THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF ACHIEVEMENTS

Guinness Book of World Records 

Have you ever heard of the longest pizza in the world, a person who can eat the most hot dogs in 10 minutes or the tallest man to ever walk the earth? All these incredible feats, and many more, are part of the Guinness World Records, a book filled with astonishing achievements from around the globe, where people push the limits of what’s possible.

The idea for the Guinness World Records began back in 1951 when Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of the Guinness Brewery in Ireland, had a debate while out hunting. He and his friends were arguing over - which game bird was the fastest - but they couldn’t find the answer anywhere. This sparked the idea of creating a book that could settle all kinds of quirky arguments like this. He brought the idea to Norris and Ross McWhirter, who were twin brothers and fact-checkers. Together, they created the first edition of the Guinness Book of Records, which was published in 1955.

It became an instant hit! Originally created as a free giveaway for the Guinness Brewery, the book soon gained popularity worldwide. People loved reading about the weird and wonderful records, from the longest fingernails to the most pogo stick jumps. What began as a fact-checking book quickly transformed into a global sensation, with millions of copies sold every year.

Today, the book features thousands of records across a wide range of categories, including sports, animals, human body records and even the wackiest things you can imagine. 

For example, do you know that the world’s longest pizza measured over 6,333 feet long? 

Or that the heaviest onion ever grown weighed 18 pounds? These are just a few of the extraordinary records you’ll find inside.

What’s fascinating is that Guinness World Records has grown beyond just a book. Now, there are TV shows, live events and even a website where people can submit their own attempts at breaking records. There are official rules and judges to make sure each record is accurate and fair. Once verified, the record is entered into the book for everyone to see.

For young readers like you, this book isn’t just about outrageous achievements; it’s a reminder that anyone can push their limits and set a record of their own. With determination, practice and creativity, even the most unexpected things can become world records.

So, the next time you’re looking for some mind-blowing inspiration, grab a copy of the Guinness World Records. Maybe one day, your name will be among the world’s greatest achievers! 

YODELING

Yodel-ay-hee-whoo

When most people think about Switzerland, they think of Swiss cheese, Swiss Army knives, tall Alpine mountains, and yodeling. Most of us have seen at least one movie or television show in which someone in a traditional Swiss outfit stands on a mountainside and calls, “Yodel-ay-hee-whoo!” Maybe you’ve even watched an old Tarzan movie in which Tarzan swings through the trees and yodels his famous cry. But just what is this strange noise, what is it for, and how did it get started? 

Yodeling has been used as a means of communications in mountainous regions for centuries. While yodeling is most often associated with Switzerland, it actually originated in the 4th century BC. A Roman emperor named Julian complained about the “wild, shrieking songs” of people who lived in the northern mountains. Some people believe that yodeling may have started in Africa, probably as a way to call cattle and keep them together. In the 1200s, early shepherds in the Alpine region that includes modern day Switzerland discovered that they could alternate their voices between a regular singing voice and a falsetto (a singing voice that is unusually or unnaturally high) voice, and began using it to call their cows and communicate with each other across large areas. This kind of singing became known as yodeling in English, from the German word jodeln, which means “to utter the syllable jo” (pronounced “yo” in English).

It didn’t take long for yodeling to move from a folk tradition to a type of entertainment. By 1830, it was a popular act in theaters and music halls. It was also included in many Austrian and Swiss folk songs. In the United States, some of the traveling minstrels in the 19th century performed yodeling. In 1892, inventor Thomas Edison made a recording of yodeler L. W. Lipp for Edison’s New Jersey Phonograph Company. Singers began using yodeling in other forms of music, such as blues and country. Folk singer Jimmie Rodgers released a recording called “Blue Yodel No. 1.” He eventually recorded 13 blue yodel songs, which blended yodeling with African American blues and work songs. Rodgers’ recording created yodeling craze in the United States. Singing cowboys and cowgirls also began using yodeling in their acts.

How do singers yodel? They do it by rapidly shifting from their regular chest singing voice to their falsetto head voice, at high volume. They might be shifting several times in just a few seconds. Yodelers use the consonants AH, OH, OO for chest notes and AY or EE for the falsetto, so in the famous yodel “Yodel Ay EEE Oooo,” the EEE is sung in the high head voice and the rest in the chest voice. It takes time and training for singers to learn how to move so quickly between the two voice levels.

