FROM CHAMPARAN TO NAOKHALI

 Mahatma Gandhi 

     Little over a hundred years ago, Gandhiji launched his first satyagraha movement in India, in Champaran.

Satygraha Beckons: Indigo, the blue dye, was in great demand in 19th century Europe. European planters in India forced farmers to grow indigo on their fertile fields where they would have otherwise grown rice. 

     While the planters sold the indigo at great profits and became rich, the farmers suffered because the indigo plant rendered the land totally useless for further cultivation. 

     In March 1859, thousands of farmers in Bengal refused to grow indigo. The British grew alarmed as they had faced the uprising of 1857 and did not want another rebellion. They sided with the farmers and declared that planters could no longer force the peasants to grow indigo. After the revolt, indigo plantation collapsed in Bengal and the planters moved base to Bihar. The plight of the indigo farmers there came into focus when Mahatma Gandhi took up their cause during the Champaran satyagraha in 1917.

     At the time, Mahatma Gandhi, who had returned to India from South Africa, was travelling through the length and breadth of the country. When lawyers from Bihar sought his help in finding a solution for the plight of ryots(farmers/cultivators) exploited by the European indigo planters, he went to Champaran to study the problem first-hand.

     He sought meetings with the planters but they were openly hostile. Government officials refused to cooperate and when he started meeting the ryots, the collector ordered him to leave Champaran. Gandhiji refused and was hauled up in court.

     Gandhiji was courteous to the officials, respectful to the court but firm in his resolve not to leave Champaran.

     “As a law-abiding citizen, my first instinct would be, as it was, to obey the order served upon me,” said Gandhiji, in court. “But I could not do so without doing violence to my sense of duty to those for whom I have come. I feel that I could serve them only by remaining in their midst.”

     He declared that he would submit without protest to whatever penalty was imposed upon him.

     The court was adjourned. The government officials were thrown into confusion. What do you do with a man who refuses to obey the law on moral grounds but agrees that the court should punish him and expresses willingness to submit to the punishment? As Gandhiji wrote later, it looked as if it was the government and not Gandhiji who was on trial.

     The government beat a hasty retreat and allowed Gandhiji to stay. Later Sir Edward Gait, the Lt Governor, asked him to serve as a member of the official committee of enquiry. After the enquiry, the committee upheld the demands of the ryots.

     The ryots had wanted Gandhiji to save them from the planters. Gandhiji did that and more. He opened a school for their children and he taught them the value of cleanliness and basic hygiene.

Lesson in Unity: During the final leg of India’s freedom struggle, Naokhali, a district of Bengal (now in Bangladesh), witnessed horrific communal riots in which thousands of people were butchered. Gandhiji visited the strife-ridden area with the single-minded purpose of ending the senseless violence.

     He briefly halted at a villager’s home and was warmly welcomed by the people. A villager, Asghar Bhuyan, was keen to show Gandhiji a unique tree.

     He said, “See, the branch of this tree has two kinds of leaves. Is it not strange?”

     Gandhiji smiled and said, “No, it is God’s creation. Two different kinds of leaves are flourishing side by side in the same branch of one tree…just like Hindus and Muslims of the same soil. They demonstrate that we should live as brothers in the same land just as these leaves are growing on the same tree.”

     The villagers understood the point of Gandhiji’s message and agreed that Hindus and Muslims should live together peacefully.

TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOU

Seek the best in others 

    As a young Scottish boy, Andrew Carnegie came to America, and started doing odd jobs. As time passed, he became one of the largest steel manufacturers in the USA. At one time he had 43 millionaires working for him. 

     Once someone asked him how he dealt with people. Carnegie replied, “Dealing with people is like digging for gold. When you go digging for an ounce of gold, you have to move tons of dirt to get an ounce of gold. But you need to remember that when you go digging, you don’t go looking for the dirt; rather you go looking for the gold. It’s the same with people.” 

     Seeing the ‘gold’ in others, is a valuable habit to develop. It transforms your relationship with them. Empowering others to believe in something bigger than themselves, leads to the development of new ideas and strategies. Successful people live well, laugh often, and love much. They leave the world better than they found it. While looking for the best in others, they give out the best they have. 

