Nourishing the World Together

WORLD FOOD DAY 

Every year on 16th October, people across the world observe World Food Day to mark the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945. This special day reminds us of the importance of food, the need to end hunger, and the value of sustainable farming and nutrition.

Why World Food Day is celebrated: World Food Day was established to promote global awareness about hunger and to encourage actions that ensure food security for everyone. Despite the progress made in food production, millions of people still go to bed hungry each night. The day inspires individuals, communities, and nations to work together so that no one is left hungry.

Themes and Global Message: Each year, World Food Day focuses on a new theme related to agriculture, health, or sustainability. Themes have included topics such as “Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together,” and “Leave No One Behind.” These messages remind us that solving world hunger is not just about growing more food, but also about producing it responsibly and sharing it fairly.

The theme for World Food Day 2025 is:

“Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” 

This theme calls for global collaboration — governments, organisations, communities, and individuals working together — to build a more sustainable, prosperous, and food-secure future. 

How it is observed:- 

Across the world, governments, schools, and organisations hold events such as:

● Food exhibitions and awareness rallies

● Debates and essay competitions for students

● Tree planting and community kitchen initiatives

● Campaigns promoting healthy eating and reducing food waste

These activities encourage people to think about where their food comes from and how they can contribute to a hunger-free world.

A call to action: World Food Day is not only a celebration but also a call to action. It reminds us that everyone has a role to play — whether by avoiding food waste, supporting local farmers, or helping those in need.

Conclusion: Food is a basic human right, and World Food Day teaches us to value it. By working together — farmers, scientists, governments, and citizens — we can build a world where everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.

Did You Know?

● The FAO headquarters is in Rome, Italy.

● Over 150 countries celebrate World Food Day each year.

● The day also coincides with the founding of FAO, which plays a key role in fighting global hunger.

The Fast-Paced Game of Skill and Stamina

SQUASH 

Squash is one of the fastest indoor racket sports in the world, demanding agility, strategy, and lightning-quick reflexes. Played within a four-walled court, it is a thrilling test of both physical fitness and mental sharpness.

Origin and History: The game of squash originated in the early 19th century at Harrow School in England. It evolved from an older game called rackets, where players hit a ball against walls. Students noticed that a punctured ball, which “squashed” when it hit the wall, offered a more challenging and exciting game—thus the name squash was born.

Over time, the sport spread to other countries, and by the 20th century, squash courts were being built across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. Today, it is played in over 185 countries.

The Court and Equipment: A squash court is a rectangular, four-walled room with a wooden floor and marked boundaries.

The front wall has service lines and a lower “tin” area (similar to a net in tennis).

Players use a lightweight racket, slightly smaller than a tennis racket.

The ball is small, hollow, and made of rubber — it comes in different types based on speed and bounce (indicated by coloured dots).

Rules of the Game:

● Squash is played either singles (one-on-one) or doubles (two teams of two).

● The players take turns hitting the ball against the front wall, ensuring it lands above the tin and below the outline.

● The ball can bounce once on the floor before being returned.

● A rally continues until one player fails to make a valid return.

● Matches are usually played to the best of five games, and each game is played to 11 points.

● Scoring is based on the Point-a-Rally (PAR) system, where every rally results in a point, regardless of who serves.

Skills and Fitness: Squash is known for its intensity. A top-level match can burn up to 1000 calories per hour!

It helps improve: speed and endurance, hand-eye coordination, flexibility and balance, strategic thinking

Players must anticipate their opponent’s moves and control the game’s pace through clever shot placement.

Major Tournaments and Players: 

Some of the most prestigious squash events include:

The British Open

The PSA World Championships

The U.S. Open

The Egyptian Open

Countries like Egypt, England, Pakistan, and Malaysia have produced many world champions such as Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, Nicol David, and Ali Farag.

Squash in India: Squash has gained popularity in India in recent years. Indian players like Saurav Ghosal, Joshna Chinappa, and Dipika Pallikal Karthik have achieved international success.

Several schools and clubs now offer squash facilities, and the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) promotes the game actively across the country.

Did You Know?

● Squash was once voted the world’s healthiest sport by Forbes magazine because it provides an all-round workout.

● The ball’s bounce changes with temperature — players often warm it up before starting!

● The word “let” is used when a rally is replayed due to accidental interference between players.

Conclusion: Squash is much more than just hitting a ball against a wall — it’s a fast, strategic, and fitness-oriented sport that sharpens both body and mind. Whether played for recreation or competition, it teaches focus, discipline, and sportsmanship. With growing awareness and facilities, squash is steadily finding its place among the popular games of the modern world.

Nature’s Signature

THE SCIENCE BEHIND FINGERPRINTS 

Every person carries a unique mark of identity right on their fingertips — a pattern so tiny yet so powerful that it can reveal who we are. These are our fingerprints — delicate ridges that form before birth and stay with us for life. But how exactly do fingerprints form, and why is no two ever the same?

👶 The Beginning: How Fingerprints Form

Fingerprints start developing long before we are born — when a baby is just 10 to 15 weeks old inside the mother’s womb.

At this time, the baby’s skin has three layers:

1. Epidermis – the outer layer

2. Dermis – the inner layer

3. Basal layer – the middle layer between them

As the baby grows, the basal layer grows faster than the other two. Because of this uneven growth, the skin buckles and folds, creating tiny ridges and furrows on the fingertips.

By the time a baby is six months old in the womb, the fingerprint pattern is fully formed and remains unchanged throughout life — even if the skin is burned or cut, it eventually grows back with the same design!

🔬 Why Fingerprints Are Unique

Every person’s fingerprints are different, even though they may share general patterns like arches, loops, and whorls.

The reason lies in a mix of genetics and environment:

Genes decide the basic type of pattern (loop, whorl, or arch).

Environmental conditions in the womb — like the pressure of surrounding tissue, the baby’s movement, temperature, and blood flow — influence the fine details.

Even a slight variation in pressure or position of the tiny developing fingers changes how the ridges form. That’s why no two fingerprints — not even those of identical twins — are alike!

🧠 More Than Just Identity: Why We Have Fingerprints

Fingerprints don’t just help in identifying people — they have important functions too:

● The ridges improve grip, helping us hold objects securely.

● They enhance our sense of touch, allowing us to feel fine textures.

● They channel sweat away from the skin, preventing slipping.

In short, fingerprints are both useful and beautiful — a perfect design by nature that combines science with art.

💡 Did You Know?

1. Koalas Have Fingerprints Too!

Koalas are one of the few animals with fingerprints so similar to humans that even microscopes find it hard to tell them apart.

2. The Study of Fingerprints Is Called Dactyloscopy.

It comes from the Greek words daktylos (finger) and skopein (to examine).

3. They Never Change!

Fingerprints remain the same from birth till death. Even burns, cuts, or aging cannot alter the basic ridge pattern — it always grows back the same.

4. Fingerprints Help Solve Crimes.

Since no two are alike, police use them worldwide to identify individuals — making them one of the most reliable forms of evidence.

🌟 In Summary

Fingerprints are formed by natural skin folds in the womb and shaped by both genes and environment.

Their patterns — loops, whorls, and arches — are completely unique, making each human fingerprint one of a kind.

So the next time you leave a smudge on glass or press your finger to unlock your phone, remember — that tiny swirl is your personal signature from nature, written before you were even born. 🖐️✨

The man who survived two nuclear bombs

TSUTOMU YAMAGUCHI 

Can someone survive not one, but two nuclear bomb attacks? Yes! A Japanese man named Tsutomu Yamaguchi did precisely that—and lived to tell the story.

In 1945, during World War II, the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Yamaguchi was there on a work trip. He was badly burned but survived the blast.

The very next day, he returned home to Nagasaki—just in time for the second atomic bomb to fall! Amazingly, he survived that explosion too, even though it caused more injuries. Yamaguchi was one of the very few people officially recognised as a double survivor.

Even after going through so much, he lived a long life and became a peace speaker, talking about the horrors of nuclear war. He wanted the world to learn how dangerous these bombs are and why we should never use them again.

