KEEP MOVING FORWARD

Dealing with setbacks 

There may be days when you feel sad of unexpected setbacks. Your marks may not be up to your expectations. Your parents may not be able to offer the support you expected from them.There are times when people disappoint you and let you down. Even your best friend might have behaved in a rude way.

But these are the times when you must remind yourself to be confident of yourself. If you believe in yourself and continue fighting for what you want, then people will understand you and they will be kind to you.

Recognise that dealing with failures and setbacks is a part of moving forward. No one wants to fail, but thinking that you will never fail is unrealistic. Take responsibility for your part in the failure so that you can learn from it.

Successful people didn’t get there automatically. They had to overcome many obstacles. They built enormous self-confidence during the days of their struggle. 

● Albert Einstein could not talk before the age of four.

● Winston Churchill had to repeat a school year.

● Beethoven was scolded that he would never become a composer.

● Thomas Edison’s teacher told him: “ You are not worth enough for school education”.

● Walt Disney was fired because he wasn’t creative. 

But they all made it! Think of them as being your silent mentors.

Whatever setbacks you are experiencing, whatever people say about you, keep on believing in yourself. Analyse the reasons for your set back, change your strategy and move on.

Remember the words of the famous television commentator, David Brinkley: “ A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her.

DO YOU KNOW

What makes popcorn pop?

A popcorn kernel is actually a seed. At its centre is a tiny plant embryo, a life form in its earliest phase. The embryo is surrounded by a soft, starchy material that contains water. Surrounding the embryo is a hard shell. 

When the dried popcorn kernels are heated to 356 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius, the moisture inside the kernel turns to steam, the starches inside gelatinize, the steam builds up to an enormous pressure and then the corn POP! When the protective covering or hull ruptures, the starch and endosperm inside the hull expands into a foam which is soft and edible. 

HONOURING INDIA'S FOUNDING DOCUMENT

Celebrating Constitution Day

Every year on November 26, India celebrates Constitution Day, a day that holds great significance for the nation. It marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949, a document that laid the foundation for how India functions as a democratic republic. But what exactly is a constitution, and why is it so important?

What is the Constitution and What Does It Say?The Constitution is like a rule book for the country. It outlines the basic principles and laws that govern India. It explains how our government should operate, what rights citizens have, and what duties they must fulfill. It’s a guide to ensuring fairness, equality and justice for everyone. The Constitution is also a blueprint for how the government should protect citizens’ rights while maintaining order and promoting social welfare.

The Minds Behind the Constitution: India’s Constitution didn’t just appear overnight. It was drafted by a dedicated group of leaders led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, one of the most influential figures in Indian history. These leaders worked tirelessly for almost three years to create a Constitution that would guarantee justice, liberty, equality and fraternity for all Indians. Their efforts were driven by a vision of a free, fair and equal society where every citizen, regardless of their background, would have rights and opportunities.

Why is Constitution Day Important?: Constitution Day is more than just a day to remember the adoption of the Constitution—it’s an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the values that keep our democracy strong. Schools and colleges across the country celebrate this day with various activities like debates, quizzes and discussions about the Constitution. Special assemblies are often held, where students and teachers talk about the importance of the day, and how the Constitution shapes our lives as citizens.This day also serves as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices made by freedom fighters and leaders who fought for India’s independence. It’s a day to appreciate our fundamental rights, like the right to vote, the right to free speech, and the right to equality, which were won after years of struggle.

Official Declaration of the Constitution Day: Although the Constitution was adopted in 1949, it wasn’t until 2015 that the Government of India officially declared November 26 as Constitution Day. The goal? To raise awareness about the Constitution and encourage every citizen to understand their rights and responsibilities. This day is a call to action for everyone to engage with the principles that make India a vibrant democracy.

Why Should Students Care About the Constitution? As young citizens, students play a crucial role in the future of India. Learning about the Constitution helps students understand their rights, like the freedom to express opinions or the right to education, and their responsibilities, such as following the law and respecting others. By understanding these, students can grow into responsible, active participants in society, helping to strengthen the country’s democracy. 

So this Constitution Day, let’s all take a moment to celebrate the document that unites us as a nation. Let’s remember the vision of our leaders, embrace our rights, and commit to fulfilling our responsibilities with pride. Together, we can uphold the values that make India a strong, fair, and democratic country!

AN ANECDOTE FROM THE LIFE OF ABDUL KALAM

The unforgettable cheque

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, popularly known as the 'Missile Man of India', held the office of the President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu on October 15, 1931. Having graduated in aeronautical engineering from Madras Institute of Technology, he worked in DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization).

His most popular book was his autobiography titled 'Wings of Fire'. The 'Padma Vibhushan' and the 'Bharat Ratna' are among the numerous awards that were conferred on him. He died at the age of 83 in Shillong on July 27, 2015. The following anecdote which highlights his integrity is a tribute to him.

Once, Dr. Abdul Kalam visited a book fair held at Tirupur, Tamil Nadu and addressed the gathering. After the function, a man came to meet him. He greeted Dr. Kalam with folded hands and said, "Sir, I am a big fan of yours. Meeting you is a dream come true for me. I have a private company where we make wet grinders. I would like to give you a wet grinder as a token of my love."

The man pointed to a box by his side. Dr. Kalam smiled and replied, "Well, I am badly in need of a wet grinder. But, I will take your grinder only if you accept a cheque as payment for the same." Dr. Kalam signed a cheque and handed it over to the visitor.

The visitor took the cheque but did not encash it. He preserved it as an autograph of Dr. Kalam. Two months passed by. One day, he received a call from Dr. Kalam's secretary. The secretary asked him, "Why have you not encashed the cheque at the bank? If you do not do so immediately, we will send your wet grinder, which is still unpacked, back to you."

