NATURAL SHRINES IN THE FOREST

Sacred groves

     There are unique forests in India known as sacred groves because there are small shrines or temples inside them honouring local deities. They are pockets of forests where people are forbidden to cut the trees or disturb the animals for fear of angering the resident gods. They can only collect honey, twigs, medicinal herbs and litter. Sacred groves are found in every state though they are known by different names. There are more than 20,000 sacred groves with the most—over 5000—found in Himachal Pradesh. Some are small, occupying a few hectares, while others, like the Hariyali grove in Uttarakhand and the Deodar grove near Shimla, are spread over hundreds of hectares. In Maharashtra, they are called devaraii, in Goa Devachirai in Karnataka, devarakaadu, in Rajasthan, oran, in Himachal, devbhumi, in Kerala, kaavu and in Tamil Nadu, kovil kaadu. The groves are extremely important because they are biodiversity hotspots. Not only do they contain hundreds of rare and valuable plants and trees, some of which are used in traditional medicines, but also different species of insects, birds and mammals. The trees help anchor the fertile top soil and the litter provides valuable humus that local farmers cart away to replenish their fields. Ponds and streams run through these sacred groves, helping to raise the water table. 

     Sacred groves have reduced in number and size over the years, because unlike olden times, people have lost respect for their sanctity. In some groves, the trees have been cut to increase the space for religious activities—the shrines now attract too many pilgrims. Others have been taken over for cultivation. Unless local people become more involved in protecting and restoring them, sacred groves, and with them a treasure trove of plant life, will soon be gone forever.

Facts: 

* Europe used to have sacred groves in prehistoric times. With the rise of Christianity, churches came up where the groves once stood. Now they are mostly found only in Central European countries such as Estonia and Lithuania. 

* According to Buddhist scriptures, Queen Mahamaya gave birth to Gautam Buddha in the sacred grove of Lumbini in southern Nepal.  

* Many Shinto shrines in Japan are built in the midst of ancient sacred groves. 

* The movie Avatar showcased a grove revered by the Na'vi people of Pandora, at the heart of which was the sacred Tree of Souls.

DO YOU KNOW

What Is Rainwater Harvesting?

     Water is an important natural resource and is the very basis of our life. We use water for drinking, irrigation, industry, transport and for the production of hydroelectricity. Water is a cyclic resource which can be used again and again after cleaning. The best way to conserve water is its judicious use. Rainwater harvesting is the accumulation and deposition of rainwater for reuse on-site, rather than allowing it to run off. Rainwater can be collected from rivers or roofs, and in many places the water collected is redirected to a deep pit (well, shaft, or borehole), a reservoir with percolation, or collected from dew or fog with nets or other tools. Its uses include water for gardens, livestock, irrigation, domestic use with proper treatment, and indoor heating for houses etc. The harvested water can also be used as drinking water, long term storage and for other purposes such as groundwater recharge. In areas where water supply is less or problematic, rain water harvesting is a good solution. It reduces the use of treated municipal water for uses such as landscaping, toilet flushing and laundry. 

LIFE MATTERS

 It Matters In Life... 

The plus symbol is made with two minus symbols!

So all negative things can be shaped as positives by our smart work and positive thinking! 

You are great if you can find your faults. You are greater if you can correct them. But you are the greatest if you accept and love someone with their faults! 

Success is the problem, but failure is the formula. You can’t solve the problem without knowing the formula. 

Anger comes alone, but takes away all the good qualities from us. Patience too comes alone, but brings all good qualities to us. 

There is no past tense in loving someone. It’s either you always will or you never did. 

Instead of thinking about what you are missing, sometimes it is good to think about what you have that many are missing. 

It is not that some people have will-power and some don’t. It is that some people are ready to change and others are not. 

Efforts towards success will make you a master. But efforts towards satisfaction will make you a legend.

SALTIEST SEA IN THE WORLD

 Dead Sea

     The saltiest sea in the world is the Dead sea, an inland water-body between Jordan and Israel. At about 1370 feet below sea level, it is literally the lowest place on earth. It is 55km long and 3 to 18 km in width, It is one of the saltiest water-bodies in the world, with 33.7% salinity (the average salt content of the world's oceans is 6%). Because of its extreme salinity, aquatic animals and vegetation cannot survive in its waters --- hence its name. Also the density of water is very high, enabling even non-swimmers to float easily on its surface.

     There is a reason for the excessive salinity of the water. The Dead Sea is a land-locked water-body fed by the Jordan river. Once the river water enters the sea, the only way it can escape is through evaporation, When the water evaporates, the salty minerals are left behind, causing the remaining water to become more and more concentrated with salt.

