The AICUF Story!

Virtuality can be fun? It's been a year since we have adapted to the new normal and we are still trying to adjust to it. But it seems like we actually miss the good old days as if we are not satisfied with this new normal. Definition of a new normal is subjective but for me, it's nothing but a medium to do work that has now taken a new form. And the new form is the online or virtual mode. Before the pandemic usage of the word, “Virtual” was less compared to how much it’s used now. The Pandemic for sure has changed the world from how it was. Just like most of us, even I thought that all my fun and plans were screwed up because of virtual classes. But I was wrong. I actually had a lot of fun even during the virtual mode and I am still having. The recollection of time spent with family, friends, and on events even though virtually are golden. Staying away from family was hard but one video call would make me realize how much they value me and even a 15 minutes talk would relieve m...

India’s march towards nutrition  While a lot is talked about the growth and development of India, the mainstream focus has been on the country’s infrastructure - transport, connectivity, and public facilities - or its ease of doing business and rate of employment, and, to some extent, education, farmers’ issues and challenges in agriculture, and the like. A much-neglected topic is the health of the Indian population, and more so the health of women and children, both of whom determine the health of future generations. For decades, India is known to have high rates of malnutrition among women and children and a high maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate in comparison to global standards. This scenario is gradually changing though - as per the National Health Profile 2020, life expectancy in India has significantly increased from 49.7 years in 1970-75 to 69 years in 2013-17; there has been a significant decline in infant mortality between the years 2006 and 2018, from 57...

Longing I moved my hand to caress your coral cheeks, But there was a thing separating. I wanted to touch your forehead filled with lines, with these parched lips, But there was a thing separating. I often wondered, aloud too sometimes, Whether I would hear your voice again. The one that doesn't have that tinge of artificiality. The one that is, filled with your own originality. I also questioned, this too often, Whether your face will always be a bit blurred. Will I be able to see the differences in the small details of it? Will I ever be able to see that twinkle in those lazy brown eyes It gets dull, you know, with this thing separating us. -Amanah Shaikh 

  All I see are rough sketches Sometimes I still feel those traces Traces of you and me Of places, we have been When I look in the mirror All I see is a rough sketch The good and the bad The snippets of my life that I had Written happily  Water smudged the ink Where do I go from here It's getting so blurry and unclear Why hope, to only find it smashed? Why grow, to only see everything crash? Why nurture the garden when all the flowers have burned? Look ahead, it's time the pages are turned All I see are rough sketches Sometimes I'm lost in the wilderness The wilderness of my infinite thoughts Where do I go from here, I'm lost When I look in the water All I see is a blurry image Is everything that disturbed? Has happiness from my mind been curbed? What do I do from here? It looks so blurry and unclear Why love, to only find it disappear in a flash? Why doubt, to only be proven wrong with a splash? What's yours has come your way Just like these lines, it's time to...

Of life and healing Maybe I can see the butterflies fleet, A ray of hope with them; For the dull paths are blooming with blossoms now. To escape from little cocoon of facts and phobias To feel me, To heal me, I crave for touch, a sense. That leads to glory and peace A stretch of hope, of assurance From road of darkness to light, The palms of their hands over my wrist, In a blurred vision I caress the myths, Of tantrums and dusted minds To see the shallow thoughts- Stirred in a bottle. I’m the thriller, a mystery, A fictional string with a knot, Around my fingers, Playing cats cradle over life and death, Cascading red on my left hand and sheets, I’m a living nightmare ready to heal, From affliction and anguish (Now read from bottom to top) -Rachel Fernandes.

RIGHTS OF PRISONER Who is a Prisoner ? A prisoner is a person duly committed to custody under the writ warrant or order of any court or authority exercising criminal jurisdiction or court martial Or Under sentence of court or court martial.  In simple words a prisoner is a person who is detained or in legal custody. Types of prisoners Under trial prisoner: Under trial prisoner is a prisoner who is in legal custody and whose court case is pending or who has not been convicted by the court. Convicted prisoner: Convicted prisoner is person who is under sentence of court Every prisoner has right to proper quality and quantity of food and water convicted and under trial prisoners have different quantity diet It is up to 2300-2600 calorie diet. Convicted prisoner who has rigorous imprisonment has extra protein diet. The Prisoners who are suffering from diseases like HIV, TB, etc. should be given High protein diet in their daily meal. Prisoners who are physically weak, sick, ill, etc. can...