Yodeling has found its way into a lot of modern music as well, including punk and contemporary rock. Singer Jewel yodels in her song “Chime Bells.” Her father, who in turn learned from listening to Jimmie Rodgers’ recordings, taught her to yodel. Gwen Stefani yodels in her 2006 single “Wind It Up.” Other famous yodelers include the Muppets, Bill Murray, Julie Andrews in the movie The Sound of Music, Shakira, Gene Wilder, Disney’s Goofy, and South Korea’s former Miss World, Ji-Yea Park. Kishore Kumar was a famous Indian singer and actor who was known for his yodeling. 

Many people are trying yodeling, especially because it is said to help relieve stress. Listen to some yodeling performances (there are many on YouTube), then find a mountaintop, or at least some place where you won’t bother anyone, and give it a try. Maybe yodeling will be an easier way to communicate with your friends than texting or emailing…or maybe not.

NOT AN EASY JOB

Making a cricket bat

Cricket bat making is an art and we come across different makes of bats in International cricket. The sound of the timer and the way balls soared over the boundary is a treat to watch. But bat making is not an easy job and it undergoes many processes before taking the shape of a cricket bat. 

A cricket bat is a specialized piece of equipment used by batsmen in the sport of cricket to hit the ball, typically consisting of a cane handle attached to a flat-fronted willow-wood blade. The length of the bat may be no more than 38 inches (965 mm) and the width no more than 4.25 inches (108 mm). Its use is first mentioned in 1624. Since 1979, a rule change stipulated that bats can only be made from wood. Dennis Lillee used an aluminum bat and that was banned for use in cricket matches. Matthew Hayden used a Mongoose bat during an IPL match and that was not in use thereafter.

Cricket bat willow is a cultivated timber which predominantly grows in large plantations in wetland areas throughout England mainly in the South East. The trees are mature between the age of 12-15 years and at this stage have a circumference of over 4ft. The bulk of the Woodstock willow comes from willow specialists but each cleft is still selected by lead bat maker, John Newsome, individually. The cleft has already been split from the round using a wooden wedge, rough sawn and the ends waxed to stop splitting. The process of seasoning in the open air takes place to reduce moisture content and this takes between nine months and a year. When ready to be turned into bats the ends are cut and they pass through a five cutter milling machine to give the cleft a uniform shape.

The seasoning of the willow at various seasons is exposed to various conditions. The bats are exposed to sun rays, rain and snowfall and the wear and tear on these weather conditions makes the bat more seasoned and fit for use for making bats. The age of these willows are picked according to their age to make it a suitable one for the process of bat making. Both Kashmir willow and English willow are cut to size of bat and kept for exposure to weather and later the bat making process is undergone to make a balanced bat.

Each bat handle is spliced and fitted using a flexible wood glue making sure it is set slightly forward to ensure the perfect line of the bow. The handle is then gently tapped into place and left to dry in an upright position. Once the bat has been shaped and blended the sanding process begins. This is a time consuming process that uses several grades of paper working to a fine finish. Finally brush sanders are used to give a beautiful smooth finish. The stickers are then affixed to make it colourful and to provide the bat name of the Indian made bats are exported to other countries. An exclusive bat made in India is not available for sale in India but you can get the same across the sea when you visit Sri Lanka. In Srinagar and surrounding areas cricket bats are available on the streets and you can pick up the best piece at a cheaper price without stickers but you can buy from outside and stick on as per your own liking.

The art of making a cricket bat is lovely to watch and the youngsters should avail a chance to go through the quality of wood, a few craftsmen with serious skills, computer assisted design, and large machines in factories, which provide all about a cricket bat. A firm grip with different colours and design decorate your bat very much and show a classic look. The curve given to the bat is of advantage and attracts classy batsmen of the modern era. Once the bats get final shape then it is ready for labelling, gripping and knocking in. 

