FUSION OF ANCIENT FAITH AND MODERN SCIENCE

 Marvel of modern engineering: Ram Mandir of Ayodhya

     The construction of Ram Mandir, a grand structure is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Rama.

The temple is a marvel of modern engineering, designed not to just withstand the strongest earthquakes and most intense flooding, but endure for a millennium. 

Let's take a look at what went into constructing the grand temple.

Constructed by Larsen and Toubro with management by Tata Consulting Engineers Limited, the Ram Temple is a result of meticulous planning and innovative construction techniques.

The temple's design, inspired by traditional Nagara style architecture, incorporates 360 pillars and is made entirely of stone, moving away from the more modern iron, steel, or even cement.

This decision was made to enhance the structure's earthquake resistance, as stone has a longer lifespan and better durability compared to other materials.

One of the most significant scientific innovations in the temple's construction is its foundation. 

The temple is built on a 15-meter thick layer of rolled compacted concrete, which includes 56 layers of compacted concrete made from fly ash, dust, and chemicals.

This robust base is further reinforced by a 21-foot thick plinth of granite, designed to protect the temple from moisture. 

The foundation's pillars are likened to those supporting mammoth bridges over mighty rivers, ensuring the temple's robustness against seismic activity.

The construction process also involved unique challenges, such as maintaining the temperature of self-compacting concrete at 18 degrees below ambient temperature during pouring. 

To achieve this, on-site ice crushing plants were utilised, and the foundation was filled only at night to minimise the impact of external temperatures.  

These measures were part of the many innovations that marked the construction of the temple, which required the expertise of a team of 150 engineers and thousands of workers.

The temple's design is capable of enduring an earthquake of up to magnitude 6.5, and is projected not to need repairs for 1,000 years. The team measured historical earthquake intensity in the region stretching from Ayodhya to Nepal and simulated it in the laboratory to design a unique foundation for the temple.

Based on the advice of the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai, engineers dug the ground 15 meters removing the top soil, which is believed to be clayey. It was then filled with the re-engineered soil.

The re-engineered soil used for the foundation can solidify into stone within 14 days, with a total of 47 layers carefully laid during the construction process.

The Director of CISR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee praised the use of stone in the temple's construction, noting that it lasts longer than other materials and avoids the issue of rusting iron.

Engineers also looked into flooding records of the region and confirmed that the level on which the temple is being constructed is safe from any future flooding.

Furthermore, the temple features a unique noon reflection mechanism, designed by CBRI, which directs sunlight onto the idols' foreheads at noon during Ram Navami, enhancing the spiritual experience for devotees.

The temple is a marvel of modern engineering, being designed not just to withstand the strongest earthquakes and most intense flooding, but to endure for a millennium.

The newly constructed structure is being hailed as the amalgamation of spirituality with scientific innovation.

In Ayodhya, a temple is rising, not just as a place of worship but as a fusion of ancient faith and modern science.

AMAZING INCA CITADEL ON A MOUNTAIN

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel situated on a mountain ridge 2,430 metres above the sea level. It is located in the Cusco Region in Peru.

Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). It is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization.

Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary structures are the Inti Watana, the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows. 

Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide Internet poll.

THE MASTER KEY TO SUCCESS

 Self-discipline

Your ability to develop the habit of self-discipline will contribute more to your success than any other quality of character.

Napoleon Hill, after interviewing 500 of the richest people in America, concluded saying, “Self-discipline is the master key to riches.”

Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do, what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like doing it or not.

There are 7 disciplines you can develop that will improve every area of your life. 

Goal Setting: Every morning, take 3 to 5 minutes to write out your top goals in the present tense. By writing out your 10 goals at the beginning of each day, you are stimulating your mind. Throughout the day, you will see opportunities and possibilities to move more rapidly towards your goals. 

Planning and Organising: Take a few minutes, preferably the night before to plan out every activity of the coming day. Always work from a list. Always think on paper. This is one of the most powerful and important disciplines of all for high performance. 

Priority Setting: The essence of all, time management, personal management and life management is contained in your ability to set proper priorities and use of your time. This is essential for high performance.

Concentration on your Highest-Value Activities: Your ability to work single-mindedly on your most important task will contribute as much to your success as any other discipline you can develop. 