Tsutomu Yamaguchi’s story is one of incredible survival and courage, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of working towards peace.

The World’s First AI Minister

DIELLA 

In the age of artificial intelligence, where machines can think, learn, and even talk like humans, a small European nation — Albania — has made history.

In September 2025, Albania appointed Diella, an artificial intelligence (AI) system, as a government minister. This bold move made her the first AI minister in the world, marking a new chapter in how technology and governance can work together.

Who is Diella?

The name Diella means “sun” in the Albanian language — symbolising light, clarity, and transparency.

She was first launched in January 2025 as a virtual assistant on the country’s digital platform e-Albania, which provides citizens access to government services online.

At the start, Diella helped people: fill out forms, download certificates, solve technical issues, and access official documents easily.

Her ability to serve thousands of citizens quickly and accurately impressed the government and led to her promotion.

Becoming a Minister

In September 2025, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama appointed Diella as the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. Her most important task is to oversee public tenders and government contracts — areas where corruption has often been a problem.

The Prime Minister said Diella’s goal is to make these processes “100% corruption-free.”

By analysing data and patterns, she ensures that public funds are used properly and fairly, without human bias or interference.

How Does Diella Work?

Diella functions as a virtual cabinet member, powered by advanced algorithms, natural language processing, and data analytics. She doesn’t have a human body — instead, she appears as a digital avatar on screens and interacts through speech and text.

So far, she has:

● Processed over 36,000 digital documents,

● Helped deliver around 1,000 government services, and

● Assisted citizens on the e-Albania platform with 24/7 availability.

Unlike humans, she never gets tired, takes breaks, or has personal interests — which makes her highly efficient.

Why did Albania create an AI Minister?

Albania has been working hard to fight corruption and improve transparency. The government believes that AI can help remove human weaknesses like bias, bribery, and favouritism from decision-making.

By giving Diella a ministerial role, Albania hopes to: Build public trust, speed up services, reduce human errors, and align with European Union standards for transparent governance.

It’s also a symbolic step showing Albania’s determination to become a digital pioneer in Europe.

 Challenges and Concerns

Although Diella’s appointment is groundbreaking, it raises many serious questions:

● Can an AI really lead? AI lacks emotions, empathy, and moral judgment — qualities that human leaders use in complex situations.

● Who is responsible if something goes wrong? If Diella makes a mistake or is manipulated, should the blame fall on her programmers, the AI agency, or the government?

● Is it constitutional? Some experts argue that giving an official government title to a non-human might conflict with legal definitions of a minister.

Transparency: For Diella to ensure fairness, her own systems and data must also be open to public scrutiny.

Thus, while her appointment is exciting, it also demands strong ethical and legal safeguards.

A New Era of Governance: Diella’s appointment marks a historic experiment in using artificial intelligence for public administration.

If successful, it could open the door for similar AI systems to assist in education, healthcare, environmental planning, and economic management in the future.

However, experts agree that AI should assist humans, not replace them. The best results come when technology and human wisdom work together.

Did You Know?

● AI stands for Artificial Intelligence — machines that can think and learn like humans.

● Diella means sun — representing clarity, fairness, and enlightenment.

● She is completely virtual, existing only on screens with a computer-generated face and voice.

● Albania is the first country in the world to include an AI system in its national cabinet.

● Diella’s main promise: all public tenders will be 100% corruption-free.

Moral Takeaway: Technology becomes truly powerful when it is used with honesty and for the greater good.

Diella’s story shows how innovation can shine light on transparency and truth — but also reminds us that machines, no matter how smart, must always be guided by human values and wisdom.

Conclusion: The appointment of Diella marks a bold step into the future — where technology and governance come together to create a more transparent and efficient system. By giving an AI system a ministerial role, Albania has shown how innovation can be used to fight corruption and serve citizens better.

However, this experiment also reminds us that while machines can process data and make fair decisions, they cannot replace the human values of empathy, judgment, and responsibility. The real success of Diella will depend on how wisely humans use her abilities.

