Startup Stories – Vahak

The logistics sector has seen a growth of about 59% during the lockdown period. Primary reasons attributing to the growth of the sector is the order of essential services online to avoid the covid spread. While we were staying safe behind the doors, the logistics sector worked relentlessly to fulfill our needs. Ever wonder what’s happening in the logistics sector? There are certain hard challenges faced by the logistics sector. There were delays in the delivery and sometimes tracking of goods seem to be even more difficult. This is because of a lack of networking with the driver communities, following the superannuated process of tracking and competitive market. 

Vahak is a startup that has developed an online community wherein a customer can easily interact with the drivers,  book a lorry or a truck and thus transport their goods from point A to B. The app can be beneficial for both sides. The customer can get his booking done in no time with minimal calls and can place bids for the same. The drivers on the other hand can get the details in prior, have regular jobs, and assured payments. Sounds like a win-win situation right? Of course, it is. To add adornment to the user experience, vahak has made the service at zero commission. Their website design seems to be simple and appealing.

VAHAK – A SNEAK PEEK

Vahak was founded in 2017 has seen steady growth in both sales and finance since then. Adoption of new technology and addressing an issue prevailing in the market over the years would be salient in attracting investors. Vahak is never an exception in such a case. They have raised their initial round of seed funding from Leo capital venture. Recently they created a buzz in the market by raising a fund of about 5 million dollars in their pre-series A funding by Luxor Capital and its existing fund venture Leo capital. 

Team members of vahak said in an interview that “ the platform has around 10,000 active loads every day”. 

They are serving 3000+cities in and around India and they are aiming to develop their platform significantly in the near future. The fund would be utilized in a way that the network expands and henceforth the business flourishes. 

https://www.vahak.in/about-us

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/vahak-raises-5-million-in-funding-led-by-rtp-global/articleshow/84230447.cms

THE THREE LEVELS OF HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS: The Unknown Inside You

Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) is probably the most controversial and misunderstood psychological theorist. When reading Freud’s theories, it is important to remember that he was a medical doctor, not a psychologist. There was no such thing as a degree in psychology at the time that he received his education, which can help us understand some of the controversy over his theories today. However, Freud was the first to systematically study and theorize the workings of the unconscious mind in the manner that we associate with modern psychology.

Levels of consciousness

To explain the concept of conscious vs unconscious experience, Freud compared the mind to an iceberg and proposed 3 levels of consciousness.

Conscious mind

Conscious: This includes our current thoughts whatever we are thinking about or experiencing at a given moment.

Preconscious mind

Preconscious: Beneath the conscious is the much larger preconscious. This contains memories that are not the part of current thoughts but can be easily accessible with a moment’s reflection. For example, what we had for breakfast or our parents, first names.

Unconscious mind

Unconscious: Beneath the preconscious and forming the bulk of human mind is the unconscious.

(i) It includes thoughts, desires and impulses of which we remain largely unaware. Freud believed that much of it was once conscious but has been actively repressed driven from consciousness because it was too anxiety provoking. For example, Freud contended that shameful experiences or unacceptable sexual or aggressive urges are often driven deep within the unconscious.

(iii) The process of repression is itself unconscious and automatic. We do not choose to repress an idea or impulses, it just happens.

(iv) The fact that we are not aware of them, however in no way prevents them from affecting our behaviour. They continue to operate underground, often converting the repressed conflict into anxiety or even psychological disorders.

(v) It is storehouse of repressed libidinal energy.

Comprehending CHESS through ‘Through the Looking Glass’

Chess was the most important indoor game of the nineteenth century in England. It enjoyed centuries-old privileged status. It was considered as a ‘rational recreation’. Chess, unlike any other game, deals more with logic and rationality rather than fun, as we know, Rationalism had taken over the Victorian era abundantly.

Alice, at once, recognizes the chess board stretched on the vast land in the Looking Glass World. It shows that although she is just seven and a half years, still familiar to the this game, which signifies the popularity of Chess in England in Victorian Era, especially among the bourgeois class(as it is also called ‘game of royals’) and Alice belonged to the same.

In life we make ‘choices’, in chess we make ‘moves’. In order to attain something valuable in life as to capture the opponent’s castle in chess, initiative has to be taken. Nobody can make decisions for me, I’ll have to play myself, it’s just suggestions that our people may put before us. Here, Alice makes a choice to participate in the game ‘imagining’ her goal where she wants to be in the end. Well, talking about imagination with reference to Victorian era, it significantly brought out a drastic change in society, though previously children along with adults were forced into realism. ‘Imagination’ is quite efficient to presume one’s position in the coming years and then working out to get there can be useful, because life makes it hard to calculate the further possibilities due to lack of information. Alice restrained herself asking the Queens about their arrival, thinking it would be obtrusive, which keeps her away from the information, also we see Alice not able to distinguish between Red Knight and White Knight and actually who’s there to save her declares her ignorance towards information.

