A CLEANER AND GREENER TOMORROW

Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are like magical cars that run on electricity instead of petrol or diesel. They are becoming increasingly popular in India and all around the world.

What are Electric Vehicles? Electric vehicles, also known as EVs, are a special kind of car. Instead of a traditional petrol or diesel engine, these cars use electricity to move. They have big batteries inside them, just like the one in your remote control car, but much bigger!

How Do They Work? EVs work fascinatingly. They have an electric motor that gets its power from the big battery. When you press the accelerator pedal, the electric motor starts turning the wheels, and the car moves. It’s like a silent and super-fast toy car.

Why Are EVs Important? EVs are essential for many reasons. First, they are much better for the environment. When regular cars use petrol or diesel, they produce harmful gases that make the air dirty and cause climate change. EVs, on the other hand, produce zero emissions because they run on clean electricity.

Cost-Efficient: Electric cars are also cost-efficient in the long run. Though they might be a bit more expensive, they save money because electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel. Plus, you don’t need to change the oil, and EVs have fewer moving parts, so they don’t need as much maintenance.

Help Reduce Noise Pollution: EVs are incredibly quiet, making them great for cities. Traditional cars can be noisy, but with electric cars, you can enjoy a peaceful drive without the loud engine sounds.

Charging an EV: You need to charge an EV, just like charging your tablet or phone, to make it go. You can do this at home by plugging the car into a special socket or finding charging stations around the city. Some EVs can go a long way on a single charge, just like your toy car, lasting a long time with fresh batteries.

Electric Cars in India: Electric vehicles are catching on in India too! Many car companies are making electric cars, and you can see them on the roads. The Indian government also gives incentives and support to promote EVs to make our air cleaner.

So, electric vehicles are like the heroes of the car world, helping to fight air pollution and make the world a cleaner and greener place. They are not only cool but also kind to the planet. 

DO YOU KNOW

Why is the foam of a shampoo always white irrespective of the colour of the shampoo?

To understand this better, let’s use an analogy. When a balloon is deflated, it is opaque with its colour very much visible. As we go on inflating the balloon, it becomes lighter in colour. If we continue to inflate the balloon without bursting it, there will come a point when it will become almost white. The same is the case with the bubbles that form in the foam of a shampoo. The pigments in the shampoo become so thin when mixed with water that the visible light gets scattered. The light rays get reflected in several directions after striking a surface (bubbles in this case) much like how the sky appears white or grey at times. Also the dye that is used in colouring a shampoo is highly diluted, which means that when further diluted with water, the colour becomes much lighter. 

The scattering of light in case of the foam happens as the light has to pass through several bubbles, which means several surfaces. The light spreads in multiple directions making it almost impossible for the human eye to detect colours. The same thing happens with soap bars, body washes, hand washes etc.

CALMING THE CHAOTIC MIND

Meditation 

Ancient texts liken meditation to the process of taming a wild elephant, where the elephant is tied with a wrong rope for many days until, it finally settles down. Gradually training it and eventually getting rid of the rope, this trained wild elephant that represents the human mind can now be put to purpose. 

First developed in India thousands of years ago as a part of the Indian philosophy, meditation aims to achieve a mentally clear, emotionally calm and stable state, often viewed as the first step towards spiritual awakening and enlightenment. 

Since time immemorial, India has been known for its spirituality and is internationally known for its gift of meditation and yoga to the world. Hence, it is unsurprising to see tourists from across the world heading to the Indian subcontinent for an authentic meditative journey. There are different types of meditation techniques, below mentioned are some of them:

Chakra healing meditation: Chakra, a Sanskrit word that means a disk or a wheel, finds its presence in the meditative mise-en-scene since the ancient Hinduism meditative practices talk of the presence of hundreds of varying chakras or wheel like energy networks in the human body. However, there are seven core chakras that are situated along the spine from the sacrum at the bottom up to the crown at the top of the head, namely the root chakra (muladhar), the sacral chakra (svadhishthan), the solar plexus chakra (manipura), the heart chakra (anahat), the throat chakra (vishuddh), the third eye chakra (ajna) and lastly the crown chakra (sahasrar). It is believed that when any of these chakras are blocked, energy gets stuck and manifests as discomfort. Hence, the objective of this meditation is to activate the chakras and form a balance between them with regular training of the mind that involves control over one’s breath and encourages positive imagination. 

Vipassana meditation: Vipassana means 'insight' in Pali, the sacred language of Theravada Buddhism. It is one of the oldest Buddhist meditation practices and is believed to have come directly from a discourse attributed to the Lord Buddha himself. A gentle yet very thorough technique of training the mind, Vipassana includes a cluster of exercises like sati (mindfulness) and samatha (calm), developed through practices such as anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing) which are meant to make an individual more and more aware of their life experiences and directing careful attention towards certain painful, happy and other general aspects of their own existence to gain insight into the true nature of their reality. 

