Engineering – Page 34 – Take off with Natarajan

US University Declares Rs 1 Crore Scholarship Named After Dr APJ Abdul Kalam…

November 30, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Indian students planning to pursue PhD from the University of South Florida will be eligible for a new scholarship from the next academic year. The university has announced a postgraduate annual scholarship worth about Rs. 1 crore in the name of former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam.

The scholarship is meant for Indian students enrolling for PhD courses in specific fields of science and engineering.

Source: Amy Kellogg/Flickr

It will be effective from the academic year 2016-17. The recipients will obtain a fee waiver for four years, which will be a total of $84,500.

They will also receive a stipend worth $18,000 every year.

Source: Ramesh Lalwani/Flickr

University of South Florida’s Vice Provost, and System Associate Vice President for Global Academic Programs, Roger Brindley, wrote a letter to Ponraj Vellaichamy, the Scientific Advisor to APJ Abdul Kalam.

“Like all of India – and the world – we heard of his passing away with great sorrow. I want to commend you and his family for the wonderful work you are doing to perpetuate his legacy,” he wrote.

He added that the former president was a respected visitor at the university in 2012, where he gave a talk on green energy and sustainability.

Mr. Ponraj said that there could not be a more fitting tribute to Dr. Kalam by a foreign university. It proves that Dr. Kalam had gone beyond boundaries to provide knowledge to people across the world.

University of South Florida is an American metropolitan public research university situated in Tampa, Florida, United States.

Source….Tanaya Singh….www.the better india .com

Natarajan

Moon expense claims, MacGyver moments and other interesting Buzz Aldrin facts…

November 30, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Former NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin is pretty clear with about his thoughts on travel to Mars.

AMERICAN astronaut Buzz Aldrin is best remembered for being the second man to set foot onto the surface of the moon during NASA’s Apollo 11 mission.

However, there is much more to the famed astronaut than meets the eye.

Here are 10 facts about 85-year-old that might surprise you.

1. BORN TO WALK ON THE MOON

Buzz’s parents were Edwin Eugene Aldrin Sr and Marion Aldrin.

Nothing seems out of the ordinary here until you discover the mother of the man selected for the Apollo 11 mission was actually born Marion Moon.

So that means Buzz’s career choice was either destiny or a very big coincidence.

2. HIS OWN FIRST ON THE MOON

He may not have been the first man to set foot on the moon, but Buzz Aldrin does hold the dubious honour of being the first man to urinate there.

While making his way down the lander’s ladder, nature came calling and Buzz was forced to perform a lunar leak into a special bag in his space suit.

3. EXPENSE CLAIM

For many, being able to set foot on the moon would be a prestigious honour, but for Buzz it wasn’t enough.

Once returning to Earth, he submitted an expense claim for the Apollo 11 mission, which asked to be reimbursed $AU46.33.

The claim was very accurate in its depiction of “points of travel” with Buzz detailing his travels from Houston to Cape Kennedy to the moon to the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii and then back to Houston.

As the documents show “government meals and quarters” were provided throughout the July 1969 mission, Buzz did not place a claim for those.

However, he did claim for the use of a car for travel between airports on his way to the launch at Cape Kennedy.

The claim was paid by NASA.

4. COOL AS A CUCUMBER

After exploring the surface of the moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made their way back into the lander so they could start their return journey to Earth.

However, once inside, Buzz discovered a broken circuit breaker lying on the floor of the module.

Following a brief search, it was discovered the circuit breaker was from the ascent engine — a vital component required to lift the lander off the moon.

After phoning mission control for advice, the astronauts were to told they would have to wait overnight for a solution.

So with the possibility of an indefinite stay on the moon surface looming, Buzz did something strange.

He spread out on the floor of the landing module and went to sleep, obviously completely unfazed by the hiccup.

5. MOVE OVER MACGYVER

The following morning, Buzz was told getting the breaker pushed back in was the only solution to getting the lander back into space.

With the component being electrical and his fingers being too large to do the job, Buzz began searching for a tool to use.

The solution came in the form a felt-tipped pen he had in the shoulder pocket of his space suit.

After successfully pushing the circuit breaker in with his pen, the lander was ready for takeoff.

Even more impressive was the fact Buzz still has the very same pen sitting in his home.

6. CUSTOMS DECLARATION

If you think being on the first mission to the moon excludes you from filing those pesky customs declarations, you are sadly mistaken.