     The mineral content of the Dead Sea is very different from that of the ocean water. At least 35 different kinds of mineral salts, including potassium, calcium and magnesium are present in large quantities. These have been proved to cure various ailments ranging from skin problems to rheumatic diseases,

     The Dead sea has attracted visitors from around the world for thousands of years. One of world's earliest health resorts, it has been the supplier of a variety of products, from balms for mummification to potash for fertilisers. Unfortunately, the water level is fast coming down, as the water level that used to feed it is being diverted for other purposes in Israel and Jordan. Environmentalists warn that if this trend continues, the Dead Sea would disappear completely by the year 2050.

CYCLING

For a healthy life and healthy earth

     Among the numerous days celebrated the world over, the one that profoundly impacts the present as well as future generations is World Bicycle Day. Well, on 3 June every year, since 2018, the U.N. General Assembly dedicated this day to celebrate the joy of riding bicycles. The simple structure of a bicycle requires only air and a bit of energy to function, however, it has proved itself to be both environmentally-friendly and a friend to all mankind. 

     Prof Leszek Sibilski, a Polish-American sociologist, along with his sociology students, was the inspirer of this cause. 

     Apart from being an eco-friendly and economic means of transport, bicycling also promotes good physical as well as mental health. Cycling decreases the possibility of falling prey to cardiovascular diseases, aids in building body muscle, and reduces overall fat. It strengthens bones, improves joint mobility and relieves stress. In addition, it also facilitates the regulation and maintenance of healthy blood sugar levels in our system. Thus, cycling reduces the risk of depression, obesity, arthritis, diabetes, certain cancers, strokes and heart attacks. The bicycle symbolises adaptability and sustainability.  

     Governments around the world are adopting and promoting eco-friendly conveyance systems. Many countries have dedicated bicycle tracks which make commuting by bicycle safe. India, too, has introduced bicycle tracks in cities like Delhi and Bangalore. Though daily riding to work may be an inconvenience, taking into consideration climatic conditions, either having to face the scorching sun or heavy rain, however, despite these conditions, enthusiastic riders change their cycling gear once they reach their destination. It’s a trend already prevalent in Europe.

Types of bicycles: If you are new to buying a bicycle, these guidelines will help you choose the right one.

Road bikes: Designed for normal roads.

Mountain bikes: Suited for hilly terrains.

Hybrid/commuter bikes: Combination of road bikes and mountain bikes.

Cyclocross bikes: A road bike feel for off-road trips.

Folding bikes: Commuting, leisure or touring for the short-on-space.

Electric bikes: A hybrid, mountain or road bike with a battery and a motor.

Touring bikes: Designed for carrying loads over longer distances while remaining comfortable for the rider.

     Taking into consideration the multiple benefits that cycling has to offer, using a bicycle whenever possible, if not regularly, will be advantageous to both our earth and ourselves. Look for ways in which cycling can be introduced into your daily routine; maybe riding to nearby places while carrying out daily tasks, to school, work or a friend’s house. Let’s try and adopt the culture of cycling and be the change our environment and our health needs. 

Fun Facts:

* The longest ‘tandem’ bicycle seated 35 people; it was more than 20 metres long. 

* Every year, around a 100 million bicycles are manufactured worldwide.

* The use of bicycles has conserved more than 238 gallons of gas yearly.

* The Netherlands is the most bicyclefriendly country in the world. 30 per cent of all transport is via bicycle. Seven out of eight of its residents over the age of 15 own bicycles.

* The Tour de France, established in 1903, is the most famous bicycle race in the world. Bicycle track racing has been a sport in the Olympic Games since 1896.

MARTIAL DANCE

Dance with weapons

     One of the first implements that man devised for his survival was the knife. And in what better way could he show off his skill of weaponry than in a dance! 

     In the earliest reference to martial dances, Plato described the Pyrrhic dance of ancient Sparta as a great way to train warriors. It was performed with shields and spears during ancient Greek festivals. Today, the style is still evident in Albanitiko, the national dance of Albania. 

Desi Sword Dances: 

     A Kumaoni wedding in Uttarakhand would be incomplete without a performance of the Choliya dance. In keeping with the tradition of their ancient martial race, male Rajput dancers brandish swords and shields as they accompany a groom’s baraat to the bride’s house. 

     The men whirl around in bright colourful costumes styled after the old military attire and perform acrobatics and mock fights along the way. They dance to the tune of traditional Kumaoni instruments like the turi and ransing which were once used to boost the morale of troops during war.