As the world watches this groundbreaking experiment unfold, Diella stands as a symbol of hope, honesty, and progress — showing that the power of technology, when guided by ethics and purpose, can truly help build a brighter future.

A recipe for perseverance and success

 KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN (KFC)

When you see the smiling face of Colonel Sanders on a bucket of KFC chicken, you might just think of tasty fried food — but behind that logo lies one of the most remarkable true stories of perseverance, failure, and late success in business history.

The story of Harland David Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), teaches us that it is never too late to chase your dreams — and that every failure can be a step toward success.

🍗 Early life and Struggles: Harland Sanders was born on September 9, 1890, in Henryville, Indiana, USA, into a poor farming family. His father died when Harland was just six years old, leaving his mother to work long hours to support the family. As the eldest child, Sanders took responsibility for cooking and caring for his younger siblings — a skill that would later shape his destiny.

But school wasn’t easy for him. He often clashed with teachers and dropped out by the seventh grade, at age 12. Over the years, he worked in a string of different jobs — as a farmhand, streetcar conductor, railroad fireman, insurance salesman, and even a ferryboat operator. However, he lost most of these jobs due to bad luck or disagreements with employers.

By his mid-30s, Sanders had already faced more failures than most people face in a lifetime — but he refused to give up.

🍗 The birth of his passion: In the early 1930s, during the Great Depression, Sanders began operating a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, where he also served meals to travellers. Word quickly spread about his delicious home-cooked dishes, especially his fried chicken.

He kept experimenting with spices and cooking techniques until he perfected his famous recipe — a blend of 11 herbs and spices, the exact ingredients of which remain a secret to this day. To make cooking faster, he also developed a unique pressure-frying technique, which allowed the chicken to cook quickly while staying crispy on the outside and tender inside.

By 1935, his food had gained so much popularity that the Governor of Kentucky awarded him the honorary title of “Colonel” — a title that would stick with him for life.

🍗 Setbacks and starting over: Despite his growing reputation, Sanders faced another major setback in the 1950s. A new interstate highway was built, bypassing Corbin, and traffic to his restaurant dropped drastically. At the age of 65, he was forced to sell his restaurant at a loss, leaving him with little more than his savings and his secret recipe.

For most people, this would have been the end. But not for Colonel Sanders.

At an age when most people retire, he decided to start over — determined to share his chicken recipe with the world.

🍗 Rejection after rejection: Armed with nothing but a few cooking utensils and his recipe, Sanders hit the road in his old car. He travelled across the United States, visiting restaurants, cooking for owners, and offering them a franchise deal — if they liked his chicken, they could sell it in their restaurant, and he would receive a small commission for every chicken sold.

He was rejected over 1,000 times before someone finally agreed to partner with him. Most restaurant owners laughed at the idea of paying for a recipe from a retired man. But Sanders persisted. His unwavering belief in his chicken eventually paid off when Pete Harman, a restaurant owner in Salt Lake City, Utah, agreed to franchise his recipe.

Together, they opened the first Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet in 1952. Harman also came up with the brand’s famous tagline — “It’s Finger-Lickin’ Good!”

🍗 Rise to fame: By the early 1960s, KFC had become one of America’s fastest-growing food chains. Colonel Sanders, dressed in his trademark white suit and black string tie, became not only the brand’s face but also its living symbol of quality and care.

In 1964, at the age of 73, Sanders sold the company to a group of investors for $2 million, though he continued to serve as its ambassador and spokesperson. Under new management, KFC expanded rapidly, reaching over 600 franchises within the next few years and soon spreading internationally to Canada, the UK, Mexico, and beyond.

🍗 Legacy and life lessons: Colonel Sanders passed away in 1980 at the age of 90, but his legacy continues to live on through the global success of KFC, which now operates in more than 150 countries and serves millions of customers every day.

His life is a shining example of how persistence, resilience, and self-belief can turn even the hardest failures into lasting success. From losing jobs and businesses to being rejected hundreds of times, Sanders proved that age is no barrier and that determination can overcome almost anything.

🍗 Did You Know? 

🐥The original handwritten “11 herbs and spices” recipe is kept in a vault at KFC headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.