Chess is symbolic to attributes of life, we see, there are (apparently) three stages in chess, that is, opening, middle game and the end game, similarly we have childhood, youth and adulthood in life. Alice joins the giant Chess game of life as a white pawn, that is, she holds very limited power and can move once at a time. We always need to start from the beginning, that is, from the very first ladder in order to earn it step by step. Alice has the freedom to setup her ‘goal’ to be a Queen, but she has no power over her inevitable maturation that’s leading her to womanhood. Within the framework of the chess game, Alice has almost no control over her path and she, with certain implied rules of the game, is driven by the corresponding characters in the book, as in chess, every piece moves in answer to the move of the other one. She is pushed towards her goal by the various situations occurring before her in every square, such as, the train ride, no-name forest, Humpty Dumpty and the White Knight. Thus, it can be traced from the narrative that in life, there is some invisible force that’s propelling every individual in the direction of set goal. It can be comprehended that collaboration is the biggest instrument to victory, for example, White Knight saved Alice from the attack of Red Knight without which it had been a Herculean task for her to reach to final square. We will have to rely on our people somehow, otherwise we can’t achieve our dreams just by our own self. In chess, one can take full credit for one’s victories, but in life it would be naive to say that what I achieved is all because of my sole efforts.

The game of Chess in Through The Looking Glass represents the interest of Carroll in logics and mathematics, and the agent is ‘Alice’. This game is not about luck unlike other indoor/board games, rather brainy. In the same way, Life is more about randomness, it’s not alone in the hands of fate, though life is much more unpredictable. We need statistics as well as probability in both chess and life. Also, chess possesses two different colors, that is, one is light and the other one is dark, where I suppose, they stand for logic and nonsense respectively. Based on this idea, Alice often proves to be smarter, more prudent than the so-called adults she confronts in the Looking Glass world. This might also be a reverse-reflection of actual world, I guess, where we see adults inclined towards logic and children uttering stuff and nonsense and vice-versa, here, in the world of mirror.

Life of the children in Victorian period was totally opposite to that of present-day children. They were considered as miniature adults and were expected to be highly sophisticated, more in the case of rich class children. Children were not allowed to shout, complain, interrupt or disagree with anyone. The children of rich parents were usually looked after by governesses, no matter humble or strict, and they only used to teach them manners and the way of living. Here, in Looking Glass world, Red Queen, the first character to guide Alice in the reverse world,

resembles very much like a governess of Alice when she teaches her how to not tweedle her fingers while speaking, how to behave, and to curtsey, and how Alice couldn’t go against her. She says, “when you’ve once said a thing, that fixes it, and you must take the consequences.”, because Alice is a Pawn and a Pawn cannot move backward, it is also allusion to the fact that once you have made the decision/choice, you can’t step back and stay committed bearing with it’s outcome, and she also asks Alice only to speak when she was asked to. Even we see TweedleDum-TweedleDee not ready to converse with Alice before she greets them. When Alice thinks that asking the Queens how they arrived would be impertinent, it shows again the social structure built for children in the real Victorian world.

When we are in a state of childhood, we want to turn into an adult soon. Similarly, Alice is excited about her lone-tour of adulthood through the Looking Glass world as she thinks she will be free of all the scolding, she says, “….no one here to scold me away from the fire….and can’t get me!” In the beginning, Alice was thrilled about her journey but as she is heading forward, she encounters the sense of loneliness in her journey to become a Queen(apparently) and acts adult herself. Though she is surrounded by different creatures many a times, but she feels alienated to their foreign ways. Hence, here Chess is a symbol of journey advancing from childhood to adulthood. She undergoes many crucial experiences, putting forward the idea of challenges one has to face in this journey of adulthood in one’s life. In the beginning, we see Alice being rude to Gnat about his jokes and later we see her kindness with White Knight that declares the change in her attitude as moving towards adulthood. When the Queen gives Alice directions as how to be a proper queen, it indicates that Alice wasn’t actually prepared to become a queen, just as it’s hard to prepare to be an adult in real world. Every square leads her to different characters and every character teaches Alice something significant, as we know, advice can come from the most unexpected places. For example, revelation of identity imposed by the situation in the woods of forgetfulness, the White Queen teaches her to believe in impossible, the fall of Humpty Dumpty symbolizes ‘the fall of man for pride’ and also ‘the fall of innocence’ proceeding towards maturity, and likewise all the other characters. These teachings help Alice to inherent the characteristics of adulthood within her. The crown here, symbolizes the transformation of Alice from childhood to adulthood.

