PHYSICIST

 Niels Bohr

Niels Bohr was one of the foremost scientists of modern physics, best known for his substantial contributions to Quantum Theory and his Nobel Prize-winning research on the structure of atoms. He called for responsible and peaceful applications of atomic energy across the world.

Early Life: Niels Bohr was born on October 7, 1885 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The young Bohr eventually attended Copenhagen University, where he received his master's and doctorate in physics by 1911. During the fall of the same year, Bohr travelled to Cambridge, England, where he was able to follow the Cavendish Laboratory work of scientist J.J. Thomson.

Institute of Theoretical Physics: Bohr’s own research led him to theorise in a series of articles that atoms give off electromagnetic radiation as a result of electrons jumping to different orbit levels. Bohr settled again at Copenhagen University in 1916 with a professorship position. Then, in 1920, he founded the university’s Institute of Theoretical Physics.

Wins Nobel Prize: Bohr received the 1922 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on atomic structures, and he continued to come up with revolutionary theories. Bohr came to apply this idea philosophically as well, with the belief that evolving concepts of physics deeply affected human perspectives.

Fleeing Europe: With Adolf Hitler's rise in power, Bohr was able to offer German Jewish physicists refuge at his institute in Copenhagen. Once Denmark became occupied by Nazi forces, the Bohr family escaped to Sweden, with Bohr and his son Aage eventually making their way to the United States. 

Manhattan Project: Bohr then worked with the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where the first atomic bomb was being created. He called for future international arms control and active communication about the weapon between nations—an idea met with resistance by Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Atoms for Peace: After the end of the war, Bohr returned to Europe and continued to call for peaceful applications of atomic energy. He helped to establish CERN, a Europe-based particle physics research facility. In 1957, Bohr received the Atoms for Peace Award.

A prolific writer: Bohr was a prolific writer with more than 100 publications to his name. After having a stroke, he died on November 18, 1962 in Copenhagen. Bohr’s son Aage shared with two others the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physics for his research on motion in atomic nuclei.

“Every great and deep difficulty bears in itself its own solution. It forces us to change our thinking in order to find it.”—Niels Bohr

HOW TO DO WELL IN EXAMS

 Tips to score good marks 

Almost everyone faces examinations at one juncture or the other. A few people fare well whereas others perform only moderately well. Don't think that your ability is worse than them. If you start organising from today, you too can do well in the examinations. 

Here are some interesting tips that will help you to score good marks. There is no short cut to success. For this reason, you have to study well first of all. 

Never fear or hate exam: The first thing that you must remember is that exams are not conducted with the intention to catch you out. An exam is only meant to assess whether you have a concise understanding of the subject or not. So leave all your fears and free your mind before starting to study. You have to be confident and it is the most essential power you should have for attaining victory.

Prepare a good time table: Prepare a time table before starting to study. This should include all the subjects but may not be with equal priority. Tough subjects can be given more time and easier ones less but most importantly, some time shall be allotted for entertainment and also there should be sufficient intervals between each subject.

Select a proper atmosphere for studying: Study atmosphere has a very important role. Can anyone study well while watching TV? So select a place where you feel comfortable. That is where you feel relaxed and can concentrate. If possible, make a small notice board with self instructions. 

Organise study materials: Make the study zone neat. Pick up the specific book and notes you want to study for the particular session. Pick up the supportive materials like pencil or scale. Keep the books of other subjects away from your eyesight so that you won't be upset about the things you have to learn. 

Utilize golden hours: You have to identify your golden hours. It is a block of 3 to 4 hours in which you will find it more comfortable to concentrate. For most of you, it may be 3 am to 7 am when all the surroundings will be in silence. Some of you will be night birds who prefer 8 pm to 12 pm. Your concentration in the golden hours really counts. 

Sit straight: This is so important that you have to sit in a proper manner while studying. Don't study on bed or lying on a chair. Instead sit straight. Keep your spinal cord straight. And try to place your legs parallel to ground, a little bit raised from the ground. 

Make notes while studying: While studying make small notes so that you can remember all the points while doing revision. An ideal note shall include all important formulae and figures and also other important points. It will be a lot worth if you use this for the revision in the last one or two hours.

Sleep well and eat well: You have to sleep well. A sound sleep for 6 hours is ideal for energetic preparation. Even the night before the exam you have to sleep well, at least for 5 hours. And have your food as in your daily diet. Don't fast on the exam day. This will have reverse effect, so it's advisable to have food properly. And don't forget to have a glass of water before you go to bed. It's essential to keep your brain cells charged.

Present well: Presentation is the major factor that affects your marks. Teachers may not be able to read all you have written. Remember they are going through 30 to 40 papers. They will scan for points. So try to present answers in points. In essay answers don't forget to underline the important points. Your hand writing also affects your marks. Try to write neatly. And care shall be taken so that you manage time well and are able to attend all questions. If there is any question out of syllabus, you just attend it. Usually full marks are awarded for such questions.

Believe in you: The last but not the least is your self confidence. Recall your best things and have a positive self talk. A one minute prayer or meditation can give immense energy and peace to your mind. And it is much important that you are confident about what you can do and it will always produce pleasant results.

If you are serious in your studies for the next few months/years of your life, then the remaining part of your life will be fruitful. So start organising from this moment and try your best.

INDIAN FOLK ART

Patua Art

India, with its diverse cultures and traditions, holds a rich artistic heritage. Among the vibrant art forms, the world of Patua artists stands out, offering a captivating journey into storytelling through vivid colours and intricate details.

Patua artists are traditional artists found in India and Bangladesh, particularly in states like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha. Also known as Chitrakar, meaning 'scroll painter' in Bengali, they have a fascinating history rooted in engraving metal idols, as Patua comes from the Bengali word Pota, meaning engraver.

Their origin dates back to around the 13th century, and despite many being followers of Islam, their traditional occupation involved painting Hindu idols. Patuas later became renowned for their beautiful scroll paintings, known as patras. These scrolls typically depict mangal stories, which are auspicious tales of Gods and Goddesses, mythological heroes and folk legends.

Patuas were not only chitrakars or artists, but also were traditionally travelling storytellers. They would visit villages accompanied by musical instruments unfurling their patras and singing stories. This served as a form of entertainment as well as education, taking myths, moral lessons and historical accounts to the local communities.

While traditional patras remain important, today’s Patua artists are adapting their skills to changing situations. They now create paintings on canvas and murals on walls. Their art showcases social issues, environmental concerns and modern stories alongside the age-old legends. Despite facing challenges like the decline of traditional storytelling and thereby the resultant economic hardships, their art gains recognition through exhibitions and support efforts.

Beyond being artists, Patuas are custodians of a rich cultural heritage, preserving traditions through their vibrant and captivating art. Exploring their work offers a wonderful way to appreciate the beauty and history of their unique artistic expression.

INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF

 Carrots

 

Every time you consume something, you are either inviting a disease or preventing it. Hence, it is important to cultivate healthy eating habits that are sustainable.

Carrots are not only delicious vegetables but also a good source of several nutrients including beta carotene and fibre. In fact, carrots were first grown as medicine (and not as food).

Researchers are breeding carrots in different colours – including yellow, bright red and dark orange – to make them more appealing.

What are the health benefits of eating carrots? Keep reading to find out.

1. Helps to prevent cancer: Carrots contain numerous phytochemicals that are well-studied for their anti-cancer properties. A few of these compounds include beta-carotene and other carotenoids. These compounds promote immunity and activate certain proteins that inhibit cancer cells. 

2. Boosts eye health: Carrots have been regarded as the fool-proof traditional remedy to improve eyesight. Carrots are rich in lutein and lycopene which help maintain good eyesight and night vision. The high amount of vitamin A in it also helps boost a healthy eyesight.

3. Aids weight loss: The significant amount of dietary fiber in carrots plays an important role in maintaining good digestive health. Fibre takes the longest time to digest and thus promotes a feeling of fullness and prevents you from bingeing on other fatty foods.

4. Lowers blood pressure: Carrots lower the levels of bad cholesterol. Carrots are packed with potassium. Potassium helps relax the tension in your blood vessels and arteries, which enhances the blood circulation and brings down your rising BP. High blood pressure is linked to conditions like atherosclerosis, strokes and heart attacks. So load up on carrots for a step towards a healthier heart.

5. Boosts skin health: The juicy red wonders can help give your skin a radiant glow too. Apart from the beta carotene, lutein and lycopene, the high silicon content of the root can promote healthy skin and nails. To make the most of its nutrition, have them raw. 

6. Boosts immunity: Carrots are packed with various vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants such as vitamins B6 and K, potassium, phosphorous etc. which contribute to bone health, stronger nervous system and help improve brain power. The anti-oxidants, apart from helping the body against free radical damage, guard the body against harmful bacteria, viruses and inflammation. 

So what are you waiting for? Load up on carrots and make the most of their health benefits.

STORY TIME

Shine Bright In Your Own Way

A Samurai, who was known for his nobility, went to visit a monk for his advice. When the monk had finished his prayers, the Samurai asked, “Why do I feel so inferior? I have faced death many times and have defended those who are weak. Nevertheless, I felt that my life was unimportant upon seeing you meditating.”

“Wait. Once I have attended to all those who come to see me today, I shall answer you,” replied the monk. 

The Samurai spent the whole day sitting in the temple garden, watching the people go in and out in search of advice. He saw how the monk received them all with the same patience and illuminated smile on his face. At nightfall, when everyone had gone, he requested, “Now can you explain my dilemma to me?”

The master invited him inside and led him to his room. The full moon shone in the sky, and the atmosphere was one of profound tranquility. 

