ANCIENT TECHNICAL WONDER

Iron Pillar

     A 23 feet and 6 ton Pillar located at the Qutb Complex at Mehrauli in Delhi is an unsolved mystery. This pillar is made of iron and has attracted the attention of archeologists and material scientists across the world. 

     Standing at the centre of the Quwwatul Mosque the Iron Pillar dates back to 4th century AD. The pillar is made of 98% wrought Iron and has stood 1,600 years without rusting or decomposing. Its high resistance to corrosion is a proof of the high level of skill achieved by the ancient Indian iron smiths in the extraction and processing of Iron.

     The pillar carries a large number of inscriptions and graffiti of different dates. The oldest inscription on the pillar is that of a king named Chandra, generally identified as the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II. The script and the poetic style of the inscription point to a date in the late fourth or early fifth century i.e. the Gupta period. 

     The inscription describes the king as a devotee of the God Vishnu, and records the erection of a dhvaja (flag) of Vishnu, on a hill called Vishnupada (hill of the footprint of Vishnu). Other Gupta inscriptions also describe Chandragupta II as a Bhagavata.

     The greatest mystery is about its composition and non-corrosive nature. The pillar was manufactured by the forge welding of pieces of wrought iron. In a report published explains that the pillar's resistance to corrosion is due to a passive protective film at the iron-rust interface. 

Reason for formation of protective passive film:

* The presence of second-phase particles (slag and unreduced iron oxides) in the microstructure of the iron. 

* High amounts of phosphorus in it.

* Alternate wetting and drying existing under atmospheric conditions. 

The height of the pillar, from the top of its capital to the bottom of its base, is 23.8 feet. Out of this 3.8 feet part is below the ground. The diameter is 48cm at the foot, tapering to 29cm at the top, just below the base of the wonderfully crafted capital. The base rests on a grid of iron bars soldered with lead into the upper layer of the dressed stone pavement. It is estimated to weigh more than six tonnes.

The original location of the iron pillar is debatable. According to the inscription of king Chandra, the pillar was erected at Vishnupadagiri.

* J. F. Fleet (1898) describes the location as Mathura, because of its proximity to Delhi and the city's reputation as a Vaishnavite pilgrimage centre. But during Gupta age, Mathura was a Buddhist centre. 

* Based on the study of ancient and historical writings, the Gupta-era iconography, analysis of metallurgy and other evidence, Meera Dass and R. Balasubramaniam (2004) stated that the iron pillar was originally erected at Udaygiri. 

* It is not certain when the pillar was moved to Delhi from its original location. Its still a mystery that how the movement of pillar was done in those ancient days.

THE BEAUTIFUL MEDICINAL FLOWER

 Butterfly Pea 

     The butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), a native of South America that has long been naturalized to Malaysia, Indonesia and India, is an eye-catching plant with ornamental, medicinal, and culinary uses. The plant is distinguished by its flower, whose unusual shape has earned it the alternate name of conch flower (or shankh-pushpam in several South Indian languages). Another distinctive feature of this flower is its brilliant cobalt blue colour that gives rise to its use as a dye and food colorant. Interestingly, the colour changes based on the pH level of the substance added to it - a property that is utilized in making butterfly pea flower tea, a herbal beverage initially an attractive blue in colour but turning to purple when lemon juice is added to it. The plant is known as Aparajita in Hindi and other North Indian languages. Other names include Gokarna, Girikarnika, Kokila and Yonipushpa. 

     Ayurveda uses the whole plant and its parts including leaves, flowers and roots in remedies for a host of diseases. The plant also finds its application in the Chinese and Unani system of medicine.

     The butterfly pea plant is a climbing herb that is commonly found in hedgerows all over the country. The leaves are bright green, elliptic and obtuse. Flowers are conch-shaped, growing singly and are about 4cm long and 3cm broad. They are a vivid blue in colour, with yellow markings. There are also two other varieties yielding lilac and white flowers. Fruits are flat pods, up to 7cm long, tapering at both ends and containing 6 to 7 seeds.

     In Ayurveda, the butterfly pea has been grouped under the category of medhya, which includes herbs that help improve memory and learning. The plant root, ground to a paste mixed with ghee or butter, is prescribed for children to increase comprehension and retention. The root extract is also used in traditional remedies for insomnia, intoxication, schizophrenia, dizziness, balance problems and skin diseases. The seeds of the plant are used as a mild purgative and in the treatment of intestinal worms. A traditional remedy for constipation is a small quantity (one-eighth of a teaspoon) of roasted powdered seeds taken with warm water. The juice of the leaves, mixed with salt, is applied as a fomentation to cure earache. A few drops of root juice extract are put into the nostrils as a remedy for migraine. A decoction of the whole plant is gargled to treat sore throats and mouth ulcers. In Bali, the flowers are used in traditional remedies for eye infections such as conjunctivitis. 