Upon returning to Earth, all of the astronauts on board Apollo completed and signed customs forms declaring they were brining “Moon rock and Moon Dust” back.

7. BECOMING BUZZ

Buzz Aldrin was born Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr on January 20, 1930 in Montclair, New Jersey.

However, his family wasn’t all that keen on the name and ended up nicknaming him Buzz.

The nickname evolved from his younger sister who struggle to pronounce “brother” and would often say “buzzer”.

He legally changed his name in 1988.

8. FLYING HIGH

Long before he was an intergalactic traveller, Buzz had an interest in flying.

This saw him being a test pilot for US Navy and also serving a stint as a fighter pilot.

While on combat missions in Korea, Buzz earned the Distinguished Flying Cross medal for destroying two MIG’s and damaging another.

9. THOSE BLACK MARKS

There is iconic picture of Buzz Aldrin standing on the moon, but closer inspection shows there are two mysterious black marks on the front of his spacesuit.

These are the result of Buzz’s failed attempt to reboard the lander on the surface of the moon.

When trying to jump up to the lander, Buzz didn’t provide enough force and collected his shins on the button rung of a ladder.

Buzz Aldrin has a completely white suit, except for the marks on his shins.Source:News Corp Australia

10. ALL YOU NEED IS A PUNCH IN THE FACE

There are many conspiracy theories floating around questioning the legitimacy of the moon landing.

It is fine to speculate, just don’t approach Buzz Aldrin with your suspicions because if you call him a fraud, he might just punch you in the face.

Matthew Dunn news.com.au

Source….www.news.com.au

Natarajan

வானவில் பெண்கள்: சி.பி.ஐ.க்குப் பயிற்சியளிக்கும் மதுரைப் பெண்…

November 30, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

படங்கள்: எஸ். கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி.

இரவு சமையலுக்குத் தோசைக்குத் தொட்டுக்கொள்ள என்ன சமைப்பது என்று யோசிக்கும் இல்லத்தரசிகளில் ஒருவராக இருந்தவர்தான் மதுரையைச் சேர்ந்த ஸ்ரீதேவி. ஆனால் இல்லத்தரசி என்ற அடையாளத்தைத் தாண்டி தனக்கெனத் தனி அடையாளம் வேண்டும் என்று அவர் நினைத்ததன் விளைவு, ஸ்ரீதேவி அமெரிக்கப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் பாராட்டைப் பெற்றிருக்கிறார்.

எதிர்காலத்தில் ஏதாவது சாதிக்க வேண்டும் என்ற கனவுடன்தான் பொதுவாக எல்லாப் பெண்களுமே படிப்பார்கள். ஆனால், படிப்பு முடிந்ததும் பெரும்பாலான பெண்களுக்குக் குடும்பச் சூழலால் அந்தக் கனவு கைகூடாமல் போய்விடுகிறது. எம்.பி.ஏ. படித்து முடித்ததும் ஸ்ரீதேவிக்குத் திருமணம் ஆனது. கணவர், காவல்துறை ஆய்வாளர். குடும்பம், குழந்தைகள் என்று பார்த்துக்கொண்டிருக்கும்போதே 13 ஆண்டுகள் ஓடிவிட்டன.

தேடல் தொடங்கியது

எந்தவொரு சிக்கலும் இல்லாத மிக இனிமையான வாழ்க்கை ஸ்ரீதேவிக்கு. இருந்தாலும் தனக்கென ஒரு அடையாளத்தை ஏற்படுத்திக்கொள்ள விரும்பினார். வீட்டை விட்டு வேலைக்காக வெளியே செல்லத் தயக்கம். அதனால் வீட்டில் இருந்தபடியே ஏதாவது சிறுதொழில் செய்யலாம் என முடிவெடுத்தார். பட்டு மற்றும் தோல் பொருட்களைத் தயாரித்து விற்பனை செய்யத் தொடங்கினார். படிப்படியாக டென்மார்க், ஆஸ்திரேலியா, இலங்கை போன்ற நாடுகளுக்கு அவற்றை ஏற்றுமதி செய்யும் அளவுக்குத் தொழில் முனைவோராக உயர்ந்தார். தங்களுக்கும் தொழில்முனைவோர் பயிற்சியளிக்க வேண்டும் என்று பல பெண்கள் ஸ்ரீதேவியைத் தேடி வந்தனர்.

“எதையுமே முறைப்படி கத்துக்கிட்டாதான் அடுத்தவங் களுக்குப் பயிற்சியளிக்க முடியும். அதனால அமெரிக்காவின் நெவாடா மாகாணத்தில் உள்ள ரீனோ பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் பயிற்சி பெற்றேன். சிறுதொழில் முன்னேற்றம் பற்றி மற்றவர்களுக்குப் பயிற்சியளிப்பது எப்படின்னு அங்கே கத்துக்கிட்டேன். இந்தப் பயிற்சியில என்னுடன் முப்பது பேர் பயிற்சி எடுத்துக்கிட்டாங்க. அதுல நான் முதலாவதாகத் தேர்ச்சி பெற்று அந்தப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் பாராட்டுச் சான்றும் விருதும் பெற்றேன்” என்று சொல்லும் ஸ்ரீதேவி, அதன் பிறகு பெண்களுக்குத் தொழில்முனைவோர் பயிற்சியளிக்கத் தொடங்கினார். ஸ்ரீதேவி அளித்த பயிற்சியால் மதுரையைச் சேர்ந்த பல பெண்கள் சுய தொழில் தொடங்கி, வெற்றிகரமாகச் சாதிக்கத் தொடங்கியுள்ளனர்.

மென்திறன் பயிற்சி

தொழில் முனைவோர் பயிற்சியில் மட்டுமல்லாமல் மென் திறன் பயிற்சியளிப்பதிலும் இவர் தேர்ந்தவர். அந்தத் திறமை, இவருக்கு கவுரவப் பேராசிரியர் என்ற தகுதியையும் பெற்றுத் தந்திருக்கிறது. டெல்லியில் இருக்கும் சி.பி.ஐ. பயிற்சி அகாடமியில் புதிதாகப் பணியில் சேரும் சி.பி.ஐ. அதிகாரிகளுக்கு மென்திறன் பயிற்சியளித்துவருகிறார் இவர்.

“அலுவலகத்தில், அதிகாரிகளிடம் பேசும் விதம், நேர்முகத் தேர்வில் கலந்துகொள்வது, குழு மனப்பான்மை, தனக்குக் கீழ் பணியாற்றுபவர்களை எப்படி உற்சாகப்படுத்துவது போன்றவற்றை உள்ளடக்கியதுதான் இந்த மென் திறன் பயிற்சி. டெல்லியில் உள்ள சிபிஐ அகாடமியில் கடந்த சில ஆண்டுகளாக இந்தப் பயிற்சியை அளித்துவருகிறேன். பொதுவா ஓய்வு பெற்ற நீதிபதிகள், போலீஸ் அதிகாரிகள்தான் சி.பி.ஐ.-யில் இந்தப் பயிற்சியை அளிப்பார்கள். அவர்களைத் தவிர்த்து மற்றவர்களுக்கு இங்கே இடமில்லை. ஆனால் இப்படியொரு வாய்ப்பு முதல் முறையாக எனக்குக் கிடைத்திருப்பது மகிழ்ச்சி தருகிறது” என்று பூரிப்புடன் சொல்கிறார் ஸ்ரீதேவி.

புற்றுநோய் விழிப்புணர்வு

புற்றுநோயிலிருந்து பெண்களைக் காப்பாற்றுவது எப்படி என்பது குறித்து, ‘சேவ் விமன்’ (Save Women) என்ற இவரது திட்டத்துக்கு வெளி நாட்டில் நிதியுதவி கிடைத்தது.

“அமெரிக்காவில் இருந்து மதுரை வந்ததும் 10 கிராமங்களைச் சேர்ந்த பத்தாயிரம் பெண்களைச் சந்தித்தேன். அவர்களிடம் மார்பகப் புற்றுநோய், கர்ப்பப்பை, வாய் புற்றுநோய் குறித்துப் பேசினேன். அவர்களில் பலருக்குப் புற்றுநோய்க்கான அறிகுறிகள் இருப்பதைக் கண்டுபிடித்தேன். புற்றுநோய் பற்றிய விழிப்புணர்வு இல்லாததால் அந்த அறிகுறியைப் பற்றிக் கவலைப்படாமல் இருந்தனர். அப்படியே தெரியவந்தாலும் மருத்துவமனைக்குச் சென்று சிகிச்சை பெற அவர்களுக்கு ஒருவிதத் தயக்கம். தன்னைக் காப்பாற்றிக்கொள்வதைவிட தங்களுக்கு வந்திருக்கும் நோய் அடுத்தவர்களுக்குத் தெரியக் கூடாது என்றே பலரும் நினைத்தனர்” என்று மக்களிடம் பரவிக் கிடக்கும் அறியாமையை குறித்து கவலைப்படுகிறார்.

“புற்றுநோய்க்கு ஆரம்ப கட்டத்தில் சிகிச்சை பெற்றால் வாழ்நாளை நீட்டித்துக்கொள்ளலாம். முப்பது வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்ட பெண்கள் கண்டிப்பாகப் புற்றுநோய் பரிசோதனை செய்துகொள்ள வேண்டும்” என்கிறார் ஸ்ரீதேவி.

ஒரு புறம் ஆரோக்கியம் பற்றிய விழிப்புணர்வு, மறுபுறம் மென் திறன் பயிற்சிகள் என்று பரபரப்பாக இயங்கிக்கொண்டிருக்கிற ஸ்ரீதேவி, எந்த வயதிலும் சாதிக்கலாம் என்பதற்கு சாட்சி.

Source…….ஒய்.ஆண்டனி செல்வராஜ்….www.tamil.thehindu.com

Natarajan

10 Brilliant Indian Tech Solutions to Keep Your Child Safe…..On the Internet & on the Street…

November 29, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Many children today have very easy access to the latest technologies – internet being the scariest one of them, if you ask parents and teachers. While there is a very advantageous side to the fact that internet is being used by children to enhance their knowledge with just a few clicks, one of the major concerns remains that it is not a very safe place for a child. With cases of cyber bullying, frauds and scams surfacing so often, it is quite natural for parents to be worried every time their child picks up a smartphone or tablet to browse.

Thankfully, when technology causes distress, it is technology that comes to the rescue as well. There are numerous apps which have been developed with the sole purpose of giving parents peace of mind with regards to the safety of their children. And it’s not just about protecting them on the internet; these apps are meant to keep an eye on their whereabouts, to find them in time of need, to provide them with tools to reach out for help, and more. Working parents are also anxious when they have to leave their kids behind for long hours. For them, and many others, here are 10 apps/devices that can help ensure a safe environment for your child, and also help them sleep peacefully at night.

1. eKavach

This is a digital parenting app meant to increase awareness among parents about their children’s online activities. Available in Android and iOS platforms, eKavach was launched last year by a Delhi-based technology start-up, Certus Technologies. Noopur Raghunath, mother of a 10-year-old, is the brain behind the app. She was worried about her son’s obsession with internet browsing, and decided to do something about it. Parents just need to download the app on their phone, and on their children’s phones or tablets. This is how it helps them:

Manage applications: eKavach tells parents what applications are being used by a child, and how much time he/she spends on any particular app. It also provides information about new apps installed.
Web filtering: It allows parents to block certain web categories, content, websites etc. Parents can also set time limits on web surfing, and enable safe search options to ensure that a child does not come across any adult, profane, or objectionable content while searching for something.
Get real time alerts: eKavach monitors the child’s online activities all the time. The instant any boundaries set by parents are breached, the app sends a notification on their phone. One can also receive SMS alerts in case the internet is not working. The app also makes the details of a child’s whereabouts available on the map, and enables children to send SOS messages in case of a problem.

Download here.

2. Angel Child Monitoring

Bangalore based Krishnendu Dasgupta, a telecom industry veteran, developed Angel Child Monitoring device after the incident of rape of a 6-year-old girl at a school in the city. It is a GPS- and GSM-card-enabled device that can be carried by a child like a mobile phone, or can used like an ID card given in schools, thus tracking the location. It also enables parents to learn about the real time surroundings of a child. For this, they can call the gadget. It does not ring but the call gets answered automatically and parents can hear all that is happening around the child.

Parents can also create safe zones by including all the usual places that the child visits every day, and get alerts if the device is somewhere else. They get a notification when the child leaves one safe zone, and then again when he/she enters another. Parents can access the device through their computers, or the Safe In City Android app that was also developed by Dasgupta.

Weighing 25 grams, the device can register two mobile numbers that will be called automatically in case of an emergency. It has been differentiated based on age of children. For children below six, there are no buttons on the device, and it is completely remote controlled. Angel candy, made for slightly older kids, allows children to make a call as well.

“We’re very particular about the devices being used for children below 12. Teenagers want their privacy and we have to respect that. The kids, however, actually like having the device, as do their parents!” Krishnendu Dasgupta toldDeccan Chronicle.

