THE WORLD'S FIRST BILLIONAIRE

  John D. Rockfeller

John D. Rockfeller (July 8, 1839–May 23, 1937), the founder of Standard Oil, was once the richest man in the world. He was the world’s first billionaire. 

"He amassed a net worth of at least $1 billion in 1916. When Rockefeller died in 1937, his net worth was estimated to be approximately $340 billion in today's dollars."

By the age of 25, he had one of the largest oil refineries in the United States. He was 31 when he became the world's largest oil refiner. At 38, he controlled 90% of the oil refined in the United States. At fifty, John was America's richest man. As a young man, every action, attitude, and connection was crafted to establish his wealth.

But at the age of 53, he fell unwell. His entire body became wracked with pain, and he lost all his hair. In total anguish, the world's lone millionaire could buy anything he wanted but could only eat soup and crackers.

According to an associate, "He couldn't sleep, wouldn't smile, and nothing in life meant anything to him". His personal, highly trained physicians indicated that he would die within the year. That year passed painfully slowly. As he approached death, he awoke one morning with the faint understanding that he would not be able to bring any of his fortune with him to the next world.

The man who could dominate the commercial world suddenly realised he had no control over his personal life. He informed his solicitors, accountants, and management that he intended to devote his assets to hospitals, research, and charity work. John D. Rockefeller started his foundation.

The Rockefeller Foundation financed Howard Florey and his colleague Norman Heatley's penicillin research in 1941. But arguably the most astounding aspect of Rockefeller's narrative is that when he began to give back a fraction of all he had gained, his body's chemistry changed dramatically, and he recovered.

He was expected to die at the age of 53, but he survived to reach 98 years old. Rockefeller learnt gratitude and returned the great bulk of his money. This made him whole. It's one thing to be healed. It is another to become fit. He was a devout Baptist who attended the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

Before he died, he wrote in his diary: "God taught me that everything belongs to Him, and I am merely a conduit to carry out His will. My life has been one long, happy holiday since then; full of work and play, I let go of my worries along the road, and God was wonderful to me every day.

WHERE NATURE IS AT HER BEST

 Mizoram

Mizoram, located in the northeastern part of India, is bounded by Myanmar (Burma) to the east and south and Bangladesh to the west and by the Indian States of Tripura to the northwest, Assam to the north, and Manipur to the northeast. The capital of Mizoram is Aizawl, situated in the north-central part of the State. Mizoram “the Land of the Mizos” was known as the Lushai Hills District of Assam before it was renamed Mizo Hills District in 1954.

In 1972, it became a centrally administered union territory under the name of Mizoram. On 20 February 1987, Mizoram became the 23rd State of India, sharing its borders with all the seven sister States.

Land

Geologically, the Mizo Hills form part of the Rakhine (Arakan) Mountains, a series of compact parallel ridges with a north-south axis formed of sandstone, limestone, and shale — all Cenozoic rocks. The ridges, separated by narrow river valleys, rise to about 7,000 feet. In the south, the Kaladan River and its tributaries flow southward into Myanmar, while the Dhaleswari (Tlawng) and Sonai (Tuirail) rivers flow north into Assam.

More than three-fourths of the land area of Mizoram is forested. Thick evergreen forests contain valuable timber trees such as champak (Michelia champaca), ironwood and gurjun (genus Dipterocarpus). The woodlands also provide habitat for many animals, including elephants, tigers, bears, deer, monkeys, gibbons, and serows.

People

Mizoram is one of the most sparsely populated States of India. The population density decreases from north to south, owing to a southward increase in humidity and temperature that renders the area less desirable for habitation. Aizawl is the State’s only major city; large towns include Lunglei, in the eastern part of the state, and Champhai, in the southcentral region.

The people of Mizoram consist almost entirely of Scheduled Tribes (an official category embracing indigenous groups that fall outside the predominant Indian social hierarchy). Most of the Mizos are Tibeto-Burman, speaking Mizo or a closely related Tibeto-Burman language. However, the Chakmas speak an Indo-Aryan language. Mizo and English are the official languages. Having no script of its own, they use the Roman alphabet.

