THE SECRET TO QUICK AND SUSTAINED ENERGY

Bananas

Have you ever noticed the foods that athletes keep during practices and matches?

Bananas are usually at the top of that list. But why bananas, and not just any and every fruit? In other words, what is so special about the banana that athletes and gym enthusiasts always have one in their kit?

The answer is simple. Bananas are one of the best ways to gain quick and sustained energy. In fact, they have often been called the 'perfect food' because they are rich in nutrients like potassium, zinc, iron, folic acid, calcium, Vitamin B6, and soluble fibre.

To be used as fuel, our system converts all foods into simple carbohydrates or sugars. This procedure takes up a lot of energy. That is why you feel tired after having a particularly large and heavy meal; it's because your body is working overtime in trying to digest the food! The carbohydrates in ripened bananas are already in their most basic form, making them easy to digest with minimal energy loss.

In bananas, there are two types of sugars-glucose and fructose. Glucose is the sugar that is the easiest to digest. It quickly enters your bloodstream and can be used to provide a burst of energy. Because fructose is absorbed more slowly, it provides a longer-lasting source of energy. Thus, you get quick besides long-lasting energy... a double win!

Moreover, potassium is necessary for normal muscular function. The lack of it leads to muscle cramps, weariness, and dehydration. Bananas provide the dense, readily available carbohydrates required to replenish muscle glycogen (muscle sugar) lost during exercise.

Thus, bananas are a perfect food for before, during or after any physical activity.

So, have you had your daily dose of bananas today?

LEANING TEMPLE OF INDIA

Ratneshwar

Did you know that the Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple is taller and also leans at an angle higher than the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

Lying on the Manikarnika Ghat in the holy town of -Varanasi, the traditional Ratneshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as Mahadev (a form of Shiva).

The Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple leans by over 9°, more than the Pisa tower, which leans only by 4°. While the tower of Pisa is 54 metres high, Ratneshwar is 74 metres in height. The leaning temple of Ratneshwar Mahadev is thus also called Kashi Karvat (lean in Kashi).

Although this temple remains underwater for most of the year due to its visibly low level, it is valued and preserved even now. When the temple entrance is drowned in water, it is said that a priest dives into the water to worship and perform other rituals. The elegant architecture of the Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple includes a Nagara Shikhara (high curve shape) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum), which gets engulfed by water, the level of which reaches up to the Shikhara.

Before the 1860s, it was erected straight, but then, according to one of the beliefs, the temple ghat collapsed as it was not to bear its weight, thus tilting the temple backwards. Dr Ratnesh Varma of the District Cultural Committee once claimed that it was constructed by the Amethi royal family. Legend has it that a servant of Raja Man Singh built the Ratneshwar Temple as a token of love for his mother, Ratna Bai.

During the monsoon, when the temple sanctum submerges in water, no rituals are performed, and no prayers are heard. So, some people also believe that it is a cursed temple that could bring misfortune in their lives. 

DO YOU KNOW

Why do people shrink as they get older?

As people age, it’s common to get shorter. This can start as early as in your 30s! By the time men reach 70, they can lose about an inch, while women may lose two inches. But why does this happen?

As we age, the cartilage between our joints wears out, and conditions like osteoporosis cause bones to weaken, making the spine shorter. Another condition called Sarcopenia leads to muscle loss, which can also make people shrink. 

By eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D and staying active, older people can help keep their bones strong and slow down the shrinking process!

TO PROTECT TREES IN WINTER

Wool or thread bombing

Trees in the cold? Koreans knit blankets to protect trees from low temperatures. Since ancient times, in traditional Korean culture, trees were considered more than just an earthly plant; they were sacred trees. 

Also, South Korea is one of the many countries that live through the four seasons of the year and in December they have to go through the really cold winter season. 

For this reason, a community of elderly people in “Jeongdong-gil” have a wonderful custom every winter. It is a practice in which the elderly take their needles and knitting elements to make blankets or coats that they wrap around the trunks of the trees. This art, also known as “wool or thread bombing,” initially sought only to recover the trees and personalise sterile or cold public places, but now it has advanced as a positive influence to recover traditional arts such as knitting and crocheting and with it, to care for and shelter their trees in busy avenues with a lot of pollution. 

Likewise, when Korean trees are sick, they are treated with serums that are injected into them through plastic containers so that they can drink from them over time and recover in the spring and summer.

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!