 Kalaripayattu:

    Kerala is home to one of India’s proud exports to the world—the Kalaripayattu. It is the forerunner of the martial art of karate. Young boys start training in the art of combat when they are 7-8 years old. Kalaripayattu marks a perfect union of dance and martial arts. Trainees build their stamina and dexterity and learn to handle different weapons like sticks, maces, spears, daggers and swords. A Kalaripayattu performance is like a lyrical dance of exceptionally nimble warriors. 

Swordswomen with Style: 

     One of the cultural gems of Korea is the Jinju Geommu dance. The traditional sword dance is performed by a group of female dancers clad in ethnic Korean costumes resembling the military uniforms of yore. Legend has it that a young boy named Hwangchang, a talented Geommu dancer, was invited to perform at the court of an enemy kingdom. While dancing, the bold boy slew the king. Hwangchang was then executed. The people in his kingdom mourned his loss by wearing masks resembling  his face and performing the dance. Later, the mask was discarded and the art form was formalised into a court dance performed by women. The dancers use a replica sword called Kal and dance to a band of traditional Korean musical instruments.

White vs. Black: 

     A medieval sword dance called Moreška from the town of Korcula, Croatia, depicts the tale of a White King fighting to rescue his fiancée Bula from the clutches of the Black King. After the main characters are introduced, the armies of the two kings engage in mock battle. Dancers clad in red costumes spar with their black uniformed counterparts in a choreographed sequence of sword fights. The show ends with the defeat of the Black King and the union of the White King with his beloved.

     In many parts of India including Goa, in many village jatras(fairs) there is dance performed with swords in honour of the village deity. It is also seen in folk dances.

AN ANCIENT INDIAN FOLKTALE

 A journey to Earth 

     Lord Yama is king of the underworld. Everyone trembles when he visits their house. They know he has come to take a dear one away from this world. Death and lord Yama walk hand-in-hand. No wonder lord Yama is never on anyone’s guest list!

     A long time ago, Lord Yama came down to earth for a holiday. He took the guise of an ordinary man. It was a wise decision. People liked him and invited him to their house. This was a new experience for him. He had got used to people wailing at the sight of him! 

     He was sitting by the river one day, when he met a beautiful girl. She had come to help her father haul up his fishing net. Lord Yama fell in love with her. The fisherman’s daughter, Mohana, agreed to be his wife. A delighted Lord Yama decided to extend his sojourn on earth. The grand wedding ceremony took place in the village temple hall. Everyone had only one remark to make. The couple made a handsome pair! The fisherman’s son-in-law looked like a prince. Mohana was a very, very lucky girl!

     A year passed. Mohana was surprised her husband never went to work. However, as he never was short of money, she did not complain. The days passed by quickly. Lord Yama was convinced he had discovered heaven on earth! A year later, Mohana gave birth to a bonny baby boy. All seemed well in their little world. 

     Now there was a drastic change in Mohana’s personality. She suddenly realised her husband was always idle. He was never interested in doing work. In fact, her husband was a good-for nothing! 

     “All you do is play with our little son,” said Mohana angrily. “You never do any work. Soon we will need more money to buy food and clothes. Will it fall from a coconut tree?”, she added.

     Poor Lord Yama! He could not tell her he was the Lord of the dark underworld. There was absolutely no need for him to work! He dearly loved his little son, Prasad. One day he would have to return to his own dark world. Until then, he wanted to be on earth with his family. 

     But Mohana was very angry. She insisted her husband should go and find work. He could start by helping his father-in-law catch fish. That was a big mistake. The time had changed. His identity was getting disclosed. The moment the fish sensed Lord Yama was close by, they refused to be ensnared into the fishing net! 

“Mohana, we caught no fish today,” said her father sadly. Mohana glared angrily at her husband. 

“Now you are bringing us bad luck as well!” 

     Next day she refused to milk the cows. So lord Yama went out to do the first chore of his life! The cows mooed in fright when they saw him. They refused to fill the buckets with milk. Mohana was very angry. 

“What a useless man you are!” sneered Mohana angrily. “You do not even know how to milk the cows. You seem to think you area royal prince. But work you will have to do. Our son should not have a father who is a good-for nothing!” 

When she sent him to buy vegetables, a strange thing happened.

The vegetables came back all shriveled up! Also, cats yowled and dogs howled when he crossed their path. Suddenly, nobody wanted to talk to LordYama. Word had spread like wildfire that strange things happened when little Prasad’s father walked by their house! 

     Mohana yelled and ranted the whole day long. Lord Yama was now petrified of his beautiful wife. He yearned to go back to his own beautiful, dark world! He was sad at the thought of leaving his son behind. But he told the boy just to call for him whenever he needed help. Lord Yama then hurried away from his house and disappeared into thin air. He was glad to be finally back home and once again the king of the dark underworld!

