MUMBAI'S ICONIC HOT WHEELS

Double-decker buses 

     During the First World War, trams in London had double-decker trailers to increase passenger capacity. When trams became uneconomical to run, they were replaced by trolley buses that were powered by electricity from overhead wires. Red double-decker buses soon replaced these vehicles.

     From Britain, the double-deckers spread to other cities around the world, one of them being Mumbai where the bus was launched in 1937. In Mumbai as in London, the big red buses endeared themselves to the public. Children gazed in wonder, and longed to sit in the upper deck in the front row; commuters waiting in long queues heaved sighs of relief every time they saw a double-decker coming their way. The big red buses soon became an integral part of the city’s roadscape. They became synonymous with the city itself, etching themselves into the collective memory of its residents and tourists, apart from being featured in Indian and Hollywood movies in the vibrant metropolis.

     In 2004, when BEST (Brihan Mumbai Electric Supply and Transport) announced that it was thinking of replacing the buses with single-deckers, there was a howl of protest from citizens. The company was flooded with phone calls and letters. One Mumbaikar wrote, “We love double-deckers. Don’t take them away. They are the identity of Mumbai.” Bowing to public opinion, BEST decided not only not to withdraw the buses but also to replace the older double-deckers with brand new ones.

     Now after 86 years in service, the story of the city’s iconic hot wheels came to an end. This is largely due to its high maintenance cost and difficulty in maneuvering through the crowded streets. 

     After serving various routes across Mumbai, these non-air-conditioned double-decker buses bid adieu to daily commuters and tourists on Friday, September 15 night as the BEST authorities decided to phase out the buses as part of ‘modernisation’ and operational cost.  

     The last service of these non-AC double-decker buses left Marol Depot on Friday morning. These iconic buses can now be seen at a museum in the city as new mode of transport takes prominence.

PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF GANESH CHATURTHI

Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav

     Ganesh Utsav became a major social and public event in the 19th century when Bal Gangadhar Tilak championed it as a means to bind all the fragmented Hindu community and oppose the British government ban on Hindu gatherings through its 1892 anti-public assembly legislation.

     Ganesh Chaturthi was being celebrated in homes and small communities but Lokmanya Tilak made it into a big event with  public Ganesh Utsav Pandals and he made the festival a reason for a mass movement so that people from all communities can take part in it. 

     The redefining of Ganesh Utsav took place in the late 19th century and the credit goes to Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the father of Indian unrest. 

     He revived the festival with a patriotic spirit amid the despotism of the British Raj. This festival also served as a meeting place for common people of all castes and communities. It slowly became a religious and social function. 

     The tradition of large images of the God and immersion of Ganesh statues on the last day of the festival with processions were started by Tilak.

A SPECTACLE OF DEVOTION AND JOY

                 Ganesh Chaturthi in Goa 

     Ganesh Chaturthi, a vibrant and significant festival in Goa, unfolds with an air of excitement, devotion, and grandeur. This annual celebration is in honour of the revered elephant-headed deity, Ganapati, symbolising wisdom and the remover of obstacles. With its captivating rituals, ornate decorations, and joyous spirit, Ganesh Chaturthi illuminates the coastal paradise of Goa like no other occasion.
     Every year, the fourth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada heralds the commencement of Ganesh Chaturthi. This year 2023, this cherished festival will grace Goa's shores from September 19, inviting locals and visitors alike to partake in the jubilant festivities.
     In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a fleeting event but an immersive experience that spans a minimum of two days, with the potential to extend up to an awe-inspiring 21 days. The festivities start with the ceremonial installation of clay idols of Lord Ganesha in elaborately adorned rooms within homes. These idols become the focal point of heartfelt prayers, accompanied by melodious devotional music and generous offerings.

     Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrated in Goa as Chavath, is influenced by inherited customs passed down generations and promote harmony and community spirit.

     A ‘matoli’ — a wooden canopy — over idol of Ganpati is decorated with seasonal floral wealth. This showcases the intimate relationship of the God with Mother Nature.

     As the festival unfolds, the days come alive with an enchanting medley of feasting, dancing, and vibrant celebrations. The streets of Goa reverberate with joy as public processions, replete with elaborately crafted Ganesh idols, grace the thoroughfares. These processions, often accompanied by exuberant music and traditional dances, infuse the atmosphere with an infectious energy.

