AQUATIC LIFE

 Quirky Creatures Of The Ocean

Scientists say that life first began in the

oceans. Yet, so far, we have discovered

only 10% of the life in our oceans. Much

of it has the most bizarre, flummoxing

appearances and behaviours. Let's dive

into the oceans and explore some of these

quirky creatures.

Mudskippers

If you happen to be on a mudflat during low tide, you may come across some lively fish that leap, hop, somersault, walk on their fins and even balance on their tail. They are mudskippers, fish that can live outside water until the tide comes back in. Their bulging, globular eyes on top of their head make them look comical. What's more, they fill their jowls with water to keep from getting dehydrated, giving the impression of having their mouth full.

 

Puffer fish

In rocky tidal pools, you may come across puffer fish, which on feeling threatened, attempt at disguising themselves. They huff and puff and fill themselves with water, turning into cute-looking balls, maybe to make themselves look larger and 'fiercer' to other creatures. But the flipside is that in this globular avatar, they become too clumsy to be able to swim. Only when the water is pumped out can they move on. Most species of puffer fish are toxic so don't ever try to touch them.

 

Octopuses

Octopuses are masters at performing the disappearing act. They not only change their colours to blend with their background, but even change their shape and skin texture! What you think is a rock or a clump of algae or corals may turn out to be a very clever octopus!

 

Seahorses

Seahorses have the distinction of being the only ones amongst whom the papas give birth, not the mamas! Pssst, here is the secret-the mama shoves her eggs into her male partner's pouch as soon as she lays them! The papa dutifully looks after them until they finally hatch, when he jerks them out of his pouch.

 

Parrotfish

Swim up close to a coral reef and you may get to see the very attractive bluish-green parrotfish, which have a mouth that looks like a parrot's beak. They use it to bite off chunks of coral to get at the algae living inside the little polyps that make up the coral colony. A surprise awaits you when it's bedtime for them. That's when they secrete a blanket of slime all over themselves-not to feel cosy but to prevent their body odour from seeping out and attracting foraging moray eels!

 

Otters

If you happen to come across otters while you are out exploring the quirky creatures of the watery world, don't be surprised if you see them floating lazily on their back, holding onto their partner's hand to make sure the waves do not separate them while they are dozing. Their favourite foods are crabs and clams. They break open the hard shells of these creatures to get at the soft flesh within by placing them on their chest and smashing them with rocks! They have a collection of small rocks in pouches in their armpits!

 

Anglerfish

Have you heard of fish that fish for other fish in the deeper ocean realms? That's anglerfish for you! A spine on their head is modified into a kind of fishing rod, complete with a luminous tassel to act as bait. Small fish that get attracted by the shining tassel are gulped down in a trice!

 

Firefly Squid

In the deeper depths of the ocean, sunlight cannot penetrate. Here in the twilight zone, you come across fish giving off their own bioluminescent light. It's the firefly squid.

 

Deep Sea Gulpers

Further on, in the dark recesses of the

deep ocean depths, you may come across

these fish, which normally look like they

are just tails! But they can expand their

stomach to three times their size to gulp

down much larger fish when needed.

TRUE STORY

 So much she loved

This is a true story of a mother’s sacrifice during an earthquake in Japan.

After the earthquake had subsided, when the rescuers reached the ruins of a young woman’s house, they saw her dead body through the cracks.

But the posture of her body was somehow strange as it appeared to be kneeling like that of a person who was worshipping; the body was stooping forward, but her two hands were supporting an object.

The collapsed house had crushed her back and head.

With much difficulty, the leader of the rescue team put his hand through the narrow gap on the wall to reach the woman’s body.

He hoped that this woman could still be alive.

However, the cold and stiff body told him that she had long been dead.

He and the rest of the team left this house and went to search the next collapsed building.

For some reasons, the team leader was driven by a compelling instinct to go back to the ruined house of the dead woman.

Again, he knelt down and poked his hand through the narrow crack to search the little space under the dead body.

Suddenly, he screamed, “A child! There is a child!”

