A PRECIOUS RESOURCE

Groundwater

 

Groundwater is our primary source of drinking water. About 85% of drinking water in India and 60% of water for irrigation comes from groundwater. 

Water seeps into soil from rain, melting snow or farmland irrigation, and gets collected underground. Below the ground there are different levels of water saturation. Closer to the surface, the gaps between the soil and rocks are filled with air and water. The deeper you go, the less air and the more water there is. The line below which there is no longer any air but only water is called water table. Underneath the water table, all available space is filled with water. 

The body of soil and rocks under the water table is called an aquifer. Groundwater fills all areas of the aquifer until it reaches the impenetrable rock at the bottom. It is like a container for groundwater. The Great Artesian Basin in Australia is the biggest known aquifer. India contains 14 principal aquifer systems and 42 major aquifers, including the Indus Basin, the most important cross-country water source. 

Dry land like deserts have a lower water table, whereas places with heavy rainfall have higher ones. The height of the water table decreases in summer due to evaporation, whereas in monsoon or early spring, the height of the water table increases. If the water table rises high enough to touch the surface, it becomes a spring, a lake or a river. 

To extract water, wells are dug through the water table. If given enough time for the aquifer to replenish itself, the well will keep supplying water. However, over-extraction can exhaust groundwater fairly quickly. The sensible management of these aquifers and groundwater is necessary if we want to preserve the water table. Water is a vital resource and like oxygen, life would be impossible without it.

STONY FRUIT

Apricot

The apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae) that also includes the plum, peach and cherry. It is a stone fruit that develops from self-pollinating white flowers. A native of north eastern China, where it was discovered growing wild on the mountain slopes, the fruit was introduced to Persia and Armenia by Chinese silk traders. It then had a long history of cultivation in Armenia, which gave it the name Prunus armeniaca orArmenian plum. Alexander the Great is believed to have taken the apricot to southern Europe and introduced it to Greece in the 4th century B.C. From here, it went on to Rome. The Romans then popularised the fruit all over their empire. By the mid-16th century, the apricot had gained respectability and could be found in the gardens of noblemen throughout Europe. European settlers carried it to other parts of the world, and by the 18th century, apricots were growing in orchards in the USA, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Today, the world’s leading apricot producers are Turkey, Iran, Italy and France. In India, the fruit is grown commercially in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and to a limited extent in the hills of the north-east.

The apricot tree is small to medium-sized, ranging in height from 10 to 25 feet, with a spreading canopy. It starts bearing fruit at the age of 5years, attains full maturity at 7 to 10 years, and continues to yield fruit for about 30 to 35 years. The leaves are oval with pointed tips and finely serrated margins, dark green on top and yellowish green beneath. Flowers are white to light pink in colour, and grow singly or in pairs. The fruit has a soft and downy skin, ranging in colour from pale yellow to red, and may be round or oval. 

A highly nutritious fruit, the apricot is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, iron, calcium, and dietary fibre. It is an excellent source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that plays a key role in fighting disease. An additional benefit is that it is low in fat, calories and sodium. 

The apricot is an extremely versatile fruit that may be eaten fresh as it is or cooked, dried, canned or frozen, and served in numerous ways in sweet or savoury dishes. It is processed into jams, jellies, beverages, sauces and candybars and used in numerous desserts such as cakes, pies, tarts, ice-cream, smoothies, sorbets and milkshakes. In Turkey, the flesh is dried and made into thin sheets, which are melted down later for use in cooking. In the Middle East, apricots are used to add sweetness to spicy dishes like pilaffs. In South Africa, the fruit is salted, sun-dried and then pressed in sugar to make an unusual preserve called meebos. In India, khubani ka meetha, a rich dessert made of dried apricots and cream, is a popular delicacy in Hyderabadi cuisine, commonly served at weddings. Apricot seeds or kernels are used as a low-cost substitute for almonds in confectionery. They are used likewise in amaretto, an Italian liqueur, and biscotti, a type of biscuit popular in Italy. 

Apricot oil, which has a softening effect on the skin, is used in cosmetics and medicines. The leaves are used to make dye. Apricot wood is handsome and durable, and is used to make agricultural implements.