     As you grow up, even if you are in a position to hold others accountable, remember that you are just as accountable to them. By selflessly serving others, a culture of mutual respect and admiration will be created. It helps bring out the best, both in you and in others. The American motivational writer William Arthur Ward says, “When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.”

THE HEALING VEGETABLE

Ash gourd

     The ash gourd (Benincasa hispida), also known as winter melon, white gourd, and wax gourd (because of the presence of waxy cuticles that develop on the mature fruits) is a versatile plant that has been used for thousands of years as food and medicine in the Orient. A member of the Cucurbitaceae family and native to South-east Asia, it is widely grown throughout the plains of India, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Bangaladesh and Sri Lanka. In India, the ash gourd is a popular element of folklore and traditions. Known as kushmanda in Sanskrit, the ash gourd finds mention in ancient Ayurvedic texts such as Charaka Samhita and Ashtangahridaya Samhita for its many nutritional and healing properties.

     The ash gourd plant is a trailing or climbing vine with a thick, furrowed stem bearing course hairs. 

     Leaves are 22-25cm long, with five or seven lobes, and give off an unpleasant odour when bruised. The fruit which is densely hairy when immature, gets covered at maturity with a thick white waxy layer, which protects it from insects and preserves its moisture. A mature fruit ranges in weight from 2 to 50kg. The flesh is white, juicy and spongy, and contains numerous smooth flat seeds that are yellow or pale brown in colour and yield a pale yellow oil.

     All parts of the plant have medicinal properties and have been used as such by traditional medicine systems across cultures. The juice squeezed from grated ash gourd, diluted with an equal amount of water, is consumed daily in the morning on an empty stomach as a remedy for peptic ulcer. 

     Ash gourd juice also acts as a blood coagulant. Since ancient times it has been taken, mixed with a spoonful of gooseberry or lemon juice, to stop profuse bleeding from the lungs and nose and as a remedy for bleeding piles. As the fruit is high in potassium, its intake (in curries) is recommended for maintaining a healthy blood pressure and strengthening the heart and lungs. The root is powdered and consumed, mixed with warm water, to obtain relief from asthma and cough. Ayurveda prescribes topical application of ash gourd seed oil to get relief from headaches. Unani medicine uses the seeds to treat disorders of the urinary tract. Central American tribal medicine prescribes consumption of a decoction of the pulp to treat intestinal inflammation and application of the same as a poultice to treat burns. Traditional Chinese medicine utilises ash gourd extract in remedies for various conditions ranging from skin blemishes, inflammation and high blood pressure to urinary disorders.

     Being an easily cooked, palatable and nutritious vegetable, the ash gourd also has numerous culinary uses across Asia. It is used to make a variety of curries in South Indian cuisine. In North India and Pakistan, the fleshy pulp of the ash gourd is deseeded, cubed and cooked in sugar syrup to make a translucent candy called petha. Young leaves, shoots and tendrils of the plant are also cooked into curries or boiled and fried and eaten as greens. The fried or roasted seeds are eaten as a snack. In Goa, a spicy preparation called Vadyo is made which is either served by deep frying or making curry with it.

CONTRIBUTION OF ANCIENT INDIAN SCIENTISTS AND MATHEMATICIANS

 Some greatest Indian ancient scientists and mathematicians

      Most of the principles and theories of science and maths originated from the Indian Vedas. All major concepts, such as Algebra, the idea of time, the structure of the universe, metallurgies, aviation science and many others, were first cited in the Vedas. The profound contributions of ancient Indian scientists and mathematicians to the world’s knowledge are undeniable. Actually, Science and Maths were highly developed in the ancient Indian era. India was home to many renowned scientists and mathematicians.

Lets learn about a few greats who shaped the world with innumerable discoveries that became the the foundation of many others.