  Have you ever felt as if nothing made sense? Nothing was working in the way that you wanted it to work? And when you tried to address that to someone and seek help, you were given solutions that were to problems that you never had? Ever told your parents/friends you were feeling overwhelmed with everything and just feeling so confused or sad or having anxiety? And they replied that you should just be happy; just ignore the negative feelings or to stop using your smartphone because it's the cause of all your problems; start doing yoga. Well, same. Now the problem doesn't lie in the people who we seek help from, mostly if we're reaching out to them it's because we feel safe with them, we love them and trust them and we know that they also care for us. They are concerned for us but can they actually understand us? Or relate with our situation? In most cases not really. So where does the problem lie then? Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wi...

  We have been reading so many articles, facts and stories about mental health these days. Stories about depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder etc. Many people have curbed up their phase of poor mental health while some have drowned in this phase to such an extent that it has taken a toll on their life. According to WHO reports more than 246 million people of all ages are suffering from depression. More than 700,000 people die by suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is accounted for 1.3% of all deaths worldwide, making it the 17th leading cause of death in 2019. This is worrisome and alarming. The WHO defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community" . But is the population worldwide really standing up to this definition, probably not. The best example ...

                                    ~ Belika DSouza (SYBsc)  

  Questions     Do they hate me? Does she hate me? "How could she?" she says this every time, But I believe its otherwise, even if I don't want to. Am I supposed to be perfect at everything? I know I'm not right every time, But am I always wrong? I need a shoulder to cry on to, But whose shall I borrow? When the one I want is unavailable.     They   say accept you are not perfect, not supposed to be. But what if I did and no one else does? And what if I accept all my insecurities, But they can't? How do you fit in this place ? Where everyone wants you to 'fit in'? And do you know what's funny? The 'they' are not 'they', 'They' are 'my' people. ~ Amanah Shaikh ( SYBA)

  End STIGMA   All face it, but don't express it. There is cure to every pain, Whether it affects you're heart or brain. Different paths along the way, But they weren't meant to stay. In isolation day by day, Wandering far away. Scared of voices, Battling with losses. Chains will be tight, The key is to fight. Stigma encourages secrecy, Remember health is supremacy. Stop making false assumptions, On society's opinions. Seeking counseling or showing signs such sadness, Often misinterpreted as signs of weakness. Try to be more acceptable, It's a disorder that is treatable. Family support can help destigmatize, Treatment and using therapy is the way to normalize. Treat physical and mental health equally, Stigma shouldn't be endorsed silently. It requires a lot more  awareness, To achieve overall wellness. Reluctant smile on face, Everything heals at its pace. ~ Benisha Cardoza    SYBsc 

  Inner Conflict I woke up one day And felt my face It was wet. I looked at my pillow It was also drenched. I recalled, I had cried myself to sleep yesterday My eyes were still red and puffy What had happened? I didn't remember. The day passed and the night came I slept. I woke up Again to find that the tears had escaped What had happened? I didn't remember. It happened again And again It continued. I didn't know what was happening to me I was so confused I was so sad I had forgotten to smile My mom used to see me with her sullen eyes She always tried to hide her face What was she hiding? She would not wear makeup anymore Her eyes had dark circles underneath them The most puzzling thing was that all the knives All the scissors of the home Had been removed or hidden From whom? I didn't know. One day she started crying, my mom was crying She was so loud I didn't know what was happening I looked around I saw myself holding a blade in one hand And the other underneath t...

                                             DEPRESSION: A HARMFUL PARASITE I wonder how my life was before I faced you, All the experiences were bright and new. Happiness was my virtue, Positivity was the only value. I was like this in childhood, My life was surrounded with green gardens and woods. Stress free was the environment, Because I was surrounded with the love and warmth of my parents. As I grew up this contentment slowed down, Unhealthy competition was growing around. Peer pressure was never to be bound, Teenage was proving to be foul. My life was as dark as a rain filled cloud, Just like the heavy rains wanting to express my pain out loud. My mind filled with obnoxious thoughts, With all these problems I knew I was alone who fought. The cheerful soul in me had driven away, With my confidence I was no more able to slay, My talkative nature was no where, All I kn...