COURSES AND CAREER IN BUSINESS AND TRADE

Commerce

 

India has come a long way since its independence. The economy has increased tremendously. There is no doubt that the number of commerce courses have increased as well. Lakhs of students apply for commerce courses in the every year. The new GST plans put up by the government have not only been giving more importance to commercial studies but it has also given rise to different new programmes. Commerce courses have always been coveted by people who just want to make a lot of money. However, after some years, a few quit the career because they could not find any job satisfaction. This is because a number of them joined the career for the wrong reasons. Yes, most of the commerce courses are money-making courses but if your personality suits a career with much more exposure or a career that is outgoing and much more than a career that requires you to work 9-5 in an office sitting in front of a computer, you will never get satisfaction, and may quit the career looking for a new one. Hence, when you choose any career in commerce, remember to choose it only if you are genuinely interested in it. 

Chattered Accountancy: CA is one of the most profitable courses among the commerce courses. Many of the students who choose commerce first choose it because CA is their end goal. However, many join it because they do not know other alternates. Here are the few alternate careers to CA:

Actuarial Science: Actuarial Science is a discipline that assesses financial risks in the insurance and finance fields, using mathematical and statistical methods. Actuarial science applies the mathematics of probability and statistics to define, analyse, and solve the financial implications of uncertain future events. In order to pursue it you will have to take Commerce with Maths, after which you have multiple

options. They are B.Sc. in Actuarial Science, Bachelors in Accounting and Finance (BAF), after which you could pursue an MBA or Masters in Actuarial Finances.

Banking: Everyone knows what banking is. Working in a bank in various capacities has been a prestigious career for many years. In order to have a career in banking you have to take commerce and a bachelor’s degree in either B.Com. or BAF post which you could either take your Bank PO exam or SBI/RBI exam or simply pursue an MBA in Finance.

Business Administration: If you want to be part of building and growing an organization or business, Business Administration is for you. You could be part of marketing or sales for the business, or the day to day operation in the organization or even hire and sustain employees. You could pursue it by doing a Bachelors in Business Administration after which you can pursue Masters in it and specialize in any field you might be interested in.

Company Secretary: A company secretary is responsible for the smooth functioning of administration of the organization. They have their responsibilities in the financial and legal functions of the organization. In order to be a company secretary you will have to finish your 12th in commerce followed by a course in company secretary from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.

Economics: Economics is the social science that studies how people interact with value; in particular production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. As a career you could either teach economics or conduct research on a topic. To become an economist, you will have to take up economics in either Arts or Commerce in 11th and 12th, followed by a Bachelor’s in Arts/in Economics, then a Masters in the same and then a Ph.D. in Economics.

Finance Management: Financial Management refers to the strategic planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of financial undertakings in an organisation or an institute. It also includes applying management principles to the financial assets of an organisation. You could also apply these principals to manage the personal finances of individuals who are looking for insurance options and investment management. Once you are done with commerce in 11th and 12th you have three options; Bachelor’s in Commerce (B. Com), Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finances (B.A.F) or Bachelor’s in Financial Management (B.F.M), followed by any of those courses you can pursue an MBA in Finances.

Forensic Accounting: As a forensic accountant, you will be working in the Indian Revenue Services (IRS). You will be tasked with protecting people from tax and other financial frauds. You will also be tasked at making sure people obey the laws of the country and manage their finances in accordance with these laws. In order to have career in the IRS, you have to take up Commerce in 11th and 12th followed by a Bachelor’s in any of the commerce courses (B.Com., BAF, BFM, BBA). Once you are 21 years of age you can give your IRS exams.

Human Resource Management (Payroll): As a Human Resource Manager you will be in charge of hiring employees and sustaining them in the organization. In the Payroll department, you will be in charge of managing the employees’ salaries including other finance-related issues of the employee which include their provident fund and employee taxes. In order to have career as an HR you need to purse commerce in 11th and 12th followed by either B. Com. or BBA and then an MBA specialising in Human Resources.

Yes, Commerce is all about the money; however, patience is another very important aspect. Choose Commerce only if you are a person who is comfortable with working indoors for long hours and if you’re good at Maths.

