FIRST WOMAN TO REACH THE SUMMIT OF MT. EVEREST

Junko Tabei 

Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit of Mt. Everest and also the first woman to climb the Seven Summits (the highest peaks of the seven continents).

WHEN Junko and her all-woman Ladies Club team from Japan were ascending Mt. Everest, they were caught in a deadly avalanche. For a few hours, they were buried under snow. Fortunately, some Sherpas found them. Junko could hardly walk for a couple of days but the daring 35-year-old braved it to the summit 12 days later, on 16 May, 1975 with her Sherpa, Ang Tshering.

Junko was born in 1939 in a small agricultural town in Fukushima prefecture. She was drawn to mountaineering from a young age. After obtaining a degree in English and American literature, she joined mountain-climbing clubs. In 1969, she established the Ladies Climbing Club with the motto ‘Let’s go on an overseas expedition by ourselves’. 

The group’s first expedition was to scale Annapurna III (7,555 m) in Nepal, where she and her all-woman team succeeded in forging a new path up the south side of the mountain. In 1992, Junko established another record, when she became the first woman to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents, including Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Denali (Alaska) and Vinson (Antarctica).

The achievement paved the way for women mountaineers to reach for the heights at a time when women were encouraged to stay at home and look after the family.

As chairperson of the Himalayan Adventure Trust of Japan, Junko campaigned for sustainable mountaineering, worked for the upliftment of Sherpas and tried to bring about a greater awareness of the need to preserve the ecology of the mountains in the face of tourism. 

In 2012, Junko was diagnosed with cancer. It did not stop her from continuing with her passion for scaling mountains and during an interview, she said, “I am suffering from cancer but I would like to keep going my way and climb mountains.” She passed away in November 2016.

A NORTH AMERICAN FOLK TALE

The foolish couple 

The war was over and the land was at peace. Rod Cunningham the soldier packed his bags and set off into the world with no address to go to. Always short of money, he lived by his wits, doing odd jobs wherever he went. He breezed through towns, trekked up mountains and went through valleys, looking to make a quickbuck.

One day, he arrived at a farm. There lived a foolish farmer and his equally hare-brained wife. That afternoon, the farm owner had gone to the market to buy seeds. 

Before he left, he gave his wife ten gold coins and said, "Wife, keep this money safe till I get back." 

The farmer's wife tucked away the money in her cupboard and went about doing her chores.

Rod knocked at the door. The woman called out, "Who's there?" 

Rod answered, "I am Rod Cunningham."

"Where are you from?"

"Paradise."

The woman flung open the door and exclaimed, "O my goodness! Have you seen my dear departed mother?"

Without batting an eyelid, Rod replied, "Yes, I have."

"Is she well?" asked the farmer woman anxiously.

Rod pulled a sorry face and shook his head. 

"The old lady is unhappy. She spins all day and eats only dry bread," he said.

"Does she have a message for me?"

"Yes. She wants money to buy a warm shawl. A bottle of wine and a wedge of cheese, too."

The foolish woman immediately went down to her cellar and brought out two bottles of wine and some cheese. Then she fetched the bag of coins in her cupboard and handed them all to Rod.

She said, "Give this money to my mother. Tell her to buy whatever she needs and then send back the change."

Rod chuckled with delight as he gladly pocketed all that the woman offered and made good his escape.

When the farmer returned, he asked for the bag of coins. His wife excitedly told him about Rod. The farmer cried in anger, "You silly goose! I have never heard of such nonsense!"

Wasting not a moment, the farmer mounted his horse and rode furiously to catch up with the trickster. Hearing the sound of hoofs, Rod guessed what had happened and quickly thought of a ploy. 

He lay down on the grass, shading his eyes with one hand and pointing to the sky with the other. As man and horse drew close, he exclaimed, "The Lord be praised! It is such a wonderful sight!"

The farmer asked, "What do you see?"

"A man soaring into the clouds, as he enters the pearly gates of heaven."

Curious, the farmer asked, "Can you still see him?"

Rod said, "Of course, and you can too, if you lie down next to me."

The farmer hesitated and said, "Someone has to hold the horse."

Rod sprang up and offered to hold the horse's reins while the farmer lay down to catch a glimpse of the divine passage.

"I can't see anything!" cried the farmer.

"Cover your eyes and you will see a man flying away from you."

Just as the man placed his hand over his eyes, Rod mounted the horse in a flash and galloped away before the farmer could do anything to stop him.

The farmer hung his head low and slowly made his way home on foot, poorer by ten gold coins and a fine horse.

THE ABODE OF DEMOISELLE CRANES

Khichan

Khichan is a sleepy village located 150 km north of Jodhpur in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan. Towards the end of August, just after the monsoon has ceased, it undergoes an amazing transformation—the sound of ‘krok-krok’ calls fill the air and the sky darkens as thousands of Demoiselle cranes fly in from their breeding grounds in Eurasia and Mongolia. 