The whole team worked together; carefully they removed the piles of ruined objects around the dead woman.

They found a three-month-old child wrapped in a blanket under his mother’s dead body.

Obviously, the woman had made an ultimate sacrifice to save her baby.

The medical doctor came quickly to examine the little child.

As he opened the blanket, he saw a cell phone tucked beside the infant.

There was a text message on the phone’s screen, which said: “Dear baby, if you can live, always remember that I loved you.”

IS A VEGAN SAME AS A VEGETARIAN?

 

Veganism is a more austere form of vegetarianism. A vegetarian sticks to a plant-based diet and abstains from eating meat. A vegan goes a step further and excludes all animal products from his diet, including dairy products, honey, gelatin, lard etc.

Soybeans in the form of soy milk and tofu constitute the staple diet of vegans--- they are considered a complete protein. Cow’s milk is substituted by coconut or almond milk. Vegans also consume nuts, grains and pulses.

The term vegan was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson when he co-founded the Vegan Society of England. He intended the word to represent “the beginning and end of vegetarian”.

Ethical vegans extend the philosophy to their daily lives, avoiding any form of animal products for any other purpose. Veganism became popular in the 2000s as vegan food became more easily available in supermarkets.

A GREAT ADIVASI REVOLUTIONARY

 Tilka Manjhi

Tilka Manjhi was born on 11th February, 1750 in Sultanganj, Bihar.

He was born in a small village called Tilakpur and he belonged to Santhal family. Since childhood, Tilka lived in the shadow of forest civilization and hunted wild animals.

Workout-wrestling, climbing on the big trees, walking in the valleys, playing with wild animals, roaming in wild forests, rivers, etc. were his daily routine of life. Wildlife had made him fearless and brave.

Since childhood, he had seen the tyranny of English people on his family and on the tribal people.

English rulers had their rights on the poor tribe's cultivated land and wild trees. Tribal people, children, women, old men were brutally tortured by the British. The mountains were inhabited by the landlords and they used to keep the British people happy in return for money.

Finally, the day came when Tilka started a rebellion against the British.

Determined to defend his people and land, Tilka organized the Adivasis into an army trained in the use of bows and arrows.

In 1770, there was a severe famine in the Santhal region.

People were dying of hunger.

Tilka looted the treasury of the Company and distributed it among the poor and needy.

Inspired by this noble act of Tilka, many other tribals also joined the rebellion. With this began his “𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐥” (the revolt of the Santhals).

He continued to attack the British and their sycophantic allies.

From 1771 to 1784, Tilka never surrendered.

The year 1784 is considered as the first armed rebellion against the British and was the beginning of the Santhal’s being historically recorded.

Tilka Manjhi attacked Augustus Cleveland, an East India Company administrator and fatally wounded him.

The British surrounded the Tilapore forest from which he operated but he and his men held them at bay for several weeks.

When he was finally caught in 1784, he was tied to the tail of a horse and dragged all the way to the collector's residence at Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. There, his lacerated body was hung from a banyan tree.

A statue of him was erected at the spot where he was hanged after Indian independence, which is the nearby residence of S.P. Bhagalpur and named after him.

Also, the Bhagalpur University was renamed after him - Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University.

Another statue was established in Dumka,

Jharkhand.

CAREER CHOICES

 The World is your classroom

It’s all about the courses which you study now and secure your career journey with, as these courses have peak requirements in employment across the globe. Develop the required skills at every step of life, keep upgrading your knowledge, and by doing so you will never go out of trend.

As Lao Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Ensure that you are taking that first step in the right direction with the right guidance.

Here are a few in-demand courses that offer students more job opportunities, and finally, a lucrative career.

 1. Technology:

Ever-emerging technologies have become a part of our daily life, and as the future approaches, many more people will be required to handle these technologies.

The digital revolution continues to enrich humans as technology progresses each day.