Every bat also receives a final check-over to ensure that it has been finished to a high standard and that there are no previously unspotted imperfections. The present day bats provide you the feather touch if the shot is played from the middle of the bat with perfect timing. There lies the real pleasure of playing with a perfect bat.

TRADITIONAL YET SPORTY MARTIAL ART

 Judo 

The word literally translates as “gentle way” since ju means ‘gentle’ and do means ‘way’. It is gentle because its fundamental tenet is to use your opponent’s own weight and strength against him or her, allowing a smaller person to defeat a much larger opponent through ability, strategy, technique and time. The majority of sports judo techniques can be practised by people of all ages and genders. 

History of Judo

As the knowledge of unarmed fighting arts (jitsu) spread throughout the Orient, coming last to Japan, the subdivision multiplied as did names by which the arts were known: Wojitsu, Tai-jitsu, Go shin Jitsu, Ai Jitsu, and many others. Dr Jigoro Kano, a Japanese college professor, spent many years studying various ancient fighting arts, evaluating, comparing and practising them. Finally, in 1882, he put together the techniques to create a new art which he called Judo.

Dr Kano’s vision for judo was, as he wrote: “Judo should be one all-pervading principle governing the whole field, and that principle should be the highest or most efficient use of mental as well as physical energy directed to the accomplishment of a certain definite purpose or aim. Once the real importance of this purpose is understood, it may be applied to all phases of life and activity, thereby enabling one to lead the highest and most rational life.”

Present-day Judo

Today, judo is one of the most widely-spread martial arts with over 10 million practitioners. Kodokan is judo’s main centre for training and administration (Kodokan is the name given by Dr Kano to his dojo). You need not be contest-minded to take up judo. It is not purely about physical, it’s also about good attitude, behaviour, and adhering to class etiquette and decorum. We see this reflected in the oath every student joining Kodokan takes: “Once I have entered the Kodokan, I will not end my study without reasonable cause; I will not dishonour the dojo; unless I am given permission, I will not disclose the secrets that I have been taught, unless I am given permission, I will not teach judo; pupil first, teacher second, I will always follow the rules of the dojo.”

Judo Grade

Unarmed fighting arts, in their original form, had no ranks, degrees, uniforms, or belts. Awarding a belt for proficiency is relatively new. The sports judo belt was first given some 150 years ago. One rule is absolute: An individual may not grade himself in belt rank, irrespective of his proficiency. The judgement must be made by someone who is able to evaluate the individual either by his seniority of rank or proficiency. Originally, there were only two colour belts in judo, namely white and black. Then the brown belt was introduced as an intermediate grade. Today, there are many styles in judo, variance has crept in the colour scheme for grades at kyu (learners) level. It streamlines at the black belt. When you get your black belt, you are a first dan. The highest rank awarded is the 10th dan. Only 15 individuals have been promoted by Kodokan to the 10th dan.

Technique Categories in Judo

Judo techniques are categorized by which body part is used to execute a throw. There is a whole category of how to break a fall too. As it is easier to learn how to throw than to receive it, most students joining are eager to learn how to throw. Judo techniques are broadly divided into four categories:

1. Ukemi-waza (Breakfall): Until you have learned how to fall safely, do not allow yourself to be thrown. You can hurt yourself badly and may end up with a permanent injury. It is important to learn how to break a fall when thrown from different angles at any speed. Remember, learning breakfall is a lifetime asset.

2. Nage-waza (Throwing techniques): Throws are the essence of what judo is mostly about. Throws are divided into four categories, namely: Te-waza (hand technique), Koshi-waza (hip technique), Ashi-waza (foot and leg technique), Sutemi-waza (Sacrifice technique) and Yokosutemi-waza (side sacrifice technique)

3. Katami-waza (Groundwork techniques): These are techniques to pin your opponent to the ground: Osa-komiwaza (hold down technique) and Shime-waza (strangle technique).

4. Gyaku-waza (Joints-locking techniques): There is a fifth category of technique called atemi-waza (hand and foot blow technique). These techniques are never used in free sparring (randori) or contest (shiai). Few schools offer instructions in both sport judo and self-defence. I 

Judo Matches

Judo matches are won in four ways:

● When a throw (nage-waza) is properly executed, i.e., dropping the opponent onto his back or side.