The Five Major Mizo Tribes

Lushai is the tribe under the Kuki-chin group. Lushai’s are known as Mizos. Racially they are of Mongolian origin. They have a similar culture as Mizos.

The Ralte tribe is found scattered in the Lushai villages to the north of Aizawl. About 200 years ago the Raltes lived mostly near Champhai. Mangkhaia was an important Ralte chief there. He was killed in course of events following his clash with a Lushai chief.

The Hmars are part of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group. The Hmars still treasure and garner their traditional arts, including folk dance, folk songs, handicrafts, etc., representing scenes of adventure, battle, love, victory, and other experiences throughout history.

The Pawi Tribe resides in the south and south-eastern part of Mizoram. They have migrated from the Chin Hills of Burma. The Pawi call themselves Lai. This is commonly known as Chins in the Chin Hills district of Burma. At home the Pawis speak the Lai language and they speak the Mizo (Dulian) language in Schools and with the other tribals.

Christian missionaries began to work in the Mizo Hills area in the late 19th century. Consequently, the great majority of the population is Christian, predominantly Protestants. Buddhists form the largest religious minority group in Mizoram, followed by Hindus and Muslims and tiny groups of Sikhs and Jains.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the dominant economic activity of Mizoram, engaging more than two-thirds of the workforce in the State. Two types of agriculture are practised: terrace cultivation, in which crops are planted on relatively permanent, terraces on the sides of hills and mountains to conserve water and reduce soil loss; and shifting agriculture, in which tracts called jhum are cleared by burning, cultivated for a limited period of time, and then abandoned for a number of years.

Transportation

The State is traversed by two national highways, and major roads serve most of the larger towns. Regular bus routes operate across the State, and some also provide interstate services. A small airport provides flights from Aizawl to neighbouring States. There are no railways in Mizoram.

Education

Institutionalised education in Mizoram is attributed to Christian missionaries, who established the first schools in the State in the early 20th century. Mizoram has now over 2,000 primary, middle, and secondary schools, and its literacy rate is among the highest in India.

In 2000, Mizoram University was established in Tahnril, near Aizawl. It replaced a branch of the North Eastern Hill University (based in Meghalaya), which until then was the principal University in the State. Other institutions of higher learning include the Aizawl Theological College (1907) and Hrangbana College (1980), both in Aizawl.

Dances of Mizoram

Mizoram has one of the most captivating dance forms as the Mizos love to indulge in dances, making their lives as cheerful and vibrant as possible. Most of the dances are performed during the festival season.

Cheraw is one of the oldest and the most popular dance forms of Mizoram, using long bamboo staves. It is also known as the Bamboo Dance. Men sit face to face on the ground holding the bamboo sticks. They then tap pairs of horizontal and cross bamboo staves open and close in rhythmic beats. The main instruments are gongs and drums.

Khuallam is the dance of the guests. Guests are invited from other villages, and are asked to perform. No songs are sung during the dance. The traditional handwoven Mizo cloth is used, which is wrapped around the shoulder, and is swayed while performing the dance.

Chailam is performed during the Chapar Kut Festval. It is done by men and women standing in a circle. Men hold on the shoulder of women while women hold the waist of men. Musicians remain within the circle. And play the drum and Mithun’s horn.

Sariamkai is the traditional, and one of the oldest dance forms of Mizoram. It is performed as part of the celebrations after winning a battle. Men and women stand in their places while the hero stands holding his shield and the sword, swinging them to the tune of gong beats. 

Festivals in Mizoram

Music and dance are important elements in Mizo cultural life, with many festivities associated with the Christian holidays. Other celebrations, however, are centred on significant phases of the agricultural cycle. The authenticity of the festivals of Mizoram stems from the fact that the Mizo’s have not forgotten their roots and their culture. Till date, the Mizos are known to be one of the most culturally oriented and traditionally driven. 