3. IT Act, 2000 & Cyber Law India

This is an app that was developed with the aim of creating cyber awareness in India among all sections of the society. With tips for general safety on the Internet, the app is very useful for children, educators, and parents. It provides information on how to be safe on the internet, and also explains the cyber law as applicable in India, including the Information Technology Act 2000, as amended by IT (Amendment) Act, 2008.

With the help of the cyber dictionary, the app helps people get familiar with the jargon, so they can understand the law and the various cases in a simple manner. There is a dedicated option named cyber safety tips for children that parents can go through, while also reading about different cyber law cases to understand situations better.

Download here.

4. Safe Browser

This is a cloud-based browser that monitors more than 8 million websites and a billion web pages every day to prevent children from opening inappropriate pages. Every time a child browses the internet, this app will make sure that he/she is not able to reach the wrong places.

Download here.

5. Kids Place

There are guests in the house. Your child asks for your phone and you know you will not be around to check what he/she is using it for. What do you do? This parental control app can come handy in such situations. It an app that launches parental control and child lock kits to protect sensitive data and restrict kids from accessing adult content or apps that are not age appropriate. It also prevents children from downloading unnecessary apps, materials etc. Just run Kids Place before handing the phone to the child and you will be set.

Download here.

6. Talkative Parents

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you got a chance to interact with parents of other kids in your child’s classroom? And not just during parent teacher meeting, but whenever you want? Well, now you can! It is sometimes important for different parents to interact with one another so they can help each other. So, Bengaluru-based Mahesh Vorkady, launched the Talkative Parents app last year.

With a database of 6,900 schools and over 2,000 active users, the app connects the parents of children studying in the same class. Called the social network for parents, this app enables parents to chat with one another. It helps them pool resources, share information, coordinate a child’s travel to and from school, keep up with assignments, learn about tuition options, and so much more. It also offers schools the option to send notices, documents, files etc. to parents.

Download here.

7. BabyChakra

Source: Facebook

Many first time parents are often hassled by the numerous options of child care facilities available these days, with absolutely no information about which one is trust worthy. To help them out of their misery, Naiyya Saggi from Mumbai started an online platform that connects parents to childcare services and products. She came up with Babychakra after coming across several Facebook pages that were filled with questions from worried parents about various services available for their child. BabyChakra helps parents find plays schools, doctors, products, events related to children or parenting – all at one place. With the help of reviews from other parents, they are able to take more informed and confident decisions.

Visit here.

8. ItsMyChild

This is a comprehensive app that helps parents keep track of their child’s physical safety and academic achievements, while also managing healthcare, digital communication and socialising. Developed by entrepreneur Adris Chakraborty and tech professional Animikh Sen, the app has the following options:

• Emergency Alerts – Sends an alert to six contacts from your child’s phone in case of an emergency.
• Find My Child – Helps parents locate their child with just a click.
• Ping my child – Helps parents connect with their child.
• Find a Doctor – Quickly Search for a physician nearby in case of an emergency.
• Phone Safety – Parents can set usage limits, times and categories on their child’s phone.
• Health – Enables parents to maintain complete health records online.
• Memories – Parents can also store special moments and achievements of their child, all at one place.
• Event Calendar & Reminders – Set up reminders for all academic and non-academic activities.
• School Notifications – Schools can send notifications to individual parents or common announcements to everybody.

Download here.

9. Children TV

Want to be sure that your kid is watching the right things online? Then this is the right app for you. Children TV is meant for children and adults to enjoy watching child friendly video clips on YouTube. Parents can search for their child’s favourite video clips. The app also provides the option for parents to suggest a video clip that might not be available on the app but is there on YouTube, by filling out a simple form. Selection can be done on the basis of age group and language. This way parents can be sure that the child is watching age appropriate things online, and does not come across something objectionable.

Download here.

10. MamaBear

This all-in-one parenting app creates a private hub for families to interact. It has several social media monitoring features, family mapping features, alerts about cyber threats to children, and more. Parents can know where their child is, what is on their social media page, and also get alerts if someone in the family is over speeding.

Download here.

Source…….Tanaya Singh…….www.the better india .com

Natarajan

Message for the Day….” Remember, Nothing will Please God more than Rigorous Adherence to Righteousness (Dharma)….”

November 29, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

When you desire to transform a silver statue into a Krishna idol, you cannot succeed by simply covering the silver idol with a cloth and uncovering it after a few seconds! You have to break the statue into pieces, melt the bits and pour the silver into the Krishna mould! So too when you yearn to transform yourself into Divine, you must break the pieces with the help of the attitude of detachment, melt them in the fire of wisdom (jnana), and pour your mind into the mould of devotion. Then the entire consciousness takes on the Divine Name, Form and Substance. Then, whatever is spoken or done or thought assumes the splendour and purity of the Divine. Remember, nothing will please God more than rigorous adherence to righteousness (Dharma). You can stick to the path of Dharma only if you are conscious of the Divine in everything that you see or hear, touch or taste.

Sathya Sai Baba

” The Antidote of Fifty Enemies is ONE Friend….” !!!

November 29, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Growing up, my mother bought me a poster with two puppies and the quote “Friends make everything twice as fun”. Many years later, I still find it just as true. Nothing makes life richer than your jack of all trades friends: jesters, memory sharers, shoulders to cry on and life companions. Here are some thoughtful quotes, by minds with more wisdom than mine, about the joys of true friendships.

Source…….www.ba-bamail.com

Natarajan

நித்தமும் சுத்தம்; மேகாலயாவின் சொர்க்க பூமி மாவுலிநாங்…”ஆசியாவின் சுத்தமான கிராமம்” !!!…..

November 29, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

நாட்டின் வட கிழக்கில் அமைந்துள்ள, மேகாலயா மாநிலத்தில் உள்ளது, மாவுலி நாங் கிராமம். இயற்கை எழில் கொஞ்சும் இங்கு வசிக்கும், காஷி இன மக்கள், 100 சதவீதம் எழுத்தறிவு பெற்றுள்ள போதும், இவர்களின் பிரதான தொழில் விவசாயம் தான்! வளைந்து நெளிந்து செல்லும் சாலைகளின் இரு மருங்கிலும் காணப்படும் மூங்கில் வீடுகள், காண்போரின் கண்களை மட்டுமல்லாது நெஞ்சத்தையும் கவர்கின்றன. சாலையின் எந்த ஒரு பகுதியிலும் குப்பையை காண
முடிவதில்லை. காரணம், சாலைகளின் இரு மருங்கிலும் கனிம மற்றும் கரிமக் கழிவுகளை தனித்தனியாக தரம் பிரித்து கொட்டுவதற்காகவே, மூங்கிலால் ஆன குப்பைக் கூடைகள் வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இவற்றில் சேகரமாகும் குப்பை, உரமாக பயன்படுத்தப்படுகிறது. பெரியவர்கள் மட்டுமின்றி, சிறியவர்களும், தங்கள் பொறுப்புணர்ந்து செயல்படுவதால், கிராமமே சொர்க்கமாகக் காட்சியளிக்கிறது.

பிள்ளைகளுக்கு சிறு வயது முதலே, சுத்தம், சுகாதாரம் குறித்து பெற்றோரால் பாலபாடம் நடத்தப்படுகிறது. இங்குள்ள பொதுக் கழிப்பறையை சுத்தம் செய்ய யாரும் தயங்குவதில்லை. தவிர, தோட்டங்கள், சாலைகள் மற்றும் பொது இடங்களை பொதுமக்களே சுத்தம் செய்து
பராமரிக்கின்றனர்.
இந்தப் பணி, ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் மாலையில் நடக்கிறது. சீரான, சுத்தமான சாலைகள், திட்டமிட்ட கட்டமைப்பு, தடையில்லா, சுத்தமான குடிநீர் வசதி போன்றவை, மக்களின் நிம்மதியான சுகாதாரமான வாழ்க்கைக்கு வித்திடுகிறது.
கல்வியையும், விவசாயத்தையும் இரு கண்களாய் எண்ணும் இவர்கள், காடுகளை பாதுகாப்பது குறித்த விழிப்புணர்வு பிரசாரத்திலும் ஈடுபட்டுள்ளனர். ‘நாடு வளம் பெற காடுகள் தேவை’ என்பதை உணர்ந்துள்ள இவர்கள், அதை போற்றி பாதுகாக்கவும் செய்கின்றனர்.