     The butterfly pea plant also finds application in South East Asian cuisines. The flowers and leaves are used to make butterfly pea flower tea, mentioned earlier, which is a very popular beverage in Thailand and Vietnam. The tea is often added to cocktails to showcase the instantaneous colour change from blue to pink or purple. In Malaysian cuisine, the flowers are used in a breakfast dish called Nasi kerabu, consisting of blue-coloured rice (rice cooked with butterfly pea petals) eaten with chicken or fish, fries, pickle and salad. The same dish is also made in Thailand, where it is known as Khao yam. In Myanmar and Thailand, the flowers are dipped in butter and fried as snacks. 

A DEVICE THAT GENERATES OZONE

Ozoniser

    It is a type of air or water purifier that uses ozone to kill bacteria and remove contaminants from food and water. 

     Ozone is a naturally occurring gas. A molecule of ozone has three oxygen atoms. Ozone is found in low concentrations throughout Earth's atmosphere. While the ozone layer shields Earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the Sun, it is a pollutant at ground level. 

  However, when used in the right amounts, ozone can sanitize food and drinking water. Studies have shown that injecting small amounts of ozone into filtered tap water can reduce more than 99.99% of food-borne microorganisms such as salmonella and E. coli. It can also remove residue of pesticides from fruits, vegetables, lentils, meat and seafood.

    An ozoniser is a device that generates ozone by charging the air with high voltage electricity. The gas is then either released into the air or water. Ozone improves the quality of indoor air by removing unpleasant odours and killing microbes. When fruits and vegetables are soaked in water infused with ozone, it removes chemicals, bacteria and fungus without hurting their nutritional content. In the process, the food tastes better and lasts longer. 

    On the flip side, some scientific studies suggest that the amount of ozone needed to effectively kill bacteria and remove odours can be harmful to humans and hence should be used with care.

MOTIVATIONAL STORY

The tomato story

     A jobless man applied for the position of 'office boy' at a very big company. The employer interviewed him, followed by a test of cleaning the floor.

"You are hired," the employer said. "Give me your email address, and I'll send you the application to fill, as well as when you will start."

The man replied, "I don't have a computer, neither an email."

"I am sorry," said the employer, if you don’t have an email, you cannot have the job."

     The man left with no hope. He didn't know what to do, with only ₹100 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket, bought a 10kg tomato crate, then sold the tomatoes door to door. In less than two hours, he succeeded and doubled his capital. He repeated the operation 3 times and returned home with ₹300. 

     The man realised that he could survive by this way, and started to go everyday earlier and returned late. Thus, his money doubled or tripled everyday. Shortly later, he bought a cart, then a truck and then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles. Five years later the man's company was one of the biggest food retailers. 

     He started to plan his family's future and decided to have a life insurance. He called an insurance broker and chose a protection plan. When the conversation concluded, the broker asked him his email. The man replied, "I don't have an email."

     The broker replied curiously, "You don't have an email and yet you have succeeded to build an empire. Do you imagine what position you could have if you had an email?"

The man paused for a while and replied, "An office boy!"

Don’t be discouraged if something is not in your favour today. Better opportunities are always waiting ahead. 

AN IMPORTANT GLAND IN OUR BODY

Thyroid gland

  The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck. It has two lobes, one on each side of trachea (or windpipe). The lobes are connected by a thin band of tissue, while a network of blood vessels surrounds the gland. The thyroid takes the iodine from the blood and uses it to make the active hormones thyroxine, also called tetraiodothyronine and triiodothyronine. An inactive form of thyroid hormones is stored inside the lobes in small chambers called follicles.

Thyroid hormones are released into the bloodstream, cells increase the rate at which they convert oxygen and nutrients into energy and heat for the body's use.   During a child's development, thyroid hormones stimulate an increase in growth rate. Release of thyroid hormones also stimulates mental activity and increases the activity of the other hormone-producing glands.

DO YOU KNOW

 Why muscles ache after exercise?

     Whatever you do, you are using your muscles. Not all of them move at once - you have 639 muscles in all - but you would be surprised to know how many of your muscles you use doing something as simple as walking. 

     When your muscles are working, they produce an acid called lactic acid, which makes the muscles feel tired. When you rest, your body gets rid of lactic acid, and you don't feel so tired.    

   When you do a lot of hard exercise, like a running race, you may get a cramp, a sharp pain in the muscles you are using the most. Cramp is caused by a big build-up of lactic acid in these muscles, and a lot of rest is needed to get rid of the cramp. So, although exercise, as we know, is good for your body, rest is just as good, and just as important. 

