NOT AN EASY JOB

Making a cricket bat

Cricket bat making is an art and we come across different makes of bats in International cricket. The sound of the timer and the way balls soared over the boundary is a treat to watch. But bat making is not an easy job and it undergoes many processes before taking the shape of a cricket bat. 

A cricket bat is a specialized piece of equipment used by batsmen in the sport of cricket to hit the ball, typically consisting of a cane handle attached to a flat-fronted willow-wood blade. The length of the bat may be no more than 38 inches (965 mm) and the width no more than 4.25 inches (108 mm). Its use is first mentioned in 1624. Since 1979, a rule change stipulated that bats can only be made from wood. Dennis Lillee used an aluminum bat and that was banned for use in cricket matches. Matthew Hayden used a Mongoose bat during an IPL match and that was not in use thereafter.

Cricket bat willow is a cultivated timber which predominantly grows in large plantations in wetland areas throughout England mainly in the South East. The trees are mature between the age of 12-15 years and at this stage have a circumference of over 4ft. The bulk of the Woodstock willow comes from willow specialists but each cleft is still selected by lead bat maker, John Newsome, individually. The cleft has already been split from the round using a wooden wedge, rough sawn and the ends waxed to stop splitting. The process of seasoning in the open air takes place to reduce moisture content and this takes between nine months and a year. When ready to be turned into bats the ends are cut and they pass through a five cutter milling machine to give the cleft a uniform shape.

The seasoning of the willow at various seasons is exposed to various conditions. The bats are exposed to sun rays, rain and snowfall and the wear and tear on these weather conditions makes the bat more seasoned and fit for use for making bats. The age of these willows are picked according to their age to make it a suitable one for the process of bat making. Both Kashmir willow and English willow are cut to size of bat and kept for exposure to weather and later the bat making process is undergone to make a balanced bat.

Each bat handle is spliced and fitted using a flexible wood glue making sure it is set slightly forward to ensure the perfect line of the bow. The handle is then gently tapped into place and left to dry in an upright position. Once the bat has been shaped and blended the sanding process begins. This is a time consuming process that uses several grades of paper working to a fine finish. Finally brush sanders are used to give a beautiful smooth finish. The stickers are then affixed to make it colourful and to provide the bat name of the Indian made bats are exported to other countries. An exclusive bat made in India is not available for sale in India but you can get the same across the sea when you visit Sri Lanka. In Srinagar and surrounding areas cricket bats are available on the streets and you can pick up the best piece at a cheaper price without stickers but you can buy from outside and stick on as per your own liking.

The art of making a cricket bat is lovely to watch and the youngsters should avail a chance to go through the quality of wood, a few craftsmen with serious skills, computer assisted design, and large machines in factories, which provide all about a cricket bat. A firm grip with different colours and design decorate your bat very much and show a classic look. The curve given to the bat is of advantage and attracts classy batsmen of the modern era. Once the bats get final shape then it is ready for labelling, gripping and knocking in. 

Every bat also receives a final check-over to ensure that it has been finished to a high standard and that there are no previously unspotted imperfections. The present day bats provide you the feather touch if the shot is played from the middle of the bat with perfect timing. There lies the real pleasure of playing with a perfect bat.

DO YOU KNOW

 What causes albinism?

Albinism occurs if there is little or no melanin pigment in the body.

How is melanin produced in the body?

The skin has special cells called melanocytes. These cells start to produce melanin when stimulated. After the production is completed, melanin is sent to the melanosome. The melanosomes transport melanin to the skin. The more melanin is produced, the darker the skin gets.

Melanin is produced especially on sunny days because it absorbs harmful rays of the sun and protects the body. That's why we tan when the weather is sunny.

As people with albinism cannot produce melanin, they don't tan but they become red. They pay attention to the clothes they wear and use sunscreen to protect their skin.

The primary effect of the melanin deficiency can be seen in the eyes. Albinism causes many eye problems. These problems include crossed eyes, light sensitivity, blurred vision and involuntary eye movements. 

Light sensitivity occurs as follows: The iris, the colored structure in the eye, shrinks when there is too much light and gets bigger when there is less light. The retina absorbs the excess light coming into the eye. The iris of people with albinism cannot shrink when there is too much light and more light enters the eye. The retina cannot absorb all of the light and as a result, light sensitivity occurs.

The eyes of people with albinism look red. It doesn't mean that they have red eyes! It is the reflection of the vessels in their eyes. 

All organs of the people with albinism are healthy except the vision center of their brain.

Some animals only have melanin pigment in their skin. Others have different pigments besides melanin. Lack of melanin causes albinism in animals too.

