DO YOU KNOW

What are crocodile tears?

Crocodile tears is a phrase used to describe fake or insincere expressions of sadness. The term comes from an old myth that crocodiles cry while eating their prey. People once believed that crocodiles wept to lure in their victims or to show false remorse. However, this is not true. 

In reality, crocodiles do produce tears, but not because they are sad. Crocodile tears are a natural part of their body’s function to keep their eyes moist, especially when they are out of water for a long time. When crocodiles eat, their jaw muscles can press on the tear glands, causing them to release tears. This has nothing to do with emotions. 

Today, when someone says you are shedding "crocodile tears", it means they think you are pretending to be sad or sorry when you really are not. It’s a way to call out someone who is being insincere. 

LAND OF RISING SUN

 Japan

Hello, young explorers! Have you ever heard Japan being called the “Land of the Rising Sun”? It’s a fascinating nickname, isn’t it? Today, we are going to dive into the history, culture, and geography of Japan to understand why it has this special title. So, let’s embark on this journey together and uncover the secrets behind Japan’s famous name!

The Geographical Explanation: Japan is located in East Asia, and it’s one of the first places in the world to see the sunrise every day. If you look at a map, you’ll see that Japan is east of China and Korea, stretching out into the Pacific Ocean. Because of its position, the sun rises in Japan before it rises in many other parts of the world. This geographical fact is a big part of why Japan is called the “Land of the Rising Sun.”

Historical Background: The name “Land of the Rising Sun” isn’t just about geography, though. It has deep historical roots. Long ago, China was a powerful and influential country in East Asia. The Chinese called Japan “Rìběn” (日本), which means “origin of the sun” or “sun’s origin,” because Japan is to the east of China, where the sun rises. Over time, this term evolved and spread, becoming a key part of how Japan is identified.

In the 8th century, Japanese emissaries to China started using the name “Nihon” or “Nippon” (日本) to describe their country. This name is still used today and directly translates to “origin of the sun,” reinforcing the idea of Japan as the place where the sun rises.

Cultural Significance: Japan’s association with the rising sun goes beyond geography and history; it is deeply embedded in its culture and national identity. The Japanese flag, known as the Nisshoki or Hinomaru, features a red circle in the centre, representing the sun. This simple yet powerful design symbolises the importance of the sun in Japanese culture.

In Japanese mythology, the sun goddess Amaterasu is a central figure. She is considered the ancestor of the imperial family and one of the most important deities in Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion. According to legend, Amaterasu brought light to the world, and her descendants became the rulers of Japan. This myth further ties Japan’s identity to the rising sun.   

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• The Modern Perspective: Today, the nickname “Land of the Rising Sun” continues to be a source of pride for the Japanese people. It symbolises Japan’s unique position in the world, its rich cultural heritage, and its forward-looking outlook. The rising sun represents hope, renewal, and a bright future, which are values that resonate deeply in Japanese society.

Fun Facts About Japan

Now that we know why Japan is called the “Land of the Rising Sun,” let’s explore some fun facts about this amazing country!

Mount Fuji: Japan is home to Mount Fuji, an iconic and sacred mountain that is also an active volcano. It is the highest peak in Japan and a popular destination for hikers and tourists.

Cherry Blossoms: Every spring, Japan celebrates the cherry blossom season, known as “Sakura.” The blooming of cherry trees is a beautiful sight, attracting people from all over the world to witness the stunning pink and white flowers.

Technology and Tradition: Japan is famous for its advanced technology and futuristic cities. However, it also values traditional arts and crafts, such as tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and sumo wrestling.

Delicious Cuisine: Japanese food is loved globally. Sushi, ramen, tempura, and sashimi are just a few examples of the delicious dishes that originate from Japan.

Politeness and Respect: Japanese culture places a high value on politeness and respect. Bowing is a common greeting, and there are many customs related to showing respect to others.

Anime and Manga: Japan is the birthplace of anime and manga, which are popular forms of entertainment enjoyed by people of all ages around the world.

Conclusion: Japan, the “Land of the Rising Sun,” is a country with a rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes. Its nickname is a reflection of its geographical position, historical significance, and cultural heritage. From the stunning sunrise over Mount Fuji to the ancient myths of the sun goddess Amaterasu, Japan’s connection to the rising sun is a fascinating story that continues to inspire people around the world.