     Meanwhile Prasad grew up into a fine, handsome boy. He still loved his father dearly, though his mother was glad her ‘good-for-nothing’ husband had left the house. “One mouth less to feed!” said Mohana sarcastically. 

     Prasad needed a job. He prayed to his father to come and help him. That night, Lord Yama came to his bedside. Prasad blinked unbelievingly at his father. His father was Lord Yama, the Lord of death! “Tell everyone you can cure all diseases,” said Lord Yama, handing him a bag full of medicinal herbs. “This pouch will always contain medicine. If you find me standing near the patient’s head, you will know that death waits at his door. My blessings will always be with you, my beloved son.” 

     Prasad soon became famous far and wide. He refused to treat patients whom he knew were going to die. Lord Yama was always at their bedside. The others recovered miraculously from their maladies. Prasad became very rich. Mohana was very happy. At least her son was not a good-for-nothing! 

     Then one day the princess fell very, very ill. The distraught king summoned Prasad to the royal palace. He promised Prasad a handsome reward if he cured the ailing princess. Prasad was stunned to see his father, LordYama, standing at the head of the princess’s bed. He knew the princess was going to die. What was he now supposed to do?Prasad was in a dilemma. He had to give his medicine to the princess. If she was not cured, the king would throw him into the dark dungeons. He would proclaim to the world that Prasad was a fraud! The rest of his life would be spent within the four walls of a dark, dingy prison.

     He had to find a way to make his dear father go away. Prasad pondered on what to do. Then a smile lit his face. Now he knew exactly what he had to do! He told the guards that he wanted his mother to be brought to the palace. Mohana was brought into the princess’s room. Lord Yama went pale when he saw her. She could not see him. He was visible only to their son. “If only your ‘good-for-nothing’ father was here!” sneered Mohana. “He would have seen whose brains you inherited!” Lord Yama cringed in the corner of the room. His wife’s rasping voice brought back the nasty days of the past! He was sure she would soon see him. Then she would once again rave and rant about what a ‘useless’ man he had been. He decided to do the vanishing act. 

     Given the situation, it was the best thing to do! He forgot he had to escort the princess to the nether world. Only one thought loomed inside his head. He had to get far away from his frightening loud-mouthed wife! Prasad was delighted. His medicines cured the sickly princess. He was now famous all over the kingdom. The king made him the royal physician. Prasad’s cup of happiness was now full to the brim. His mother was very happy. She no longer had to do any hard work. “Your ‘good-for-nothing’ father should now see us!” gloated Mohana angrily. “Mother, his blessings will always make tomorrow what we want it to be!” replied her wise son happily. 

LIGHT AMPLIFICATION OF STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION

 Laser

     The word stands for Light Amplification of Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Laser gives a narrow, accurate beam of very bright light. Unlike ordinary light, all rays of a beam of laser have the same wavelength and are perfectly in phase and parallel to one another.      

     According to Quantum Theory, energy is transmitted in packets (Quanta). In laser, the quanta are organized end to end. Thus in vibrating together, they produce light of a very high intensity. 

     Laser beams can either be visible light or be invisible, in which case they are composed of infrared rays. An infrared laser can cut through substances ranging from metal to human tissues with extremely fine accuracy.  Therefore, it has found application in the field of medicine, especially for microsurgery. Visible light lasers are also used in recording, CD Rom players and fiber-optic communications. 

     A laser beam is produced by exciting atoms of a medium that can both absorb and release energy. There are a variety of substances that can work as a medium, such as ruby, some liquid dyes or a gas like carbon dioxide. 

     Charles H Townes, an American physicist, discovered laser in the early 1950s. He and his students constructed the first maser and showed that a similar device producing a visible light (laser) was also possible. For his invention of maser and later laser, he shared the 1964 Nobel Prize with Aleksandr M Prokhorov and Nikolay G.Basov. Based on Charles H Townes’ earlier work, Theodore Maiman constructed the first laser in 1960, using a rod of ruby.

* Before the laser was developed, there was the“maser” . This stood for “microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation” and was based on Albert Einstein’s principle of stimulated emission masers, which were used in atomic clocks.

* The light in a laser is more parallel than any other light source; every part of the beam has almost the exact direction.

* In 1974 lasers were used commercially for the first time in supermarket bar code scanners.

22 JUNE

 World Rainforest Day

     World rainforest day is celebrated annually on June 22. The theme for this year's celebration is 'Conserve, Restore, Regenerate.' This theme captures the critical work that must be done to safeguard rainforests against any further damage.

     There are two types of rainforests --- tropical and temperate. Tropical rainforests are found closer to the equator where it is warm and rains all year long. Tropical rainforests are found closer to the equator where it is warm and rains all year long. Temperate rainforests are found near cooler coastal areas further north or south of the equator.

