DO YOU KNOW

 What is melanin?

     Melanin is a black pigment found in our bodies that is produced by special skin cells called melanocytes. It is melanin that gives colour to the skin and hair. The amount of melanin in the skin accounts for the colour differences among the races. Thus the melanocytes in the bodies of dark-skinned people produce more melanin than those in the bodies of fair-skinned people. 

     Melanin protects us from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, including skin cancer. Some people are unable to form melanin because of a flaw in their chemical makeup. Such people are known as 'albinos'. Their skin and hair are white and their eyes are red. 

     Melanin production increases with exposure to strong ultraviolet light, and this creates a sun tan, which is a protective response. Over a period of years excessive exposure to sun can tend to cause wrinkles and cancer of the skin. Since dark-skinned people have more melanin, they have fewer wrinkles and are less likely to develop skin cancer.

STORY FROM PANCHATANTRA

A wise old owl

     A mighty tree, deep in the forest was home to a great many birds. The oldest resident was an owl. One day, the old owl noticed that two branches had grown very close to each other. So he alerted the others. 

     "Friends, those two branches over there are constantly rubbing against each other," said the owl.

     "So, what about it?" asked one bird.

     "In the dry weather, friction could cause a spark that could set the tree on fire. My advice to those of you who are building nests, is to shift to a safer location!" said the owl.

      "Age has made you timid, Sir!" said a woodpecker. "We woodpeckers know everything about building nests and I assure you that the tree is safe."

     Only a few birds decided to leave the tree and build nests elsewhere. The majority decided to stay where they were.

     "This tree is as old as the hills! Fire has never occurred here," said one of the birds.

     "That's true," replied another bird. "We would be fools to leave such a safe place. I think owl is an alarmist!"

     And then one hot summer afternoon, the tree caught fire just as the old owl had predicted. A spark caused by the branches rubbing together led to a fire that engulfed the whole tree destroying every living thing on it.

Moral of the story: Listen to the voice of experience.

ARCHITECT OF INDIA'S SPACE PROGRAMME

 Vikram Sarabhai

     Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (1919 - 1971), the architect of India's space programme, was born on August 12, 1919 in Ahmedabad as the son of an industrialist. He did his tripos (a final honours examination) in natural sciences from Cambridge University in 1940. Returning to India when World War II broke out, he began pursuing research in cosmic rays under C. V. Raman at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (now Bengaluru). In 1945, he went back to Cambridge to do his Ph.D in nuclear fission.

     In post-independence India, Sarabhai went on to establish numerous institutions including research laboratories, a dance academy in collaboration with his wife, dancer Mrinalini, and the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. His interests were not limited to scientific research but encompassed industry, business, and development issues. He followed a consistent approach involving the use of scientific methods, sound financial planning and a clear nationalistic purpose.

     In 1962, Prime Minister Nehru invited Sarabhai to organise India's space research. He was appointed chairman of the Indian National Committee for Space Research, which was later renamed the indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

     In 1963, Sarabhai with active support from Homi Bhaba, set up India's first rocket launching station at Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram. The first rocket with sodium vapour payload was launched on November 21, 1963. In 1965, the UN General Assembly officially recognised the Thumba Rocket Launching Station as an international facility.

     After Bhaba's untimely death in a plane crash, Sarabhai became the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. Carrying forward his predecessor's work in the field of nuclear research, Sarabhai played a key role in the establishment and development of India's nuclear power plants. He laid the foundations for the indigenous development of nuclear technology for defence purposes. 

     Awards won by Sarabhai in his lifetime include the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Memorial Award for Physics in 1962 and Padma Bhushan in 1966. He was also awarded with the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. 

     Sarabhai died prematurely in 1971, at the age of 52. 

TRAINING IN THE WOODS

 A career in the Indian Forest Service

     If you want to explore the world without being confined to four walls, here is an opportunity for you to combine your academic and leadership skills with your love for outdoors. 

What’s this career about?

     The core duty of an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer is to protect and manage the country’s natural resources like forest flora and fauna, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and implement the National Forest Policy. The job combines both desk work as well as extensive field monitoring.    

     The work involves overseeing the maintenance and development of an area of forest or woodland; organising the planting of trees, thinning and felling of trees, mining, oil and gas drilling operation; assessing the impacts of wildfires, insects, diseases and/or pollution on forests and develop strategies to control and prevent of forest fires, and protecting wildlife and natural habitats.