GREATEST PACE BOWLER OF INDIA

Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev (born January 6, 1959, Chandigarh, India) Indian cricketer and the greatest pace bowler in his country’s history. He is the only cricketer to have scored over 5,000 runs and taken more than 400 wickets in Test (international match) cricket.

Dev made his debut in first-class cricket playing for his state, Haryana. He joined the Indian national team for a 1978–79 Test series against Pakistan. Although his tally of seven wickets over three matches in a losing effort was not the most spectacular of debuts, Dev played with great energy, possessing an impressive outswinger delivery and an aggressiveness that Indian cricket had not seen in a long while. In fact, Dev was India’s first genuine fast bowler, and he went on to lead the country’s bowling attack for the next two decades. He ended his Test career with a record 434 wickets in 131 Test matches (a record that was broken in 2000 by Jamaica’s Courtney Walsh), including 23 five-wicket matches. In one-day internationals, he took 253 wickets over 225 games.

Dev also made a mark as a hard-hitting middle-order batsman. In a 1978–79 Test series against the West Indies, he not only took seven wickets in the fourth Test but also scored 126 runs in the fifth Test to help India win the series. His attacking game, peppered often with huge boundaries (hits that cross the boundary of the field), helped him score 5,248 runs in 131 Tests (including eight centuries [100 runs in a single innings]) and 3,783 runs in 225 one-day internationals (with one century).

Dev was made the captain of the Indian national team in 1983. As a leader, he downplayed strategy and led by example. This was best seen in the 1983 Prudential Cup, when he almost single-handedly helped India defeat Zimbabwe with a 175 not out (his 175 runs were a career high). However, inconsistent performances led to his being relieved of the captaincy soon after the victory. He was even dropped from the side briefly in 1984. Nevertheless, Dev played several match-winning innings for India. The most famous of these include his “5 for 28” (taking five wickets while conceding only 28 runs) against Australia to give India victory in the 1981 Melbourne Test; taking nine wickets against the West Indies in 1983; scoring 119 off of 138 balls to save India from a Test defeat against Australia in 1986; and slamming four consecutive sixes (balls that pass the boundary without ever touching the playing field) against England in 1990. He became only the second player in cricket history to claim 400 wickets, and in 1994 he broke Richard Hadlee’s record of 431 wickets.

Dev retired in 1994 and had a brief but unsuccessful 10-month spell as the coach of the Indian national team from October 1999 to August 2000. In 1999 he was implicated in a match-fixing controversy that led to his coaching departure, but he was later cleared of all charges after an investigation conducted by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation. He was chairman of India’s National Cricket Academy from 2006 to 2007 but was forced out when he became an executive in the privately funded upstart India Cricket League (ICL). He left the ICL in 2012 and returned to the good graces of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the national governing body of Indian cricket. Kapil Dev was the greatest pace bowler India has produced, and their greatest fast-bowling allrounder. If he had played at any other time - not when Imran Khan, Ian Botham and Richard Hadlee were contemporaries - he would surely have been recognised as the best allrounder in the world. In any case he did enough to be voted India’s Cricketer of the Century during 2002, ahead of Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar. His greatest feats were to lead India almost jauntily, and by his all-round example, to the 1983 World Cup, and to take the world-record aggregate of Test wickets from Hadlee. It was the stamina of the marathon runner that took him finally to 431 wickets and only a yard beyond.

He might not have been quite the bowling equal of Imran, Hadlee or Botham at his best, and his strike rate was less than four wickets per Test, but he was still outstanding in his accuracy and ability to swing the ball, usually away from right-handers. And he could hit a ball even more brilliantly than he bowled it, with uncomplicated flair.

Kapil had a rather ordinary stint as India’s coach for 10 months between October 1999 and August 2000. At the height of the match-fixing allegation by Manoj Prabhakar - a charge that was subsequently dismissed - Kapil resigned as coach. Hurt by the betting controversy, he announced that he was leaving the game. However, he returned from a significantly quiet period when Wisden named him their Indian Cricketer of the Century. He won, and then returned to cricket as a bowling consultant and served as chairman of National Cricket Academy for two years. In May 2007, Kapil joined the breakaway Indian Cricket League, which led to his removal from the NCA.

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).