The Wise Red Ape of the Rainforest

ORANGUTAN 

Orangutans are among the most intelligent animals on Earth. Their name comes from the Malay words orang (person) and hutan (forest), meaning “person of the forest.” These gentle great apes live high in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and spend most of their lives in trees. With their long arms, reddish-brown hair, and thoughtful eyes, orangutans are truly fascinating creatures.

HISTORIC BACKGROUND 

Orangutans have lived in Asian rainforests for millions of years. Today, they are found only on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, while a third species, the Tapanuli orangutan, lives in a small part of Sumatra. Scientists believe orangutans share about 97% of their DNA with humans, making them one of our closest living relatives.

WHERE DO ORANGUTANS LIVE?

Orangutans live in dense tropical rainforests where they find plenty of fruits, leaves, flowers, bark, and insects to eat. Unlike gorillas and chimpanzees, they are mostly solitary animals, especially adult males.

AMAZING BODY FEATURES 

●Orangutans have very long arms that can stretch over 2 metres from fingertip to fingertip.

●They use their arms to swing and climb through trees.

●Adult males develop large cheek pads and throat pouches.

●Their strong hands and feet help them grip branches easily.

FOOD HABITS 

Orangutans are mainly fruit eaters. They love figs, mangoes, lychees, and durians. They also eat leaves, flowers, seeds, bark, honey, and insects. During seasons when fruit is scarce, they survive on other forest foods.

INTELLIGENCE OF ORANGUTANS 

Orangutans are excellent problem-solvers. They use sticks to collect insects or honey and leaves as umbrellas during rain. Every evening, they carefully build a new nest of branches and leaves high in the trees to sleep.

FAMILY LIFE 

A baby orangutan stays with its mother for 6–8 years, one of the longest childhoods among animals. Mothers teach their young how to find food, build nests, and survive in the forest.

WHY ARE ORANGUTANS ENDANGERED?

Orangutans are critically endangered because of:

●Deforestation.

●Palm oil plantations.

●Illegal hunting and wildlife trade.

●Forest fires.

Many organisations are working to protect their forests and rescue injured orangutans.

Did You Know?

●Orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling mammals in the world.

●They can live 35–50 years in the wild.

●Each orangutan builds a new sleeping nest almost every night.

●Their arms are much longer than their legs.

AMAZING FACTS 

●Orangutans can recognise themselves in a mirror.

●They have unique personalities, just like humans.

●They communicate through facial expressions, gestures, and long calls.

●A mother orangutan has one baby only every 7–9 years, making their population grow very slowly.

CONCLUSION 

Orangutans are gentle, intelligent, and important guardians of the rainforest. By protecting forests and wildlife, we help ensure that these “people of the forest” continue to live safely in their natural home for generations to come.

Choose Your Company, Choose Your Future

BAD COMPANY CAN DESTROY GOOD PEOPLE 

There is a famous saying: “We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” The people around us have a powerful influence on our thoughts, habits and decisions. Even a good person can slowly change if surrounded by negative influences. That is why choosing the right company is one of the most important choices in life.

WHAT IS BAD COMPANY?

Company means the people we spend our time with—our friends, classmates, neighbours, relatives or colleagues. We choose many of these relationships ourselves. Good company encourages kindness, honesty, discipline and hard work. Bad company, on the other hand, promotes habits that pull us away from our values.

Friends who bully others, cheat, disrespect teachers, fight or encourage harmful behaviour may gradually make such actions seem normal. At first, we may resist, but constant exposure can weaken our judgment without us even noticing.

HOW CAN BAD COMPANY CHANGE A GOOD PERSON?

A Hindi proverb says, “Gehu ke saath ghun bhi pis jaata hai,” meaning that when wheat is ground, the worms mixed with it are crushed as well. Similarly, innocent people may suffer because of the company they keep.

Bad company can:

●Encourage wrong habits and poor decisions.

●Damage our relationships with family and good friends.

●Reduce motivation to study or work hard.

●Affect our emotional and mental well-being.

●Lead us away from our goals and values.

As the Bible wisely says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

THE POWER OF GOOD COMPANY 

Good friends help us grow. They motivate us to learn, respect others, work honestly and become better human beings. They celebrate our success, correct us when we are wrong and stand by us during difficult times.

Success becomes easier when we are surrounded by people who inspire us to do our best.

ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS 

A simple way to judge your company is to ask:

●Do I feel happy and motivated after spending time with my friends?

●Do they encourage me to do the right thing?

●Do they respect my values and goals?

●Do I feel pressured to break rules or behave badly when I am with them?

Your answers will reveal whether your company is helping you grow or pulling you down.

MORAL OF THE LESSON 

We cannot control the behaviour of others, but we can control whom we choose to be with. Choosing good company is choosing a brighter future. If you realise that your company is leading you in the wrong direction, have the courage to walk away before it is too late.

