A real moth

WORLD’S FIRST COMPUTER BUG 

We often hear of bugs that slow or crash our computer and network systems. But learning about the world's first computer bug will bring a smile to your face. No, the first computer bug was not a technical fault but a real insect or bug.

On 9th September 1947, the first computer bug was reported at Harvard University. A team was working on their computer called Mark II. But the computer was throwing errors and was not working properly. When the computer experts investigated, they were shocked to see a real moth trapped inside. They had to remove the insect and quite literally 'de-bug' the system.

This 'bug' or computer error was recorded by Grace Hopper in a logbook. She wrote, “First actual case of bug being found.” 

The actual moth that was trapped inside the computer was also pasted on the logbook and is currently in the Smithsonian Institute of National Museum of American History. Interestingly, Thomas Edison also recorded the presence of 'bugs' in his telephone design. Though Grace Hopper may not have been the first to find a bug, she was the first to record it and also stick it in the logbook. It was probably a hearty joke that she wished to share with her colleagues. But over the years, scientists began using the term to indicate any kind of error or failure in the operation or functioning of a technical system.

Today, bugs are referred to as computing, coding, or any other technological errors. De-bugging, on the other hand, means correcting the error. But it's pleasantly amusing to think that it all started with a real bug!

Do you know

WHY DO FRUITS CHANGE COLOUR WHEN THEY RIPEN?

Fruits change colour when they ripen mainly due to chemical changes involving pigments. 

1. Pigment Transformation: Unripe fruits are usually green because of chlorophyll (the same pigment found in leaves). As the fruit ripens, chlorophyll breaks down

New pigments develop: Carotenoids – give yellow, orange, or red colours (like in bananas, mangoes, carrots). Anthocyanins – give red, purple, or blue colours (like in grapes, cherries, plums)

2. Purpose: Attracting Animals

The colour change is nature’s way of saying, “Hey, I’m ready!”

Bright, attractive colours signal ripeness to animals. Animals eat the fruit and help disperse the seeds, aiding the plant's reproduction.

3. Ethylene Gas: Fruits like bananas and apples produce ethylene, a natural gas that triggers ripening. Ethylene activates enzymes that break down chlorophyll and build up other pigments.

4. Softening and Sweetening along with the colour change: Starches convert into sugars (making the fruit sweeter). Enzymes break down cell walls (making it softer)

So, the colour change is both a chemical signal and an evolutionary strategy. 

Marvels of ancient engineering

THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA 

Standing proudly on the sands of Egypt for over 4,500 years, the Great Pyramids of Giza are one of the most iconic symbols of human history. These incredible structures were built as tombs for the pharaohs and are a testament to the ingenuity, skill and determination of ancient Egyptian civilisation. How were these massive monuments constructed with such precision, and what secrets do they still hold?

The Engineering Wonder: The largest pyramid, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, originally stood at an astonishing height of 146 metres (now slightly shorter due to erosion). It was built using over 2 million limestone blocks, each weighing between 2 and 15 tons. Ancient engineers used ramps, levers and sheer manpower to move and position these massive stones. The pyramids were not just architectural achievements; they were also designed with astronomical precision. The Great Pyramid is aligned almost perfectly with the cardinal points of the compass and was constructed to reflect significant celestial events. This alignment demonstrates the Egyptians' advanced understanding of mathematics and astronomy.

The Purpose and Legacy: The pyramids served as monumental tombs to honour and protect the pharaohs in the afterlife. The chambers inside were filled with treasures, food and artifacts to support their journey beyonddeath. While many of these treasures were lost to grave robbers over the centuries, the pyramid themselves remain as enduring legacies of a civilisation that continues to fascinate and inspire. The Great Pyramids of Giza are more than just ancient tombs – they are monuments to human ambition, skill and the desire to reach for the stars. Despite centuries of study, these architectural wonders continue to hold secrets that spark curiosity and awe. They remind us of the incredible achievements of those who came before us and the mysteries that still lie waiting to be unravelled. The Great Pyramid’s base is so precisely aligned that its error margin is less than 0.05%. Contrary to popular belief, many pyramid builders were not slaves but skilled labourers who were well-fed and respected for their work.

Hidden Chambers: Researchers have recently discovered a mysterious void inside the Great Pyramid using advanced scanning technology, but its purpose remains unknown.

The Wet Sand Theory: This theory builds on ancient depictions and modern experiments showing that wetting the sand in front of sledges reduces friction, making it easier to transport heavy stones. Workers might have used water to harden the sand, allowing them to drag massive stones across desert terrain with less effort.

Internal Spiral Ramps: Proposed by French architect Jean-Pierre Houdin, this theory suggests the pyramids were built using internal spiral ramps rather than external ones. The internal ramps, hidden within the structure, would have been used to move stones up to higher levels.

The Great Pyramids of Giza are more than just ancient tombs – they are monuments to human ambition, skill and the desire to reach for the stars. Despite centuries of study, these architectural wonders continue to hold secrets that spark curiosity and awe. They remind us of the incredible achievements of those who came before us and the mysteries that still lie waiting to be unravelled.