The niche fields which will help students develop their skills in this domain are Machine Learning, Web Design and Application Development, Cyber-crime and E-investigation, Software Engineering, Digital System Technology and Embedded Systems, Semi-conductors technology, Big Data, Data Communication, Data Warehousing and Data Mining, Data Scientists, Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Network Security, Forensic Science, Wireless Communication, Computer Animation, Computer Networking, Computer Games Development, Computer Graphics, Multimedia, Image Analysis, Applied Computing, Mobile Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Bio-informatics, Microprocessing, Virtual Reality, Internet of Things (IoT), Advanced Robotics, Biometric Technology, Automation Technology, Cryptocurrency, Aviation Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing, Aerospace Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Oil and Petroleum Engineering, Textile Engineering, Ecotechnology, Biomedical Technology and Food Technology.

2. Medicine:

Medicine has always been a lucrative and noble profession.

There is an increasing demand for good quality healthcare and medicine globally, more than ever.

Since the past few decades, the medical industry has been undergoing massive changes worldwide in terms of ideas exchanged and services delivered. Medical aspirant students can enrol in one of the following popular courses: Orthodontics, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Embryology, Cardiology, Veterinary Science, Pathology, Anatomy, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radiology, General Medicine, Dermatology, Radiotherapy, Urology, Anaesthesia, Nursing and Physiotherapy.

 3. Science:

To study as a science major, from biology and chemistry to ecology and neuroscience, a few of the subjects you can specialize in are: Agriculture Studies, Astronomy, Agro-ecology and Sustainable Food Systems, Principles of Biology, Genetics, Organic Chemistry, Tropical Marine Biology, Biochemistry, Calculus I, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Development in Rural Costa Rica, Plant Biodiversity, Marine biology, Ecology, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Zoology, Geology, Microbiology, Agronomy and Crop Science, Animal Science, Aquaculture, Cell Biology, Biomedical Science, Cell Biology, Conservation Biology, Entomology, Food Science, Forensic Science, Forestry, Genetics, Horticulture, Marine biology, Molecular biology, Oceanography, Oenology, Vet Science and Viticulture.

4. Commerce:

Commerce students go on to become business leaders and entrepreneurs making a good fortune. Ever-popular and highly in-demand courses which end in accomplished careers are Business Law, Business Administration, Finance, Asset Management, Broking, Investment Management, Marketing, HR Management, Accounting, Management, Economics, International business, Cryptocurrency, Management Science, E-Commerce, Entrepreneurship, Quality Management, Transportation and Logistics, Digital and Interactive Media Communication, Photography, Hospitality, Hotel Management, Leisure Management, and Travel and Tourism.

 

5. Arts:

As an art student, the opportunity to study renowned works of art up-close and in-person serves as an important supplement to your classroom learning and studio experience. While you may be fortunate enough to have a fine selection of art near your home university, many students will need to travel to see works of the masters in person or to see more specific and concentrated pieces that directly relate to a given medium or art specialty. Popular courses in this field are: Art History, Designing and Fine Arts, Archaeology, Languages, Political Science, Sociology, Musicology, Philosophy, Library and Information Science, Professional Writing, Graphic Designing, Content Writing, Interior Designer, Musical Instruments, News Journalism, Fashion Designing, Digital Marketing, Hospitality Management, Film-Making, Media and Journalism, Airport Management, Entrepreneurship, and Cosmetology.

Picture the world as your classroom with each destination a new interactive textbook where, instead of reading, you are experiencing history, art, culture, fashion, food and the arts in real-time!

CALLIGRAPHY

 

“Calligraphy is the most intimate, personal, spontaneous form of expression. Like a fingerprint or a voice, it is unique for each person."              --- Hermann Zapf

 Calligraphy is the art of beautiful handwriting — elegant and stylized.

The term ‘calligraphy’ is derived from the Greek words kallos (beauty) and graphein (to write).

It is an ancient writing technique using flat-edged pens to create artistic lettering using thick and thin lines depending on the direction of the stroke.

In this artistic style of writing, one can form beautiful symbols by hand and arrange them well.

It’s a set of skills and techniques for positioning and inscribing words.

Also known as fancy penmanship, calligraphy requires highly decorative handwriting.

Before the invention of the printing press, calligraphy fonts were used to bring charm and elegance to any handcrafted project.

