STORY

The Judgement of Maharaja

Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab set out on a journey. He was accompanied by his bodyguards, courtiers, and a retinue of soldiers.

Suddenly a stone came through the air and hit his head. He began to bleed. Injuring an emperor was one of the most heinous crimes and invited punishment up to the death penalty. 

Now the question arose—who might have flung the stone? The commander of the army looked around for the culprit. All others too were pressed into action. Very soon they discovered an old lady standing under a tree. 

They brought her to Maharaja and said, "Your highness, this is the culprit who might have thrown that stone at your head. There is no one else present in the vicinity." 

The old woman was trembling with terror. The situation was tense. 

Maharaja asked her, "Did you throw the stone?"

She replied in a meek and fumbling voice, "Yes, Your Highness, I did throw." 

"Why did you do so?" Maharaja asked. 

She pleaded, "I am extremely poor. I have nothing to eat at home, and for the past two days I have been forced to starve. My boy is hungry too. I wanted to get something, at least for the boy. I saw a tree laden with some fruits. I threw some stones to get a few fruits. To my dismay, I suddenly realised that the stone had taken the wrong direction and hurt you in the head. This is the truth. Now, your highness may be pleased to decide the quantum of my punishment."

The Maharaja immediately asked his cashier to give her sufficient food, along with a thousand rupees, and release her with due respect. 

All the people present there were flabbergasted by this judgement. They were wondering—is it a punishment or a reward? In fact, she deserved no less than the death penalty. They couldn’t understand how someone who had injured the Maharaja could merit such a reward. Was this not an irony of fate?! But they had no choice but to keep quiet. 

Maharaja understood their predicament and said, "You all know that if a stone is thrown at a tree it gives sweet fruits in return. If a lifeless tree behaves so, how can I punish her with bitter fruits? It cannot be so. Therefore, bestow her with proper rewards and release her with due respect."

From this, one can easily infer how a wise judge or jury should pronounce a judgement according to time, clime, situation, and the person involved.

PLACE OF MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE

Bermuda Triangle 

The Bermuda Triangle is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the shores of Puerto Rico, Bermuda and Miami. It’s not a real, defined area but more like a rough triangle shape in the ocean.

The name ‘Bermuda Triangle’ was first used in a 1964 magazine article.

Bermuda triangle has captured the imagination of many over the years, becoming known as a place of mystery and intrigue. However, much of the legend surrounding the area is based on inaccurate or exaggerated reports.

Different explanations, both natural and supernatural, have been proposed to explain the alleged disappearances of ships and aircraft in the area. From leftover technology from Atlantis to theories about space-time warps, the Bermuda Triangle has been subject to numerous speculations. However, many of these explanations lack scientific evidence.

Natural phenomena, such as hurricanes and hectic waves, have been suggested as potential hazards in the area. While these can be devastating, there’s little evidence to suggest they specifically occur in the Bermuda Triangle more than anywhere else.

Magnetic issues have also been proposed as a cause for navigational errors, though none have been definitively identified in the area. It’s true that, in the early 20th Century, there was alignment between true geographic north and magnetic north in the Bermuda Triangle, which could have made navigational challenges worse.

Despite the continuous myths surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, studies by organisations like the US Coast Guard have not identified any specific hazards in the area. In fact, stats show that the Bermuda Triangle has not experienced a significantly higher number of crashes or wrecks compared to other parts of the ocean.

Ultimately, the interest in the Bermuda Triangle is because of people’s fascination with mystery and the unknown. Early reports of disappearances captured public attention, and people started to make up more stories from there. However, with modern technology allowing more precise tracking of ocean and air traffic, the intense interest surrounding the Bermuda Triangle has lessened in recent years.

CRADLE OF INDIAN TEST CRICKET

Ranji Trophy 

Ranji Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket championship in India played by teams representing different states and regions. Organised by the board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Ranji Trophy is undisputedly the most important tournament in India's domestic cricket season. It is considered the "cradle of Indian Test cricket", as the finest talents from its matches are selected for the Indian test cricket team. The tournament, which was launched in 1934, is named after Ranjitsinhji alias Ranji (1872 - 1933), an Indian prince who played test cricket for England and who is regarded as one of the finest players of all time. 

Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji, the Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, to give his full name and official title, was born in Kathiawar in British India. As a child, he was chosen as heir to a distant relative, Vibhaji, the Jam Sahib of Nawanagar. He studied at the Rajkumar college in Rajkot and went on to Trinity College, Cambridge. Here he gained a place in the Cambridge University cricket team, becoming the first Indian to win a cricket Blue. In 1895, he began playing for Sussex. In 1896, he made his test debut for England against Australia. In a test career spanning 15 matches, Ranjitsinhji scored 989 runs including 2 centuries and 6 half-centuries, with an average of 44.95 runs and a high score of 175 runs. He also played 307 first-class matches, scoring 24,692 runs that included 72 centuries and 109 half-centuries, with a high score of 285 not out In 1907, he became the Jam Sahib of Nawanagar. In his political role, he was Chancellor of the Indian Chamber of Princes and represented India at the League of Nations. He died in 1933. The following year, when the BCCI decided to start a domestic tournament, the Maharaja of Patiala offered to donate the trophy which he proposed should be named in honour of Ranjitsinhji. The first Ranji Trophy winner was Bombay, who defeated North India in the final. 

Although Ranjitsinhji never played for India and and considered himself an English cricketer, he was remembered as the first famous cricketer of Indian origin. 

A SHORT MORAL STORY

Two Basket Weavers

A wealthy king decided to hold a contest among two highly skilled basket weavers. Ultimately, he wanted to determine who could weave more baskets in a day. The two women would contest for the fastest weaver, with the winner to be awarded a large sum of money as a prize.

It started early in the morning, on the day of the contest, with the two women set to weave their best.

However, one of the women seemed faster than the other, and in only five hours, she had woven two baskets. Meanwhile, the other woman became jealous as she was still on her first basket. 

Shorty, the king came to inspect the two busy women. And then, quite unexpectedly, he said to the faster woman.

"Your baskets are a bit smaller than the required size. You didn't follow the contest rules, therefore you must start all over again. Remember that you don't have much time left"

The jealous woman was so gladdened by what the king had said and she silently mocked the faster woman. She knew it was a great opportunity for her to win the contest.

However, the faster woman wasn't discouraged by her plight. With so much determination and commitment, she started all over again, hoping to achieve success.

By the end of the day, the two women were made to stop weaving as the contest was over. It was time to know the winner.

The other woman had excellently made ten baskets. Everyone was impressed by her skills.

But to the greatest surprise of all, the woman who was made to restart hers, had woven eleven baskets. She still won.

The king who couldn't contain his astonishment and curiosity, asked the faster woman. 

"You had very limited time. Come on, tell me how you won?"

The woman smiled and said. 

"Magic starts to happen once you start believing in yourself"

Many of us tend to give up when things get too hard. We allow disappointments to cripple our self esteem and kill the passion to pursue our dreams. We are afraid to start all over again as we think it's always too late. However, we need to understand that the moment we start believing in ourselves, we start creating confidence. And with confidence, we can do anything in life.

DO YOU KNOW

Who controls the internet?

The internet is a decentralised global network owned and managed by governments, private companies, non-profit organisations and individual users. It is not controlled by any single entity. The internet's technical infrastructure is maintained by organisations like ICANN for domain names and IP addresses and RIRs for IP address allocation. ISPs provide internet access. 

Internet governance involves multiple organisations and entities globally and nationally. The IGF facilitates policy discussions, while governments and regulatory authorities have jurisdiction over internet-related matters within their territories. However countries may have varying levels of control and regulations over internet access and content. Some impose censorship and surveillance. In summary, the internet is a complex network with a collaborative governance structure involving numerous stakeholders. While decentralised,  individual countries have different degrees of control and regulations over their Internet environments. 

SPORT WITH MUSIC AND DANCE

Bossaball

Bossaball is a unique and dynamic sport combining elements of volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, capoeira, music and dance. It was invented in Spain in 2004 by Filip Eyckmans, who sought to create an engaging and entertaining team sport.

Bossaball is played on an inflatable court that features trampolines on each side of the net. The court is divided into different zones, including the attacking and back zones. The objective of the game is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the opponent's court in a way that the opposing team cannot return it. Teams consist of three to five players on each side, with one player positioned on the trampoline to gain height and perform aerial acrobatics to spike or block the ball. The other players on the ground use any part of their bodies (except for their hands) to keep the ball in play, combining elements of soccer and volleyball. 

What makes Bossaball unique is the incorporation of music and dance. Each team has its own designated "Samba referee", who provides the rhythm with musical instruments and leads the team in dance moves during the game. The lively atmosphere created by the music adds to the fun and excitement of the sport. 

AFRICAN STORY

"This is good"

An old story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"

One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!" to which the king replied, "No, this is not good!" and ordered him to be sent to jail. 

About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should never have entered. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to it. As they were about to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone who was less than whole. So untying the king, they sent him on his way. 

As he returned home, the king was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. 

"You are right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. 

"And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad of me to do this."

"No," his friend replied, "This is good! If I had not been in jail, I would have been with you."