A SPACE FOR CREATIVITY AND ORDER

 Margin

  Have you ever wondered why there’s that empty space on the sides of your notebook pages? You know the margin that sits quietly, often untouched, framing your creative musings or meticulous notes. Let’s embark on a journey to uncover the original reason for this side space and why it has become a steadfast companion to our scribbles and sketches

The Tale of Margins in Typography

 To understand the genesis of notebook margins, we need to take a step back and delve into the world of typography. The term “margin” has its roots in the Latin word “Margo,” meaning edge or border. In the realm of printed books, margins have served a crucial purpose for centuries.

  In the early days of printing, before the digital age swept in, books were crafted with precision and care. Printers left extra space on the sides to account for any potential variations during the printing process. This buffer zone, known as the margin, acted as a protective barrier, preventing text and illustrations from being cut off or distorted.

Notebooks: Where Margins Find a Home

  Now, let’s fast forward to the notebooks that accompany you on your learning adventures. Whether you’re jotting down science experiments, crafting short stories, or solving mathematical mysteries, the margin in your notebook serves a purpose beyond just a framing element.

1. Space for Reflection: The margin provides room for reflection. It’s a place where you can add comments, thoughts, or questions about the main content. Imagine it as your personal dialogue space with your own ideas.
2. Organising Chaos: Have you ever noticed how a neatly written note looks more appealing than one that sprawls across the entire page? The margin helps maintain order, keeping your thoughts in check and your notes well-organized.
3. Aesthetic Harmony: Just like a frame complements a beautiful painting, the margin enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of your notes. It’s the breathing space that ensures your content isn’t cramped, allowing for a visually pleasing layout.

Insights from the Digital Realm

  In this era of digital notebooks and tools, the concept of margins hasn’t vanished; it has simply adapted. Discussions on platforms like Reddit and Quora highlight the importance of digital margins in providing a sense of structure and preventing the clutter that can arise in the virtual space.

  Users of digital notebooks often appreciate the ability to customise margins, replicating the familiar feel of traditional notebooks. This fusion of the old and the new showcases how the essence of margins remains timeless, even in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

Laboratory Notebooks: Where Precision Matters

  In the scientific realm, laboratory notebooks follow a set of guidelines to ensure accuracy and traceability. The margin in these notebooks isn’t just a stylistic choice; it’s a critical component in maintaining the integrity of recorded data.

  Laboratory margins act as a protective zone, guarding against accidental spills or smudges that could compromise the information on the page. They also serve as a space for annotations, allowing scientists to provide additional context or updates to their findings.

The Evolution of Lined Paper

  Lined paper, a close companion of margins, has its own fascinating history. In the past, red vertical lines on paper served a dual purpose: they guided the writer in maintaining a straight line of text and acted as a deterrent against alterations or erasures.

  In the context of margins, the lines work in harmony, creating a structured canvas for your ideas while discouraging the chaos that can arise when the writing goes astray.

Conclusion: Where Creativity Meets Structure

  In essence, the original reason for the side space in a notebook goes beyond a mere typographic tradition. It’s a thoughtful design choice that balances creativity with structure, allowing your ideas to flourish within a framework of order.

  As you flip through the pages of your notebook, take a moment to appreciate the margin—the unsung hero that silently guides your pen, encourages neatness, and provides a canvas for your imagination. Embrace the space, both physical and digital, and let it be a testament to the beautiful marriage of creativity and order.

A FOLK TALE

The Happiest Man In The World

     A rich zamindar had a beautiful wife, bright children and everything that money could buy; yet, he was not happy. He asked all the wise men he knew if they could tell him how to become happy. 

     “Gaze at the beautiful moon and the millions of stars twinkling in the night sky,” said one wise man. “Looking at them will surely make you happy.”

     The zamindar did not think it would. “On the contrary, looking at them will only make me angry because I know, with all my wealth, I can never make them mine.”

     “Why don’t you listen to music all day?” suggested another wise man. “Music makes everyone happy.” The zamindar found the idea most preposterous. 

     “There must be some other way,” he sighed. One evening, while the masseur was giving him his usual body massage, he noticed that the zamindar was unusually silent.

     “What’s the matter, Sahib?” he asked. “Is something bothering you?”

     “I still haven’t found a way to be happy,” replied the zamindar.

     “I know what you can do to be happy,” said the masseur.

     “What?” asked the zamindar. 

     “You need to find a happy man and then exchange your shirt with his. By putting on his shirt, you will become just as happy as him,” said the masseuse.

     The zamindar liked the idea. He sent his servants to look for a happy man. The servants searched high and low, and finally came upon a tiny hamlet in a remote area in the mountains. They asked the people living there if they knew of a happy man.

