Work+in+process

10-04-2011 Today I sat and thought about what my personal project topic should be. I had so many things in mind, and I just wasn’t able to choose. I thought a lot about it and finally shortlisted the following topics. The most appealing topic to me was the second one. Music is something I love, and playing music, singing it or composing it would be a wonderful learning experience, and so, finally I chose to compose a song. 11-04-2011 Since I had chosen what my topic was, I decided to go to someone who could advise me and tell me how and where to start. So I went to my music teacher- Mr. Felix Hug and told him about my topic. One more idea I had was to make it more of a community and service act by having a performance (the money for the tickets would be donated to either NASEOH or someplace else). I told my teacher all of this and told him that I’ll come up with a list of genres I am interested in doing on the 12th. He said he would willingly help me. So I did a bit of research and prepared the following list of genres. What I would like to do is Soft rock, Jazz, Pop or the blues. But the rest is not my forte, so I don’t think I would enjoy doing it as much as I would enjoy doing the ones I like. What I don’t know is whether or not I will be able to compose relating to all of these genres. I will take this list tomorrow and show it to my teacher and take some advice.
 * 1) 1. How open are the people residing in Mumbai to adoption.
 * 2) 2. Composing a song of a particular genre
 * 3) 3. Going to schools all around Bombay and spreading awareness and promoting ‘Operation Smile’ (An organization which facilitates surgeries for poor people with a cleft lip and palate)
 * 4) 4. Impact of media on teenage self-perception
 * 1) 1. Jazz
 * 2) 2. Pop
 * 3) 3. Soft rock
 * 4) 4. Blues
 * 5) 5. Classic rock
 * 6) 6. Heavy metal
 * 7) 7. Death metal
 * 8) 8. Rock n Roll
 * 9) 9. Folk
 * 10) 10. Old pop

I used the following site to get these genres:

[]

21-04-11 I decided that I wanted to make this project more of a community and service project than a human ingenuity one. So I thought, after composing a song, I could sell tickets to people and have a concert, where along with my song, I sing a few other known songs. The money I get will be donated to either Project Chirag or Operation Smile.

I spoke to my music teacher about it, and he approved of it. But he also gave me some more stunning ideas. He said I could record it and sell tapes and CD’s to people to collect money. He also said that I could lend it to a Bollywood party or something similar, so that I get more money. I was very happy with these ideas. But in all the three cases, I discovered that if my song is not extraordinary, and the theme or the idea behind my song is not that good, none of the money making ventures will work! I discovered that I am taking a very big risk by choosing this topic because every other plan of mine revolves around the sing I make. But nevertheless I decided to continue with it. 11-03-2011

My school sent me and a few of my friends for a conference conducted by the people who work for an organization called operation smile, and NGO, which facilitates surgeries for people with cleft lips and palates. They also do surgeries for people with unwanted scars, marks or growths. It was a teambuilding workshop and was tons of fun. We also learnt a lot about the organization; how they started, who started it, why they focus on operating cleft lips and palates.

Why do they focus on people with cleft lips and palates?

Society

In remote villages, people are extremely superstitious, and many believe that people or children with cleft lips or cleft palates are a scar to society. They are abandoned, disowned by their own families sometimes and are teased and made fun of by the rest of society. This makes them introverts, lessens their self-confidence and esteem and affects them psychologically.

Nutrition

Children with cleft palates are most of the times malnourished, because the food which enters their mouth goes up the hole of their palate and comes out of their noses.

Poverty

Many of the people with cleft lips or palates live in villages, and are poor and hence can’t afford a good doctor to help them. And many of them don’t know what it is, and how people are affected by it. Many for them just blame the mother of the child or person, when cleft lips and palates are not caused by genes.

For this conference we were divided into groups and each group had a leader.

The best part of the conference, and the part which got me thinking and the part because of which I was moved are the stories. Our group leaders told us stories about different people who came to operation smile for help, some of whom were treated, others who were not so lucky. The story which touched me the most was about a South American who had a growth on one side of his head, so heavy that his head would constantly be tilted. He approached operation smile for help but was turned down three times. This was because the organization has priorities; first comes babies with cleft lips and palates, then children, then adults and then people or children with scars marks or growths. The fourth time he went there, he was the last one to be accepted. But next in line, which is after him, was a little girl with burns all over her body. That man, even after being turned down three times before, gave his place to that little girl. He later was treated and now lives happily, but a sacrifice like that is not something which all of us would be ready to give. After all this, I had in mind that I had to do something to help this organization. If not volunteer, help in some way or the other. Then our coordinators officially told us about the personal project. When I thought about what I wanted to do, just one thing came to my mind- Operation smile. After a lot of thought and consultation from friends, family and teachers, I came to the conclusion that I will compose a song, raise funds by selling the song and donate the funds to operation smile. I chose to compose a song because I love music, and composing a song is something I would love to do anytime, for a long time without getting bored. 16-05-2011 Today I sat down and worked on my Phase 1, and put it down on paper. It is as follows. I used much of my entry of 11-03-2011 to answer the second question which was why I chose the topic I chose. It is as follows:
 * Phase I **
 * __A clearly written goal:__**

I want to compose a song, make CD’s and sell them to raise funds for an organization called Operation smile.
 * __Why?__**

My school sent me and a few of my friends for a conference conducted by the people who work for an organization called operation smile, and NGO, which facilitates surgeries for people with cleft lips and palates. They also do surgeries for people with unwanted scars, marks or growths. It was a teambuilding workshop and was tons of fun. We also learnt a lot about the organization; how they started, who started it, why they focus on operating cleft lips and palates.

Why do they focus on people with cleft lips and palates?

Society

In remote villages, people are extremely superstitious, and many believe that people or children with cleft lips or cleft palates are a scar to society. They are abandoned, disowned by their own families sometimes and are teased and made fun of by the rest of society. This makes them introverts, lessens their self-confidence and esteem and affects them psychologically.

Nutrition

Children with cleft palates are most of the times malnourished, because the food which enters their mouth goes up the hole of their palate and comes out of their noses.

Poverty

Many of the people with cleft lips or palates live in villages, and are poor and hence can’t afford a good doctor to help them. And many of them don’t know what it is, and how people are affected by it. Many for them just blame the mother of the child or person, when cleft lips and palates are not caused by genes.

For this conference we were divided into groups and each group had a leader.

The best part of the conference, and the part which got me thinking and the part because of which I was moved are the stories. Our group leaders told us stories about different people who came to operation smile for help, some of whom were treated, others who were not so lucky. The story which touched me the most was about a South American who had a growth on one side of his head, so heavy that his head would constantly be tilted. He approached operation smile for help but was turned down three times. This was because the organization has priorities; first comes babies with cleft lips and palates, then children, then adults and then people or children with scars marks or growths. The fourth time he went there, he was the last one to be accepted. But next in line, which is after him, was a little girl with burns all over her body. That man, even after being turned down three times before, gave his place to that little girl. He later was treated and now lives happily, but a sacrifice like that is not something which all of us would be ready to give. After all this, I had in mind that I had to do something to help this organization. If not volunteer, help in some way or the other.

