Fresh and pesticide free farm produce without use of soil.

Have you ever heard of soil-less farming? It’s nothing other than just substituting the soil with nutrient enriched solution/water and this method of technique is known as hydroponics. The two Greek words: hydro, meaning water and ponein, meaning to toil when merged together form word “hydroponics” technically means working water.

Invention of Hydroponics

Dating back to the thousands of years ago, the Hanging Garden of Babylon and the Floating Garden of China are the earliest examples when humans used these methods of gardening. While restoring general theory behind this gardening, new modern techniques are in use to make effective and more productive way of farming.

1920’s- Dr. W.F. Gericke, University of California. Who popularized the idea of growing plants in nutrient enriched water instead of using soil and named this technique hydroponics. He grew 25 foot high tomato vines using water and nutrients only.

Anywhere, anytime

Many considerations have to be taken in case of traditional farming such as type of soil, climate change, local environment, seasonal crops, amount of water, use of pesticides, harvesting time and land space, etc. Hydroponics is panacea to these factors but how? Let’s know about it.

The main reason to adopt this method is climate change. Irrespective of place, time and growing conditions like temperature and season, hydroponics systems can be created anytime and anywhere in the world for growing food to net higher yields with fewer resources.

In order to get fresh and pesticide free food, this will be better option.

Since plants are growing in close environment, they are protected from several pests and insects. Also water consumption is much less than soil farming. In fact we can conserve upto 80% water by recycling it. Harvesting time is reduced to half as plants grow 25% quicker than traditional method. Here land requirement is quite low so you can set up the whole system behind restaurant for getting ultra fresh produce.

Hydroponics system requirements

Five basic requirements for setting up a hydroponics system: Fresh water, oxygen, root support, nutrients and light. All core elements should be in controlled environment.

Since we don’t use soil, typical materials or medium used for supporting the plant’s roots such as vermiculite, rockwool and peat moss, etc. Macro-nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, etc. and micro-nutrients like manganese, zinc, etc. are required to keep farm healthy and productive.

Next level farming

As the world has need to be opting sustainability to counter the today’s environmental threats, there is something required to be more futuristic formula. This high-tech farming leads agriculture and farming industry to the next level. Also more food security will be there.

India has called for introspection within UN Security Council over the lack of representation of African countries among its permanent members. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, even though more than half of the issues on the agenda of the Security Council are related to Africa, the African continent does not even have a single voice amongst the permanent membership to defend its own interests. He said, the world body needs to correct this historical anomaly, and collectively support the Ezulwini consensus.
 
Mr Shringla was speaking at the UNSC during Open Debate on ‘Challenges of Maintaining Peace and Security in Fragile Contexts last night. Welcoming the evolution and rise of Africa as a key factor in the contemporary world, he said African Union has a leadership role to play in consolidating peace and post-conflict reconstruction in Africa.
 
Mr Shringla said, collaboration between the UN and the African Union and sub-regional organisations, such as ECOWAS, ECCAS, SDAC and IGAD, has yielded positive results. He said the UN Security Council should remain respectful of the regional approach adopted by countries, in collaboration with regional organizations to address common challenges.

The Standing Committee of National Board of Wildlife has approved the advisory for management of Human-Wildlife Conflict in the country. The advisory makes important preions for the States and Union Territories for dealing with Human-Wildlife conflict situations and seeks expedited inter-departmental coordinated and effective actions.
 
The advisory envisages empowering gram panchayats in dealing with the problematic wild animals as per the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Utilising add-on coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna for crop compensation against crop damage due to Human Wildlife Conflict and augmenting fodder and water sources within the forest areas are some key steps envisaged to reduce Human Wildlife Conflict and payment of a portion of ex-gratia as interim relief within 24 hours of the incident to the victim or family.
 
The advisory also envisages prescribing inter-departmental committees at local or state level, adoption of early warning systems, creation of barriers, dedicated circle wise Control Rooms with toll free hotline numbers which could be operated on 24X7 basis.
 
Some of the other important approvals took place during the meeting are, inclusion of Caracal, a medium size wild cat found in some parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, into the list of critically endangered species for taking up conservation efforts. Now, there are 22 wildlife species under recovery programme for critically endangered species.
 
During the meeting, the Standing Committee also recommended the construction of causeway across Jampannavagu to Muthapur of Govindaraopet and between Jampannavagu to Motlagudem in Mulugu District of Telengana with certain mitigation measures. It also recommended the proposal for Tinaighat-Castlerock-Caranzol Railway doubling of South Western Railways, Karnataka with certain mitigation measures as advised by the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.
 