The man was thus forced to accept payment for his gift. Ordinary people become extraordinary by their words and deeds, which are guided by noble thoughts.

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Aurora Borealis

The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are a natural light display that can be seen in the night sky in the polar regions. They are caused by particles from the sun colliding with the Earth's magnetic field. The sun constantly emits a stream of charged particles, known as the solar wind. When the solar wind collides with the Earth's magnetic field, it causes a disturbance in the field. This disturbance creates an auroral oval around the Earth's magnetic poles, which is where the Northern Lights can be seen. The charged particles from the solar wind interact with the gases in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to emit light. The colours of the Northern Lights depend on the type of gas that is being excited by the charged particles. For example, green Northern Lights are caused by oxygen molecules, while purple Northern Lights are caused by nitrogen molecules. 

The strength and frequency of the Northern Lights can vary depending on the activity of the sun. During periods of high solar activity, the solar wind is stronger, which can result in more frequent and intense Northern Lights displays. It's important to note that the Northern Lights can only be seen in areas where the auroral oval intersects with the Earth's surface. This is why they are most commonly seen in the polar regions, such as Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia. 

In conclusion, the Northern Lights are a beautiful natural phenomenon that are caused by particles from the sun colliding with the Earth's magnetic field. The colors of the Northern Lights depend on the type of gas that is being emitted, and their frequency and intensity can vary depending on the activity of the sun.

WISE ADVICE

Guard yourself against manipulators

Once upon a time, a kind Brahmin (a priest) was given a goat. The goat was a gift for performing a ritual. He decided to carry the goat home on his shoulders. Three clever thieves saw him walking through the village. They decided to trick him into giving up the goat.

However, the thieves did not want to steal the goat by force. They came up with a plan to manipulate the Brahmin into thinking the goat was some other animal. They waited at different points along the road for the Brahmin to pass by.

The first thief approached the Brahmin. He said, “Why are you carrying a dog on your shoulders? Don’t you know it’s unclean for a holy man like you to carry a dog?”

The Brahmin was surprised. He looked at the goat but did not believe the man. He kept going on his way.

The second thief met him a little farther down the road. He said, “Oh my! Why would a learned Brahmin carry a dog on his back? How strange!”

This made the Brahmin start doubting himself. 

“Is this really a dog?” he wondered but kept walking.

Finally, the third thief met the Brahmin. He exclaimed, “How shameful! A holy man like you carrying a filthy dog! What will people think of you?”

Now the Brahmin was convinced that he must have been carrying a dog all along. He threw the goat to the ground and ran away. The thieves happily took it.

This story shows how manipulation works. Manipulation occurs when someone tries to get you to do or think something by tricking you. You don’t realise it is happening. The thieves did not take the goat by force. They made the Brahmin doubt himself by repeating the same false idea. This is how manipulators try to control others. They make you question yourself even when you know the truth. 

Manipulators are everywhere. They often fail to control young people because their parents or teachers are there to protect them. For example, imagine being a kid and someone trying to sell you a “magic” light by claiming its battery will never run out. Your parents will tell you that such a battery does not exist. However, you may have to face these situations alone as an adult. So, you need to learn how to identify manipulators and guard yourself against them.

THE WEB MASTERS

Spiders 🕷 

Do you see the spider weaving its web? Is it waiting for an insect to get caught in its web or is it repairing the broken parts of the web? We cannot know the answer to this question, but still it is very fun to guess what the spider is doing. 

Spiders secrete a special material called spider silk from glands in their abdomen. They weave webs by using this secretion. They use their webs to catch their prey, build nests and protect their eggs.

Spiders can make silks with different properties according to their needs. For example, they use dragline silk, which is very durable and flexible, to build the base of their webs or to hang down from a high place. This silk is so strong that it is even stronger than steel of the same thickness.

Spiders produce sticky silk to catch their prey easily. In this way, the prey caught in the web is stuck and the spider catches it quickly. Spiders also produce silks with different properties for various purposes such as protecting their eggs, making cocoons and wrapping around their prey.

Another important feature of spider silk is that it is an eco-friendly material because it can be broken down over time by small living things in nature and can disappear without harming the environment.

It’s just like a rubber, which can be stretched and then go back to its original shape. The properties of spider silk, such as its resistance to temperatures between -40 °C and 200 °C as well as its ability to absorb and hold moisture from the air, enable that the web remains surprisingly flexible and durable.

As a unique material with all these properties, spider silk has been researched by scientists and engineers for years. Scientists are trying to understand the structure of spider silk, and engineers are trying to produce artificial materials similar to spider silks. They are looking for innovative solutions inspired by the properties of spider silk. One such example is the glass protecting birds. Spider webs have a structure that reflects UV light (type of light that we can’t see with our eyes) to keep birds away from the web. Birds can see UV light, so they recognise spider webs and do not hit them. From this feature, scientists developed bird-friendly glass. Thanks to this glass, birds don’t crash into glass-covered buildings.

So, what do engineers think about how and in which other areas spider silk can be used? 

Here are some of the project ideas: Lightweight and durable building materials inspired by spider silk can be used in the production of bridges, buildings or aerospace vehicles.

Spider silk can be used in sportswear and protective clothing thanks to its durability, lightness, flexibility, air permeability and moisture absorption properties.

Spider silk can be used to produce surgical sutures that can disappear over time in the human body.

Inspired by the structure of spider silk, a more durable, flexible and eco-friendly material can be produced instead of plastic.

Durable structures can be built by analysing the geometric structure of the spider web.

The water droplets accumulated in the web also satisfy the spider’s need for water. Based on the water retention property of spider silk, devices that collect water in the air can be produced.