Animals with albinism have white skin, hair and feathers. Unfortunately, the technology for people with albinism is not applicable for animals in nature. It is difficult for them to camouflage themselves because their skin is white. 

For example, when crocodiles with albinism are born, they attract predators' attention and they are easily hunted. 

It is believed that squirrels with albinism have the most comfortable life compared to other animals with albinism. This is because they move very quickly and hide between the trees!

Can plants have albinism? They can! The pigment named chlorophyll makes the plants green. The lack or absence of chlorophyll pigment in plants causes albinism. Plants that we are used to seeing green appear white.

Plants make their own food thanks to the chlorophyll. You may wonder about the relevance of food to our subject. Plants with albinism cannot make food without chlorophyll. For this reason, it's difficult for them to live. But plants help each other. They transfer food to other plants in need of food through their roots. Plants with albinism hold on to life in this way.

The best examples of them are redwoods. They reach a maximum height of about 20 meters. The location of many of them are kept secret because they are under protection.

HIDDEN BENEFITS OF COMPETITIONS

Why competition matters 

Competitions are a part of student life. They can be about anything – mathematics, science, sports, art or even building robots. Sometimes, students might feel scared or unsure about entering competitions. However, they have hidden benefits that can help students grow and learn in different ways. Let’s find out why participating in competitions matters:

Why does participation matter?

● Learning new things: Competitions help develop new skills and knowledge. Whether it’s solving maths problems, writing stories or building something interesting, students learn by doing. This hands-on experience is different from regular classroom learning. It makes lessons come alive.

● Building confidence: Competitions help students believe in themselves. Sharing your work in front of people can be scary, but the fear starts to fade once you give it a try. This boost in confidence can help students in other areas of life, like making new friends or speaking in public.

● Teamwork and communication: Some competitions require working in teams. This teaches students how to cooperate with others, share ideas and solve problems together. Even in individual competitions, students often get help and advice from teachers, friends or family. Learning to communicate and work with others is a valuable life skill.

● Dealing with challenges: Not everything goes perfectly in competitions. Competitions teach students how to face challenges, find solutions and keep trying even when things get tough. 

● Discovering passions: Competitions can help students find what they are passionate about. It might be sports, music, writing or something else. This discovery can guide them in choosing hobbies, subjects to study, or even future careers.

● Meeting new people: Competitions are a great place to meet students with similar interests.  Meeting new people can open up new opportunities and help students build a supportive network.

● Fun and excitement: Lastly, competitions are fun. The thrill of preparing, participating, and seeing the results is great. Even if students don’t win, the experience itself can be enjoyable and memorable. 

How to start -

Here are some easy tips to help you make the most out of competitions:

☆ Choose the right competition: Pick a competition that matches your interests and skills. This will make it more fun and less stressful.

☆ Prepare well: Research, practice and study for the competition. The more you practise, the better you will get.

☆ Manage your time: Plan your time well so you can balance studying, practising and relaxing.

☆ Learn from others: Watch and learn from other students. See what they do well and try to improve your own skills.

☆ Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to ask teachers, friends or family for help. They can give you good advice and support.

☆ Stay positive: Believe in yourself and stay positive. It’s okay to make mistakes because they help you learn and grow.

☆ Learn from failure: Don’t be discouraged by failure. Instead, use it as an opportunity to learn and improve.

By following these easy tips, you can do well in school and life.

Overcoming fears: Many students avoid competitions because they feel they’re not good enough and have no chance of winning. Some worry that their friends might tease them if they don’t perform well. There’s also the fear of disappointing parents and teachers. However, it’s important to remember that competitions are more about learning and growing than just winning. With the right support and a positive mindset, these fears can be overcome, and you can participate with confidence. If you feel pressure from friends, parents or teachers to win, remind them of Confucius’ wise words: “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.”

DO YOU KNOW

 If atoms make up everything, what makes up atoms? 

Atoms are the basic building blocks of everything. They join, or bond, together to make larger molecules – be that the water you drink or the rocks that make up the Moon. Atoms are made up of three tiny particles: protons, neutrons and electrons. 

The protons and neutrons clump together in a central nucleus, which is orbited by the electrons. The protons and neutrons together give the atom its mass (weight). Protons carry a positive charge and neutrons are neutral. This makes the nucleus positive and keeps the negatively charged electrons attracted to it. 

All the elements (the different substances that make up the universe – hydrogen, carbon, oxygenor iron, for instance) are made up of these same three particles but each element has a unique “recipe”. An atom of the light element helium, for example, has two protons, two neutrons and two electrons. An atom of heavier gold, on the other hand, has 79 protons, 118 neutrons and 79 electrons. 

Protons and neutrons are actually made up of even smaller particles called quarks. There doesn’t seem to be anything smaller inside electrons though, which makes sense as they are 1,800 times smaller than protons and neutrons.

WORLD'S LARGEST BEAR

The Polar Bear

The polar bear is perfectly suited to live in the cold, harsh tundra of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. Standing up to 10 feet tall, it is the world’s largest bear and the Arctic’s top predator. Its scientific name, Ursus maritimus, means “sea bear” for good reason. The polar bear spends much of its life in, around, or on the Arctic Ocean. A skilled swimmer, the polar bear can swim at a top speed of 40 kilometers per hour, paddling with its front paws while holding its hind legs flat like a rudder. Its paws are slightly webbed. 

On land, its dinner plate-sized paws act like natural snowshoes when it walks on snow and ice. The polar bear is built to stay warm. The water-repellent outer layer of its fur is hollow and reflects light, giving it a white colour, which helps camouflage it in the snow. The skin underneath its fur is actually black. (You can see this yourself from its black nose.) There is a 4-inch layer of fat below the surface of the bear’s skin to trap body heat in the freezing Arctic environment. No cuddly teddy bear, the polar bear has quite the bite thanks to its 42 razorsharp teeth, jagged back teeth, and canines, which are larger than a grizzly’s. Other adaptations are a third eyelid to help protect the bear’s eyes from the elements, a blue tongue, and an excellent sniffer. The polar bear’s sensitive nose can smell a seal on ice 20 miles away.

This carnivore gives its seal of approval mainly to ringed and bearded seals. These seals provide them with large amounts of fat, which polar bears need to survive. The crafty bears rest silently at a seal’s breathing hole in the ice, waiting for the seal to surface, or pounce through the roof of the den to capture young seals. Polar bears also hunt by swimming beneath the ice. They spend more than 50% of their time hunting, catching maybe one or two seals for every 10 they hunt. Although they don’t hibernate, polar bears take a “winter sleep.” Their body functions do slow down, but they can easily wake up. While food is scarce for other types of bears in the winter, polar bears have seals to eat all winter long, so they don’t need to hibernate.

When it comes to dens, males and females are polar opposites. Males don’t live in dens, but pregnant females do. In the fall, females make dens in earth and snowbanks along the coast. They need the “heated” space to protect their tiny cubs. Dens can be 38°F warmer than the outside temperature. Litters of one to three cubs are born and fed during the winter sleep. At birth, babies are only 1.5 pounds—about the size of a stick of butter. They are born hairless with their eyes closed. Mother’s milk contains 35% fat to help the cubs grow quickly. By the time mother bear emerges from her den in spring, her cubs weigh more than 20 pounds. The tumbling “cub scouts” follow her out into the bright world, ready to explore and learn to hunt.

It’s lonely at the top—of the food chain. Polar bears eat everything, and nothing eats them, (except for native hunters). So why has their Hudson Bay population declinced by 20% in the past 20 years? Climate change, melting sea ice, and a decline in the number of seals are taking their toll. In 2011, a female swam for nine days nonstop to get to sea ice, losing her cub along the way. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) predicts that two-thirds of all polar bears will disappear by 2050.

TOKYO'S RYOGUKU DISTRICT

Sumo City

It is not uncommon to see large men clothed in cotton kimonos and wooden sandals strolling down the streets of Tokyo’s Ryoguku district on the east bank of the Sumida River. These men are sumo wrestlers, athletes who participate in Japan’s national sport of sumo wrestling. 

Japanese sumo wrestling began about 2,000 years ago when tournaments were held at shrines and temples. Sumo wrestling was both spiritual and sacred, and matches were performed to entertain and please the Gods. It evolved into a spectator sport in the 1600s and was centred in the Ryoguku district, Edo’s bustling entertainment and commerce center. 

The Ryoguku district has remained the sumo wrestling capital of Japan. Many sumo beya (stables), facilities where wrestlers live and train, are located there. Promising wrestlers are sent to live and train at stables when they are just 15 years old. They arrive with dreams of fame and fortune but discover that life at a stable is difficult. In addition to practicing for hours each day, novice wrestlers must cook, clean, and attend to the needs of senior wrestlers. It takes a tremendous amount of patience, strength, and discipline to become an accomplished sumo wrestler.

Only the top wrestlers compete in the country’s six annual sumo tournaments. Three of these 15-day tournaments take place at Kokugikan Sumo Stadium in the Ryoguku district. Opened in 2014, the 10,000-seat stadium also houses a sumo museum. 

Retired wrestlers manage many of the district’s chanko nabe restaurants. Chanko nabe, a hot stew-like dish made with broth, protein (meat or tofu), and vegetables, can be prepared using endless combinations of ingredients. It is the staple food of sumo wrestlers. 

Although sumo wrestling is what Ryoguku is famous for, the district has much more to offer. It is home to the Edo-Tokyo Museum, which highlights Tokyo’s history beginning with the Edo period, which took place from 1603 and 1868. The museum is filled with intricate scale models depicting life in Edo as well as reconstructed historical buildings including a replica of Edo’s most popular kabuki hall. 

Wrestlers wear their hair in topknots, which are similar to buns. Only top-ranked wrestlers can wear topknots styled into the shape of ginko leaves. The topknot was worn by samurai during the Edo period, a time when hairstyles were a symbol of a person’s status in society. According to legend, sumo wrestlers bury their topknots on the grounds of the Eko-in Temple after they retire. 

It was also during the Edo period that samurai served daimyos, Edo’s most powerful lords. In 1701, 47 samurai cut off the head of Kira Yoshinaka, the man responsible for the death of their daimyo. After cleaning Yoshinaka’s head in a well, they delivered it to their master’s grave. The ronins (masterless samurai) were harshly punished for the act. 

Visitors to the Ryoguku district can learn about these events by checking out Honjo Matsuzaka-cho Park, which is located where the killing took place. The well that was used to wash Yoshinaka’s head can be found in the park, and there are stone monuments that lead out of the park and mark the path on which the ronin walked as they traveled to their master’s grave.

“The Legend of the 47 Ronin,” one of the most celebrated stories in Japan, has been retold in books, movies, and kabuki theater plays. 

Visitors can choose to travel the path of the 47 ronin, visit a museum, or get a glimpse into the sacred world of sumo wrestling. The Ryoguky district is filled with reminders of Tokyo’s rich and sometimes tragic history.

FAST FACTS» In an effort to remain on their feet during a match, sumo wrestlers will not eat a stew called chanko nabethat contains meat from any fourlegged animal before competing.» The Ryoguku district is filled with sumo statues, sumo flags, sumo murals, sumo wrestler portraits, and even handprints from famous sumo wrestlers.

THE GOLDEN FIBRE

Jute 

One of the most important natural fibre and cash crops in India, jute is a biodegradable and environment-­friendly alternative to plastic when it comes to packaging needs. 

Jute, known as the golden fibre, is the second most important cash crop in India after cotton in terms of cultivation and usage. India is the largest producer of jute in the world. West Bengal, Assam and Bihar are the major jute­-growing states in the country, and raw jute farming and trade make up the livelihood of about 14 million people. West Bengal is the largest producer of jute in India. Jute is mainly cultivated by marginal and small farmers of Assam. The State is the second largest producer of jute in India. The main jute­ producing districts are Nagaon, Goalpara, Barpeta, and Darrang. Jute is a labour ­intensive crop and provides huge employment opportunities and benefits to local farmers. The agro-­based and export­ oriented industry has played an important role in the economy of Assam. The bast fibre crop can be harvested at any stage after a certain period of vegetative growth, usually between 100 and 150 days. Harvesting of jute crop at pre­bud or bud stage gives the best quality fibre, however, the yields are low. Older crop yields more quantity but the fibre becomes coarse and the stem does not ret properly. Hence, as a compromise between quality and quantity, the early pod formation stage has been found best for harvesting. 

Harvesting is done by cutting the plants at or close to the ground level with sharp sickles. In flooded lands, the plants are uprooted. The harvested plants are left in the field for two or three days for the leaves to shed. Next, the plants are tied into bundles and the branching tops are left to rot in the field. Retting is one of the important operations governing the quality of fibre. The bundles are kept in water, and later placed side by side, usually in layers and tied together. They are covered with water hyacinth or any other weed that does not release tannin and iron. The float is then weighed down with seasoned logs or with concrete blocks or are kept submerged with bamboo ­crating. Retting is best done in slow ­moving cleanwater. The optimum temperature is around 34degrees Celsius. Once the fibre comes out easily from the wood, retting is considered complete.

Many countries are now trying to reduce the use of plastic commodities, especially plastic bags. Jute bags are biodegradable and environment­friendly alternatives to plastic bags. Here lies the economic prospects of jute. Along with the traditional usage, jute can contribute in the production of value­ added products such as paper, pulp, composites, textiles and other materials.