Chapchar Kut Festival: This is one of the major festivals in Mizoram. This vibrant and colourful festival is very special as it signifies the coming of spring season. In 1973, the Mizoram government recognized it as a State Festival, to be celebrated by all irrespective of the ethnic groups. The spring season marks also the onset of cultivation season. Chapchar Kut is the harvest festival of Mizoram.

Mim Kut Festival: This is another important harvest festival of Mizoram. It is dedicated to the loved ones and the departed souls. The importance of the Mim Kut Festival is directly related to the Chapchar festival. The crops that were sowed during the Chapchar festival are harvested during this festival. The Mizos take the first produce from the harvest and present it to the departed souls who are believed to be visiting the homes during the festival. Other than the products from the harvest, they also keep favourite articles like clothes, ornaments and other objects dear to them. Mim Kut is celebrated in all the Mizo households with equal importance. 

Pawl Kut Festival: It is yet another major harvest festival that happens annually. The festival was first recorded in the 15th century. Mizoram once faced a severe drought which lasted for three years. People prayed to the rain gods to send them rain, and the rain gods showered their blessings by sending them good rain. As a mark of gratitude, they decided to dedicate their first produce to the rain god. Since then, the festival is always celebrated at the end of autumn and starting of spring.  

Lesser-known facts about Mizoram

The scenic beauty and cultural richness is what defines Mizoram best. It is the land of hills and valleys inhabited by many age-old tribal groups with different cultural significance, thereby making Mizoram a unique State of the country. It is the perfect place to visit if you are fond of hills and are keen to know the historical places. Mizoram is where nature is at her best.

Tourists travelling to Mizoram need an inner line permit. For travelling to Mizoram, you need to take an inner line permit without which no one will be allowed inside the State. This is to stop the entry of undesirable visitors who can cause harm to the people and surroundings. Domestic tourists can get it from the Lengpui airport or from the Liaison Officer of Mizoram in Kolkata, Silchar, Guwahati, Shillong, and Delhi. 

Mizoram is the ideal destination for bird watchers and wildlife photographers. The wildlife here will never fail to amaze wildlife photographers. It is also the ideal destination for bird watchers. One can find Mrs Hume’s Pheasant there. It is a rare bird and one will be lucky if one can get to see it. It is named after the wife of British naturalist Allan Octavian Hume, and is the State Bird of Mizoram and Manipur.

The major part of Mizoram is covered by forest. Among all the States of India, Mizoram has the highest amount of space covered by forests. Almost 90.68% of the area of the State is covered by forests. Mizoram is the third-highest forest cover in India with 1594000 hectares.

Mizoram is the second most literate State in India. Mizoram’s literacy rate was recorded as 92% in the last census, which is more than the literacy rate of India (74%). Even though 60% of the population depends on farming, people do not compromise with their education. 

The Tropic of Cancer passes through Mizoram. The Tropic of Cancer passes through Aizawl, which makes it geographically very significant.

Mizoram has 21 mountain peaks. A total of 21 peaks of different ranges crisscross Mizoram. One of the most famous ranges is the Blue Mountain or Phwangpui Tland. It is a protected area under Phawngpui National Park.

Weaving works of Mizoram are unique. The textile industry and special weaving work of Mizoram is one of the unique aspects of the State. The weaving skills and the designs made of the shawls and local outfits are vibrant and intricate, and a huge variety is seen in the needlework and designing.

Caves of Mizoram are of great historical significance. There are innumerable caves found in Mizoram like the Milu Puk, also called the Cave of Skulls, because a huge heap of human skeletons was found when the cave was discovered. These caves are manifested with interesting stories and are beautiful creations of nature.

Places of Tourist Interest 

Solomon’s Temple located in Aizawl district is a very important destination for those who practise Christianity.

Phawngpui Tlang (Blue Mountain) is one of the most important tourist destinations in Mizoram as it is the highest peak in the State.