     “We are all happy here,” said a villager, “but in that hut over there lives the happiest man among us all.”

    The servants found the happiest man, whistling merrily as he went about his work. The zamindar was ecstatic when the servants told him that they had brought the happiest man home. But when he looked at the man, his jaw dropped. The happy man wore no shirt.

CELEBRATING THE DAY WHEN KRISHNA TOLD BHAGAVAD GITA TO ARJUN

Gita Jayanti

Gita Jayanti is an annual celebration to commemorate the day when Shri Krishna rendered His philosophical teachings, immortalized in the epic Mahabharata, to Arjuna on the first day of the 18-day battle of Kurukshetra. 

When Arjuna refused to fight against his cousins, the Kauravas in the battle, Shri Krishna expounded the truth of life and the philosophy of Karma and Dharma to him, thereby giving birth to one of the world's greatest scriptures, the Gita.

Bhagavad Gita Jayanti is celebrated every year on Shukla Ekadashi in Margashirsha month.

Devotees celebrate Gita Jayanti by reciting Bhagavad Gita Shlokas, quotes and verses. As the festival is observed on Ekadashi, devotees keep a fast. They sing Krishna Bhajans and devotional songs, worship Shri Krishna and distribute prasad & sweets.

People all over the world gather in Kurukshetra to take part in the ritual bath in the sacred water of the ponds - Sanchit Sarovar and Brahm Sarovar. A fair is also organized that lasts for about a week and the people participate in prayer recitals, Gita reading, Bhajans, Aartis, dance, dramas, etc. Over the years, the fair known as Gita Jayanti Samaroh has gained immense popularity, and a large number of tourists visit Kurukshetra during the event to participate in this sacred gathering.

This year Gita Jayanti was celebrated on 22 December 2023.

DO YOU KNOW

What are Microplastics?

     A great amount of plastic is accumulating in the world’s oceans, arriving there through rivers and lakes and gutters and storm drains. All of these are situated on land but empty the rubbish dumped into them into the oceans.

     Plastic floating in the oceans gets broken down into pieces. Some pieces are so tiny that they are barely visible; those that are less than 5 mm in length are called microplastics. One type of microplastic, however, is made in our factories. It is called a microbead. Microbeads are tiny bits of plastic that are used as ingredients in products for a variety of uses, including health care. Body washes, face scrubs and even some toothpastes may contain microbeads.

     As our bathroom water too ends up in the ocean, so do the microbeads. Microplastics are extremely harmful to fish, seabirds, turtles and other marine life because if they are ingested, they cause intestinal injury or accumulate in the stomach of the eater, causing grave digestive problems. Some animals do not directly eat microplastics but they eat fish that eat microplastics and so they too end up with an accumulation ofmicroplastics in their bodies. Thousands of marine mammals are killed each year after eating microplastics, which they mistake for food.

     With plastic creating havoc all over the globe, even in the farthest reaches of the planet, we should be cautious as to how we use this useful but potentially dangerous polymer. Even carelessly throwing away a plastic straw after use can have undesirable consequences. The straw could find its way into a gutter and then to the sea and eventually contribute to the premature death of some sea animal on the other side of the world.

DO YOU KNOW

 What is a Moonbow?

A rainbow is produced when sunlight is refracted by water droplets in the atmosphere, but what happens if water droplets reflect and refract moonlight? We get a moonbow. 

Moonbows are much fainter than rainbows because of the lower intensity of moonlight (which is of course, reflected sunlight), and their colours are too faint to be perceived by the human eye. They appear a ghostly white. However, the colours can be seen through photography. 

FIRST MAN TO CYCLE AROUND THE WORLD

Thomas Stevens 

The first man to cycle around the world was Thomas Stevens who set out on his journey on 22 April, 1884 from San Francisco, at the age of 29. 

He rode a penny-farthing, a cycle with a huge front wheel. Arriving in New York some months later he boarded a ship that took him across the Atlantic to Europe. Disembarking at Liverpool, he began the second leg of his journey which was to take him through England, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and finally to Istanbul, gateway to Asia. In Turkey, he had to outrun mobs of people who wanted him to teach them cycling. 

Arriving in India, through Afghanistan, he cycled down the Grand Trunk Road in scorching heat. Admirers and well-wishers helped him along the way with cooling drinks till he reached Calcutta where he took a ship for HongKong. 

His journey through China was a nightmare because the Chinese distrusted foreigners, especially whites. Chased by mobs and hit by stones, he arrived shaken but in one piece at Shanghai. From there he took a ferry to Nagasaki, Japan.

His bicycle journey ended when he reached the port of Yokohama on 17 December, 1886. A ship took him across the Pacific back to San Francisco from where he had started. He had circumnavigated the globe on his penny-farthing!

