could be a person, thing, feeling or anything you can think of. Write an essay telling us what you would want to get rid of and why.

Welcome: Select an instrument or a machine that you have been using for a while. Now imagine a person has to use the same instrument/machine for the first time and knows nothing about it. Write a short manual explaining the different parts of the machine, how to get started and how to use it efficiently.

In Charge: In truly filmy style imagine that you get to be the Chief Minister for a day. Give us a detailed account of what you would do throughout the day to change the face of the state quickly and efficiently.

What’s New?: This is the time to look beyond the obvious when it comes to choosing careers. We have all grown up knowing and hearing about several established positions to aspire to, but there are several new and upcoming opportunities out there which we know little about. Find out about one or more opportunities in your area of interest and put together as much information as you can find about them. Widen your horizons and you may find something new that will truly excite you.

Debate: Think about both sides of the following statement. Write a short passage supporting the argument and another passage opposing it.

It is Useless to Dream About What We Cannot Get.

The External Influence: Our thoughts and moods are not in our control. Often, things changing around us make us think differently, or maybe just change our mood. Nature, and particularly weather affect our thoughts in a big way. Write short paragraphs on how you usually feel and what thoughts come to your mind while observing the following:

1. Thunderstorms
2. Sunset
3. A Dark, Rainy day

Own The Market: The competition is stiff in the market for consumer products. Launching new products in the face of such competition is difficult and companies generally have to start with special offers and innovative advertising to find a foothold in the market. Imagine you are launching a new soap, health drink or any product of your choice. How will you go about marketing it? What initial offers will you give the consumer? Tell us.

Your Take on Hi-Tech: The present generation is taken up by various gadgets that are flooding the market. We find it difficult to imagine a life without our phones, music systems and so on. However, the negative aspects of such gadget obsession cannot be overlooked. Which according to you are the most essential gadgets, and which ones do you think we can live without? Make a list, and offer reasons.

Death of the Author?: Translation is an effective way of getting more people to enjoy a piece of writing. However it sometimes becomes extremely difficult to find words or proverbs in a different language which mean exactly the same as those used in the original work. Read a poem/novel/short story in your mother tongue and then a translation of it in English or any other language. Spot the differences and write an essay on how different the translated work is from the original one.

The Shady Side: Most of us are afraid of something or the other. Though we don’t always admit it, we can’t hide it from ourselves. Think about a few things that scare you. Write an essay telling us about all such things and what is it exactly that makes them so scary.

Debate: Think about both sides of the following statement. Write a short passage supporting the argument and another passage opposing it.

We are losing all our values gradually.

Towards Perfection: Do you think we need a few more qualities (like more honesty, sense of responsibility or something new that you can think of) to become better, or maybe perfect, human beings? If you are asked to think about one or more things that all human beings need to improve themselves, what will they be?

Get Attention: Many movies are made with ideas taken from real life. Filmmakers choose particular aspects of society like diseases, corruption etc. and make movies to spread awareness about them. Can you think of an idea or aspect that has never been portrayed or has been largely neglected? If you are to make a movie on it then how will you tell the story? Write and let us know.

The Origins: We all enjoy celebrating our festivals and have lots of fun. But do we know how the celebration came about? What is the history behind them? Trying to find out will surely unravel some great stories. Find out all you can about any festival you observe and write an essay.

Stand Out: Witty and eye-catching captions play a vital role in making advertisements successful. What advertisements on television or elsewhere have really innovative captions in your opinion? Now think along those lines and write down a few captions for things you use every day. Try to select things that are not commonly advertised (lamps, books, tools like hammers, nails etc).

Aiding and Impeding: Think about the various modes of transport that you have used. Make a list of two advantages and two disadvantages of each mode.

Debate: Think about both sides of the following statement. Write a short passage supporting the argument and another passage opposing it.

It is impossible to make our country completely safe.

Theme of this week: Few things can bring a variety of articles and people together as effectively as fairs can, and being in India we are all too familiar with this wonderful concept. From grand fairs that welcome stalls and articles of all kinds to smaller, specialized fairs which attempt to showcase the variety of specific entities, we have them all. So this week is dedicated to taking a closer look and talking about the experiences that fairs can deliver.

