SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS

Dare to be different 

Being different means thinking and doing things in a different way and keeping away from what others are thinking and doing. Being different does not mean you are wrong. It means being you. It means you stand out to explore new ground. At the same time, it does not make you less interesting or less valued as a person. It makes you accomplish your goals by following a different way that the others are not following. That is your own unique way and it defines you. It makes you who you are and keeps you living in your own way, defining your terms with your values.

It is to set an example to show others that there are alternate ways to accomplish things. Being different may be a bit difficult and hard. However, it is not bad. Diversity offers different prospects by expanding ways to boost productivity and success. Every human being behaves differently in different circumstances and we are all unique in our personality. While we cannot change our past, we can very well control how to react to it. Sometimes this uniqueness makes us beautiful. 

Why should we be different and what are the benefits that we are going to get by being different? Acknowledge what makes you different and that becomes your uniqueness. Your uniqueness is your gift. Celebrate it, because being different is a remarkable gift. Always be confident that your uniqueness is your asset and it makes you special and valuable. By being different you live a life that is true to yourself and that inspires others to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. Being different makes you strong and you become a source of connection and belongingness. 

It makes you authentic. It boosts your creativity, making you innovative in your approach. By thinking unconventionally, experimental solutions can be achieved to solve problems in various fields of your life, including personal matters. Uniqueness in your approach gives you self-confidence, which inspires others, and they may approach you to get solutions for their problems. It may ignite confidence in others and encourage them to accomplish their goals. 

However, while we have advantages in being different, we cannot rule out the disadvantages also. 

Sometimes being different makes you less confident and you may get worried about what others might say or think of you. You find that nobody understands you. It may land you in an embarrassing situation. But all said and done, let us not compromise our uniqueness. Let us do things in our own way differently from others to set an example. If we study the lives and achievements of many successful people we will realise that they did not care for what the others said and trod on the path they thought was best for them for their courage to be different. 

When we take the road less travelled, we arrive at a new destination which nobody has arrived at yet. Extraordinary people do not do things extraordinarily, rather they do things differently. Let us change our perception and rethink the way we do things. Christopher Morley, an American journalist and essayist says,

"Read everyday something that no one else is reading. 

Think everyday something that no one else is thinking."

To keep our uniqueness we require courage, self-confidence and steadfastness. People may mock at our actions and may avoid our presence. But remember, being different is like a diamond among the pebbles. 

It is not something to aspire, but it is something that will inspire others. It gives us our identify and speaks about us whenever we go. Trying to be like everyone is exhausting but trying to be you is also empowering. Sometimes being different makes one feel like being alone or isolated. But actually it makes one the happiest. At times one feels it like a burden, but that is what makes one great. Let us remember the words of Albert Einstein:

"The one who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. Those who walk alone are likely to find themselves in places no one has even seen before."

Let us show our uniqueness since it looks beautiful. 

THE DEVIL'S GOLD

Sulphur 

Has there ever been a chemical element more menacing than Sulphur? This shape-shifting substance can spark an explosion, brew a poison gas and concoct smells so horrible they send any nose fleeing. Yet without Sulphur there is no life. 

Represented by letter S in the periodic table, Sulphur is a non-metallic solid that is one of the few elements to occur in nature in pure form. It is the tenth most abundant element in the universe and about three percent of the earth's mass is made up of Sulphur (the equivalent of two times the size of our moon).

Sulphur is also the third most abundant element in the human body. It builds and repairs DNA and protects cells from damage. It helps the body break down, absorb and use food. Sulphur even provides strength and hydration to skin, tendons and ligaments. 

Sulphur or Sulfur? Both spellings of the word are correct. Sulfur is the American spelling and Sulphur, the British. 

Historically Sulphur has been known as "brimstone" or burning stone. As a solid and gas, Sulphur appears yellow. And when it burns it is with a blue flame. 

Some of the worst smells in the world can be traced back to Sulphur, even though Sulphur itself is odourless. It is when it gets together with other elements to form a compound, that things get pungent! Hydrogen sulphide is responsible for the distinct odour that is rotten egg. It is also the gas that is released when your food is digesting, causing those smelly burps! Mercaptans (composed of carbon, hydrogen and sulphur) give skunks their defensive stink. 

Sulphur also acts as a source of energy. Deep within dark Sulphur spring caves, bacteria draw energy from Sulphur compounds to make their own food. The walls of the caves are coated with slimy mats of bacteria scientists call 'snotties". These unusual stalactites drip sulphuric acid strong enough to burn skin or eat through clothing. 

Sulphur atoms are strongly attracted to other Sulphur atoms and when heated they form long chains that provide a plasticity that has been invaluable to industry. In the 19th century, Charles Goodyear added Sulphur to rubber tree sap to create a firm material he used to make the first tyres. The process was called "vulcanization" after Vulcan, the Roman God of fire. 