When we had to think about what we had to do, just one thing came to my mind- Operation smile. After a lot of thought and consultation from friends, family and teachers, I came to the conclusion that I will compose a song, raise funds by selling the song and donate the funds to operation smile. I will also have a concert, the tickets of which will be sold to raise funds. I chose to compose a song because I love music, and composing a song is something I would love to do anytime, for a long time without getting bored. There are four main areas of interaction in IB. They are:
 * __A justification for your focus area of interaction:__**
 * __Human Ingenuity:__**
 * __Health and Social Education:__**
 * __Community and Service:__**
 * __Environments:__**

Through my personal project, I want to help Operation smile, because this organization completely depends on donations and funds for its functioning. My goal closely relates to the AOI Community and Service, because evidently I am doing something for the community, by helping operation smile. The ‘Community and Service’ area of interaction says… And hence it’s justified that my AOI is C and S. 1) Work on the songs Here, I research, survey, interview and find out all I can about how to compose a song. I note down all my research in my process journal, and simultaneously start writing a song. In the process, I know that I may not stick to one song, because I will always think of something better. So, two or three of all the songs that I think I will use, will make it into my CD.
 * __A detailed plan on how you are going to achieve your goal:__**

Once I have started writing, I will practice singing, and improving my voice quality, since I have to record my work and may also have to perform. I will use books, internet, and other resources for this. I will record again and again just for practice and then record it for the final time. I will also (Just to add material to my CD) sing a few Disney songs, for which I need practice too. Since I was introduced earlier to professional music software called Garage Band, I won’t be playing the instruments, so, after or before recording I will add beats, a bass and a synth. Then, I will start composing a new one as I need more than one song on my CD. Once that is over, I will start another, and so on and try to compose as many good ones as I can by mid-September. Then, I will record the ones I think are the best. If I cannot compose more than one, I make a one song CD. Here is where the composition and recording ends. 2) Promote them

Here, I will **//try//** to speak to a famous person (just for examples sake Shah Rukh Khan) and get him/her to support me in my movement by either donating or helping me spread awareness. I will actually start by putting my ‘album’ on websites like Facebook and YouTube and tell friends about it and tell the friends I tell to tell their friends. I will after some time, see how many views it gets and on that basis, estimate the amount of CD’s that will sell. Since my song is based on Romance, the target audience is teenagers, and young people 3) Sell them: Here, I start selling my CD’s to people. They can be people I know or don’t know. It all depends on my song. My target is to sponsor at least 5 smiles. If I get more money, I will either donate the sum, or buy smiles bags with it. (Bags with basic necessities like toothpaste and soap, given to children after their surgery.) Whoever buys my CD, will get a receipt and I will have their phone numbers and e-mail id’s. As soon as I donate the money, I will request Op smile to send me something like a bill, in which the donated amount is written. This then will be sent to all my customers, with a thank you note. There are possibilities that I don’t finish selling my CD’s by March (when my presentation is due), but that won’t be a problem. 4) Get ready for my presentation. Here I make a PPT, with all the pictures, and videos of me doing the project. I then present my project.

18-05-2011 Today I met my supervisor, Mr. Felix, and we discussed about what I really want to do. I told him that I want the main theme to be either Identity or Love. I came up with an introductory melody. He taught me which chords to use, he told me to try to come up with words and the chord progression for the song. And we decided that we will have it recorded in a proper studio. He taught me some breathing exercises, which he said would help me sing better. And I have told him that by Friday, I will come up with the melody, the chord progression or the words of my song, or all of this, and e-mail it to him. He also told me, that 1 song in a CD would be much too less, and so something else should be added to give it some more weight. We thought of a music video, where either pictures related to the theme could be shown, or pictures of me preparing the song at various stages can be taken. I also told him about the various songs I know which relate to the theme of my song and we sang and played it just to know how high I can pitch. 31-05-2011 Today, I suddenly came up with a tune and lyrics to go with it, but it was based on a completely different idea- ‘Dream’. I wrote the first verse, sang it, tried to modify it and well it turned out to look and sound good. I e-mailed the keys and words to Felix sir, and asked him if he could help me with the chords; I was struggling with that. 01-06-2011 Today, following the personal project guide, I wrote out my goal, why I have this goal and what area of interaction it is closely related to. I e-mailed it to Felix sir and asked him for a date to meet in school so I can show him my progress. This is what the song looks like: Dream I want to dream to go to places where I’ve never been before

I want to keep dreaming and dreaming even more

I want to dream that I can fly

Reach the sky that’s so up high

And I want the dreams I’m dreaming to come true I want to dream

I want to dream

I want to dream to see the starts that glow and gleam

I want to dream

I want to dream

I want to dream to … Keys: EEFG EEFG EEFGABCG

EEFG EEFG EEFGABCD

CCDECCGA AGFCAAAD

CDECCAGA CDC 02-06-2011 Today, I started thinking whether one song would be enough. If I do compose a song, it has to be spot on, or to cover up for it being not spot on, I’d have to compose another one or two. But I decided to finish with the first song first. 15-07-2011 I was sitting down and humming, when I realized that the tune I’m humming is pretty good, and when I started fitting words in, it started to sound much better than the first song- Dream. This one is called ‘I just can’t forget’. I started working on it, developing it and have almost finished writing lyrics and playing the tune. I have to come up with chords- something I am not very good at. L Anyway, I like this song much better, because it is slow and sweet and I always wanted to come up with such a song. I thought back, and realized that Dream was a fast song and probably that’s what made me change my mind about it. Tomorrow, I have planned to meet Felix sir and show him my progress. On phone I told him about all the changes I’ve made, and he told me that I have reflected and that’s a very good sign. I went back to see what all I have done wrong in my first song, and am certainly going to ensure they don’t happen again. I did some research on how to compose a song, and used a video from the following site:

[] It said there that if you have a chord progression, then making a melody and writing lyrics is very easy. But, what I had done was the opposite. I decided to carry on anyway, and thought that if I have any problem, and if I wanted to write a new song, I would use this technique then. I also researched on how to write good lyrics, but the site wasn’t very helpful. It is as follows:

[] Some of the other sites that I looked at were: [] [] [] [] [] None of them were really helpful. Only some f them had really valuable tips like: - When you have written a song you should look through it and see if you have used many clichés. Or - Start your song with a title that appeals to you. Make sure it’s a phrase that rings true in your ears. Something that makes you say, ‘’I’ve got to know more about that!’’ Because if YOU want to know, others will want to know. 16-07-2011 I made some modifications to my latest song, and I also fixed a date to meet Felix sir (21-07-2011). 21-07-2011 Today I met my music teacher and came up chords for the song. I learnt about a control input called MIDI, and professional music software called Garage band. They are as follows: Introduction:

CCCCCCCC

BCBCBCBC

ACACACAC

GCGCGCGC Came up with chords- A) C Amin F Dmin

B) GF… MIDI- Control input

Software (Sampled sounds)

Name of the software: Garage Band Arrangement: Bass- Drums- Guitar- Synth Adding tracks:

-Software instruments

-Real instruments

-Electric Guitar 22-07-2011 I went through the book Felix sir gave me, and also wrote a letter to Disney, India about buying copyrights. I have yet to show it to Felix sir.

The book was very helpful. It told me about stage fright, how to control your voice, different types of music, different types of voices like, how best to position yourself when you sing a song, how to cover up a cold and a lot of other things. The book really helped me, because all the things I learnt are going to help me a lot while recording my song. The book: __ Carrie & David Grant’s Essential Guide for aspiring Pop stars. __

__ ‘’You can sing’’ __ 25-07-2011 Today I was working on my song, and I realized that like many other songs I know of, mine doesn’t have a story. It was just about me remembering good times I had with someone. I decided to leave it as it is, because that was what was going to make my song unique. But, I also thought of making another one, based on my mother. It will be a song which has a story and talks about what my mother’s inputs were in every stage of my life. I already started thinking of lyrics and have put them down. I also have to meet my supervisor today and am going to talk about the new idea that I have. [After…] We met and started recording my song, shortly after we put midi, singer, and guitar inputs along with drums on Garage Band. I did not get time to tell him about my new song, because we were short of time and were using the time we had for practicing recording. We copied the recording onto a voice recorder for me to practice at home.
 * Photographs of today:**

(Clicked by Kunal Soi.)