மேகாலயாவின், கிழக்கு காஷி மலைகள் மாவட்டத்தில் அமைந்துள்ள மாவுலிநாங், சிறந்த சுற்றுலா தளமாகவும் விளங்குகிறது. இயற்கை அன்னையின் அருளை பரிபூரணமாக பெற்றுள்ள இந்த கிராமத்திற்கு, ஆண்டுதோறும், உள்நாட்டு மற்றும் வெளிநாட்டைச் சேர்ந்த ஆயிரக்கணக்கான
சுற்றுலா பயணிகள் வந்து செல்கின்றனர். மலைகள், நீர்வீழ்ச்சிகள், காடுகள், அரிய வகை மரங்கள் என இயற்கை படைப்புகளோடு, தொழில்நுட்ப ரீதியாகவும் இக்கிராமம் வளர்ச்சி அடைந்துள்ளது. ‘சுற்றுச்சூழல் பாதுகாப்புடனான வளர்ச்சி’ என்ற வகையில், இக்கிராம மக்கள் தங்கள் தேவைகளை பூர்த்தி செய்து கொள்கின்றனர்.
சுற்றுலா பத்திரிகையான, ‘டிஸ்கவர் இந்தியா’ மாவுலிநாங் கிராமத்திற்கு, ‘ஆசியாவிலேயே சுத்தமான கிராமம்’ என்ற விருது வழங்கி கவுரவித்துள்ளது. பரம்பரை பரம்பரையாக இங்குள்ள மக்கள், சுத்தம் மற்றும் சுகாதாரத்தை பேணி பாதுகாத்து வருகின்றனர். சுற்றுச்சூழல் பாதிப்பற்ற வகையில் சுத்தம், சுகாதாரத்தை பேணுவதே இவர்களின் தலையாய கடமையாகக் கொண்டுள்ளனர்.
இங்குள்ள மக்கள், தாய் வழி சமூகத்திற்கே முக்கியத்துவம் அளிக்கின்றனர். அதாவது, தாயின் சொத்துகள், அவரின் கடைசி மகளுக்கே சென்று சேர்கிறது.

‘மன் கி பாத்’ என்ற நிகழ்ச்சியின் மூலம் வானொலியில் உரையாற்றிய பிரதமர் மோடி, மாவுலிநாங் கிராமத்தை வெகுவாக பாராட்டினார். ‘நாட்டின் ஒவ்வொரு குடிமகனும், இக்கிராம மக்களைப் போல் செயல்பட்டால், இந்தியா விரைவில் சுத்தமான நாடாக மாறும்’ எனவும் தெரிவித்தார்.
நாட்டின் பெரும்பாலான நகரங்கள், குப்பையாலும் சுற்றுச்சூழல் மாசுபாட்டாலும் சீர்கெட்டுள்ள நிலையில், மாவுலிநாங் கிராம மக்கள், விதிவிலக்காய் வாழ்ந்து வருகின்றனர். இம்மக்களை முன்னோடியாகக் கொண்டு, நாட்டின் பிற பகுதியினர் செயல்பட்டால், மகாத்மா காந்தியின், 150வது பிறந்த ஆண்டான, 2019ல், குப்பை அற்ற சுகாதாரமான இந்தியாவை நம்மால் உருவாக்க முடியும். வி.சண்முகநாதன் மேகாலயா கவர்னர்

Source….www.dinamalar.com

Natarajan

Message for the Day…..” Selfless Service in a Spirit of total Surrender to the Will of God Will Develop Detachment and Confer Highest Rewards…”

November 27, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Creation or manifestation started, as the Upanishads say, when the One willed, Ekoham bahusyam – “I am One; let Me become Many. It is the integer (I) that fills the zeros after it with value and validity! The realisation of the function of the ‘I’ and the act of ignoring all zeros that come after it, is the end and goal of all human endeavour. When the mind is unruffled and the intelligence is sharpened, this realisation will take place naturally. Through the discipline of selfless service, you can easily recognise the One who appears as many. To attain that experience, service must be rendered either from a supreme sense of duty or as a humble dedicatory offering to the Highest, or in a spirit of total surrender to the will of God leaving all thought of the consequence to His grace. Any act of service done with these pure motives, will develop detachment and confer highest rewards.

Prithvi-II, India’s Indigenously Developed Missile, Successfully Test Fired in Odisha….India

November 27, 2015Natarajan1 Comment

Prithvi-II, India’s indigenously developed nuclear capable missile was successfully test fired on Thursday. The missile has a strike range of 350 km, and it is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads.

The test was a part of a user trial by the Army and was conducted from a mobile launcher at launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) located at Chandipur, in Baleswar District of Odisha.

Source: Wikimedia

Prithvi-II is surface to surface missile thrusted by liquid propulsion twine engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit the target. The navigation aid, inertial navigation system (INS), uses a computer, motion sensors and rotation sensors to calculate the position and velocity of a moving target without any external references.