Exercise and Proper Nutrition: Your health is more important than anything else. By disciplining yourself to exercise regularly and to eat carefully, you will promote the highest possible levels of health and fitness throughout your life. 

Learning and Growth: Your mind is like a muscle. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field. 

Time for Important People in your Life: Relationship is everything. Be sure that in climbing the ladder of success, you do not find it leaning against the wrong building. Make time for your relationship every day. 

Action Exercise: Begin today to practise self-discipline in every area of your life. Persist in this practice until self-discipline comes to you as automatically and as easily as breathing in and breathing out. Your future will be guaranteed.

MOST FASCINATING OBJECTS IN OUTER SPACE

Black holes

What is a black hole? 

Black holes are some of the strangest and most fascinating objects found in the outer space. They are objects of extreme density, with such strong gravitational attraction that they eat up everything around them including light. This can happen when a star is dying.

What gives them the enormous power?

Have you ever used vacuum cleaner in your home? When you do, watch closely because you will see the dirt and crumbs start moving towards the vacuum cleaner. A black hole is similar to a vacuum cleaner, cleaning up the debris that is left behind in the outer space. Instead of suction power, a black hole uses the power of gravity to pull things towards it.

How big are black holes?

Black holes can be big or small. Scientists think the smallest black holes are as small as just one atom. Another kind of black hole is called 'Stellar.' Its mass can be up to 20 times more than the mass of the Sun. Stellar black holes are made when the centre of a very big star falls in upon itself or collapses. The largest black holes are called 'supermassive.' These black holes have mass that is more than 1 million Suns put together have.. The supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy is called Sagittarius A. It has a mass equal to about 4 million Suns. 

Could a black hole destroy Earth?

Black holes do not go around in space, eating stars and planets. Earth will not fall into a black hole because no black hole is close enough to the solar system for Earth to do that. The Sun will never turn into a black hole. The Sun is not a big enough star to make a black hole.

The first image of a black hole: 

Since no light can get out, people can't see black holes. They are invisible. Space telescopes with special tools can help find black holes.

The Event Horizon Telescope, a planet-scale array of eight ground-based radio telescope forged through international collaboration, captured the image of the supermassive black hole in the centre of the galaxy M87 and its shadow.

This historic photo of a black hole, previously thought impossible to capture, was named ‘the top scientific breakthrough of 2019 by the journal Science.

WORLD'S WILDEST WHIRLPOOL

 Saltstraumen

Just 30 kilometers from the town of Bodo, you will find one of the most amazing places in Northern Norway. 

Saltstraumen in Norway is the world’s strongest whirlpool and the most powerful tidal current on earth. Every 6 hours when the tide changes you can play witness to an astonishing display of Mother Nature’s brute forces here at Saltstraumen. This is the world’s strongest maelstrom with 400 million cubic meters of water pushing through a narrow strait that separates the islands of Knaplundsoya and Straumsoya.

The strait spans 3 kilometers but is only 150 meters wide at the smallest point. When the tide changes, you can witness impressive surges as the water rushes to move between the massive Skjerstadfjord to the outer Saltfjord.

It is beyond mesmerising to watch as the water tries to move in or out, depending on the time of the day. Beautiful swirling whirlpools are created and water bubbles up in huge powerful pushes.

DISCOVERY OF THE FIRST MIRACLE DRUG

Insulin

In the spring of 1921, Frederick Banting moved into a 7-foot by 9-foot flat in Toronto, with little more than an idea.

Against the advice of his well-wishers, he left behind a struggling medical practice to pursue research at the University of Toronto. He had absolutely no research background nor expertise. However, he was certain he had an idea that could change diabetes treatment.

A Real Motivation: He had a real motivation. As a youngster, he’d watched his 14-year old friend, Jane, wither away and die from diabetes. This event shook him terribly and stayed with him as a motivator. His persistence paid off and his research idea proved to be true, leading to the discovery of insulin, the first true miracle drug.

Insulin: Diabetes is a disease that restricts the body’s ability to produce or to use insulin. Insulin is produced in the pancreas of healthy individuals and is crucial for the regulation of blood sugar (glucose specifically) levels. In Banting's days, no one had ever heard of insulin or knew where it came from or what it did. Banting’s hypothesis was that a specific part of the pancreas produced a substance that could treat diabetes.