     Besides this, the work entails a regular interaction with the local communities living near the forest area and helping in their rehabilitation, providing them protection from wild animals as well as educating them on the importance of forests and wildlife and their protection. They may also advise government and industry officials on forest management issues and assess new forest management applications.

How do I get there?

     Indian Forest Service (IFS) is one of the three All India Services, the other two being Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS). The examination for this highly competitive job is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) (upsc.gov.in). Eligibility is graduation in science or engineering.

     Selection procedure consists of three stages — preliminary, main examination and personality test. Candidates who qualify in the Civil Services (Preliminary) and meet the eligibility criteria of IFS are shortlisted for the IFS Main Examination. After clearing the main examination, the candidate is called for an interview. 

     The interview aims to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for the service. They must be conversant with the modern currents of thoughts and with new discoveries, as any well-educated youth. The candidate’s love for outdoor life and the desire to explore unknown places is also assessed.

     This is followed by a medical test and an endurance test, which requires the selected male candidates to walk 25 kms in four hours, whereas female candidates have to walk 15 kms. Those candidates who are successful in all these phases of the examination are recruited for training.

     Initially, the candidates have to attend the common foundation course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie (lbsnaa.gov.in). On completion of this course, they go to Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy at Dehradun (ignfa.gov.in), for training on forest and wildlife management, soil conservation, surveying, etc. The officers are taught more than 56 subjects of life sciences during these two years. They need to travel to forests throughout India to know the entire spectrum of forests. They are also supposed to do field work and trek through several villages. 

     After completing training at the academy, candidates go through a year of on-the-job field training in the state to which he or she is assigned. Later, the officers are awarded a Master’s degree in Science (Forestry) from Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (fridu.edu.in). 

      No fees are charged; rather trainees are paid a stipend during the training period. Also, the Government of India takes care of other expenses. 

     After completing all the trainings, the probationer starts as an Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF). They are assigned field work with a small staff. Within 4-5 years, they are promoted to the post of Deputy Conservators of Forests (DCF) in charge of districts/forest divisions. At higher levels, they spend less time outside and may be involved in decision-making and policy decisions. At the top is the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) who is the administrative head of the forest organization and a technical advisor to the Government.

What key skills do I need?

*Love for outdoors and an interest in the 

  preservation of the environment.

* Physical hardiness.

* Scientific curiosity to solve problems.

* Effective oral and written communication skills.

* Enjoy working outdoors and be prepared to  

   spend time in isolated areas.

* Good at making decisions and planning skills.

* High level of organisational skills.

* Aptitude for administrative work and project 

   management.

Pay package 

     Indian Forest Service officers are given official vehicles and accommodation. Their salary starts with around Rs 60,000 per month, which may go up to Rs 2.5 lakhs a month. After several years of experience, some foresters become consulting foresters, working alone or with a partner.

Employment profile

     The Government of India is the only recruiter that offers different positions to eligible and qualified candidates in the Indian Forest Service. The Ministry of Environment and Forests provides employment in various departments including Environment and Ecology, Botanical Survey of India and the Botanical Gardens, the Zoological Survey of India, National Museum of Natural History, Wildlife Preservation departments, Wildlife projects, Central Ganges Authority, the National Wasteland Development boards, and the Indian Forest Service.

     Forests contribute significantly to economic development; these yield firewood, timber, fodder, industrial raw materials and other minor produce. Foresters will continue to be needed to help landowners manage their forested property. Specially trained personnel are needed to maintain and regenerate forest cover and forest resources.

DO YOU KNOW

 What is the Param Vir Chakra and when was it instituted?

     The Param Vir Chakra literally translated as 'the Wheel of the Ultimate Brave', is the highest wartime gallantry medal for officers and other enlisted personnel of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, awarded "for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour for self sacrifice, in the presence of enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air". It is the Indian equivalent of the American Medal of Honour and the British Victoria Cross. The medal was introduced in January 1950 and came into effect from 15 August 1947.

     The Param Vir Chakra is a circular bronze medal, three and one-eighth inches in diameter. The obverse (main) side bears an embossed replica of the State Emblem in the centre, surrounded by four embossed replicas of Indra's weapon, Vajra (thunderbolt). On the reverse, the words Param Vir Chakra are inscribed in English and Hindi, with two lotus flowers in between the English and Hindi inscriptions. The medal is suspended by a plain purple ribbon that is one and a quarter inches wide.

     The Param Vir Chakra medal was designed by an army wife, Savitribai Khanolkar. 