It all began in the 1970s when one Jain family began to feed wild birds in their backyard. A small number of Demoiselle cranes were among them. Every year, more feed was put out till their numbers swelled. Today, around 25,000 cranes arrive here and stay on till March. 

The villagers have created a rectangular enclosure especially for these cranes where they consume up to 5000kg of bird seed every morning. The birds spend the rest of the day at water bodies nearby, drinking and eating pebbles (which helps them digest the grains). At night, they roost in the salt beds 30km away. The smallest of the crane species, the Demoiselle crane is an elegant grey-plumaged bird with fiery red eyes. These birds travel almost 4000 km across the Himalayas to spend the winter in India. 

To protect them from feral dogs, the villagers have built a fenced bird-feeding home with a granary. Even those who have left to trade elsewhere, send home money to ensure a steady supply of grains. When a few cranes got electrocuted by the high powered lines surrounding Khichan, one resident got a power line removed from the cranes’ flight path and another line was laid underground. 

The residents of Khichan, many of whom are Jains, consider it a religious duty to look after the demoiselle cranes. Called kuraj orkurja in the local language, they find mention in folk songs going back almost a hundred years. 

Khichan today is recognised as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by Bird Life International, a global partnership of NGOs that works to conserve birds and their habitats. It has emerged as a tourist spot, attracting bird-lovers and photographers.

GAS USED IN BALLOONS

Helium

Hydrogen is the lightest element and has a greater lifting power than helium. However, toy balloons are filled with helium rather than hydrogen. Why?

Though hydrogen is twice as light as helium and also cheaper, the gas is not used in balloons because it is inflammable—it catches fire easily. Helium, the second-lightest element in the universe is an inert gas, which means it is non combustible, and safe to use in balloons whether they are toy balloons or scientific balloons. Balloons are the most visible form of helium use but the gas has an important role in scientific research and industry, and in its liquid form is essential in MRI machines where it cools the imaging magnets. Hydrogen, helium and lithium were the first three elements created at the formation of the universe, at the time of the Big Bang.

DO YOU KNOW

What causes waves in the sea?

Waves are caused by winds. Particles of moving air brush against molecules of water on the ocean’s surface imparting energy to them by the process of collision.

The height of the waves is related to the amount of energy transferred to the water by the wind. The speed of the wind, the length of time the wind blows and the distance the wind blows over the open sea are the three factors that determine the height of the waves which in stormy weather can reach heights of 30 metres or more.

By the time the waves reach the shore they’re usually much diminished in size.

BILLION DOLLAR SMILE

Mona Lisa

The world’s most famous painting is the Mona Lisa also known as La Giaconda. Many believe the woman shown in the painting is Lisa Gherardini, wife of a merchant named Francesco Del Giocondo, though this is not certain. 

It’s a half-length portrait of a woman painted in oil, on a wood panel by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci sometime between 1503 and 1519 when he was living in the town of Florence in Italy (he moved to France in 1516 and may have given finishing touches to the painting there). In those days, portraits showed people in stiff formal poses. Leonardo put soul and meaning in his work, giving a puzzling expression to the woman’s face and skilfully directing the viewer’s gaze to the mountainous and detailed scenery in the background. But the painting did not attract much attention during his lifetime or even for centuries afterwards. 

The world first took note of it in August 1911 when it was stolen from the walls of the Louvre Museum and media frenzy followed. People flocked to the Louvre to view the empty space where the painting had been hanging; when it was recovered and put back in place, people flocked to see the now famous painting. When they scrutinized it to try to discern why it was considered valuable, they were struck by the mysterious expression on the woman’s face: the half-smile and the look in her eyes seem to be inviting attention but at the same time there is a certain aloofness in her demeanour. The mysterious smile made people wonder. Was she really the wife of the silk merchant as reported or was she somebody else, somebody close to the artist? 

The Mona Lisa smile became a talking point and has remained so. The Louvre Museum attracts millions of visitors each year and most of them come to see the Mona Lisa. As a ticket to the Louvre costs 15 euros (1,180), it brings huge revenue to the museum. Art connoisseurs are reluctant to put a price on the painting, they say it is worth millions. Mona Lisa is truly a woman with a billion dollar smile!

FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

Holi 

     Often referred to as the festival of colours, Holi is a cheerful occasion characterised by family and friends daubing each other with coloured powders.

     A widespread belief is that its name is derived from Holika, the wicked sister of a demon king, Hiranyakashyapu who perished in a fire while trying to kill her nephew. On the night before Holi, community bonfires are lit to commemorate this folk tale. Another story pays tribute to Lord Krishna, who enjoyed teasing local milkmaids by showering them with coloured powders and water – this ritual is now recreated in homes across India.

     Holi marks the end of winter and beginning of spring. Symbolic offerings, such as wheat sheaves, are often thrown into the flames in gratitude for the harvest. The night of the bonfires has a religious element, but the next day is a raucous celebration of new beginnings and well-being.