PLANTED IN A CONTAINER

Bonsai

Bonsai is a Japanese term which literally translated, means "planted in a container". It originated in the East about 1000 to 500 BC. This Eastern art became more prevalent in the Han, T’Sun and the Tang Dynasties in China. Tomb paintings depict the Crown Prince Zhang Huai having movable landscapes carried around for his personal enjoyment in 706 AD. Bonsai was a sign of wealth and royalty. It was initially introduced to Japan by the Zen Buddhist monks from mainland China. The art was elitist among the rich where the art was perfected over many years. It was only after World War II that the art of bonsai was adopted by Western culture. Bonsai uses only plants species where the trees’ leaf size shrinks and reduces if the trees’ roots are limited to a smaller space. 

Fruit on a bonsai doesn’t reduce in size. The small bonsai is capable of growing normal-sized fruit because it’s genetic.

Different pots are used for different bonsai styles. Pots are not readily available at shops and nurseries. 

Bonsai Styles

Yose-ue (Forest style): Multiple trees and their root systems grow together. The most developed tree is in the middle of a large, shallow pot.

Hakidachi (Broom style): These bonsai are normally shedding trees with fine, straight branches. They grow at a third of a tree’s height. They form a ball shaped top in winter.

Chokkan (Formal upright style): Branches are grown to taper off. This is important as it must be clearly noticeable. This style often occurs naturally in nature.

Moyogi (Informal upright style): This is a very common bonsai style where the trunk is manipulated to form an s-shape where branches extend at every turn of the trunk.

Shakkan (Slanting style): The bonsai is meant to depict a tree, leaning in one direction to show the natural forces of wind.

Kengai (Cascade style): Some trees grow downwards, often due to snow or rocks in nature. This bonsai needs a deep, tall pot as the trunk grows downwards below the soil line.

SekiJoju (Growing on a rock style): The bonsai grows on rocks as it moulds into the cracks of the rock.

Han-Kengai (Semi-cascade style): This is similar to Kengai cascade style, but the branches don’t grow below the container.

DO YOU KNOW

 What happens when you sneeze?

Sneezing is your body’s way of expelling foreign matter such as dust, pollen or smoke from the nostrils to prevent them from travelling to the lungs and causing harm. When the delicate lining of your nose detects one of these contaminants it instantly sends an electrical signal to the brain. 

The brain sends signals to all the parts ofthe body that are needed to help you sneeze. Your chest muscles, diaphragm, abdominals, vocal cords and the muscles in the back of your throat all work together to help expel the irritant. 

In most cases, your eyes are forced shut, the tongue moves to the roof of the mouth and the muscles brace for the sneeze. 

Sneezing pushes water, mucus, and air from your nose with an incredible force and in the process the foreign matter is removed.

SCARY MYTHICAL CREATURES

Vampires

Have you ever wondered where the myth of the vampire originated? Why did so many people believe that such a scary creature really existed? Why are we so fascinated by these monsters today?

What is a vampire?

Vampires are mythical creatures that usually feed on the blood of living creatures (eeuw!). Vampires were originally described as bloated and ruddy. The pale and gaunt version of today only appeared in literature in the 1800s.

In fact, the term ‘vampire’ was not popularly used until the 18th century after there was an influx of vampire superstition into Western Europe from areas like the Balkans and Eastern Europe where vampire legends were popular.

Vampires in literature

Literature had and still has a huge influence on the vampire myth. The charismatic and sophisticated vampire of modern fiction was born in 1819 with the publication of The Vampyre by John Polidori. Bram Stoker’s Dracula, written in 1897, is thought of as the most important vampire novel. It provides all the basics for the modern vampire legend. The massive success of this book started the vampire genre which is still popular today. Think Twilight, for example, although some literary snobs will pull up their noses at the mere mention of it…

How to become a vampire

In modern mythology, the way to become a vampire is to be bitten by a vampire (ouch!). The original ways to become a vampire were even more ridiculous. A dead body was feared to become a vampire if a dog or cat jumped over it. A body with a wound not treated with boiling water was also believed to become a vampire. Doesn’t that sound silly?

Vampires do not make good friends

Vampires were believed to bring misfortune or death to family members or close neighbours. So people who knew the person before they became a vampire would be thought of as being in danger.

Vampire defense 101

According to legend, vampires can be warded off by garlic, a branch of wild rose and hawthorn, or by sprinkling mustard seeds on the roof of your home. A vampire would be forced to spend all night counting the seeds. 

Sacred items such as a crucifix, rosary or holy water were also believed to keep vampires at bay. Vampires are not able to walk on holy ground, such as churches and temples, nor are they able to cross running water. 

Some traditions claim that vampires cannot enter a house unless invited by the owner, but once invited, they could return at anytime.

Vampires are also vulnerable to sunlight so are mainly active during the night.

A proven myth 

In the 18th century the vampire controversy raged on for many generations. Many people believed in vampires and many people were accused of vampirism. People often dug up graves to make sure that the bodies were actually dead (gross!). Empress Maria Therese of Austria sent out her personal physician to investigate claims of vampires. When the doctor concluded that vampires did not exist, the empress passed a law that stopped people from opening graves. This ended the vampire ‘epidemic’. What a relief!

Popular theories:disease and other things

A popular theory as to why people believed in vampires is because they did not know what happens to a body after death. 

Another theory relates to outbreaks of illnesses, such as TB and a form of the bubonic plague, which would infect a family or small community. The illness would take the life of one member of the community, and others would become sick. The lack of understanding of how disease spread caused people to believe that a vampire was the cause of the misfortune.

The most likely disease to have caused the vampire legend is rabies. Vampires were thought to be able to turn themselves into bats and wolves. Bats and wolves are sometimes carriers of rabies. They could spread the disease among humans. Many of the symptoms of rabies are similar to that of identifying a vampire. People affected by rabies are very sensitive to garlic and strong light. The disease can also lead to sleep disturbance, where the person suddenly becomes nocturnal. According to legend, a rabid man cannot look at himself in the mirror. This led to rumours that vampires have no reflections.

Modern medicine has come a long way since then. A doctor can easily tell if a person is ill. No one need sprinkle mustard seeds on the roof to keep the sick person away!

Vampires in pop culture

Today, there are many films and books about vampires, and not all of them are scary monsters. Count Von Count from Sesame Street is a lovable vampire who loves to count (and not just mustard seeds!). Ernest the vampire is a sweet vampire, who lives alone in a big castle, is easily frightened by his nightmares, and has a hard time keeping his pants from falling down!

The next time you are afraid of the dark, just remember that vampires only exist in our imaginations.

ON THE OCCASION OF GURU POURNIMA

 Story of Upamanyu

    The great sage Dhaumya had many disciples,  Upamanyu was one of them. 

   One day, the sage decided to test Upmanyu's devotion and asked him, "You look very healthy, what do you eat?" 

   In those days, sages and their disciples used to beg for food and alms. Upmanyu calmly replied, "I eat the food that I get by begging. " 

   On hearing this, The sage instructed Upmanyu not to consume any food that he received as alms without asking for his permission first. Upmanyu was very obedient and from the next day itself, he offered everything that he received to the sage. The sage took away all the food and gave nothing to Upmanyu.

   After a few days, the sage noticed that Upmanyu still looked very healthy. The sage then asked him, "I take away all the food that you get, so what do you eat?" Upmanyu explained that he offered the sage everything, and that he ate what he got the second time he went begging. The sage scolded Upmanyu and ordered, "You shouldn't beg twice, because then there will be nothing left for other students. You should not be greedy." Upmanyu obediently followed what his teacher said.

   After some days, the sage noticed that Upmanyu still looked hale and hearty and asked him, "You still look healthy, what do you eat these days?" Upmanyu replied saying, "When I take the cows out to graze, I drink some of the milk that they give." The sage immediately forbade Upmanyu from having milk from the cows. As usual, Upmanyu followed his teacher's instructions.

   However Upmanyu's health still did not suffer. The sage approached him again after a few days and asked him what he ate. Upamanyu promptly replied that he ate the foam that the calves produced after having milk from the cows. The sage told Upmanyu that this would affect the health of the calves and he should not do so. Upmanyu followed his Guru's advice.

   The next day, when Upmanyu took the cows for grazing as usual, he felt very hungry. When he couldn't control his hunger anymore, he ate the leaves of a plant called Aak. The leaves of this plant were very poisonous and Upmanyu became blind. He kept wandering in the forest and then fell into a well. 

   When Upamanyu did not return in the evening, the sage was worried and went with disciples to look for Upmanyu. Finally they found him, the sage heard how Upmanyu had been blinded, he asked him to pray to the Ashwin Kumars, the physicians of the Gods, and request them to restore his eyesight. Soon, the Ashwini Kumars appeared and gave Upmanyu a medicine but he said that he would not eat anything without his Guru's permission. The Ashwini Kumars tried their best to convince Upmanyu to have the medicine but Upmanyu said that he would rather stay blind forever than disobey the orders of the sage.

   The Gods were impressed by Upmanyu's love, respect, and devotion for his teacher and blessed him. They restored his eyesight.

   Upmanyu was pulled out of the well. Rishi Dhaumya was also very pleased with Upamanyu and told him that he had passed the test. The sage blessed Upmanyu and gave him a boon that he wouldn't need to learn religious texts but would know them automatically.

ARTICLE

Palm Oil In India And Its Health Effects

Oil palm is a crop that flourishes in the same regions as some of the world's most precious rainforests and appears in many food and household products.

Palm oil has emerged as the main global source of vegetable oil, forming nearly 33 per cent of the world's production mix. Palm oil is in nearly everything – it's in close to 50% of the packaged products we find in supermarkets, everything from pizza, doughnuts and chocolate, to deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste and lipstick. It's also used in animal feed and as a biofuel in many parts of the world

Indian Palm Oil Market

According to WWF, India is the world's largest importer of palm oil, driving 23 per cent of total global demand from plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia. Palm oil is the most consumed edible oil by volume in India, with a share of ~40%, followed distantly by soybean and mustard oils. Palm oil market size in India was valued at USD 5.16 billion in 2015. Increasing demand for edible oils owing to the burgeoning population and improving economic conditions is anticipated to remain the key growth driving factor over the forecast period. Edible oil emerged as the dominant application segment in India. Palm products are widely being utilized as cooking medium in India as there is limited availability of oilseeds, and it's cheaper pricing.

Biochemical Composition of Palm oil

The palm oil mainly contains palmitic acid, which is a saturated fatty acid. Other fatty acids are myristic, stearic, linoleic acid. Palm oil also contains vitamins, antioxidants and other phytonutrients.

Is palm oil bad for you?

Palm oil has a high saturated fat content, which can be harmful to cardiovascular health. However, one study (Odia et al., 2015) found that, when consumed as part of a balanced diet, “Palm oil does not have incremental risk for cardiovascular disease.”

What are saturated fats?

From a chemical standpoint, saturated fats are simply fat molecules that have no double bonds between carbon molecules because they are saturated with hydrogen molecules. Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature.

How do saturated fats affect health?

Replacing foods that are high in saturated fat with healthier options can lower blood cholesterol levels and improve lipid profile environment effect. To produce palm oil, the fruit is collected from the trees, which can live an average of 28 to 30 years. To keep up with the incredibly high demand for the cheaply produced oil, acres of rainforest are being cut down - leading to a loss of animal habitat for endangered species.

A FORM OF ENERGY

Sound energy

Sound energy is a form of energy, which is produced when matter vibrates. More technically speaking, sound is produced when the kinetic energy that causes the vibration of an object or substance is transferred through matter in a wave-like formation. Typically, the energy in sound is far less than that in other forms of energy.

When a sound wave travels through air or water, the wave passes through the air or water molecules, pushing some molecules close together while parting the others, thereby causing them to vibrate. Eventually, as the wave travels, even the air inside your ears starts vibrating—that’s when you begin to perceive sound. Thus there are two different aspects to sound—the physical process that uses kinetic energy to produce sound energy and the secondary or physiological process that happens inside our ears and brains, which converts the sound energy into noise or voices. The first person to discover that sound needs a medium to travel through was English scientist Robert Boyle. He set an alarm clock ringing inside a large glass jar and while the clock was still ringing, he slowly sucked out all the air with a pump. As the air gradually disappeared, the sound died, proving that sound needs a medium to travel through.

HOW IS SOUND INTERPRETED? How a person interprets the sound depends on how close the person is to the source of sound. The further away the person is, the less the sound vibrations and thus the intensity of sound is much lower. Physiologically, the entire process of hearing a sound takes place in the ear. There are approximately 15,000 hair cells in the human inner ear, which are divided into two types—inner hair cells and outer hair cells. The inner hair cells are responsible for detecting sound and sending information about it to the brain, whilst the outer hair cells act as ‘amplifiers’, meaning that the ear can pick up even the quietest of sounds and can pick one sound out from others. Inner hair cells are lined up in a long row along the inner ear (which is essentially a tube filled with fluid) and each hair cell detects sounds of a different frequency. Hair cells nearest to the middle ear detect highpitched sounds, and then, as they get further and further away from the middle ear, they gradually detect lower and lower pitched sounds.

Humans can hear frequencies between 20 hertz and 20,000 hertz, which decreases as they age. Dogs can hear vibrations higher than 20,000 hertz but not below 40 hertz, which is why humans cannot hear dog whistles. Sometimes, loud noise can cause pain to people. This is called the pain threshold. This threshold is different from person to person. For example, teens can handle higher sound pressure than elderly people. People who work in factories tend to have a higher threshold because they get used to loud noise. 

HOW SOUND IS USED: Sound is used for numerous things apart from communicating information. 

● An experiment has proved that plants grow faster if you play classical music or talk to them every day. However, in 1962, Indian researcher Dr T C Singh deduced that rock music does not increase the growth levels of a plant, which showed that plants also had their own likes and dislikes. 

● Researcher Robert Monroe discovered the effect of sound on human consciousness. Different kinds of music, beats and waves can affect the human mood. 

● Doctors use ultrasound to create digital images of the body’s organs. 

● Researchers at Princess Grace Hospital in London have been working on a system that could destroy cancer cells with sound.

● Peter Davey, a 92-year-old saxophone player in New Zealand, has invented a device that boils water using sonic waves. 

● Bats and dolphins use high frequency sounds to see their surroundings. They create a mental picture of the area they are in by listening to how sound waves bounce off the environment. These days, many blind people are learning to do as dolphins and bats, by clicking their tongues and listening for the reverberations to understand their surroundings. 

● Yoshiki Hashimoto, of Tokyo’s Kaijo Corporation, has developed a machine that lifts objects and moves them by acoustic levitation using supersonic waves. It is said that this could be used for weaponisation too.

QUICK FACTS

● Sound produces a relatively low level of energy when compared to other forms of energy.

● Because sound produces such a low level of energy, it is not used to create electricity.

● If the vibrational waves of a medium change, the sound it produces will also change.

● Sound is measured in decibels and pascals instead of the traditional unit of energy measurement, the joule.

● The intensity of sound energy is usually measured using the perception of a normal hearing person.

● The measurement of sound energy is related to its pressure and intensity.

● We are able to hear different sounds because as the sound (vibrations) enters our ear, the ear also vibrates.

● Dogs’ ears are more sensitive than human ears, which allow them to hear sounds that humans cannot hear.

● There is no sound in space because there is no medium for sound to travel through.

● Sound travels through a solid much faster than through air. 

● Sound travels faster through a liquid such as water than it travels through air.

● The study of sound waves is called acoustics.

● Flies cannot hear at all.

● When whales communicate with each other underwater, their sound can travel up to 800kms into the ocean.

● The speed of sound in dry air at 20 degree Celsius is 1234kms/hr.

A PRECIOUS RESOURCE

Groundwater

 

Groundwater is our primary source of drinking water. About 85% of drinking water in India and 60% of water for irrigation comes from groundwater. 

Water seeps into soil from rain, melting snow or farmland irrigation, and gets collected underground. Below the ground there are different levels of water saturation. Closer to the surface, the gaps between the soil and rocks are filled with air and water. The deeper you go, the less air and the more water there is. The line below which there is no longer any air but only water is called water table. Underneath the water table, all available space is filled with water. 

The body of soil and rocks under the water table is called an aquifer. Groundwater fills all areas of the aquifer until it reaches the impenetrable rock at the bottom. It is like a container for groundwater. The Great Artesian Basin in Australia is the biggest known aquifer. India contains 14 principal aquifer systems and 42 major aquifers, including the Indus Basin, the most important cross-country water source. 

Dry land like deserts have a lower water table, whereas places with heavy rainfall have higher ones. The height of the water table decreases in summer due to evaporation, whereas in monsoon or early spring, the height of the water table increases. If the water table rises high enough to touch the surface, it becomes a spring, a lake or a river. 

To extract water, wells are dug through the water table. If given enough time for the aquifer to replenish itself, the well will keep supplying water. However, over-extraction can exhaust groundwater fairly quickly. The sensible management of these aquifers and groundwater is necessary if we want to preserve the water table. Water is a vital resource and like oxygen, life would be impossible without it.

STONY FRUIT

Apricot

The apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae) that also includes the plum, peach and cherry. It is a stone fruit that develops from self-pollinating white flowers. A native of north eastern China, where it was discovered growing wild on the mountain slopes, the fruit was introduced to Persia and Armenia by Chinese silk traders. It then had a long history of cultivation in Armenia, which gave it the name Prunus armeniaca orArmenian plum. Alexander the Great is believed to have taken the apricot to southern Europe and introduced it to Greece in the 4th century B.C. From here, it went on to Rome. The Romans then popularised the fruit all over their empire. By the mid-16th century, the apricot had gained respectability and could be found in the gardens of noblemen throughout Europe. European settlers carried it to other parts of the world, and by the 18th century, apricots were growing in orchards in the USA, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Today, the world’s leading apricot producers are Turkey, Iran, Italy and France. In India, the fruit is grown commercially in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and to a limited extent in the hills of the north-east.

The apricot tree is small to medium-sized, ranging in height from 10 to 25 feet, with a spreading canopy. It starts bearing fruit at the age of 5years, attains full maturity at 7 to 10 years, and continues to yield fruit for about 30 to 35 years. The leaves are oval with pointed tips and finely serrated margins, dark green on top and yellowish green beneath. Flowers are white to light pink in colour, and grow singly or in pairs. The fruit has a soft and downy skin, ranging in colour from pale yellow to red, and may be round or oval. 

A highly nutritious fruit, the apricot is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, iron, calcium, and dietary fibre. It is an excellent source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that plays a key role in fighting disease. An additional benefit is that it is low in fat, calories and sodium. 