Did You Know?

●Human behaviour is strongly influenced by the people we spend time with through observation and imitation.

●Positive friendships improve confidence, academic performance and emotional well-being.

●Ancient scriptures and modern psychology both emphasise the importance of keeping good company.

Amazing Facts

●Good habits are often “contagious”—being around disciplined and positive people makes it easier to develop similar habits.

●Our brain naturally copies behaviours it sees repeatedly, even when we believe we are not being influenced.

●One good friend who inspires you can have a lifelong positive impact on your character and future.

Remember: Your company shapes your character, and your character shapes your destiny.

A Timeless Teaching from the Valmiki Ramayana

अकुर्वन्तोऽपि पापानि पापसंस्रयात्। परपापैर्विषं यथा॥

सरल अर्थ: जो स्वयं पाप नहीं करते, वे भी पापियों की संगति के कारण दण्ड भोग सकते हैं; जैसे साँपों से भरे तालाब की मछलियाँ भी साँपों के साथ मार दी जाती हैं।

Meaning: Even those who have not committed any wrong may suffer because they associate with wrongdoers—just as innocent fish in a pond full of snakes are killed along with the snakes.

This ancient teaching reminds us that our companions can affect our destiny, even if we do not intend to do wrong ourselves.

Do you know

WHY DO TRAFFIC LIGHTS USE RED, YELLOW, AND GREEN?

Every day, millions of people stop, slow down, and move ahead by following three simple colours—red, yellow, and green. These traffic lights keep roads safe and organised. But have you ever wondered why these particular colours were chosen? The answer takes us back to the days of the railway.

Long before cars filled the streets, trains relied on coloured signals to prevent accidents. On early British railways, red meant danger or stop, green meant caution, and white meant the track was clear. However, white soon created a serious problem. An ordinary lamp or light in the distance could easily be mistaken for the white “all clear” signal, putting trains at risk.

To solve this problem, railway engineers changed the system. Green became the colour that meant safe to go, while yellow (also called amber) was introduced as the colour for caution or warning. This new colour system proved much safer and easier to understand.

When traffic signals were introduced on roads, the railway colour language was adopted. But road traffic needed something extra. Drivers needed a warning before the light changed from go to stop. In 1920, a Detroit police officer named William Potts designed one of the first three-colour traffic signals, adding the yellow light between green and red. This gave drivers a few seconds to slow down safely instead of stopping suddenly.

Today, traffic lights around the world follow the same simple pattern: Red means stop, yellow means get ready or slow down, and green means go. These colours are easy to recognise, even from a distance, making roads safer for everyone.

AMAZING FACTS 

●The first traffic lights were inspired by railway signals, not cars.

●Red was chosen because it is highly visible and is often associated with danger.

●Yellow acts as a warning signal, giving drivers time to react.

●William Potts introduced the three-colour traffic signal in 1920.

●The same red-yellow-green colour system is used in most countries around the world.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN 

Traffic lights remind us that rules and patience save lives. Waiting a few seconds at a red light may seem inconvenient, but it helps prevent accidents and keeps traffic moving safely. These three colours are more than lights—they are a universal language of safety that has guided people for over a century.

Strengthening the Power of Togetherness

COOPERATIVES IN INDIA 

Imagine a business where every member has an equal voice, profits are shared fairly, and the main goal is to help the community rather than enrich a few shareholders. That is the idea behind a cooperative society. For more than a century, cooperatives have played a vital role in India's rural economy by supporting farmers, workers, consumers, and small entrepreneurs. Today, India has one of the largest cooperative networks in the world, with over 30 crore members and nearly 8.5 lakh cooperative societies.

However, despite their importance, a large number of cooperatives are facing financial and operational challenges.

WHAT IS A COOPERATIVE?

A cooperative (or co-op) is an organisation owned and managed by its members, who come together to achieve a common economic, social, or cultural goal. Every member has an equal vote in decision-making, regardless of how much money they have invested. The purpose of a cooperative is to serve its members and improve their lives through collective effort.

THE CURRENT PICTURE 

The Central Government informed the Lok Sabha that India has around 8.48 lakh cooperative societies. Their status shows a mixed picture:

* 3.49 lakh societies are making profits.

* 2.11 lakh societies are running at a loss.

* 1.41 lakh societies are non-functional or defunct.

* 47,688 societies are under liquidation.

Among the larger states, Uttar Pradesh has the highest percentage of defunct cooperatives, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. In contrast, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana have managed to keep most of their cooperatives active and financially stable.

TYPES OF COOPERATIVES IN INDIA 

India has a wide variety of cooperative societies that serve different needs.

