Beat the Heat: A Guide to Staying Cool and Hydrated

When the heatwave strikes, it's time to be smart,

To protect yourself and take care of your heart.

Drink water, plenty of it, to stay hydrated and cool,

Coconut water and lemonade can also be a useful tool.

Don't forget to eat, even when it's hot outside,

Skipping meals is not the way to stay cool or abide.

Choose light and refreshing foods, like fruits and salads,

They'll provide nourishment and won't leave you feeling unclad.

Stay away from heavy, greasy meals, that will make you feel slow,

And don't forget to snack, on some nuts or some fresh guava to go.

Keeping yourself fueled is key, during the heatwave,

So don't skip your meals, and your health you'll surely save.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine, they'll just dehydrate,

Choose light-colored, loose clothes, so you won't suffocate.

Stay indoors if you can, during the hottest time of day,

Fans and ACs will help to keep the heat at bay.

Take a cool shower or bath, it'll help to lower your heat,

And avoid any strenuous activities, that's important to beat.

Wear a hat or use an umbrella to create some shade,

Check on the elderly and vulnerable, for whom the heat may be a blade.

If you feel dizzy or confused, it's time to take a break,

And seek medical attention, for your health's sake.

So when the heatwave comes, 

just remember these rules,

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and be smart, not fools.

-Prashant Sethia 

Water: A Precious Gift of Life

Water, clear and pure,

A precious resource, so secure,

A source of life, a gift so true,

Without it, what would we do?

In the mountains, water cascades,

Creating streams and waterfalls, such a lovely parade,

Flowing down to valleys below,

Quenching thirst, helping crops grow.

In the oceans, water roars,

Creating waves and tides that soar,

Teeming with life, such diversity,

A vast expanse, such a beauty.

In the cities, water flows,

Through pipes and faucets, it goes,

A necessity, such a need,

For hygiene, for drinking, for plants to feed.

In the storms, water pours,

Creating floods and thunderous roars,

Challenging our might, such a test,

Reminding us that nature is the best.

Water, in all its forms and guises,

Teaches us to adapt, to improvise,

To cherish what we have, and be wise,

For water is life, and that's no surprise.

-Prashant Sethia

Second Hand

Once upon a time, in a land far away,

Lived a girl named Lily who loved to play,

With toys and clothes, books and more,

She always wanted to have them all.

One day, as she looked around,

She saw her toys scattered on the ground,

Some were old and some were new,

But all of them were loved and true.

Then she heard a story so sad,

About a boy who had no toys, no dad,

No food to eat or clothes to wear,

Lily's heart was filled with despair.

She thought about the toys she had,

The ones she didn't play with, the ones that sat,

Unused and forgotten on her shelf,

She knew what she had to do herself.

Lily gathered up her things,

The toys, the clothes, the books with wings,

She knew that she had plenty more,

Toys she didn't need anymore.

She packed them up in a big old bag,

And set out to find the boy who had,

Nothing to call his own,

Lily knew she wasn't alone.

She found the boy and gave him her gifts,

His face lit up with such a lift,

He hugged her tight and said "Thank you",

Lily knew what she had to do.

She knew that giving things away,

Could brighten up someone's whole day,

That something old could be new,

When given to someone who needs it too.

And so, from that day on,

Lily made it her mission,

To give away her old things,

To those who needed them with affection.

She learned that giving things away,

Could bring joy in the most amazing way,

That something "Second Hand",

Could make someone else's life grand.

-Prashant Sethia 

Wish For New Financial Year

As the old financial year comes to an end,

We reflect on the challenges that we did contend,

The pandemic wreaked havoc on our economy,

But we stood strong, with resilience and solidarity.

We faced job losses, closures, and economic strife,

Yet we persevered, determined to survive,

We tightened our belts, cut back where we could,

And we stayed hopeful, as we knew we should.

Now a new financial year dawns upon us,

And we're ready to face it, without any fuss,

We'll rebuild, recover, and grow once again,

And we'll put the lessons of the past year to good use again.

May this new year bring us prosperity and wealth,

May our hard work and determination be our greatest strength,

May we seize opportunities as they come our way,

And may we emerge stronger, brighter, and better each day.

So here's wishing you all a new financial year,

Filled with hope, success, and lots of cheer,

Let's work together to make it a year to remember,

And let's make our dreams and aspirations come true, forever.

-Prashant Sethia