Mizoram State Museum is a well-known tourist spot in Mizoram. The State Museum is a collection of artefacts and antiquities from the history of the land, and of the Mizo people.

Khwanglung Wildlife Sanctuary: If you are looking for places close to nature, the Khwanglung Wildlife Sanctuary would be a perfect destination for travellers who want to explore the wilderness of the northeast.

Vantawng Falls is the highest waterfall in Mizoram, standing at an altitude of 750 feet. It is one of the very important places to visit in Mizoram for experiencing the natural beauty around.

Rih Dil is a heart-shaped lake located at the border of Mizoram and Myanmar. It is a popular Mizo belief that this lake is a place where souls rest before they pass on to the life after. 

THE SIDEWALK SPECIALISTS

Crabs 🦀 

For some people the very mention of the word 'crab' makes the mouth water as they think of crab soups or curries. For others it brings smiles of amusement as they think of these freaky crustaceans skittering sideways on their tiptoe. A walk along the beach never fails to reveal a variety of crabs, but there are land crabs too. Life on the seashore can be rather difficult for those creatures, for they must make the most of the few hours of low tide, when the sea ebbs, to dig their burrows and feed. Imagine your home to be submerged under sea water every few hours and you have to repeatedly carry out repairs in the short span when the sea recedes!

Sand Bubbler Crabs:

While walking along the wet sand just beyond the water mark on a beach, you may have come across tiny sand balls radiating in straight lines around a minute hole, forming a striking pattern. This piece of art is the work of Sand Bubbler Crabs, which come out of their chimney-like burrows to feed. The fine layer of organic matter from around sand grains is what they dine on after which they mould the sand grains into little pellets. The pellets, strung like beads, appear like a sunburst and are the hallmarks of these crabs. 

Fiddler Crabs 

Moving on to wetlands, you may come across an army of crabs, the males among them waving one of their bright, cherry-red claws that is much larger than the other. To some people they appear to be playing a fiddle, for which reason they are called Fiddler Crabs. But in actual fact the crabs are neither waving nor fiddling. The strange exercise is to attract their would-be female partners or to ward off rival males. Adding to this comical behaviour are their long, stalked eyes that look like matchsticks and sometimes pop out like the periscope of a submarine. The waving action is not the only absurd behavior among fiddler crabs. Sometimes all of them, males and females, appear to be performing a mass drill. They raise their bodies altogether by standing on the tips of their legs, claws held upwards, then squat down on the sand and repeat this again and again. 

Clapping Crabs 

Now, here is another crab that, unlike the fiddler crab, does not wave, but keeps clapping! Clapping Crabs, with an interesting zigzag border on their carapace, open wide their claws as if inviting someone to hug them. Move a little closer and the claws come together with an audible 'clap'. They are not applauding you or the other creatures around. Clapping for them is a manner of threatening any potential enemy. 

Ghost Crabs 

Higher up on sandy beaches you find sand-coloured crabs with a square body, which are very difficult to spot. They run extremely fast on the tips of their pointed legs, casting shadows. Then suddenly, they stop and lower their body, so that their shadow disappears. It seems as though the crab has melted into the sand. These are ghost crabs, rightly so called. Moreover, they produce creaky or eerie sounds by rubbing their claws together, offering up a stronger reason to be called by this name. As if to fully justify the moniker they have earned, ghost crabs even have a fierce countenance-protruding from their head are two horns with eyes in the middle of the horns. 

Robber Crabs 

Residing in the Indian Ocean islands like the Andaman and Nicobar islands is one of the rarest and largest crabs, the robber crab or coconut crab. This land crab has been conferred this notorious reputation because it is known to climb up coconut trees, pierce the coconut shell with its very sharp claws, break it open with its phenomenal strength, feast on the kernel within and drink up the coconut water! These Herculean crabs are 30cm long and 20cm wide and weigh a whopping 3 to 5 kilograms. They hide in 'dens' amongst the roots of trees. Besides coconuts, these crabs also enjoy feasting on chikoos, jackfruits and pandanus (screw pine) fruits. 