SEVENTH MONTH OF THE YEAR

 

July is the seventh month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days. It was named by the Roman Senate in honour of the Roman general, Julius Caesar, it being the month of his birth. Prior to that, it was called Quintilis. Quintilis means “fifth month” in Latin, which represents where this month originally fell in the Roman calendar.
He conquered Gaul (what is now part of Italy, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands), changed the structure of the Roman government into a dictatorship, was assassinated in legendary fashion. Caesar is responsible for the year  having 365 days, and for the existence of a leap year every four years.
July comes between June and August. The halfway point of the year is either on July 2 or in the night of July 1-2. 
July always begins on the same day of the week as April, and additionally, January in leap years. July does not end on the same day of the week as any other month in common years, but ends on the same day of the week as January in leap years.
It is the seasonal equivalent of January in the other hemisphere. In the North, it is summer and in the South it is winter.
In the Northern Hemisphere, July is often the warmest month of the year, and major sporting events and music festivals are held around this time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is a winter month, with the coldest-recorded temperature having been measured in Antarctica in this month.

STORY TIME

Why the stork is white

     At the beginning of time, when the world had just been created, all the birds were white in colour. Unfortunately, some birds were always victimising the others and since both were white, the perpetrators of the crimes could never be identified and punished. So, the weak birds continued to have their eggs robbed, their meals snatched and their nests taken over by their aggressive fellow birds.

     One day, the victim birds decided to protest to the Creator. They went to Him in a delegation and complained of the terrible life they led. The Creator was aghast, since he had just then been patting himself on the back for creating such a wonderful world.

“Let me think about it,” the Creator replied, running his fingers through his grey beard.

     After some time, he shouted, “Eureka! I’ve got the solution. I’ll give each species a different set of colours.”

     And this is what he did. As every bird preened itself, showing off its gorgeous hues, there was suddenly a great commotion. There was a late arrival. It was the stork.

“Why are you late?” thundered the Creator, his eyes flashing lightning.

“I–I–I overslept,” mumbled the stork, blushing pink.

“Ha!” exclaimed the Creator. “You don’t lie very well. What were you really upto?”

The stork broke down. “I am sorry. But I was stealing shrimps in the lake,” said the stork, breathless with tears.

“Stealing shrimps?” boomed the Creator. “You know that stealing is forbidden in my world!”

The stork was silent. The other birds fell silent, too.

“Your punishment,” announced the Creator, “is that your feathers shall forever remain white. Then you will be visible at all times, and cannot indulge in your thieving habits!”

And that is why the stork has such dazzling white feathers. But has it stopped stealing? Just ask the shrimps!

DO YOU KNOW

How does a seat belt help a car passenger in the event of an accident?

When a car is in motion, the passengers seating in it are also moving at the same speed. If the car is moving at a speed of 70kmph (kilometres per hour), for example, the passengers are also moving at the same speed though they are not aware of it. 

Now, if the car crashes, its speed rapidly changes from 70kmph to 0kmph. The passengers are still moving at 70kmph at the time of impact, in accordance with Newton's first law of motion which states that "a body in motion tends to keep moving until an external force is applied to stop it".

An external force has stopped the motion of the car but not that of the passengers. They will hurtle forward at 70kmph and hit the dashboard or crash through the windshield. But not if they're wearing seat belts. 

Firstly, a seat belt, being slightly elastic, stretches to slow down the abrupt halt of the passenger. It also secures the passenger to the seat thereby stopping him/her from being thrown forward. Thirdly, it spreads the force of impact over the stronger parts of the body like the lap (pelvis) rib cage and shoulders. 

So wearing a seat belt can prevent grievous hurt or even death, in an accident. 

JAPANESE FORM OF POETRY

Haiku

Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry which originated hundreds of years ago. It is distinctive because it is very brief. It captures a single moment or thought in few words. In the Japanese language which is written in characters, a haiku is typically composed using just seventeen sound units (similar to syllables in English) and is expressed in three short lines. There are five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five again in the third line. Another distinctive quality about Haiku is that it does not rhyme. 

In the 17th century, haiku also emerged as an art form in Japan. Almost all Haiku poems relate to the beauty of nature and the Japanese Zen philosophy. Other topics that haiku poems deal with are animals, season of the year, or something as simple as a rain drop or a snowflake. 

Example: In a pouch I grow, 

                 On a southern continent 

                  Strange creatures I know 

Rabindranath Tagore composed haiku too and also translated some Japanese haiku into Bengali. Newer forms of haiku in English experiment with a wide range of topics.