STORY OF A CARPENTER

 Build Your House Wisely

     An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his contractor about his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favour. The carpenter said yes, but over time it was visible that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

     When the carpenter finished his work, his contractor came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front door key to the carpenter and said, “This is your house… my gift to you.” The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. 

     It is upto us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realise we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently. But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall.  

     Someone once said, “Life is a do-it-yourself project.” Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the “house” you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, build wisely!

NATURAL SHRINES IN THE FOREST

Sacred groves

     There are unique forests in India known as sacred groves because there are small shrines or temples inside them honouring local deities. They are pockets of forests where people are forbidden to cut the trees or disturb the animals for fear of angering the resident gods. They can only collect honey, twigs, medicinal herbs and litter. Sacred groves are found in every state though they are known by different names. There are more than 20,000 sacred groves with the most—over 5000—found in Himachal Pradesh. Some are small, occupying a few hectares, while others, like the Hariyali grove in Uttarakhand and the Deodar grove near Shimla, are spread over hundreds of hectares. In Maharashtra, they are called devaraii, in Goa Devachirai in Karnataka, devarakaadu, in Rajasthan, oran, in Himachal, devbhumi, in Kerala, kaavu and in Tamil Nadu, kovil kaadu. The groves are extremely important because they are biodiversity hotspots. Not only do they contain hundreds of rare and valuable plants and trees, some of which are used in traditional medicines, but also different species of insects, birds and mammals. The trees help anchor the fertile top soil and the litter provides valuable humus that local farmers cart away to replenish their fields. Ponds and streams run through these sacred groves, helping to raise the water table. 

     Sacred groves have reduced in number and size over the years, because unlike olden times, people have lost respect for their sanctity. In some groves, the trees have been cut to increase the space for religious activities—the shrines now attract too many pilgrims. Others have been taken over for cultivation. Unless local people become more involved in protecting and restoring them, sacred groves, and with them a treasure trove of plant life, will soon be gone forever.

Facts: 

* Europe used to have sacred groves in prehistoric times. With the rise of Christianity, churches came up where the groves once stood. Now they are mostly found only in Central European countries such as Estonia and Lithuania. 

* According to Buddhist scriptures, Queen Mahamaya gave birth to Gautam Buddha in the sacred grove of Lumbini in southern Nepal.  

* Many Shinto shrines in Japan are built in the midst of ancient sacred groves. 

* The movie Avatar showcased a grove revered by the Na'vi people of Pandora, at the heart of which was the sacred Tree of Souls.

DO YOU KNOW

What Is Rainwater Harvesting?

     Water is an important natural resource and is the very basis of our life. We use water for drinking, irrigation, industry, transport and for the production of hydroelectricity. Water is a cyclic resource which can be used again and again after cleaning. The best way to conserve water is its judicious use. Rainwater harvesting is the accumulation and deposition of rainwater for reuse on-site, rather than allowing it to run off. Rainwater can be collected from rivers or roofs, and in many places the water collected is redirected to a deep pit (well, shaft, or borehole), a reservoir with percolation, or collected from dew or fog with nets or other tools. Its uses include water for gardens, livestock, irrigation, domestic use with proper treatment, and indoor heating for houses etc. The harvested water can also be used as drinking water, long term storage and for other purposes such as groundwater recharge. In areas where water supply is less or problematic, rain water harvesting is a good solution. It reduces the use of treated municipal water for uses such as landscaping, toilet flushing and laundry. 

LIFE MATTERS

 It Matters In Life... 

The plus symbol is made with two minus symbols!

So all negative things can be shaped as positives by our smart work and positive thinking! 

You are great if you can find your faults. You are greater if you can correct them. But you are the greatest if you accept and love someone with their faults! 

Success is the problem, but failure is the formula. You can’t solve the problem without knowing the formula. 

Anger comes alone, but takes away all the good qualities from us. Patience too comes alone, but brings all good qualities to us. 

There is no past tense in loving someone. It’s either you always will or you never did. 

Instead of thinking about what you are missing, sometimes it is good to think about what you have that many are missing. 

It is not that some people have will-power and some don’t. It is that some people are ready to change and others are not. 

Efforts towards success will make you a master. But efforts towards satisfaction will make you a legend.

SALTIEST SEA IN THE WORLD

 Dead Sea

     The saltiest sea in the world is the Dead sea, an inland water-body between Jordan and Israel. At about 1370 feet below sea level, it is literally the lowest place on earth. It is 55km long and 3 to 18 km in width, It is one of the saltiest water-bodies in the world, with 33.7% salinity (the average salt content of the world's oceans is 6%). Because of its extreme salinity, aquatic animals and vegetation cannot survive in its waters --- hence its name. Also the density of water is very high, enabling even non-swimmers to float easily on its surface.

     There is a reason for the excessive salinity of the water. The Dead Sea is a land-locked water-body fed by the Jordan river. Once the river water enters the sea, the only way it can escape is through evaporation, When the water evaporates, the salty minerals are left behind, causing the remaining water to become more and more concentrated with salt.

     The mineral content of the Dead Sea is very different from that of the ocean water. At least 35 different kinds of mineral salts, including potassium, calcium and magnesium are present in large quantities. These have been proved to cure various ailments ranging from skin problems to rheumatic diseases,

     The Dead sea has attracted visitors from around the world for thousands of years. One of world's earliest health resorts, it has been the supplier of a variety of products, from balms for mummification to potash for fertilisers. Unfortunately, the water level is fast coming down, as the water level that used to feed it is being diverted for other purposes in Israel and Jordan. Environmentalists warn that if this trend continues, the Dead Sea would disappear completely by the year 2050.

CYCLING

For a healthy life and healthy earth

     Among the numerous days celebrated the world over, the one that profoundly impacts the present as well as future generations is World Bicycle Day. Well, on 3 June every year, since 2018, the U.N. General Assembly dedicated this day to celebrate the joy of riding bicycles. The simple structure of a bicycle requires only air and a bit of energy to function, however, it has proved itself to be both environmentally-friendly and a friend to all mankind. 

     Prof Leszek Sibilski, a Polish-American sociologist, along with his sociology students, was the inspirer of this cause. 

     Apart from being an eco-friendly and economic means of transport, bicycling also promotes good physical as well as mental health. Cycling decreases the possibility of falling prey to cardiovascular diseases, aids in building body muscle, and reduces overall fat. It strengthens bones, improves joint mobility and relieves stress. In addition, it also facilitates the regulation and maintenance of healthy blood sugar levels in our system. Thus, cycling reduces the risk of depression, obesity, arthritis, diabetes, certain cancers, strokes and heart attacks. The bicycle symbolises adaptability and sustainability.  

     Governments around the world are adopting and promoting eco-friendly conveyance systems. Many countries have dedicated bicycle tracks which make commuting by bicycle safe. India, too, has introduced bicycle tracks in cities like Delhi and Bangalore. Though daily riding to work may be an inconvenience, taking into consideration climatic conditions, either having to face the scorching sun or heavy rain, however, despite these conditions, enthusiastic riders change their cycling gear once they reach their destination. It’s a trend already prevalent in Europe.

Types of bicycles: If you are new to buying a bicycle, these guidelines will help you choose the right one.

Road bikes: Designed for normal roads.

Mountain bikes: Suited for hilly terrains.

Hybrid/commuter bikes: Combination of road bikes and mountain bikes.

Cyclocross bikes: A road bike feel for off-road trips.

Folding bikes: Commuting, leisure or touring for the short-on-space.

Electric bikes: A hybrid, mountain or road bike with a battery and a motor.

Touring bikes: Designed for carrying loads over longer distances while remaining comfortable for the rider.

     Taking into consideration the multiple benefits that cycling has to offer, using a bicycle whenever possible, if not regularly, will be advantageous to both our earth and ourselves. Look for ways in which cycling can be introduced into your daily routine; maybe riding to nearby places while carrying out daily tasks, to school, work or a friend’s house. Let’s try and adopt the culture of cycling and be the change our environment and our health needs. 

Fun Facts:

* The longest ‘tandem’ bicycle seated 35 people; it was more than 20 metres long. 

* Every year, around a 100 million bicycles are manufactured worldwide.

* The use of bicycles has conserved more than 238 gallons of gas yearly.

* The Netherlands is the most bicyclefriendly country in the world. 30 per cent of all transport is via bicycle. Seven out of eight of its residents over the age of 15 own bicycles.

* The Tour de France, established in 1903, is the most famous bicycle race in the world. Bicycle track racing has been a sport in the Olympic Games since 1896.

MARTIAL DANCE

Dance with weapons

     One of the first implements that man devised for his survival was the knife. And in what better way could he show off his skill of weaponry than in a dance! 

     In the earliest reference to martial dances, Plato described the Pyrrhic dance of ancient Sparta as a great way to train warriors. It was performed with shields and spears during ancient Greek festivals. Today, the style is still evident in Albanitiko, the national dance of Albania. 

Desi Sword Dances: 

     A Kumaoni wedding in Uttarakhand would be incomplete without a performance of the Choliya dance. In keeping with the tradition of their ancient martial race, male Rajput dancers brandish swords and shields as they accompany a groom’s baraat to the bride’s house. 

     The men whirl around in bright colourful costumes styled after the old military attire and perform acrobatics and mock fights along the way. They dance to the tune of traditional Kumaoni instruments like the turi and ransing which were once used to boost the morale of troops during war.

 Kalaripayattu:

    Kerala is home to one of India’s proud exports to the world—the Kalaripayattu. It is the forerunner of the martial art of karate. Young boys start training in the art of combat when they are 7-8 years old. Kalaripayattu marks a perfect union of dance and martial arts. Trainees build their stamina and dexterity and learn to handle different weapons like sticks, maces, spears, daggers and swords. A Kalaripayattu performance is like a lyrical dance of exceptionally nimble warriors. 

Swordswomen with Style: 

     One of the cultural gems of Korea is the Jinju Geommu dance. The traditional sword dance is performed by a group of female dancers clad in ethnic Korean costumes resembling the military uniforms of yore. Legend has it that a young boy named Hwangchang, a talented Geommu dancer, was invited to perform at the court of an enemy kingdom. While dancing, the bold boy slew the king. Hwangchang was then executed. The people in his kingdom mourned his loss by wearing masks resembling  his face and performing the dance. Later, the mask was discarded and the art form was formalised into a court dance performed by women. The dancers use a replica sword called Kal and dance to a band of traditional Korean musical instruments.

White vs. Black: 

     A medieval sword dance called Moreška from the town of Korcula, Croatia, depicts the tale of a White King fighting to rescue his fiancée Bula from the clutches of the Black King. After the main characters are introduced, the armies of the two kings engage in mock battle. Dancers clad in red costumes spar with their black uniformed counterparts in a choreographed sequence of sword fights. The show ends with the defeat of the Black King and the union of the White King with his beloved.

     In many parts of India including Goa, in many village jatras(fairs) there is dance performed with swords in honour of the village deity. It is also seen in folk dances.