Although Europe had entered the age of printing in the 16th and 17th centuries, calligraphy continued to flourish.

Over the years, though this art of fancy writing had been diminishing, it is slowly making a comeback.

Calligraphy is really enjoyable and one should surely consider this as a hobby to spice up one’s life.

It can be relaxing, fulfilling and rewarding.

Many teenagers like a creative pastime and calligraphy is one of the ideal ways to spend time creatively.

Calligraphy is a great hobby for all those who already have beautiful handwriting and also for those who want to improve their handwriting.

If someone has beautiful handwriting then learning calligraphy can be a great idea to get further amazing handwriting for writing special letters and notes. Likewise, all those who are tired of their embarrassing handwriting can beautify their handwriting by learning the simple drills for improving the handwriting. Many schools have started recommending calligraphy as it is the best way of improving a child’s handwriting right from elementary school.

Research shows that calligraphy as a skill increases one’s self-esteem.

The process of creating calligraphy is a joy in itself and many people, regardless of their age, are making it a hobby.

Calligraphy and hand-lettering are relatively easy, unfussy and affordable. Whether written by hand or designed for printed media, calligraphy offers much and is a useful skill for expressing oneself.

It is an outlet for creativity and a great way to disconnect from gadgets.

This aspect of beautiful writing has been appreciated as an art form in many different cultures throughout the world.

It has been taken up as a hobby and many calligraphy professionals have enhanced their work with watercolour backgrounds, brush, pen flowers and many other creative elements.

In this modern era, one can learn calligraphy online from the many classes available — both hand-drawn and digital.

One can learn flourishes, brush lettering, left handed techniques and many more.

All those who have already been pursuing this hobby can take their love for calligraphy a notch higher with a collection of beautiful calligraphy fountain pens and calligraphy sets.

Since calligraphy is nothing but the art of producing beautiful writing, one needs to have special pens or brushes to help you create beautiful hand-lettering work.

There are pens for beginners, experts and all skill levels.

Calligraphy is an awesome hobby to adopt because it’s inexpensive.

It is also creative and can relieve stress which is excellent for personal wellbeing.

It is a hobby one can pursue for a lifetime.

 

Let's Write Beautifully!

ONLY INDIAN CITIZEN TO TRAVEL IN SPACE

 Rakesh Sharma

Born on January 13, 1949 in Patiala, Punjab, he attended St. Georges Grammar School, Hyderabad & graduated from Nizam College, Hyderabad.

He was admitted to National Defence Academy as an air force plebe in July 1966.

He was commissioned into Indian Air Force (IAF) as a pilot in 1970.

He progressed through numerous levels where in 1984 he was promoted to rank of squadron leader.

He was selected on 20 September 1982 to become a cosmonaut and go into space as part of a joint program between IAF & Soviet Interkosmos space programme.

In 1984, he became the first Indian citizen to enter space when he flew aboard Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11 launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic on 3 April 1984.

Soyuz T-11 spacecraft docked and transferred three member Soviet-Indian international crew, consisting of ship's commander, Yury Malyshev and flight engineer, Gennadi Strekalov, to Salyut 7 Orbital Station.

He spent 7 days, 21 hours & 40 minutes aboard Salyut 7 during which his team conducted scientific & technical studies which included 43 experimental sessions.

His work was mainly in fields of bio-medicine & remote sensing.

The crew held a joint television news conference with officials in Moscow & then Indian PM Indira Gandhi.

When Gandhi asked him how India looked from outer space, he replied, 'Sare Jahan Se Accha'.

With his voyage aboard Soyuz T-11, India became 14th nation to send a man to outer space.

He retired as a wing commander and later joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 1987, serving as chief test pilot in HAL Nashik Division until 1992, before moving on to Bangalore to work as HAL's chief test pilot.

He retired from flying in 2001.

He was conferred honour of Hero of the Soviet Union upon his return from space.

He remains to date the only Indian to have been conferred this honour.

India conferred its highest peacetime gallantry award, Ashoka Chakra, on him, Malyshev & Strekalov.