Adaptations in rainforest plants:

* Plants in rainforests have adapted to survive in their unique environment,

* Woody vines like lianas root in the ground, but they climb up trees to reach sunlight. Their leaves and flowers grow in the treetops.

* Tree trunks are tall and thin so that trees can reach the sunlight. The bark of these trees is smooth so that water can flow down easily to the roots.

* Plants have leaves with pointed tips. This allows rainwater to run off the leaves quickly without damaging or breaking them.

* Some plants have supporting roots or buttress roots. These are large roots with ribs that form a large surface and support large trees.

Some facts about the rainforests:

* Rainforests are found in Central and South America, Western and central Africa, Western India, Southeast Asia, the island of New Guinea and Australia.

* The Amazon Rainforest is the world's largest tropical rainforest. It covers area of 5.5 million sq. kms. Due to the thickness of the tree canopy here, the forest floor is always in darkness. It is said that it takes 10 minutes for the rain to pass through the canopy and rich the ground!

* Around 400 to 500 indigenous American tribes live in the Amazon Rainforest. It is believed that many of these tribes have never had any contact with the outside world!

* 20% of oxygen we breathe comes from the rainforests of the Amazon.

* The Daintree Rainforest in Australia is said to be between 135 and 180 million year's old! It is the world's oldest tropical lowland rainforest.

Did you know?

Rainforests are being destroyed by human greed!

Their trees are being cut down to:

* grow crops like soya beans

* use the wood for furniture and timber

* make room for mining projects

* build roads for farmers, loggers and miners

* create space for development projects such as hydropower and infrastructure 

* make space for building houses.

21 JUNE

 International Day Of Yoga

This year, it is the 9th International Yoga Day and the theme is 'Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' effectively encapsulating our collective aspiration for 'One Earth, One Family, and One Future.' 

Background: Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.

Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity. Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as International Yoga Day by resolution 69/131. 

June 21, which is the Summer Solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of the world.

International Yoga Day aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

IDY Logo: Folding of both hands in the logo symbolise Yoga, the union, which reflects the union of individual Consciousness with that of universal Consciousness, a perfect harmony between mind & body, man & nature; a holistic approach to health & well being. The brown leaves symbolise the Earth element, the green leaves symbolise the Nature, blue symbolises the Water element, brightness symbolises the Fire element and the Sun symbolise the source of energy and inspiration. The logo reflects harmony and peace for humanity, which is the essence of Yoga.

Benefits of Yoga: Yoga is very necessary and beneficial for all human beings if it is practiced by all on daily basis in the early morning. The benefits of Yoga include :-

• Increased muscle strength and tone
• Increased flexibility
• Improved respiration, energy and vitality
• Maintaining a balanced metabolism
• Weight reduction
• Cardio and circulatory health
• Improved athletic performance

TO BECOME STRONGER, BRAVER AND BETTER

Face Challenges Boldly

     When young, Swami Vivekananda, founder of the Ramakrishna Mission, was known as Narendra. One day, while going to the Durga temple in Kashmir, a troop of monkeys steadily followed him. Narendra became frightened. He did not know what to do. On instinct he decided to run away and escape from there. With all his might he began to run. But the monkeys followed him faster than before.

     A Sanyasi was watching the scene. He cried out “Instead of running from them, turn back and face them boldly.”

     Narendra obeyed his words. He stopped running. Then he turned back, and stood bravely facing the animals. The monkeys also stopped. After a while, they dispersed and disappeared.

     Challenges are a part of everyday life. They come in many different forms; both big and small; and often unexpectedly.

     For some people, the challenge would be doing well at school. For others, it may be worries, like certain prevailing difficulties, past mistakes, or failures. Challenges actually help us become stronger, braver, and better. Without them, life might be somewhat meaningless. For we might then have nothing to compare the good times to.       We do not have control over the past. But we do have control over decisions we make now and in future. Therefore, choose to believe in your ability to make rightful and practical decisions in the face of challenges. Don’t ever be hasty.     

     Remember the famous adage, “A calm mind is the ultimate weapon against challenges in life.” Be continually prepared to face challenges prudently and optimistically. Thus you shall move ahead and succeed in life.

IRRADIATED FOOD

 Is it safe for consumption?

     The process of food irradiation involves exposing the food to the energy from short-wave radiations like gamma rays, X-rays or electrons.

     Research over the last 40 years has proved that irradiated food does not retain any radioactive property and hence is completely safe. Moreover, irradiation does not diminish the nutritive value of the food.