The Red King and the White King are almost doing nothing throughout the game as compared to their Queens. The Red King, as first encountered by Alice, is sleeping and his other pieces are performing their tasks to save him, whereas, the White King seems to be nervous not able to catch up with her Queen.

Now these characters resemble in moves of both as that of the White and Red King in the real chess board. These actions of Queens and Kings in the world behind the mirror, may portray the position of women in the Victorian era. Women, at that time, used to engage themselves working for their husband and family, and also middle class and the working class women were employed to earn bread for their family, in support of their husbands. Red Queen saying to Alice, “…if you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!” may ascertain the idea that in a male-dominated society, women need to work double/toil harder in comparison to men in order to attain recognition. Women in the nineteenth century were not given much of the rights and privileges. This period is named after Queen Victoria, who was in the place of power. It is strange to encounter such a frivolous situation of women at the time when a lady herself was reigning over the society. When we behold Alice as a little woman moving from actual world to Looking Glass world, it may seem as she is struggling to change her confided world. She starts her journey all by herself which reflects the essence of independence in her. The characters like Live flowers resemble the social class structure that pushes Alice to follow their rules. When she chooses to be a Queen, she establishes the path for women/girls to upgrade their status because Alice learns that she must have a powerful authority to control Looking Glass world when one of the servants at once answers her after she turns into a Queen, so is the case for women in Victorian era, for example, Queen Victoria.

We need not be afraid of our high-rated opponents and feel incapable before them and it is then only that Alice is able to shake Red Queen in frustration and raises her voice against her rather than stitching her lips out of fear as evident in the beginning, that is, crown here, symbolizes her transformation from childhood to womanhood, gives her voice and finally renovates her status from a pawn to a queen. All the exclusive pieces are placed right behind the pawns. And a Pawn in comparison to them is just an ordinary, common piece that can slowly and gradually become a Queen. Even a pawn can cut down a King, pertaining to life, a single human being, regardless of his status, is enough to bring about revolution in the society, and win the castle of life. Alice suffering through all the odds, obstructions eventually made it, checkmated the Red King and turned into a Queen.

As a Queen in the game, the Red Queen and the White Queen are able to move swiftly and effortlessly. The White Queen, as she says, “jam-tomorrow and jam-yesterday, but never jam-today.”, and screams before pricking her thumb, travels in past and future which is true for the Queen,

in general, in chess that she can freely move in every direction possible, but she is seen nervous and messy all the time here, and ultimately at two points passes up a chance to checkmate and on another occasion she missed the opportunity to capture the Red Knight. Similarly, the Red Queen said to Alice, “Speak when you’re spoken to!”, and having supporting her words, she doesn’t announce it after putting White King on the check, hence, the check is ignored. Their individual character traits restrained them from performing their duties. This also discovers their absent-mindedness and reverse effect of the mirror world.

The Knight in the chess moves very distinctively and is allowed to jump over any other pieces. Riding and falling of the White Knight in looking glass world is signifying it’s unique L-shape movement. The inventions of White Knight are here to present his powerful character trait, like in chess board Knight is an only piece imbibed with many powers, unlike other pieces, not even a Queen can move in same way as Knight, though his inventions are unprofitable disclosing the touch of the illusionary world, still it is pointing to the fact that precaution is must, so his horse wears spikes on it’s ankles to protect it from shark bites and he collects things that might be useful in the difficult situation. The White Knight is the only character that is benevolent with Alice and saves Alice from the attack of Red Knight (stopping her to be a Queen/upgrade the position of women in society), but it can be an example of gender-biased society where a man is shown as a powerful figure and woman belongs to a weaker section. Alice, here, is represented as a weak girl and this action of White Knight throws light on the concept of feminism, and make Alice learn that a woman must stand for herself and must discover her own capabilities.

Chess wasn’t just one of the themes in Carroll’s story, indeed, it was the ground for the novel’s structure. The game of chess in real world is ‘logical’ while in looking glass world it can be called as ‘maddening game of chess’. Also as an inverted image created by the mirror, this indoor game is displayed as an outer giant field of chess. The pieces are definitely running and moving under the implied rules, but the pattern is not applied evenly. This game sets the deterministic way of life. Both life and chess are, more or less, synonymous in almost every aspect.