21 December is observed as World Meditation Day. 

THE LAND OF BLACK MAGIC

Mayong

Mayong, a quaint village in the Morigaon district of Assam, is a sacred destination steeped in mysticism and history. Located on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River and near Kaziranga National Park, Mayong is famously referred to as the ‘Land of Black Magic’. The village finds mentions in epics like the Mahabharata, where it is said that Bhima, one of the Pandavas, acquired extraordinary strength through tantric practices performed in this region. 

The name Mayong has various interpretations. One belief attributes it to the Sanskrit word maya, meaning ‘illusion’ or ‘magic’, symbolising the village’s association with mystical practices. Another suggests that ma-yong in the Dimasa language means ‘elephant’, reflecting the region’s historical significance as an elephant habitat. 

For centuries, Mayong was renowned as a hub of sorcery and tantra. The Mayong Central Museum and Emporium preserves ancient manuscripts and ritual tools, while local legends speak of spells for healing and supernatural feats. Visitors are drawn not only by its mysterious past but also by the serene beauty of its Brahmaputra-fed landscapes and proximity to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

WORLD’S FIRST X-RAY

Hand of Rontgen's wife

In 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen, professor of physics, University of Wurburg in Germany, was doing experiments with electrical discharges in evacuated glass tubes. 

Late in 1895, Wilhelm Rontegen was alone at night doing his experiments, this time in the dark and noticed a glow was produced on the wall, which he knew was not caused by fluorescence or visible light. He named these new, unidentified rays 'X' or if you prefer; X-rays. 

After several months of playing with his discovery he noticed that the objects placed in the path of rays cast shadows and created images on the wall. Soon after, he used a photographic plate and had his wife, Frau Rontgen, place her hand in the path of the X-rays, creating the world’s first X-ray picture. 

In 1901, Wilhelm Rontgen was awarded the very first Nobel Prize for this discovery. 

TRADITIONAL JAPANESE LONGBOW

Yumi 

The Yumi, a traditional Japanese longbow, is a symbol of both ancient craftsmanship and marital prowess. This elegantly designed bow, often referred to as the "bow of samurai," has a rich history dating back centuries. It’s unique asymmetrical shape, with one limb longer than the other, allows for powerful and accurate shooting. 

Craftsmen dedicated to the art of Yumi-making meticulously select materials select materials such as bamboo and wood, ensuring flexibility and strength. The bowstring, traditionally made from hemp, is a testament to the bow's durability. Used in Japanese archery, or Kyudo, the Yumi embodies discipline and precision. 

Today, the Yumi is not only a revered artifact of Japan’s heritage but also a symbol of cultural resilience. It stands as a reminder of the nation's deep-rooted reverence for tradition and the enduring legacy of the samurai. 

WAH USTAD WAH

Zakir Hussain

(March 9, 1951 - December 15, 2024)

Zakir Hussain blurred cultural boundaries to emerge as a global icon in a career spanning decades, playing a pivotal role in helping Indian music leave a mark on the world stage.

Born in music: The eldest son of legendary tabla artiste Ustad Alla Rakha, Hussain was born in 1951 in Mumbai and was taught how to play the instrument by his father. He began performing by the age of 7.

Wunderkind makes waves: Hussain began his professional career at the age of 12, accompanying India’s classical music legends for various shows. He started performing globally in his teens, playing alongside stalwarts like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.

Imprint on world stage: By 18, he was regularly performing internationally and eventually went on to work with the likes of Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, George Harrison of The Beatles, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, jazz musician Herbie Hancock and virtuoso guitarist John McLaughlin. Moving beyond the tradition: In 1973, he formed the band ‘Shakti’ with jazz guitarist John McLaughlin. The band introduced a new sound to the world by ,combining Indian music with elements of jazz. Their first studio album in 46 years, ‘This Moment’, won three Grammys in 2024.

An eye for innovation: His ventures like Tabla Beat Science, a fusion of Indian classical music with electronic and world music, and orchestral works such Symphony Orchestra of India showcased his drive to innovate while respecting his roots. 

‘Wah Ustad’, An Icon beyond the stage: The iconic ‘Wah Taj’ tea ad featuring him playing the tabla against the backdrop of the Taj Mahal became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s and propelled him to household fame. The voice-over complimenting Hussain with “Wah Ustad, Wah!” became an oft used term for many an occasion, cutting across societal and generational divides.

Awards and accolades: He was conferred with the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002) and Padma Vibhushan (2023). He also won four Grammys, three of them this year. He was also awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, recognising his excellence in Indian classical music and the National Heritage Fellowship, the highest award for traditional artists in the US.