This technology is used to destroy the bacterial, fungal or viral growth in food that can spoil it or cause diseases. Irradiated food thus has a longer shelf life. As irradiation is a cold process, it causes no change in the freshness or texture of the food unlike certain other procedures that involve heat. In fact, it is difficult to tell an irradiated apple from a normal one, as it remains as juicy and crisp. 

     Presently over 40 food items such as fruits, vegetables, spices, seafood, grains meat and poultry are available in irradiated form. Many specially-marked irradiated fruits and vegetables are commercially sold in the US, France, China, South Africa and Netherlands.

     Although the process of irradiation greatly reduces the growth of bacteria, it does not completely eliminate it. Hence irradiated poultry needs refrigeration. As for irradiated fruits, refrigeration is not essential, though they will last much longer in a refrigerator.

     In India too, many irradiated food items like onions, potatoes, garlic, spices etc. are now available.

NEVER GIVE UP

Story of two frogs

 

    In a pond lived two frogs. One rainy day, they went about happily hopping around here and there. Eventually, they entered a house, and accidentally fell into a can of milk kept on the kitchen table. They desperately tried to jump out of the can. But their efforts were in vain. Soon, both frogs were about to drown inside the can. One frog became totally exhausted, lost all hope, and said, “I can’t swim anymore.” It soon sank to the bottom of the milk can and drowned. The other frog, however, didn’t give up. It kept on trying to leap out. After some time, because of its rapid movements, the milk turned into butter. The frog was then able to climb atop the butter heap, and hop out of the milk can to safety. 

     At one time or another, everyone reaches a point in life when they want something very badly. But they may lose hope and become ready to lose out, like the frog which drowned. Don’t give up just because you’re tired from many failures. Ignore failures and keep on struggling with determination. Plan and work toward your planned goals with optimism and confidence. Remain focused, positive-minded, and progressive in the face of challenges, and persist until you win. An old adage says, ‘It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up’. Remember, Napoleon failed as an essay writer, Shakespeare as a wool merchant, Lincoln as a storekeeper, and Walt Disney as a newspaper editor. But none of them ever gave up their efforts. They tried other things for which they were better suited, and ultimately attained the amazing results that we all know and see today. Remember that the only real failure is giving up!

THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND CRYING AND WHY OUR EYES WATER

 Why do we cry?

What are tears made of? 

     Tears are a clear liquid that fills your eyes when you experience significant pain, overwhelming emotion or the invasion of an irritant, but not all tears roll down your cheeks in uncontrollable streams. If you’ve ever touched your own eyeball, you’ll know that it’s always wet. This is because tears are produced by your eyes constantly. Usually, the volume of tears produced is low enough that they don’t overflow out of your eyes. Instead they’re drained by tiny holes in the upper and lower eyelids called tear ducts. Tears contain the salts potassium chloride and sodium chloride, enzymes, lipids and essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Lysozyme is one of the most abundant enzymes in tears, as the first line of defence against bacteria. This protein works to kill any bacteria that enters the eye, which can easily happen when you rub your eyes with your hands. But not all of the benefits of crying are physical. Psychologically, we feel differently about others when we see them cry. It can show a person’s vulnerability, and studies show that during emotional arguments, people often become less aggressive towards others when witnessing them crying. By releasing tears you’re also more likely to receive help from others, bond with them and be trusted. 

Less than one per cent of your tears is salt.

Why do we cry with happiness?

     Crying is a release of emotion, but this emotion doesn’t always have to be sadness. Have you ever been reunited with a close friend and burst into tears as soon as they arrived? Or perhaps when it was the happiest moment of your life? Although you know when you are happy and sad, the brain can become overwhelmed by influxes of such strong emotions. Both positive and negative emotions are dealt with in similar ways by releasing tears. The amygdala is the part of the brain that processes emotional and behavioural responses. Just before you cry with happiness, the amygdala sends a signal to the glands in the eyes to make them produce more tears. When these tears are released from the eyes, the hormone oxytocin is also released in the body, working to calm the body by instigating physical changes such as reducing blood pressure. In the same way that sad crying relieves the negative emotions felt, happy crying stops the brain being overwhelmed with opposing changes in your mental state. Happy tears are sweeter tasting because they’re less acidic. 

Tears are made up of over 1,500 different proteins.

Types of tears:

The act of crying can have negative connotations, but not all crying is the same. Some tears are produced during highly stressful and emotional events, while others are formed after a single cut into an onion. There are three types of tears, differentiated by their triggers and impact on the body: basal, emotional and reflex tears. Each type also varies in its composition. Basal tears are always present on your eyeballs. They are made up of three layers, serving as a protective coating for delivering nutrients to the eyes. Without these tears, your eyeballs would dry out. 