  Do you find yourself unable to work sometimes because of lack of motivation? The World Health Organization defines mental health as “A state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and can make a contribution to his or her community.”. It is more than just the absence of mental disorders and diseases. It isn’t just about avoiding current conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness. Overthinking is one such aspect that can be deteriorating to mental health as it is but can also be a catalyst to various other problems as it perseveres. Overthinking as a habit can have a definite impact on our mental and physical well-being. To overthink is to excessively monitor, evaluate or attempt to control all types of thoughts. It is often an unconscious thought or behavior that can be self-sabotaging and can create conflict for future goals. Cortisol is a hormone secrete...

                                                                                                             ~ Belika DSouza ( SYBsc)

In the last two years, most of us would be able to resonate with this, “Life is what happens to us when we are busy making other plans!”. Amidst the plethora of thoughts are emotions that we all are managing, each one of us is trying our best to adjust and acquaint ourselves with the “new normal” way of living. Until the first wave, for many COVID just seemed to be a statistic, but it was the second wave that shook people’s psychological well-being. We all have either been a witness to the loss of a loved one or a loved one being tested positive, being hospitalized & critical, or being the victim of COVID themselves. It’s been a tough year for most of us! It is said all battles are either lost or won in the minds! With so much fear attached with COVID, been tested positive acts on your mind first rather than your body! It just makes a way for all the negative thoughts to step in! Fear of losing life, fear of not getting treatment on time, lack of clarity in terms of what needs to b...

Dear Depression and Anxiety, You’ve been loyal to me all these years, stuck by my side, broke me into a million pieces and made me weak from within, that I started questioning my existence. But let me tell you one thing today, from the day you left me on my own, it has turned out to be marvelous. From being the person who stayed awake the whole night overthinking about her own self, to being proud and taking stand for the things that are fair, we have come a long way. I vaguely remember, back in my school days, when my classmates bullied me about the way I looked, when going to a therapist meant that I’m mentally unstable, where I was reminded how to dress, sit and walk, and not raise my voice to some high decibel. I cried for hours when lights were turned off, but now those days are gone where I felt tormented by darkness, where I was trapped, not by any human being but my own grief and pain. Sometimes, I’m left alone to think, to repent on my actions, to let that harsh reality sink i...

  She became her..   She didn't like people. But craved to talk to them. She pleased them, praised them, compromised for them. Felt guilty every time for asking things for herself. She had a voice, beautiful yet couldn't speak for herself.   She loved them all, that love made her vulnerable. That love broke her to tears every night, as she cried in silence. Silence was all she had, or what she thought she did. Vulnerability, overthinking, and constant need for assurance got the best of her. She cared a lot for what people thought. Not people in general but the people that she loved.   Slowly she started writing down her thoughts, analyzing and overanalyzing, as it was one of her expertise. She couldn't find the reasons why she was the unpleasant one. She searched for her mistakes, only to find that it was never her fault.   The realization struck hard; the renaissance began. Small steps she took, as she acknowledged herself again....

  YOU DON'T NEED ANY VALIDATION You don't need any validation, All you require is some motivation. Do not ask for permission, And never get forced into submission. All you need is a true ambition, That will lead to sparkling emissions. Do not chase anybody, Be your own buddy. In order to widen your scope, Seek for a ray of hope. Self love is an important ingredient, That will eliminate the redundant. So focus on yourself, And let the light engulf your pure self. Eliminate negativity, Free yourself from captivity. You've got the power , To build up your own magnificent towers. You don't need any validation, All you require is some motivation -By Christine Mendonsa       (Sub-Head Editor)      TYBA

  The Birth Of An Alternate Reality  Covid-19 has affected each individual's life in some way or the other...extreme for some, milder for some others. Covid-19 has led to the imposition of certain sanitary and hygienic habits which although fundamental to our well-being and health were either completely or partially ignored by most of us.  We have, over the past few months, normalised and internalised hygienic habits like washing and sanitising our hands frequently, disinfecting our homes, being aware and cautious of the surfaces and things that we come in contact with outside the home, etc. The strict lockdown conditions have imposed "work from home" and "study from home" on a very serious note. Social distancing has become a mandate in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Indeed a very effective way to achieve social distancing is to limit the number of people travelling to their workplace; which is possible through "work from home".  I opine th...