Born on 4th April 19 1928, Maya Angelou is an American poet and civil rights activist, who made her presence known through the use of poetry. Her words resonate with power and highlight the indomitable nature of her resolve. Maya Angelou's childhood was a difficult one. She had suffered neglect, abuse and discrimination. People were being judged based on their colour and women were still trying to take a stand for themselves. Into such a world, Angelou rose. Her biography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, while bringing to light her experiences, allows the reader to fully comprehend the value of freedom; something a lot of people had to fight for. Despite her troublesome past, Angelou was able to move past it all with the help of others. She strongly believed in equality and worked up the courage to speak her mind. Her career life included a great many things. She involved herself in politics, making campaigns; directed a film; was nominated for the Pulitzer Price. Her quotes are still largely used to empower; her writings have found a place in academic learnings. They allow us to reflect on life as was in the early 1900s, especially in the Black community. In May 2014, Maya Angelou passed away due to health problems, but she has left us a great many ideals to ponder over.

Hermione Granger, a fictional character from J.K Rowling's Harry Potter series is very inspirational. Belonging to a Muggle (non-magic) family, she paves her way to success in Hogwarts, through sheer will and support from her peers. Undoubtedly, she is bullied and hurt by others, but she manages to hold her own throughout. I like Hermione most of all in the series because of several reasons. Firstly, she is representative of individuals who make their lives worthy, despite having very little means. She is not shown to be as wealthy as Harry or even having the kind of family legacy that Ron does. And yet, she flourishes in her academics, has good rapport with the teachers; and is generally a very welcoming person. Secondly, she understands the importance of knowledge. It is through her vast knowledge and quick wit, that many of the obstacles in Harry's life are resolved. And so, she plays a very integral role in the series. Thirdly, her character arc is very commendable, as her personality development is apparent through the course of their journey. She is selfless at times and peacefully attuned to herself at others. Even though she is referred to as a "Know It All", her enthusiasm for participation and recognition is contagious. Her countenance may have undergone some changes, from book to movie, but the Hermione we encounter, is the idea of a person that J.K Rowling tries to communicate - someone who is dauntless and loyal. This tribute is to the Mudblood who braved it all.

This is an appreciation of the concept of education - its scope, accessibility, our willingness, our ability. Education is one of the things integral to mankind. We learn, we grow. While it is not an entity, such that a tribute can be paid to it, I'd still like to draw attention towards the fact that we are extremely blessed to have an opportunity to educate ourselves. There is a vast amount of knowledge accumulated in the world, presented in the form of books and other media. How many times have we cringed at the thought of Arithmetics or Space Science? I know I have. But in hindsight, where would we be without that knowledge? Probably not even half as evolved as we are, currently. Each of us is drawn towards a different field of education and I believe we must fully devote our attention towards learning all that there is to learn about it. Because at the end of the day, our ambitions contribute exponentially towards growth. I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. I thoroughly enjoy learning more and more about a particular topic that piques my interest. If every person in this world were given access to education, it would be beneficial on a global level while still helping individuals achieve their personal goals. Education is that path to heightened awareness that will construct the platform for future development.

A British writer born in 1775, Jane Austen is popularly known for her novels - Pride & Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, Emma etc. Her books garnered so much fan following in the later years, that they all have movie adaptations based on them. Placing female protagonists at the forefront of the literary sphere, Austen grasped the opportunity to comment on the social hierarchy and English mannerisms of 18th century. Her lead characters are usually women, who steer clear of the suppressive nature of that era. What I like most about these characters, is that they assume power in a patriarchal society, by building their identities through strong actions and their insurmountable point of views. More often than not, these characters are also seen to be facing the brunt of a highly materialistic world. Matters of marriage, wealth, social class crop up often enough to challenge their character arcs. I started reading Jane Austen's books in my early teens and soon after, was hooked onto her writings. I find that Austen's works are still very relevant and raise pressing questions in today's time. Should any individual have to rely on society to feel good about themselves? Should social standing play a greater role in the marriage of two independent individuals? In doing so, Austen's books are timeless classics because, even hundreds of years after, they allow the reader to relate. It is truly great that her books are being incorporated into school and college curriculum as it would facilitate questioning of predetermined rigid standards that people are expected to follow. I write this tribute as a kudos to Jane Austen, for all her literary contributions, for being the voice that needed to be heard.

India's past is as myriad as the species of flora it houses. The country has gone through upheavals and drastic changes in social structures, somehow, holding itself afloat despite it all. Said to be part of one of the oldest civilizations, Indians today, cling to their roots. For every step we take forward, we take one back, to ascertain that our identities aren't diluted with time. We are made of all that we pride ourselves on. Our love for sports, spices and sparkles is unparalleled. We have dabbled in every field possible. If we have not succeeded, we have persevered. Much like any place or person, it has veered off its course, misled at times. But the very stark nationalism that runs in the blood of an Indian has helped shape the future of the country. There is no "one" Indian sensibility. With over 720 dialects and 22 official languages, the only common ground we have is that of being Indian - a place where one can be anybody they wish to be. I was born a Keralite, brought up a Gujarati and have befriended people from Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal etc. To say that I have been a part of a multitude of ethnicities would be an understatement. Drawing from J.K Rowling's quote, "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.", I point out the fact that it is easy to want to bring about a positive change, but unless one is willing to take the necessary steps themselves, they can't expect to see results. I write this tribute to a country that was and is striving to shine in the present. I am certain that we will bring back the old glory, someday. Until then, it is a matter of hard work.