On and on we go- each of the 4,500 species of crabs has a story to tell. Perhaps you can go for a marine walk and witness them first hand. If you don't live in a coastal town, the monsoon is the best time to meet a land crab and learn its secrets!

ART OF LIVING

Live in the Present

There is a story of a man who was a real workaholic, and did not ever waste a single moment of his important life. 

On his way to town, he would plan what stores he would shop in. Once in a store, he would plan where he was going to take a walk. During the walk, he would plan where he was going to eat. While eating his main dish, he would plan on what he was going to have for dessert. While eating dessert, he would look at the schedule to choose the bus he was going to take home. And so on...This man never paid attention to what he was actually doing. He was always getting ready for the next event. Then one day he came to something he was not prepared for. As he lay dying, he started reflecting on his life. He was shocked at how empty and meaningless a life he had led. The man had never lived in the present. Now there was nothing he could do about it! 

This is indeed a story for thought. Nowadays, we are always busy. We do this, that, and a lot of other things. But do we really live as we progress in life? Do we take time to enjoy the company of our family and friends? 

Let us strive to set aside some time for play and laugh. Concentrate on the present action and then move ahead. Planning everything is a good thing. But a good plan implemented today, is better than a perfect plan implemented tomorrow. 

There is a famous quote by Bill Keane: 

“Yesterday is history, 

Tomorrow is a mystery, 

Today is a gift of God, which is why it is called the present. 

So living in the present is the most important thing”.

CELEBRATING THE LORD OF THE MASSES

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the arrival of Lord Ganesha. 

It is celebrated in August or September every year for one and a half, five, seven days extending upto 21 days. This festival is about Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity, and his arrival on earth with his mother from Mount Kailash. The festival begins by bringing Lord Ganesh's statue/murti and installing it in homes or publically. Goddess Parvati is also worshipped during this time. Festival ends when the murti is immersed in a water body like a lake or ocean, also known as visarjan. It is said that after visarjan, both return to Mount Kailash.

Lord Ganesha is the first God worshiped before new beginnings, big or small. This depicts how important he is and how auspicious his presence is. He is referred to as the "lord of an invocation," "guardian of the multitudes," "god of success," "god of intelligence," and "obstacle remover." "Gana" means "people;" therefore, he is called Ganapati or Ganesh, meaning "lord of the masses."

The festival begins days before its actual dates as people start prepping and gathering items to worship Lord Ganesha. Some buy the murti, and some make it on their own. The house is cleaned before bringing Ganpati home, and the place where the murti is kept is decorated with flowers and colourful decorative items. On the day of the installation, Lord Ganesha is brought home, and his idol is installed with music, dance, happiness, joy, and devotion. Bhajans (holy songs) and aartis (holy chants) are sung twice daily.

Prashad (offerings) are made and offered to Ganpati, and every food item he loves is prepared and offered and then distributed to friends, family, and other people. Modaks and Ladoos are his favorite food items. The date of Ganesh Chaturthi depends on the Chaturthi Tithi. Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on the day of Chaturthi Tithi of Bhadrapad month.

It is said that on the day of visarjan, "Vighnaharta" (the one who takes all the problems away) takes all the obstacles, problems, and sorrow with him and leaves behind happiness, prosperity, and abundance.

Lord Ganesha has many names and has meaning and story behind each one. So let me tell you the story behind his name "Ekdanta," meaning "one toothed." Lord Ganesha has only one tooth. Although he had two, he had to take one out. And the story behind that will blow your minds.

