Best bread in the world

BUTTER GARLIC NAAN

Indian food is making headlines again! This time, it's all about the bread. A super popular food guide called TasteAtlas just announced the “Top 100 Breads in the World", and butter garlic naan from India took the NUMBER ONE spot! Can you believe it? 

Amritsari kulcha

The number two spot was secured by another Indian bread - the Amritsari kulcha. Seven more Indian breads were in the top 50, like parotta, paratha, bhatura - so many delicious options. Breads from Türkiye, Malaysia, and Colombia also made the top 5, showing that there's awesome bread all over the world.

Visual means of communication

SIGN LANGUAGE 

Sign language is a visual means of communication used primarily by people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It consists of hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to convey meaning. Each country or region typically has its own sign language, such as:

American Sign Language (ASL) – used in the U.S. and Canada

British Sign Language (BSL) – used in the UK

Indian Sign Language (ISL) – used in India

French Sign Language (LSF) – used in France

Sign languages are fully developed languages with their own grammar and structure, distinct from spoken languages. They allow deaf individuals to communicate effectively and express complex ideas just like spoken languages do.

From a small town in India to Google CEO

SUNDAR PICHAI’S JOURNEY 

It is amazing how Sundar Pichai rose from a modest upbringing in a small Indian town to become the CEO of Google and Alphabet Inc. His life journey demonstrates how a person’s perseverance and hard work can propel him to success despite all obstacles. In addition to leading one of the world’s most significant corporations today, Pichai inspires thousands of individuals worldwide. Let’s examine his motivational background, academic credentials, private life, and success advice here:

Early Years in India: Middle-Class Upbringing and Education

On June 10, 1972, Sundar Pichai was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, to Regunatha Pichai and Lakshmi. His mother, Lakshmi, worked as a stenographer at GEC, while his father, Regunatha Pichai, was an electrical engineer. Pichai grew up in a modest middle-class Indian town with a younger brother named Srinivasan Pichai.

Pichai got his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from IIT Kharagpur after graduating from Jawahar Vidyalaya Senior Secondary School in Chennai and Vana Vani School at IIT Madras (Class XII). After that, he relocated to the US to attend Stanford University and earn an M.S. in material science and engineering. He then went on to earn an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. 

Career as CEO of Alphabet Inc. and Google

Pichai joined Google in 2004 and served as the company’s head of development and product management. He first helped make search engines like Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox easily accessible to consumers. Later, he was instrumental in the creation of Google Chrome, which is currently a popular computer all over the world.

Pichai was appointed Vice President of Product Development in 2008. He advanced to Senior Vice President in 2012, and in 2014, he was appointed Product Chief.

He became the CEO of Google in 2015 thanks to his perseverance, hard work, and remarkable work ethic. In 2019, he was also appointed CEO of Alphabet Inc.

The private life of Sundar Pichai

Sundar Pichai is married to Anjali Pichai (her maiden name was Haryani), and they have two children together. Over the years, Sundar and Anjali’s friendship developed into a lifetime partnership while they were both students at IIT Kharagpur.

In addition to his job, Sundar Pichai has a strong interest in football and cricket. As a boy, he aspired to play professional cricket, but life had other ideas.

In addition to being inspirational, Sundar Pichai’s success demonstrates the value of hard work and knowledge.

What we can learn from Sundar Pichai

1. Keep learning and adapting: Pichai highlights the value of ongoing education and flexibility. He thinks maintaining an open mind and curiosity promotes professional and personal development.

2. Lead with humility and empathy: He emphasizes the need to listen, comprehend diverse viewpoints, and enable teams rather than control them. He is well-known for his composed and modest leadership style.

3. Accept challenges: Pichai’s career demonstrates that success can be achieved by accepting challenges and venturing outside your comfort zone. He advocates for long-term planning and innovation.

An inexhaustible vessel

AKSHAY PATRA (अक्षय पात्र) 

The term "Akshay Patra" (अक्षय पात्र) comes from Sanskrit:

Akshay (अक्षय) = Never-ending, inexhaustible, or eternal

Patra (पात्र) = Vessel, pot, or container

So, "Akshay Patra" means "an inexhaustible vessel"—a container that never runs out of food or sustenance. In the Mahabharata, it symbolised divine abundance and eternal provision, ensuring that the Pandavas never went hungry during their exile. Today, the term is often used metaphorically to represent limitless resources, generosity, or divine blessings.

The Story of Akshay Patra

During their exile in the forest, the Pandavas and Draupadi often faced difficulties in obtaining food. To help them, Surya Deva (the Sun God) gifted Yudhishthira a divine vessel called the Akshay Patra. This vessel had a magical property—it would provide an unlimited amount of food until Draupadi herself had eaten for the day.

With the help of this vessel, the Pandavas could feed themselves and any guests who came to visit them during their exile.

The Incident with Durvasa Muni

Once, the sage Durvasa and his disciples arrived at the Pandavas’ hermitage after Draupadi had already eaten for the day. Since the Akshay Patra would not produce any more food until the next day, Draupadi was worried, as Durvasa was known for his short temper and could curse them if not served properly.

Feeling helpless, Draupadi prayed to Lord Krishna for help. Krishna arrived and asked Draupadi to bring the Akshay Patra. When she showed it to him, he found a single grain of rice stuck to it. He ate that grain, and miraculously, it satisfied the hunger of Durvasa and all his disciples.

When Durvasa and his followers felt full, they left without returning to the hermitage, thus saving the Pandavas from their wrath.

Symbolism of Akshaya Patra

The Akshay Patra represents abundance, divine grace, and sustenance. It is a reminder that faith in God and righteousness will always bring solutions to even the most difficult problems.

Global Positioning System

GPS

What is GPS?

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that allows users to determine their precise location anywhere on Earth. It is operated by the United States Department of Defense but is available for civilian use worldwide.

How Does GPS Work?

GPS works using a network of at least 24 satellites orbiting the Earth. These satellites continuously transmit signals, which GPS receivers (like those in smartphones, cars, and smartwatches) use to calculate location.

Steps in GPS Functioning:

1. Signal Transmission: GPS satellites send signals containing the satellite’s location and the exact time the signal was transmitted.

2. Signal Reception: A GPS receiver (in a phone, car, etc.) picks up signals from at least four satellites.

3. Distance Calculation: The receiver calculates the time it took for each signal to arrive and determines its distance from each satellite.

4. Triangulation (or Trilateration): Using distances from multiple satellites, the receiver determines its exact position (latitude, longitude, and altitude).

Components of GPS: GPS consists of three major components:

1. Space Segment – The satellites in orbit.

2. Control Segment – Ground stations that monitor and control satellites.

3. User Segment – GPS receivers used by people and devices.

Applications of GPS:

Navigation: Used in Google Maps, car navigation systems, and aviation.

Tracking: Used to track vehicles, pets, and shipments.

Surveying and Mapping: Helps in land surveys and geographic mapping.

Military Use: Used for guiding missiles, troop movements, and reconnaissance.

Disaster Management: Helps locate people in emergency situations.

Agriculture: Used in precision farming for better crop management.

Accuracy of GPS: GPS accuracy depends on various factors like signal blockage (tall buildings, mountains), atmospheric interference, and satellite positioning.

Standard GPS (Civilian Use): Accuracy of 3-10 meters.

Military and Special GPS (With Augmentations): Can be accurate up to centimeters.

Other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS): While GPS is the most well-known, other countries have their own satellite navigation systems:

GLONASS (Russia)

Galileo (European Union)

BeiDou (China)

NavIC (India)

The Weather Woman of India

ANNA MANI 

Anna Mani,  often hailed as the Weather Woman of India, was a visionary physicist and meteorologist whose pioneering work reshaped India's scientific landscape. Born in 1918 in Travancore, now part of Kerala, she grew up with an insatiable curiosity and a deep love for learning. This passion led her to pursue physics and chemistry at Presidency College in Madras, where she studied under the renowned scientist C. V. Raman. Her academic brilliance and determination paved the way for a career that would leave an indelible mark on India's meteorological advancements.

At a time when India relied heavily on foreign technology for weather forecasting, Mani recognised the urgent need for self-reliance. She dedicated herself to developing indigenous weather instruments, ensuring that India could independently monitor its own climate and predict weather patterns with precision. Her contributions were instrumental in strengthening India's disaster preparedness, particularly in a country prone to monsoons, cyclones, and extreme weather conditions. Thanks to her relentless efforts, India emerged as a global leader in meteorology, reducing its dependence on external expertise.

But her ambitions stretched far beyond weather forecasting. Mani had an unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and played a crucial role in monitoring the ozone layer. Long before climate change became a widely recognised issue, her research helped scientists better understand ozone depletion and its impact on global warming, making her a pioneer in India's fight against environmental challenges. She was ahead of her time, foreseeing the significance of atmospheric studies and their implications for future generations.

Breaking barriers in a male-dominated scientific community, she rose to become the Deputy Director General of the Indian Meteorological Department. Her leadership not only advanced India's scientific capabilities, but also served as a beacon of inspiration for young women aspiring to enter the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). In a society where a few women pursued careers in science, Mani defied expectations and proved that talent and perseverance could shatter even the most rigid glass ceilings.

Her legacy continues to inspire countless scientists, researchers, and environmentalists in India and beyond. Anna Mani was not just a scientist, she was a trailblazer, a visionary, and a force of nature. Her life's work stands as a testament to the power of curiosity, determination, and an unyielding belief in scientific progress. Even today, as India advances in climate science and meteorology, her contributions remain foundational, reminding us that passion and dedication can change the course of history.

Do you know

WHY DO CATS AND DOGS HAVE WHISKERS?

Dogs and cats have whiskers (also called vibrissae) because they serve as highly sensitive sensory tools that help them navigate their environment. Here’s why they are important:

For Cats:

1. Enhanced Navigation – Whiskers detect air currents and help cats sense objects even in the dark.

2. Measuring Spaces – They help cats judge whether they can fit through tight spaces.

3. Protection – Whiskers detect potential dangers near their face, like sharp objects.

4. Communication and Mood Indicator – A cat's whisker position can signal emotions like curiosity or fear.

For Dogs:

1. Sensing the Environment – Whiskers help detect nearby objects and changes in airflow.

2. Protecting Their Face – They act as an early warning system to prevent bumps or injuries.

3. Enhancing Hunting and Play – Dogs use whiskers to detect small movements, especially useful for hunting breeds.

4. Emotional Expression – Whiskers move depending on the dog's mood, similar to cats.

In both animals, whiskers are deeply rooted in nerve endings, making them extremely sensitive. That’s why trimming or pulling them can be uncomfortable or even disorienting.