     While basal tears work to keep small amounts of physical debris out of the eyes, emotional tears relieve stress and help to stabilise mental health. Stress chemicals have been detected in emotional tears, meaning that the act of crying can literally flush overwhelming feelings away. The third type is reflex tears. These are mostly made of water, which is released in higher volumes when an irritant such as a small insect – or the enzymes and acid released by onions when they’re cut – makes contact with the eyeball. More antibodies, which are defence proteins of the immune system, are released in these tears to fight any harmful cells that might enter the eye.    

Onions release sulphur when cut, which forms the irritant sulphuric acid when it makes contact with the water on your eyes, causing more tears to be produced. 

How basal tears create a protective layer (TEARY-EYED ANATOMY)

1 LACRIMAL GLAND: One of these glands is located above each eye. Here the bulk of tears are continuously released onto the outside of the eyeball.

2 MEIBOMIAN GLAND: Around 30 of these glands line the lower eyelid. These and the 40 on the upper eyelid release oil into tears.

3 CONJUNCTIVAL GOBLET CELLS: These cells produce a protein called mucin, which lubricates the eye and prevents the eyelids from sticking to the surface of the eyeball.

4 MUCOUS LAYER: This inner layer contains a protein called mucin, which is sticky and keeps the tear film attached to the eyeball.

5 AQUEOUS LAYER: The biggest portion of the tear film is water. This layer is 98.2 per cent water and 1.8 per cent solids to hydrate and nourish the eye.

6 LIPID LAYER: When excreted from the meibomian glands, the oily layer prevents the water in the tears from evaporating and makes the eyeball’s surface smooth.

7 EYELASHES: The small hairs that stick out from your eyelids reduce the movement of air around the eyes so that tears don’t evaporate quickly.

8 EVEN SPREAD: Each time you blink, the three-layered tear film is spread evenly across the eyeball’s surface by the eyelids.

9 TEAR DUCTS: These passages carry tears from the eye into the nose. Here the old tear film can exit the body by evaporation or re-enter the body.

MY PARLIAMENT MY PRIDE

 A New Parliament Building For A New India

     Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s new Parliament building on May 28, 2023. The new Parliament building is not just a physical structure but a symbol of India’s democratic spirit, heritage and culture. The new building will serve as an emblem of India’s glorious past, present and future as a world leader. 

     In its 75th year of independence, India has proudly presented its new Parliament building to the world. This building is constructed by Indians for Indians. 

Why was a new Parliament Building needed? 

The Parliament of India is the highest law-making body in India. The Parliament makes the laws that everyone in the country has to follow. The Parliament is made up of elected representatives called members of Parliament (MPs). The MPs discuss and debate a topic before making a new law. This requires a place for them to sit and conduct meetings. This place is called the Parliament House. 

     The previous Parliament House is a heritage building that was constructed in 1927. The Parliament House was designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. 

     The building is now old and showing signs of wear and tear. It also needed more space as the number of MPs is expected to increase in the future. For this reason, the Government of India decided to build a new Parliament building. This new building is better in terms of space, technology, amenities, safety, parking facilities and offices.

Let us explore the New Parliament Building: 

The new Parliament building is shaped like a triangle and covers an area of 65,000 square metres.

The building has three main gates. These are the Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar and Karma Dwar. These are separate entrances for important persons such as MPs and visitors.  

The new building has 888 seats in the Lok Sabha chamber and 384 seats in the Rajya Sabha chamber.  

The Lok Sabha Hall is three times bigger than the old one. It is peacock-themed based on India’s national bird.  

The Rajya Sabha Hall is lotus-themed based on India’s national flower.  

The building has ultra-modern office spaces. These spaces will use smart display screens, fingerprint sensors and other digitally-advanced audio-visual systems.  

The new building is designed to be safe from earthquakes. It is eco-friendly and uses clean energy. It will also focus on rainwater harvesting, solar panels and waste management.  

The public entrances have three galleries. The Sangeet Gallery showcases India’s traditional dances and music. The Sthapatya Gallery showcases India’s architectural heritage. The Shilp Gallery showcases the unique handicraft traditions of India’s many states.  

The new building also presents a unique union of tradition and modernity through symbols such as Sengol and Foucault’s Pendulum. 

The Sengol: Prime Minister Modi placed a historic object called Sengol in the Lok Sabha chamber of the new Parliament building. The name Sengol comes from the Tamil word for righteousness, "Semmai". The Sengol is a sacred sceptre made of gold and silver. A sceptre is a decorated rod carried by kings or queens on special occasions as a symbol of their power. The Sengol is 5 feet in length. There is a small statue of Nandi at the top of the Sengol. Nandi is the bull deity associated with Lord Shiva.