We also thought of something. Since I was going to China, and there is an auction there where all the proceeds go to op smile, we thought why not take a demo CD and sell them in the auction, because anyway the proceeds go to op smile and that way I can make a good start. But there is so much to do! So I got started as soon as I got home. At home I sat up till one and finished my lyrics. 26-07-11 I showed Sir my song today and we made some major changes in the lyrics. :P We also recorded again and practiced the song some more. 07-08-11 The trip to China was amazing. I enjoyed myself immensely and now know so much more about Op smile. Who started it, how it started, more stories of great people and much more. However, the auction plan did not work. I couldn’t finish the song properly, and record it and burn CD’s all in two days. I probably knew that at the back of my head, but I still tried. Anyway, I learnt that things can be done in a blink of the eye. Here are some photos:

DD/mm/yy Today we learned about Information literacy and Sheetal ma’am, our IT teacher told us to create a scatter diagram pertaining to our personal project. I made one on Microsoft power point. It’s what’s below: So, IT helped me do part of my personal project- it helped me put my ideas down in a systematic and organized manner. (Updated in wiki) I thought of having a concert- my concert, in which I sing many Disney songs. The tickets sold would a way of fundraising. I talked about it to Felix sir and he was up for it, and so I framed a letter to the MYP coordinator asking for permission for the school auditorium. I have to give it to her. It is as follows: Respected ma’am,

As you already know, my personal project topic is a ‘Fundraising drive for Operation smile, by composing a song’. My song is almost done and now I am thinking of ways to promote it. The talent show as we all know was a big success. Everyone enjoyed it and I was thinking of doing something similar for my project. I was thinking of having a concert, where I sing my song and a couple of other Disney movie songs (for which I have sent a letter of permission to Disney), for which I sell tickets- another way of collecting funds. I sang ‘My Guardian angel’ for the talent show. It was pretty good. I also have a video recording of it. I will not necessarily be the only one who is performing; if others want to too, they will be free to. It will be for one hour approximately and I will make sure that my audience does not get bored even for a second. The audience will not only be parents and students but also a few friends of mine from outside school. For this, I will need the school auditorium. I would be eternally grateful to you, if you could allow me to use the auditorium for this purpose. I was thinking of having the concert, just before the Christmas vacation starts. (I am thinking of December 22nd but any other day towards the end of term is also okay with me.) Ms. Radha told me that Mr. Vishal Bharadwaj and his wife are your personal friends, and so I also wanted to request you to, on my behalf, invite Mr. Vishal Bharadwaj and his wife to my concert. If I need to ask them personally I will be thrilled to do so. I know that they have a tight schedule and that it may be very difficult to make time for my concert, but it would be an honor having them there. All the necessary requirements, like light, mikes etc. will be taken care of by me. I will convince my friends to help me. I will request Felix Sir to help me with this concert and it’s needful. If allowed I will give you the details of the concert as soon as possible. Thank you, Apeksha Trivady

Grade 10 Since I decided to have a concert my topic would change, and so would my Phase I. So I made some changes. The new Phase 1 is as follows:
 * Phase I **
 * __A clearly written goal:__**

Have a fundraising drive for operation smile, in which I compose a song, make CD’s, sell them and have a concert in which I sing that song for which I sell tickets all to raise funds.
 * __Why?__**

My school sent me and a few of my friends for a conference conducted by the people who work for an organization called operation smile, and NGO, which facilitates surgeries for people with cleft lips and palates. They also do surgeries for people with unwanted scars, marks or growths. It was a teambuilding workshop and was tons of fun. We also learnt a lot about the organization; how they started, who started it, why they focus on operating cleft lips and palates.

Why do they focus on people with cleft lips and palates?

Society

In remote villages, people are extremely superstitious, and many believe that people or children with cleft lips or cleft palates are a scar to society. They are abandoned, disowned by their own families sometimes and are teased and made fun of by the rest of society. This makes them introverts, lessens their self-confidence and esteem and affects them psychologically.

Nutrition

Children with cleft palates are most of the times malnourished, because the food which enters their mouth goes up the hole of their palate and comes out of their noses.

Poverty

Many of the people with cleft lips or palates live in villages, and are poor and hence can’t afford a good doctor to help them. And many of them don’t know what it is, and how people are affected by it. Many for them just blame the mother of the child or person, when cleft lips and palates are not caused by genes.

For this conference we were divided into groups and each group had a leader.

The best part of the conference, and the part which got me thinking and the part because of which I was moved are the stories. Our group leaders told us stories about different people who came to operation smile for help, some of whom were treated, others who were not so lucky. The story which touched me the most was about a South American who had a growth on one side of his head, so heavy that his head would constantly be tilted. He approached operation smile for help but was turned down three times. This was because the organization has priorities; first comes babies with cleft lips and palates, then children, then adults and then people or children with scars marks or growths. The fourth time he went there, he was the last one to be accepted. But next in line, which is after him, was a little girl with burns all over her body. That man, even after being turned down three times before, gave his place to that little girl. He later was treated and now lives happily, but a sacrifice like that is not something which all of us would be ready to give. After all this, I had in mind that I had to do something to help this organization. If not volunteer, help in some way or the other.

When we had to think about what we had to do, just one thing came to my mind- Operation smile. After a lot of thought and consultation from friends, family and teachers, I came to the conclusion that I will compose a song, raise funds by selling the song and donate the funds to operation smile. I will also have a concert, the tickets of which will be sold to raise funds. I chose to compose a song because I love music, and composing a song is something I would love to do anytime, for a long time without getting bored. There are four main areas of interaction in IB. They are:
 * __A justification for your focus area of interaction:__**
 * __Human Ingenuity:__**
 * __Health and Social Education:__**
 * __Community and Service:__**
 * __Environments:__**

Through my personal project, I want to help Operation smile, because this organization completely depends on donations and funds for its functioning. My goal closely relates to the AOI Community and Service, because evidently I am doing something for the community, by helping operation smile. The ‘Community and Service’ area of interaction says… And hence it’s justified that my AOI is C and S.