     Traditionally, water would have been scented and dyed with flower petals, but these days, commercially prepared colours are used. Early risers arrange snacks on platters while children fill ‘pichkaris’ (water pistols) ready for action. The morning starts with an outdoor exchange of sweetmeats and powdered colours, and often culminates in being drenched in a deluge of water. After a few hours of drinking and snacking, lunch is served and revellers bathe and change into clean clothes, marking the end of exuberant activities. 

VEGAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

 Violin 

Musical instruments still use or once used material sourced from animals. For instance, piano keys were made of ivory or bone and drumheads, from goatskin or cowhide. The wooden components of string instruments are even now joined together with animal glue. Catgut, a tough cord derived from sheep intestines (not cats!), provides the strings. Horsehair is preferred for the bows.

Bucking the trend, an Irish violin maker, Padraig O’Dubhlaoidh, has made the world’s first vegan violin body with components such as steamed pear, berries and spring water! The customised instrument is the first to be registered with The Vegan Society.

O’Dubhlaoidh collected local spring water for the adhesive, which has no animal components. Steamed pear and wild berries were used to dye the inlay around the edge. 

Today, vegan violin strings and bows made from carbon fibre are widely available. The bone, leather and mother-of-pearl parts have been replaced with metal or a composite. However, chemical based glues are not yet popular, as they can damage the wood with too strong a bond, making it hard to repair or replace.

WHISTLING VILLAGE

                                     Kongthong

Kongthong is a remote village in Meghalaya's East Khasi hills. The village attained fame some years ago for its unique tradition of mothers giving newborns names that are composed of whistled tunes. Each villager grows up with three names: a regular name, a long melody and a shorter tune that resembles a nickname. 

Called 'jingrwai iawbei', it is a centuries-old tradition. The regular name is only for official purposes but everyone responds to the two other tunes lifelong! When they die, their tunes die with them, never to be repeated for anyone else. 

The tunes are considered an untaught and spontaneous expression of a mother's joy at the birth of her child. The tune names are usually 14 to 18 seconds long and distinct from each other. 

DO YOU KNOW

 How does the internet connect across continents?

     Through fibre optic cables that lie submerged on the ocean floor across the Earth. These cables allow us to quickly send our emails and videos, and connect our browsers to places in faraway lands.

     To put it simply, when we open an Australian website in Mumbai, our personal computer sends a signal through the submarine cable to the web server that is hosting that website and then receives the data of the website in return over the same cable. 

     Earlier communication satellites were used to transmit data but since optical fibres are capable of transmitting large volumes of data at a much faster speed, submarine cables now account for more than 99% of all international communications. 

     The first submarine communications cables were laid in the 1850s to send telegraphs. Modern cables use optical fibre technology to carry digital data. There is a massive network of submarine fibre optic cables that connect a large portion of the continents except Antarctica. 

FESTIVAL OF THIEVES

 Chorotsav 

     The spring festival is something to be experienced in villages across the length and breadth of Goa. It is the time of year when villagers settled elsewhere return to their roots to participate in the festive season. Many villages are known for some unique feature of their own and are identified by these singular festivals.

     Amongst the many festivals and rituals, Chorotsav, held during Shigmo or Holi in other parts of the country, is one that spreads joy to the villagers of Zarme in Mauxi, about 6 kms from Valpoi. Yet another place known for this festival is Caranzol in Savordem in Sattari taluka.

      The festival forms a chapter in the village’s history. The story revolves around some youths who were killed by the villagers as they were mistaken to be robbers (Chors), though no one knows the exact history of this age-old practice. 

The story goes that in the past, people commuted through the forest for work or to collect produce from nature’s bounty. They travelled from village to village from the foothills, climbing across the Western Ghats. During one such daily routine, youths from a neighbouring village who were suspected to have commited robbery were killed. The distraught families of the youth, in search of their loved ones, learn of the tragic fate that had befallen them. The villagers then understand their folly and in order not invite a curse on themselves, repent over their grave error. The villagers of these two places play out an act as punishment. The participating youths are called Chors. In all, eight youths participate in Zarme while a similar act is played by nine youths in Caranzol.

     It is quite a task before the actual event begins as the preparations take a while and the act folds up within 10 to 20 minutes in front of the Saptamatrika temple. In this risky operation performed on a full moon night and held at a sacred place called Chavatho, four youths are buried in a pit with only their heads above the surface. Four others have their heads buried below the ground with the rest of the body exposed on the surface with swords in their hands. A large audience gathers to witness this event with excitement as the drumbeats fall silent and the Chors are revealed to the enthusiastic crowd.

     These dramatics are best viewed at Caranzol in front of the Kuldevta temple where seven Chors are buried with one raised on a spear and another lying on a platform wearing a garland of leaves. The event begins after an invocation near a place called Wadakade (meaning ‘near a Banyan plant’).

     Chorotsav is a festival during Shigmo that reminds one of the ancestral practice of repentance and one which is never missed by the regulars. It is also a signature event in the historic village of Mauxi, also known for its rock art.