1. Spot The Charm: Almost every village, town or city organizes fairs sometime and people flock to them in large numbers. What do you think attracts people to fairs? Come forward and tell us your observations on fairs based on your own experiences and all that you have heard and read.
2. Manifold Hues: What are the different kinds of fairs you have seen and heard about? Have you been to a book fair or a handicrafts exhibition? Speak for 5 minutes on their similarities and differences from the common fairs. Also talk about a particular fair that you would like to go to. (This could be a fair that you haven’t had a chance to visit or a new kind that you would like to see.)
3. In Your Hands: Suppose your college or institution wants to organize a fair and wants ideas from all of you. Write a detailed report on the following points: -
1. The Venue
2. What kind of fair it should be
3. Should there be some contests/cultural programmes for colleges to take part in?
4. How many stalls do you think can be put up?
5. How to raise money for the fair?
6. How to inform people about it?

Feel free to add more points as you write the report. Also give a name to the fair.

4. Get To Business: Form small groups. Now suppose each group has to put up a stall in a local fair. Discuss your options with your group members and decide on a stall. Also plan how you will get the goods, and what strategies you will apply to sell them. If you are planning to offer some services in your stall (such as career counseling), think about how you will go about it. Take your time to make plans and come forward in your respective groups to present them.
5. Echoes: Fairs are all about exploring the stalls, having fun, and meeting new people. If we listen carefully, we will catch plenty of conversations along these lines. Use your imagination and compose short conversations between:
1. A stall-manager and a customer.
2. Two people who have met in the fair.
6. Debate: Fairs in India can be compared to festivals

Theme of this week: We cannot really imagine a life without sports, can we? Irrespective of whether you are a player or a spectator, sports are endless reserves of fun and excitement. Performing in sporting events is not just about following an aim; it’s also about the prestige of the nations represented. When there is so much on the line, sports can rightfully demand our attention for an entire week.

1. Performance Scale: Identify the prominent sports in which India is strong and those in which India is lagging behind. Now offer a few reasons for India’s dominance in the first category and poor show in the second.
2. Time for Renovations: If the government gives you the opportunity to uplift an Indian sporting team, how will you do so? Think about the ways in which the Government can help you and all that you can do to get involved and make a difference. Tell us your plan of action in about 5-10 minutes.
3. Turning the Pages of History: India is not regarded as a major threat in Football and Hockey any more but at one time, Indian players were capable of taking on the best teams in the world in these two games. Each of you choose a particular sport and collect as much information as you can about India’s past performances and present positions in them. Summarize the history in a short paragraph and read it out.
4. Idol Tales: Who is your favourite sportsperson? Why do you admire him/her so much? Come forward and speak for 5-10 minutes about your role-model and inspire us with their stories of heroism.
5. About Guts and Glory: Plenty of movies are made in India about sports. Some are fictitious while some are real stories of real players. Which is your favourite movie and why? You can also talk about international movies that you have seen.
6. Debate: Boxing and Wrestling are violent games and should be banned.

Theme of this week: A study of buildings and monuments can be informative as well as fascinating. History will tell us that it’s a lot about famous buildings in addition to people and kingdoms. Stories attached to buildings and their changing styles over the ages can give us valuable insights into the growth, development and direction of the human race and mind.

1. Construction Gap: Styles change with time and this applies to architecture also. If you think about the way houses were built in your locality when you were much younger or observe some old buildings, you will notice the difference between them and the new houses that are being constructed. So tell us about a few differences that you have observed and also a few features that have remained unchanged.
2. Golden Cage?: With the gradual decrease of space, we are under pressure to accommodate a lot of people at one place. This has resulted in construction of multistoried buildings and apartment complexes. Do you think this kind of living is comfortable? Given a choice, would you build a house for yourself or buy a flat?
3. Whispering Walls: Buildings become famous not only for their distinct styles but also for the history attached to them. In fact the legends attached to certain buildings are as colourful as eminent historical characters. Find out more about some famous buildings from around the world and tell us their stories in brief.
4. The Great INDIAN House: The diversity of India also gets expressed in diverse architectural styles. A journey through India reveals the manifold designs and makes us wonder whether there is any way of merging so many features to come up with a new style. So let’s take a shot at it. Think about the major monuments/buildings which represent the different schools of architecture, and try to combine them to design a new building. You can either draw a sketch of it or give us an outline of all the features of your creation.
5. Good or Gimmick?: Architecture is getting more and more experimental by the day. New designers are coming up with new plans to make the houses of their clients stand out from the others in its vicinity. But style is often bought at the cost of comfort. Talk to a few people and do some reading to tell us what kind of architecture/design suits our climate best.
6. Debate: There is no need to maintain old houses that take up so much space and impose high maintenance costs. These should be demolished to build houses with contemporary design.