5) Work on the songs Here, I research, survey, interview and find out all I can about how to compose a song. I note down all my research in my process journal, and simultaneously start writing a song. In the process, I know that I may not stick to one song, because I will always think of something better. So, two or three of all the songs that I think I will use, will make it into my CD.
 * __A detailed plan on how you are going to achieve your goal:__**

Once I have started writing, I will practice singing, and improving my voice quality, since I have to record my work and may also have to perform. I will use books, internet, and other resources for this. I will record again and again just for practice and then record it for the final time. I will also (Just to add material to my CD) sing a few Disney songs, for which I need practice too. Since I was introduced earlier to professional music software called Garage Band, I won’t be playing the instruments, so, after or before recording I will add beats, a bass and a synth. Since I am also going to China for ISCE (International Students Cultural exchange), and coincidentally since there is going to be an auction there- proceeds of which will go to operation smile, I will record my first song and sell it in that auction (around 50 CD’s), as a start to see how well it sells. That will give me an idea of whether I have to compose a new song or stick to the one I sell. After selling them in China, whether or not, my song sold well, I will start composing a new one as I need more than one song on my CD. Once that is over, I will start another, and so on and try to compose as many good ones as I can by mid-September. Then, I will record the ones I think are the best. If I cannot compose more than one, I make a one song CD. Here is where the composition and recording ends. 6) Promote them

Here, I will **//try//** to speak to a famous person (just for examples sake Shah Rukh Khan) and get him/her to support me in my movement by either donating or helping me spread awareness. I will actually start by putting my ‘album’ on websites like Facebook and YouTube and tell friends about it and tell the friends I tell to tell their friends. I will after some time, see how many views it gets and on that basis, estimate the amount of CD’s that will sell. Since my song is based on Romance, the target audience is teenagers, and young people. I will also divide my target group into three other groups. A- People I know very well, and who are sure to buy my CD (close friends, relatives), B- Friends of friends, acquaintances, who need some persuasion to buy my CD, and C- who I don’t know at all, and need a good reason to buy my CD. I have also decided that I will have a concert, in school or elsewhere, where I will sing my song, and a couple of other songs, and where other people can perform as well, (Kind of like a talent show/ Music concert), where the ‘famous person’ will be invited and the tickets of which will bring funds for Op smile. 7) Sell them: I would have finished promoting my song by now and I will start selling them. The target groups come in here. I will target at group A first- since the most CD’s will be bought by them. Then I will move on to B and then finally C. The following table is what my ‘target plan’ looks like.

Family
 * Groups || A || B || C ||
 * People to target || Friends

Teachers || Friends of friends

Distant relatives

Acquaintances Neighbors || Random unknown people ||
 * Approximate number of people in the group || 80 || 35 || 17 ||
 * Amount targeted || 21000 rupees || 10000 rupees || 5000 rupees ||

- The sum of the amounts targeted is 36000 rupees, which sponsors three smiles. But I will also funds from the concert that I perform in. So assuming that I get sponsor another smile through the concert, I will be sponsoring 4 smiles, which according to me, is not that bad.

- Whoever buys my CD, will get a receipt and I will have their phone numbers and e-mail id’s. As soon as I donate the money, I will request Op smile to send me something like a bill, in which the donated amount is written. This then will be sent to all my customers, with a thank you note. There are possibilities that I don’t finish selling my CD’s by March (when my presentation is due), but that won’t be a problem. Dd-Mm-Yy

I do not remember the date, as what I am about to write should have been written long ago. I was very busy and did not have time, so I am writing it now.

I sent the letter to Disney. I am waiting for their reply.

I talked to my friend Rachel about meeting an actor and she said that she knew Hrithik Roshans niece, and that she could fix an appointment with him. I was thrilled. I hope it will work out.

I started thinking about what I can tell Mr. Roshan to do for me. I thought of having a concert, in which he could give a performance or at least a speech. He could tell people to support Op smile. I would sell tickets for this concert and whoever bought the ticket would receive my CD. That I thought was a good way of giving out my CD's. The venue, I thought, should be my school auditorium. I could probably request my school's head office to provide security for the same. I know that he is a busy man, and all this may just go down the drain, but I am trying to be as positive as I can.

I talked to my tuition teacher about my project, and he told me that if I wanted a lot of money, I should start selling my CD's very soon. He told me to divide my customers into three groups- Group A (People I know very well, and who are without doubt going to buy my CD), Group B (People who I don't know very well, maybe friends of friends, but who are likely to buy my CD's), and Group C (People who I don't know at all, but by my persuasion will buy my CD). He told me to stop thinking about Hrithik Roshan, that is to stop considering him my priority and to think about more practical things like selling. He also told me that his wife knows Sakshi Tanwar, a famous actress, and that she knows Anupam Kher, another famous actor, and that he could help me get to them and have a word. I was very happy.

I also looked for phone numbers or contact details on the internet of various actors: [] [] []

I asked Felix sir when I could finish and record my song, and he said that we could start form the 5th of September. 26-09-11 Feeling very frustrated. Felix sir cannot meet me. He’s really busy. I really need to record my song. It’s just 3 months to January in which I have to record, promote and sell my song!! That’s very less time. I need to do something fast!!!!!!

I changed some of the chords for I just can’t forget- the ones in the verse. I thought about some different lines. But I am not very sure they’ll work out, so I guess I’ll just have to wait for meeting Felix sir. I thought again about the mother song, but each time I think about it, I can’t go further than what I have done. I am stuck. I’ll have to talk about that to Felix sir as well.

Aditi, my friend, said her topic was advertising and that she would make an ad to promote my song. I was very thankful to her. 27-09-11 Today I met Felix sir, and we discussed many things. I am very happy because we got a lot of things done. They are as follows: //1)// //Photos of recording day- Sir said that he had them and that he would give them to me as soon as possible.//

//3) Letter to Asheka ma'am- Sir said that I should give it to her as soon as possible and I told him that I would give it to him by Monday.//

//4) Show the process journal- I told him that my process journal lacked graphics and that I needed photos and videos to make it look more appealing.//

//5) About the actors who will come on the day of the concert- I asked sir whether he could as Isha Sharvani to come to my concert, and as mentioned in the letter of permission Vishal Bharadwaj would be asked by Asheka ma’am. He said she would be too busy, but he would still try. :D//

//6) Talk about very less time!!! How are we going to finish it????- He said that we would try to finish the composition in the next two weeks and then start recording.//

//7) Talk about another song...rap/ another version of my song- I talked to Sir about a music video to go along with my song, as just a song would be boring. He said that it was a great idea and that I should start working on it.//

//8) Talk about Aditi advertising my song.//

//9) Talk about my concert, and what exactly I have in mind for it.// Sir also told me to think about a design to go on my CD cover and CD. He also told me to start working on my final PPT, which I will be using to present my PP. I said that I would start working on it right away. 1-10-2011 Today I went and met Felix sir. We recorded a bit and discussed about my money targets. These are some photos: Sir and I came up with a new melody for the second stanza of my song and he told me to make a few changes in the lyrics of my song. He told me to be more poetic. I better start working on it right away. We talked about the concert and I said that giving the letter of permission for the school auditorium for my concert would be the first thing I would do on Monday.