The apricot is an extremely versatile fruit that may be eaten fresh as it is or cooked, dried, canned or frozen, and served in numerous ways in sweet or savoury dishes. It is processed into jams, jellies, beverages, sauces and candybars and used in numerous desserts such as cakes, pies, tarts, ice-cream, smoothies, sorbets and milkshakes. In Turkey, the flesh is dried and made into thin sheets, which are melted down later for use in cooking. In the Middle East, apricots are used to add sweetness to spicy dishes like pilaffs. In South Africa, the fruit is salted, sun-dried and then pressed in sugar to make an unusual preserve called meebos. In India, khubani ka meetha, a rich dessert made of dried apricots and cream, is a popular delicacy in Hyderabadi cuisine, commonly served at weddings. Apricot seeds or kernels are used as a low-cost substitute for almonds in confectionery. They are used likewise in amaretto, an Italian liqueur, and biscotti, a type of biscuit popular in Italy. 

Apricot oil, which has a softening effect on the skin, is used in cosmetics and medicines. The leaves are used to make dye. Apricot wood is handsome and durable, and is used to make agricultural implements.

COURSES AND CAREER IN BUSINESS AND TRADE

Commerce

 

India has come a long way since its independence. The economy has increased tremendously. There is no doubt that the number of commerce courses have increased as well. Lakhs of students apply for commerce courses in the every year. The new GST plans put up by the government have not only been giving more importance to commercial studies but it has also given rise to different new programmes. Commerce courses have always been coveted by people who just want to make a lot of money. However, after some years, a few quit the career because they could not find any job satisfaction. This is because a number of them joined the career for the wrong reasons. Yes, most of the commerce courses are money-making courses but if your personality suits a career with much more exposure or a career that is outgoing and much more than a career that requires you to work 9-5 in an office sitting in front of a computer, you will never get satisfaction, and may quit the career looking for a new one. Hence, when you choose any career in commerce, remember to choose it only if you are genuinely interested in it. 

Chattered Accountancy: CA is one of the most profitable courses among the commerce courses. Many of the students who choose commerce first choose it because CA is their end goal. However, many join it because they do not know other alternates. Here are the few alternate careers to CA:

Actuarial Science: Actuarial Science is a discipline that assesses financial risks in the insurance and finance fields, using mathematical and statistical methods. Actuarial science applies the mathematics of probability and statistics to define, analyse, and solve the financial implications of uncertain future events. In order to pursue it you will have to take Commerce with Maths, after which you have multiple

options. They are B.Sc. in Actuarial Science, Bachelors in Accounting and Finance (BAF), after which you could pursue an MBA or Masters in Actuarial Finances.

Banking: Everyone knows what banking is. Working in a bank in various capacities has been a prestigious career for many years. In order to have a career in banking you have to take commerce and a bachelor’s degree in either B.Com. or BAF post which you could either take your Bank PO exam or SBI/RBI exam or simply pursue an MBA in Finance.

Business Administration: If you want to be part of building and growing an organization or business, Business Administration is for you. You could be part of marketing or sales for the business, or the day to day operation in the organization or even hire and sustain employees. You could pursue it by doing a Bachelors in Business Administration after which you can pursue Masters in it and specialize in any field you might be interested in.

Company Secretary: A company secretary is responsible for the smooth functioning of administration of the organization. They have their responsibilities in the financial and legal functions of the organization. In order to be a company secretary you will have to finish your 12th in commerce followed by a course in company secretary from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.

Economics: Economics is the social science that studies how people interact with value; in particular production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. As a career you could either teach economics or conduct research on a topic. To become an economist, you will have to take up economics in either Arts or Commerce in 11th and 12th, followed by a Bachelor’s in Arts/in Economics, then a Masters in the same and then a Ph.D. in Economics.

Finance Management: Financial Management refers to the strategic planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of financial undertakings in an organisation or an institute. It also includes applying management principles to the financial assets of an organisation. You could also apply these principals to manage the personal finances of individuals who are looking for insurance options and investment management. Once you are done with commerce in 11th and 12th you have three options; Bachelor’s in Commerce (B. Com), Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finances (B.A.F) or Bachelor’s in Financial Management (B.F.M), followed by any of those courses you can pursue an MBA in Finances.

Forensic Accounting: As a forensic accountant, you will be working in the Indian Revenue Services (IRS). You will be tasked with protecting people from tax and other financial frauds. You will also be tasked at making sure people obey the laws of the country and manage their finances in accordance with these laws. In order to have career in the IRS, you have to take up Commerce in 11th and 12th followed by a Bachelor’s in any of the commerce courses (B.Com., BAF, BFM, BBA). Once you are 21 years of age you can give your IRS exams.

Human Resource Management (Payroll): As a Human Resource Manager you will be in charge of hiring employees and sustaining them in the organization. In the Payroll department, you will be in charge of managing the employees’ salaries including other finance-related issues of the employee which include their provident fund and employee taxes. In order to have career as an HR you need to purse commerce in 11th and 12th followed by either B. Com. or BBA and then an MBA specialising in Human Resources.