Theme of this week: Governing comes with its fair share of intricacies and problems. The conflict between intellect and emotion makes its presence felt. The pressure is intense as achieving power and retaining it often involves taking unpleasant decisions, going against your nature and giving in to popular demands. Let’s take a closer look at the burdens of diplomacy, power and strategies.

1. Stamp Your Authority: A close look at Indian History will reveal that India has been ridden with conflicts from outside as well as inside. Different rulers adopted different means to expand their empires and to negotiate with other rulers. Some adopted a policy of religious tolerance and entered into matrimonial alliances while some declared wars outright. Put yourself on the throne and think about what policy you would follow to expand your kingdom. Would you try peaceful/cunning strategies or take your neighboring kingdoms to the battlefield?
2. Debate: Wars are necessary and we should not try to avoid them.
3. Target Foolproof: We are all united in condemning terrorism and terrorists. But do you believe that we are really doing all we can to prevent this menace and bring the masterminds to justice? What more should the government do and what should be our responsibilities? Write a short essay about your views on this.
4. Lingua Franca: Do you think it is possible to have one common language of communication all over India? Will you be willing to learn a different language? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of such a move? Speak for a few minutes on some of them..
5. Deploying Discretion: If you are entrusted with forming alliances with foreign countries, how will you go about it? Which are the countries you will be ready to associate with and which countries will you be wary of? Think about it and tell us giving reasons for your decisions.
6. Debate: Dictatorship will solve a lot of problems in India.

Theme of this week: This week’s focus is on our constant companions who satisfy our thirst for news, information and fun. Newspapers, magazines and television channels have become an integral part of our lives and though all of us use these resources extensively, not everybody thinks about what journalists do in order to bring all the news to you. So let’s take this opportunity to think about the profession as well.

1. Views and Reviews: Read a news article in a newspaper in your own language. Now come forward and summarize the article in English. If you know anything more about the news, or want to express your opinions on it, go ahead and do so.
2. Bring Us The News: If you are required to start a newspaper of your own, what will you name it and what kind of news will you cover? Will it cater to all readers and feature all type of news or will you concentrate on something specific like sports? Tell us.
3. Which Way Will The Scale Tip?: The most prominent division in journalism is the one between print and electronic media. Form two groups with one group representing the print media and the other representing electronic media (the news channels which make an effort to bring you live news 24/7). Members of each group have to speak for a few minutes on why they think their way of reporting is better.
4. What’s Missing?: How much coverage does your area get in news channels and newspapers? Do you think all the problems in your locality have been properly reported? Here’s your chance to bring those problems into the limelight. Tell us about the issues you would like the media to pay attention to in your locality.
5. Information Evolution: How has reporting changed over the years? Talk to your parents and relatives, and find out how newsworthy incidents were covered earlier and think about the ways in which reporters do it nowadays. What are the differences and similarities (if any)? [Think about new technologies, writing styles, various influences upon reporting etc]
6. Debate: Journalism as a career choice

Theme of this week: The process of growing up is also growing up with time. Looking back at our childhood and comparing it to the lives of children nowadays make us confront a major change and never-ending speculations about what the future has in store. It would certainly be interesting to hear what all of you think about this. So this week is devoted to childhood as it was then, what it has become now and what it will be.

1. Growing Up: Talk to us about some toys that you had and games that you played when you were young. Describe the games and also tell us how you started losing interest in them.
2. Changing Landscapes: Talk to your parents and elders and find out how different their childhood was from yours. Now think about how your childhood was in comparison to the children that you see these days. Make a list of all the similarities and differences and write an essay.
3. How the Hand is Held: Look back on your childhood and recall what you thought about your parents. Were they too strict or did they give you a lot of freedom? When you see children these days, do you see any difference in the ways they are being brought up by their parents?
4. Once Upon A Time: Tell us a story that you had heard from your elders when you were young. Also talk to us about some of the things you were afraid of as a child.
5. What’s Your Take?: Given a choice, would you like to grow up with siblings or would you like to be the only child? Talk about your reasons for a few minutes.
6. Debate: Children these days are smarter than what we were at their age.