     Goan Delicacies for Chaturthi include the sacred Modak, Ladoo, Payce, Bhaji, Patilyo, Nevryo etc.
     The culmination of the festival is as poignant as its commencement. On the final day, the Ganesh idols, having soaked in the devotion and revelry, are bid farewell in a symbolic immersion ceremony. The idols are gently carried to rivers or seas, where they are reverently immersed, signifying a heartwarming farewell to the deity and gratitude for the blessings bestowed.
     Ganesh Chaturthi is a time when the bonds of family and friendship are celebrated with utmost enthusiasm. However, the spirit of unity extends beyond personal circles. It's a season of giving, with many individuals and communities contributing food, clothing, and financial aid to those in need, embodying the spirit of compassion and generosity.
   Immersing in the Celebration the festival offers an array of captivating experiences. On visit to a pandal of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav, one can witness the artistry and devotion that adorn temporary shrines, known as mandap, showcasing intricately decorated Ganesh idols.
    Participating in public processions where lively music and dances are a part, paint the streets with a kaleidoscope of colours.
     Ganesh Chaturthi unfurls a magical tapestry of tradition, faith and camaraderie. It is the divine union of devotion and festivity.

A COOL SUMMER DRINK

 Sugarcane Juice 

     Most people love to consume a glass of a cold sugarcane juice in the summer assuming it as just another cool drink.
     Sugarcane is a grass plant found in several varieties. Sugarcane juice has no fats, and is a 100 percent natural drink. It has zero content of cholesterol, fat, fibre and protein. But it contains ample quantities of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Benefits of Sugarcane Juice: 

Energy - This juice gives an instant shot of energy. It's the best way to energise and stop dehydration in hot summer. The natural sugars in the juice get easily absorbed by the body and are used to replenish sugar levels. Though sugarcane is naturally sweet it does not contribute to any weight gain. The sweetner present in sugarcane is called Sucrose, which is very healthy and required by the body to maintain the sugar level properly.
Liver function - Sugarcane juice is one of the best treatments for liver-related ailments like jaundice. Since sugarcane is alkaline in nature it helps in maintaining the electrolyte balance in your body.
Cancer protection - Sugarcane juice is alkaline because of its high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and manganese. These natural products help the body remove cancerous cells, especially prostate and breast cancer.
Digestion - It eases your digestive system and is beneficial for those people suffering from digestive disorders and stomach infections. The potassium content balances the pH levels in the stomach, initiates the secretion of digestive juices, and keeps the system on track.
Diabetes control - People with diabetes may feel sugarcane juice may aggravate their condition. But, if taken in moderation, sugarcane juice can benefit diabetic patients. Natural sugar has a low glycemic index that prevents frequent spikes in blood glucose levels.
Kidney health - The presence of natural low cholesterol, low sodium, and no saturated fats, keeps the kidneys in top shape.
     Sugarcane juice also reduces pain associated with urinary tract infections. It reduces inflammation caused by urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and prostatitis.
Bones and teeth - In earlier times chewing a sugarcane stick were very common. This would exercise the teeth and also add calcium to the system. Calcium ensures the proper development of the skeletal system, bones, and teeth. The juice also helps build tooth enamel and strengthen teeth. It also overcomes bad breath caused due to the deficiency of these nutrients.
Acne cure - Sugarcane juice also has the ability to help reduce and cure skin problems such as acne if applied externally along with prescribed medications. It also prevents formation of acne.

SOME COMMON TERMS USED IN GOLF

      Golf A to Z

Ace: A hit by which the ball goes into the hole in one shot. It is also called a hole-in-one.

Birdie: A score of one under par on hole. (A par is a pre-determined number of strokes that a golfer requires to put the ball in the hole. So if the par is 3 and the golfer puts the ball in the hole in 2 strokes, it's a birdie)

Caddie: A person who carries the player's clubs. He can also offer advice to the player. 

Drive : The first shot of each hole which is usually hit with a driver (a type of golf club).

Even: A score equal to that of par.

Frenchie: A type of shot in which the player tries to hit the ball in a way that it bounces back to the tee (a small peg on which the ball is placed before being driven) into the fairway (A fairway is a good area where the ball can be hit properly.

Green: A smooth area of trimmed grass surrounding the hole which enables the players to hit the ball with precision. 

Hole: A small circular hole in the ground. The aim of golf is to put the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible.

In play: When the ball is within the playing area. 

Jail: It is a term used when the ball is in an unplayable position (e.g. in thick undergrowth).

Knee Knocker: An easy short putt which a player shouldn't miss but often does. There are various reasons for missing this shot, the most common being the distance.