So, I have almost completed the first step of Phase I that is to compose the song and record it. I did an internet search on the different auditoriums in Mumbai just in case I don’t get permission. I found the following: [] Devadiga Bhavan3 ratingsPlot No 12 Sector 12, Gamdevi Temple, Devadiga Bhavan Road, Nerul, Navi Mumbai - 400706 | View Map Call: +(91)-22-61610355 Also See : Auditoriums, Banquet Halls, AC Banquet Halls (101 To 200 Persons), AC Banquet Halls (51 To 100 Persons) Conference room(s) UMC Town Hall Central Hospital, Ulhasnagar No 3, Thane - 421003 | View Map Call: +(91)-22-61612845 Also See : Auditoriums, Banquet Halls, AC Banquet Halls (Upto 50 Persons), AC Banquet Halls (101 To 200 Persons) Billawar Association & Banquets3 ratingsSantacruz East, Mumbai - 400055 | View Map Call: +(91)-22-61634430 Also See : Auditoriums, Conference Halls (Upto 50 Seats), Conference Halls (51 To 100 Seats) The Comedy Store (Corporate Office)362 ratingsC/O Palladium Mall, 3RD & 5TH Floor, High Street Phoenix, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400013 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-43485000 Also See : Auditoriums WebsitePrithvi Theatre347 ratings20, Janki Kutir Society, To Tulip Star Hotel, Juhu Church Road, Juhu, Mumbai - 400049 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-26149546 Also See : Auditoriums, Arts & crafts, rages writers bloc 3 festival - natak nako - a marathi play WebsiteCricket Club Of India232 ratingsBrabourne Stadium, Asiatic, Sir Dinshaw Vachha Road, Churchgate, Mumbai - 400020 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-66594252 Also See : Auditoriums, Banquet Halls, Yoga Classes, AC Banquet Halls (Upto 50 Persons) Shanmukhananda Hall217 ratingsPlot No 292, Fine Arts & Sangeet Sabha, King Circle Railway Station & Behind Gandhi Market, Comrade Harbanslal Marg, Sion, Mumbai - 400022 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-24044141 Also See : Auditoriums, Conference Halls (Upto 50 Seats), Conference Halls (51 To 100 Seats) Prabodhankar Thackeray Natya Mandir262 ratings Chamunda Circle, Sodawala Lane, Borivali West, Mumbai - 400092 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-28929333 Also See : Auditoriums, Banquet Halls, Art Galleries PhotosNational Sports Club Of India220 ratings Race Course, Opposite Haji Ali, Honby Vellard, V Patel Road & Lala Lajpatrai Marg, Worli, Mumbai - 400018 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-24938813 Also See : Auditoriums, Banquet Halls, Swimming Classes, Clubs WebsiteNehru Centre Auditorium131 ratingsDiscovery Of India Building, Shiv Sagar Estate, Next To Nehru Planetarium, DR Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai - 400018 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-24964676 Also See : Auditoriums, Community, Music WebsiteNational Centre For Performing Arts207 ratingsNcpa Centre, Trident Hotel, Sir Dorabji Tata Road, Ncpa Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400021 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-66223737 Also See : Auditoriums, Music, sharmila samant discussion with sumesh sharma WebsiteBhaidas Hall213 ratingsBhaidas Hall, Mithibai College, Juhu Scheme, Road No 1, Vile Parle West, Mumbai - 400056 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-26105828 Also See : Auditoriums, Trainings, Literary Andheri Sports Complex164 ratingsOpposite Swadesh Hotel & Garden Court Hotel, Veera Desai Road, J P Road, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400053 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-26744292 Also See : Auditoriums, Swimming Classes, Clubs Dinanath Mangeshkar Hall184 ratingsDinanath Mangeshkar Natyagruha, Opposite Railway Station, Natwariya Dutta Bhatt Marg, Vile Parle East, Mumbai - 400057 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-26184027 Also See : Auditoriums, Music, Instrumental St Andrews Auditorium141 ratingsST Andrews College, Opposite Arya Vidya Mandir School, Behind Holy Family Hospital, ST Domnic Road, Bandra West, Mumbai - 400050 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-26513224 Also See : Auditoriums, Instrumental, Concerts Shivaji Natya Mandir194 ratingsOpp Plaza Cinema, N C Kelkar Road, Dadar West, Mumbai - 400028 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-24304566 Also See : Auditoriums, Banquet Halls, AC Banquet Halls (Upto 50 Persons), AC Banquet Halls (101 To 200 Persons) Ravindra Natya Mandir107 ratingsP L Deshpande Kala Academy, Siddhivinayak Temple, Sayani Road, Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 400025 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-24312956 Also See : Auditoriums, Exhibition Ground, Film Editing Room Gadkari Rangayatan139 ratings Masunda Talao, Thane Railway Station, Talaopadi, DR Moose Road, Thane West, Thane - 400601 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-25362165 Also See : Auditoriums, Music, Salsa Rangsharda Auditorium53 ratingsRangsharda Hotel, Lilavati Hospital, Bandra Reclamation, K C Marg, Bandra West, Mumbai - 400050 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-26430544 Also See : Auditoriums, lajawab rafi - a musical programme, oops! crazy love - a musical comedy Mahakavi Kalidas Natya Mandir100 ratingsPriyadarshini Indira Gandhi Krida Sankul, Pancha Rasta, Purshottam Kheraj Road, Mulund West, Mumbai - 400080 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-25612722 Also See : Auditoriums, mba workshop at mahakavi kalidas natya mandir, Trainings Vishnudas Bhave Natyagruha98 ratingsOpposite Vashi Bus Depot, Sector 16 A, Vashi, Navi Mumbai - 400703 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-27667879 Also See : Auditoriums, Concerts, Music Sophia Bhabha Hall39 ratingsShopia College Campus, Opp Breach Candy Hospital, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Breach Candy, Mumbai - 400026 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-23538550 Also See : Auditoriums, Theatre Group, Main Root Fine Arts Society Auditorium61 ratings Chembur Flyover, R C Marg, Chembur East, Mumbai - 400071 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-25222988 Also See : Auditoriums, Banquet Halls, AC Banquet Halls (Upto 50 Persons), AC Banquet Halls (101 To 200 Persons) WebsiteTejpal Auditorium (Tejpal Road)23 ratingsGowlia Tank, August Kranti Maidan, Tejpal Road, Grant Road, Mumbai - 400007 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-23802679 Also See : Auditoriums, Theatre Group, Main Root Yashwant Rao Chavan Hall50 ratingsGround Floor, Chavan Centre, Opposite Mantralaya, General Jagannath Bhosale Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400021 | View Map Call: +(91)-(22)-22047252 Also See : Auditoriums, Music, MAKE CHAI NOT WAR - A STAND UP COMEDY

Working on Garage band

While recording. 10-11-2011 Today I created a blog. It’s called ‘Did you smile today?’

Dd/Mm/Yy

There is an operation smile mission that I will be going to from 8th October to 11th October. I am very excited about it!!

A mission is a surgical camp held by operation smile, where children with clefts assemble and they are screened, examined and selected for surgery.

After the mission.

It was amazing. Nothing can replace the pleasure of seeing a child who has a cleft go through surgery and look at themselves in the mirror and not believe that it is them they are looking at. Playing with the children, helping write medical records/ personal information, photographing the children was all a wonderful experience.

Playing with the children was something I will never forget. Many of the children were extremely shy because of their deformity and they wouldn't want to play. But my friend Samantha and I, used a tactic which never failed (to get them to play). Both of us used bright yellow soft balls to play, and when a child would refuse to come near us, we would throw the ball at them. They would think that we threw it at them by mistake, and they would throw it back. The next time, we would throw the ball a little far away from the child, so he or she would have to come a little closer to us to pass the ball. We kept doing this, till the child was near us, playing happily. Sometimes, this wouldn't work that well. However, Samantha and I would take all the children who we were playing with and go to that child who refuses to come near us. The child had no choice but to play.

All the kids we played with loved us and we loved them too. I miss them and will never forget any one of them ever. These are a few pictures:

The day of screening

The photograph station (screening)

Screening I also wrote an article for the Operation smile official website about my experience. Here it is: **__ My experience: __** The Operation smile, local mission in Aurangabad was my first mission. Mansi and Sagar, my friends and I, reached Aurangabad in the evening. After checking into the hotel, at dinner, we met everyone in the team. All of them were very nice and hospitable and they told us what our schedule would be for the upcoming days. The next day was that of screening. We had to wake up at 6:00 am. All of us had previously been to ISCE this year, where the wakeup call was at a similar time, so the time did not matter. Even though the day was strenuous and tiring, we got to learn a lot. When we went there, we saw so many people waiting. Some of them had come the night before because they lived far away. I helped photograph the children’s clefts, I helped take down medical records and I played with the children- which was my favorite part. I also went around to other stations and found out what happened there like the anesthetists station, the dentists station etc. Many of the children were very shy and they were very hesitant to play with me and my friends, but eventually they joined the fun. They were amazing-in fact I got very attached to a little girl named Vaishnavi who was there for a reconstruction surgery. She was an amazing child- very naughty, but very sweet. My friends and I loved her! This is me and Vaishnavi:

By the end of the day we were all extremely tired, but it was worth it. We enjoyed every part of the day. The next day was a free day- we had it to ourselves and we could do anything we wanted. We took it easy that day. We had a cultural programme that night organized by Dr.Ujwala, in whose hospital the surgeries were to be performed.

