My Favourite Place in the World: Thanjavur

 My Favourite Place in the World: Thanjavur – A Journey through Time

If I were to name my favourite place in the world, I would choose Thanjavur without hesitation. Located in the heart of Tamil Nadu, along the banks of the River Cauvery, Thanjavur is a city that brings the past alive. Its air still carries whispers of kings, scholars, and artists who shaped a civilisation.

A Walk along Royal Footsteps

There’s something magical about walking along the banks of the Cauvery, imagining the very soil once walked upon by Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola. These visionary rulers built not only mighty temples and palaces but also encouraged the growth of literature, irrigation systems, and urban planning. Their legacy lives on, not only in stone but in spirit.

The City of Art and Learning

Thanjavur has long been a cultural and intellectual hub. Its contribution to literature, architecture, and painting is unmatched. The city is home to the world-renowned Tanjore paintings, known for their delicate brushwork and rich detail. Educational institutions that date back centuries still function with pride, carrying forward the city's scholarly tradition.

The Rhythm of Daily Life

What draws me most to Thanjavur is its balance of old and new. The streets are lined with old bookshops, bustling vegetable markets, and craftsmen who continue to preserve ancient techniques. Life moves with a certain rhythm, unhurried and thoughtful. It is a place where tradition and progress coexist in harmony.

Why It is My Favorite

Thanjavur stands out for its deep sense of continuity. It reminds us that we are part of a larger story, a story of invention, resilience, and identity. For me, the city isn’t just a destination. It’s a living museum, a place where the past breathes beside you as you walk through its lanes, explore its heritage, or simply sit by the river and reflect.

 

 

Thanjavur is more than a place I admire; it is where history meets everyday life. And in that union, I find my deepest connection.

Lesson Plan: Blog Writing

 Lesson Plan: Blog Writing

What is a Blog?

Definition of a Blog

A blog (short for “weblog”) is a type of online writing platform where individuals or groups regularly publish articles, opinions, stories, or information on specific topics. Each post is usually displayed in reverse chronological order (most recent first) and may allow readers to interact through comments.

🔹 In simple terms, a blog is a personal or professional web journal that is regularly updated and often reflects the writer’s thoughts, experiences, or expertise.

Types of Blogs

·       1. Personal Blogs – Life stories, opinions

·       2. Professional Blogs – Career advice, skill-building

·       3. Travel Blogs – Experiences from different places

·       4. Food Blogs – Recipes, restaurant reviews

·       5. Educational Blogs – Tutorials, study notes

·       6. Tech Blogs – Gadgets, software reviews

·       7. Fashion & Lifestyle Blogs – Trends, health, beauty

Structure of a Blog Post

Section	Description
Title	Catchy and relevant
Introduction	Hook the reader, set the tone
Body	Main content — divided into paragraphs with subheadings
Conclusion	Summarize and invite responses
Call to Action	Optional — Ask reader to follow, try something, or give feedback

Language and Style

Feature	Notes
Tone	Conversational, engaging, sometimes informal
Voice	First person (“I”, “we”) often used
Clarity	Use short sentences, everyday language
Grammar	Correct but relaxed; contractions are okay
Formatting	Use of bold, bullet points, images enhances readability

Sample Writing Prompts

(My Favourite Place in the World, A Habit That Changed My Life, Top 3 Tips for New College Students, Why I Love Reading (or Cooking/Travelling))

 

Personal Experience Prompts

1.     My Favourite Memory from School

2.     A Day I Will Never Forget

3.     The Person Who Inspires Me the Most

4.     A Journey That Changed Me

5.     A Place I Feel Most at Peace

6.     The Best Meal I’ve Ever Had

7.     The Hardest Challenge I Overcame

8.     A Childhood Game I Still Remember

Travel and Places Prompts

1.     A Hidden Gem in My Hometown

2.     Exploring a Historical Landmark

3.     A Dream Destination I Want to Visit

4.     My Experience at a Cultural Festival

5.     Walking Through the Streets of an Old City

6.     What Makes My City Unique

Opinion & Reflection Prompts

1.     Why Reading Should Be a Daily Habit

2.     How Technology Is Changing Our Lives

3.     What Makes a Good Friend?

4.     My Thoughts on Social Media

5.     How I Handle Stress and Pressure

6.     The Importance of Time Management for Students

Creative & Imaginative Prompts

1. If I Could Time Travel...

2.  A Day in the Life of My Future Self

3.     My Life as an Animal for One Day

4.     If I Could Build a Perfect City

5.     Imagine a World Without Mobile Phones

Academic & Career Prompts

1.     Why I Want to Pursue My Chosen Career

2.     What I Learned from a Group Project

3.     Skills Every Student Should Have

4.     How Education Can Shape Society

5.     A Teacher Who Made a Difference in My Life

 

Assessment Rubric

Criteria	Points
Clarity & Coherence	5
Structure (Title, Intro, Body, Conclusion)	5
Language & Grammar	5
Creativity & Engagement	5
Total	20

 

Herman Melville’s works question human supremacy over nature

 

Herman Melville’s works question human supremacy over nature by portraying nature as a powerful, independent force that cannot be dominated, commodified, or fully understood. Through characters, symbols, and narrative outcomes, he critiques human arrogance and highlights the limits of control over the natural world.

Here’s how this theme unfolds in his key works:

 1. Moby-Dick: Nature as Unconquerable

·        Captain Ahab’s obsessive pursuit of the white whale, Moby Dick, is the clearest example of human arrogance toward nature.

·        Ahab believes he can conquer and control the sea and its creatures, treating the whale as an enemy to be destroyed.

·        But the whale is not just an animal—it represents nature’s will, mystery, and resistance.

·        In the end, nature triumphs: Ahab’s quest leads to destruction, and the sea reclaims the ship and crew.

Melville’s message: Nature does not submit to human pride. Attempts to dominate it often end in failure and self-destruction.

 

2. The Ocean as a Force beyond Human Understanding

·        The ocean in Moby-Dick is vast, unknowable, and symbolic of the sublime power of nature.

·        Melville emphasizes that no science, religion, or technology can fully explain or master the sea.

·        Ishmael, the narrator, reflects on the ocean with awe, fear, and humility—in contrast to Ahab’s arrogance.

“There is, one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea...”
— Moby-Dick

 

3. Typee and Omoo: Critique of Western Domination

·        In these early novels, Melville shows how indigenous peoples live in harmony with nature, while Western colonizers disrupt ecological balance.

·        The invading missionaries and traders view nature as something to be tamed or exploited.

·        Melville’s sympathetic portrayal of islanders suggests that human supremacy is a cultural construct, not a universal truth.

 

4. Animals as Agents, Not Objects

·        In Moby-Dick, the whale is not objectified: it is given near-mythical power, presence, and even moral weight.

·        The non-human is not reduced to mere property; instead, it acts as a mirror to human obsession and failure.

·        This challenges the view of animals as inferior or purely utilitarian.

 

Conclusion

Melville’s work critiques the illusion of human dominance over the environment. By portraying nature as autonomous, sacred, and ultimately more powerful, he warns against the dangers of arrogance and calls for humility, respect, and ethical awareness in our relationship with the natural world.