Sulphur's power has also been harnessed for more destructive means. It has been used to make gunpowder, pesticides and acids. It has also inadvertently led to such creations as "acid rain" caused by Sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere. 

On the island of Java, Sulphur miners rise their lives for the "devil's gold". They descend into the bowels of an inactive volcano to chip chunks of Sulphur off stalactites, taking great care to avoid toxic yellow gases and electric blue flames. 

CRAB THAT DECORATES ITS BODY

The decorator crab

The decorator crab, as its name implies, is a species of crab that decorates its body. Its body teis covered with small, bristly hooks on which it hangs pieces of algae, sponges, coral polyps and anemones. The decoration provides it an excellent camouflage. The crab has to redecorate itself everytime it moults as the hooks get lost when the skin is shed. 

A species of decorator crab, Libinia dubia, covers itself with pieces of a poisonous brown algae that helps to deter predator fishes. This species does not adorn itself throughout life as other decorative crabs do. It stops as soon as its body grows too big to be eaten by predator fishes. 

The decorative crab is related to the hermit crab and is found in North America, from Alaska to Mexico. 

BIGGEST FESTIVAL OF LARGEST DEMOCRACY

 The 2024 Indian general election

The 2024 Indian general election has begun on April 19 and will continue until June 1, 2024. It will be the largest-ever election in the world, even bigger than the last general election of 2019. About 960 million eligible voters (out of a population of 1.4 billion) are expected to participate, which is more than the population of Europe. 

So, what iS a general election?

India is a democratic country run by an elected prime minister and other ministers. They are elected for a term of five years. After the term, elections are held to decide who should become the prime minister. These elections are called general elections. A general election is a huge event in India where people can vote to choose leaders who will make important decisions for the country. 

India follows a parliamentary form of government. This is different from a presidential form of government. In this form, people select members of parliament (MPs). These MPs in turn, decide who will become the prime minister. In the presidential form of government, people directly elect their president who runs the government. 

For the election, the country is divided into areas called constituencies or seats. India is divided into 543 constituencies. Each area votes for one person to represent them in Lok Sabha, the lower house of the parliament. Some seats are reserved for people from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) to make sure everyone has a chance to be represented. When an election happens for all the seats, it is called a general election. When it occurs only for a few seats, it is called a by-election.

The first general election was held way back in 1951–52. It was the first time Indians could vote after independence. The politicians belonging to the Indian National Congress (INC) won in most constituencies, which is why its leader, Jawaharlal Nehru, became the first elected prime minister. Since then, India has seen 17 general elections and 14 prime ministers. 

The contenders: 

The main players in the election are political parties. Think of them as teams, each with their own ideas on how to run the country. Currently, in India, there are two major parties – the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the INC. There are also many smaller parties. Both BJP and INC have teamed up with these parties and formed alliances known as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A), respectively. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been in charge since 2014. People are curious to see if the BJP will continue their winning streak or if the INC will make a strong comeback. It’s really exciting to see what will happen next. 

Each party makes promises in a document called ‘manifesto’. They talk about how they will improve schools, hospitals and parks, and what they will do to make India a better place. BJP’s manifesto lies around a formula called ‘GYAN’ which focuses on four important groups – the poor (Garib), the youth (Yuva), farmers (Annadata) and women (Nari). They want to ensure that these groups have better lives with more opportunities. They will achieve this by building new schools, creating more jobs, helping farmers grow more crops, and making sure women can learn and work safely.

The Congress Party’s ‘manifesto’ involves a plan called ‘Nyay’, which means justice. They promise to take care of five important groups – the youth, women, farmers, workers and poor. They want to make sure these groups are happy and healthy.

Simultaneous State Assembly Elections: During the general election, four states – Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim – will also have their Legislative Assembly elections. 

How does Voting work?

Technology has changed elections a lot. We now have electronic voting machines (EVM) to vote instead of ballot papers. Voting is done at polling stations. People show their voter ID card and then secretly choose their favourite party on an EVM.

The entire election process is taken care of by an organisation called the Election Commission of India (ECI). The ECI is like the umpire who makes sure that elections are fair for everyone. They have a rule book called the Model Code of Conduct. This guides all political parties about what they can and cannot do during elections. For example, parties can ask people to vote but they cannot bribe them in cash or kind for votes. 

Who has Voting rights?

Any Indian citizen who is aged 18 or older has the right to vote. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from; if you are an adult, you can vote. Every vote is important because it’s a chance for the citizens to have a say in how India is run. 

India will now witness history in the making. Our voices matter, and our votes shape the destiny of our great nation. So, young citizens, pay attention to, discuss and learn about the democratic process. Because if you are 18 and above, you are the part of this incredible journey and if you below 18, you can be the messenger to spread awareness about this. You are the future of this country!

INDIAN BLACKBERRY

The Juicy Jamun

The glistening deep purple jamun, which leaves its characteristic stamp on the tongue and lips of the eater, is very popular in India. Children love the succulent sweetness of this fruit, which is also known as java plum and Indian blackberry. The jamun tree can be found all over India. 