That night, we helped put blood reports in the files of children, and that was when we saw the names of the children who got surgery and who did not. I kept my fingers crossed and hoped that Vaishnavi received surgery--and there her name was on the list. I was so happy!

The day after that was the day of surgery. That day was like the day of screening- tiring but exciting. We started off by playing with children in Ms. Bindiya’s room. Ms.Bindiya was the child life specialist. We used toys, hats and balls to play with the children. The hats that we got along with us and the bubbles that Ms.Bindiya gave us were a hit among the children. We also played a fishing game- which I played for the first time- which Ms. Bindya introduced me to. That was a hit as well. It was there that I met another child - Manthan - who had a cleft palate. He was very sweet and he loved my camera- he kept clicking pictures with it.

This is a picture of me clicked by him.

This is me and Manthan:

I was thrilled when the doctors said that we could watch the surgery because I wanted to watch Manthan’s surgery. I went in wearing a hospital gown and a mask and a cap and sat through the whole surgery. I don’t know what to say except that I am glad that I was there and I watched it.

On this day one of the parents started crying because her child hadn’t come out for a while. So me and my friend Samantha hugged her and told her what was happening inside and that she had nothing to worry. She felt a little better after that We also sat through a sixteen year old girl’s surgery and held her hand. She was told to keep her hand on the bed but she still reached out for our hand. Sagar kept coming to meet us and find out how we were doing. Vaishnavi’s surgery was happening the day after, and so I couldn’t meet her but the fact that she was going to receive surgery was enough for me.

The same evening we had to leave. We were all sad and begged to stay longer but we had to go back to school. So with a suitcase full of memories and a heart full of remorse due to our early departure, we set off to Mumbai with so much to tell to people back home. Apeksha Trivady

RBKia Some more pictures:

During screening

In the childcare room (above)

In the surgery ward (below)

Me and

Mobatshira The end of our trip:

19-10-2011

Today, I was talking to Asheka ma'am and my mother about my personal project, and there- right there, Asheka ma'am called Rekha Bharadwaj and requested her to come to my concert, and Ms. Bharadwaj said yes and that it would be a pleasure. I was awestruck. I thanked Asheka ma'am a ton. She also said that she will talk to Shaan, and ask him whether he can come too. I was speechless. The thought itself made me mad. I thanked again.

My classmate Mihir said that his uncle knew Imraan Khan, the actor. So I am planning to ask him whether he could arrange a meeting with Imraan Khan.

Jonathan sir, our music teacher knows Naserudin Shah's son, and so I was planning to ask him whether I could meet Naserudin Shah as well.

As I mentioned before, Felix sir knows Isha Sharvani, and I asked him whether I could meet her as well. Felix sir said he would try his best to arrange an appointment.

I told all this to my mother, and she said that I better start talking to all these people right away because I hardly have any time left.

Also, since the music concert date has been shifted to sometime in December, I cannot have my concert in December. Therefore, I have to postpone it to sometime in January/ February. So I have to start thinking of a good date. Dd/Mm/Yy I came up with three dates and also came up with a rough structure of the concert will look like. The three dates were 11th, 24th or 25th February. These dates were convenient and there was nothing important for me to do on those days. I mailed it Felix sir. It is as follows: **__ Events possible: __** Request: 1) Songs by me -3 : My song-1 2) Band- Aryan-- 3) Dance by Shrutee ma’am 4) Fusion by Aditi and Asra 5) Song by Bhanu ma’am 6) Felix sir 7) Arohi- song : 8) Manali song – Pehli baar mohhobat ki hai (Rahul) 9) Samantha song--duet Manali 10) Peeyush 11) Jetashri ma’am and me- Dil hai Chotta sa 12) Dance by Isha Sharvani 13) Songs by Rekha Bharadwaj- 1 14) Songs by Shaan- 1 15) Kabir- dance

Pujan- Everything

11th, 25th February (evening/morning??), 24th evening??

In charge of music system request: Chandan sir, Monil--lights Welcome committee request: Rachel, Simran--? Compering request: Aryan, Simran Instruments to request:
 * Drums**- Kunal
 * Keyboard**- Mihir, Vinay, Varun
 * Guitar**- Sanjay sir, Aryan – Rahul

Curtains:?? Name of the event--?

Request Principal Sir and Mrs. Edulbehrum to be with chief guests till parents assemble in the auditorium and to bring them up when parents are seated.

Request Ms. Shivani to organize media to cover the event. Auditions--?? - Request people to perform - Confirm that people performing are going to be there. - Get a list of events ready - Request for permission from Mrs. Edulbehrum for the auditorium - Request for media-
 * __Deadlines:__**

Felix sir said that I need to work on it a little more and that he would help me with it later.

We finalized a date- 25th Feb. My mother and I contacted Shaan’s sister-in-law and asked to her to request Shaan to come to my concert. She said that she would, and that we give her about a week.

After a week she said that Shaan has many programmes in February and that he would try his best to make it.

Sadly the same happened with Rekha Bharadwaj when we told her the date. She said that she would try her best though.

So now, the only option is Isha Sharvani, Naserudin Shah and Imran Khan. So I will start asking them. 19-12-2011 Today, I sat with my friend Aditi and planned what our (her) commercial is going to be like. We decided that we will interview people and ask them two questions: 1) What makes you smile and 2) Why is a smile important to you. We also decided that I would 13-01-2012 Today I framed a letter to write to the head office concerning permission for the auditorium, since telling the coordinator was not going to be enough. It’s as below: 13-01-2012 To,

The Head Office- Kanakia Spaces,

Andheri (E), Mumbai. Respected Sir/ Ma’am, I am Apeksha Trivady, a student of your esteemed institution – RBK International Academy. I am in 10th grade. My personal project is to raise funds for Operation smile. Operation smile is an NGO that facilitates surgeries for poor people with cleft lip & cleft palette. Specialist doctors, nurses and other volunteers all come together and perform free surgeries for these people. Since this organization solely depends on funds for its functioning, many people conduct fundraisers. I want to do the same. So, through composing a song and singing it at a concert- I will raise funds and donate all of it. For that I will require the school auditorium. The concert will be for about one and a half hour, including introduction, main events and a vote of thanks. Mrs. Rekha Bharadwaj and a few other celebrities will be attending my concert as chief guests. A welcoming committee consisting of a few of my classmates will be present on the day. The instruments, lights, mikes and other technicalities will be dealt with by my friends and me. If these celebrities come to our school, it will bring our school a lot of recognition and fame. It will be very beneficial to the school if the concert is held in the school auditorium. I will be highly obliged if granted permission to use the auditorium. Operation smile means a lot to me and fundraising to help the children means a lot to me too. So, I will be eternally grateful if you allow me to use the auditorium. Anticipating your favorable reply, Apeksha Trivady
 * Subject**: A request to use auditorium of RBK International Academy

Grade 10 16-01-2012 Today, Aditi told me that her mom knew Dhanush’s (A very famous south Indian actor) mom. So, I asked her whether she could ask him to come to my concert, as she was going to Chennai soon. She said she would try. I was so excited!!! She said that she also knew A. K. Murgadas (Director of many movies including the famous Ghajhini), and that there was an A.R. Rehman institute close to her place. She said she would ask both of them and find out whether anything can be done. 23-01-2011 Today, Aditi told me very good news!! She told me that Murgadas is coming as he is right now in Mumbai, shooting a film. I was really really happy. He told me to give him the details of the concert so I started working on that. I also asked Felix sir whether my letter is fine- permission for the auditorium. He told me to change the highlighted bit into what follows: If these celebrities come to our school, it will bring our school a lot of recognition and fame. It will be very beneficial to the school if the concert is held in the school auditorium. This may be of benefit to the school because celebrity chief guests who visit our school in appreciation of such a good cause and our effort will convey the active and caring drive of RBK through the press. So, I changed it and mailed it to our personal project head, Ms. Anshu, and requested her to give it to the head office. 24-01-2011 Anshu ma’am was absent today, so I couldn’t ask her about the letter.