Lay-up: A stoke played to position the ball in a favourite spot for a better subsequent shot. 

Match play: A form of golf in which players or teams compete against each other on a hole-by-hole basis. The winner is determined by the number of holes he has played.

Nine Iron: A club of the highest loft in the 'iron' family. It is used for short distance shots.

Out of bounds: An area that falls outside the boundaries of the golf course. If a player's stroke falls in the 'out-of-bound' area then he/she receives one stroke penalty and must hit the shot from the original spot once again.

Par: Standard score for a hole which is defined by the length of the course. It can also be the standard score for a course which can be derived from a sum of all the holes' pars.

Q-School: Qualifying school. The qualifying tournament in major professional tours, such as the PGA Tour, European Tour etc.

Recovery Shot: A stroke played to get oneself out of difficult situations (sand traps, weeds, trees etc.).

Starter: Also known as the tee master. He is the person who controls the play on a golf course.

Tap-in: A tap-in occurs when the ball is very close to the hole and all the player has to do is tap the ball into the hole.

Up and down: When the player holes the ball in just two strokes. The first stroke gets the ball 'up' on to the green, and the subsequent one gets the ball 'down' into the whole.

Vardon Grip: A style in which the right little finger rests on top of the left index finger. It is named after Harry Vardon, the golf superstar of the 20th century.

Whiff: An attempt to strike the ball which misses it completely. It is counted as a stroke.

Yips: Fear of short putts. It is a tendency to twitch during the putting stroke which results in poor accuracy.

THE JOURNEY OF INDIA'S TELEVISION CHANNEL

 Doordarshan

     Doordarshan (DD) completed 64 years of its service on September 15, 2023. The experimental broadcaster began on September 15 in 1959, which turned into a regular service in 1965 when DD began beaming signals to homes in and around the national capital. Then President Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the first broadcast. 

     By 1972, the services were extended to mumbai and Amritsar. Within the next three years, its expansion went to seven more cities. Since then, DD has been expanding its presence among the masses.

     Doordarshan is an autonomous public service broadcaster and functions under the Prasar Bharati. it is one of the largest broadcasting organisations in the country in terms of studio and transmitter infrastructure. 

     From 1959 to 1976, DD service was part of the All india radio (Air), national public radio broadcaster. On April 1, 1976, it transformed to become a separate department in the ministry of information and Broadcasting and later it was brought under the control of Prasar Bharati. A new signature image was designed by the National institute of Design and a signature tune was created by Pandit Ravi Shankar. 

     The first telecast in colour took place on August 15, 1982, when the national programme started. With modern technological changes, Doordarshan has gone digital and reached the palms of individuals. 

     On March 7, 2022 India's public broadcaster Prasar Bharati signed an agreement with 'Yupp TV' and an OTT platform.

     Over the years, Doordarshan has continued to enthral audiences --- from the days of Ramayana, Mahabharat, Humlog, Buniyad, Malgudi days and Udaan to today's high-tech coverage of national and international programmes.

     During covid lockdown, DD hit record viewership.

     At present, Doordarshan has 35 satellite channels and 66 studio centres across the country, a DD DTH earth station at Todapur in Delhi and 55 transmitters of varying power.

     DD free dish is the Direct-To-Home (DTH) service owned and operated by national public radio broadcaster Prasar Bharati. It was launched in December 2004. DD free dish reaches about 45 million households as per the FICCI and E and Y Report 2023. DD free dish is the only Free-T0-Air Direct-To-Home (DTH) service in the country.

PERSIAN MATHEMATICAL GENIUS

Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi

     Do you know what an algorithm is? Where did the word ‘Algebra’ come from? How did the Western world learn of Arabic numerals? The key to all the answers is Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, a Persian mathematical genius. 

     Al-Khwarizmi was the head librarian of the House of Wisdom, a centre of science and astronomy in Baghdad in the 9th century. He studied the ancient mathematical works of Greek and Indian scholars and translated them into Arabic. Al-Khwarizmi wrote several books on mathematics and astronomy, which were later translated into Latin in Europe. 

     The term ‘Algebra’comes from the Arabic word al-jabr, which was part of the title of his book that laid the foundation of modern algebra. Al Khwarizmi is considered the father of algebra as he was the first to present a systematic solution of linear and quadratic equations. 

     The Latin translation of his name gave us the term ‘algorithm’. It is a set of rules or instructions used in calculations and problem-solving operations.