● An immobilization hold down called osaekomi, in which a person is held down, controlled on his back or side for a period of thirty seconds.

● A choke called shime-waza, directed against the blood vessels of the neck, causing the opponent to lose consciousness or to submit.

● Joint lock when applied, called gyaku-waza, directed against the elbow causing the opponent to submit so as to avoid a fracture.

Self-Defence

Sports judo training may prepare a person for self-defence. The important fact is that throwing techniques and groundwork techniques are not the best ways to cope with common street attacks. An exceptional judoka with years of training in sport judo can apply some techniques in some self-defence situations.

Techniques Snippet

Back Fall (Backward Roll cum Fall)

1. Start from a seated position, legs straight forward, hands on your knees, head slightly forward.

2. Fall gently back with a rolling (not thrusting) motion, raising your hands to get more power in the slap. Keep the body slightly curled.

3. Finish by slapping the mat with force, just before the upper back touches the mat. The head never hits the mat. Avoid jerking back into the fall. Hit the mat with the palms of your hands cupped, arms fully extended, and close to the body. Slapping absorbs impact and allows you to fall with less jarring action to your back and to your internal organs.

In conclusion, judo, with its gentle yet effective principles, remains a popular and widely-practised martial art worldwide. Its rich history, universal techniques, and emphasis on respect and discipline, make it an invaluable pursuit. Whether for sport or self-improvement, judo offers a profound path to physical and mental growth.

DO YOU KNOW

How was Detective Sherlock Holmes character created?

The adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were written by the English doctor Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

How did Doyle create these characters? This is the story.

When Doyle started studying medicine at Edinburgh University in 1877, he met Dr. Joseph Bell.

Bell was a Scottish surgeon. He made detailed observations when diagnosing his patients. To improve his observation skills, he observed people he didn’t know. He made deductions from their recent activities. He also took part in many forensic investigations in England by using his observations with his medical knowledge. With this talent, he became the pioneer of forensic science. He showed the importance of science and observation in forensic investigations.

Doyle was so fascinated by Bell’s talent and inspired by his methods that he created the character Sherlock Holmes. He wrote 56 stories and 4 novels about Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock became so popular that various films and television series were made.

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. 

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. 

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. 

BRUSH UP YOUR TENNIS VOCABULARY

Tennis A to Z

Ace: A serve that the opponent doesn't touch with the racquet. An ace wins the point immediately for the server.

Backspin: A shot which forces the ball to spin and and reduce its speed at impact. It is also known as 'slice' or 'underspin'.

Career Golden Slam: A term associated with a player who has won all the four major titles and also an Olympic gold medal. So far only four people have achieved this feat: Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams. 

Deuce: A score of 40-40. A player must score two consecutive points from deuce if he has to win the game. A player to score the first point from deuce is said to have an advantage. If he scores another, he wins the game. But if the opponent scores then the score goes back to deuce. 

Error: A loss in point due to the shot not landing correctly in the opponent 's court. 

Frame shot: A shot coming off the frame of the racquet rather than off the strings. Usually it is a mishit. 

Grunt: Noises made by the players while serving or hitting the ball. Notable players who grunt are Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova among others. 

Hopper: A large container that holds tennis balls. 

Jam: To hit the ball at or near to the opponent's body forcing him/her to hit back awkwardly. 

Kick Serve: A type of serve which spins tremendously causing the ball to change the direction when it bounces. 

Lucky loser: A player who loses the final qualifying round but still gets to enter the tournament when another player withdraws. 

Mis-hit: A shot that fails to hit the middle of the racquet. 

No man's land: The area between the service line and the base line is said to be a no-man's land. 

Overrule: A decision is said to be overruled when the umpire reverses the decision of the line judge. 

Poaching: In doubles, a player hits a shot, mostly a volley, which was intended for his/her partner. 

Qualifier: A small competition held to choose a specified number of players for the main tournament. 

Return ace: A shot in which the opponent serves, the player returns the serve, and the opponent is unable to hit the ball. It’s the opposite of ace wherein the server serves and the receiver is unable to hit the ball.