This is how far ahead I reached with my song. Sadly, it’s not much. :P :( **Some things that I just can’t forget **  //Chords: C-Am-F-Dm //

// F-G-F-C //

// C- Am- Em-C // C Am F Dm

I remember when we first met on that street on the way to school three years ago

C Am F Dm

We looked at each other and smiled and that’s when I knew that there was something for sure Music

C Am F Dm/G

I remember that evening on the beach when we walked together, and then when we walked some more

C Am F Dm/G

We smiled again and we laughed a bit too and that’s when I knew that there was something for sure Music

Dm G

I remember the time you took me to the sea

Em Am

It was quiet and sweet and it was meant just for me

x

It was beautiful there and I couldn’t help but think

k

that you, you, you complete me Kasjfhyadkcjn…. A, Dm, G Pause

Those memories still make me smile when I’m blue and I really don’t have any regrets

C Am F Dm

Meeting you here, are **some of the things that I just can’t forget** Music C Am F Dm

When I think of the days that we spent together I feel like I am completely complete

C Am F Dm

When you looked at me with your twinkling eyes your wonderful smile swept me off my feet

I remember that time too when you said you’re leaving, and you left me undone

I remember the time when we sat on the hill, and we were counting the evening stars above

Our hands were close, interlocked together and for each other we had nothing but love C Am F Dm

Those memories still make me smile when I’m blue and I really don’t have any regrets

C Am F Dm

Meeting and kissing and smiling and laughing are **some of the things that I just can’t forget**

Dd-Mm-Yy I got a lot done- and I did not have time to out everything into my journal so I’ll fill up for whatever I have missed.

Firstly, I made some big changes to my song and finally finished it. It is as follows: //Chords: C-Am-F-Dm //

// F-G-F-C //

// C- Am- Em-C // C Am F Dm

I remember when we first met on that street on the way to school three years ago

C Am F Dm

We looked at each other and smiled and that’s when I knew that there was something for sure Music

C Am F Dm/G

I remember that evening on the beach when we walked together, and then when we walked some more

C Am F Dm/G

You put your arm ‘round me and that’s when I knew that there was something for sure Music

Dm G

I remember the time you took me to the sea

Em Am

It was quiet and sweet and it was meant just for me

x

Our footprints on the sand were all that we could see They showed that we are together, just you and me Pause

Those memories still make me smile when I’m blue and I really don’t have any regrets

C Am F Dm

Your sweet and caring, compassionate gestures are **some of the things that I just can’t forget** Music C Am F Dm

When I think of the days that we spent together I feel like I am completely complete

C Am F Dm

When you looked at me with your twinkling eyes your wonderful smile swept me off my feet I remember the time when we sat on the hill, and we were counting the evening stars above

Gentle breezes were blowing upon us, ‘twas a perfect evening that was filled with love Music La la la la Pause Those memories still make me smile when I’m blue and I really don’t have any regrets

C Am F Dm

Meeting and kissing and smiling and laughing are **some of the things that I just can’t forget** Then one day, I talked to friend Yusra about the celebrities I am going to invite to my concert- she said her uncle was very close to Shah Rukh khan. I couldn’t even imagine how amazing my concert would turn out to be if he came. So I told her to fix an appointment with him and she said she would need my help and when we did together in fact try to fix an appointment it worked and we went there with the permission of our coordinators. We went inside and spoke to his PA. She said that she would consider our proposal and that she would try to do whatever she could as regards my event. We couldn’t meet Shah Rukh though- he had gone to Berlin. Sad as was, the day wasn’t so bad, because a short while after that we were in search for Salmaan Khans studio where we were hoping to achieve something, and on the way we met Loy and Ehsaan. Loy was just standing outside a recording studio and we just went to him and introduced ourselves and he was so nice to us- he spoke to us like he knew us for a very long time. After a long conversation we asked him whether he could come to my concert and unfortunate for us he said no. Well, at least this time I knew he was telling the truth because he showed us his schedule on his phone. But to make it up to us, he took us inside his studio and showed us around. It was amazing. He showed us the recording room the ‘adding special effects’ room and we also met Ehsaan in the studio. It was awesome- more than awesome. We also got their autograph the copy of which is attached on the next page. We then found Salmaan Khans studio and we met Arbaas Khan, who wasn’t as nice as Loy. Anyway he said he wouldn’t be available at that time- so it was probably a very impractical pursuit.

The thing is that many people told me that it would be useless to go and ask Shah Rukh Khan because he is a busy man and doesn’t even have time for his own family let alone a concert conducted by someone he doesn’t know at all. But if I did not take a chance and go to Mannat I would never have got the chance to meet the people I met. So I think of the trip as a pretty good try. Below is the letter that I took to Shahrukh Khan: 9th February 2012 To Mr.Khan Mumbai

Dear Mr.Khan,

I am Ms.Anshu Sharma, the Personal Project Coordinator at RBK International Academy, an IB School in Chembur. A requirement of IB is the Personal Project where a student selects a topic of his/ her choice and at the end, presents it to a jury. As part of her Personal Project, one of our students – Ms.Apeksha Trivady has decided to organsie a music show ‘Xpressions’. She has composed a song and plans to sing it with other songs to fundraise for an NGO called Operation smile. The proceeds of this concert will go to Operation smile.

Operation Smile is an organization which facilitates surgeries for children with cleft lips and cleft palates. It also repairs other deformities like burns or unwanted growths. Over 2 lakh children are born with cleft lips and palates every year, often unable to speak, eat, socialize or SMILE. They are shunned by society and humiliated and teased by peers and sometimes disowned by their parents. Naturally most of them cannot go to school either.

In 1982, Drs. Bill and Kathy Magee, both surgeons, went to the Philippines to perform surgeries for people with this deformity and on going there realized that hundreds of people are in need of the surgery. Seeing this, they launched ‘Operation Smile’.

Our students were inspired by this organization and hence we introduced the ‘Operation Smile’ Club in our school. Through this club, we spread awareness of cleft palates and cleft lips and the problems faced by the children who have them and inspire our fellow students to make a difference in the lives of children who are less fortunate than us. We also fundraise where ever possible. The event is to be held on the 25th of February, from 5:30 pm to 7:00pm. It would be my honor and privilege to invite you as chief guest and I would be greatly obliged if you would grace the occasion by performing as well. We hope you would oblige.

Warm Regards, Anshu Sharma RBK International Academy

Also, Rekha Bhardwaj confirmed that she will perform at my concert and we also got permission to use the auditorium from the head office.

