Sleeping Girls – A Story Within the Story

 

Sleeping Girls – A Story Within the Story
Text & Photo by Ashok Karan | ashokkaran.blogspot.com

While covering a vibrant cultural programme in my city, I had the opportunity to witness some wonderful performances by schoolchildren—boys and girls showcasing their talents in colorful, energetic displays. As is customary at such events, the performances were followed by speeches from prominent guests. While meaningful, these speeches often become long and tedious for the young participants.

As the event progressed and the speeches continued, I noticed some of the girls beginning to doze off, worn out from their early start and intense performances. I quietly captured these moments through my lens—each frame telling a subtle yet powerful story of fatigue, innocence, and the reality of being a student today.

It’s a common sight during school-related cultural events: students, often arriving at venues early, perform beautifully, only to be left waiting for dignitaries whose speeches may not resonate with them. For these young students, the day begins at dawn. Many high schools start classes as early as 7:20 AM, meaning students are up by 6:00 AM or earlier to catch their school buses.

This lack of adequate rest—combined with the physical energy spent performing, completing homework, participating in sports, and even helping with household chores—leads to natural fatigue. Add to that the digital distractions of modern life—checking social media before bed, for instance—and the result is a generation of teens constantly struggling to get proper sleep.

Among teenage girls, hormonal changes also play a role in irregular sleep patterns. Factors like upcoming exams, poor dietary habits, and even the classroom environment—like warm, poorly ventilated spaces or monotonous lectures—can contribute to daytime drowsiness.

Some students do try to hide their fatigue, resting their heads behind notebooks or computer screens, pretending to be attentive. It’s not always out of disrespect—it’s a sign that something in the system needs rethinking.

To support our students better, we need to understand these challenges. From scheduling reasonable school hours and offering engaging content, to fostering healthy sleep routines and dietary habits, there's much that can be done.

The pictures I captured are not just about sleeping girls—they reflect a deeper narrative about student life, societal expectations, and the simple human need for rest.

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– Ashok Karan

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