What Is In A Name

The Cambridge Dictionary describes a ‘name’ as ‘a word that a person, thing, or place is known by.’ William Shakespeare once wrote “What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Does our name really decide who we are? Would I be different if I were to have a different name?

Shakespeare’s words have always resonated through my mind. How differently would the story have ended if she wasn’t a Capulet and he wasn’t a Montague? Would their story have a happy ending? What would happen if that were true? The story of Romeo and Juliet holds an important place in many people’s lives and if the story did have a different ending, would it not drastically change those lives?

I have always wondered why we decide to call a certain thing by the names we call them. Why is a pen called a pen? What if a pen was called pencil, would it not write with ink? What if we call a pencil a pen, would it not write with lead? What is in a name that gives things so much power? And why is it even called a ‘name’?

We all know that everything happens for a reason and in the chain of events, even the smallest change can cause a domino effect. So, can’t the change in the name have the same effect?

The world is how it is, and everything has its own sense of uniqueness. And a name just adds own to a unique world. I can’t imagine a world where names don’t exist. Names give us a sense of belonging. There is more to a name. Our name tells the world who we are. It gives us an identity that we are expected to uphold. A name has more value than it is given credit for.

I cannot imagine living a life with somebody else’s name. How could we live our lives when we lose our sense of originality? My name is Ashmita Ghosh and having to live with another name seems like something entirely crazy.

A name plays a huge role in the grand design of the universe. Our names just add on the unique personalities each of us has.

What’s in a name? Our identity, our sense of self, and even our personality start with something as simple as just a name.

Unity in Diversity

As humans, we are available in many shapes and sizes. But beyond all our differences, we are all one.

During my Biology finals in Grade XI, I came across an image and inspiration struck. 

If you think about it, the human body has so many different organ systems in our body and they're all so different, yet, there is something amazing about how it all works together.

The circulatory system pumps the blood which helps in transportation of both oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

Without one organ system, the others would be useless.

So why not see the society like that?

Why should it matter if a person is different from us? Why look at a person's religion, caste, gender, skin color? Are we not all humans?

If the human body started to discriminate, we'd all be dead. Think of it this way, our circulatory system is a white person and our respiratory system is a black person.

If our heart refuses to pump the blood to our lungs, then our blood would never be oxygenated and it doesn't take a genius to understand that it would be fatal.

The human society is a lot like the human body, everything and everyone is connected to one another and everyone is equally important.

A man and woman should be seen as equals, just as we see our neural and endocrine system.

It is impossible to survive without all the different organ systems, then how do you expect to survive without all the different aspects of society.

As much as I would love to say that in today's world everyone is equal, we all know it isn't true. Even though female foeticide is illegal, it still happens. People don't think girls are worth as much as boys and to those people, I'd like to say one think, if it weren't for your mother, you wouldn't be alive.

Sexism isn't the only horrifying truth of this world that still exists. People to this day are racist. Why is it right to judge someone on the basis of their ethnicity?

Just think of it this way, if our body doesn't discriminate, why should we?

Stand up for those who are mistreated. Do the right thing.

Stand united in the face of discrimination and maybe one day, we'd have a world where everyone is equal.

We'd never achieve world peace until we can finally get over the social norms. Don't let society tell you what's right and wrong. Be who you want to be and make your own choices.

Don't let the fear of being judged make you do something in life you don't believe in. Choose your own religion, choose your own path in life, choose who you love regardless of gender, and don't let gender roles define what you do in life.

Don't be afraid to do a man's job just because you're a woman. Choose what you want to do and do it. Don't let the society tell you it's wrong for a man to work in fashion or not work at all. I'm not saying you don't need to work, I'm just saying don't listen to people when they say it's a woman's job.

Don't be afraid to be who you are.

It doesn't matter what you do as long as you were the one that made the decision. This world is going to judge you but unless you are who you are, you will regret the life you lived based on other's decisions.

I'd like to say one thing, though. It doesn't matter who you are, I'll support you no matter what (unless you chose the path of violence and substance abuse, which I definitely don't condone. That is definitely something every human being to stay away from). 

I'll support you like my heart supports my brain by providing it with blood.

Let's stand united even though we're all different and support each other.

Make the human society like the human body. The human body is a something we can be proud of, let's make our society something we can be proud of too.

I'd like to make one request; let's all be Equalists.

Internet: The Web of Life

As members of the Global Village we call earth, we can all agree the internet has connected us in ways no one could have imagined.

It’s hard to find a teenager who isn’t dependent on the internet for something or the other. The internet provides us with a platform where everything is possible. It allows us to share our passion, meet our needs, and learn about the world. The internet has become a source for us to express ourselves and reach others who understand us. There are so many places on the internet where we can find an outlet to be ourselves without the fear of judgment.

There are numerous sources that allow us to connect with people around the world and bridge the gap the oceans form between us. The millennial world is a filled with people who live fast paced lives and the only thing that can keep up with our ever-changing schedule is the internet. People from all around the world move away from home for the sake of their career and the internet ensures that they do not lose contact with their family. Personally, the internet has played a huge role in connecting me with my friends from different countries. My best friend lives so far away from me and yet because of the amenities the internet provides, I can keep in touch with her.

Communication isn’t the only thing that internet has improved. Education is something that has immensely improved since the genesis of the internet. The Internet has always been the source I turn to when I need help with my studies. There are numerous websites where experts take time out of their busy schedule to help students like me. One of my favorite online study programs is EdX. The challenge that the courses at EdX provides us with is something that has immensely helped me improve my scholastic performance. In India, there is a website called Meritnation that helps tutor students. These sources help us, as students, improve our skills and provides the right kind of help.
The connection that the internet has formed between people from around the world through websites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. has brought so many cultures together as one. These websites allow us to understand things from someone else’s perspective and see things through their mind’s eye. The platform these websites provide their users not only connect them with others around the world but also help them discover themselves. I found my calling through a website called fan-fiction.net where I first found the courage to write. It is because of sources like these people gain the confidence to follow their dream. It is because of the internet that I had the courage to post the novel I wrote on my website.

The internet brings us closer and helps us understand who we are. It not only helps us develop our self-identity but also shows us the value of unity. It helps us understand people from across the world and helps us see what makes them who they are. You can see the world through your computer screen and gain something irreplaceable, an insight into the lives of those thousands of miles from you. The internet is a wonderful gift that makes everything easier. Features like e-mails, e-shopping, e-banking bring the world into the palm of our hands.

The internet is like a spider web that holds our entire world together. So, cherish the glue that makes our generation unique and let it bring together different cultures in ways we cannot imagine.