Yes, Commerce is all about the money; however, patience is another very important aspect. Choose Commerce only if you are a person who is comfortable with working indoors for long hours and if you’re good at Maths.

SEVENTH MONTH OF THE YEAR

 

July is the seventh month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days. It was named by the Roman Senate in honour of the Roman general, Julius Caesar, it being the month of his birth. Prior to that, it was called Quintilis. Quintilis means “fifth month” in Latin, which represents where this month originally fell in the Roman calendar.
He conquered Gaul (what is now part of Italy, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands), changed the structure of the Roman government into a dictatorship, was assassinated in legendary fashion. Caesar is responsible for the year  having 365 days, and for the existence of a leap year every four years.
July comes between June and August. The halfway point of the year is either on July 2 or in the night of July 1-2. 
July always begins on the same day of the week as April, and additionally, January in leap years. July does not end on the same day of the week as any other month in common years, but ends on the same day of the week as January in leap years.
It is the seasonal equivalent of January in the other hemisphere. In the North, it is summer and in the South it is winter.
In the Northern Hemisphere, July is often the warmest month of the year, and major sporting events and music festivals are held around this time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is a winter month, with the coldest-recorded temperature having been measured in Antarctica in this month.

STORY TIME

Why the stork is white

     At the beginning of time, when the world had just been created, all the birds were white in colour. Unfortunately, some birds were always victimising the others and since both were white, the perpetrators of the crimes could never be identified and punished. So, the weak birds continued to have their eggs robbed, their meals snatched and their nests taken over by their aggressive fellow birds.

     One day, the victim birds decided to protest to the Creator. They went to Him in a delegation and complained of the terrible life they led. The Creator was aghast, since he had just then been patting himself on the back for creating such a wonderful world.

“Let me think about it,” the Creator replied, running his fingers through his grey beard.

     After some time, he shouted, “Eureka! I’ve got the solution. I’ll give each species a different set of colours.”

     And this is what he did. As every bird preened itself, showing off its gorgeous hues, there was suddenly a great commotion. There was a late arrival. It was the stork.

“Why are you late?” thundered the Creator, his eyes flashing lightning.

“I–I–I overslept,” mumbled the stork, blushing pink.

“Ha!” exclaimed the Creator. “You don’t lie very well. What were you really upto?”

The stork broke down. “I am sorry. But I was stealing shrimps in the lake,” said the stork, breathless with tears.

“Stealing shrimps?” boomed the Creator. “You know that stealing is forbidden in my world!”

The stork was silent. The other birds fell silent, too.

“Your punishment,” announced the Creator, “is that your feathers shall forever remain white. Then you will be visible at all times, and cannot indulge in your thieving habits!”

And that is why the stork has such dazzling white feathers. But has it stopped stealing? Just ask the shrimps!

DO YOU KNOW

How does a seat belt help a car passenger in the event of an accident?

When a car is in motion, the passengers seating in it are also moving at the same speed. If the car is moving at a speed of 70kmph (kilometres per hour), for example, the passengers are also moving at the same speed though they are not aware of it. 

Now, if the car crashes, its speed rapidly changes from 70kmph to 0kmph. The passengers are still moving at 70kmph at the time of impact, in accordance with Newton's first law of motion which states that "a body in motion tends to keep moving until an external force is applied to stop it".

An external force has stopped the motion of the car but not that of the passengers. They will hurtle forward at 70kmph and hit the dashboard or crash through the windshield. But not if they're wearing seat belts. 

Firstly, a seat belt, being slightly elastic, stretches to slow down the abrupt halt of the passenger. It also secures the passenger to the seat thereby stopping him/her from being thrown forward. Thirdly, it spreads the force of impact over the stronger parts of the body like the lap (pelvis) rib cage and shoulders. 

So wearing a seat belt can prevent grievous hurt or even death, in an accident. 

JAPANESE FORM OF POETRY

Haiku

Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry which originated hundreds of years ago. It is distinctive because it is very brief. It captures a single moment or thought in few words. In the Japanese language which is written in characters, a haiku is typically composed using just seventeen sound units (similar to syllables in English) and is expressed in three short lines. There are five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five again in the third line. Another distinctive quality about Haiku is that it does not rhyme. 

In the 17th century, haiku also emerged as an art form in Japan. Almost all Haiku poems relate to the beauty of nature and the Japanese Zen philosophy. Other topics that haiku poems deal with are animals, season of the year, or something as simple as a rain drop or a snowflake. 

Example: In a pouch I grow, 

                 On a southern continent 

                  Strange creatures I know 

Rabindranath Tagore composed haiku too and also translated some Japanese haiku into Bengali. Newer forms of haiku in English experiment with a wide range of topics.