Theme of this week: We hear instances of social workers coming to the rescue of people in need every now and then. At times when all other means of providing aid fail, social workers rise to the occasion and deliver. From the betterment of street children to empowering the downtrodden, social service makes its presence felt in various spheres. Let’s devote this week to a closer look.

1. Made A Difference?: Talk to us about your involvements and observation of any kind of social work such as blood donation camps, relief camps and others. If you are given a chance to conduct some social work, what would you like to do?
2. Selfless: NGOs (Non government Organizations) are organizations that work for the betterment of the society without looking for profit. Find out about some NGOs and tell us about them. Would you like to work with an NGO if you get the opportunity?
3. Start Now: It is said that charity begins at home. In the same way, ‘social work’ can begin at home at well. Think about how you help or can help at home. Are there things you can do which you have never attempted? Cooking, cleaning perhaps? Make a list of all that you can do and read it out to us.
4. A Problem Begs Your Idea: What is your opinion on beggars? Do you think throwing coins at them helps them at all? Given a chance, how would you go about helping beggars make a living?
5. Sit Up and Take Notice: What is your opinion on the performance of the municipality in your area? Is it doing a good job of keeping the surroundings clean? If not, what do you think is the problem? Is the municipality responsible for this or the residents? What can you do to ensure a clean locality and efficient service?
6. Debate: Social service is not recognized and appreciated at all.

Theme of this week: The need to connect and stay in touch has never been so important. New technology, innovative gadgets, and novel applications are making our task of getting in touch with all that we like easier by the day. The world is shrinking and people and places are just a call, touch or click away. So how do you feel about this?

1. Briefing: Think about a friend or relative whom you haven’t seen in a long time. Now if you are asked to write a letter to this person, what would you write? Think about the important events in your life over the last 4-5 years and write a short letter. Read it out after you are done and share the experience.
2. New Age, New Ways to Engage: We have come a long way in terms of communication. From letters to e-mails and telegraph to mobile phones. With the advancement of technology, we can look forward to newer ways of getting connected with time. So let’s play a guessing game. How do you think our future generations will communicate? What can you think of in terms of new technology and innovations? Let your imagination run wild, and let’s hear some interesting possibilities.
3. Communication Makeover: When we meet strangers, we usually start a conversation with “Hello” or some other greeting. How about experimenting a little and coming up with newer ways of starting conversations? Can you start by asking, “What did you buy from the market today” for instance? Think about new opening lines/questions and think beyond the obvious. Let’s have some fun.
4. Crystal Clear: Think about your favourite festival at home. Now if you have a visitor from a different country, how will you explain the ceremonies to him/her? Come forward and tell us. Remember you have to make it as clear as possible so arrange your explanation in a series of points.
5. A Starry Conversation: What if you are introduced to your favourite celebrity? Suppose you get to spend some time and get to know him/her better. What would you like to talk about and what questions would you ask? Let us know.
6. Debate: Staying in touch all the time is not a good thing.

Theme of this week: I guess most of us will agree when I say a good shopping experience largely depends upon the people who help you shop. Courteous and helpful shopkeepers and salespersons are assets to the business and can make you choose one shopping destination over others. With competition getting stiffer by the day in retail, quality of goods and service is of utmost importance if a retailer has to succeed. So let’s look at what the market has to offer.