Citation: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-64-square-grid-design-of-through-the-looking-glass-24546391/

Comprehending CHESS through 'Through the Looking Glass'

Chess was the most important indoor game of the nineteenth century in England. It enjoyed centuries-old privileged status. It was considered as a ‘rational recreation’. Chess, unlike any other game, deals more with logic and rationality rather than fun, as we know, Rationalism had taken over the Victorian era abundantly.

Alice, at once, recognizes the chess board stretched on the vast land in the Looking Glass World. It shows that although she is just seven and a half years, still familiar to the this game, which signifies the popularity of Chess in England in Victorian Era, especially among the bourgeois class(as it is also called ‘game of royals’) and Alice belonged to the same.

In life we make ‘choices’, in chess we make ‘moves’. In order to attain something valuable in life as to capture the opponent’s castle in chess, initiative has to be taken. Nobody can make decisions for me, I’ll have to play myself, it’s just suggestions that our people may put before us. Here, Alice makes a choice to participate in the game ‘imagining’ her goal where she wants to be in the end. Well, talking about imagination with reference to Victorian era, it significantly brought out a drastic change in society, though previously children along with adults were forced into realism. ‘Imagination’ is quite efficient to presume one’s position in the coming years and then working out to get there can be useful, because life makes it hard to calculate the further possibilities due to lack of information. Alice restrained herself asking the Queens about their arrival, thinking it would be obtrusive, which keeps her away from the information, also we see Alice not able to distinguish between Red Knight and White Knight and actually who’s there to save her declares her ignorance towards information.

Chess is symbolic to attributes of life, we see, there are (apparently) three stages in chess, that is, opening, middle game and the end game, similarly we have childhood, youth and adulthood in life. Alice joins the giant Chess game of life as a white pawn, that is, she holds very limited power and can move once at a time. We always need to start from the beginning, that is, from the very first ladder in order to earn it step by step. Alice has the freedom to setup her ‘goal’ to be a Queen, but she has no power over her inevitable maturation that’s leading her to womanhood. Within the framework of the chess game, Alice has almost no control over her path and she, with certain implied rules of the game, is driven by the corresponding characters in the book, as in chess, every piece moves in answer to the move of the other one. She is pushed towards her goal by the various situations occurring before her in every square, such as, the train ride, no-name forest, Humpty Dumpty and the White Knight. Thus, it can be traced from the narrative that in life, there is some invisible force that’s propelling every individual in the direction of set goal. It can be comprehended that collaboration is the biggest instrument to victory, for example, White Knight saved Alice from the attack of Red Knight without which it had been a Herculean task for her to reach to final square. We will have to rely on our people somehow, otherwise we can’t achieve our dreams just by our own self. In chess, one can take full credit for one’s victories, but in life it would be naive to say that what I achieved is all because of my sole efforts.

The game of Chess in Through The Looking Glass represents the interest of Carroll in logics and mathematics, and the agent is ‘Alice’. This game is not about luck unlike other indoor/board games, rather brainy. In the same way, Life is more about randomness, it’s not alone in the hands of fate, though life is much more unpredictable. We need statistics as well as probability in both chess and life. Also, chess possesses two different colors, that is, one is light and the other one is dark, where I suppose, they stand for logic and nonsense respectively. Based on this idea, Alice often proves to be smarter, more prudent than the so-called adults she confronts in the Looking Glass world. This might also be a reverse-reflection of actual world, I guess, where we see adults inclined towards logic and children uttering stuff and nonsense and vice-versa, here, in the world of mirror.

Life of the children in Victorian period was totally opposite to that of present-day children. They were considered as miniature adults and were expected to be highly sophisticated, more in the case of rich class children. Children were not allowed to shout, complain, interrupt or disagree with anyone. The children of rich parents were usually looked after by governesses, no matter humble or strict, and they only used to teach them manners and the way of living. Here, in Looking Glass world, Red Queen, the first character to guide Alice in the reverse world,

resembles very much like a governess of Alice when she teaches her how to not tweedle her fingers while speaking, how to behave, and to curtsey, and how Alice couldn’t go against her. She says, “when you’ve once said a thing, that fixes it, and you must take the consequences.”, because Alice is a Pawn and a Pawn cannot move backward, it is also allusion to the fact that once you have made the decision/choice, you can’t step back and stay committed bearing with it’s outcome, and she also asks Alice only to speak when she was asked to. Even we see TweedleDum-TweedleDee not ready to converse with Alice before she greets them. When Alice thinks that asking the Queens how they arrived would be impertinent, it shows again the social structure built for children in the real Victorian world.

When we are in a state of childhood, we want to turn into an adult soon. Similarly, Alice is excited about her lone-tour of adulthood through the Looking Glass world as she thinks she will be free of all the scolding, she says, “….no one here to scold me away from the fire….and can’t get me!” In the beginning, Alice was thrilled about her journey but as she is heading forward, she encounters the sense of loneliness in her journey to become a Queen(apparently) and acts adult herself. Though she is surrounded by different creatures many a times, but she feels alienated to their foreign ways. Hence, here Chess is a symbol of journey advancing from childhood to adulthood. She undergoes many crucial experiences, putting forward the idea of challenges one has to face in this journey of adulthood in one’s life. In the beginning, we see Alice being rude to Gnat about his jokes and later we see her kindness with White Knight that declares the change in her attitude as moving towards adulthood. When the Queen gives Alice directions as how to be a proper queen, it indicates that Alice wasn’t actually prepared to become a queen, just as it’s hard to prepare to be an adult in real world. Every square leads her to different characters and every character teaches Alice something significant, as we know, advice can come from the most unexpected places. For example, revelation of identity imposed by the situation in the woods of forgetfulness, the White Queen teaches her to believe in impossible, the fall of Humpty Dumpty symbolizes ‘the fall of man for pride’ and also ‘the fall of innocence’ proceeding towards maturity, and likewise all the other characters. These teachings help Alice to inherent the characteristics of adulthood within her. The crown here, symbolizes the transformation of Alice from childhood to adulthood.

The Red King and the White King are almost doing nothing throughout the game as compared to their Queens. The Red King, as first encountered by Alice, is sleeping and his other pieces are performing their tasks to save him, whereas, the White King seems to be nervous not able to catch up with her Queen.

Now these characters resemble in moves of both as that of the White and Red King in the real chess board. These actions of Queens and Kings in the world behind the mirror, may portray the position of women in the Victorian era. Women, at that time, used to engage themselves working for their husband and family, and also middle class and the working class women were employed to earn bread for their family, in support of their husbands. Red Queen saying to Alice, “…if you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!” may ascertain the idea that in a male-dominated society, women need to work double/toil harder in comparison to men in order to attain recognition. Women in the nineteenth century were not given much of the rights and privileges. This period is named after Queen Victoria, who was in the place of power. It is strange to encounter such a frivolous situation of women at the time when a lady herself was reigning over the society. When we behold Alice as a little woman moving from actual world to Looking Glass world, it may seem as she is struggling to change her confided world. She starts her journey all by herself which reflects the essence of independence in her. The characters like Live flowers resemble the social class structure that pushes Alice to follow their rules. When she chooses to be a Queen, she establishes the path for women/girls to upgrade their status because Alice learns that she must have a powerful authority to control Looking Glass world when one of the servants at once answers her after she turns into a Queen, so is the case for women in Victorian era, for example, Queen Victoria.

We need not be afraid of our high-rated opponents and feel incapable before them and it is then only that Alice is able to shake Red Queen in frustration and raises her voice against her rather than stitching her lips out of fear as evident in the beginning, that is, crown here, symbolizes her transformation from childhood to womanhood, gives her voice and finally renovates her status from a pawn to a queen. All the exclusive pieces are placed right behind the pawns. And a Pawn in comparison to them is just an ordinary, common piece that can slowly and gradually become a Queen. Even a pawn can cut down a King, pertaining to life, a single human being, regardless of his status, is enough to bring about revolution in the society, and win the castle of life. Alice suffering through all the odds, obstructions eventually made it, checkmated the Red King and turned into a Queen.

As a Queen in the game, the Red Queen and the White Queen are able to move swiftly and effortlessly. The White Queen, as she says, “jam-tomorrow and jam-yesterday, but never jam-today.”, and screams before pricking her thumb, travels in past and future which is true for the Queen,

in general, in chess that she can freely move in every direction possible, but she is seen nervous and messy all the time here, and ultimately at two points passes up a chance to checkmate and on another occasion she missed the opportunity to capture the Red Knight. Similarly, the Red Queen said to Alice, “Speak when you’re spoken to!”, and having supporting her words, she doesn’t announce it after putting White King on the check, hence, the check is ignored. Their individual character traits restrained them from performing their duties. This also discovers their absent-mindedness and reverse effect of the mirror world.