Clues to Earth’s ancient past

FOSSILS 

Imagine you’re exploring a rocky hillside and spot something unusual sticking out of a stone – a spiral shell, a leaf imprint, or even a giant tooth! You may have just discovered a fossil, a piece of history that has been hidden for millions of years. Fossils are nature’s way of preserving clues from the past, showing us what plants and animals looked like long before humans arrived. But how do these ancient remains turn into stone? And what secrets can they reveal?

WHAT ARE FOSSILS? Fossils are the preserved remains, imprints, or traces of plants and animals that lived long ago. Unlike bones or shells we see today, fossils have undergone a process where minerals slowly replaced the original material, turning them into stone. Fossils come in many forms – some are as small as a grain of sand, while others, like dinosaur skeletons, can be bigger than a school bus! Not every ancient creature became a fossil. Fossilisation is a rare and special process that only happens under the right conditions. That’s why every fossil we find is like a precious puzzle piece, helping scientists understand Earth’s history. 

TYPES OF FOSSILS: Fossils come in all shapes and sizes, but they generally fall into a few main categories:• 

BODY FOSSILS – These include bones, teeth, shells and even entire skeletons that have turned into stone. They help scientists understand what extinct creatures looked like.• 

TRACE FOSSILS – These aren’t actual body parts but rather evidence of how an ancient animal lived. Fossilised footprints, nests, burrows or even preserved poop (called coprolites) tell us about an animal’s behaviour!

Not all fossils are made of rock – some are trapped in other materials like amber or ice, preserving even the tiniest details of prehistoric life.

AMBER FOSSILS – Sometimes, small insects, leaves or even lizards get trapped in sticky tree sap, which hardens into golden amber over millions of years. These fossils give us a crystal-clear look at creatures from the past!• 

PETRIFIED WOOD – When trees fall and get buried under layers of sediment, minerals slowly replace their wood fibres, turning them into colourful rock. Petrified forests exist around the world, showing us trees that grew millions of years ago.

WHAT CAN FOSSILS TELL US? Fossils are like nature’s history books, telling the story of how life on Earth has changed over time. By studying fossils, scientists (called palaeontologists) can:

RECREATE EXTINCT ANIMALS – Fossils help scientists figure out what dinosaurs, woolly mammoths, and other long-gone creatures looked like.

UNDERSTAND EVOLUTION – Fossils provide evidence of how plants and animals have changed and adapted over millions of years. For example, fossilised feathered dinosaurs helped prove that birds evolved from dinosaurs! 

TRACK EARTH'S CLIMATE – By studying fossils, scientists can tell what Earth’s environment was like in the past. Fossils of tropical plants in Antarctica show that it was once much warmer!

DISCOVER NEW SPECIES – Every year, new fossils are found, revealing animals and plants that no one knew existed. Some are small, like ancient insects, while others are giant, like the Spinosaurus, the largest carnivorous dinosaur ever found!

FOSSILS DON’T JUST APPEAR OVERNIGHT – it takes millions of years for them to form! Here’s how it happens:

BURIAL IN SEDIMENT – When a plant or animal dies, it needs to be quickly buried in mud, sand or volcanic ash. If it’s left exposed, it will decay, and no fossil will form.

MINERAL REPLACEMENT – Over time, groundwater seeps into the buried remains. The water carries minerals that slowly replace the organic material, hardening it into stone.

PRESSURE AND TIME – Layers of rock build up over millions of years, preserving the fossil deep underground.

DISCOVERY – Erosion, earthquakes or digging by scientists eventually brings the fossil back to the surface, ready to reveal its secrets!

Chinese folktale

SHISYOKIN'S DREAM 

In China, a young man named Shisyokin had a dream in which a goddess appeared and told him that he would find a large amount of gold on the banks of the "Hwang Ho" river. 

The next day, despite waiting all day, Shisyokin found nothing. When the goddess appeared again in his dream, he went and waited again, but still found nothing. When he was about to leave, a vegetable seller there asked him why he had come. 

When Shisyokin narrated his dream, the seller laughed and said, "Do not believe in such things. In my dream, too, the goddess came and said that there is a large amount of gold under the tree in front of a house belonging to a man named Shisyokin." 

Shisyokin hurried back home and dug under the tree in front of his own house—the one mentioned in the vegetable seller's dream. And there, he found the gold!

The story comes full circle and teaches a beautiful lesson: sometimes, what you're searching for far and wide is actually right where you started—at home.

Do you know

WHY DO SNAKES HISS?

Snakes hiss primarily as a defense mechanism. Here's why they do it:

1. Warning signal: The hiss is meant to intimidate or scare off potential threats without resorting to a physical confrontation. 

2. Territorial behavior: Some snakes may hiss to assert dominance over a space, especially if they feel cornered.

3. No vocal cords needed: Snakes don’t have vocal cords. Instead, they produce the hissing sound by forcibly exhaling air through their glottis, which vibrates a small piece of cartilage to create that distinctive sound.