1. Maharishi Sushruta:

     Maharishi Sushruta is the author of the world’s earliest book on medicine and surgery. He is fondly regarded as the ‘Father of Indian Medicine’ and ‘Father of Plastic Surgery'. His influential treatise, ‘Sushruta Samhita’ or the compendium of Sushruta, is the main source of knowledge about surgeries in ancient India. The description of surgical procedures, anatomical knowledge and the creative approach to surgery, as described in Sushruta Samhita, holds even today. Skin grafting is one such example, used even today by surgeons worldwide to restore areas that have lost the upper protective layer of tissue due to injury, burns, infection or trauma. Skin grafting is also used to restore areas that have lost skin tissue due to surgical intervention. Rhinoplasty is another procedure that has its origin in ancient India. Sushruta also explained measures to deal with hair loss and unwanted hair removal. He gave steps for perfect healing and how to achieve normal skin pigmentation and the absence of swelling after surgical procedures. Sushruta was no doubt the greatest surgeon in ancient India.

2. Aryabhatta – 

     Aryabhatta was an astronomer, mathematician, Physicist and astrologer of the fifth century. He was the first to calculate the value of Pi as 3.1416. His greatest contribution was the invention of Zero. This discovery enabled him to find the exact distance between the earth and the moon. He also gave a scientific explanation of the solar and lunar eclipse.

3. Varahamihira:

    Varahamihira was the first scientist to state that some force keeps objects stuck to the round earth, later termed the force of gravity. He was the first mathematician to discover Pascal’s triangle to calculate binomial coefficients.

4. Charak: 

     Charak is the ‘Father of ancient Indian Science of medicine’. In his book, ‘Charak Samhita’, he describes the medicinal qualities and functions of about 1,00,000 medicinal plants.

5. Baudhayana:

     Baudhayana is the original mathematician behind the Pythagorean theorem. Pythagoras did not discover his theory, as is a common belief, but was actually given hundreds of years ago by the Indian sage and mathematician Baudhayana.

     Apart from these, many other Indian scientists made significant contributions and landmark discoveries to the world in field of Science and Maths, such as: 

Kanada:

     Kanada, was a sage who formulated the theory of atoms 2500 years before John Dalton.

 Nagarjuna: 

     Nagarjuna was one of the earliest proponents of metallurgy.

Sridhara Acharya: 

Sridhara Acharya was the first person to give an algorithm for solving quadratic equations, etc. 

     A lot of scientific knowledge evolved in ancient India, and there is no denying the fact that modern Science and technology owe their origin to our ancient Indian scientists and mathematicians.

ABOUT THIS MONTH

September 

     September gets its name from Latin septem, meaning 'seven'. The oldest known Roman calendar had only ten months, starting from March, and September was originally the seventh month of the year. With the inclusion of January and February, September became the ninth month, but retained its original name.

     Every year, September starts on the same day of the week as December. But another unique feature of this month is that it does not end on the same day of the week as any other month in the year. Take a calendar and check for yourself!

FIRST NATIONAL PARK OF INDIA

 Jim corbett National Park

     India's first national park, the Jim corbett National Park is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand. It was set up in 1936 by the British under the United Provinces National Parks Act and was originally named Hailey National Park after Sir Malcolm Hailey, the united Provinces governor who was instrumental in developing the area as a reserve. After independence it was rechristened Ramganga National Park after the river flowing through it. In 1957, it was renamed in honour of the legendary hunter-turned conservationist, Col. Jamed Edward Corbett (1875 - 1955), better known as Jim Corbett, who played a key role in its establishment. 

     Intended as a sanctuary for the endangered Royal Bengal tiger, the park was the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative. In fact, it is here that Project Tiger was launched in 1973.

     Famed for its astonishing beauty and wildlife, the park is spread out over an area of 520 square kilometres in the valley of the Ramganga river and its tributaries in the Terai forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. Its diverse landscape consists of hills, marshy depressions, grasslands and lakes. It is part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, an area of 1288.31 square kilometres extending over three districts of Nainital, Almora and Pauri Garhwal that also includes the Sonanadi wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest.