In scriptures, Sage Vyas was asked to write an epic for which he needed someone intelligent. Sage Vyas requested Lord Shiva to help him with the scripture. Lord Shiva asked Lord Ganesha to write the script. But before Sage Vyas began dictating and Lord Ganesha started writing, Sage Vyas insisted that Lord Ganesha would write every word, every hymn only if he understood its meaning. In return, Lord Ganesha put a condition that Sage Vyas must dictate continuously, without any break and if he paused and Lord Ganesha had to halt his pen, he would not resume writing. The process went on for months. Lord Ganesha wrote without missing a single word and its meaning; he knew every word and hymn, which is why he is called the "god of intelligence." When they were in the process of writing, Lord Ganesha ran out of pens, so he pulled out one of his tusks to finish the process. And this is the reason why he is called Ekdanta.

There are so many tales of Lord Ganesha that will bedazzle you and force you to learn more about him.

TRADITIONAL YET SPORTY MARTIAL ART

 Judo 

The word literally translates as “gentle way” since ju means ‘gentle’ and do means ‘way’. It is gentle because its fundamental tenet is to use your opponent’s own weight and strength against him or her, allowing a smaller person to defeat a much larger opponent through ability, strategy, technique and time. The majority of sports judo techniques can be practised by people of all ages and genders. 

History of Judo

As the knowledge of unarmed fighting arts (jitsu) spread throughout the Orient, coming last to Japan, the subdivision multiplied as did names by which the arts were known: Wojitsu, Tai-jitsu, Go shin Jitsu, Ai Jitsu, and many others. Dr Jigoro Kano, a Japanese college professor, spent many years studying various ancient fighting arts, evaluating, comparing and practising them. Finally, in 1882, he put together the techniques to create a new art which he called Judo.

Dr Kano’s vision for judo was, as he wrote: “Judo should be one all-pervading principle governing the whole field, and that principle should be the highest or most efficient use of mental as well as physical energy directed to the accomplishment of a certain definite purpose or aim. Once the real importance of this purpose is understood, it may be applied to all phases of life and activity, thereby enabling one to lead the highest and most rational life.”

Present-day Judo

Today, judo is one of the most widely-spread martial arts with over 10 million practitioners. Kodokan is judo’s main centre for training and administration (Kodokan is the name given by Dr Kano to his dojo). You need not be contest-minded to take up judo. It is not purely about physical, it’s also about good attitude, behaviour, and adhering to class etiquette and decorum. We see this reflected in the oath every student joining Kodokan takes: “Once I have entered the Kodokan, I will not end my study without reasonable cause; I will not dishonour the dojo; unless I am given permission, I will not disclose the secrets that I have been taught, unless I am given permission, I will not teach judo; pupil first, teacher second, I will always follow the rules of the dojo.”

Judo Grade

Unarmed fighting arts, in their original form, had no ranks, degrees, uniforms, or belts. Awarding a belt for proficiency is relatively new. The sports judo belt was first given some 150 years ago. One rule is absolute: An individual may not grade himself in belt rank, irrespective of his proficiency. The judgement must be made by someone who is able to evaluate the individual either by his seniority of rank or proficiency. Originally, there were only two colour belts in judo, namely white and black. Then the brown belt was introduced as an intermediate grade. Today, there are many styles in judo, variance has crept in the colour scheme for grades at kyu (learners) level. It streamlines at the black belt. When you get your black belt, you are a first dan. The highest rank awarded is the 10th dan. Only 15 individuals have been promoted by Kodokan to the 10th dan.

Technique Categories in Judo

Judo techniques are categorized by which body part is used to execute a throw. There is a whole category of how to break a fall too. As it is easier to learn how to throw than to receive it, most students joining are eager to learn how to throw. Judo techniques are broadly divided into four categories:

1. Ukemi-waza (Breakfall): Until you have learned how to fall safely, do not allow yourself to be thrown. You can hurt yourself badly and may end up with a permanent injury. It is important to learn how to break a fall when thrown from different angles at any speed. Remember, learning breakfall is a lifetime asset.