      The Sengol has a long history. This history goes back to the time when the Chola dynasty ruled over parts of South India and Sri Lanka between the 9th and 13th centuries. The Cholas had a tradition of passing down the Sengol sceptre from one king to the next. This was a symbol of the transfer of power and legality. On Aug. 14, 1947, the Sengol was presented to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The Sengol has since been kept at a museum. Now, the government has decided to put it in the new Parliament building. This has been done to highlight the importance of this historical object in India’s cultural heritage. The Sengol’s presence in the Lok Sabha chamber signifies the connection between the past and the present. It also shows the country’s commitment to its traditions and democratic ideals. 

Foucault’s Pendulum: Another interesting feature of the new Parliament building that has caught everyone’s attention is Foucault’s pendulum. It is named after the French scientist Leon Foucault. Foucault invented this pendulum to show that the Earth is rotating. The pendulum is a ball hanging from a string. Foucault’s pendulum has a heavy ball hanging from a height with a long string. It swings back and forth but slowly starts to change its direction. For example, when the pendulum swings in a north-south direction, it gradually shifts towards the eastwest direction. This shows that the Earth is rotating. The pendulum installed in the Parliament House is quite tall. It is about 22 metres high when suspended from the ceiling and weighs around 36 kilograms. It also has a power supply to make sure it swings smoothly. The pendulum was built fully in India. It has been installed in the gallery section of the Constitution Hall. The pendulum represents how India is connected to the universe. 

HAMID: THE PERSONIFICATION OF UNSELFISH LOVE

 Eidgah

     Eidgah, translated as ‘TheFestival of Eid’, is a very popular story by Munshi Premchand, one of India’s most influential Hindi writers of the last century. Written in 1938, the story is a sensitive account of a poor boy’s adventures at a village fair on the day of the Eid festival. The central character of the story is Hamid, a four-year-old boy who lives with his aged grandmother; having lost both his parents the previous year. 

     The story begins with an excited group of boys getting ready to accompany their elders to the Eidgah (prayer grounds) three miles away, on the long-awaited festival morning. Among them is little Hamid, who is described as thin and famished-looking and poorly dressed – he has no shoes on his feet, and wears a soiled, tattered cap whose golden thread has turned black.

     In contrast to his companions, who are from rich families and have plenty of pocket money to blow up on goodies at the Eid fair, he has just three coins in his pocket. However, he is the happiest of the boys. With all the innocence of childhood, he implicitly believes what his grandmother has told him about his parents – that his father has gone to earn money and will return with sack loads of silver and that his mother has gone to Allah to get lovely gifts for him. He is eagerly awaiting their return, so that he can then fulfil all his heart’s desires and have more than his insensitive companions, who are constantly teasing and tantalising him with their toys. 

     Despite his childish innocence, Hamid on several occasions also displays a maturity and sensitivity beyond his years. For instance, realising that his grandmother is distressed about letting him go to the Eidgah unescorted (while the other boys have their fathers with them), he consoles her with the assurance that he will be the first to get back. 

     At the Eid fair, due to lack of money, he can only stand and watch, while his companions enjoy swing and roundabout rides, buy attractive clay toys, and gorge on sweets to their hearts’ content. Naturally, like any other child, he also longs for these things; however, he finds consolation by telling himself that sweets are bad for health and the flimsy toys are a waste of money that give only momentary pleasure. 

     A noteworthy feature of Hamid’s character is his lack of vindictiveness. His natural tendency is to return good for evil. Even after the other boys have mocked and humiliated him, his reaction is to tell himself that when his parents have returned with riches, he will give each of his tormentors a basket full of toys to teach them how to treat friends. 

     Overcoming temptations, Hamid eventually opts to spend his precious three coins not on sweets or toys for himself, but on a pair of tongs for his grandmother, as he remembers how she burns her fingers on the griddle while baking rotis everyday. The other boys tease Hamid for his purchase, extolling the virtues of their toys over his tongs. 

     We now get to see Hamid’s intelligence as he comes up with quick-witted retorts about the superiority of his iron tongs over their clay toys. His arguments are so convincing that the boys soon believe that Hamid has had the best bargain, and even offer to exchange their items for his – which he refuses. The story ends on a touching note as his grandmother, on receiving the gift, is so overwhelmed with emotion, that she bursts into tears and invokes Allah’s blessings on her grandchild. 

     Little Hamid, with his selfless and caring nature and his gift of imagination that keeps him happy even in the midst of poverty, is one of Premchand’s most loveable creations.

15th June is observed as World Elder Abuse Awareness day to raise awareness about the mistreatment and neglect of older adults and promote the importance of their well-being and dignity. Let us all be sensitive and caring towards elderly people in the family and around us.