When I was in a little pain, you always came to me,
You always cared for me,
You were kind like a mother, always worried
You worked day and night like me
Thank you, Shoira Master, a thousand times
I am grateful that you meet me on my fateful paths,
Every time I see you, I feel happy,
Thank you for the knowledge you have given,
May you always be healthy for my happiness
Thank you, Shoira Master, a thousand times
Happy Stay by my side in my days,
Children, enjoy your happiness,
Know that you are the most important thing for me,
May you always be surrounded by beautiful happiness
Thank you, Shoira teacher, a thousand times
Who was I, a simple writer,
A pained person who shared his pain with the you
With you in my life, it is beautiful to live
I will definitely make you the happiest teacher
Thank you, Shoira teacher, a thousand times
I LOVE YOU MASTER SHOIRA OBIDOVA
Sobirjonova Rayhona, a 11th-grade student of the 8th general secondary school in Vobkent district, Bukhara region. She was born in December 2008 in the village of Chorikalon, Vobkent district, in a family of intellectuals. Her parents supported Rayhona from a young age. She started writing in the 3rd grade. Her first creative poem was published in the newspaper “Vobkent Hayot”. She has also published extensively in Synchronized Chaos International Magazine, India’s Namaste India Magazine, Gulkhan Magazine, Germany’s RavenCage Magazine and many other magazines and newspapers. Actively participated in many competitions, won high places and won many prizes. She is still busy creating.
In this country sons are born and sons are dying in streets, in prisons, and in wars. This country is too quiet, so quiet, that the truth gets buried.
Why are the sons in the streets? Why are they so poor they need to rob, steal, and kill? Why are they so desperate to escape this life with booze, drugs, and instant gratification?
Why are the schools, teachers, and families not given the support to help the sons succeed? Why are the rich given government handouts to amass more wealth at the expense of poor families, sons, and daughters?
In this country no one wants to hear the truth. This country is too quiet, so quiet that the truth is buried.
*
Doors
Doors open at 7pm. Songbirds sing all day long 10-dollar cover charge at the door Songbirds do not charge one dime Dirt and dust cover The soles on the feet of the poor Being unable to afford the show
They settle for the birds that sing For them outside the door all day long
The feet of the poor need Socks and shoes, ointment for Blisters, dryness, and sunburn Something for the hunger
A room to rest their tired bodies Some still dance on tired feet Songbirds sing for them at no charge The door will close at 2am *
New Suit
New suit Same me Nothing Will change
New suit Same me It fits Barely
Haircut Fresh shave About Time now
Same me
Just so
You know My friend
New suit Same me Let’s go Out now
Same you Same me Like it
Should be
*
Here We Are
Here they come. They know my name. They see me. I am their prey. Here they come To take my voice. Their masked mugs Are all I see. My time comes. The masked men come Like mad dogs. These masked men, A flock of them, Will banish My rights. I watch Them burn with Rage. Behind them, The moon shines
On. Here they come.
Here we are.
Born at the Museum
I know your name. Weren’t you born at the museum? You came out of a painting. A brush and oils created you.
You lived in a boathouse. At fourteen you used to like eating coconut meat. Weren’t you born at the museum?
I hardly recognize you. The wind tossed your hair around. You came out of a painting.
The museum is closed on Holidays. You lived in a boathouse. That is my memory from childhood.
Homeland is the place where every person was born and raised, the place where their umbilical cord blood was shed, the peaceful abode where our ancestors lived. Our Uzbekistan is considered to be such a heavenly land.
Every person in the world expresses their deep love for their country in different ways. Some work hard to develop their homeland, while others mobilize their talents and skills for the sake of the place where they were born and raised.
When we think of the homeland, we imagine a place where our childhood memories are concentrated, where our loved ones lived, and where the breath of mother earth breathes. Do you know why the homeland is compared to a mother? Because, just as a mother takes care of and raises her child with love, the homeland also protects, honors, nourishes, and shows love. When our athletes sing our anthem from the heart on the vast fields and raise our flag high, I am very proud of my country, Uzbekistan.
Many poets have described the homeland as a unique and sacred place in a number of their stories and poems. In particular, let us pay attention to these lines of the famous poet and enlightener Sidqi Khandayliqi:
“Is homeland rare? The place where I was born, the place where I live, the place where I hang out, play and laugh..”
My soul is the Homeland, my body is the Homeland, my eyes are the Homeland,
Forget it, I’ll go to the cemetery when I see it.
The words of our first president, Islam Karimov, filled with boundless love for our homeland, will conclude my speech:
“Of course, the world is vast, there are many countries in the world, but our unique country, Uzbekistan, is unique in this world. This beautiful country, this sacred land is dedicated only to us!”
Born in 2010 in Bukhara region; currently, he has completed 9th grade and is entering 10th grade.
• He is very interested in reading books, writing poems, articles, and preparing projects.
• Winner of various science Olympiads,
• Participated in a number of programs such as ‘The FXB Climate Advocates Program’ and ‘Shape the Future Challenge’.
• Participant of Zakovat Club, Ibrat Debate, Neo Kitobkhon competitions
• Holder of more than 50 certificates, vouchers, diplomas
• National Certificate of Mother Tongue (63); CEFR (55)
• The article “Preserving the Green Planet – the Duty of Each of Us” was published in Italian in the newspaper “Alessandria News Media” and was also covered in detail on Google.
Self-discipline is one of the key factors that helps students succeed in their academic life. While intelligence and talent are important, they are not always enough to achieve good results. Students who can control their time always achieve their goals with self-discipline. This article discusses how self-discipline affects students’ academic performance. The article also explains that self-discipline can be developed through daily routines, goal setting, and good time management.
Introduction:
Many people think that success in education depends only on intelligence or talent. However, it is clear that self-discipline can also be the main factor in learning something new. Self-discipline means the ability to stay focused, work regularly, and continue studying even when it is hard. This paper asks: how does self-discipline help students achieve better academic results?
Literature Review:
Many researchers agree that self-discipline is a strong factor in education. For example, Brian Tracy, a well-known writer, explained that passion and perseverance are often more important than intelligence. According to his book named “No Excuses”, we are what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act but a habit. Other studies show that students with high self-discipline usually finish their tasks on time and get better grades. Self-discipline helps them build habits like daily studying, avoiding social media distractions, and preparing early for exams. These habits are key to success in education.
Methodologies to Learn Self-Discipline:
It is obvious that self-discipline is an ability that can be learned step by step. Actually, there are many effective ways to study with self-discipline. First of all, students should define their own goals and make a plan for their daily activities. Then, they must do them without any excuses. Of course, it will not be easy in the first week, but if they do not give up, self-discipline will become a simple and powerful habit.
The Result:
The results show that students with good self-discipline usually have higher grades. They spend less time on distractions and more time on useful activities like reading or preparing for exams. These students also reported that they felt more motivated and less stressed. On the other hand, students with low self-discipline often postponed their tasks, felt anxious, and achieved lower results.
Discussion:
The findings suggest that self-discipline is very important for academic success. While intelligence and talent help students, they are not enough without discipline. Self-discipline allows students to use their time wisely, stay organized, and keep going even when they face difficulties. However, many students struggle with self-discipline because of distractions, especially phones and social media. Teachers and parents can help students by encouraging time management, creating study schedules, and supporting their goals.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, self-discipline is a key factor in students’ success. It helps them control their time, build positive study habits, and achieve better results. The good news is that self-discipline is not something we are simply born with — it can be learned and improved. Therefore, schools and families should help students to develop this skill so that they can succeed not only in their academic life but also in their future life.
References
Tracy, B. (2010). No excuses: The power of self-discipline. Vanguard Press.
Duckworth, A. L., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2005). Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents. Psychological Science.
Zimmerman, B. J. (2002). Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Theory Into Practice.
Baumeister, R. F., & Vohs, K. D. (2007). Self-regulation, ego depletion, and motivation. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1(1)
Dilshoda Jurayeva
Future linguist | Article writer
Debate Speaker
Dilshoda Jurayeva, born on January 30,2008 in Jondor, Bukhara region of Uzbekistan , is a diligent language learner .
She began her academic journey at school No 25 and this year she graduated with good grades. During her school years she made it to Cefr from English and national certifications from Mother Tongue and History. Then, she was accepted to the faculty of philology and teaching languages of Bukhara State University with the maximum score – 189
Also, she is an active member of the Ibrat debate project right now. Besides that she participated various online/offline projects like SwapUp, Yk as a participant in her school years.
On the morning of August 27, 2025, the first day of the National Conference of Youth and Children on Climate Change in Uzbekistan (LCOY Uzbekistan 2025), we departed from Nukus and headed towards Muynak. For many of us, this was more than a simple field trip. It was a journey into history, memory, and responsibility. Muynak—once a vibrant port city—today stands as a living testimony to one of humanity’s most devastating ecological disasters: the drying of the Aral Sea.
From a Sea to a Desert
The Aral Sea was once the world’s fourth-largest inland lake, stretching over 68,900 square kilometers in 1960. It provided livelihoods for thousands of fishermen, supported industries, and shaped cultures across Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. But within just a few decades, massive irrigation projects diverted the waters of the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers, causing the sea to shrink dramatically. By 2020, less than 10% of its original size remained (Orol dengizi, n.d.).
The consequences have been profound. Villages once located on the seashore are now dozens of kilometers away from water. Fish species vanished due to extreme salinity, and Muynak’s canneries—once famous across Central Asia—shut their doors. The exposed seabed turned into the Aralkum Desert, releasing toxic dust and salt storms into the atmosphere, affecting not only Karakalpakstan but also distant regions, even glaciers in the Pamirs and the Arctic.