Prithvi-II is the first missile to be developed by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).

Source: Twitter

It can operate with both liquid and solid fuels and can carry both conventional as well as nuclear payloads.

The trial data was conducted by Strategic Forces Command (SFC), which is part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA). It is responsible for management of India’s strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.

“The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the specially formed SFC and monitored by the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise…The missile trajectory was tracked by DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha,” a defence scientist told PTI.

The teams on the other side were on board a ship near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal. They monitored the splashdown and the terminal events. The last user trial of Prithvi-II was successfully conducted on February 19, 2015 from the same test range.

The Indian government had launched the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program in 1983 with the view making the country self-sufficient in terms of development and production of wide range of Ballistic Missiles, Surface to Air Missiles and more.

Source………..Tanaya Singh….www.the betterindia.com

Natarajan

” I’m Going to Antarctica to Find How Climate Change, Penguins & Food Are Inter-Connected”…Says Tejaswi Subramanian

November 27, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

My first brush with environmental consciousness took place when I was 13. I came across the Fourth Assessment Report by IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) in 2007, which said that human actions could be held responsible for the climate degradation and change that was visible in various parts of the world. I started thinking about it, and that report affected me very deeply. That’s when and how I became interested in environmental activism. Right from school, I was an active environmentalist. I helped form the eco-club there and was always associated with different activities like selling handmade carry bags to the school cafeteria and nearby shops, organizing awareness events, observing environment day and more.

Growing up, I also gained interest in clean eating habits.

This was about three years ago – I was living alone, was working 8-10 hours a day, was cooking for myself – and amidst all this, I was hit by the realization that I always felt less energetic. I never seemed to have enough energy to do everything. But I was only 20, and I thought, ‘this cannot be right’.

“Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.” – It was then that this quote by Hippocrates changed my life. I had started reading up on healthy eating and came to know about Primal Diet, which advises people to avoid grains and emphasizes on a protein-rich diet that contains healthy fats and is low in carbohydrates. It introduced me to the idea that eating fresh and organic food can heal the body and help us connect with nature. And I witnessed genuine change. I had been suffering with the problem of acne since my early teens, but with my new eating habits, it cleared up in just three months. It was like a miracle. I also witnessed an increase in my energy levels. This lifestyle change fit perfectly with my interest in environmental protection, which further encouraged me to carry on with it.

Additionally, I came across another body of research that motivated me to purchase sustainably-sourced food. It was about Antarctica, one of the last places in the world that remains untouched by rampant human urban settlement and industrialization.

Source: 2041 Foundation

But even in that beautiful place, traces of our irresponsible behaviour towards the environment are clearly visible – in the form of a pesticide. DDT, a chemical pesticide, was banned worldwide because of the harmful effects of the chemicals on the environment. This was done decades ago. However, its traces are found till today in the fatty tissues of Adelie penguins. This is due to the chemical pesticide being washed away and getting drained into the coastal waters, which then finds its way to the ocean. In this consumerist era, our choice to purchase reflects our voice in the systems that support societal norms. What is happening in Antarctica shows that a common thread runs through the universal fabric of our economy and society.

Thus, in the coming months, I plan to research about this issue at the grassroots. I will also be preparing for my expedition to Antarctica, which will host the ‘Leadership on the Edge’ program by Robert Swan, OBE (Order of the British Empire). Through this expedition, I intend to gather first-hand knowledge of the effect that we are having on the ecosystem of Antarctica, despite setting up shop several thousand miles away. Robert Swan is the first person to walk to both Poles. He will be our lead and Chief Guide and will be mentoring us on how we may be able to do our bit in spreading awareness and creating movements toward sustainability back in our homelands.

The idea is to work with like minds in order to spur a sustainable food movement that permeates our food chains and markets.

Source: 2041 Foundation

At a personal level, I am trying to work with sustainably sourced, organic as well as locally grown food. And this program will give me a good idea of how things are being done around the world.

Through this campaign, I am trying to raise funds for the expedition. I strongly believe that we can recreate the health of our bodies, the environment, and the Adelie penguins in Antarctica if we focus on the singular issue of how we source our food. Please support me in my journey. The tentative dates are March 13-25, 2016. Prospective itinerary can be found here. I hope to raise Rs. 12,30,000.

Here’s a break-up of the planned budget.

Source….– Tejaswi Subramanian for http://www.the betterindia.com

Natarajan