DO YOU KNOW

Who is the ‘Davis Cup’ named after?

The Davis Cup is a prestigious international men’s tennis championship, run by the International Tennis Federation.

An extremely popular tournament, it is described by its organizers as ‘the World Cup of tennis’. It is named in honour of American politician, Dwight F. Davis (1879–1945), one of its founders, who designed the original tournament format and contributed the first trophy.

The tournament originated over a century ago as a contest between the USA and Great Britain. It was conceived in 1899 by four students of Harvard University, including Dwight F. Davis, who challenged the British to a tennis competition. 

The first match (between USA and Britain) was held at the Longwood Cricket Club in Massachusetts in 1900. Although conceived as a two nation contest, within the next 5 years the tournament expanded to include Belgium, Austria, France and Australia. 

Originally called the International Lawn Tennis Challenge, it soon came to be known as the Davis Cup, after Dwight Davis’s trophy. The toppers in the Davis Cup are the USA, who have won it 32 times, and Australia (the winner on 28 occasions). India has never won the tournament till date, but has been the runner-up thrice, in 1966, 1974, and 1987.

INSPIRING STORY OF ARTHUR ROBERT ASHE JR

 Why me?

     Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. (July 10, 1943 – February 6, 1993) was a First-ranked professional tennis player and the only African-American male, ever to win the US Open, the Australian Open, and the Wimbledon - the three Grand Slam singles titles.

     Arthur started his game with a puny physique and his coach Johnson helped fine-tune Ashe's game and taught him the importance of racial socialization through sportsmanship, etiquette and the composure that would later become an Ashe hallmark. 

   To have hailed from times when racial discrimination was at its peak, it is no normal 'attitude' that Ashe carried along to become the inspiring Superhero. In 1979, despite his active lifestyle, Ashe suffered a heart attack and underwent quadruple-bypass surgery. His return to tennis was stalled by the onset of recurring chest pains, causing him to officially retire in April 1980.

     In 1983, Ashe had to undergo a second round of heart surgery, during which he received a blood transfusion to expedite the recovery process. In 1988, Ashe was hospitalised once more, this time after experiencing paralysis in his right arm. After much testing it was discovered that Ashe was HIV positive, the belief being that he contracted the virus during the second heart bypass surgery in 1983.

     Wanting to be the master of his own destiny, he chose to reveal the news himself rather than let the newspapers do it for him. From all over the world, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: “Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease”? Ashe's spontaneous reply to the “WHY ME” was: 

   “The world over, 50 million children start playing tennis, 5 million learn to play tennis, 500,000 learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam, 50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi-final, 2 to the finals… When I was holding a cup, I never asked GOD 'Why me?' And today in pain I should not be asking GOD 'Why me?"

      No wonder that this attitude of 'Why me' for all the right reasons put Ashe truly on a different league. Ashe became a vocal campaigner for AIDS awareness. He set up both the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the defeat of AIDS and the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. He died on 6th February 1993 from AIDS-related pneumonia when he was just 49. The US Open honoured him in 1997 by naming their new primary show-court, and it is still the largest tennis stadium in the world, in his honour. Ashe was truly unstoppable and certainly an only one of his kind.

AMAZING ANIMAL WORLD

 Kangaroo Rats

 

   Water is an essential for the survival of humans. Without it, we cannot stay alive for a long time. However kangaroo rats have a unique ability to stay without water for years, almost their entire lifetimes. These fascinating creatures are found in the deserts of North America and are 8 to 14cm long with a large head, short forelimbs, long hind limbs. Their tail is as long as their body, and they spend most of their time in burrows to avoid sweating. They have a pouch on their cheeks to avoid store sweating. 

     Kangaroo rats search for food only when the temperature falls, which usually happens in the evening or at night. They eat seeds, leaves and other vegetation growing around them and the water that is needed for their body is received through the food they eat. 

    Interestingly, Kangaroo rats have larger kidneys compared to other rat species. Kidneys help in taking out the waste from the blood and transforming it into urine. Also, kidneys remove the extra water from their waste and pump it back into their body, thus allowing them to survive without drinking water for an extended period. 

DO YOU KNOW

Why baby deer has spots?

     Baby deer, also known as spawn, has white spots on its fur for two main reasons: camouflage and communication. The white spots on fawn's coat help to camouflage it in its surroundings, making it harder for predators to see the deer. The spots break up the fawn's shape, making it look like it's part of the sunlight peeking through the trees. This works well when fawns are very young and need extra protection from predators. The white spots on a coat can also be used for communication. The mother deer can use the spots to identify her fawn from a distance, even in low light. The spots can also help spawns to stay close together when they are grazing, as they can see each other's spots even when they are a little distance apart. 

KNOW ABOUT CHRISTMAS

 Everything you need to know about the last major festival of the year 

Why is Christmas celebrated?

    Christmas is an annual Christian festival celebrated on December 25. It is celebrated to honour the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the time of the year when Christians as well as believers of other faiths, decorate their homes with Christmas trees, build creative cribs, prepare sweets and share gifts with family and neighbours. People come together and sing Christmas carols and greet one another a 'Merry Christmas'.

     Christmas is celebrated differently in different places around the world. Some parts of the world celebrate the festival in a quiet, solemn manner while other places have big celebrations with carnivals and festivities. 

Where does the word 'Christmas' come from?

  The word 'Christmas' comes with a combination of two words, 'Christ' and 'mass' from the old English words, 'Cristes maesse'. Christmas was also known as Yule. In Spanish, the festival is referred to as Navidad, in Italian it is better known as Natale and the French refer to it as Noel; all these words are related to the nativity or the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25?

     The exact date of Jesus' birth is not specified in the Bible. There are disagreements among scholars as to when exactly Jesus was born, but most believe it was between 6 and 4BC. The first recorded date when Christmas was celebrated December 25, 336, during the time of the Roman emperor Constantine, who was the first Roman emperor. It is believed that December 25 was chosen as it is exactly nine months after Jesus was immaculately conceived on March 25. Christmas was also celebrated by the early church on January 6, which is celebrated as the Epiphany, the Baptism of Jesus or Three Kings Day. January 6 is still referred to as Old Christmas. 

What is a Christmas crib?

     The Christmas crib, also called the nativity scene, shows baby Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem. Building a crib is a tradition that was started in 1223 by St Francis of Assisi at Greccio in central Italy. He created a live manger scene that was enacted by real humans and animals. It showed Jesus Christ born in a hay-filled stable surrounded by animals and shepherds as described in the Bible. The nativity scene also shows the three Kings- Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar- with their camels following a star, which points to the north. They passed through fields and mountains to pay their respects to baby Jesus. 

     Crib building is now a common Christmas activity and cribs are displayed in churches, homes, shopping malls and on streets during Christmas. 

What is midnight mass?

     The Christmas mass service was the only service that was allowed to take place after sunset and is held on midnight of December 24. The Christmas midnight mass dates back to the early church; it was believed that Jesus was born at midnight, although there is no proof of this. It is also believed that the midnight mass tradition started in the western world in 430AD in Rome, Italy, and it became widely popular by the 12th century. 

What are the symbols that we often see on Christmas trees?

     Have you ever wondered why people hang things around an evergreen Christmas tree? Most of these decorations Have a special meaning. In the 16th century, Germans decorated their trees, which they called paradise trees, with real apples, nuts and berries. Some of the other decorations that go up on a Christmas tree include:

Stars: The Christmas star, which is placed right on the top of the tree, symbolises the star of Bethlehem. According to legend, a star guided the three kings or wise men to the stable where Jesus was born. The star also symbolises shining hope for humanity. 

Gifts with bows: The three wise men who brought gifts to honour the birth of Jesus inspired the concept of exchanging gifts on Christmas. The ribbons tied around the gifts represent how people should be bonded together in unity. 

Candy canes: The Christmas candy cane is originally a concept from Germany and it dates back to some two and a half centuries ago. Candy canes represent the shape of a shepherd's crook and are supposed to remind children of the shepherds that came to visit baby Jesus. Jesus himself was also referred to as the Good Shepherd. The candy cane is red and white in colour, where red represents blood and white represents Jesus' purity.

Lights and candles: The lights around the tree and the candles lit near it bring warmth and brightness to the season. Candles are lit on the eve of Christmas. They represent the light of the star that appeared at the birth of Jesus. Candles were also used as decorations on Christmas trees before electric lights were invented. 

Bells: Bells are rung on Christmas Eve to proclaim the birth of Jesus and to announce the arrival of the Christmas season. On the eve of Christmas, church bells are rung while choirs sing hymns to proclaim the birth of Jesus. 

Red and green colour: For hundreds of years, red and green have been used as the traditional Christmas colours. The colour red represents the blood of Jesus when he died on the cross and the colour green signifies light and life. It also represents the evergreen trees that remained green right through the winter when Jesus was born. 

MAHAKAVI

Subramanya Bharathi 

 A Tamil writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist, a social reformer and a polyglot. 

     Great Tamil poet and nationalist Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi was born on 11 December 1882 at Ettayapuram town in present-day Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. He was born to Chinnaswamy Iyer and Lakshmi Ammal. He was called Subbiah in his childhood.

     He started writing poetry in Tamil at the tender age of seven. At the age of 11, he won a debate in the court of Ettayapuram Raja and was bestowed the title ‘𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢’ (meaning blessed by Goddess Saraswati) since he impressed all the eminent men present in the court with his intellect and erudition.