FOURTH LARGEST NATIONAL PARK IN INDIA

Namdapha National Park

The fourth largest national park in India is the Namdapha National Park in the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. Located in the Changlang district near the international border with Myanmar, the park is a diversity hotspot in the Eastern Himalayas. Spread out over an area of 1985 sq km, it is flanked by the Patkai hills to the south and south-east and the Himalayas to the north, and lies close to the Indo-Myanmar China trijunction.

The core area of the park stretches over 1808 sq km, making it the largest protected area in the Eastern Himalayas. The Noa-Dihing river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows westwards through the park. Numerous streams drain into the Noa-Dihing; forest pools and natural salt licks are abundant in the area.

The park, described as a botanist’s dream, is home to more than 150 tropical trees pecies, several of them exclusive to the region. These Natural Wonders of India include the Sumatran pine(Pinus mercusii) and the Delavay’s silver-fir (Abies delavayi), which cannot be found anywhere else in India. Among the rare plants found here is the Blue Vanda orchid (Vanda coerulea), a striking species with large purple-blue flowers that is native to the North-Eastern Himalayan region.

The inaccessibility of the greater part of the park has helped to preserve the forests in their pristine and virgin state. The lush green undergrowths are thick and intertwined cobweb-like with a vast range of vegetation, which changes with altitude. While the lower reaches of the park are sub-tropical, the landscape is replaced by subtropical pine forests, temperate forests, Alpine meadows, and perennial snow on the higher regions.

Namdapha is home to four major big cat species – the tiger, the leopard, the snow leopard, and the clouded leopard. Other carnivores found here include the Asian wild dog or dhole, the Asiatic black bear, the red fox, the spotted linsang, the common palm civet, the Oriental small clawed otter, and the fishing cat. The elephant, wild boar, musk deer, sambar, gaur, hog deer, stump-tailed macaque, slow loris, Hoolock gibbon, and rhesus macaque are some of the herbivores that inhabit the park.

The park has about 425 bird species, including five species of hornbills, numerous species of wren-babblers, the pied falconet, the blue-eared kingfisher, the laughing thrush, the white-winged wood duck, and the Himalayan wood-owl. 

Namdapha was declared a national park in 1983 and designated a tiger reserve the same year. It is also on the Tentative Lists of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

ASIA'S NOBEL PRIZE

 Ramon Magsaysay Award

The Ramon Magsaysay Award is a prestigious annual award given to individuals and organisations in Asia who have achieved excellence in their respective fields and contributed to human development in doing so.

Awardees are either people from Asian countries or, occasionally, foreign citizens (people from outside Asia) who have worked, served, or accomplished something extraordinary in an Asian country. Hence it is considered Asia’s Nobel Prize.

The Award is given in six categories: Government Service; Public Service; Community Leadership; Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts; Peace and International Understanding; and Emergent Leadership.

Last year’s awardees (2023) were Korvi Rakshand from Bangladesh, Eugenio Lemos from Timor-Leste, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer from the Philippines, and Dr Ravi Kannan R. from India.

The Award was instituted in 1957 in honour of Ramon Magsaysay(1907 – 1957), a much-loved President of the Philippines, after the latter’s untimely death in a plane crash. It was established by the New York based Rockefeller Brothers’ Fund with the concurrence of the Philippines government to perpetuate Magsaysay’s example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and practical idealism within a democratic society. The Award is managed by the Ramon MagsaysayAward Foundation.

Prominent Indian awardees include Mother Teresa (1962) for Peace and International Understanding; Vinoba Bhave(1958), M S Swaminathan(1971) and Ela Bhatt of SEWA(1977) for Community Leadership; Satyajit Ray (1967), R K Laxman (1984), and Mahasweta Devi (1997) forJournalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts; Jayaprakash Narayan (1965) and M S Subbulakshmi (1971) for Public Service; and former Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan (1996) and Kiran Bedi, I.P.S, (1994) for Government Service.

HAPPY NUT

 Pistachio

The pistachio (Pistacia vera) is a flowering nut tree with a long and illustrious history dating back to 7000 B.C. A unique feature of pistachio nut is that as it ripens and outgrows its shell, the shell splits open, giving it the appearance of a smiling face 🌝. For this reason, the Chinese refer to the pistachio as the 'happy nut'.

Originally a native of Asia Minor and Syria, the pistachio travelled from Syria to Italy in the first century A.D. and from there, spread throughout the Mediterranean region. Because the nuts were nutritious and did not spoil easily, they were a favourite with early explorers and traders, and were frequently carried by travellers along the ancient Silk Road connecting China with the West. 

In the mid-19th century, the pistachio reached the United States. Today, Iran is the world’s leading pistachio producer, followed by the USA, Turkey and Syria. 

The pistachio tree is a broad, bushy one that grows to a height of 20-30 feet. The fruits grow in clusters like grapes. The edible portion, which we know as the nut, is the seed. When the fruit ripens, the shell turns from green to yellow or red and splits partly open, with an audible pop. The pistachio's semi-split shell, which at the same time serves as a convenient form of packaging. 

