Grade 8-Students Portfolio

Bhagvad Gita- Verbattle Debate Speech


Good day. My name is Tristan Stamets and I represent Inventure Academy. I will be debating the topic the “Bhagvad Gita is for Old People.” I shall speak against this motion.

Humanity is blessed with a few great books and stories, passed along through generations because of their eternal values. The Bhagwad Gita is one of these gifts of ancient and time-tested wisdom. It is the jewel of the great epic the Mahabharata.

The Gita’s core message lies in the conversation between Lord Krishna and the Pandava prince Arjun. Arjun hesitates to fulfill his duty as a warrior on the eve of the great battle of Kurukshetra between the Pandava and Kaurava clans. He says he would rather not fight than gain victory at the expense of causing mass bloodshed. Lord Krishna counsels him: Just perform your duty, without lusting for victory or agonizing about defeat.

This story is old, to be sure. But its wisdom and relevance is not confined simply to old people. Rather, the wisdom of the Bhagwad Gita is relevant to everyone. Truth, justice, honor, duty – the values discussed in the Gita still matter as ideals in our society today.

We gain valuable insight into our Indian heritage by reading how Krishna taught Arjun. His golden words can be an aid in everyone’s journey to success. Arjun may represent a doubtful and harrowed youth, struggling to live life, and Krishna may be a kind but firm mentor, who instructs him on how to be a good and righteous person.

Modern India still values the ideals of the Gita. In our legal courts, people take an oath to tell the truth with their right hand placed on a copy of the Bhagvad Gita.

If our political leaders actually followed the lessons of the Gita, by walking on the path of duty, India would be a model of good governance.



Arjun’s struggle to find his place and purpose in the world is an inspiration to all of us today. The Gita can offer us guidance in our individual journeys. This is especially relevant for young people, who face many choices in this fast-paced age of globalization.

Didn’t the Nike shoe company re-state the message of the Gita when it came up with its trendy slogan: “Just Do It!”? Does this message sound like it is outdated, or only fit for old people?

The Gita’s message is universal and timeless. It is relevant for both old and young. It is relevant to everyone in the world, in any country, in any era.

Tristan Stamets,
Grade 8

Moonwalking into History

Michael Jackson’s death shook the world. But it probably afflicted the Michael Jackson of India the most.

Prabhu Deva, inappropriately called “Benny Lava” after his English adaptation of one of his hit songs on the Internet.

Prabhu Deva must be one of his most devoted fans, he quotes:

“Michael Jackson is one of the biggest reasons for me to be the dancer that I am today. He inspired me like nobody else and I am shocked by his death.”

“People here do refer to me as the Michael Jackson of India, but I don’t know how to react to it. It doesn’t matter anymore given that he is dead now.
I still recall the time I got to spend with him when I met him in Mumbai. It happened, thanks to the efforts of Anupam Kher. We couldn’t talk much, nor did I get to perform on stage with him.
Yet, it is one of the most memorable days of my life”

I believe that for all his status problems, he was the world’s biggest prodigy for wannabes.

Tristan Stamets
Grade 8
Media POD