SABR (Sneak Attack by Roger): It is an attack devised by Roger Federer in which the serve returner rushes toward during a serve to upset the opponent's rhythm.

Tandem: It is a doubles formation in which each partner is responsible for one half of the court as divided by the centre line.

Umpire: An arbitrator who usually sits on a high chair next to the tennis court. 

Volley: A shot in which the ball is struck before it bounces on the ground. 

Western grip: A type of grip used by a player to generate a lot of topspin on the groundstrokes.

Zero pointer: Top 10 players who withdraw from a commitment tournament receive a mandatory zero pointer (no points) on their rankings. 

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL MULTI-SPORT EVENT 2024

Paris Olympics

Journey of how Olympic Sports events started: According to ancient Greek mythology and history, the origins of the ancient Olympic Games date back as far as 3000 years ago when track race competitions and games were held across 5 days as part of the religious celebrations in honor of their God Zeus. The Modern Olympic Games, as they are known today, were revived by the efforts of Pierre De Coubertin, a French physical educator, with the first games being opened by the king of Greece in the first week of April 1896. 

There have been 30 Modern Summer Olympic games held every four years since 1896, except for those in 1940 and 1944 which could not be held due to the ongoing World War. Since 1924, the Modern Winter Olympic games have been held on a staggered two-year schedule after the Summer Olympics. Since 1960, the Paralympic Olympic games, held for the participation of athletes with a range of disabilities, were added as a part of the schedule for the Summer Olympics. They are also held every four years, with their participation increasing from 400 disabled athletes from 23 countries in 1960 to 4520 disabled athletes from 163 countries in 2020.

Women Power: Though the ancient Olympic games did not allow girls and women to participate, since 1900, the Modern Olympic games introduced the participation of women, with 22 women out of the 997 athletes participating in the games the same year. Since then, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made committed efforts to increase women's participation at the Olympics, and it also strives hard to promote gender equality in sports. The London 2012 Olympic schedule was the first one in which women participated in all of the sports on the programme. The latest Olympics - Tokyo 2020 saw 5409 women participate out of the total 11,319 athletes. 

Why Paris and not France? The honor of hosting these Olympic games is entrusted to a city (not a country) which is decided by the IOC. The host must promise that every competitor shall be given free entry without any discrimination on grounds of religion, gender, colour, or political affiliation. 

Which sports will we see: The Paris 2024 Olympic schedule comprises more than  30 Sports, i.e., Archery, Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Breaking, Canoe events, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Swimming events, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Rugby, sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Table tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, with about 10,000 to 11,000 athletes from over 200 countries participating in these games. They will be shown live on the television. These games bring so many different people across the world together in the same spirit of hope, perseverance, hard work, dedication, joy, and the pride and exhilaration of representing their homeland on the world stage. 

The Olympic symbol consists of five interlaced rings of equal dimensions, used alone, in one or in five different colours, which are, from left to right blue, yellow, black, green, red. The Olympic rings express the activity of the Olympic movement and represent the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic games. 

Olympic Phryge and the Paralympic Phryge are the Mascots of Paris Olympics 2024.

NATIONAL GAME OF ARGENTINA

Pato

Pato is a sport that has been played for hundreds of years in South America and is considered one of the oldest sports on the continent. It is a unique and exciting sport that combines elements of basketball, polo, and rugby. 

The game is played with two teams of four players each, who ride horses and try to score goals using a ball that has six handles on it. The ball is made of leather and is about the size of a soccer ball. 

The aim of the game is to score goals by throwing the ball through a vertical hoop that is located at each end of the field. The hoops are placed 2.5 metres above the ground and are similar to basketball hoops. 

The game starts with a throw-off, where one team throws the ball into the air, and both teams try to catch it. Once a player has possession of the ball, they can ride their horse and try to pass it to a teammate or shoot it towards the goal.

The game is very fast-paced and requires a lot of skill, coordination, and teamwork. 

Players need to have good riding skills and be able to control their horses while also handling the ball. 

Pato is not just a sport but also a cultural tradition in South America, where it is considered a symbol of the gaucho (cowboy) culture. It is often played at festivals and celebrations and is a great way for people to come together and enjoy the excitement and camaraderie of the game. 

A HUNDRED-STRINGED LUTE

Santoor 

The Santoor is an ancient folk musical instrument that is believed to have originated in Iran and made its way from there to various countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. In India, it can be found in Kashmir, where it has been played for centuries as an indispensable accompaniment for the Sufi vocal music. Sufi mystics used it as an accompaniment for their hymns. It came to be known in Sanskrit as shat-tantri veena or hundred-stringed lute. This in due course became Santoor. 

A trapezoid-shaped instrument, the Santoor is basically a hollow box made of walnut wood with top and bottom boards of plywood and veneer and 72 metal strings, arranged in sets of 3 or 4, tied on nails and stretched over wooden bridges placed on the top board. The length and thickness of the strings vary according to the octave, and they are the thickest in the lower octave. A unique feature of Santoor is the way it is played - not by plucking the strings or drawing a bow across them as in the violin, but by striking them lightly using two light-weight wooden mallets, known as mezrab. The musician sits in a posture known as ardha-padmasana, keeps the instrument on his lap with the broad side closer to his body, holds the mallets between the index and middle fingers and thumb and uses them to strike the strings. 

Traditionally, the Santoor was played during festivities and celebrations. However, today it is emerging as a key element in North Indian classical concerts and music festivals. The credit for popularizing the instrument goes to Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, a master instrumentalist and India’s most famous Santoor exponent.

Other well-known names in the field include his son Rahul Sharma, Bhajan Sopori, and the late R. Visweswaran.

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!

FOOTBALLING REVOLUTION

Young Female Footballers Of Alakhpura

  Alakhpura, a village of 2,000 people in Haryana’s Bhiwani district, is a hub for young female footballers.

     More than 200 girl trainees practise football in Alakhpura twice a day—two hours in the morning and three hours in the late afternoon. Earlier, parents hesitated to let their daughters out of the house alone and the idea of girls playing a sport was frowned upon. Today these girls are breaching social taboos. 

  It all began when Gordhan Dass, a sports teacher posted at the government school, introduced football for girls in 2006. He encouraged girls to play the sport. If some families refused to let their daughters participate, Dass would take his daughter along to explain to them that there was no shame attached to football and that they should take pride in what their daughters could achieve. This approach worked and the families relented.    

  Initially, what motivated the girls was the scholarship money for playing well in competitions. But when football became the means of securing a government job, every family began pushing girls to play football—some have landed government jobs in the Indian Railways, the state education department and paramilitary forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). This has helped the girls become financially independent and support their families, many of whom live below the poverty line. As a result, Alakhpura’s residents no longer view daughters as a burden but as assets. 

  In 2017, the villagers officially registered the Alakhpura Football Club (AFC) with the All India Football Federation. While the Haryana government paid for the coaching and equipment, the villagers crowdsourced funds to cover the team’s expenses. The responsibilities of the club are divided among some of the villagers. Whenever the trainees need financial support, the entire village comes forward. 

    Today, at least half of the players of Haryana’s women’s football team hails from Alakhpura. Overall, 75 girls from the village have played in national-level competitions in different age groups and 12 have participated in international-level events. With their dedication and determination, the Alakhpura girls have firmly carved a space for their village on the country’s sports map and have become an inspiration for girls in India.

HISTORY OF GREATEST INTERNATIONAL SPORTS CELEBRATION

 History of Olympics 

     Today, let’s have a peep into the history of Olympics that had originated centuries ago in the epic land of Greece. There are many stories related to the origin of Olympic games. 

     Hercules and Pelops were the sons of Soyuz, the King of Gods. Once Egias, the King of Elissa made a bet with Hercules. The bet was to clean the cowshed within a day. If Hercules succeeded in this task, he would be gifted one tenth of the cows. It was considered to be an almost impossible task to clean the dirty cowshed within such a short time. But Hercules was wise enough to do the job. He diverted a river and cleaned the cow shed. However, Egias was not ready to honour his promise. Thus, Hercules waged a war with Egias and killed him. He took away all the cows. 

To celebrate his success, a sports festival was organised in Olympia. The name Olympics originated from the name Olympia. This is a story in Greek epics.

     According to another story, there was a temple for the Greek Goddess Riya in Olympia valley. People used to run to light a lamp at the altar of this temple. This was later developed into a competition.

     Olympics was the victory of Hercules’ brother Pelops over the King, is another version of the story. 

     Again, it is believed that the Olympics was organised in honour of the King Petross’s funeral who faced a heroic death on the battlefield. All these are the epic stories which people love to believe.    

     Whatever be the origin of Olympics, it is now the greatest international sports celebration in the world.

THE FUN SPORT WITH SWORDS

 Fencing

Fencing is a cool sport where people wear special clothes and swords to play.

Fencers wear masks and jackets to stay safe while playing. 

There are three types of swords in fencing: foil, epee and sabre, each with its own rules.

It helps people practice balance, focus and quick thinking.

Fencers learn special moves like lunges and parries to score points.

The matches are like exciting duels, where fencers try to hit each other with the sword's tip.

Fencing is not just winning; it's about having fun and making friends.

It's a sport that teaches respect, discipline and good sportsmanship.

Fencing is a great way to stay active, learn new skills and enjoy the thrill of friendly competition.

SOME COMMON TERMS USED IN GOLF

      Golf A to Z

Ace: A hit by which the ball goes into the hole in one shot. It is also called a hole-in-one.

Birdie: A score of one under par on hole. (A par is a pre-determined number of strokes that a golfer requires to put the ball in the hole. So if the par is 3 and the golfer puts the ball in the hole in 2 strokes, it's a birdie)

Caddie: A person who carries the player's clubs. He can also offer advice to the player. 

Drive : The first shot of each hole which is usually hit with a driver (a type of golf club).

Even: A score equal to that of par.

Frenchie: A type of shot in which the player tries to hit the ball in a way that it bounces back to the tee (a small peg on which the ball is placed before being driven) into the fairway (A fairway is a good area where the ball can be hit properly.

Green: A smooth area of trimmed grass surrounding the hole which enables the players to hit the ball with precision. 

Hole: A small circular hole in the ground. The aim of golf is to put the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible.

In play: When the ball is within the playing area. 

Jail: It is a term used when the ball is in an unplayable position (e.g. in thick undergrowth).

Knee Knocker: An easy short putt which a player shouldn't miss but often does. There are various reasons for missing this shot, the most common being the distance.

Lay-up: A stoke played to position the ball in a favourite spot for a better subsequent shot. 

Match play: A form of golf in which players or teams compete against each other on a hole-by-hole basis. The winner is determined by the number of holes he has played.

Nine Iron: A club of the highest loft in the 'iron' family. It is used for short distance shots.

Out of bounds: An area that falls outside the boundaries of the golf course. If a player's stroke falls in the 'out-of-bound' area then he/she receives one stroke penalty and must hit the shot from the original spot once again.

Par: Standard score for a hole which is defined by the length of the course. It can also be the standard score for a course which can be derived from a sum of all the holes' pars.

Q-School: Qualifying school. The qualifying tournament in major professional tours, such as the PGA Tour, European Tour etc.

Recovery Shot: A stroke played to get oneself out of difficult situations (sand traps, weeds, trees etc.).

Starter: Also known as the tee master. He is the person who controls the play on a golf course.

Tap-in: A tap-in occurs when the ball is very close to the hole and all the player has to do is tap the ball into the hole.

Up and down: When the player holes the ball in just two strokes. The first stroke gets the ball 'up' on to the green, and the subsequent one gets the ball 'down' into the whole.

Vardon Grip: A style in which the right little finger rests on top of the left index finger. It is named after Harry Vardon, the golf superstar of the 20th century.

Whiff: An attempt to strike the ball which misses it completely. It is counted as a stroke.

Yips: Fear of short putts. It is a tendency to twitch during the putting stroke which results in poor accuracy.

FOOTBALL A to Z

Association football or soccer is the most popular sport on this planet. Almost 200 nations play the game. Let us learn the words associated with it.

Football A to Z

Assist: It is the final pass before the goal is scored. Many leagues offer prizes to players providing most assists in a season.

Bend it like Beckham: This term was popularised by the 2002 film of the same name. David Beckham has scored many memorable goals by 'bending' the ball or changing the ball's path in mid-air.