4. Camouflage enhancer: In some cases, hissing can mimic other sounds in nature (like a predator's growl or a larger animal's presence), adding a psychological layer to their defense.

Pine snake 

The pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) is known to have one of the loudest and most intense hisses among snakes. It's so powerful that it can sound like a high-pressure release of steam or even mimic the growl of a larger animal.

What makes it interesting is that the pine snake has a special flap of tissue in its glottis that enhances the sound, almost like a reed in a wind instrument. This allows it to amplify and control the pitch of its hiss—pretty sophisticated for a creature without vocal cords!

Other loud hissers include:

Bullsnakes (closely related to pine snakes)

Cobras (they also spread their hoods for extra drama)

Rattlesnakes (hiss along with their rattle for double threat effect)

How do snakes hiss?

Snakes hiss by forcibly exhaling air through their glottis, a small opening in the throat located just behind the tongue. Here's a step-by-step of how it works:

1. Air expelled from lungs: The snake forcefully pushes air out of its single functional lung (most snakes have just one main lung).

2. Glottis involvement: The air passes through the glottis, a slit-like structure in the windpipe.

3. Cartilage vibration: Inside the glottis, there's a small piece of cartilage that can vibrate as air rushes through, much like a reed in a wind instrument. This produces the hissing sound.

4. Mouth often closed: Unlike other animals that might open their mouths wide to vocalise, snakes usually hiss with their mouth closed or just slightly open.

5. Modulation: Some snakes, like the pine snake, can even modulate the sound to make it louder or change pitch, depending on the situation.

It’s all breath and no vocal cords—just clever use of air and anatomy.

The Spearhead of Indian Pace Attack

JASPRIT BUMRAH 

Jasprit Bumrah is a name that has redefined fast bowling in Indian cricket. Known for his unique action, lethal yorkers, and calm demeanor, Bumrah has emerged as one of the most dependable and feared bowlers in international cricket.

Born on December 6, 1993, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Bumrah’s journey to the top has been nothing short of inspiring. He made his debut for India in January 2016 during an ODI series against Australia. From there, he quickly rose through the ranks, making his Test debut in 2018 against South Africa.

Humble Beginnings: Bumrah’s Family Background

Jasprit Bumrah’s success story is rooted in a tale of resilience and determination. He was born into a middle-class Sikh family. His father, Jasbir Singh Bumrah, passed away when Jasprit was just seven years old, leaving his mother, Daljit Bumrah, to raise him and his sister alone. Daljit, a school principal, supported the family single-handedly and played a crucial role in Bumrah’s disciplined upbringing.

Despite financial constraints, his mother never let anything come between Jasprit and his dream of playing cricket. Her sacrifices and strength have been a major source of inspiration for him. Even today, Bumrah remains grounded and credits his mother for shaping his journey.

Rise to Stardom: What sets Bumrah apart is his ability to bowl consistently at high speeds with pinpoint accuracy. His unorthodox action initially raised eyebrows, but it has since become his biggest strength. Bumrah’s trademark toe-crushing yorkers, especially in the death overs, have won India many close matches. His variations and deceptive slower balls make him a complete package, especially in limited-overs cricket.

In Test cricket, Bumrah has proven that he is much more than a white-ball specialist. He has delivered match-winning performances in challenging overseas conditions, including memorable spells in England, Australia, and South Africa. His contribution was instrumental in India’s historic Test series wins in Australia in 2018–19 and 2020–21.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Bumrah's career has been full of remarkable milestones:

First Asian bowler to take five-wicket hauls in South Africa, England, and Australia in the same year (2018)

Fastest Indian pacer to reach 100 Test wickets

Best bowling figures by an Indian pacer in a World Cup match

Most wickets for India in a debut calendar year in ODIs (2016)

Only bowler to bowl 10 maiden overs in a World Cup match (2023)

Fastest Indian to 50 T20I wickets

Top performer in the ICC World Test Championship (2021–2023)

These achievements reflect not just his skill but his consistency and dedication to the game.

Calm Under Pressure: 

Bumrah’s temperament is another standout feature. He rarely shows emotion on the field, instead focusing on outsmarting the batter with skill and strategy. Even under pressure, he remains composed, making him a leader in the bowling unit.

Despite battling injuries at times, Bumrah has always made strong comebacks. His recent performances after returning from a long injury layoff have shown that he continues to be a force to reckon with. 

Jasprit Bumrah is married to Sanjana Ganesan. They tied the knot on March 15, 2021, in a private ceremony held in Goa. Sanjana Ganesan is a well-known sports presenter and a formal model from Pune, Maharashtra. She has hosted various sports events, including the Indian Premier League, IPL and Cricket World Cups.

They have a son named Angad.

In a country traditionally known for its spinners, Jasprit Bumrah has brought about a fast-bowling revolution. With many more years of cricket ahead of him, he is poised to leave an enduring legacy. His story—rising from humble beginnings to becoming a world-class bowler—is an inspiration to young athletes everywhere.