2. Nage-waza (Throwing techniques): Throws are the essence of what judo is mostly about. Throws are divided into four categories, namely: Te-waza (hand technique), Koshi-waza (hip technique), Ashi-waza (foot and leg technique), Sutemi-waza (Sacrifice technique) and Yokosutemi-waza (side sacrifice technique)

3. Katami-waza (Groundwork techniques): These are techniques to pin your opponent to the ground: Osa-komiwaza (hold down technique) and Shime-waza (strangle technique).

4. Gyaku-waza (Joints-locking techniques): There is a fifth category of technique called atemi-waza (hand and foot blow technique). These techniques are never used in free sparring (randori) or contest (shiai). Few schools offer instructions in both sport judo and self-defence. I 

Judo Matches

Judo matches are won in four ways:

● When a throw (nage-waza) is properly executed, i.e., dropping the opponent onto his back or side.

● An immobilization hold down called osaekomi, in which a person is held down, controlled on his back or side for a period of thirty seconds.

● A choke called shime-waza, directed against the blood vessels of the neck, causing the opponent to lose consciousness or to submit.

● Joint lock when applied, called gyaku-waza, directed against the elbow causing the opponent to submit so as to avoid a fracture.

Self-Defence

Sports judo training may prepare a person for self-defence. The important fact is that throwing techniques and groundwork techniques are not the best ways to cope with common street attacks. An exceptional judoka with years of training in sport judo can apply some techniques in some self-defence situations.

Techniques Snippet

Back Fall (Backward Roll cum Fall)

1. Start from a seated position, legs straight forward, hands on your knees, head slightly forward.

2. Fall gently back with a rolling (not thrusting) motion, raising your hands to get more power in the slap. Keep the body slightly curled.

3. Finish by slapping the mat with force, just before the upper back touches the mat. The head never hits the mat. Avoid jerking back into the fall. Hit the mat with the palms of your hands cupped, arms fully extended, and close to the body. Slapping absorbs impact and allows you to fall with less jarring action to your back and to your internal organs.

In conclusion, judo, with its gentle yet effective principles, remains a popular and widely-practised martial art worldwide. Its rich history, universal techniques, and emphasis on respect and discipline, make it an invaluable pursuit. Whether for sport or self-improvement, judo offers a profound path to physical and mental growth.

SCULPTORS OF OUR LIFE

Our teachers 

Some people, noticing a marble block, remarked, “A block of stone”. But when Michelangelo, history’s greatest sculptor, saw it, he exclaimed, “I see an angel!” He set to work with his chisel and hammer to carve out the angel in it. That is precisely what every teacher is called to be: a sculptor or an artist who can visualise the great work of art lying hidden in every student and help bring out the masterpiece. 

Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam credited his Science teacher, Shri Siva Subramaniam Iyer who recognised Kalam’s intelligence and encouraged him. The well known billionaire, Bill Gates, ranks among the most famous dropouts of Harvard’s who founded the Microsoft Corporation. He always acknowledged his Maths and Drama teachers who so encouraged and motivated him in school that he went on to become the sixth richest person in the world and pledged to give away 95% of his wealth to charity. These are but a few examples of teachers who, backed by a keen vision, helped their students become valuable gems of society.

Teachers who are visionaries see their profession as a mission. In fact, teaching is both a call and sometimes a choice in life. Teachers educate their students not only for earning a livelihood or for gaining wealth and comfort but largely to help them live a meaningful life, i.e., to be persons of value and vision. Teachers stimulate their pupils to be creative and innovative in life. Albert Einstein once said, “It’s the supreme art of a teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” Teachers use their expertise and skills to the maximum for the benefit of their students.

Our country is blessed with many great visionary teachers who have made innumerable sacrifices for the sake of their students. All the effort and hard work teachers invest in bringing out the best in their students are rarely acknowledged or appreciated. They can be paid back in words or random acts of gratitude. Their greatest reward is the joy and pride of seeing their students become persons of character and nobility. 

Every year we observe Teachers’ Day on 5th September. On this auspicious day, may their immense sacrifices and selfless devotion to ‘teaching’ per se ensure the blossoming of the potential in each child for the betterment of society and country!