The other decisions taken at the meeting are construction of a bridge and canal with an aim to augment the water supply and irrigation facilities in some villages of Balrampur District in Uttar Pradesh and the construction of Integrated Bus Terminus cum Commercial complex in Vashi, Navi Mumbai in Thane district.
 
The National Board for Wildlife is constituted by the Central Government under Section 5 A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Centre has decided to form a committee to protect the language, culture and land of Ladakh and ensuring citizen’s participation in the Union Territory’s development. The Committee will be headed by the Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy and will include elected representatives from Ladakh, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, central government, and the Ladakh administration.
 
The decision to form the Committee came yesterday after Union Home Minister Amit Shah met a 10-member delegation from Ladakh who expressed their views about the need to protect Ladakh’s unique cultural identity. The delegation also spoke about the geographic location and strategic importance of Ladakh, its demographic changes and the need for generating more employment opportunities in the UT. 
 
While speaking to the delegation, Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the union government’s commitment to preserving Ladakh, saying that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Ladakh’s land and culture will be protected and developed.

India and France will hold their annual Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi today. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will lead the Indian delegation while the French delegation will be led by Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President.
 
In a statement, External Affairs Ministry said, the two sides will hold discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues. Mr Bonne will also call on other Indian dignitaries. The last edition of the Strategic Dialogue was held in February last year in Paris.

India and France will hold their annual Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi today. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will lead the Indian delegation while the French delegation will be led by Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President.
 
In a statement, External Affairs Ministry said, the two sides will hold discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues. Mr Bonne will also call on other Indian dignitaries. The last edition of the Strategic Dialogue was held in February last year in Paris.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the 306 Kilometer New Rewari – New Madar Section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor today.
 
He will also flag off the world’s first Double Stack Long Haul 1.5 Kilometer long Container Train hauled by electric traction from New Ateli -New Kishangarh during the event.
 
Governors and Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Haryana along with Railway Minister Piyush Goyal will also be present at the occasion.
 
The New Rewari – New Madar section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is situated in Haryana and Rajasthan. It consists of nine newly built dedicated freight corridor stations which includes three junction stations in New Rewari, New Ateli and New Phulera.
 
The opening of this stretch will benefit various industries in Rewari – Manesar, Narnaul, Phulera and Kishangarh areas of Rajasthan and Haryana and will also enable better usage of the container depot of CONCOR at Kathuwas. This section will also ensure seamless connectivity with the western ports of Kandla, Pipavav, Mundhra, and Dahej situated in Gujarat.
 
With the inauguration of this section, seamless connectivity between the Western and Eastern dedicated freight corridors will be achieved. The Prime Minister had on 29th of last month dedicated to the nation, the 351-kilometer New Bhaupur- New Khurja section of the Eastern freight corridor.
 
The Double Stack Long Haul Container Train Operation which adds an enhanced axle load of 25 tons will maximize capacity utilization. These wagons on a long-haul double stack container train on the western freight corridor can carry four times in terms of container units compared to the current traffic on Indian Railways.
 
These freight trains will run at the maximum speed of 100 km/per hour as against the current maximum speed of 75 km/per hour on the Indian Railway tracks. It has also been decided that the average speed of freight trains will be increased from existing speed of 26 km/per hour on Indian Railway lines to 70 km/per hour on the dedicated freight corridors.

The idea of living a simple life with less stuff sounds attractive to many.

But often, they begin to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and defeated around the idea of owning less. That’s too bad.

Learning how to declutter your home and (and as a result, decluttering your life) doesn’t need to be as painful as some make it out to be. And the benefits are numerous.

The Benefits of Decluttering Your Life

There are many benefits to owning fewer possessions. Even then, it’s tough to move into action. That is… until the many benefits of getting rid of clutter reveal themselves:

Less to clean. Cleaning is already enough of a chore, but having to clean around things you have zero emotional attachment to (or worse, actively dislike) makes cleaning the house much more stressful.

Less to organize. Finding things suddenly become easier. Things don’t just “disappear” anymore. You can actually move around your home and enjoy the space, instead of moving around things that are in the way.

Less stress. Looking around at the clutter is a nausea-inducing sight once your home becomes cluttered enough. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to look around and see a home you love?

