Day: June 11, 2021

Top five TED TALKS you should watch right now!

1.You owe it to yourself to experience a total solar eclipse | David Baron

Ever heard of the word  ‘umbraphile’ ?  Meet David Baron : not-mystical, not-spiritual eclipse evangelist. In 12 minutes and 20 seconds David tells the story of his first tryst with eclipses and subsequent adventures. A gifted story-telling episode that makes you want to sit in the front row and experience it live. He then passes on the advice that changed his life –’before you die, you owe it to yourself to experience a total solar eclipse’

 

I’ve lived as a man & a woman — here’s what I learned | Paula Stone Williams | TEDxMileHigh

“Now, I get my hair cut about half as often as I used to, but it costs ten times as much.So, I can go on vacation or I can get my hair cut ”

Paula stone was fired from her job as the  president of the christian church planting organization Orchard Group when she came out as a transgender woman. Unfortunately that wasn’t it, she went on to face many obstacles because of her transition. But she was now gifted with knowledge only few on earth would possess: to have lived as a man AND as a woman. In her hilarious and eye-opening  talk she tells us anecdotes on her experiences of mansplaining, gender politics and of course womens’ jeans  pocket sizes!

3.Your elusive creative genius | Elizabeth Gilbert

 Elizabeth Gilbert, no doubt, is one of the most gifted speakers of all time. As an aftermath of the success of her memoir Eat,Pray,Love, Elizabeth has a realization that leads her to uncover the truth of creative mindset.I can only describe this talk as her splitting and disintegrating our society’s stereotypes of artists and creative geniuses. She makes us question if we should stick to our renaissance-cy thought process that has only brought our artists pain and anguish or if we should re-invent.

Elizabeth Gilbert on the best career advice we've ever heard

4. I got 99 problems… palsy is just one | Maysoon Zayid

Listen to the hilarious comedian maysoon as she tells us about her life with cerebral palsy. Her anecdotes are charming and inspirationa.At the end you will be in awe of her positive attitude and determination to achieve her dreams.You will appreciate life a little more.

5.  Inside the massive (and unregulated) world of surveillance tech | Sharon Weinberger

Thanks to dystopian novels, we all know surveillance is a weapon in the information age. But it might shock you to know that selling surveillance technology does not require you to have an export license in most countries including the United States(the way most arms sales would). It’s this unregulated weapon technology that journalist Sharon Weinberger warns us about. From devices that can collect DNA just by swiping across the skin to devices that can identify a person and their exact geographical location just based on their unique voice print  technology in the spy bazaar is alarming. This talk will open your eyes to the dangers of an unregulated market.

(Not in any particular order)

Yoga- An Ancient Legacy

‘Yoga’ is performed to channelize the energies of body and mind in one direction. Yoga is often misconceptualized by people as mere asanas(postures). But actually, it is a holistic health approach with the harmonization of body and mind with nature, with an essence of spirituality. It is the awakening of conscience with the realization of one’s oneness with the universe.

‘Yoga’ derives its meaning from the Indian classical language of ‘Sanskrit’, which means “union” or “to yoke or join”. ‘Yoga’ has its roots grown around 5000 years ago, long before any belief system started budding. It is believed as an ‘immortal cultural product’ of the Indus Saraswati Valley Civilization- dating back to 2700 B.C. Fossil remains with figures performing Yoga Sadhana indicate the presence of yoga in ancient India.
Yoga practices are also mentioned in the ancient literature like- Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis, teachings of Buddhism, Jainism, Panini, Epics, Puranas, and more. The existence of yoga in ancient India can also be marked by the presence of yoga shlokas in ‘Bhagwat Geeta’, like- Yujuate arena it yoga; meaning “yoga is that which joins”. Yoga joins the individual self with the universal self.

June 21 marks the International Day of Yoga. Every year since 2015, the government of India organizes mega yoga events on this day across the country. Yoga is not only an ancient Indian culture but also a tourist attraction from abroad. The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, in New Delhi has students from parts of India and abroad.
In today’s time where everyone is a sufferer of work pressure and stress, yoga is a great escape. It provides calmness and relaxation to the mind and body. Especially the students can benefit a lot as yoga is said to improve IQ and memory.

The harmony between the body, mind, and soul is what yoga aims at, for a better life experience. It soothes the mind and heals the body. Increases physical flexibility and strength and increases concentration and mental stability, helping you create a calm environment for yourself that shields you from the chaotic and stressful life of today.
In today’s time, more people have become conscious about their physic and physical strength. More people tend to exercise. Many people opt for gyms to exercise than doing yoga at home, without the need for any complex and expensive equipment.

Many people from abroad come here to India to learn and practice yoga. In fact, in this pandemic Americans started online yoga classes to keep people healthy and stress-free. The people there responded enthusiastically to the initiative.

Over the years, yoga has gained international recognition. Especially in this time of pandemic where it is advised to stay indoors, yoga is the best way to stay physically as well as mentally healthy. It is easy as well convenient to perform yoga inside the boundaries of your home, without any load on your pockets to buy any expensive equipment.
Simple breathing techniques contribute a lot to your health. However, it is advised to consult your doctor before performing any yogasnas if you have any underlying health conditions such as asthma, hypertension, or hypotension.

Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organizes vaccination camp at Jammu for employees, young artists, writers and workers

In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, as a part of COVID vaccination drive, the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages today organized a vaccination camp at Jammu for the employees, young artists, writers and workers associated with the Academy. AIR Jammu Correspondent reports that as many as 200 young artists and other frontline workers in the age group of 18-44 were vaccinated at the K L Sehgal Hall of the Academy in Jammu.

