Importance of Punctuality: Shrinkhala Shrestha, Canopy Nepal Excellence Scholar-FESSHIP

Picture: Clock Source: Dreamstime.com

Punctuality means doing a thing at the previously designated or appointed time. It is often said that 'art is long and time is fleeting.' Punctuality enables us to do a great deal of work within a period of time.

Punctuality is the most important characteristic of all successful people. A punctual person can complete all this task on time. The student, teachers, politicians, officials, trader, and even layman, all have to observe punctuality to win glory and success in life. Punctuality brings in its trail efficiency. It helps us to build our careers. A punctual person commands confidence and respects others. If we look at the lives of all great men, we would realize that they had got a schedule for every day. For example, Mahatma Gandhi used to rise early in the morning. He keeps up appointments and was punctual to a minute.

Most schools do not allow students to enter the school premises if they are late. A punctual student never misses any class and learns everything that the teacher teaches. The student reaches the school in time and completes their assignments within the stipulated time. Hence, they manage to do well in examinations. Hence, punctuality should be practiced from childhood.

Similarly, punctuality is very important in workplaces. A punctual person reaches the office on time. The punctuality of an employee gives a positive signal to the colleague. A punctual employee gives the impression that they are very serious about his job and is competent in efficiently discharging their duties. His boss can delegate him important tasks without any worry. He commands respect in the eyes of both his colleagues and the boss.

Punctuality is a virtue, which is doubly blessed. It imports efficiency and keeps a person fit and healthy. If we get up early in the morning and take a walk every day and follow a set program of life every day, we shall be able to keep fit and healthy. On the other hand, a look of punctuality may foster the habit of procrastination. But if we waver and show laxity in our daily programs, we may not be able to adhere to a predetermined time frame.

Let us look at nature. The sun rises at a particular time everyday with slight variation. Rainfalls in a regular pattern every year. All the seasons punctually emerge every year. The flowers bloom in spring and the earth wears green apparel during the spring season. In this way, the moon and the stars appear at a particular time. Seasons change according to a time table. Everything in nature appears at a proper time. Thus, nature teaches us to be punctual.

If we follow the course of nature, we will keep ourselves fit, healthy, and strong. No school, college, or institution can function if punctuality is not observed there. Thus, punctuality is an important ingredient of all successful people.

Punctuality implies maintaining regularity in our daily schedule of work. Punctuality is the gateway to success.

Author: Shrinkhala Shrestha (Canopy Nepal Excellence Scholar)

Shrinkhala is a Canopy Nepal Excellence Scholar-FESSHIP studying in Grade 12 at Nobel Academy.

Canopy Nepal is a team of visionary youths working in the field of education, skill and leadership development, diversity, and inclusion. Canopy Nepal works in collaboration with like-minded individuals and organizations to achieve the targets of empowering the organizations’ beneficiaries with skills they need to bring about positive change in the community. Canopy Nepal aims at creating an environment where individuals have a choice to equip themselves with skills and abilities of lifetime importance. The organization intends to promote intercultural understanding among diverse groups by means of various programs

The Stranger - Binu Tamang, Canopy Nepal Excellence Scholar, CANSHIP

Stranger, Picture Courtesy: KidsTimes

One day, on the way back home, I noticed a stranger, who was odd wearing a suit and was staring at me. The next day, I came across the same stranger in the same place wearing the exact same clothes as that of the previous day. This continued for a week and then he came to me still keeping quiet for a while. As he kept quiet, I was scared and my heart was pumping at a high speed. After some time, he broke his silence and told me that I look like his daughter. I gave him a glance and I was surprised. When I heard this, I thought he had been talking nonsense or might be having a mental disorder so I smiled without giving him a clue. Then he put his hand in his pocket and withdrew a photograph and showed it to me. I gave the photo a glance and got lost in my own thoughts for a moment. This is because the girl in the photo was exactly like me. He told me that the girl in the photo was his daughter. He had come to the town for some important work and happened to see me. When he saw me for the first time, he was confused with his daughter and got to know she was in the village. He explained everything. I was just listening to him with my eyes wide open. He also said, he had some work regularly at the same place so he used to wait for the bus almost every day. While waiting he used to stare at me. After listening to his story, I felt shocked and miserable at the same time. I used to listen to the people saying there exist seven people in the world with similar appearance. I found it right when I talked to the stranger. After that conversation, we had coffee together and bid farewell to each other. 

Thanks to the stranger I met that day because I got to open up the mystery of my life that was scaring me earlier. It also shows our life is full of mystery and to know and experience such things its essential for us to take a step and be courageous. We can be successful after taking only after experiencing every case of our life. 

Author: Binu Tamang (Canopy Nepal)

Binu Tamang is a Canopy Nepal Excellence Scholar- CANSHIP, studying in Guheshwari Boarding High School.

Canopy Nepal is a team of visionary youths working in the field of education, skill and leadership development, diversity, and inclusion. Canopy Nepal works in collaboration with like-minded individuals and organizations to achieve the targets of empowering the organizations’ beneficiaries with skills they need to bring about positive change in the community. Canopy Nepal aims at creating an environment where individuals have a choice to equip themselves with skills and abilities of lifetime importance. The organization intends to promote intercultural understanding among diverse groups by means of various programs

Maintaining Mental Health amid the Covid-19 pandemic

The outbreak of the Coronavirus Covid-19 has impacted people in varying ways on an international scale. It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after a situation like this. People are overwhelmed by the constantly changing alerts and media coverage regarding the spread of the virus. Our mental health is equally as important as our physical health during this time. While we are keeping physically distant, it is more important than ever that we remain socially and emotionally connected.

How it might affect our Mental Health?

●       Having irrational thoughts.

●       Fear and worry about our own health status and that of our loved ones who may have been exposed to Covid-19.

●       Worsening of chronic health problems.

●       Feeling stressed, insecure or unsettled.

●       Becoming irritable more easily.

●       Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.

●       Changes in sleep or eating patterns.

●       Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

How to mind our mental health during this time?

❖   Maintaining a healthy lifestyle- Our routine may be affected by the corona virus outbreak in different ways. But during difficult times like this, it’s best if we can keep some structure in our day. For example:

●       Setting up a daily routine. Plan activities that are fun (such as reading, watching movies, hobbies) and that give you a sense of achievement (such as cleaning, completing work tasks, learning a new skill).

●       Eat well—plan and eat a variety of nutritious meals.

●       Staying active—create an exercise routine that can be completed at home, to maintain physical fitness and reduce stress.

●       Staying connected with friends and family via phone, chat, email, or video conferencing.

❖    Staying connected- During times of stress, friends and families can be a good source of support. It is important to keep in touch with them and other people in your life. If you need to restrict your movements or self-isolate, try to stay connected to people in other ways, for example: email, social media, video calls, phone calls, text messages and so on.

❖    Taking breaks - Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Make time to unwind and remind yourself that negative feelings will fade. Try to do activities you usually enjoy. Maintain a sense of hope and positive thinking.

❖    Staying Positive-We should remember that, even the situation is unpleasant now but it will pass. What you say to yourself is important. Listen to the things you are saying to yourself and change negative comments to be more helpful and realistic.

“Remember to maintain a positive outlook, no matter how grim your circumstances. This will end and we will be okay”.

- Sujan Dhakal
NOREC exchange fellow