The pistachio is also one of the two nuts specifically mentioned in the Bible. This is in Genesis chapter 43, verse 11, when Jacob instructs his sons to take back some of the best products of Canaan to Egypt. 

Since ancient times, the pistachio has been used by various cultures as a culinary ingredient. Its delicate sweetness makes it ideal for desserts 🍨 and pastries 🍰. 

In the Middle East, it is used to make baklava, a rich, sweet pastry of Turkish origin that is filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey 🍯. Further it is a key ingredient of pilafs and other rice dishes. 

In India, the pistachio is an integral part of the diet, especially in the winter months in Northern India. It is used to make numerous popular drinks and desserts such as kesar pista sharbat and pista kulfi. It is grated and used to garnish sweets such as rasmalai and burfi as well as desserts like pista ice-cream. 

INDIA'S FIRST FEMALE IAS OFFICER

Anna Rajam Malhotra

The distinction of being India’s first female IAS officer belongs to Anna Rajam Malhotra (1927–2018), a feisty woman who broke many barriers and held her own in a man’s world, earning respect in official circles for her efficiency and dedication in the course of a long and distinguished career. She served as a role model for future generations, inspiring countless women to take up the challenge of the civil service, after her.

Anna Rajam George was born on July 17, 1927 as the second of five children of Anna Paul and O. A. George, an educated progressive-minded couple hailing from Pathanamthitta district in south Kerala. A few years later, the family moved to Calicut, where George set up a small publishing business.

After completing her schooling and graduation in Calicut, Anna moved to Madras (now Chennai) to do her Masters in English literature from the Presidency College. She then worked briefly as a clerk at the AG’s office in Madras. In 1950, she decided to attempt the Indian Civil Service examination, and cleared the written round. Next came the interview, conducted by a distinguished board consisting of four ICS officers, headed by the UPSC chairman. They tried to dissuade her from joining the IAS, suggesting that she opt for the foreign service or central services instead, as these were “more suitable for women”. But Anna was determined not to be fobbed off with easier options. She convincingly argued her case and entered the IAS in 1951, choosing the Madras cadre. 

During the rigorous IAS training, Anna neither got nor expected any concessions as a woman, but performed all the exercises her male counterparts did, including shooting and horseriding. Anna’s next challenge came when she joined duty, reporting to the Chief Minister of Madras, S. Rajagopalachari (known as Rajaji). Rajaji, who was opposed to the idea of women entering public service, did not want to give the new recruit a field posting, as he believed that she would be unable to handle law and order issues. He offered her a post in the Secretariat instead. Once again Anna refused to back down and argued that she was as good as any man, pleading for a chance to prove herself. Eventually, she was posted as Sub-Collector of Hosur district. This proved to be an eventful posting, filled with challenges that gave her ample scope to prove her mettle –including encounters with wild elephants and smugglers. As promised, the young SubCollector handled everything competently, prompting the same Rajaji to subsequently change his stand and praise her publicly as an example of progressive women. 

After the adventurous stint in Hosur, Anna was posted back to Madras, where she went onto work under seven chief ministers over the years. Subsequently she was transferred to the central government and held key positions in the revenue, finance, agriculture, and education and culture ministries. At each stage, she had to fight ingrained gender bias from male colleagues and the public. But her indefatigable will - helped her to meet every challenge. Nothing – not even illness – could keep her down. 

The story goes that as Additional Secretary for Agriculture under PM Indira Gandhi and a key figure in the Green Revolution, she accompanied the PM on an 8-state tour to review food production, despite being hampered by a fractured ankle. She also worked with Rajiv Gandhi on the Asian Games project in 1982.

Even as Anna was conquering new frontiers in her career, a romance was steadily brewing with her batch-mate, the brilliant IAS officer, Ram Narain Malhotra(who later became governor of the Reserve Bank of India). But this was the 1960’s, and both knew that the ultra-conservative society of the time would not take kindly to the union of a Punjabi Hindu and a Malayali Christian. So they waited – await that was to last a quarter of a century. It was only in 1977, when Malhotra after completing all family responsibilities and was working as the executive director of the IMF in Washington D.C., that they got married. Anna was then 50 years old. However, she had no regrets, telling friends that getting such an extraordinarily humane and good-hearted life partner had been “worth the wait”. 

In 1985, Anna was given the charge of the Nhava Sheva Port Trust located in Navi Mumbai’s Raigad District. It was a very tough assignment, but Anna fought all odds to complete it before time in May 1989. Today known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), it is India’s first and largest fully computerised container port. In recognition of her sterling achievements, Anna Malhotra was awarded the country’s third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, in 1989. Her husband, R. N. Malhotra, also received the same award the following year. Even after retirement, Anna did not settle down to rest, but took up a challenging assignment –that of director of the Leela group of hotels, overseeing its many projects – that kept her as busy as before. This remarkable woman passed away on September 18, 2018, at the age of 91.

NEVER STOP LEARNING

Learning till Death

After having been sentenced to death, Socrates, Greek philosopher, was languishing in prison. 

