NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, recently past the halfway mark of his one-year mission to the International Space Station, photographed the Nile River during a nighttime flyover on Sept. 22, 2015. Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) wrote, “Day 179. The #Nile at night is a beautiful sight for these sore eyes. Good night from@space_station! #YearInSpace.”
Image Credit: NASA
| Grace Brett, a 104-year-old great grandmother might just be the oldest street artist in the world. The grandmother of six is a member of a knitting club known as the ‘Souter Stormers’ – a group that has recently taken over the towns of Selkirk, Ettrickbridge and Yarrow in Scotland, with their impressive knitting skills. Members of Stormers have spent a year secretly planning a project to conduct this street art installation. And this month, the mischievous knitters took to the streets, sewing up fences, benches and lamp poles all across the town in elaborate knitted art. The images below showcase her impressive knitting skills.
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12-year-old R Madheswaran says that he can read even when he is blindfolded. The class 7 student decided to put these skills to better use and appeared blindfolded for his English exam. He did this to spread awareness about a very important cause.
Sri Ramakrishna Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Coimbatore, witnessed an unusual scenario during the recently held quarterly examinations at school. Among all the students who were writing their papers on Friday, there was one who attracted everyone’s attention.
No, Madheswaran did not have an eye injury, nor is he visually impaired. The 12-year-old boy took this unusual step to spread awareness about eye donation. He wanted to feel how visually impaired people experience the world, and at the same time, wanted to spread awareness about the various talents that they possess.
Madheswaran claims to have some unusual skills which enable him to read phone messages, question papers and text books while he is blindfolded. .
So how did this young fellow complete this unusual task? Madheswaran says that every word and number has a different smell, and this smell helps him read them in his mind. He also wrote perfectly, right between the lines, using the same technique of smelling the words and the sheet.
His parents claim that Madheswaran acquired these special skills after attending a brain fold activation programme which improved his concentration and enabled him to sense many things without seeing them. Confident of his skills, Madheswaran and his family approached the school authorities to seek permission for this special act and they happily agreed.
Though these skills look unrealistic, we can’t help praising the young boy who took this step to spread awareness for a cause. After all, it is the thought that counts.
Source………www.the better india .com
Natarajan
This doctor has been working relentlessly and has contributed immensely to the field of healthcare and community service. And now, the 75-year-old has been honoured for her inspiring work.
Dr. Uma Rajan, an Indian-Singaporean doctor, dedicated 38 years of her life to healthcare and community service. And for this, the 75-year-old doctor has been honoured by the Indian community in Singapore.
Singapore Press Holdings’ publication – tabla! is a weekly English language newspaper, which launched the Community Champion Award in 2011. The award, in its fifth year, was given by Minister of State for Law and Education, Indranee Rajah, yesterday at the Singapore International Indian Shopping Festival.
Dr. Rajan, who is currently the vice-chairman of the Siglap South Community Centre, won USD 10,000 and she donated the entire amount to two voluntary welfare organizations – Singapore Children’s Society and Asian Women’s Welfare Association in Singapore.
The doctor has been a part of many philanthropic activities, and has many achievements in her name. She was the director of the elder care department at the Ministry of Health from 1996 to 2000. In this time, she started about 10 elderly care centres with voluntary welfare organisations. She also created the blue booklet which is still being used by students in Singapore for their annual health check-ups. She had come up with this idea in early 1980s, when she was the Director at the School Health Service. She felt that booklets should be introduced for school children so they do not have to carry their medical cards. The booklet helps parents remain updated about their children’s medical conditions. She also participated in extensive research into problems such as obesity, myopia and scoliosis
Dr. Rajan lost her husband 38 years ago, after which she started giving her time to the community. She is also known for her contribution to the field of arts, and was one of the founding members of the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society. She received the title of Natyakala Bushanam (ornament of dance) from the Indian Institute of Fine Arts in Chennai in 1954.
Source………www.the better india.com
Natarajan
He had grown up observing the endless conflict between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and had formed some preconceived notions about Tamilians and their language. But once he got a chance to live in TN, his perspective changed forever. There were several humbling incidents that led to this change. And here is one of them.
Having been born and bought up in Karnataka, I had witnessed a lot of conflict between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu while growing up – sometimes for water and sometimes for linguistic equality. That’s why when I got a job in Chennai, I was really shocked. Over the years, I had developed an unfortunate prejudice against the people and language of the other state. And now, I had to go and live there. I was very unsure about this decision initially. Little did I know that I was in for a surprise.
After reaching Chennai, with every passing day, I slowly began to realise that the reality was very different from what I had grown up imagining.
People here were caring, honest, friendly and really inspiring. They completely changed my attitude towards the state. I also learnt that Tamilians love and have a high regard for Kannadigas. –
Today, I have been in Chennai for three years. I know how to speak Tamil, and I cannot tolerate it if someone says something bad about the state. This place has always offered me its best. It has helped me attain financial stability, and has supported my journey towards my dreams.