Research Involving Dogs: Banting began working in the laboratory of J.J.R. Macleod at the University of Toronto. Despite everyone’s lack of belief, he set out to test his idea of deriving a secretion from a particular area of the pancreas, the Islets of Langerhans. Banting and his assistant, Charles Best, began operating on 10 dogs. After repeated trials, the results were stunning, although temporary.

Coining The Drug: Banting and Best coined the term “isletin” for their extract. Excited, they added a chemist to their team and began producing more 'isletin' so that they could perform larger trials. The University at this point renamed it “insulin”.

Human Testing: Banting now turned his attention towards human testing. But first, they tested it on themselves to convince themselves of its safety. In January of 1922, they tested their solution on their first human patient – a 14 year old boy. The young boy showed immediate improvement. Further testing confirmed its effectiveness, and diabetes finally had a life-saving treatment.

Mass Production: Building on this success, Banting reached back into his childhood once again, and used his farm upbringing to switch his studies to cattle, which were readily available in great quantities.

This allowed for mass production of insulin, resulting in millions of lives saved and countless lives enhanced.

Later Years: In 1941, during WW I, Banting decided to fly to England to conduct a few operational tests with the British medical services. His flight crashed en-route to his destination and Banting succumbed to injuries. His brilliant career as a lifesaving scientist ended all too soon at the age of 49.

With the countless honours and symbolic awards he achieved, he, in fact, went on to gift the greatest and the most priceless prize to humanity in the form of ‘insulin’ that is saving lives even today.

CHEMICALS VITAL FOR LIFE

 Vitamins

     Vitamins are organic compounds that are vital for life. Vitamins are essential for the maintenance of good health and the prevention of a number of diseases. They are found in a wide variety of foods. A balanced diet should provide you with the adequate quantities of vitamins you need. 

There are 13 major vitamins: A,C,D,E,K and 8 varieties of B.

Vitamin A (retinol)

Benefits : Vitamin A prevents eye problems, promotes a healthy immune system. It is essential for the growth of cells. It keeps the skin healthy.

Sources : Good sources of vitamin A are milk, eggs, liver, fortified cereals, vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin and fruits such as papayas and mangos. 

Vitamin B complex: The complex of B vitamins includes the group of substances: 

B1, B2, B3: The body requires relatively small amounts of vitamins B1(thiamin), B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin). 

B6, B12: Vitamins B6 (pyridoxine) and B12 (cobalamins) are vital nutrients in a range of activities such as cell repair, digestion and protection of the immune system. 

B5, B7, B9: Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is involved in the oxidation of fatty acids and carbohydrates. Vitamin B7 (biotin) plays a key role in the metabolism of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. Viamin B9 (folic acid) is needed for normal cell division, especially at times of rapid growth. 

Sources : The best dietary sources of the B vitamins are: milk, eggs, fish, animal products, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, bananas, potatoes, dried apricots, dates and figs, cheese, yoghurt, nuts and pulses, brown rice, wheat germ and wholegrain cereals.

Vitamin C (Ascorbate)

Benefits : Vitamin C is essential for healthy bones, teeth, gums and blood vessels. It helps the body absorb iron, aids in the healing of wounds and contributes to brain function.

Sources : You'll find high levels of vitamin C in citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, guava, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and spinach.

Vitamin D (calciferol)

Benefits : Vitamin D strengthens bones because it helps the body absorb bone-building calcium.

Sources : This vitamin is unique — your body manufactures it when you get sunlight on your skin! You can also get vitamin D from egg yolk, oily fish and fortified foods like milk, soy milk and orange juice.

Vitamin E

Benefits: Vitamin E is an antioxidant and helps protect cells from damage. It is also important for the health of red blood cells.

Sources: Vitamin E is found in many foods such as vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables and whole grains.

Vitamin K

Benefits: Vitamin K is involved in the blood clotting process and in the maintenance of strong bones. It is found in small quantities in meat, most vegetables and wholegrain cereals.

Sources: Diets rich in fatty and sugary foods can adversely change the balance of the gut flora, as can the additives and pesticides that are often a part of modern food production.