One day he heard a fellow prisoner singing a beautiful lyric. Socrates went to him and asked the prisoner to teach him that lyric. The prisoner was surprised and asked Socrates why he, who had been sentenced to death, wanted to learn that song.

Socrates replied, "I will be happy if I could learn one thing more before I die!"

It is said, "Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching". 

American author Brian Herbert once said, "The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice". 

The human being is very much a social person, and learning always happens, either directly or indirectly in interaction with other people.

Learning is the ability to do something better. And it is a life-long process.

As children, we are sent to schools and colleges to learn. 

"Why learn?", you may ask. 

We learn because it equips us with all that is needed to make our dreams come true. It transforms us into good human beings and better citizens. Remember the saying, "If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you."

WORDS WORTH READING

God and You 

☆ When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you. 

☆ Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout. 

☆ Just as car's windshield is large and the rear view mirror is small, our past is not as important as our future. Look head and move on.

☆ Friendship is like a book. It takes few seconds to burn but it takes years to write.

☆ All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy them; they will not last forever. If going wrong, don’t worry; they can't last either. 

☆Old friends are gold! New friends are diamonds! If you get the diamond, don't forget the gold! Because to hold a diamond, you always need a base of gold!

☆ Often when we lose hope and think this is the  end, God smiles from above and says, "Relax dear, it’s just a bend, not the end!

☆ When God solves your problems, you have faith in his abilities; when God doesn't solve your problems, He has faith in your abilities. 

☆ Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles; it takes away today's peace. 

VACCINATION

The First Vaccine

In the 1790s, English doctor Edward Jenner was looking for a cure for a terrible disease called smallpox. Back then, no one knew about viruses. But many people had noticed that dairy workers, who milked the cows, almost never got smallpox. They did often catch a mild disease, called cowpox, from the cows. Jenner wondered, could the cowpox somehow be protecting them? 

To test his idea, Jenner collected some cowpox pus from a cow. He rubbed a tiny bit into a scratch on the hand of his gardener’s 8-year-old son. The boy got a slight fever, but that was all. Then came the real test. Jenner injected the boy with live smallpox germs. The boy did not get sick at all. It worked!

The idea of protecting patients by letting them catch a (hopefully) mild case of a disease had been around since ancient times. It was risky—some patients got very sick. But Jenner had found a new twist. A de-activated germ could protect just as well, and with less danger. He called this technique “vaccination,” from the Latin word for cow, vacca. Today, with the help of Jenner’s vaccine and others, smallpox has vanished from the world.

DO YOU KNOW

 Why should you change engine oil?

Engines are designed to allow oil to enter into areas around the piston and valves. As you continue driving your vehicle, the oil in your engine eventually wears out, breaks down and becomes contaminated. As this happens it becomes less and less effective at absorbing heat and lubricating the important parts in your engine. Running your vehicle with dirty oil causes its parts to begin to grind together. This causes damage, creates noise and allows heat to build up. When you begin to notice the colour of the oil getting darker, freshen it up. General recommendation for an oil change is every 5,000-8,000 kilometres.

MYSTERIES OF THE WORLD

 Giant stone balls of Costa Rica 

They vary in size from as small as a tennis ball up to an astonishing 8 feet in diameter and weighing 16 tons. Almost all of them are made of a hard, igneous stone not local to the region.

Deep in the jungles of Costa Rica, back in the 1940s, workmen clearing dense jungle for a United Fruit Company banana plantation were amazed to find dozens of large stone ball-shaped objects, many of them perfectly spherical.

The stones are believed to have been carved between 200 BC and 1500 A.D. Most stones are no longer in their original locations. The culture of the people who made them, disappeared after the Spanish conquest.

Numerous myths surround the stones, such as they came from Atlantis, or that they were made as such by nature. Some local legends state that the native inhabitants had access to a potion able to soften the rock.The spheres are perfect, or very near perfect in roundness. How did primitive people with crude tools manage to sculpt huge artifacts like these with such great precision, and why? The giant stone balls of Costa Rica remain a mystery.

THE GREATEST FIGHTER

 Muhammad Ali

He won and defended the heavyweight championship in epic fights in exotic locations. He spoke loudly on behalf of the blacks. He refused to be drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. Despite his debilitating illness, he travelled around the world to receive rapturous reception. Discover how Ali became a modern icon.

17 January 1942 - A star is born

Marcellus Clay Jr. (original name of Muhammad Ali) was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. His father was a sign painter and his mother a part-time cook and cleaner for wealthy families. 

17 January 1954 - A stolen gift

When Clay was 12 years old, his bike was stolen. Furious, Clay went to report the theft to a local policeman named Joe Martin. Martin was a boxing instructor. As Clay threatened to find and beat up the thief, Martin suggested he learnt how to fight before dishing out threats. Martin became Clay's first trainer. Clay soon won an array of titles under Martin's guidance.

5 September 1960 - Clay wins gold

At 18, Clay qualified for the Olympics in Rome. He charmed the world media and proved popular among his fellow athletes. He proved himself in the ring too, winning gold as a light-heavyweight. 