The Knight in the chess moves very distinctively and is allowed to jump over any other pieces. Riding and falling of the White Knight in looking glass world is signifying it’s unique L-shape movement. The inventions of White Knight are here to present his powerful character trait, like in chess board Knight is an only piece imbibed with many powers, unlike other pieces, not even a Queen can move in same way as Knight, though his inventions are unprofitable disclosing the touch of the illusionary world, still it is pointing to the fact that precaution is must, so his horse wears spikes on it’s ankles to protect it from shark bites and he collects things that might be useful in the difficult situation. The White Knight is the only character that is benevolent with Alice and saves Alice from the attack of Red Knight (stopping her to be a Queen/upgrade the position of women in society), but it can be an example of gender-biased society where a man is shown as a powerful figure and woman belongs to a weaker section. Alice, here, is represented as a weak girl and this action of White Knight throws light on the concept of feminism, and make Alice learn that a woman must stand for herself and must discover her own capabilities.

Chess wasn’t just one of the themes in Carroll’s story, indeed, it was the ground for the novel’s structure. The game of chess in real world is ‘logical’ while in looking glass world it can be called as ‘maddening game of chess’. Also as an inverted image created by the mirror, this indoor game is displayed as an outer giant field of chess. The pieces are definitely running and moving under the implied rules, but the pattern is not applied evenly. This game sets the deterministic way of life. Both life and chess are, more or less, synonymous in almost every aspect.

Citation: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-64-square-grid-design-of-through-the-looking-glass-24546391/

IMPORTANCE OF NEWSPAPER

Newspapers provide general information and knowledge, such as news on the economy, sports, entertainment, trade, and commerce. In short, the newspaper is extremely important to humans; reading the newspaper on a daily basis can help us strengthen our reading habits, broaden our knowledge, and improve our fluency. For those who are interested in political news, there is a comprehensive list of what is happening on the national and worldwide political fronts. How significant was it for newspapers to report in depth. Assembly elections and Lok-Sabha bye-elections were recently held, and people on every street corner could be seen frantically trying to obtain a newspaper to learn the latest results.

Then there is worldwide political news, which keeps people informed about current events across the world. Some people’s first interest in sports is to turn to the newspaper’s Sports page. It also assists us in becoming more informed citizens. Newspapers keep us informed of any changes in the country’s rules and regulations. Furthermore, they are quite educational for students. Here, a learner can learn everything there is to know about general knowledge and current events. We keep up with technological advances, government legislation, research projects, and other topics.

Aside from that, newspapers feature fantastic pieces on social concerns, civilizations, the arts, and other topics. It informs the public about key problems and conveys public opinion. As a result, individuals will be able to conduct thorough assessments of the administration and its ministers. Likewise, newspapers provide excellent job prospects. Those looking for work read newspapers in order to find dependable job openings.Aside from that, newspapers feature fantastic pieces on social concerns, civilizations, the arts, and other topics. It informs the public about key problems and conveys public opinion. As a result, individuals will be able to conduct thorough assessments of the administration and its ministers. Likewise, newspapers provide excellent job prospects. Those looking for work read newspapers in order to find dependable job openings.

The Benefits of Reading Newspapers:

Some of the advantages of reading daily newspapers are as follows:

1.The world’s news is published in newspapers.

2.Newspapers are a source of general knowledge and information.

3.Newspapers cover topics such as the economy, sports, gaming, entertainment, trade, and business.

4.Reading the newspaper is a healthy habit that has been ingrained in modern society. This habit will broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding.

5.You may stay informed by reading the newspaper. It allows you to participate in any conversation about current events throughout the world.

6.Reading newspapers will boost your general knowledge and make it easier for you to relate to what is happening in the world.

7.Reading newspapers will boost your general knowledge and make it easier for you to relate to others who frequently discuss current events and politics.

8.You will have a clear notion and comprehension of what is going on in your country and throughout the world if you read newspapers.

A World Without Newspapers:

Everything is becoming digital as the globe advances swiftly. We can do everything on our cellphones or computers, from buying to reading the news. The newspaper industry has also been affected by digitisation. Because individuals can obtain fast updates about the newest news on their phones, newspaper sales have plummeted. Is this to say that the digital era will obliterate newspapers? Given the current situation, this prospect appears to be a distinct possibility. Are we, on the other hand, ready for a world without newspapers? Without newspapers, the world would be like a house without mirrors. We won’t be able to see our own reflection as a result of this.