“Do you see the moon and how beautiful it is? It will cross the entire sky by daybreak, and tomorrow the sun will shine again, as always. But sunlight is much brighter and can show the details of the landscape around us: trees, mountains, clouds, etc. I have contemplated the two for years, yet have never heard the moon ask: ‘Why do I not shine like the sun?’ 

“Is this because the moon is inferior? Tell me, son.”

“Of course not,” answered the Samurai. 

“The moon and the sun are totally different things; each one has its own beauty and role. Therefore, you cannot compare the two.”

The monk replied, “Right. So you now know the answer. Understand that we are two different people, each persevering for what we believe in and making it possible to make the world a better place - each in our own different ways.”

A NATIONAL PARK WITH A RICH HISTORICAL PAST

Bandhavgarh National Park 

The Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, rich in scenic beauty and steeped in the mystique of centuries, offers a spectacular treat not only for nature lovers, but also for history and mythology enthusiasts.

Located in Umaria district on the north-eastern border of Madhya Pradesh, about 200 km from Jabalpur, the park is distinguished by the fact that though smaller in size than the state’s other national parks, it has the highest density of tiger population in India. Once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Rewa, the area is also known as the ‘land of white tigers’. 

It was here that the white tiger was first spotted and introduced to the world in 1951 by Maharaja Martand Singh. He captured and domesticated a white tiger cub, naming it Mohan, and went on to breed more white tigers and export the cubs to distant countries. Hence, all the white tigers that can be found today in various zoos worldwide - trace their origin back to Mohan.

Bandhavgarh National Park is rich in history. Right in its midst stands the eponymous Bandhavgarh hill, where a 2000-year-old fort, believed to be built by the Gond kings, can be found. Successive dynasties have ruled from this fort. Legend has it that the hill was gifted by Ram to his younger brother, Lakshman, at a vantage point from where he could keep an eye on Lanka. Bandhav means ‘brother’ – hence the name ‘Bandhavgarh’, literally ‘Brother’s fort’.

Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968 and designated a tiger reserve in 1993. The vegetation in the park consists of deciduous forests, with the predominant species being the Sal tree (Shorea robusta), interspersed with dense clumps of bamboo throughout the reserve. The park has three core (central) zones –Tala, Magdhi, and Khitauli –which together cover an area of716 sq km. The oldest of these and the richest in terms of biodiversity is the Tala zone which is characterised by towering Sal forests, hillocks, and grasslands.

The highlights of this zone include the Bandhavgarh fort, the Chakradhara and Rajbhera meadows (which offer excellent wildlife sightings), and an ancient Vishnu statue known as Shesh Shaiya, at the feet of which originates the Charan Ganga river – the park’s lifeline. Magdhi zone consists of grassland and mixed forest cover, and has many natural watering holes where tigers gather. Khitauli is a dry to deciduous forest zone that is good for sighting the tiger, nilgai, four-horned antelope, and chinkara. Some twenty odd streams rise or flow through the reserve, ultimately joining theriver Son, an important southern tributary of the Ganga. 

Apart from the tiger for which it is famous, Bandhavgarh National Park is home to more than 22 species of mammals and 250 bird species. Animals spotted here include the common langur, rhesus macaque, Asiatic jackal, Bengal fox, sloth bear, striped hyena, Indian leopard, spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, and gaur. Birds observed include the painted sandgrouse, golden oriole, coppersmith barbet, redwattled lapwing, Alexandrine parakeet, white-throated kingfisher, painted francolin, Eurasian collared dove, lesser spotted eagle and Malabar pied hornbill.

NATIONAL TREE OF SOCOTRA ISLAND

 Dragon's blood tree

Do you know that there’s a tree that seems to ooze blood? It’s true! Welcome to Socotra Island, nestled in the Arabian Sea, where the extraordinary Dragon’s blood tree resides. This unique tree gets its name from the red sap it produces, resembling the colour of blood.

As you explore this unique part of Yemen, you’ll encounter these extraordinary trees with an upturned umbrella-shaped appearance and densely packed crowns. Their leaves are a rare sight, found only at the ends of the youngest branches and the leaves are shed every 3 or 4 years.

You might wonder if the blood-like sap is harmful, but fear not! The sap isn’t harmful to humans and has been used for centuries in Socotran and Yemeni medicine for treating wounds and skin conditions. Reaching a height of 20-30 meters, these majestic trees with long, narrow leaves growing in a spiral pattern have earned the title of the National Tree of Socotra Island. The tree is considered sacred and plays a crucial role in island ceremonies and rituals.

Despite its significance, it’s now a threatened species due to habitat loss, livestock grazing, and climate change. Socotra is a UNESCO world heritage site, and efforts are underway to protect its unique flora and fauna. These resilient trees, with a lifespan of up to 650 years, are challenged by habitat loss, livestock grazing, and the impact of climate change.

This captivating tale serves as a poignant reminder of the vital importance of safeguarding our planet’s natural wonders. Let’s unite in protecting the treasures that make our Earth extraordinary!