1. What Will You call It?: The competition is intense in the world of buying and selling. It is not enough to offer good products to customers; you need to make your shop eye-catching as well. One of the ways in which this can be done is to give it an interesting name. Think of two names for each of the following. Remember to avoid the obvious and think different. You can add a catch phrase to the names too:
1. A restaurant specializing in Telugu cuisine.
2. An apparel store.
3. A showroom for 2 wheelers.
2. Nice or Nasty?: What is your opinion on the attitude of shopkeepers and salespersons? Do you think most of them are doing a good job or are they generally inefficient and unpleasant? Talk about a few shopping experiences and tell us what you felt about the service.
3. Get Down To Business: If you want to start a business, what will you choose to sell? Tell us where and how you will set up shop and what steps you will take to ensure customer satisfaction.
4. Scene Shift: Talk to your parents and relatives and find out a few things about markets and stores in their time. How different are today’s markets and shops? Write a short essay on the similarities and differences between a typical market of the past and that of the present.
5. Tip Tales: In most restaurants, waiters expect tips for serving customers. Sometimes they blatantly ask for it once you have finished your meal. Do you think tipping the waiters is justified? Speak for a few minutes on all that you think about this issue.
6. Debate: Business can flourish on good advertising alone. Maintaining quality is not so important.

Theme of this week: Though we are all against wars, they are fascinating to know about and lend history a lot of its charm. Can you imagine our famous epics without the wars? Empires are built upon wars and emperors claim their fame from legendary battles. This week goes to all those epic exploits on battlefields around the world. Let the battle of ideas begin.

1. Other Ways: Do you think violence is necessary to win a war? Can a war be won by other means (such as besieging a fort or through diplomacy)? Come forward and talk about how wars can be won without actual battles and give examples of such happenings from history if you know any.
2. The Storms to Come: With the invention of newer weapons, wars are becoming deadlier by the day. How do you think wars of the future will be like? What kind of weapons and tactics can you envision?
3. To The Epics: The two great Indian epics- The Ramayana and The Mahabharata contain elaborate details of mighty wars. Tell us which of the two battles appeals to you more and why. Also talk to us about your favourite moments in the battles (like the war between Karna and Arjun for example).
4. The Battle Diaries: India has seen numerous wars involving great rulers of India as well as foreign powers. Each of you has to choose a particular war and collect some information about it. Arrange the events of the war sequentially and speak for a few minutes so that we get to know all about it. Start with how the war shaped up and tell us how it ended.
5. Throwing Off The Chain: India’s struggle for freedom saw two distinct camps. One camp advocated non-violence while the other declared war against the British rule. Which idea do you support and why? Do you think the camp you prefer made the greater impact of the two? Tell us.
6. Debate: Sometimes wars are the best solution to a problem.

Theme of this week: With numerous advertisements and awareness campaigns going on, we are all aware of the importance of the environment and how exactly it is being harmed day by day. If we are to look forward to safe and healthy lives, we must do our bit for the environment. Let’s discuss how.

1. Going Backstage: Choose one cause behind environmental pollution and gather information about it (how it started, how much damage it is doing etc). Then come forward and tell us all you have learnt.
2. Your Turn: Do you observe how your locality is being polluted? Talk to us about the causes and how you can make your surroundings cleaner.
3. The Power is Yours: If you are given the responsibility of tackling environmental pollution in India, what are the steps you will take? Identify the major threats and tell us how you can curb them.
4. Regression in Progression: We all take pride in the advancements we make in the field of science and technology. But technology often progresses at the cost of extensive damage to the environment. Look into some harmful effects of scientific research and write a short essay on them.
5. Going Green: Find out more about some steps that are being taken to control pollution. You might want to think about eco-friendly vehicles, gadgets, usage of bio-gas etc. Come forward and talk about any of these initiatives. How effective do you think these efforts are?
6. Debate: Our generation doesn’t really care about the environment.

Theme of this week: We claim to be the most advanced and powerful species on earth. But nature often decides to remind us that in reality, we are helpless before its wrath. Natural disasters strike all the time and there’s little we can do to stop them or warn people about them. Time to ponder on these awesome forces this week.

1. Lurking Threat: What are the most common natural calamities that India faces? Make a list and find out the reasons behind the recurrence of such disasters. Write a brief article on your findings.
2. Adding to Aid: Floods and other tragedies have to be tackled by proper relief measures. Are you happy with the way relief operations are carried out in India? Give us a few suggestions regarding how they can be made more effective.
3. Know Their Stories: Many other countries around the world face nature’s fury periodically (the US, for example, is often ravaged by hurricanes). Do some research and tell us about some countries which have to bear the brunt of natural disasters from time to time. What steps have these countries taken to minimize the damage?
4. Debate: NGOs and charity / social work organizations do a much better job of providing relief than the Government.
5. Braving the Odds: Have you ever experienced any natural calamity such as floods and storms? Talk to us about your experiences. If you haven’t faced such ordeals, talk to your parents, friends and relatives to find out if they have seen, heard or experienced the wrath of nature in any form. Tell us all that you heard and learnt.
6. Debate: Natural disasters are nothing compared to man-made disasters.

