Teenagers Of A Different Kind

Teenagers who love to collect metal scrap, or like to live on a tree in the wilderness? Sounds weird? No, not at all! Ghumakkad shares a short story of three teenaged siblings having such varied interests. They live in California. I was with them after their school yesterday.

Who?

The three teenagers pictured above will be seen in the video interview below. Their brief intros follow in ascending order of age.

Maana- A thirteen-year-old who loves all animals. She says her neighbour's black cat awaits her return from school everyday. The cat senses Maana's arrival and scurries into the back yard. See the picture below.

Syon- The only brother among two sisters, Syon loves working with waste material and scraps and loves to create a thing or two. Be it a copper wire or discarded screws, he collects it all. See the stockpile under his bed in the video. He is also an enthusiastic 15-year-old Boy Scout.

Sachi- The eldest of the three siblings, Sachi loves to climb trees or jump into a river in the wilderness. As an 18-year-old she is very sensitive about the environment and its preservation.

No more writing or talking, let us hear them live in the video below.

Was it not admirable? Ghumakkad sure got inspired by the three siblings. Hat tip not only to all the three teenagers but also to their parents Anchita and Satyam. 

You may like to read our earlier story about the trio linked below.

Who Says Children Don't Read Books? A story for the children by the children who love reading books.

Even as a toddler, Maana led us all in a hiking trail. Click the link below to browse the picture story.

Toddler On A Trail - How a toddler leads a trail around a lake in California.

As we say children are our true assets. They will take the world farther. It is our duty to be with them, understand their thinking and ignite the young minds. Sachi, Syon, Maana and all the teenagers of the world- more power to you guys! Rock on.

Thanks for browsing and stay connected.

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with inputs from Anchita Nidhindra/ Fremont, California/ 21st Aug 2025

#teenagers #futurecitizens #youngminds #shapingyoungminds #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh

Leadership@Fourteen

Wearing collar tabs at a young age of fourteen? Like senior officers of the Army/Navy/Air Force! Is that possible?
Our 14-year old grandson Ansh has done it quietly.
He has been selected by his school to be a 'Director' of a volunteering program for community work. Four students, one each from 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades have been chosen for this task. He is the youngest of the directors!

This morning while he was getting ready to go to the school, from my yoga mat I noticed a lapel pin on his shirt collar. On questioning, he explained it's significance. Unlike most teenagers of his age he is so humble that he reluctantly agreed to let me take a picture. Not too sharp as you can see below.

What struck me is the spin-offs of such volunteering programs for teenagers. As a 14-year old 'Director' he is responsible for the following:

• Fund raising for different programs/activities
• Organise the events
• Mobilise other volunteers
• Participate in community work

You will agree that in doing so, these young 'directors' will imbibe many qualities and values listed below which will help them in their life after school:

• Self-confidence
• Leadership
• Communication
• Event management
• Team work
• Sensitisation towards societal needs
• Social equity
• Power of volunteering
• Empowerment and its true meaning

I felt very happy that schools are making an endeavour to shape the young minds into responsible citizens of India. Hat tip to Ansh's school and his teachers. Future of India is bright with such teenagers. I couldn't have found a better theme for Ghumakkad's Independence Day message. 

Keep going Ansh! We have a star in you.

Thanks for browsing.

Happy Independence Day to all.

   -  Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 15th Aug 2018

#Values #leadership #responsiblecitizens #volunteering #teamwork #teenagers #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh