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Unraveling Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats: A Confusing Yet Fascinating Experience

March 20th was an interesting yet slightly perplexing day as we explored John Keats’ famous poem, Ode on a Grecian Urn . At first, it felt as though the entire poem revolved around just one object—an urn , making it difficult to understand its deeper meaning. However, as we dissected the verses, we began to uncover the rich themes of art, time, beauty, and eternity that Keats intricately wove into his words. The poem describes an ancient Greek urn, adorned with images of people frozen in time. Keats marvels at how art captures moments of beauty and preserves them forever. The scenes depicted— lovers about to kiss, musicians playing, and a sacrificial ritual— remain eternal on the urn, untouched by time or change. This led to a key philosophical question: Is frozen beauty more perfect than real-life experiences, which are fleeting and subject to change? Despite its artistic beauty, the poem also raised confusing contradictions. While the urn’s images never fade, they are also lifeless...
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Thought-Provoking TED Talks on Sustainability and Healthcare

 March 18th was a day of deep reflection and critical thinking as we watched two powerful TED Talks—"India's Green Revolution: More Harm Than Good" by Vandana Shiva and "It's Not a Solution If It's Not Affordable" by Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty. Each talk challenged conventional perspectives, pushing us to rethink how progress is defined in agriculture and healthcare. TED Talk 1: India's Green Revolution – More Harm Than Good by Vandana Shiva In this thought-provoking talk, Vandana Shiva, an environmental activist and scholar, dismantles the myth of the Green Revolution as a purely positive development. While it is often credited with increasing food production and preventing famines in India, she highlights its long-term consequences—soil degradation, water depletion, loss of biodiversity, and an overreliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. One of the most striking aspects of her talk was how the Green Revolution shifted power from traditional fa...
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Exploring Ecology by A.K. Ramanujan & Unveiling Hidden Poets

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 March 17th was a day of literary discovery and creative expression. We delved into Ecology by A.K. Ramanujan, a poem rich with imagery, emotions, and environmental consciousness. As we analyzed its themes, Dr. Sushyni Kothuri introduced a unique idea—encouraging us to tap into our own creativity by writing poems. Little did she know that this exercise would uncover hidden talents among our classmates. The discussion on Ecology was thought-provoking. Ramanujan’s poem beautifully intertwines personal and ecological narratives, showing how nature is deeply embedded in human memory and experience. We explored how the poet’s mother associates the blooming of red gulmohar flowers with her migraines, blending personal discomfort with the beauty of nature. This led to an engaging conversation on how we all have personal memories connected to nature—certain seasons, flowers, or landscapes that evoke emotions. To make the session even more interactive, Dr. Sushyni Kothuri assigned us a tas...
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The End of a Journey, or the Beginning of a New Way of Thinking?

Our final session brought us to the end of Carvalho, leaving us with profound questions about storytelling, perception, and truth. Reading Carvalho was not just an academic exercise; it was an intellectual adventure. From its sharp humor to its complex narrative structure, the novel challenged us to think beyond conventional storytelling. The combined class and enactment session on March 3rd made the experience even more immersive, proving that literature is best understood when it is performed, discussed, and debated. This journey taught us that stories are not just about what happens in them but also about how they are told and retold. And sometimes, the mystery itself is more important than its solution Final Discussion Points: Does Carvalho have a real resolution, or is the mystery left open-ended on purpose? How the novel critiques human nature – our tendency to embellish, exaggerate, and believe in myths. The lasting impact of Tejaswi’s storytelling – why does Carvalho remain rel...
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The Big Questions

As we approached the end, discussions got more heated. Some felt the ending was perfectly fitting, while others thought it left too many unanswered questions. Key Events: Mandanna’s Fate: The story takes a more serious turn as Mandanna’s future remains uncertain after his arrest. Carvalho’s Influence: The scientist’s role becomes more prominent, as he tries to bring logic and science into the chaos surrounding the narrator’s life. The Narrator’s Growing Frustration : With every new event, the narrator begins questioning everything—his expectations, his knowledge, and even his understanding of rural life. Classroom Discussions: The Novel’s Satirical Take on Society: We discussed how Carvalho mocks bureaucracy, social customs, and blind faith. Human Struggles and Resilience: The characters, despite all odds, continue striving for their desires, whether it’s Mandanna’s pursuit of marriage or the narrator’s wish for order. The Novel’s Shift in Tone: While the humor remains, darker themes o...
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Unpacking the Deeper Meanings

As we neared the final chapters, we started peeling back the layers of Carvalho. What at first seemed like a humorous adventure novel revealed deeper themes: Key Events: Revelations : The narrator uncovers deeper layers of the mysteries surrounding Carvalho and Mandanna. Philosophical Dialogues : Engages in conversations that challenge perceptions of reality, knowledge, and existence. Classroom Discussions: Quest for Truth: Debated the nature of truth and the human pursuit of understanding amidst ambiguity. Science vs. Superstition: Explored the tension between scientific reasoning and traditional beliefs depicted in the novel.
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Special Combined Class and Live Enactment

When Literature Becomes Theater This was a day to remember. Dr. Sushyni Kothuri combined classes for BBA A and B, making it a larger, more interactive discussion. But the real highlight? BBA B students staged an enactment of a few chapters. Watching our classmates bring Mandanna and Carvalho to life was both hilarious and eye-opening. Certain satirical dialogues became even more impactful when performed aloud. This day proved that literature isn’t just meant to be read—it’s meant to be experienced.
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