     She was originally a European national (of Hungarian-Russian parentage) named Eve Maday whose introduction to India came through Vikram Khanolkar, an Indian army officer whom she met and married. Converting to Hinduism and settling down in India, she developed a keen interest in Indian culture and studied the scriptures in depth. Seeing her extensive knowledge of Indian mythology and artistic skills, Major General Hira Lal Atal, the then Adjutant General of the Indian army, entrusted her the task of designing the medal. She designed not only the Param Vir Chakra but also all other major gallantry medals for both war and peace, including the Ashok Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra. Incidentally, the very first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, Major Somnath Sharma (who won it posthumously), was her daughter's brother-in-law. 

     As the Param Vir Chakra is reserved for the bravest of the brave, only a very select few are deemed worthy of it. Since its inception, the prestigious medal has been conferred just 21 times --- very often posthumously. Twenty of the recipients are from the Indian Army and one from the Indian Air Force. Only men have won it so far and 14 out of 21 have been posthumous awards. A majority of the awards have been for heroic valour shown in the course of Indo-Pakistan conflicts alone. The complete list of Param Vir Chakra awardees is as follows:

1) Major Somnath Sharma (Posthumous)

2) Naik Jadunath Singh (Posthumous)

3) Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane 

4) Havildar Major Piru Singh Shekhavat (Posthumous)

5) Lance Naik Karam Singh 

(all the five for bravery in action during the India-Pakistan war of 1947-48)

6) Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria (Posthumous) (for bravery in action during the Congo operation in 1961)

7) Dhan Singh Thapa

8) Subedar Joginder Singh Sannan (Posthumous)

9) Major Shaitan Singh (Posthumous)

(all the three for bravery in action during the Indo-China war of 1962)

10) Havildar Abdul Hamid (Posthumous)

11) Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzoji Tarapore (Posthumous)

(both for bravery in action during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965)

12) Lance Naik Albert Ekka (Posthumous)

13) Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (Indian Air Force) (Posthumous)

14) Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal (Posthumous)

15) Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya 

(all the four for bravery in action during the India-Pakistan war of 1971.

16) Naib Subedar Bana Singh

(for bravery in action during the Sicahen conflict between India and Pakistan in 1987)

17) Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran (Posthumous) 

(for bravery in action during Indian peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka in 1987)

18) Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey (Posthumous)

19) Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav

20) Rifleman Sanjay Kumar 

21) Captain Vikram Batra (Posthumous) 

(all the four for bravery in action during the Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999)

THE WHITE TEMPLE OF THAILAND

Wat Rong Khun

     At first glance, Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai, Thailand looks like an ethereal palace straight out of Arabian Nights. The milky white edifice inlaid with millions of tiny pieces of mirrored glass is a unique modern Buddhist temple. The temple complex is under construction, but it has already become a national landmark.

     The project began in 1997 with the construction of the ubosot (assembly hall). Its white colour symbolises Lord Buddha’s purity while the mirrors reflect his wisdom which radiates through the universe.

     The temple’s exterior is full of ornamental sculptures. The bridge leading to the temple represents crossing over from the human world of rebirth to the house of Lord Buddha. It is built over a ‘pit of hell’ depicting hundreds of sculpted hands reaching out for succour. Beautiful gilded murals adorn its interior. If you look closely, you will also find images of Superman and spaceships in the paintings!

     Chalermchai Kositpipat, an eminent Thai artist is the creative force behind the temple design. He has dedicated his life to the complex which will have nine buildings when complete. 

THE SAINT WHO LOVED

 Mother Teresa

"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."

-----Mother Teresa

     Saint Mother Teresa (1910-1997) lived a life so filled with purpose that it transformed the dreary lives of those she served. The actions of this Nobel Prize winner and Angel of the Poor continue to inspire people across the globe. The incident that follows is certain to touch your heart today.

     Even observing Saint Mother Teresa going about her routine was enough to strike awe in one’s heart. She gave constantly – a warm smile here, a caring touch there. One might imagine that casual onlookers would scarcely believe what they were seeing – for it was nothing short of love in action.

     An American journalist witnessed a sick man in her care. He had ulcers that smelt rather foul, yet Mother Teresa attended to him. The story goes that the journalist called out in disgust, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars!”

     The Saint replied, “Yes, for a million dollars, I wouldn’t do it either.” 

     It is not surprising; money cannot always motivate us to do things that repulse us. But love can. And Mother Teresa was in love; she was loving – she did it for Lord Jesus Christ.