Introduction/Extract from Essays published in the Book

"Only God can make a tree, but I am in charge of the seeds and weeds, says Malvika."

"Palkin believes in what Howard Geoff has to say – I have morals, however, they don't come from the Bible, but from the heart."

Manu has presented a serious argument with history as witness on the need for morality.

"Morality need not come from within; it can also be inspired by some person, incident, circumstance or situation, feels Hitha."

"That which is inside you that makes the character of an honest man, say Namrata."

"Morality is the fight between the conscience and the ego of a person, writes Chitrangada."

"Bhanavi believes that the main problem arises with the replacement of ""us"" and ""ours"" with 'I' and “mine."""

Nishi says that placing undue emphasis on “qualifications” without ingraining moral values is of no use.

Himanshu says that the touchstone of morality is your ability to shoulder responsibility.

Lakshya says morality is simply living in peace and harmony.

Mir says commitment is a value that embraces all other values and he implores parents to spend time teaching their children the concept of commitment.

"You don’t have to be a sage to do the right thing at the right time, says Monami."

Vivekanand says that sophistication is no measure of morals. It is reflected in our thoughts.

"Swati says that we must move towards an integrated personality, but with some well formed habits that will never let you down. "

"Relating the story of the film, Matrix, Vaibhav derives his contention that our desire to seek truth lies in our commitment to it."

"Ishan says that we have institutionalized dishonesty and given up rendering service to others. Schools and media, among others, have to pitch in to change the scene."

Amrita says that you are remembered by your ability to give of yourself to society.

"Morality, says Snigdha, is that emotional touch which binds all of us in our activities in a more civilized manner."

"Samir has come up with an interesting theory of the Circle of Life and Moral Insurance Company, based on morals."

Shashank feels optimism is the key to progress and one Mother Teresa or Gladys Staines is enough to function as the beacon of morality for the whole world.

"Moral values are your personal assets, your treasure, that helps you to be a true human, says Mridang."

Concepts of morality are ever changing with time, says Rahul. To understand morality is nothing short of enlightenment

In our mad race for power and possessions we need morality to keep man as man and to prevent humans from becoming mechanical robots… says Navadha Pandey

Individuals make a nation and morality is the base for progress, says Divya.

Ninad presents arguments for and against speaking the truth. What is the final conclusion?

A clarion call: It is time to put people back on track otherwise the whole world might become a battlefield, warns Ranjitha.

Jeevan shares his secret on how to make a perfect day by living in the present.

Rohan, an aspiring lawyer, observes that 'knowing' your morals is not enough. True merit lies in practice.

Parag identifies good values as the secret for lasting happiness.

It is very easy to learn morals but adhering to them in practical life is truly tough, observes Sri Ranjini.

Shray says that we must always bear this thought in mind that "the world is like a mirror, whatever we give, the same we receive.

One good act leads to another. It is a chain reaction. So let’s get started says Shaurya Kulhari.

As food is the mode of our survival, relationship is the mode of our existence, says Ridisha.

To be successful is good. To be a good human being is better. To be a good, successful human being is best, says Bharat.

Shubangi feels that moral values should be based on an overall commitment of doing the right thing.

Vartika calls for optimism saying that we can reclaim a principled society only if each one of us could live a principled life.

Ashwini argues for ecstasy in selfishness saying that there is no place for morals in today's world of "individuality" for now we are even taking advantage of God!

There are always two sides to a coin. The moral and immoral have to exist side by side to create a balance, says Phukan Dikshit.

In times of crises would you speak the truth to save your soul or a lie to save your body? Many situations is life leave us in such dilemmas, says Saumya Saxena.

Tareeshi says God created lies for us to protect our loved ones. We are misusing it.

R V Subramanyam combines his young personal experience with a deep understanding of the matters of the world and has some suggestions to make.

A tour through Cambridge had a very pleasant and illuminating surprise for Sandeep. What was it? Read and find out in this imaginative account.

Shefali believes that to understand morality a person must want to be moral and that morality is not a human fabrication, it merely awaits to be detected.

To love fellow human beings is the essence of morality, says Achyut.

Patriotic Divya quotes from the Thirukural as she analyses the wrongs in different fields.

Zubin Unwalla leaves us with a question: "Is deception a part and parcel of human demeanor?"

“When the whole of society is corrupt, why do you expect the opposite from children?” asks Akshita Sharma.

Ved Vyas says that we do not mean or act upon what we say.

The mantra today, says Smriti, is to catch up with what’s going on - somehow, anyhow.

Dushyant defines morality painstakingly as being different from etiquette, religion or law and in the process quotes statistics to highlight corruption in Indian offices.

Aanchal asks if moral values are only found in fairy tales and storybooks.

Ruchi details the various aspects of morality and immorality in daily life with examples from her life.

Aditi wonders why we lose our individuality when it comes to following the wrong path.

Akriti looks to parents to set the examples.

Aarthi, highly disillusioned with government service, says a government office is not the right place for the idealistic.

Rashi holds the media greatly responsible for the degradation of morals.

Ameya is disillusioned with the world and says even morals have their limits.

Varsha feels that the world is not ready for honesty and humans themselves created lies in order to satisfy the quest of their egos.