Theme of this week: I guess it can be safely said that most of us are crazy about food and drinks. Trying new stuff and experimenting with various recipes appear appealing and few things can beat the excitement of discovering a new recipe or sampling a new dish. This week is dedicated to the pleasure of our taste buds.

1. Mouth Watering: What is your favourite dish? Feel like sharing the recipe with all of us? Come forward and let’s hear it.
2. Natural or Artificial: Soft drinks are competing against fruit juices, coconut milk and other natural drinks. What is your opinion on this? Which do you prefer and why?
3. Globetrotting Gourmet: While travelling, we often try out dishes that we do not get in our places. Tell us about your experiments with food while travelling. What are the dishes you enjoyed away from home? Did you find out the recipes by any chance? We’ll be glad to hear them.
4. That Special Taste: Every race/community has their unique cuisine. Read up more on this and talk about some dishes and drinks made special by communities around the world. You can look at history and describe some ancient cuisines or choose to study contemporary ethnic food.
5. Tasting Times: Let’s look at the past and the present through food and drinks. Talk to your parents and elders and find out which were the most popular dishes in their time. Are those dishes still popular? How many of those have disappeared or changed? Write a short essay on the journey of your cuisine through the ages.
6. Debate: Junk food such as burger and pizza will gradually replace home-made snacks.

Theme of this week: We hardly get tired of listening to or reading stories. They make us laugh, they make us cry and often teach us valuable lessons. Fiction is something we all take to. With time, our tastes change and we get acquainted to new languages and authors. However, the thrill of reading a new book remains unchanged. Let’s talk about it.

1. In Those Days: What was your favourite book when you were young? Tell us the story in brief.
2. Add to the Treasure: If you are asked to write a book, what will it be about? Will it be a novel, a collection of stories/poems or a drama? Think about it and tell us.
3. Let Them Know: What is your opinion on contemporary writers in your mother tongue? Where do you think they need to improve and what kind of writing would you like to see from them in future?
4. New Clothes: Choose a short story/poem or a short chapter from a novel written in your mother tongue and try to translate it into English.
5. Deep Imprints: Which is the best English book that you have read so far? What was it about? If you haven’t read an English work, you can talk about any memorable book that you have read. What about it makes it so memorable?
6. Debate: Novels cannot be made into movies without changing the story extensively.

Theme of this week: It is difficult to find a person who does not love music. Irrespective of whether you perform before a spellbound audience or within the four walls of your bathroom, music enthralls us all. So let’s turn our attention to the magical world of tunes, lyrics and performances.

1. Debate: Music is behind the success of a song; lyrics are not so important.
2. Goodbye Songs?: What is your opinion on the songs we see in movies? Do you think they help the story always or are unnecessary most of the time? Can we do away with songs in movies?
3. A Musical Tale: Find out more about a musician and how he/she became famous. Come forward and talk about the musician of your choice for about 5 minutes.
4. Battle of Tunes: Form two groups. One group has to speak in favour of music from the 80s and 90s and the other has to support contemporary music. Let’s see whether yesterday’s music can still compete with the new generation.
5. Standing Out: Each of you choose a music director/performer/band. You can choose from any language/country. Now tell us what is special about the music of the artist you have chosen. You can talk about the distinctive features of his/her music, lyrics, performing style etc.
6. Visual Matters: What is your opinion on music videos? Is it a ploy to divert listeners’ minds from poor music or does it enhance the appeal of a song? Let us know.

Theme of this week: On looking closely at the issue, I guess most of us will agree that our actions are often governed by several compulsions and we cannot escape control from various sources. We are taught the importance of independence and told that we are free to follow our hearts, but reality often presents a different picture. Let’s try to find out how independent we can call ourselves.