Walking through the Ship Graveyard
Arriving in Muynak, we walked across the Ship Graveyard. Enormous rusted ships stood abandoned on the sand, as though time had frozen. For the young participants of the conference, many of whom had only read about the Aral Sea in books, this sight was overwhelming. Once these vessels were symbols of prosperity, carrying tons of fish every year; now they are monuments to ecological loss.
Our guide, environmentalist Yusup Kamalov, gave us an introduction to the Aral Sea’s story, explaining not just the ecological collapse but also the human dimension: health problems, forced migration, and loss of cultural heritage. Listening to his words while standing beside lifeless ships created a powerful contrast between past abundance and present emptiness.
Learning from Museums and Memories
The next part of the visit took us to the Aral Museum and the Old Fish Cannery. There, we saw black-and-white photographs of bustling ports, fishermen proudly holding their catch, and workers in the factory halls. Exhibits told the story of how Muynak was once a town full of life, where families built their futures around the sea.
But the museum also displayed documents and testimonies from the 1970s onward, when the water began to recede. Entire generations saw their lives collapse as fish disappeared, industries shut down, and the desert advanced. Locals’ personal stories—of hunger, illness, and migration—reminded us that climate change is never only about nature; it is about people’s lives and dignity.
Youth reflections and activities
The field trip was not just passive observation. The conference organizers planned interactive sessions—brainstorming, Q&A discussions, and storytelling with local residents (Concept Agenda, 2025). Many of us sang songs, shared reflections, and even engaged in group activities to imagine solutions for the future.
Standing in Muynak, we realized that we are not only visitors but also witnesses of history, entrusted with carrying its lessons forward. For children and youth, the message was clear: climate change is not a distant threat, it is already shaping lives, economies, and ecosystems.
Hope in the Midst of Loss
Despite the haunting silence of the ships, Muynak is not only a place of despair. Projects to stabilize the northern part of the sea, such as the Kokaral Dam in Kazakhstan, have shown that ecosystems can begin to recover when action is taken. Fish stocks have returned to parts of the Northern Aral, giving hope that at least partial restoration is possible.
For us as youth, Muynak became a place of commitment. The lessons of the Aral Sea urge us to promote sustainable water management, push for renewable energy, and advocate for policies that protect children, women, and vulnerable groups who bear the brunt of climate disasters.
A Call to Action
As the buses carried us back to Nukus in the evening, the sunset over the endless desert reminded us of both fragility and resilience. The Aral Sea’s story is one of mistakes but also of second chances. If the global community listens, learns, and acts, other regions may avoid a similar fate.
For me, the visit to Muynak was more than a trip—it was a turning point. Walking among the ships, I felt the weight of history and the urgency of action. The Aral Sea’s tragedy must never be repeated, and it is our generation’s responsibility to ensure that.
Nikhita is a 19 year old. She is studying at SSVM World School, Coimbatore, India. She enjoys reading books, dancing, and playing the piano. Her imagination and creativity shine through her writing.
Different Feathers?
Has free verse been freed from tradition?
Was the latter determined adverse?
Is different different than better?
Just what is the price of free verse?
Does free verse have better transmission?
Is tradition decidedly worse?
Is better better than different,
and will the twain ever converse?
Be Realio-Trulio
Sonnets ill-used,
erroneous meter,
perhaps a reader
will be confused
when it’s perused—
although by name
it may be the same.
If form is abused,
rhyming refused
(not really a rose),
it clearly shows
its poet accused.
Though enthused,
none are excused.
The Piper’s Sonnet
Although I write this sonnet silently,
clandestine, as it were, so none may see,
I wonder whether someday I’ll allow
its light to shine and break its silent vow.
So why express in secret on a page
the thoughts in which I currently engage?
It’s hard to say, although on August 3rd
no surreptitious sonnet is absurd.
By that, I mean that none would not suffice;
by writing one, at least, you pay the price
the Piper calls for on this special day
so that his tune won’t swoon each muse away.
To write or not? I’ll do it secretly.
For now, a covert action just for me.
I Come to Raze Your Ears, Not Praise Them!
I went to a poetry reading
with a follow-up open mic.
It’s the first time that I’d been to one—
didn’t know what they might like.
So, alrighty then,
I could listen without care,
since diversity of poetry
wasn’t what had brought me there.
We all heard the featured poet
reading from his new chapbook.
It’s the first time that I’d been to one
and I read the one I took.
Well, alrighty, then,
they could listen without care,
since diversity of poetry
wasn’t what had brought them there.
The second poem, “Be Realio-Trulio,” is a “minison,” a form established by The Minison Project (https://theminisonproject.com/): 14 lines, 14 letters per line, and a 14-letter title.
The third, “The Piper’s Sonnet,” was written a month ago for Surreptitious Sonnet Day, August 3rd.
The last, “I Come to Raze Your Ears, Not Praise Them!” was written to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1972 hit tune “Garden Party.”