I made an invitation letter for the chief guests. It is as follows: I used the following link for the picture: []

Dear Mrs. Bhardwaj, You are cordially invited to   ** Xpressions **

a musical xtravaganza filled with extraordinary events. This whole event is arranged by me, Apeksha Trivady along with Mr. Felix Hug the music director of our school, as a fundraiser for an NGO- Operation smile. Operation smile is an organization that facilitates surgeries for poor people with clefts- cleft lip and palate. They conduct surgical camps in different parts of the world and perform surgeries free of cost. They depend on funds for their functioning and so many people conduct fundraisers to help the organization. I wanted to help too. Since I could choose which ever topic I wanted for my personal project (A requirement of IB where a student selects a topic of his/ her choice and at the end, presents it to a jury) and since I love music, I decided to compose a song and sing it at a concert to fundraise for Operation smile. The proceeds of this concert will go to Operation smile. The event is to be held on the 25th of February, from 5:30 pm to 7:00pm. It would be my honor and privilege to invite you as chief guest and I would be greatly obliged if you would grace the occasion by performing as well.

Thanking you,

Apeksha Trivady

Below is the official website of Operation smile: [|www.operationsmile.org] The address details are:

RBK International Academy,

Ghatkopar-Mankhurd link road,

Chembur, Mumbai.


 * Phone number**: 9819991587 (Apeksha Trivady)

Then Felix sir and I, chalked out a list of events for my show. They are as follows:

**__ Show: __** 1) Some things I just can’t forget 2) Smile 3) Kabir dance 4) Disney Medley 5) Run 6) Lion King (PYP)- Can you feel the love tonight 7) Knights of Cydonia 8) Arohi and Dr. Vishwas- duet 9) Rekha Bhardwaj- song 10) The last goodbye – The atomic kittens 11) Felix sirs song 12) Perfect two- Auburn 13) In the jungle

We practiced many of the songs- Some things I just can’t forget, Smile, Disney Medley, Run, Lion King (PYP) - Can you feel the love tonight and in the jungle. We might end up not doing some of these songs if they don’t sound good but these are the things that are there on the list for now. I also designed the tickets for my concert. This is how they look:

There were some mistakes- like the date and time were not given so Ms. Radha made those changes and gave them for printing. My plan is to sell them on PYP sports day to parents. And to other people too of course.

I also made a flyer with my friend Aditi to distribute to all the PYP and MYP students in our school, so that their parents would know exactly what I am doing. They are attached on the next page. I used Rekha Bhardwaj’s photo from the following link: []

I also helped Aditi make a poster. It is below:

I am going to meet Ms. Rekha Bhardwaj on Monday- 13th February to formally invite her and ask her a few questions about the songs she is going to sing. 14-02-2012 Today I went to meet Mrs. Bhardwaj to formally hand over the invitation letter and invite her to my concert. She was very sweet and thought that what I was doing was lovely. She also agreed to sing two songs- Darling and Genda Phool two of her very famous and beautiful songs. She said she would bring her personal guitarist but that we should be prepared with the songs in school anyway. She also told us her website, from which we could round some information up so that we can introduce her properly when she arrives. Dd-Mm-Yy I have been really busy over the past few days so I don’t know the exact dates I did the following on.

The emails I sent to and received from Felix Sir: 1) “Hi sir...I came up with a tune for my song...I am struggling with what

chords and the melody. Once I think that the tune is pretty good I

will send the notes to you. I will also try and put in words...it's

gonna be a happy song, mostly about love- something romantic...I play

C many times, also G...it would be great if you could send me some

chords which you think could go well with it. I am aiming to mail the

first verse to you by Monday. Is there anything more I should be doing

to make my song sound good?

Apeksha” 2) “Hi sir, I have been working on my song and I have come up with something. The name of the song is 'Dream' and I have the tune and one verse (not necessarily the first) of the song. I have attached two word documents; one which has the words and keys of the song and the second which has my goal, the context of my goal, and the area of interaction that it is closely related to. I need help with the song; it’s not that great at all. It would be great if you could send me some chords which would go well with the keys, or maybe some words which would sound better. Radha ma'am was telling me that you were going to come to school, and I really want to meet you to show you my progress. Apeksha” 3) “Hi sir...just wanted to find out whether you are back from Germany. I want to show you my work and my progress. Are you going to school any time soon? 4) Sir, We had a task in IT, in which we had to create a scatter diagram outlining the things to be done for our Personal project. Attached is a soft copy of it. Whenever you are free please look at it. :D 5) Hi Sir, Today Tenzin sir taught us about wikispaces, and helped us create our own accounts. It is basically an e-process journal or an e-log, of what I am am doing, everyday for the project. Its like a blog. The website is www.wikispaces.com. The account name is apekshatrivady. The password is Peach123. The email-id is apekshatrivady@gmail.com. I have added all what I have done till now. Whenever you are free you can have a look. Get well soon!! 6) Hi sir, I was just thinking of the concert. Since the music concert is in December, I don't think it will be a good idea to have the concert in December itself. So I came up with two dates in February- 11th and 25th. I was also thinking of 24th. Are these dates alright?  I also wanted to tell you that Asheka ma'am has been kind enough to call Mrs. Bharadwaj and ask her to come to the concert and Mrs. Bharadwaj has agreed. Asheka ma'am has also given me the number of Shaan's sister-in-law, but at the moment she is in tirupati, so I have to call her later. Also, Mihir's uncle knows Imraan Khan-the actor, so I am thinking of requesting Mihir to arrange a meeting with him.  And sir, I know thats its a lot to ask, but please can call Ms. Isha Sharvani? Please? Or if you can arrange a meeting I will be glad to invite her.  I have also written the names of the people who can perform in the concert- people who I have to request. They are the people who will perform, take care of music and lights, play the instruments, and be in charge of welcoming guests.

Request: 1) Songs by me -3 : My song-1 2) Band- Aryan-- 3) Dance by Shrutee ma’am 4) Fusion by Aditi and Asra 5) Song by Bhanu ma’am 7) Arohi- song : 8) Manali song – Pehli baar mohhobat ki hai (Rahul) 9) Samantha song--duet Manali 10) Peeyush 11) Jetashri ma’am and me- Dil hai Chotta sa  12) Dance by Ms. Isha Sharvani  13) Songs by Mrs. Rekha Bharadwaj- 1 14) Songs by Shaan- 1 15) Kabir- dance 16) Mr. Imraan Khan--? 11th, 25th February (evening/morning??), 24th evening??  In charge of music system request: Chandan sir, Monil--lights  Welcome committee request: Rachel, Simran--?  Compering request: Aryan, Simran  Instruments to request:  Curtains:??  Name of the event--?  Request Principal Sir and Mrs. Edulbehrum to be with chief guests till parents assemble in the auditorium and to bring them up when parents are seated.  Request Ms. Shivani to organize media to cover the event.  This is just a rough plan. Should I make any changes sir? I am still working on deadlines like when I should have a list of events ready, when I should start practice in the auditorium etc. I will email that to you as soon as I am done.
 * Drums ** - Kunal
 * Keyboard ** - Mihir, Vinay, Varun
 * Guitar ** - Sanjay sir, Aryan – Rahul

7) Hi sir...this is the letter that I wrote for the head office...is it okay? 8) Hi Apeksha,

this is a useful warm-up exercise ... 9) This is my song  10) Attached is the invitation letter 11) Hi Apeksha,

this should be useful, it is not the medley yet however I do have an idea how to link the songs ... 12) Run practice