     At the age of 15, he spent 2 years in Banares and learnt Sanskrit, English and Hindi there. His stay in Banares changed his outward appearance. He started growing a beard and wore a turban. He also gained a bold swing in his gait. It was in Benares that Bharathi was exposed further to Hindu spirituality and the idea of nationalism. He also attended Congress sessions.

     He worked as an editor of magazines and newspapers. He also contributed to these journals. His poems and hymns were based on diverse themes like patriotism, relationship between man and God, Russian and French revolutions, children, devotion, etc. These magazines included 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧, 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 and 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐦.

     At the historic Surat session of the Congress in 1907 when the party split into extremists and moderates, Bharathi sided with Bal Gangadhar Tilak and supported armed resistance against the authorities.

     In 1908, Bharathi fled to Pondicherry, then under the French, when faced with the prospect of arrest owing to his writings in ‘𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚’. In Pondicherry, he edited and published journals '𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚', '𝐕𝐢𝐣𝐚𝐲𝐚', '𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐦' 𝐚𝐧𝐝 '𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐦'. In 1909, the British government banned ‘𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚’ and ‘𝐕𝐢𝐣𝐚𝐲𝐚’ in India.

     Bharathi also met great leaders like Aurobindo, Lala Lajpat Rai and V V S Aiyar while in Pondicherry. He started learning Vedic literature here. He translated Vedic hymns, Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra into Tamil. In 1918, when Bharathi entered India, he was arrested. He was released after 3 weeks following the intervention of Annie Besant and C P Ramaswamy Aiyar. In 1920, he resumed being the editor of Swadeshamitran in Chennai. He spent the last few years of his life in Triplicane, Chennai.

     Subramanya Bharathi was an advocate of women’s rights and also against the caste system. According to him, Indian society would have to be united before being liberated from foreign rule. He condemned certain Shastras that denigrated women. He believed in the equality of humankind and criticised many preachers for mixing their personal prejudices while teaching the Gita and the Vedas.

     He is considered the foremost poet in not only modern Tamil language but in all of Tamil history. He is widely regarded as the pioneer of modern Tamil literature. He used simple but effective words and rhythm. As a poet, his themes ranged from patriotism to nature, from romance to philosophy, from devotion to self-respect. 

     He also wrote of the need for scientific advancements if the country was to move ahead. His famous poems include 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢, 𝐒𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐮𝐦 𝐕𝐢𝐳𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐫, 𝐀𝐠𝐧𝐢 𝐒𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐦, etc. He was a polyglot and translated the speeches of Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda and Tilak into Tamil.

    His poems have and continue to inspire millions of people around the globe. He is fondly called ‘𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐯𝐢’ or ‘𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭’. Bharathi was struck by ill-health due to his arrests. He passed away on 11 September 1921 aged just 38. In 1949, he became the first poet whose works were nationalised by the state government.

FATHER CHRISTMAS

                                                               Santa Claus 

  Santa Claus also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas and simply "Santa", is a figure with legendary, mythical, historical and folkloric origins who, in many western cultures, is said to bring gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24. The modern figure was derived from the Dutch figure of Sinterklass, which, in turn, may have part of its basis in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of gift giver Saint Nicholas. 

     Santa Claus is generally depicted as a portly, joyous, white-bearded man --- sometimes with spectacles --- wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots. This image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children's books and films. 

     According to a tradition traced to the 1820s, Santa Claus lives at the North Pole with many magical elves and nine flying reindeer. Since the 20th century, in an idea popularised by the 1934 song "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town", Santa Claus has been believed to make a list of children in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves who make the toys in the workshop and the reindeer who pull his sleigh.

TEMPLE DEVOTED TO SUN GOD

Konark Surya Mandir

     Of all the places to visit in Orissa, there is one place in particular that stands out the most. Whenever you are visiting Orissa, this is the one place that everyone will recommend visiting to experience its grandeur and enormity. It’s the Konark Sun Temple or Konark Surya Mandir. Located in the eponymous village of Konark, 35 km from Puri, it is the remains of a temple that was constructed in the 13th century. If you are visiting Orissa, Konark Sun Temple is a place that you must visit. If you don’t, then your trip to Odisha will stay incomplete. Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a cultural relevance even in the 21st century. To explain this better, let’s know about its history, architecture, and why it is so revered: -

1. History

The name Konark is made of two Sanskrit words: Kona, meaning corner, and arka, meaning sun. The town gets its name from its geographical location which makes it look like the sun rises at an angle.