* Agricultural Cooperatives support farmers through seeds, fertilisers, equipment, and crop marketing.

* Dairy Cooperatives, such as Amul, help milk producers process and sell dairy products collectively.

* Fishermen Cooperatives assist fishing communities in managing resources and marketing their catch.

* Consumer Cooperatives provide essential goods at fair prices and reduce dependence on middlemen.

* Credit Cooperatives and cooperative banks offer savings, loans, and financial services, especially in rural areas.

* Worker Cooperatives are owned and managed by workers who share profits and responsibilities.

* Housing Cooperatives help members build and manage affordable housing projects.

JOURNEY OF THE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT 

The cooperative movement in India has evolved over many decades:

1904: Cooperative Credit Societies Act enacted.

1912: Cooperative Societies Act passed.

1963: National Cooperative Development Corporation established.

1982: NABARD established to strengthen rural finance.

2002: Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act enacted.

2011: 97th Constitutional Amendment strengthened cooperative societies.

2023: Amendment to the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act.

97TH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT: A Major Milestone

The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 gave constitutional recognition to cooperatives by:

* Making the right to form cooperative societies a fundamental right under Article 19.

* Adding Article 43B to promote cooperative societies as a Directive Principle of State Policy.

* Introducing Part IX-B (Articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT), which lays down provisions for cooperative governance.

* Giving Parliament powers over multi-state cooperatives, while states govern other cooperatives.

WHY ARE MANY COOPERATIVES STRUGGLING?

Several factors have weakened cooperative societies in recent years:

* Dairy cooperatives face rising input costs and price fluctuations after the COVID-19 pandemic.

* Housing cooperatives suffer from financial mismanagement, unpaid dues, and redevelopment delays.

* Credit cooperatives often struggle with weak regulation, poor governance, and financial scams.

* Women’s cooperatives face limited access to finance, social barriers, and fewer business opportunities.

* Political interference, corruption, lack of transparency, limited access to technology, and competition from private companies also reduce efficiency.

WHY COOPERATIVES STILL MATTER 

Cooperatives continue to offer many benefits:

* Democratic management with equal voting rights.

* Fair sharing of profits based on participation rather than investment.

* Affordable goods and services through collective purchasing and marketing.

* Community development by creating jobs and supporting local economies.

* Empowerment of farmers, women, artisans, and rural communities.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also recognise cooperatives as important institutions for reducing poverty, promoting decent work, and reducing inequality.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AND THE ROAD AHEAD 

To strengthen the cooperative movement, the Government of India established the Ministry of Cooperation in 2021. The National Cooperation Policy 2025 aims to modernise cooperatives, improve governance, increase member participation, and make them financially sustainable through better monitoring and coordination.

CONCLUSION 

Cooperatives are built on the simple idea that working together makes everyone stronger. From dairy farmers to housing societies and rural banks, cooperatives have transformed millions of lives in India. Although many societies are facing serious challenges, reforms under the National Cooperation Policy 2025 provide hope for a stronger, more transparent, and more efficient cooperative movement that can continue to empower communities across the country.

AMAZING FACTS 

* India has the largest cooperative network in the world, with over 30 crore members.

* More than 8 lakh cooperative societies operate across the country.

* Amul, India’s famous dairy brand, is one of the world’s most successful cooperative models.

* Around 2 lakh cooperatives in India are credit societies, while about 6 lakh are non-credit cooperatives.

* Cooperatives play a key role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

Do you know

HOW DO BIRDS NEVER GET LOST?

Birds travel thousands of kilometres every year, yet they can find their way with amazing accuracy. They use several natural navigation systems instead of just one.

HOW BIRDS FIND THEIR WAY 

* The Sun: During the day, birds use the Sun as a compass and adjust for its movement across the sky.

* The Stars: At night, many migratory birds navigate by the stars, especially around the North Star in the Northern Hemisphere.

* Earth's Magnetic Field: Birds have a built-in “magnetic compass.” Tiny magnetic particles and special cells help them sense the Earth's magnetic field and know which direction to fly.

* Landmarks: Rivers, mountains, coastlines, forests, and even roads help birds recognise familiar routes.

* Sense of Smell: Some birds, such as pigeons and seabirds, use smells carried by the wind to locate their home or nesting places.

* Memory: Birds remember routes they have flown before and can return to the same nesting site year after year.

AMAZING FACT 

The Arctic tern travels about 70,000–90,000 km every year, flying from the Arctic to Antarctica and back. Despite this incredible journey, it returns to almost the same breeding place every year.

NATURE'S LESSON: Birds remind us that with the right guidance and memory, even the longest journey can lead us home.

The Shark with a Saw on Its Nose

SAWFISH 

The sawfish is one of the world's most unusual and fascinating sea creatures. At first glance, it looks like a shark carrying a giant saw on its nose. In reality, sawfish belong to the ray family, making them close relatives of stingrays rather than true sharks. Sadly, these remarkable animals are now among the most endangered fish on Earth.