Clean sheet: A team is said to maintain a clean sheet when they do not concede a single goal during a match.

Diving: It is a form of cheating wherein a player falls to the ground in order to win a free-kick or a penalty. Usually there is minimal or no contact from the opponent. 

El Clasico: It is a derby between rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is the most watched football event after UEFA ChampionsLeague Finals.

Futsal: A spin-off of traditional football, it is usually played with five players, indoors on a hard surface.

Group of death: A group of death in a cup competition or international tournament is the group which is most competitive. In other words, most or all the teams in that group are strong.

Hooligans: Overzealous supporters known for destruction of team property, violence and unruly behaviour.

Intercept: A player is said to have intercepted when he cuts off a pass from the opposite team's player.

Journeyman: A player who has played for many teams over his career.

Killer pass: A perfectly placed pass that reaches the foot or the head of a teammate allowing him to score an easy goal.

Lost the dressing room: This idiom is used when players have 'lost' confidence in their team manager. Such situations arise when the manager is unable to find a healthy combination of players, shows favouritism and is unable to register wins for the team.

Midfielder: A player who is positioned between the defender and the forward.

Nutmeg: A nutmeg is a type of play wherein a player sends the ball between an opponent's legs.

Own goal: A goal scored by a player accidentally against his own team.

Parking the bus: It is an expression used for a team whose outfield players play defensively. It is a negative style of play used by teams to secure a draw or to defend a goal-margin of 1 against strong opposition.

Quadruple: Winning of four different titles during the same year.

Retired numbers: Jersey numbers that are withdrawn and unavailable to new players in a team in honour of a significant player who had worn that number.

Shielding: A defensive technique wherein the defender puts his body between the ball and the opponent in order to prevent the opponent from reaching the ball.

Tiki-taka: It is a style of play consisting of short passes, fluent movement and keeping possession of the ball. The style is primarily associated with FC Barcelona. 

Utility player: A player who can play in different roles. For example: A player may primarily be a defender but he can be deployed into the midfield or as a striker.

Vanishing spray: Aerosol paint applied to the football pitch to provide a temporary visual marker.

Wembley: England's biggest football stadium and home to England's national team.

Yo-yo club: A team that is regularly promoted and relegated to higher and lower league levels.

Zonal marking: A defensive play wherein the defenders are given a particular area to defend as against 'Man-marking' in which defenders defend against particular players.

HOBBY THAT IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE

 Swimming

Hobbies are our best friends. We pursue them when we have either nothing to do or are tired from the day’s work. While some hobbies merely help us to kill time, there are other hobbies that improve the quality of our life. Swimming is one such hobby.

There are more benefits to swimming than simply cooling off on a hot day. Swimming is one of the best exercises that benefit our entire body. The more we learn about swimming the more we will want to add it to our list of favourite hobbies. It is a great, year-round hobby and takes very little gear to get started.

Swimming not only burns calories, but is easy on the joints, supports our weight, builds our muscular strength and endurance. The other health benefits of swimming are that it keeps our heart rate up and takes some of the stress off our body. The most beautiful aspect of swimming is that we can set our own pace — go as fast as we like — otherwise just take slow laps in the pool. Swimming uses all the muscles in the body — so whether it is a gentle breaststroke or hammer butterfly, we get a full body workout.

Swimming is perfect for our mental health as well. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, swimming for just 2.5 hours per week decreases the risk of chronic illness. By toning and developing a wide range of muscles, swimming helps prevent the injuries that can occur in youth who specialise in a sport from a younger age.

But swimming for beginners can be challenging if you don’t know what to do in the pool. Hence, it’s extremely important to start swimming by using a beginners’ guide and including all the safety measures. It is essential to find the right pool and take proper swimming lessons and not try out anything on your own. The best way to pursue swimming as a hobby is to join a swimming club. To get started, one can begin with just the swim workouts.

Swimming was one of the eight sports practised at the first Paralympic Games in 1960, and has now become most popular. Swimming has been part of the Olympic schedule since the very first modern Olympic Games held in 1896. 

So summer is here.

Enjoy splashing water, enjoy swimming!