The artists and others working for the awareness camps and other culture activities got the first dose of the vaccine during the drive. The academy has categorised the artists as a priority group for vaccination as the nature of their duties is such that they come in public contact during duties. The Cultural department has urged all artists working with the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages to come forward for vaccination as it is important for their safety and their families as they have to perform their duties and require protection from the risk of contracting the infection.

Centre allocates over Rs 7000 crore grant to Maharashtra for current FY to provide tap water supply to rural households under JJM

Centre has allocated more than Rs seven thousand crore grant to Maharashtra for the current financial year to provide tap water supply to rural households under Jal Jeevan Mission.

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has assured full assistance to the State for making provision of tap water supply in every rural home by 2024. He said, at the start of this mission in 2019, out of a total of 19.20 crore rural households in the country, only 3.23 crore had tap water supply. During the last 21 months, despite COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns disruptions, 4.27 crore households have been provided with piped water connections. Goa, Telangana, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Puducherry have achieved 100 per cent household tap connection in rural areas and has become ‘Har Ghar Jal’.

In Maharashtra, out of a total of 142 lakh rural households, around 91 lakh households have been provided with tap water connections. At the time of launch of Jal Jeevan Mission, only 48 lakh households had tap water supply. During the last 21 months, around 43 lakh households in the State have been provided tap water connections. In the current financial year, Maharashtra has planned to provide tap water connections to more than 27 lakh households.

603 people test positive for COVID-19 in last 24 hours in Meghalaya

PicsIn Meghalaya, 603 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. With this, the total number of active cases has reached 5,015 in the state.

According to the Directorate of Health Services, the State also reported 427 recoveries bringing the number of recovered cases to 34,867. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths has reached 704 with 10 more deaths reported in the last 24 hours.

World famous Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha to be held without any devotee for second consecutive year

In Odisha, the world famous Rath Yatra in Puri will be held without any devotees. In addition, the state government has prohibited Rath Yatras in any other temple across the state, due to the ongoing pandemic. The Rath Yatra falls on the 12th of July this year.

AIR Correspondent reports, this is for the second consecutive time that the car festival in Puri, that attracts general devotees in lakhs every year, will have none of them. However, the annual festival in the holy city of Puri will be observed by the Sree Jagannath Temple servitors with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, in conformity with the direction of the Supreme Court issued last year.

While each of the participating servitors, police personnel and other officials must have either been fully vaccinated or tested negative for COVID-19, a maximum of 500 persons would be allowed to pull each of the three chariots of the deities. Meanwhile, Odisha police, while enforcing COVID containment guidelines, have collected an amount of Rs 14.58 crore as fine, in addition to the seizure of 29 thousand vehicles from COVID-19 violators during the statewide lockdown that is in force till the 17th of this month.

Karnataka govt announces unlock plan for 19 districts

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has announced an unlock plan in 19 districts where the positivity rate has come down.
In another 11 districts with high positivity rate, the lockdown norms will continue.

Powers have been entrusted to the District Deputy Commissioners to bring stringent action to enforce the lockdown in these 11 districts.

Addressing media persons in Bengaluru, Chief Minister said that keeping livelihood and the economy in mind a few relaxations are announced in norms in the 19 districts from June 14th.

AIR correspondent reports, Chickmagalur, Shivamogga, Davangere, Mysuru, Chamrajnagara, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Bengaluru Rural, Mandya, Belagavi and Kodagu are the 11 districts where the lockdown will continue.

Covid curfew is imposed in addition from 7.00pm to 5.00 am on weekdays and from Friday 7.00 pm to Monday 5.00am on weekends.

In 19 districts with lower positivity rate, people can purchase essential goods from 6.00 am to 2.00pm.

Industries can operate with 50 percent staff and garment factories with 30 percent employees.

Parks can open for the public from 5.00 am to 10.00 am.

Autos and Taxis can operate with only two passengers.

The relaxation is valid from June 14th to 21st.

Jharkhand govt cancels Class 10 & 12 Board exams

Jharkhand government has cancelled Board Exam for Class 10 and 12 for this session.

In a tweet, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said 10th and 12th board exams have been cancelled in view of the circumstances arising out of Covid-19 and the demand of students and parents.

Jharkhand government has also extended the restrictions till June 17 with some relaxation.

There will be, however, complete lockdown on every Saturday from 4 pm to Monday at 6 am.

State government has put many restrictions (mini lockdown) in name of Health Safety Week since April 22. All shops are being allowed to open till 4 pm in all the districts except East Singhbhum.

AIR correspondent reports, after the announcement of cancellation of 10 and 12 Board examinations by the state government, Jharkhand Academic Council is gearing up for the preparation of results of around 4.40 lakh students and 3.32 lakh students who had registered for the 10 and 12 state board examinations.

JAC will study the result assessment methodology of CBSE and CISCE board for preparation of the board exam results. Results of class 9 and 11 board exams respectively will also be considered in the process.

97.42 percent and 95.53 percent students had cleared the class 9 and 11 board examinations.

JAC conducts board exams for classes 8, 9 and 11 every year.

Meanwhile JAC Secretary Mahip Kumar Singh said that the syllabus was revised for this year’s board examinations and there was a 40 reduction in the course with a change in examination pattern.

But due to cancellation of the board exam JAC is yet to take a decision on preparation of results.