The jamun is a hardy crop that can be grown under adverse soil and weather conditions. The tree is an evergreen that grows to a height of 30-40 feet. It can grow in many soils, but thrives best in deep loam and well-drained soils. It provides shade, and is often grown for its ornamental value. 

The jamun tree starts flowering from March to April. The flowers are fragrant and small. The fruits develop in a couple of months and are ready for picking by July-August. A well-grown tree yields 80 to 100kg of fruit. The fruit is oblong and oval-shaped, with a seed in the centre. Initially green incolour, it turns to deep red or bluish-black on maturity. It has a characteristic sweet-sour taste, and lends a purple tinge to the tongue when eaten.

The jamun can be eaten as it is, and also with salt. Further, it is processed to make varied products such as jams, jellies, preserves, and squashes. The ripe fruit is fermented to fabricate excellent quality wine, while the juice of the raw fruit is used to make vinegar. Rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A, the fruit is a boon for dieters and diabetics, as it contains absolutely no sucrose, and provides fewer calories in comparison with other fruits. Further, the fruit and its seed contain many medicinal properties. Research has proved that dried extracts of the seed, given to diabetics on a regular basis, help reduce the blood sugar level. The juice of the jamun is used in medicines to treat diarrhoea.

The other parts of the jamun tree also have various uses. The tree bark has high astringent properties, and is used as a mouthwash. It also finds use in dyeing and tanning processes. The leaves possess anti-bacterial properties and are used to make dental medicines. The wood of the jamun tree is extremely strong and has a unique water - resistant quality. So, it isused for sleeper planks on railway tracks.

* Jamun is a black plum that aids in skin care and weight loss, relieves stomach pain, and boosts immunity. It can be used in salads, desserts, juices, and smoothies.

* There is a good amount of vitamin C and other antioxidants in jamun, which can help to stimulate the production of white blood cells, and in turn, increase the strength of the immune system. 

* Regular consumption of jamun fruit or juice that contains notable levels of potassium, which is a vasodilator, may helpreduce your risk of highblood pressure, atherosclerosis, and heart attacks.

DO YOU KNOW

What are the floating dots that we see in our eyes?

Have you had this experience- you are outside in the sun, looking at the bright blue sky, and you suddenly notice white or transparent dots floating in your eyes! This phenomenon happens in our eyes, when red and white blood cells pass over the retina of our eye. The retina is like the film in a camera, lining the back of your eye and helping you see colours, shapes and details by turning light into electrical signals for your brain to understand. The red blood cells in the retina are invisible, because light from the sky ends up passing through them. However, white blood cells are bigger and more opaque (they are not invisible like the red blood cells). The light thus cannot pass through them. So, the floating dots that we think we see in the sky are actually our own white blood cells in our eyes!

TO BRING OUT THE BEST

Work with devotion and passion

When Valmiki completed his Ramayana, Narada wasn't impressed. 

"It is good, but Hanuman's is better", he said.

"Hanuman has written the Ramayana too!", Valmiki didn't like this at all, and wondered whose Ramayana was better.

So he set out to find Hanuman.

In Kadali-vana, grove of plantains, he found Ramayana inscribed on seven broad leaves of a banana tree.

He read it and found it to be perfect. The most exquisite choice of grammar and vocabulary, metre and melody. He couldn't help himself. He started to cry.

"Is it so bad?" asked Hanuman..

"No, it is so good", said Valmiki.

"Then why are you crying?" asked Hanuman.

"Because after reading your Ramayana no one will read my Ramayana." replied Valmiki.

Hearing this Hanuman simply tore up the seven banana leaves stating 

"Now no one will ever read Hanuman's Ramayana.'"

Valmiki was shocked to see this action of Hanuman and asked him why he did this.

Hanuman said, "You need your Ramayana more than I need mine. You wrote your Ramayana so that the world remembers Valmiki; I wrote my Ramayana so that I remember Ram."

At that moment he realised how he had been consumed by the desire for validation through his work.

He had not used the work to liberate himself from the fear of invalidation.

He had not appreciated the essence of Ram's tale to unknot his mind.

His Ramayana was a product of ambition; but Hanuman's Ramayana was a product of pure devotion and affection.

That's why Hanuman's Ramayana sounded so much better. 

That is when Valmiki realised that "Greater than Ram .... is the name of Ram!" 

There are people like Hanuman who don't want to be famous. They just do their jobs and fulfill their purpose.

There are many unsung "Hanumans" in our life too, our mother, father, friends, let's remember them and be grateful to all.

In this world, where everyone is highlighting his work and seeking validation, let us just do our karma (duty).

Our devotion, our passion bring out the best in us and thus in our work. Competition may bring success but if work and life becomes a race and battle to win, the work will loose its charm and passion, devotion will vanish eventually bringing losses and suffering. 

Be humble and the best version of yourself and do what you do with love, devotion and passion and success and love will fill your life.