Each one of us has a dream for India. I too have one. I want to live in an India where everyone is taken care of and learns to trust each other, says Tishya Khillare.

Animesh cautions with the example of Midas saying that even though there has been tremendous scientific and technological advances, they may not really be useful to man, unless he develops his moral fiber.

Top icons have let us down, says Pragathi.

We have shaped realities around us that are different from the truth. How do we separate truth from reality, asks Vibhore

Morals are like the Pole star - it remains stationary. Only our views change, says Anchal.

Anaita spans a whole range of thoughts and actions, asking where the dividing line should be drawn.

The concept of right and wrong seems to be evidently simple. When the focus is narrowed, however, it seems that the concept of morality grays in its boundaries, says Arunima.

Vidya asks whom to trust? Who is right? What decides?

Elly gathers her thoughts on morality commenting on the subjectivity in deciding the right and the wrong.

Morality, says Yash Goyle, is not a black and white code. There are thousands of situations in our daily life where the line between right and wrong is fuzzy.

Today morality has become so flexible that we mould it to suit our individual needs, says Geetika.

Ayush talks of the many factors that influence morality and says that while it may be slightly different in different places, or periods of time, the fundamentals remain the same, we just have to be astute enough to find it.

Morality is not a law. It comes from a person’s conscience and values imbibed in childhood, says Apoorv.

One cannot legislate ethics, says Aaron Mendonca. What may be ethical under certain circumstances may not be legal and vice versa.

Ruchi raises questions on animal testing, euthanasia, waging wars and cloning. Are they moral? Are they included in the ethics of man? Who is to decide?

Our hearts seem to have shriveled up and our spirits have become devoid of dignity, empathy and human values, says Nirali.

A life based on morals is tough, says Ashita, but warns that without it downfall is sure.

Worship shows us the way to the Supreme. Hard work shows us the path to progress and development, says Debjit Ghoshal.

Anam Fatma, while distinguishing between morality and ethics, says they are, to a large extent, determined by the culture we live in and cannot be imparted through classroom teaching.

Unlike past eras, where attacks (on morality) were perpetuated by tyrants, today they are waged across a spectrum of so-called respectable human institutions such as the government, the judiciary and the disciplines of the sciences and the arts, says Sameena.

Religion, says Shekhar, is the cause for all our wars, misunderstandings and conflicts. While on the one hand we say religion comes above all, on the other we do not understand the fundamental unity of all men that governs it.

Let love and humanity be our religion, says Songita. Life is too short and too beautiful. Don’t waste it.

Miti Gandhi recounts from her life lessons that have highlighted the importance of morality.

The unethical work habits of the people of a country affect its economy, development and culture, says Komal.

Hormazd writes on the importance of the means employed to accomplish one's work. He says that if one achieves success through unfair means it is not true success for it is not lasting.

Anam Hussain says that work ethics are principles, not rules. If they were mandatory rules of law, they would be followed. Sadly, they are principles that are neglected.

Devotion, dedication and determination work like a magic wand, says Akanksha.

We should do the best we can and not be concerned about the outcome of our work. We should do it just for the love of it, says Gazal Gupta.

Jessica says it is important to love your work, no matter what it is. Choose a job you love.

Zinia says one should believe in one’s work.

Rashika says passion, will power and perseverance are some of the necessary ingredients for success.

Pinky soars with her aspirations to attain perfection, believing in no limits.

Parul is partial to all words beginning with P - Perfection, Passion and Purpose dictate Professional Power.

“What is the predicament that is holding people back from perfecting work ethics?” asks Parnil.

Talking of the place
of work in our lives, Jagdish has built around selflessness as the corner stone of work ethics.

Ishika gives many stories to illustrate the need for a good work culture so that we retain our superiority as human beings over the far more efficient machines.

Samir gives a philosophical argument to work with everlasting values of forgiveness, self improvement through criticism and oneness with the world. The hope is that Samir's teachers will help him live these thoughts.

Shatakshi gives us a few words of wisdom that may be quoted by the future generations as defining work ethics.

“We are the makers and masters of our own destiny. One is what one chooses to be,”
says Sanaa.

I do not have wings to fly but, yes, I will try, says Deepakshi.

"The foundation for future prosperity and success is built on the bedrock of work ethics,” quotes Shilangi.

A sense of gratitude towards all those who make life possible on this matrix of interdependence is the key to good work ethics, says Manek.

Akaansh says: “Never neglect little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do...”

Work, according to Sruti, is like a mirror. Work shapes our lives and provides the foundation and structure for our activities.

Ritika presents a forceful argument to keep the distinction between work motivated by the desire to have more and more and work carried out to "earn" a good living.

Eshan focuses on the big business houses and the malpractices that they promote, cautioning that awareness is growing and so many will rise in protest to reinstate work ethics.

Aakanksha looks at the relative perspective in understanding morality, reminding us that the 'moral' one may not always be rewarded but to keep at it is the larger moral.

Siddhant says the simplest way to follow work ethics is to treat others as you would like to be treated.

Ila believes that there is no gain without pain. Rome was not built in a day. Similarly there are no shortcuts to success. A shortcut to success, cuts the success short.

Adit confidently states that children will determine the future of our country using work ethics as a weapon to stop the reigning chaos.

“Is all fair in love and war?” asks Abhinav.