1. Debate: Do we really have freedom of speech? Aren’t we still shackled in an independent country?
2. Peer Pressure: We are often led to believe that only certain courses such as engineering or business studies are worth pursuing. Other courses are of no use as far as shaping a successful career is concerned. What do you feel about this issue? Have you ever had to face such pressure from family and friends? Tell us.
3. Co-Existence: Countries cannot call themselves absolutely independent. No country can produce everything they need to be totally self-sufficient. Hence there is no way out of compromise/dependence. Do some reading and find out which countries India depends upon for various things like food, consumer products, weapons etc. What do those countries get from us in return? Collect information and write a short essay.
4. Early Birds: There is a lot of discussion on whether children should be given more freedom and allowed to do whatever that interests them. What is your opinion on this? Do you think the idea of total freedom from a young age is a good one? Come forward and talk about it.
5. Automatons: With time, we find ourselves becoming more dependent upon technology. Already we have reached a stage where we cannot imagine our lives without our gadgets. Where is this taking us? Think about it and talk to us about the adverse effects. What do you think should be done to control it?
6. Debate: The police should be allowed to deal with criminals as they see fit.

Theme of this week: Communication has many faces. The ways we speak and the words we choose serve diverse purposes and convey a lot more than what they literally mean. Sometimes, the same words are uttered in different tones to send out specific messages. Let’s take a closer look at this multifaceted part of our existence.

1. Face Off: Spoken and written communication demand different approaches. If we are asked to deliver a message in writing and the same message in speech, our presentations will vary in important ways. For example, while speaking, you constantly need to think and improvise in response to the other person’s comments which is often not the case while writing if it doesn’t involve a dialogue. Speak for a few minutes on any of the given topics and then write a letter delivering the same message to take a closer look at the major differences.
1. “Talk to a representative from a local municipal corporation regarding keeping your locality clean” (While speaking, ask a friend to play the role of the representative so that a conversation can take place)
2. “Talk to your friend about a movie that you just saw” (Again the spoken activity should involve two people)

Now write a letter. You should choose the same topic that you spoke on.

2. Alter and Present: Let’s try to create a short play. Choose a passage from a short story/novel/article and convert it into a dialogue or a conversation between several people. Now perform the conversation with help from your friends.
3. Crafty Calls: Imagine you are a BPO employee calling people to sell a product (you can choose to talk about any product). The company has allowed you to convince the customer as you please. How will you do it? Think about different ways of making the call interesting and persuasive. Keep in mind that we get plenty of such calls and you need to be different. Come forward and demonstrate your idea in about 5 minutes.
4. Think Different: Think about some products that are not commonly advertised-like combs, brooms, safety pins etc. If you are asked to design a TV advertisement for any of these products, how will you do it? Tell us what the ad will show and the slogans you will use.
5. Can You Answer Them?: Children ask a lot of questions which are difficult to answer. We often avoid the questions or tell lies to appease them. However, we can think of presenting facts in a simple manner which poses an interesting challenge. A possible answer to the question “why are the nights dark?” can be “because our earth looks away from the sun for half the day”. Think about what answers you will give to a child when he/she asks you the following questions:
1. Why is the sky blue?
2. Why do we die?
3. How does rainfall occur?
6. Debate: We cannot take political speeches seriously.

Theme of this week: Been afraid? Well most of us have and will continue to be. From the irrational and weird to the tangible threats that surround us all the time, we are often brought face to face with fear and need to learn the tricks of fight and flight. With the kind of influence it exerts on us, a closer look and discussion will surely be engaging.
Note: The activity “Phobic Phenomenon” scheduled for day 3 needs preparation. Get started right away!

1. Fear Factor: Make a list of all those things you are afraid of. Now give us two reasons why you should not be afraid of them.
2. Debate: Being totally fearless is not a good thing.
3. Phobic Phenomenon: Sometimes apparently harmless things (such as high altitudes or enclosed spaces) can appear frightening to us. This kind of unrealistic fear is referred to as “phobia”. Do some research and talk to us about a few things that can cause phobia in people. Do you have any phobias? Tell us.
4. Spine Chilling: What is the scariest story you have heard or read? Tell us the story briefly. You can also talk about movies that you have seen.
5. Urge to Belong: Most of us want to be popular and are afraid of being left out of groups. We often go against our principles and say or do things to fit in. What is your opinion? Come forward and tell us.
6. Debate: People need to fear you if you are to be a good leader.