     The park is home to numerous species of wildlife including mammals such as the tiger, leopard, barking deer, sambar deer, Himalayan black bear, Indian grey mongoose, Indian pangolin and rhesus macaque, and more than 500 species of resident and migratory birds including the crested serpent eagle and blossom-headed parakeet.

A CAREER IN

 Plastic surgery

     Plastic surgery is really an art, and the body is the medium to work with. It involves a lot of creativity and technology. The work result is highly visible, leading to a high degree of career and personal satisfaction.

What’s this career about?: Contrary to popular belief, a plastic surgeon does much more than simple tummy tucks, and facelifts. Plastic surgery can be divided into two specialties: Cosmetic (or Aesthetic) Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery. Cosmetic Surgery is intended to improve the appearance of a person. Though relatively a small part of the specialty, it is probably the most visible and perhaps the most glamorous aspect of plastic surgery. Surgeons use a variety of equipment ranging from simple forceps and scissors to most sophisticated microprocessor-controlled lasers, which can resurface and tighten the skin, remove hair, and eliminate tiny “spider” veins on the legs and face.

     Reconstructive Surgery repairs or replaces body parts damaged by accidents, illness or malformation. It is intended to improve function and mobility and to restore a patient’s appearance. These surgeons use craniofacial surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery, skin grafting, tissue expansion, flap surgery and other techniques to repair injuries.

     Prior to treatment, surgeons hold consultation with patients to assess a patient’s needs, review medical histories and pre-existing conditions, and discuss surgical risks. Frank and thorough assessments help plastic Plastic surgeons choose treatment plans that best suit their patients.

     Recording a patient’s medical history and updating their records with any services performed is another key responsibility. These are sensitive documents, so plastic surgeons must abide by any record-keeping policies or regulations to protect patient confidentially. surgeons don’t specialize in a disease like cancer doctors do, nor do they specialize in a part of the body like heart surgeons do. They work all over the body on all kinds of diseases and frequently with other physicians in a multi-disciplinary group. 

How do I get there?: Plastic surgeons are medical doctors trained in patient interactions, trauma care and basic surgery techniques, as well as specialized areas, such as tissue transfer, body contouring and laser surgery.

     To become a plastic surgeon, one should first go for MBBS, a 5½ years’ course. Eligibility for this is 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Then go for a MS degree in General Surgery. After that you can specialize in plastic surgery by doing 3 years M.Ch./DNB in Plastic Surgery. So it takes about 11-12 years of further study after 10+2.

Do you have these key skills?

* Steady hand and an eye for aesthetics.

* Driven and focused individuals. 

* Ability to sustain many years of study and long work hours. 

* Good communication skills to explain complex medical terminology and procedures to patients and to provide emotional support.

* Attention to detail and patience is paramount. Good time management and organizational skills.

*Ability to handle stressful situations and remain calm under pressure.

Institutes:

* All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (aiims.edu)

* Armed Forces Medical College, Pune (afmc.nic.in)

* Christian Medical College, Vellore (cmch-vellore.edu)

* Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai (tnmcnair.com)

* Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai (sriramachandra.edu.in)

* CMC, Ludhiana (cmcludhiana.in)

* Institute for Aesthetic Surgery at Fortis Hospitals, Mumbai (fortishealthcare.com)

* M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore (msrmc.ac.in)

* Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh (pgimer.edu.in)

* Banaras Hindu University, Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi (bhu.ac.in/ims)

Pay package:

Being a plastic surgeon is one of the most moneyearning spheres in the field of medicine but the path to becoming a qualified and successful specialist is a long and tough one.

     Depending upon the location, specialization, expertise and experience of the plastic surgeon, salary ranges from 1,50,000-2,00,000 per month. Some charge on a per case basis.

Employment profile:

Plastic surgery is still a relatively small specialty, but the number of surgeons has doubled in the last 20 years and it has become an integral part of hospital practice. One can work in any super-specialty hospital or set up one’s own clinic.

     The increasing number of accidents and awareness about appearance has resulted in a boom in the demand for plastic surgeons. The aging population is also expected to add to the demand for surgeons for plastic surgery procedures both superficial and invasive.