15 FEBRUARY

 World Hippo Day

History of World Hippo Day

Experts believe that the modern-day hippopotamus (hippo) evolved in Africa around 8 million years ago. While they bear a resemblance to horses and pigs, these semi-aquatic mammals are in fact most closely related to whales, dolphins and porpoises – no wonder they’re so good at holding their breath underwater!

These days there are only two types, the bog-standard hippopotamus and the smaller pygmy hippopotamus, but a few other now extinct species could be found across Europe and in Madagascar as little as 1,000 years ago. Hippos are now most common in countries such as Zambia and Tanzania.

In the 20^th century, attempts were made to introduce hippos into the US. The “American Hippo Bill”, raised in 1910, proposed introducing hippo ranching in Louisiana, not only to help control a particular plant that was taking over the bayous but also to address the American meat crisis. However, the bill didn’t quite make it through Congress, and so hippos remained in their native Africa until the 1980s, when the infamous drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar (illegally) imported four hippos and took them to his estate in Columbia. Their numbers have increased dramatically since, perhaps to as many as 100! While the hippo has become a symbol of the area, their inability to be managed continues to cause significant issues for the local authorities.

In Africa, on the other hand, hippo numbers are sadly declining. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed them as a vulnerable species in 2006 after establishing that the hippo population had declined by as much as 20% within the previous two decades. Drought has led to habitat loss, and the hunting and poaching of hippos, both for their meat and ivory teeth, is also a major threat.

World Hippo Day reminds us to celebrate and value these mud-loving mammals, in the hope that they’ll be around for many more years to come.

Hippo facts: did you know…?

The word hippopotamus loosely translates as “river horse” from Ancient Greek. It’s certainly an apt name, as these creatures spend most of their lives in water, only leaving at dusk to feed on grasses. They can hold their breath for up to 5 minutes, which means they’re even able to give birth and sleep underwater. In fact, in much the same way that breathing and blinking are automatic for us humans, hippos know when to surface for oxygen subconsciously, so they come up regularly for breaths even while staying fast asleep! Although these mammals spend a considerable amount of time underwater, you may be surprised to learn that they can’t really swim! Instead, they simply walk or run along the riverbed, pushing themselves up through the water for air.

One of the main reasons hippos spend so much time submerged underwater is to prevent their skin from drying out and cracking under the hot sun. This is also why they love frolicking in mud, as the slimy substance helps keep them cool! But the hippo even goes one step further to protect itself from the sun’s rays, secreting an acidic substance that acts as natural sunscreen. This nifty protection mechanism, which turns red and then brown once exposed to the air, not only blocks ultraviolet rays but also prevents the growth of potentially harmful bacteria.

Hippos are renowned for their bulky size, with only elephants and rhinos ranking ahead of them as the largest land mammals. An adult male can reach a whopping 2,000kg and still manage to run at speeds of almost 20mph! This, combined with their aggressive nature and large canine tusks, makes hippos very dangerous animals. There are many instances of hippos attacking boats, with some people sustaining injuries or very sadly losing their lives. Great care should therefore be taken when encountering them in the wild. They are found inhabiting the grasslands, savannahs and wetlands of Africa.

Hippos have long been celebrated in Africa, revered by Zulu warriors for their bravery, often featured in African folktales and as the image of the Ancient Egyptian goddess Taweret. 

THE MASS COMMUNICATION INDUSTRY

Mass Media

 

Many years ago in India, people gathered around the radio to hear an important news announcement or listen to the leader of the nation speak. People also got together at small tea stalls to discuss the day's newspaper. Fast forward to about five decades, the internet and telecommunications industry have transformed the way news, information and entertainment get delivered to people across the country.

Mass communication is the act of making information available to the public. Mass media refers to the various media or methods through which this becomes possible. The list broadly includes radio, newspapers, television and digital media.

The radio made it possible for the masses to stay informed about current developments and important announcements along with access to entertainment. The first radio broadcast took place in 1923 from the Radio Club of Bombay. In 1936, the India State Broadcasting Service became All India Radio (AIR). When India became independent, there were six radio stations in India: Delhi, Bombay (now Mumbai), Calcutta (now Kolkata), Madras (now Chennai), Tiruchirappalli (also known as Trichy) and Lucknow. The radio still exists in India, covering nearly 92% of the country's total area. AIR is India's broadcasting giant, which broadcasts in 23 languages and 146 dialects.

The advent of the printing press made it possible to print newspapers on a large scale, paving the way for multiple newspapers and magazines that served a similar purpose to the radio.

Then came along television in the early 1960s, but it took almost two decades for television to become widely accessible across the country. The entry of television changed the lifestyle of people, with the introduction of Doordarshan and a few other private channels. It made it possible to deliver news in video format in regional languages as well as English and Hindi.

However, all this while, news could not be accessed on demand. It could be accessed only when a radio station aired it or when a newspaper was delivered or when a television channel broadcasted it. Fast forward to today, news is available to access on demand through multiple channels.

Internet and Its Impact on Mass Communication:

The economic reforms of the 1990s benefitted the telecommunications and information technology sector. While it led to a rise in the sale of computers in general, it also led to a steady increase in the number of internet users. At present, there are approximately 692 million active internet users in India. It is estimated that by 2025, this number will reach 900 million.

Digitised, Interactive and Easily Accessible Content:

The advent of the internet has made it possible to access all sorts of news on demand. Not just that, online news is free and more diverse than other media. According to a recent survey by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, 53% of Indian audiences use YouTube and 51% use WhatsApp for news.

Social media apps further facilitate information sharing.

Short News Apps:

There are news apps that help deliver important news in short. These are said to be more reliable than the information available on social media apps.

Impact of Digital Media:

Radio has been far ahead in adapting to changing trends. Radio stations have been reinventing themselves to cater to niche audiences, offering a variety of content. As of 2018, broadcast radio reached 99% of the Indian population. Rural India especially continues to rely on the radio since it is the most inexpensive and portable medium.

However, English newspapers in particular seem to be lagging behind. According to KPMG's 2019 Media and Entertainment Report, the circulation revenues of newspaper companies were expected to fall for the first time in years. These trends have led to several newspapers providing online editions as well. The pandemic has only accentuated this trend. However, it is said that regional language newspapers haven't lost their sheen yet.

With respect to television, the traditional newsrooms delivering 'breaking news' do not have the same appeal as before. News bulletins can now be accessed at any time on mobile devices, thus eliminating the monopoly of television in delivering news in video format.

On the flipside, while information is a lot more accessible and easier to find these days, the danger of false information being disseminated has also become fairly prevalent.

 

13 FEBRUARY

 World Radio Day

World Radio Day, celebrated on February 13 every year, is dedicated to spread awareness about the power of the audio medium. The radio, said to be invented by Italian electrical engineer Guglielmo Marconi in the 1890s, is an important means of communication to educate, entertain and inform. 

It is a fast, easily accessible and affordable way to reach a huge number of people, including in remote areas. World Radio Day is honoured with special activities like broadcasts, community events, awards, debates conducted by radio stations and other organisations.

The theme for World Radio Day 2023 this year is ‘Radio and Peace’, which highlights the role of radio in encouraging peace and avoiding conflict. The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) highlights independent radio as a pillar for conflict prevention and peacebuilding. The sub-themes for this year’s radio day are - Radio in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding and Support to Independent Radio.

History and Significance

The Spanish Radio Academy in September 2010 requested the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to mark a day to honour radio's significance across the world. After discussions with various broadcasting associations, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as UNESCO Permanent Delegations and National Commissions, 91 percent voted in favour of the proposal.

During the 36th general assembly session, the UNESCO Executive Board requested UNESCO to declare a World Radio Day. February 13 was then accepted as World Radio Day in 2012. The date was chosen because the United Nations Radio was born on February 13, 1946.

Radio arrived in India in the early 20th century. Serving as a source of information for those who are unable to read advertisements or newspapers, the radio has stood the test of time as a trusted medium even as technological advancements abound.

WHY DO BATS HANG UPSIDE DOWN?

 

Bats, although they fly are not birds but they are mammals. Unlike birds, bats have trouble with takeoffs from the ground. Their wings are not as strong as those of birds and they cannot run fast enough to build up flight speed. Bats have an easier time flying when they start already in the air. They use their front claws on their wings to climb to a high spot and launch themselves to achieve flight.

Another reason they hang upside down is because a bat’s talons or back claws work opposite of most muscles. In fact, their knees face backwards. When they relax, special tendons lock the toes and talons in place, so they do not exert energy while hanging. Once their toes and legs are locked in place, their body weight and gravity keep them hanging. By flexing leg muscles, the toes and talons release and flight begins.

Humans cannot hang upside down as blood rushes to the head and tends to pool or collect. But the bat’s compact, small size allows their heart to easily distribute the small volume of blood even when upside down.

Because of their unique physical abilities, bats can safely roost in places where predators cannot get them. To sleep, bats hang themselves upside down in a cave or hollow tree, with their wings draped around their bodies like cloaks. They hang upside down to hibernate and even upon death.

JAPANESE STORY OF FISH

 

The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the water close to Japan has not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever.

The further the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring the fish. If the return trip took more time, the fish were not fresh.

To solve this problem, the fish companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer.

However the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen fish and they did not like the taste of frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price.

So, fishing companies installed fish tanks.

They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks fin to fin. After a little thrashing around, fish were tired, dull, and lost their fresh-fish taste. The fishing industry faced an impending crisis.

But today they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan.

How did they manage?

To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks but with a small shark. The fish are challenged and hence are constantly on the move.

The challenge they face keeps them alive and fresh!

Have you realised that some of us are also living in a pond but most of the time tired and dull...?

Basically in our lives, sharks are new challenges to keep us active.

If you are steadily conquering challenges, you are happy.

Your challenges keep you energised.

Don’t create success and revel in it in a state of inertia. You have the resources, skills and abilities to make the difference.

Put a shark in your tank and see how far you can really go...

In order to be motivated, take challenges and achieve it.

Challenges keep you energised....

WHY DO WE YAWN?

 

Everybody yawns — from unborn babies to the oldest great-grandparent. Animals do it, too. But why, exactly, do people and animals yawn? No one knows for sure. But there are many theories (ideas) about why people yawn. 

One is that when we are bored or tired, we just don't breathe as deeply as we usually do. As this theory goes, our bodies take in less oxygen because our breathing has slowed. Therefore, yawning helps us bring more oxygen into the blood and move more carbon dioxide out of the blood.

Yawning is an involuntary reflex (something we can't really control) to help us control our oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

Other studies have shown that breathing in more oxygen and also breathing in more carbon dioxide does not increase yawning.

Another theory is that yawning stretches the lungs and lung tissue. Stretching and yawning may be a way to flex muscles and joints, increase heart rate, and feel more awake.

Other people believe that yawning is a protective reflex to redistribute the oil-like substance called surfactant that helps keep lungs lubricated inside and keeps them from collapsing. So, if we didn't yawn, according to this theory, taking a deep breath would become harder and harder — and that would not be good!

But there is one idea about yawning that everyone knows to be true. It seems contagious. If you yawn in class, you'll probably notice a few other people will start yawning, too. Even thinking about yawning can get you yawning. How many times have you yawned while reading this article? It seems to be psychological too!

THE HISTORY OF ELECTRIFICATION IN INDIA

Look around you. You are surrounded by electricity. Lights, fans, air-conditioners, washing machines, fridges and even reading devices all work on electricity or electrical charge. Without electricity, our lives would be very different.

Did you know, princely states like Hyderabad and Mysore got electricity even before Bombay (now Mumbai), Delhi and Bangalore (now Bengaluru)? In Hyderabad, electricity was introduced in 1901.

30 years after that, electricity transmission systems consisted of six mains carrying currents of 6,600 volts.

In the next 30 years, 66 substations were introduced. The residents of Hyderabad started using electricity for household lighting because of the New Power House, which was installed in 1927. The government encouraged people to apply for electric connections, and the resulting increase in demand led to a reduced rate per unit. As a result, many more people began to apply for connections.

In Mysore, electric supply began in 1902 after the Sivasamudram Project was completed. This was India's first hydroelectric power station and is located on the Cauvery River. It was commissioned by the Diwan of Mysore, Sir K Seshadri lyer. The generated power was used in the Kolar Gold Fields. In 1911, the government funded an extension of the project. The already existing system produced 11,000kW and with the extension, 14,300kW of power could be produced.

Soon Bombay had electricity. Failure to implement electric lighting in areas like Crawford Market led the Bombay Electric Supply and Tramways Company to develop the first generation station in Bombay in November 1905. It supplied power to tramways and official and domestic spaces. The capacity of the station was over 4,300kW and it lasted till 1908. Then, the tramways started expanding, which resulted in a growing need for electricity and power. In 1912, a factory was set up in Mazgaon, which was of higher capacity. However, high prices of electricity resulted in unequal distribution of electricity. To increase supply, hydropower plants were set up in Khopoli, Bhivpuri and Bhira. The increased use of electricity in Bombay influenced other parts of Maharashtra like Yeola and Bulsar.

In Bangalore too, electricity was inaugurated in 1905. Lahore got it in 1911. Punjab had over 10,000 streetlights, 3,200 fans, 77 motors, 35 pumps and 36 radiators during 1923-24.

While India was a colony of the British, most of the power-generating systems were hydroelectric in nature. They electrified the big ports, cities and offices. The Electricity Supply Act of 1948 led to the rise of State Electricity Boards (SEBs), which subsequently resulted in the emergence of Regional Electricity Boards.

Impact on Agriculture

After electricity was established in Mysore, places like Anekal, Doddaballapur, Mulbagal, Hoskote, Chikkaballapur and Vadaganahalli started to get lit up. By 1928, more than 128 villages received electricity. The government encouraged farmers to invest in electric irrigation pumps and increased rural electrification. Farmers took advantage of these modern mechanised power tools instead of performing manual labour. The raiyat (a person who has the right to hold land), who would bail water from his wells using bullocks, realised that the benefits of using an electric pump allowed him to pump about 2,000 gallons per hour. There were 383 irrigation pumps powered by electricity by 1936. Soon, flour mills and rice mills powered by electricity became popular in the state of Mysore.

How Lives Changed Because of Electricity

When electricity came to Calcutta (now Kolkata), there  was increased demand for electricity from Burma, Punjab, Bihar and other provinces. Consequently, the government introduced the Indian Electricity Act of 1900, which made having an electric inspector necessary to look into each and every electrical installation. Electric meters in all premises having electricity and licenses for companies became the norm. Anyone who tampered with the connections was sentenced to two years of prison. This marked the start of formal all-India electrification.

At the time electricity was introduced, it was not a very well-known service among the locals. Advertisements and pamphlets were used to promote the use of electricity for lighting and heating. By the 1900s, trams took the place of carriages and mechanised fans replaced hand-held fans.

When electricity came to Delhi in 1902, the entire city was to be decorated for the Durbar. In the following year, the streets were lit up by electric lights and electric trams were introduced. The civil lines were among the first places to get electrified. After electrification, a tramcar service was introduced, which ran in the busiest areas of the city. Indians found the new system convenient, and trains were soon jam-packed, especially during the festive season and holidays.

Modern India & Renewable Energy

India is considered to be the world's largest consumer of electricity and the world's largest renewable energy producer. In 2001, alternate forms of renewable energy in Indian households included biomass, firewood, crop residue and cow dung. Since 2014, the adoption of renewable energy for electricity has increased at the rate of 25% per year.

Simultaneously, power installation has increased tenfold and solar energy has grown from nothing to 2,500MW in 2014. More than a million households in 2014 depended on solar energy exclusively to meet their basic electricity needs.

Renewable energy production in India began when the Commission for Additional Sources of Energy was set up in the Department of Science and Technology in 1981. Today, renewable energy forms a quarter of India's total installed power capacity and accounts for 13% of the country's electricity generation. The Electricity Act of 2003 opened up the rural electrification market to decentralised distributed generation systems. Many states including Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have policies to encourage people to harness solar power from the rooftops of buildings.

As part of the Paris Climate Agreement, India has set a target to produce 50% of its electricity from renewable sources and install 450GW of renewable energy by 2030.

Solar Energy in India

Every year, about 5,000 trillion kWh of solar energy is incident over India's land area. Solar photovoltaic cells can easily harness this energy. If harnessed, this has the ability to generate power on a distributed base and promote rapid capacity addition with short lead times.

Considering energy security, solar is the best because it is abundantly available. Millions of Indian villages use solar energy for their cooking, lighting and other uses. It has social and economic benefits as it reduces workload among women in rural areas and girls engaged in gathering wood for fuel from long distances. Cooking in smoky kitchens powered by fuel has also reduced, reducing the risks associated with contracting lung and eye ailments.

The National Institute of Solar Energy works to address sustainable ecological growth while addressing India's energy security challenges, considering the Government of India and the states. To encourage the use of solar power in India, the government has introduced several schemes like Solar Park Scheme, VGF Schemes, CPSU Scheme, Defense Scheme, Canal Bank & Canal Top Scheme, Bundling Scheme and Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme.