GLOBAL ECHOES OF FREEDOM

Independence day across the globe

One of the most important milestones attained by any country which once ruled by someone else is effectively becoming a sovereign state. Independence Day, National Day, or Liberation Day is marked as a universal celebration of a new future for countries that gained freedom from colonial rule or occupation. The day is considered a national holiday in those countries. While India celebrated its 78th Independence Day in 2024, there are nations which share the same date as their Independence Day.

While India’s Independence Day on August 15 is wellknown, it’s fascinating to explore that other countries also share this momentous date. Additionally, several countries around the world share common Independence Days on different dates throughout the year.

This article delves into these shared historical moments, connecting nations across the globe through their common pursuit of sovereignty.

Countries with Independence Day on 15th August

1. India - Gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947.

2. South Korea - Celebrates its Liberation Day (Gwangbokjeol), marking the end of colonial Japanese rule in 1945.

3. Bahrain – The island nation in the Persian Gulf got its independence from British rule on August 15, 1971. However, they celebrate their national day on the 16th of August.

4. Liechtenstein – One of the wealthiest yet tiny nations in the world celebrates its National Day, also on August 15, commemorating the Feast of the Assumption along with its independence from German rule on 1866.

5. Republic of Congo – The Congolese National Day is celebrated on 15th August as gained its independence from French colonial rule on August 15, 1960.

6. North Korea - Similar to South Korea, celebrates Liberation of the Fatherhood Day, marking the end of Japanese rule in 1945.

Countries with Common Independence Days Throughout the Year:

Independence Day on July 4:

1. United States - Celebrates independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776.

2. Philippines - Initially celebrated Independence Day on July 4, 1946, when it gained independence from the United States. However, the official Independence Day is now observed on June 12, commemorating independence from Spanish rule in 1898.

3. Rwanda - Celebrates Liberation Day on July 4, marking the end of the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

Independence Day on March 26:

1. Bangladesh - Celebrates Independence Day on March 26, 1971, marking the declaration of independence from Pakistan.

2. Greece - Celebrates Greek Independence Day on March 25, commemorating the start of the War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. Though it’s a day earlier, it’s very close to Bangladesh’s date.

Independence Day on September 16:

1. Mexico - Celebrates Independence Day on September 16, 1810, marking the beginning of the struggle for independence from Spain.

2. Papua New Guinea - Celebrates Independence Day on September 16, 1975, marking independence from Australia.

Independence Day on July 1st:

1. Canada - Known as Canada Day, it was in 1867 when through the British North America Act the provinces of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia were named as a single Dominion.

2. Rwanda - The nation became independent though on July 1st from Belgium on July 1, 1962, marking the end of colonial rule.

3. Somali - celebrates its independence from the British and Italian colonial rule in 1960

4. Hong Kong - July 1 is celebrated as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day. It marks the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to China in 1997.

5. Burundi - The landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley at the junction between the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa gained its independence from Belgium on this day.

Independence Day on January 11. 

1. Haiti - Throwing out successfully the French colonial rule in 1804, it became the first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

2. Sudan - the nation gained its independence from British Egyptian rule in 1956.

3. Cuba - On this day in 1959, the people of Cuba overthrew the Batista government. The rise of Fidel Castro’s leadership celebrates this day as the Triumph of the Revolution.

4. Cameroon - The Republic of Cameroon gained its independence from French colonial rule on this day in 1960.

5. Samoa - It was the year 1962 when Samoa became the first Polynesian nation to gain independence from New Zealand.

6. Brunei - Officially called Brunei Darussalam, this is a country in Southeast Asia, which was declared a sovereign state from British protection on 1st Jan in 1984.

7. The Czech Republic - The Czech Republic celebrates its separation from Slovakia in 1993.

YODELING

Yodel-ay-hee-whoo

When most people think about Switzerland, they think of Swiss cheese, Swiss Army knives, tall Alpine mountains, and yodeling. Most of us have seen at least one movie or television show in which someone in a traditional Swiss outfit stands on a mountainside and calls, “Yodel-ay-hee-whoo!” Maybe you’ve even watched an old Tarzan movie in which Tarzan swings through the trees and yodels his famous cry. But just what is this strange noise, what is it for, and how did it get started? 

Yodeling has been used as a means of communications in mountainous regions for centuries. While yodeling is most often associated with Switzerland, it actually originated in the 4th century BC. A Roman emperor named Julian complained about the “wild, shrieking songs” of people who lived in the northern mountains. Some people believe that yodeling may have started in Africa, probably as a way to call cattle and keep them together. In the 1200s, early shepherds in the Alpine region that includes modern day Switzerland discovered that they could alternate their voices between a regular singing voice and a falsetto (a singing voice that is unusually or unnaturally high) voice, and began using it to call their cows and communicate with each other across large areas. This kind of singing became known as yodeling in English, from the German word jodeln, which means “to utter the syllable jo” (pronounced “yo” in English).

It didn’t take long for yodeling to move from a folk tradition to a type of entertainment. By 1830, it was a popular act in theaters and music halls. It was also included in many Austrian and Swiss folk songs. In the United States, some of the traveling minstrels in the 19th century performed yodeling. In 1892, inventor Thomas Edison made a recording of yodeler L. W. Lipp for Edison’s New Jersey Phonograph Company. Singers began using yodeling in other forms of music, such as blues and country. Folk singer Jimmie Rodgers released a recording called “Blue Yodel No. 1.” He eventually recorded 13 blue yodel songs, which blended yodeling with African American blues and work songs. Rodgers’ recording created yodeling craze in the United States. Singing cowboys and cowgirls also began using yodeling in their acts.

How do singers yodel? They do it by rapidly shifting from their regular chest singing voice to their falsetto head voice, at high volume. They might be shifting several times in just a few seconds. Yodelers use the consonants AH, OH, OO for chest notes and AY or EE for the falsetto, so in the famous yodel “Yodel Ay EEE Oooo,” the EEE is sung in the high head voice and the rest in the chest voice. It takes time and training for singers to learn how to move so quickly between the two voice levels.

Yodeling has found its way into a lot of modern music as well, including punk and contemporary rock. Singer Jewel yodels in her song “Chime Bells.” Her father, who in turn learned from listening to Jimmie Rodgers’ recordings, taught her to yodel. Gwen Stefani yodels in her 2006 single “Wind It Up.” Other famous yodelers include the Muppets, Bill Murray, Julie Andrews in the movie The Sound of Music, Shakira, Gene Wilder, Disney’s Goofy, and South Korea’s former Miss World, Ji-Yea Park. Kishore Kumar was a famous Indian singer and actor who was known for his yodeling. 

Many people are trying yodeling, especially because it is said to help relieve stress. Listen to some yodeling performances (there are many on YouTube), then find a mountaintop, or at least some place where you won’t bother anyone, and give it a try. Maybe yodeling will be an easier way to communicate with your friends than texting or emailing…or maybe not.

WORDS WORTH READING

Attitude Is Everything

Once, there were three bricklayers. Each one of them was asked what they were doing. The first man answered gruffly, “I’m laying bricks.”

The second man replied, “I’m putting up a wall.”

But the third said enthusiastically, and with pride, “I’m building a cathedral!”

It is said, “Our attitude towards life, determines life’s attitude towards us.” A good attitude is the start to a good future, and, a lot of success. 

Our attitude towards whatever we are doing, decides our ultimate level of success. Being able to see the end result, rather than just the task, eliminates obstacles, focuses our energy, and provides us motivation to excel. 

As you move ahead in life, during and after studies, please keep in mind that having a positive attitude, brings about many wonderful opportunities. In class, and at work. Apositive attitude may not necessarily solve all our problems. But it is the best option we have to get out of problems.

Positive thinking has the power, to turn a hard day into a manageable one, and a good day into an even better one. Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results. 

You’ll be braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Keep in mind that pessimism leads to weakness and optimism to strength.Therefore, shape your attitudes accordingly.

HISTORY BEHIND

Evolution of Calendar

According to Collins a calendar is a chart or device which displays the date and the day of the week, and often the whole of a particular year divided up into months. The word ‘calendar’ is derived from the Latin calendarium “account book” or ‘kalendae’, the first day of the month in the Roman republican calendar when debts fell due and accounts were reckoned. 

Antiquity of Calendars: The methods of time keeping go back to prehistoric age at least as old as the Neolithic. The Sumerian calendar is considered the earliest. However, a team of researchers found 12 large pits in Aberdeenshire, Scotland that mirrored the moon’s phases. These pits are estimated to be 10,000 years old. They are believed by some to be the oldest calendars in the world. 

Concept of the New Year: The city of Babylon in ancient Mesopotamia or modern-day Iraq is credited to have the earliest record of instituting the concept of the New Year in 2000BCE about 4,000 years ago. The New Year would be celebrated around the time of the vernal equinox in mid-March. The celebration would last for eleven days. Various other ancient cultures began their New Year on different dates.

Types of Calendars: There are different types of calendar including solar calendar, lunar calendar and lunisolar calendar. In a solar calendar dates indicate the season and the position of the sun relative to the stars. The first solar calendar is believed to have been developed by the Egyptians. They used a fixed point of the annual sunrise reappearance of Sirius colloquially known as Dog Star in the eastern horizon that coincided with the annual deluge of the river Nile. They first shaped a calendar comprising 365 days of 12 monthsof 30 days each with 5 days added at the end of the year. But their calendar was not perfect as they failed to account for the extra fraction of a day. 

Roman Origin: However, the present New Year day is considered to have Roman origin. The dating system evolved from the Greek lunar calendar. The Romans borrowed parts of their earliest known calendar from the Greeks. Romulus, the founder of Rome, instituted the calendar in about 738 BCE. It consisted of 10 months in a year of 304 days. The months were termed as Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Juniius, Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November and December. 

Reformations: Numa Pompilius (753 – 673 BCE), the legendary second king of Rome, reformed the Roman calendar to create a 12-month year by adding January. In 452 BCE, February was inserted between January and March. But the lunar year comprising 355 days was full of confusion as it was ten and one fourth days shorter than the solar year. Occasional intercalation of an extra month of 27 or 28 days called Mercedonius (from merces, meaning wages, since workers were paid at this time of year), as per direction of Numa Pompilius to make the calendar correspond approximatelyto the solar year confounded the matter to the point of extremity. 

Julian Calendar : Julius Caesar (100 – 44 BCE) brought about a drastic reformation and improvement on the ancient Roman calendar and introduced a solar-based calendar in 46 BCE. He decreed that the New Year would occurJanuary 1 because it contained the festival of the god of gates. The Roman republican calendar still contained only 355 days. January, April, June, August, September, November and December were of 29days; March, May, July, and October of 31 days and Februaryof 28 days. Being a lunar calendar, it was shorter by 10.25 days of a 365.25-day tropical year. Then an intercalary month was inserted between February 23 and 24. It consisted of 27 or 28 days that were added once every two years. The remaining 5 days of February were left out. Thus the intercalation was equivalent to an additional 22 or 23 days and in a four year period the total days in the calendar became (4x355) +22+23 = 1465 days. The average days per year were equal to 1465/4 or 366.25 days. 

Gregorian Calendar: In October of 1582, the Gregorian calendar correcting slight errors in the Julian calendar was introduced and decreed by the papal bull inter gravissimas by Pope Gregory XIII. According to the Julian calendar, the length of a solar year was 365.25 days. But it was later found that a solar year is equal to 365.2422 days and 365.2424 days in tropical and equinox years. As a result, the Julian calendar missed nearly a day every 131years. 10 extra days were omitted from October in the Julian calendar to adjust in the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, the day following October 4 on which Gregorian calendar was adopted, was counted as October 15, 1582. Unlike a Julian calendar, all centurial years though divisible by 4 are not leap years. In that case they should be divisibleby 400. After protracted controversies, the Gregorian calendar was finally adopted by the Church. 

Origin of months’ names:

JANUARY: Named after Janus, a two faced god of doors and gateways whose one face looked back on the old year while the other looked forward to the new one.

FEBRUARY: Named in honour of the Februa festival, personified by Februus, the Roman god of purification.

MARCH: Named after Mars, the god of war, with his month ushering in the start of the war season as hostilities resume after halting during winter.

APRIL: Named after Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, or the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open,” representing the season plant life begins to open in spring.

MAY: Named after Maia, a goddess of the earth and of plant growth, symbolising a month associated with a surge in plant activity.

JUNE: Named after Juno, the goddess of marriage and childbirth and also the wife of Jupiter, the king of gods. June has always been a popular month for weddings, as the goddess would bring happiness and prosperity to all those who wed in her month.

JULY: Previously called Quintilis, which is Latin for “fifth,” the month was later named after Julius Caesar in honour of his reorganising the calendar in 46 BCE.

AUGUST: Named after Augustus Caesar, the grand nephew and adopted heir of Julius Caesar, who in 8 BCE transformed Rome from a republic into an empire ruled by an emperor.

SEPTEMBER: From the Latin word septem (seven), as this had been the seventh month of the ancient Roman calendar which started the year in March.

OCTOBER: From the Latin word octo (eight).

NOVEMBER: From the Latin word novem (nine).

DECEMBER: From the Latin word decem (ten).

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.”