The history of Konark Sun Temple and sun worship goes as far back as the 19th century BC. The Konark Sun Temple, however, was built in the 13th century. The historic region of Kalinga which comprises major parts of modern-day Odisha and several parts of Chhatisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal, was ruled by the rulers of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty from 5th Century AD to 15th Century AD. It was one of the most powerful dynasties in India which gave existence to majestic temples like Konark Sun Temple and Puri Jagannath Temple.

The Konark Temple was built by King Narasimha Deva I in 1244 to worship Surya, the Sun God. Konark was chosen as its place of construction because it has been described as the holy seat of Surya in various ancient texts.

2. Significance

Many Hindu scriptures mention Konark as an important place for worshipping the sun. There’s one that says Konark was the place where the first Sun temple was constructed. Samba Purana, an ancient text dedicated to Surya, tells the legend of how Samba, son of Lord Krishna, built the temple to worship the sun. It is believed that worshipping the sun was started by Samba. As the legend goes, Samba built a sun temple in the 19th Century BC at the end of his 12-year long worship of the Sun at Maitryeavana. This worship cured him of leprosy that he was suffering from.

3. Early References

In his book “The Sun Temple Konark” (1986), author Balram Mishra lists down several legends that led Narsimha Deva to build a sun temple in Konark. One of them states that King Anangabhima Deva worshipped Surya, the result of which was a longed-for son in the family whom he named Narasimha Deva. King Narasimha built the temple as an act of gratitude to Surya. Another legend, a copper plate inscription of Narsimha Deva II (The Konark Sun Temple was built by Narasimha Deva I)in 1295 AD mentions that Narsimha Deva I fulfilled the promise of his father to expand the Jagannath Temple in Puri, which was built by King Anantavarman Chodaganga.

As a ruler, Narsimha Deva I was a powerful monarch and he defended his kingdom against the army of Tughral Tughran Khan from the Mamluk Dynasty in the 13th century. In 1244 AD, Narsimha Deva I defeated Tughan Khan’s army in the province of Varendra (which is now in Bangladesh) and Rarh (a region between Ganga Delta and the Chhota Nagpur Plateau).

4. Architecture

The inside of Konark Temple is as glorious and magnificent as it is made to be. Its architecture has all the defining elements of the Kalinga architecture - it includes Shikhara (crown), Jagmohana (audience hall), Natmandir (dance hall), and Vimana (tower). Several legends mention that the architecture of the Konark Surya Mandir is so accurate and intricate that the day’s first light fell on the image of Surya in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, known as the Garbha Griha.

5. Depth of Information Through Design

The Konark Sun Temple is built in the form of a mammoth chariot that Surya rode. It is said that Surya rode across the sky on his chariot pulled by 7 horses. The platform of Konark is engraved with 24 wheels of the chariot. The numbers 7 and 24 hold a lot of significance.

Some say that the 7 horses represent the 7 days of the week, while others say that 7 horses represent the 7 components of white light that we know as the VIBGYOR. Number 7 is said to be a magical number because it’s present all around us, spiritually, historically, and materialistically. For instance, in Hindu weddings, the bride and groom take 7 rounds of Agni, the Fire God; the periodic table has elements in the groups of 7; an octave as 7 musical notes, and so on. So, the 7 horses may just represent the magical number that surrounds us.

The number 24 represents the 24 fortnights in a year and also the 24 hours of the day, something that Ashok Chakra in the centre of the Indian flag also represents.

6. Magnificence Personified

Besides the horses and wheels at Konark, you can also view the gorgeous and intricately carved reliefs of dancers, musicians, animals, and some erotic figures on the plinth of the temple. The entirety of the chariot has carved images of cult icons, and gods and goddesses. The exquisite detail of the temple can only be seen when standing right in front of it. The walls also have carvings of the daily life of the members of the Natmandir.

The chariot of the Konark Sun Temple is 100-feet high. But what you see of the temple is what remains of it. Next to the chariot was once a 200-feet high Shikhara. Much of the temple’s complex has been destroyed over the years due to unknown reasons and this is what remains of it. Since the temple shows its glory even in the ruins of what it is now, it would have been a thousand times beautiful at its peak when King Narsimha Deva originally built the temple.

7. When should you visit the Konark Sun Temple?

Here’s the key bit of information about the Konark Sun Temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Konark is a coastal town which means that the best time to visit it during the winters; the weather is pleasant during that time i.e. between September and March. Summer, however, should be avoided because the town can get hot and humid. And if you want to spend your time noticing the intricacies of the carvings on the chariot, standing out in the sun all day long can be exhausting. Pleasant weather will ensure that you don’t exhaust yourself by simply walking.

As for the timings, the Konark Sun Temple is open from 6 am to 10 pm. Since it’s a temple dedicated to Surya, the best time to visit is in the morning itself. That’s when you see the temple in its glory as it was intended to be.