FIRST DAY OF HINDU NEW YEAR

 Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa is celebrated on `Chaitra Shukla Pratipada’. It is the first day of the New Year according to the Hindu calendar. Gudi Padwa or Ugadi is celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and is considered as one of the four most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. Many consider this day ideal for the purchase of ornaments or a house amongst other things.

Gudi Padwa is celebrated for a number of reasons.

1) It is believed that Brahma Dev (Creator of this world) created the world on this day and is therefore worshipped.

2) It is also believed that the `Gudi (flag) is a symbol of Shri Rama’s victory over Ravan and his subsequent reinstatement to his post in Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile.

3) The people of Maharashtra also see the Gudi as a symbol of victory associated with the conquests of the Maratha forces led by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

4) This day also marks the end of one agricultural harvest and the beginning of a new one.

On Gudi Padwa, a Gudi is found hanging out of a window or prominently displayed in Hindu households. Gudi has a bright coloured cloth adorned with brocade tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which sugar candy, neem leaves, a twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers is tied. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position over it. This Gudi is then hoisted outside the house, in a window, terrace or a high place so that everybody can see it.

On this festive day, courtyards in village houses will be swept clean and plastered with fresh cow-dung. Even in cities, people take time out to do some spring cleaning.

Women and children work on intricate rangoli designs on their doorsteps, the vibrant colours mirroring the burst of colour associated with spring. Everyone dresses up in new clothes and it is a time for family gatherings.

Traditionally, families are supposed to begin the festivities by consuming the juice of leaves of the neem tree. The juice of neem leaves is sometimes mixed with jaggery, and tamarind. All the members of the family consume this juice, which is believed to purify the blood and strengthen the body’s immune system against diseases.

22 MARCH, WORLD WATER DAY

 The Amazing Power of Water

Water is essential for life. It's not just for quenching thirst. It's one of the most important items that our body needs as it does many health improvements for us, including making us vibrant. Without water, it's impossible to survive. But how much water should you drink every day?

Unfortunately, most people don't drink enough water, especially adults. This is because older people don't sense thirst as much as they used to when they were younger. And this can become a serious problem if they are on medication that may cause fluid loss. This is why staying hydrated is a daily necessity, no matter what the thermometer says.

Benefits of drinking water:  Water has many important jobs, such as, Carrying nutrients and oxygen to your cells. Water helps in regulating your body temperature and keeps it cool under pressure.

Flushing bacteria from your bladder:  Water flushes toxins from your system and helps in making you look and feel your best.

It aids digestion and prevents constipation. It keeps your tummy flat and your skin clear.

It normalises blood pressure, cushions joints, and protects organs, and tissues. Water helps keep your muscles toned and your body looking fit and trimmed.

It's a natural appetite suppressant and helps in maintaining a healthy weight. Water boosts your energy levels and makes you look and feel refreshed.

Hazards of Not Drinking Water: Dehydration can occur when your body doesn't get enough water to perform its functions. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst, dry mouth, weakness, headache, nausea, and dizziness. In severe cases, dehydration can also lead to seizures, unconsciousness, and even death.

Tips for Consuming Water Regularly:

Set an Alarm - This will remind you to drink water regularly. Otherwise, if you are not feeling thirsty you won't drink water. Remember, it's very important to drink enough water to stay hydrated. The general rule is to drink eight glasses of water per day. But you may need to drink more or less depending on your body composition and activity level. Thirst is not always an indicator of hydration. So, it's important to drink water even if you're not thirsty.

Drink filtered water - Don't drink any kind of water you get. It must be clean and healthy. Or, you will get water-borne diseases. Avoid drinking tap water directly as it can contain high levels of chlorine and other chemicals. Filtered water is a better choice than bottled water. But ensure you don't use those ultra-high filters that remove all nutrients from the water.

Drink Beverages - In addition to normal water, it's also important to drink hydrating beverages like herbal teas, coconut water, sugarcane, and fruit juice. These contain water plus other valuable nutrients that will keep your body hydrated. You can also eat foods that are high in water content, such as vegetables and fruits. If you are participating in sports ensure you drink enough water before, during, and after the activity to replace the water you will be losing.

Some Famous Quotes:

Water is the driving force of all nature.    ---- Leonardo da Vinci

If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.     ---- Loren Eiseley

Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it. ---- Lao Tzu

Thousands have lived without love, not one without water. --- - W. H. Auden

Water is life, and clean water means health. ---- Audrey Hepburn

Water is life's matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water. --- - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

STORY FROM MYTHOLOGY

 Descent of river Ganga

Once it ceased to rain for many years. All the living beings were dying of thirst and lack of sufficient food. King Bhagirath (a ruler of Ayodhya, long before Shri Rama ruled it), couldn't bear to see the pain and also thought that her holy water could be used to liberate the souls of his ancestors who were cursed by sage Kapil and release them to heaven. He decided to pray to Himalaya to send the river down on Mother Earth. Himalaya heard his concerns and told Bhagirath that he would've sent his daughter but she no longer stays with him as she stays with the Gods above.

Bhagirath went to swargalok (heaven) and pleaded Ganga for help. Seeing the plight of the people on earth, she agreed to help. But she had one concern though. She said that if she came down on Earth from such a great height, everything on Earth would be destroyed and washed away. Himalaya suggested Bhagirath to pray to Bhagwan Shiva for help.

Bhagirath sincerely prayed to Bhagwan Shiva and requested Him to catch Ganga when she arrives on Earth, before she could hit the ground to ensure her steady and smooth flow. Bhagwan Shiva agreed and asked Ganga to come down. Ganga playfully asked Bhagwan Shiva to catch her as she would fall with full force.

Bhagwan Shiva freed His hair and caught Ganga in His matted hair and tied His hair again. Ganga was trapped in Bhagwan Shiva's matted hair. Bhagirath pleaded to Bhagwan Shiva to let Ganga go. Bhagwan Shiva agreed and waters of Ganga started to trickle down from Bhagwan Shiva's matted hair.

Bhagirath thanked Bhagwan Shiva and asked Ganga to follow him. Ganga started following him. He used to look over his shoulder from time to time to ensure that Ganga was following him.

After crossing the hermitage of Sage Jahnu, Bhagirath as usual looked back to find Ganga missing. Ganga had taken a detour to enter Sage Jahnu's hermitage. Sage Jahnu would feel his feet getting wet. When he opened his eyes, he found Ganga laughing at his condition. Enraged with Ganga's childish behaviour, Sage Jahnu collected some water in his palms and drank it.

Bhagirath called out for Ganga and he could hear Ganga's feeble voice from Sage Jahnu's tummy. Bhagirath requested Sage Jahnu to forgive the playful Ganga and have mercy on all the living beings. Sage Jahnu then let Ganga out of his ear.

This time Ganga obediently followed Bhagirath and didn't take any detours. As Ganga continued to flow, people worshipped her and thanked her as she supported and saved all the living beings. The people thanked Bhagirath for bringing Ganga on Earth. Also his ancestors attained salvation.

Since Bhagirath brought Ganga to earth, she is also known as Bhagirathi. Also, as she came out of Sage Jahnu’s ear, she is also called as Jahnavi.

FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY

 First Lok Sabha elections

AFTER Independence, general elections to the first Lok Sabha were held in India between 25 October, 1951 and 21 February, 1952. 

While some voters in Himachal Pradesh voted in October before the winter set in and cut off their constituency from the rest of the country, the rest of the country began voting in phases from January of the following year. 

About 1849 candidates and 53 political parties competed for the 489 seats of the Lok Sabha, 245 seats being needed for a majority. The voting age was 21. 

More than 173 million people out of an overall population of about 360 million were eligible to vote, but it being the first time, the voter turnout was low — 45.7 per cent. 

As illiteracy was high and most of the voters couldn’t read or write, colours and symbols were used to guide voters — at polling booths, each candidate was allotted a separate ballot box that was differently coloured from the others. His party’s symbol and his name were labelled on it. The voter had to simply insert the ballot paper given to him or her in the ballot box of his or her choice. Then, as now, indelible ink was applied to the voter’s finger to prevent impersonation. 

The Indian National Congress (INC) led by Jawaharlal Nehru won 364 seats. Only two other parties reached double figures in the number of seats won — the Communist Party of India got 16 seats, and the Socialist Party, 12. Jawaharlal Nehru was elected Prime Minister. The first Lok Sabha was constituted on 17 April, 1952 and served its full term of five years.

FUN WITH MATHS

 Magical number

Enter 999999 into your calculator and then divide it by 7: 999999 ÷ 7 = 142857

The result is a special number.

Pick any number from 1 to 6 and multiply it with the special number.

Note the product.

Now pick a different number from 1 to6 and repeat the above steps.

What do you observe?

When you multiply the special number with any number from 1 to 6, the product features the same digits in different arrangements!

142857 x 1 = 142857

142857 x 2 = 285714

142857 x 3 = 428571

142857 x 4 = 571428

142857 x 5 = 714285

142857 x 6 = 857142

UNKNOWN MATHS GENIUS

 Vashishta Narayan Singh

Vashishta Narayan Singh (1946–2019) was a mathematician from Bihar. The son of a police constable, Singh had proved his genius at an early age and gained admission to the Netarhat Residential School, a prestigious institution that produced state toppers. In college, Singh often quizzed and contradicted his lecturers. So impressed was the principal with his talent that he let Singh skip two years ahead and appear for the final year B.Sc. examination. He went on to earn his PhD in mathematics in USA from the University of California, Berkeley. He was only 23. It is said that he once worked at NASA and did some calculations when the machines stopped working. When the machines started functioning, his calculations matched those of the machines. He returned to India and worked briefly with institutions like IIT-Kanpur and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Unfortunately, before he could soar to the heights of greatness, his career was cut short by a long battle with schizophrenia. Once he even went missing for four years. Singh was awarded the Padma Shri posthumously in 2020.

DO YOU KNOW

 Why we blink?

Eyes are the most delicate of the sensory organs. They need constant lubrication. They must also be kept crystal clear for good vision. Blinking serves the dual purpose of cleaning and lubricating our eyes. It helps to keep the eyes moist by coating them with tears released by the tear glands and lubricating oil released by sebaceous glands present near the eyelashes. These fluids rinse away all the dust particles.

Blinking also helps guard our eyes against a sudden blow. We blink automatically when there is a loud noise or when something moves too quickly. Most people blink about 15 times a minute. Scientists have found that people blink less when they are alert. For example, car drivers blink less in city traffic when they need to be extremely alert than while driving on the open road. Nervous people tend to blink more frequently. Lawyers say witnesses under cross-examination blink more often than those facing friendly questioning.