29 October 1960 - Turning professional

Eight weeks after his victory in Rome, Clay won his first professional bout. He faced tough opponents, including popular Englishman Henry Cooper and proved his supremacy. 

6 March 1964- Muhammad Ali is born

In 1964, Clay publicly acknowledged he was a member of the religious movement. In March, he was given the name Muhammad Ali by his spiritual mentor. Ali was criticized in some circles. For many, he was a symbol of black pride, refusing to play the role of the 'compliant negro' in order to gain acceptance from the white establishment.

28 April 1967 - Ali vs US government

As war unfolded in Vietnam, Ali received a notice drafting him into the US Army. Ali objected to serving in the military because of his religious beliefs. He also protested the mistreatment of the black Americans. He was stripped off his championship, indicted for draft evasion, fined $10,000 and sentenced to five years in prison. Three years later, his conviction was overturned. 

10 December 1974 - A global superstar

He fought in three different decades, finished with a record of 56-5 with 37 knockouts. He was the first man to win heavyweight titles three times. His famous fans included Elvis, Bertrand Russell and Nelson Mandela. In an effort to heal the rifts caused by the war in Vietnam and racial divisions, President Gerald Ford invited him to the White House in December 1974. 

1 October 1975 - Thrilla in Manilla 

The Thrilla in Manila was the third and final boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. It was contested in 1975 for the Heavyweight Championship of the World at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. Ali won by technical knockout (TKO). The name of the contest is derived from the frequent rhyming boast made by Ali that the fight would be a "killa and a thrilla and a chilla, when I get that gorilla in Manila."

1984 - A new fight

In the early 1980s, Ali developed noticeable tremors and slurs in his speech. In 1984, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. 

Ali's physicians linked his condition to the repeated blows to the head sustained during his boxing career. Ali, however, had stated that he did not believe his condition was caused by boxing. 

In the ensuing years, Ali became a visible symbol of courage in the face of physical disability and helped raise millions of dollars for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson's Center. 

29 June 1990 - Fighter turned philanthropist

Throughout his retirement, Ali has devoted himself to humanitarian work and charitable causes.

In 1990, Ali met Nelson Mandela in Los Angeles, paying his respects to a fellow advocate of civil rights and political freedom.

9 July 1996 - An emotional return

In the summer of 1996, a trembling Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta.

His appearance generated a worldwide outpouring of love, reaffirming his status as an iconic symbol of tolerance, understanding and courage. 

14 Nov 2005 - The champion honoured

In 2005, Ali was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honour that can be bestowed on a civilian in America. Although he did not speak, Ali's sense of humour was still on full display. When President Bush threw a mock punch at the former champion, Ali twirled a finger round his head to indicate he would be crazy to take him on in a fight.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali - one of the world's greatest sporting figures died at the age of 74 on 3rd June 2016. No athlete has been more written about, talked about, eulogized, defined and redefined than Muhammad Ali in the field of boxing. 

NEVER GIVE UP

Blessings come in disguise

The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small uninhabited island. 

He prayed feverishly to God to rescue him, and everyday he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. 

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood. He felt relatively safe that this hut would protect him from wild animals and wind. 

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with the smoke rolling up to the sky. 

The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stung with grief and anger. 

"God, how could you do this to me!" He cried. 

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. 

"How did you know I was here?" Asked the weary man to his rescuers. 

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied. 

NEVER FORGET THAT BLESSINGS COME IN DISGUISE. 

STRANGE BUT TRUE

 Fascinating Facts:

1. Cucumbers are 96 per cent water, which can help toddlers stay hydrated. 🥒 

2. Bananas are slightly radioactive because the potassium in them releases radioactive electrons when the banana decays. However, you would need to eat almost 300 bananas every day for several years to be concerned about it being harmful. 🍌 

3. Birds need gravity to swallow food. When a bird eats, it lifts its head and uses its tongue to direct food towards its throat. The gravitational force of the earth then helps slide the food into a pouch called a crop. 🐦 

4. It is impossible for most people to lick their own elbow. 

5. Wearing headphones for just an hour could increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times. 🎧 

6. In the course of an average lifetime, while sleeping you might eat around 70 assorted insects and 10 spiders, or more. 

7. Declared the “Banana Republic of Africa,” Uganda consumes more bananas per capita (600 pounds) per year than any other country.🍌 

8. A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out. 🐊 

9. A shrimp’s heart is in its head. 🍤 

10. Some lipsticks contain fish scales. 🐟 

11. Cat urine glows under a black-light. 🐈 

12. Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different. 👅 

13. A cat has 32 muscles in each ear. 🐈 

14. An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain. 

15. Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur. 

16. The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world. 🐙 

MARCH 8

International Women's Day

There isn't a single field or domain that is untouched by women these days. They have excelled in numerous fields & events and never did they let a single factor stop or hinder them from achieving whatever they've dreamt of. They have become mountaineers, naturalists, astronomers, astronauts, artists, cobblers, blacksmiths, pilots, engineers, doctors, businesswomen and what not. They have demonstrated strength in times of weakness and bravery in times of darkness. They have worked hard and leaped so far to the front that they have become a symbol of power and strength. Commemorating their achievements and strengthening their beliefs, a day is dedicated as a tribute for all the women internationally i.e., March 8th. International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the historical, cultural, and political achievements of women.

International Women's Day (IWD) grew out of the efforts in the early 20th century to promote women's rights, especially suffrage, the right to vote. There has been numerous battles for women to fight to get the right to vote for women. Some people felt it to be unnecessary while some felt the need for women's vote to be nothing short of a sin. In its campaign for female enfranchisement, the Socialist Party of America in 1909 held the first National Woman's Day, which was highlighted by mass meetings across the United States. An International Women's Conference was organized by the German activist Clara Zetkin, in 1910 in the women's office.

On March 19, 1911, the first IWD was held in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. More than one million people attended rallies marking the day. On March 8, 1917, women in St. Petersburg, Russia, marked the day by staging a strike to protest food shortages, poor living conditions, and World War I. This strike for "bread and peace" helped give rise to the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Susan B. Anthony was a political activist and an advocate of women's rights. After the Civil War, she fought for the 14th Amendment that was meant to grant all naturalised and native-born Americans citizenship in the hope that it would include suffrage rights. Although the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, it still didn't secure their vote. In 1869, the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was founded by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to continue the fight for women's rights. In the early 1900s, women were experiencing pay inequality, a lack of voting rights, and they were being overworked. In response to all of this, 15,000 women marched through New York City in 1908 to demand their rights. In 1909, the first National Women's Day was observed in accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. This was celebrated on the last Sunday of February until 1913. On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified and white women were granted the right to vote in the U.S. The liberation movement took place in the 1960s and the effort led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act, allowing all women the right to vote. When the internet became more commonplace, feminism and the fight against gender inequality experienced a resurgence. Now we celebrate International Women's Day each year as we push continuously with the hope of creating a completely equal society.

This day is also observed to take action against gender inequalities in the world. Basing an entire argument that someone isn't capable on gender is baseless and outright stupid.

Regardless of what a woman does, she and her work should be respected because the world depends on women. There's no way the world could run the way it is running, without the contribution of women. Women are considered equal to God in India and it is believed that a house can never be a home without women. It's high time that we consider women to be capable of independence in living, decision making, choosing for themselves and providing for the family. A woman is capable of everything a man is capable of, since gender, in no way, hinders her from achieving her dreams.

A JOYOUS CELEBRATION OF LORD SHIVA

Maha Shivratri

Introduction:

Maha Shivratri is a vibrant and spiritually significant festival celebrated by millions of people around the world, particularly Hindus. It’s a time when devotees honour Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism, with great enthusiasm and devotion. Let’s delve into the heart of this festival to understand its significance and how it’s celebrated.

What is Maha Shivratri?

Maha Shivratri, which translates to “Great Night of Shiva,” falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Magha (usually between February and March). This auspicious day is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the supreme being who is revered as the destroyer of evil and the transformer of the universe.

Significance of Maha Shivratri:

According to Hindu mythology, Maha Shivratri marks the day when Lord Shiva performed the heavenly dance known as the ‘Tandava.’ It symbolises the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction. Devotees believe that observing rituals and prayers on this day can cleanse them of past sins and lead to spiritual enlightenment.

It also commemorates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Celebrations and Rituals:

The celebrations of Maha Shivratri vary across regions, but certain customs are observed by devotees worldwide. Many people fast throughout the day and night, offering prayers and performing special rituals like bathing the Shiva Lingam (a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva) with milk, honey, and water. Devotees also chant prayers and hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva, seeking his blessings for happiness and prosperity.

The Legend of Maha Shivratri:

There are various legends associated with Maha Shivratri, each highlighting the greatness of Lord Shiva. One popular legend narrates the story of how Lord Shiva saved the universe from destruction by swallowing the poison that emerged during the churning of the ocean. His act of consuming the poison turned his throat blue, earning him the name “Neelkanth” (the one with a blue throat).

Meditation and Spiritual Awakening:

Maha Shivratri is also a time for introspection and meditation. Many devotees stay awake throughout the night, engaging in meditation and chanting prayers. It’s believed that staying awake during this night-long vigil can awaken one’s inner consciousness and bring them closer to the divine.

Cultural Significance:

Beyond its religious significance, Maha Shivratri holds cultural importance as well. It’s a time for communities to come together, share meals, and participate in various cultural performances and events. The festival promotes unity and harmony among people of different backgrounds, fostering a sense of collective celebration.

Conclusion:

Maha Shivratri is not just a festival; it’s a spiritual journey that brings people closer to Lord Shiva and to each other. Through rituals, prayers, and acts of devotion, devotees seek blessings, wisdom, and inner peace. As we celebrate Maha Shivratri, let us embrace the teachings of Lord Shiva and strive for a world filled with love, compassion, and understanding.