While in Chennai, I got associated with an NGO. This had always been my dream, and was also my way of giving back to the city which had welcomed me with open arms. One day, as part of the work related to this NGO, my roommate and I were travelling to SODEWS (Society for the Development of Economically Weaker Sections), which is situated near Yelagiri, 200km away from Chennai.
We took a train from Chennai to Vaniyambadi station and from there we took a private bus that goes to Alangayam. We had to get down at Niniyampattu station which is 7km away from Alangayam.
It was a new place, so we were extra alert about getting off at the right stop. But when we finally did, I forgot to take my bag along. We then went into a small shop, and it was only five minutes later when I realised that I had left my bag.
It was a remote area. I did not remember anything about the bus except for its colour. And there was very little chance of finding another vehicle to chase the bus. I started asking around the shop, but the owner told me that there was no chance of finding the bus and I should forget about the bag. I told him that it had one book, a bunch of pencils purchased for SODEWS students, and my mother’s medical reports.
He helped me in a completely selfless way
I told him that it was not very important, but he insisted, saying that we should give it a try. We rode for about 7km in search of the bus and finally found it as it was entering the Alangayam bus stand! –
Since vehicles were not allowed inside the stand, he asked me to go and collect my belongings. And then, he even dropped me back to the same place from where we had started.
This was one man who was not concerned about where I came from, what language I spoke, or what religion I followed. All he was doing was helping me out in a time of need, just for the sake of humanity.
With this story, I would like to tell all my Kannadiga and Tamilian brothers and sisters, that instead of discussing and arguing about who is superior, and who is not, let’s all take pride in being human beings. Let’s maintain brotherhood and work with each other towards the development of the country as a whole.
-Anonymous
Source………www.the better india .com
Natarajan
Orthopaedic equipment is expensive — wheelchairs cost thousands and even lakhs of rupees, while even a simple pair of crutches can tot up to a few hundred. But more important is the fact that most of the time, this equipment has a short-term use. Falguni Doshi of Vadodara has come up with an innovative way of recycling the equipment while helping the needy.
It all started when Falguni visited her friend Sonal in Vadodara. The latter’s grandmother had recently recovered from a prolonged illness and was no longer in need of her wheelchair and walker, which were now lying useless and discarded around the house.
This is when Falguni came up with the idea of recycling the equipment to help the needy. Soon, the two friends had come up with a plan to rent it out for Re. 1 a day.
Over the years, donations poured in as many people don’t have much use for wheelchairs, transport chairs, walkers, canes, knee and ankle and neck braces, etc., after the immediate need for them is over. Falguni would rent them out on a regular basis as the demand for them kept growing with each passing day.
“It was just a simple idea. We didn’t expect it to be so successful. It has been about 16 years and I receive at least two to three queries every day even now. I have rented out thousands of pieces of equipment,” says Falguni.
Sonal had to drop out of the project due to personal commitments, but Helping Hand soon became more than a part-time commitment for Falguni. News about the work she was doing spread by word of mouth and many needy people began to approach her for renting the equipment she had.
Most people rent the equipment for a couple of weeks or months at a time.
“Earlier, I used to give these things away for free. But then I thought people would not value things given as charity or take care of the equipment. This way people take it seriously and I get to buy more products too,” she says.
Most of the products are donated to Helping Hand by those who don’t need them any more, while some are purchased brand new by Falguni.
For those who cannot afford to pay the deposit, the orthopaedic items are given on just a rental basis. “It is quite flexible. Our main idea was to put the unused equipment to some use and to help those in need. So we do not care if someone is unable to pay the deposit. What matters to us is that we are able to help them,” says Falguni.
Today, Helping Hand receives queries from across Gujarat. But Falguni has restricted her work to only Vadodara as of now.
“Right now I don’t have the capacity to scale up since I am the only one running the show. But my family members support me as much as they can,” she says.
Although the work has been running smoothly for the most part, Falguni has occasionally faced hurdles in the form of clients who return damaged equipment without informing her. –
For more details, contact Falguni at – falgunikd19@gmail.com
I figure it out when I am giving it to someone else. Also, many people do not take responsibility for the damage and I have to face the loss,” she says.
But these problems do not affect Falguni who is deeply attached to some of her customers — they often come to her for a friendly chat or when they need a shoulder to lean on.
“Many times, these people are frustrated with their sickness. They have already shared the details with their family and friends. But I am a new person to them, and since I work in this field I understand them. They feel very close to me and share their issues with me. I feel so overwhelmed by all the love that I receive,” says Falguni.
Falguni recalls a very touching moment when she received a call from a man named Mr. Gupta. His mother had just expired after a long illness and he had heard about Helping Hand. He called Falguni to donate all his mother’s orthopaedic equipment.
“All those products were imported and of very high quality. When he came here to donate them, he was so touched by our work that he donated some money too so that we can buy more things. His gesture will not only touch so many lives but it also gave me a boost that I was doing something good,” says Falguni.
So if you know someone who needs orthopaedic support in Vadodara, Falguni is there to help. And if you have spare equipment at your place, then you know how to put it to better use.