A FISH WITH A UNIQUE "SAW"

The most striking feature of a sawfish is its long, flat snout called a rostrum. This rostrum is lined with sharp, tooth-like structures on both sides, giving it the appearance of a saw.

A sawfish uses this "saw" to hunt fish. It swings its rostrum from side to side through schools of fish, stunning or injuring them before eating them. The rostrum also contains special sensors that help the sawfish detect prey hidden under sand or mud.

WHERE DO SAWFISH LIVE?

Sawfish live in warm coastal waters, rivers, estuaries, and mangrove forests. They are found in parts of the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and along tropical coastlines around the world. Some species can even live in freshwater rivers for long periods.

TYPES OF SAWFISH 

There are five known species of sawfish, including:

* Largetooth sawfish

* Smalltooth sawfish

* Green sawfish

* Dwarf sawfish

* Narrow sawfish

The largetooth sawfish is the largest and can grow up to 7 metres long.

WHY ARE SAWFISH IN DANGER?

Sawfish populations have declined dramatically because of:

* Accidental capture in fishing nets.

* Loss of mangrove and coastal habitats.

* Pollution and coastal development.

* Illegal trade in their rostrums and fins.

Today, all sawfish species are protected in many countries, and scientists are working hard to conserve them.

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT SAWFISH 

* Sawfish are not true sharks—they belong to the ray family.

* Their long, saw-like snout is called a rostrum and is lined with sharp tooth-like structures.

* The rostrum contains special sensors that detect the electrical signals of nearby prey.

* Sawfish use their "saw" to slash through schools of fish and catch food.

* The largest species can grow up to 7 metres (23 feet) long.

* Some sawfish can live in both saltwater and freshwater and travel far up rivers.

* Baby sawfish are born with a soft covering over the teeth on their rostrum to protect their mother during birth.

* Sawfish have existed for millions of years, making them one of the oldest groups of fish still living today.

* Despite their fierce appearance, sawfish are generally shy and avoid humans.

* All five species of sawfish are now critically endangered due to habitat loss and fishing.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM SAWFISH?

The story of the sawfish reminds us that even powerful animals can become endangered if their habitats are destroyed. Protecting rivers, mangroves, and oceans helps not only sawfish but countless other marine species. Every small effort to reduce pollution and support wildlife conservation contributes to keeping our planet's incredible biodiversity alive.

DID YOU KNOW?

A baby sawfish is born with a soft protective covering over the teeth on its rostrum. This prevents it from injuring its mother during birth.

Negativity bias

ONE CROW DOES NOT REPRESENT THE ENTIRE FOREST 

Every morning, a cheerful parrot perched on the window of a magnificent palace and filled the air with its beautiful songs. The king admired its melodious voice, the servants brought it fresh fruits, and children gathered below the palace window every day just to hear it sing. The parrot's song had become a symbol of joy and happiness.

One day, a crow landed nearby and said, “Your voice is irritating. Everyone is only pretending to like it.”

At first, the parrot laughed and ignored the remark. But the crow's words quietly settled in its mind. The next morning, while singing, it noticed two servants whispering and assumed they were mocking its voice. When the children laughed while playing, it believed they were laughing at it. The parrot slowly forgot the hundreds of compliments it had received and remembered only one cruel comment.

Its confidence faded, and one day it stopped singing altogether.

The palace became silent. The children stopped coming, and the joy that its song had brought disappeared.

Weeks later, the crow returned and asked, “Why did you stop singing?”

The parrot replied sadly, “Because everyone hated my voice.”

The crow laughed and said, “Everyone? I was the only one who said that.”

WHAT THIS STORY TEACHES US 

This story explains a psychological tendency called negativity bias. Our minds often give more importance to one negative comment than to many positive ones. A single criticism can make us forget years of appreciation, encouragement, and success.

HOW CAN WE APPLY THIS IN OUR LIVES?

We all face “crows” in our lives—people who criticise, discourage, or speak negatively about us. The important thing is not to let one opinion become our truth.

* If someone criticises your work, remember all the people who appreciated your efforts.

* If you make one mistake in an exam or competition, do not forget the progress you have already made.

* If one negative comment appears on social media, do not ignore the many kind and supportive messages.

* Believe in your abilities and continue improving, but do not lose confidence because of one hurtful remark.

Constructive criticism can help us grow, but unfair criticism should not stop us from using our talents.

LIFE LESSON 

Never silence your voice because one unhappy person could not appreciate your song. Keep singing, keep learning, and keep believing in yourself.

REMEMBER: One crow does not represent the entire forest, and one negative opinion does not define your life.