My Visit to a Zoo

Visiting the zoo will teach one everything they need to know about the wildlife that surrounds us.
Even though the animals are in closed space, the visitors can see them and interact with them. Thus,
it is an excellent destination for families to take a trip. The children can also have a joyful and
educational time.
I went to the zoo with my family last Sunday. It was a wonderful day for a trip as the sun was
shining brightly and the weather was not too warm. When we arrived at the zoo, we noticed a big
crowd forming in front of the gate. Some of them were chatting, some were wondering about and
some were purchasing entry ticket. After entering the zoo, we reached the zoological garden. We
came across a lovely lake filled with ducks and white swans. We took a boat ride and fed the ducks
some bread. It was lovely to see them float by the boat and eat the bread. As we got further, we
noticed an enclosure with birds. Different birds of different colours including sparrows, eagles,
pigeons and parrots were chirping. We were captivated by their singing. We also observed tigers,
lions and leopards roaming about in the next enclosed area. It was my first time seeing the wild
animals and I was excited. I was terrified but also fascinated at the sharp teeth and piercing stare of
the tiger. After that we proceeded to see a show put up by elephants. It was an amazing sight to see
regal elephants twirling their trunks in the air and throwing wooden logs around. We also saw bears
playing joyfully with one another and the sight warmed our hearts.
Afterwards we had our lunch at the cafeteria of the zoo. The food was delicious and all dishes were
named after different animals. I am definitely looking forward to the next time I am able to come
here, hopefully with all my friends.

Henry louis Vivian Derozio

A great teacher is one who not only teaches but also inspires his students. One such teacher who, during the
lifespan of only twenty-two years, managed to exert an unparalleled influence on the so called ‘Young
Bengal’, is Henry louis Vivian Derozio.
Derozio was born on the 18th of April 1809 in Entally, Kolkata. He was born of Anglo-Indian parents named
Francis Derozio and Sophie Johnson. He received his education at David Drummond’s ‘Dhurramatallah
Academy’ and later excelled in literature and philosophy. In 1926, he joined the Hindu College as a teacher
of English Literature and History. Soon, he influenced the students with his skills and personality and
founded a journal named “Parthenon”. His followers came to be known as Derozians or ‘Young Bengal’.
The conservative section of the Hindu community did not like his influence on the students and forced him
to resign in April 1831 under the accusation of corrupting the morals of the youth. Shortly thereafter, in 26 th
of December of the same year, he breathed his last breath.
During his lifetime Derozio was known as the first national poet of modern India. His poems, “To India- My
Native Land”, “The Fakir of Jungheera”, “The Harp of India”, are highly regarded as important landmarks
in the history of patriotic poetry in India. His sonnet, “To the Pupils of the Hindu College” is an example of
his poetic talent and his love for his students. He was also the assistant editor of ‘The India Gazette” and the
editor of “The Calcutta Gazette”.
Long after his death, his influence lived on among his former students and followers of the Young Bengal
Movement. Many of them became prominent in social reform, law and journalism.