For more details, contact Falguni at – falgunikd19@gmail.com
Source…..www.thebetterindia.com
Natarajan
Source………..tamil.thehindu.com
natarajan
Purple carrots contain vitamin E and beta carotene like their orange counterparts but are also full of other goodies.
You may be all over quinoa and love kale, but there are some less common health foods that you need to start incorporating into your diet.
These foods are jam-packed with nutrients and are a great way to mix up your diet.
Red cabbage
Go for this vibrant-hued cabbage the next time you’re in the mood to mix things up in the vegie department. Red cabbage is low in calories, high in fibre, plus it’s rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K.
Sardines
They may be tiny but sardines pack a punch in the nutrition department. They’re high in omega-3 fats which are great for the heart, along with vitamin D, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium and B vitamins. If you’re looking for a fish alternative consider adding sardines to your food repertoire.
Pumpkin seeds
You may occasionally come across these tiny bite-sized bits of goodness in a protein ball recipe or as a topping on salads but consider adding them to your diet as a snack alternative. The seeds are actually the most nutritious part of a pumpkin! They’re high in magnesium, full of copper, protein and zinc and are also a great source of antioxidants.
Radishes
Radishes are a great detoxifier and help eliminate toxins and free radicals from the body. They’re also jam packed with vitamin C and are a great source of folate, fibre, vitamin B6, magnesium and potassium.
Purple carrots
Orange carrots? Been there, done that. So how about the purple variety? They’re equally as healthy, if not more so. Purple carrots contain vitamin E and beta carotene like their orange counterparts but are also full of anthocyanins, the antioxidant compound that can help improve memory, protect against heart attacks and enhance vision. Plus who doesn’t love the novelty of a purple carrot?
Swiss chard
You may know this green leafy vegetable by its other name silverbeet. Just one cup of Swiss chard can provide you with 300 per cent of your required daily intake of vitamin K. It’s also a great source of vitamin C and vitamin A and is full of magnesium, potassium, iron and fibre.
Turnips
Along with broccoli, brussels sprouts and kale, turnips are part of the nutritious cruciferous family. Turnips are full of vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium and potassium. They’re a great low-calorie alternative to potatoes and are packed full of fibre which will help you stay full for longer.
For more articles on nutrition, head to Body + Soul.
Source……..Tania Gomez ….www.news.com.au
Natarajan
When common people say, ‘Idi naa dehamu’ (this is my body), scholars would interpret the expression ‘naa dehamu’ and say, it connotes ‘I am not the body’ (as ‘naa’ means ‘not’). Extending the same logic, it is possible for you to maintain a state of perfect equanimity unaffected by pain and pleasure at all times by affirming, ‘these sorrows and difficulties as well as happiness and pleasure are not mine. I am beyond these dualities.’ When you say, ‘It is my body’ doesn’t it automatically imply, ‘I’ is different from ‘the body’? When you are separate from your body, why should you feel the pain out of it? The truth is, you are unable to overcome the delusion of body attachment and are also unable to bear the pain caused to the body, as you remain at the level of a human being. Be aware that as long as you are attached to the body, sorrows, difficulties and pain will haunt you.
To celebrate the completion of Mangalyaan’s first year in the orbit around Mars, ISRO has released a Mars Atlas which is a compilation of all the amazing pictures and data collected from the red planet so far.
The Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft, which entered the Martian orbit on September 24, 2014, has completed one year of its life around the red planet.
“With the launch of Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) on 5th November 2013, India has ushered a new era of planetary exploration of Mars and its environment,” says the introduction in the atlas.
In this past year, all five payloads of MOM have collected a large set of data, and all of it is a part of this scientific atlas.
“The images from MCC have provided unique information about Mars at varying spatial resolutions. It has obtained Mars Global data showing clouds, dust in atmosphere and surface albedo variations, when acquired from apoapsis at around 72000 km. On the other hand high resolution images acquired from periapsis show details of various morphological features on the surface of Mars. Some of these images have been showcased in this atlas. The images have been categorized depending upon the Martian surface and atmospheric processes,” said the official ISRO release informing about the atlas.
The atlas has been released by the Space Applications Centre of ISRO in Ahmedabad. It provides a lot of information in vivid detail, explaining the different features of the red planet such as its craters, moons, volcanic features, tectonic features and more. And all of it is accompanied by Mars’s brilliant pictures.
The MOM spacecraft, which was designed, built and launched in just two years, has five scientific instruments to record five different aspects of the planet. These include the geology, morphology, atmospheric processes, surface temperature and atmospheric escape process.
While the Mars mission was initially planned for just six months, it is now expected to last longer. The ISRO chairman, AS Kiran Kumar, recently informed that the mission can last many years because they have not seen any failures so far, and about 35kg of fuel is still left in the spacecraft.
Happy first birthday in space, MOM!
You can download the atlas here.
Source…. Tanaya Singh ….www.the betterindia.com
Natarajan
Take off with Natarajan 