Compare this condition to that of the rest of the globe and the newspaper. Imagine that the world has lost its national mirror, and you are unable to get an accurate image of what is going on around you. What’s worse, instead of the national mirror, we’re getting a fun-house mirror, which distorts information and causes you to perceive what isn’t genuine. In other words, politicians will have unrestricted access to the public to spread their ads and agendas. The data won’t be trustworthy, and it won’t even be examined. There will be no journalists to decode the government and corporate spin on stealing the average guy of his money.

IMPORTANCE OF NEWSPAPER

Newspapers provide general information and knowledge, such as news on the economy, sports, entertainment, trade, and commerce. In short, the newspaper is extremely important to humans; reading the newspaper on a daily basis can help us strengthen our reading habits, broaden our knowledge, and improve our fluency. For those who are interested in political news, there is a comprehensive list of what is happening on the national and worldwide political fronts. How significant was it for newspapers to report in depth. Assembly elections and Lok-Sabha bye-elections were recently held, and people on every street corner could be seen frantically trying to obtain a newspaper to learn the latest results.

Then there is worldwide political news, which keeps people informed about current events across the world. Some people’s first interest in sports is to turn to the newspaper’s Sports page. It also assists us in becoming more informed citizens. Newspapers keep us informed of any changes in the country’s rules and regulations. Furthermore, they are quite educational for students. Here, a learner can learn everything there is to know about general knowledge and current events. We keep up with technological advances, government legislation, research projects, and other topics.

Aside from that, newspapers feature fantastic pieces on social concerns, civilizations, the arts, and other topics. It informs the public about key problems and conveys public opinion. As a result, individuals will be able to conduct thorough assessments of the administration and its ministers. Likewise, newspapers provide excellent job prospects. Those looking for work read newspapers in order to find dependable job openings.Aside from that, newspapers feature fantastic pieces on social concerns, civilizations, the arts, and other topics. It informs the public about key problems and conveys public opinion. As a result, individuals will be able to conduct thorough assessments of the administration and its ministers. Likewise, newspapers provide excellent job prospects. Those looking for work read newspapers in order to find dependable job openings.

The Benefits of Reading Newspapers:

Some of the advantages of reading daily newspapers are as follows:

1.The world’s news is published in newspapers.

2.Newspapers are a source of general knowledge and information.

3.Newspapers cover topics such as the economy, sports, gaming, entertainment, trade, and business.

4.Reading the newspaper is a healthy habit that has been ingrained in modern society. This habit will broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding.

5.You may stay informed by reading the newspaper. It allows you to participate in any conversation about current events throughout the world.

6.Reading newspapers will boost your general knowledge and make it easier for you to relate to what is happening in the world.

7.Reading newspapers will boost your general knowledge and make it easier for you to relate to others who frequently discuss current events and politics.

8.You will have a clear notion and comprehension of what is going on in your country and throughout the world if you read newspapers.

A World Without Newspapers:

Everything is becoming digital as the globe advances swiftly. We can do everything on our cellphones or computers, from buying to reading the news. The newspaper industry has also been affected by digitisation. Because individuals can obtain fast updates about the newest news on their phones, newspaper sales have plummeted. Is this to say that the digital era will obliterate newspapers? Given the current situation, this prospect appears to be a distinct possibility. Are we, on the other hand, ready for a world without newspapers? Without newspapers, the world would be like a house without mirrors. We won’t be able to see our own reflection as a result of this.

Compare this condition to that of the rest of the globe and the newspaper. Imagine that the world has lost its national mirror, and you are unable to get an accurate image of what is going on around you. What’s worse, instead of the national mirror, we’re getting a fun-house mirror, which distorts information and causes you to perceive what isn’t genuine. In other words, politicians will have unrestricted access to the public to spread their ads and agendas. The data won’t be trustworthy, and it won’t even be examined. There will be no journalists to decode the government and corporate spin on stealing the average guy of his money.

𝑹𝑨𝑰𝑵𝒀 𝑺𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑶𝑵𝑺

Rain is not only drops of water. It’s the love of the sky for the 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗛 They never meet each other but sends love this way.” 

A rainy day refrigerates the weather with showers and a warm breeze. It freshens everyone by making the climate fresh and pleasant and brings in a sigh of relief from the scorching heat.

It is a blessing for trees, birds, animals, plants and people during the summer. Trees look so fresh, colourful and refreshing after a shower. Rainy day is essential for farmers as it helps in the growth of crops.