Less debt. Spending less time shopping for material possessions and adding to the clutter means your wallet and bank accounts remain fuller, your credit cards’ statements are lower, and your home doesn’t get filled with costly things you don’t need.

More financial freedom. Most American households live paycheck to paycheck Nearly half of those surveyed carry credit card debt. Decluttering, paired with minimalism, will help you build up savings to keep you protected in case of unexpected emergencies.

More energy for your greatest passions. With less debt, more financial freedom, and a clean home, you can now focus your energy on the things you enjoy instead of worrying about “Keeping up with the Joneses.” This will ultimately make you happier.

Ok, so now you know the benefits of decluttering your life, but you may be getting tripped up by the very next question… where in the world do you begin?

10 Creative Decluttering Tips

If you’re struggling and need guidance on how to declutter, you’ll need to get creative with your plans. Here are several interesting decluttering tips to get you started on decluttering your home:

• Start with 5 minutes at a time. If you’re new to decluttering, you can slowly build momentum with just five minutes a day.
• Give one item away each day. This would remove 365 items every single year from your home. If you increased this to 2 per day, you would have given away 730 items you no longer needed. Increase this number once it gets too easy.
• Fill an entire trash bag. Get a trash bag and fill it as fast as you can with things you can donate at Goodwill.
• Donate clothes you never wear. To identify them, simply hang all your clothes with hangers in the reverse direction. After wearing an item, face the hanger in the correct direction. Discard the clothes you never touched after a few months.
• Create a decluttering checklist. It’s a lot easier to declutter when you have a visual representation of where you need to get started.
• Take the 12-12-12 challenge. Locate 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to be returned to their proper home.
• View your home as a first-time visitor. It’s easy to “forget” what your home looks like to a new visitor. Enter your home as if you’re visiting the home of a friend. Write down your first impression on how clean and organized the home is and make changes.
• Take before and after photos of a small area. Choose one part of your home, like your kitchen counter, and take a photo of a small area. Quickly clean off the items in the photo and take an after photo. Once you see how your home could look, it becomes easier to start decluttering more of your home.
• Get help from a friend. Have a friend or family member go through your home and suggest a handful of big items to throw away or give to someone else. If you defend the item and want to keep it, your friend has to agree with your reason. If they don’t agree, it’s time to get rid of it.
• Use the Four-Box Method. Get four boxes and label them: trash, give away, keep, or re-locate. Enter any room in your home and place each item into one of the following boxes. Don’t skip a single item, no matter how insignificant you may think it is. This may take days, weeks, or months, but it will help you see how many items you really own and you’ll know exactly what to do with each item.

No matter which decluttering tip you choose to get started – whether it be one of these ten or one of countless others – the goal is to take your first step in decluttering your life with excitement behind it.

I recently had a wonderful conversation with my friend. During our chat, she told me about an interesting shift in thinking that occurred while she worked at a science museum.

During her time there, she learned how to treat failure like a scientist.

How does a scientist treat failure? And what can we learn from their approach?

Here’s what she taught me…

Treat Failure Like a Scientist

When a scientist runs an experiment, there are all sorts of results that could happen. Some results are positive and some are negative, but all of them are data points. Each result is a piece of data that can ultimately lead to an answer.

And that’s exactly how a scientist treats failure: as another data point.

This is much different than how society often talks about failure. For most of us, failure feels like an indication of who we are as a person.

Failing a test means you’re not smart enough. Failing to get fit means you’re undesirable. Failing in business means you don’t have what it takes. Failing at art means you’re not creative. And so on.

But for the scientist, a negative result is not an indication that they are a bad scientist. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Proving a hypothesis wrong is often just as useful as proving it right because you learned something along the way.

Your failures are simply data points that can help lead you to the right answer.

Failure Is the Cost You Pay to Be Right

None of this is to say that you should seek to make mistakes or that failing is fun. Obviously, you’ll try to do things the right way. And failing on something that is important to you is never fun.

But failure will always be part of your growth for one simple reason…

If you’re focused on building a new habit  or learning a new skill or mastering a craft of any type, then you’re basically experimenting in one way or another. And if you run enough experiments, then sometimes you’re going to get a negative result.

It happens to every scientist and it will happen to you and me as well. To paraphrase Seth Godin: Failure is simply a cost you have to pay on the way to being right.

Treat failure like a scientist. Your failures are not you. Your successes are not you. They are simply data points that help guide the next experiment.