🐤Colonel Sanders received more than 1,000 rejections before finding his first franchise partner.

🐥 KFC was the first American fast-food chain to open in China (in 1987) — and is now one of the most popular restaurants there.

🐤The Colonel’s famous white suit became his personal trademark — he was even buried wearing it.

🍗 Conclusion: Colonel Harland Sanders’ story isn’t just about fried chicken — it’s about never giving up, no matter how many times you fail. He began his greatest success story at an age when most people stop dreaming. His journey from a poor farm boy to a global business icon continues to inspire millions to follow their passions, no matter the obstacles.

So, the next time you enjoy a crispy piece of KFC chicken, remember: it’s not just a recipe — it’s the taste of courage, persistence, and the power of believing in yourself.

The World’s Smelliest Bloom

CORPSE FLOWER 

(Amorphophallus titanum) 

Among the countless wonders of the plant world, few are as extraordinary — or as notorious — as the Corpse Flower, scientifically known as Amorphophallus titanum. Famous for its enormous size and foul smell resembling rotting flesh, this rare species from Indonesia’s rainforests continues to fascinate botanists, researchers, and nature lovers worldwide.

Origin and Discovery

The Corpse Flower is native to the tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia. It was first discovered in 1878 by Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari, who was astonished by its immense bloom. Belonging to the Araceae family, the same as calla lilies and peace lilies, Amorphophallus titanum stands apart as one of the largest flowering structures on Earth.

A Botanical Giant

The plant’s magnificent bloom can reach a height of up to 3 metres (10 feet). What appears to be a single flower is actually a huge inflorescence — a cluster of many small flowers grouped on a tall, central spike called the spadix. Surrounding this is a large, petal-like structure known as the spathe, which opens dramatically to reveal a deep reddish-purple interior resembling raw meat.

Beneath the soil lies a massive tuber, sometimes weighing over 100 kilograms, storing energy during the long years between blooms.

The Science of the Stench

The Corpse Flower’s signature trait — its stench of decay — is not accidental. The smell mimics that of rotting flesh, produced by a complex mix of volatile organic compounds such as dimethyl trisulfide, trimethylamine, and isovaleric acid.

This odour attracts carrion beetles and flesh flies, insects that normally feed on dead animals. Deceived by the smell, these insects enter the flower and unknowingly help in pollination, transferring pollen between blooms.

Another fascinating feature is thermogenesis — the spadix heats up to about human body temperature. This helps vaporise the scent molecules, spreading the odour farther to lure more pollinators.

A Rare and Short-Lived Spectacle

The Corpse Flower is famous not only for its smell but also for its rarity. It can take 7 to 10 years to bloom for the first time, and even then, each bloom lasts only 24 to 48 hours before collapsing.

Between blooms, the plant produces a single, enormous leaf that looks like a small tree — sometimes up to 6 metres tall. This leaf performs photosynthesis, storing food in the underground tuber to support the next spectacular flowering event.

Ecological Importance

In its native habitat, Amorphophallus titanum plays an important ecological role. Its unusual pollination strategy highlights the diverse adaptations plants evolve to survive and reproduce in tropical ecosystems. Sadly, due to deforestation and habitat loss in Sumatra, this species is now considered threatened in the wild, making its cultivation in botanical gardens vital for conservation and study.

Did You Know? 🌿

The Corpse Flower’s heat helps mimic the temperature of decomposing meat, enhancing its deception.

Its tuber is one of the largest in the plant kingdom.

It is often confused with Rafflesia arnoldii, another Sumatran giant, which produces the largest single flower, while A. titanum produces the largest inflorescence.

The first bloom outside Indonesia occurred in 1889 at Kew Gardens, London, under the care of botanist Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker.

Conclusion

The Corpse Flower may offend the nose, but it captures the imagination of scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. Its enormous size, rare blooming cycle, and ingenious pollination strategy reveal the incredible adaptability of life. More than just a curiosity, Amorphophallus titanum stands as a symbol of nature’s creativity — a reminder that even the strangest forms of life have an essential role in the web of biodiversity.