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World Leprosy Day By Dr Arvind Kumar The 30th January - the anniversary of Gandhi assassination, also known as Martyrs’ Day, is also observed as World Leprosy Day in India. Gandhi wanted to eradicate leprosy and he nursed leprosy ulcers in the days when leprosy infected people were treated by the highly caste conscious society as untouchables. Leprosy is an age old disease that still exists. The objective of observing this day is to raise awareness of one of the most stigmatizing diseases known to humanity. World Leprosy Day was initiated by Raoul Follereau in 1954 and is celebrated yearly. The reason for observing World Leprosy Day is to make sure that people everywhere know that the disease still exists, there is a simple and effective cure and we can do something about it. Observance of this day aims to educate people on all aspects of leprosy, including disease control and elimination, rehabilitation and social problems experienced by leprosy affected persons. Proper ca...

MARTYRS’ DAY By Dr Arvind Kumar 30th January every year is observed as Martyrs’ Day to pay homage to the martyrs who suffered and died for the freedom, welfare, and progress of the country. It was on 30 January 1948 that Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated a little before the sunset when he was going to attend his evening prayers. Gandhiji was among the millions of martyrs and freedom fighters who sacrificed everything for the country’s Independence, welfare and progress. Since Gandhiji’s martyrdom on 30 January 1948, this day was declared as the Martyrs’ Day and since then every year the Nation pays homage to the Mahatma and other martyrs on this day. On Martyr’s Day, the President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister, and the three service Chiefs gather at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and lay wreaths on the Samadhi decorated with multi-colour flowers. The armed forces personnel blow the bugles sounding the Last Post. The inter-services conting...

Towards Genuine Progress Margaret Emerson suggests that progress should mean working within the Earth’s limits to ensure that people aren’t just well-off financially, but happy and healthy. In other words, there is need to narrow the gap between the very rich and the desperately poor, because progress can’t just mean the improvement of the lives of 5% of the population. In Emerson’s view, progress means peace, and cooperation, and more beauty in the world. Progress should mean that we put our collective energy into elevating our spiritual and emotional growth. It ought to aim at increasing beauty, happiness and well-being of all. Viewed in a broad spectrum, progress in Capitalist parlance is construed as a good thing, manifest destiny, civilizing the uncivilized, elevating the poor inhabitants, taming nature, not being at its mercy, and having more time for leisure and the opportunity to be wealthy and comfortable. According to a study conducted by economists Betse...

139 th IMD Foundation Day By Dr Arvind Kumar 15 January marks the auspicious occasion of the 139 th anniversary of the foundation of the India Metrological Department. During all these years of its existence, IMD has contributed tremendously for the development of science of meteorology over the sub-continent. The department has served the cause of safety and well being of the people of India against weather related hazards and to economic development of the country. It is heartening to note that the IMD regards 15th January as an opportune moment to highlight its achievements and pathway for future development. Many hilly regions in India, particularly Ladakh and Uttarakhad have suffered unprecedented havoc wreaked by cloud bursts, landslides and flash floods during 2010. There is a need for making available IMD services for such calamity-prone regions. The IMD through its sophisticated technology and experts can help such hazard-prone regions by sharing information in a...

66th Indian Army Day Dr. Arvind Kumar 15 January is observed as Army Day every year in India, in recognition of Lt Genl (later Field Marshal) K.M. Cariapa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British commander, in 1949. The day is celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in national capital as well as all 6 Army Command headquarters. Today India celebrates 66 th Indian Army day. This Day marks a day to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificied their lives to protect our country and the people living in it. On this day in 1948 Lieutenant General K. M. Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief. General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa shared a good bonding with both natives and Britishers and then succeeded General Roy Butcher of British Army to become the first Indian Commander in Chief of the democratic India. The Indian Army fights adversities on borders as well as with natural cala...

Makar Sankranti/Pongal Makar Sankranti, denoting the transition of the Sun into  Makara  rashi ( Capricorn ) on its celestial path, is celebrated as a festival for countless reasons and in myriad ways depending on the climate, agricultural environment, cultural background and location. A Sanskrit  word in  Indian Astrology , Makar Sankranti refers to the transmigration of the Sun from one  Rāshi  to another. Hence there are 12 such sankrantis in all. However, the Sankranti festival usually refers to Makara Sankaranti. Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion. Millions of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar  and  Prayag  and pray to the Sun God ( Surya ). It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of India as  Pongal , and in  Punjab  as  Maghi . Pongal is a  harvest festival ...

National Youth Day 2014 By Dr Arvind Kumar There are 315 million young people aged 10–24 years in India, representing 30 percent of the country's population. This cohort is healthier, more urbanized, and better educated than earlier generations. At the same time, these young people face significant risks related to health, education, career choice and many lack the knowledge and power they need to make informed opinion about their future. This solemn occasion reminds society’s responsibility to look after the overall development of youth. 12th January is observed as the National Youth Day to commemorate the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, who was born on 12th January 1863. Swami Vivekananda in most of his lectures and writings devoted plenty of attention on the overall development of youth. He wanted to incite plentiful youth associations, learning surrounds and overhaul assignments concerning the youth. It was in the year 1984 that the Government of India proclaimed t...

Climate Change: Europe to face severe droughts Drought  is a major natural disaster that can have considerable impacts on society, the environment and the economy. These results, by researchers from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre and the  University of Kassel  in Germany, were published on Friday.  In Europe alone, the cost of drought over the past three decades has amounted to over 100 billion Euros.  LONDON: Droughts in Europe would become more frequent and intense due to climate change and increased water use by the end of this century, weather predictions released on Friday said. Southern parts of the continent will be the most affected.  Stream and river minimum flow levels may go down by up to 40% and periods of water deficiency may increase up to 80% due to climate change alone in the Iberian Peninsula, south of France, Italy and the Balkans.  Higher temperatures not only result in more water being...

Evolving Ecological Civilization By Dr Arvind Kumar Given the irresistible damage being done to the world’s environment and to its people, it is crucial to consider how we can evolve a truly ecological civilization—one that exists in harmony with natural systems—instead of trying to overwhelm and dominate nature. This is not just an ethical issue; it is essential for our survival as a species and the survival of many other species that we reverse the degradation of the earth’s life support systems that once provided dependable climate, clean air, clean water (fresh and ocean), bountiful oceans, and healthy and productive soils. There are several ways to approach and think about the massive damage that has been done to the environment. There is a need to ponder over the following: (1) the critical characteristics that underlie strong ecosystems; (2) why societies are not adequately implementing ecological approaches; and (3) how we might use characteristics of strong natural e...

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

Rare bird spotted after 60 Years NEW DELHI: A bird endemic to the Himalayan foothills and Western Ghats was spotted at Aravalli Biodiversity Park  near  Vasant Kunj recently. According to scientists at the park, Indian Pitta, a small and colourful bird which is mainly seen in closed-canopy forests, was spotted in Delhi after 60 years. Its sighting was last reported by ornithologist Usha Ganguli  in her book-A Guide to the Birds of Delhi. "The sighting is special because it was seen in the mining pits which we have converted in to moist forests. We have experimented by planting evergreen species in these ravaged pits of Aravalis. It was a wasteland earlier. The bird found the kind of atmosphere it requires here," said scientist in charge, M Shah Hussain. The bird is about 9-10 inches in size and is called 'Navaratna' in Hindi because of its vibrant colours. A team at the biodiversity park is compiling information about several other rare species of ...