Rainy days are different from any other day. They hold great importance for everyone differently. People have different reasons to wait for the 𝙍𝘼𝙄𝙉𝙔 𝙎𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙊𝙉 eagerly. After all, it brings a sigh relief for everyone. No matter what the weather may be, a rainy day relaxes and soothes our soul. There is no age limit to enjoy rainy days people of almost every age enjoy it equally. Thus, rainy days are very important for a number of reasons.

There are so much rainwater and fresh air in this season. That’s why the environment becomes very clear and enjoyable. People love this season a lot. Personally, I love a rainy time a lot and get wet in the rain.

The whole natural environment including trees, flowers, and other plants become so much green and full of life. They look so alive and beautiful. Most of the trees get new leaves and look very attractive. There are lots of festivals that people celebrate in this season.

My mother  cooks so many types of delicious food this season. I love eating them. A rainy day is really enjoyable for me, I love to listen song at this time. LIstening songs is one of my fav hobbies, Overall, the rainy season is really amazing.

I always think that the rainy season is the best season, because of its natural beauty. Most people refer to this season as their favorite one. Yeah, it’s my favorite season. After a long hot summer, people become restless for some cold air and clear rains. At that time, the 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻  comes with so much pleasure and blessings.

It makes the whole environment cool and looks beautiful. Sometimes it becomes really boring for a long time rain, but most of the time I enjoy the rainy day. 

We don’t go to school if there are heavy rains outside. Most of the time we go to the roof to enjoy the rain. A few of my friends dance and sing, it is really great fun together on the roof. We mostly do this at the beginning of the season.

But gradually after a few weeks, we don’t care so much about rain. Overall, this season is really amazing and enjoyable. I love this season a lot because everything gets life with a touch of rainwater. That is an amazing scene for everyone…..

𝑹𝑨𝑰𝑵𝒀 𝑺𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑶𝑵𝑺

Rain is not only drops of water. It’s the love of the sky for the 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗛 They never meet each other but sends love this way.” 

A rainy day refrigerates the weather with showers and a warm breeze. It freshens everyone by making the climate fresh and pleasant and brings in a sigh of relief from the scorching heat.

It is a blessing for trees, birds, animals, plants and people during the summer. Trees look so fresh, colourful and refreshing after a shower. Rainy day is essential for farmers as it helps in the growth of crops.

Rainy days are different from any other day. They hold great importance for everyone differently. People have different reasons to wait for the 𝙍𝘼𝙄𝙉𝙔 𝙎𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙊𝙉 eagerly. After all, it brings a sigh relief for everyone. No matter what the weather may be, a rainy day relaxes and soothes our soul. There is no age limit to enjoy rainy days people of almost every age enjoy it equally. Thus, rainy days are very important for a number of reasons.

There are so much rainwater and fresh air in this season. That’s why the environment becomes very clear and enjoyable. People love this season a lot. Personally, I love a rainy time a lot and get wet in the rain.

The whole natural environment including trees, flowers, and other plants become so much green and full of life. They look so alive and beautiful. Most of the trees get new leaves and look very attractive. There are lots of festivals that people celebrate in this season.

My mother  cooks so many types of delicious food this season. I love eating them. A rainy day is really enjoyable for me, I love to listen song at this time. LIstening songs is one of my fav hobbies, Overall, the rainy season is really amazing.

I always think that the rainy season is the best season, because of its natural beauty. Most people refer to this season as their favorite one. Yeah, it’s my favorite season. After a long hot summer, people become restless for some cold air and clear rains. At that time, the 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻  comes with so much pleasure and blessings.

It makes the whole environment cool and looks beautiful. Sometimes it becomes really boring for a long time rain, but most of the time I enjoy the rainy day. 

We don’t go to school if there are heavy rains outside. Most of the time we go to the roof to enjoy the rain. A few of my friends dance and sing, it is really great fun together on the roof. We mostly do this at the beginning of the season.

But gradually after a few weeks, we don’t care so much about rain. Overall, this season is really amazing and enjoyable. I love this season a lot because everything gets life with a touch of rainwater. That is an amazing scene for everyone…..

ARYABHATTA

Aryabhatta was the first Indian mathematician and astronomer. He had immense knowledge in the field of mathematics. Moreover, he did he may discoveries during his era. For instance, some of them were the discovery of algebraic identities, trigonometrical functions, the value of pi, Place value system, etc.

Furthermore, he wrote many books which still help us in performing various calculations. Aryabhatta was a great influence to many youngsters. For he excelled in academics from a very early age. Moreover, he contributed much to the society his works and theories are still remembered and honored till date.

 

EARLY LIFE

Aryabhatta was born in 475 A.D. Furthermore his birthplace eas not sure, but in his book the ‘Aryabhatiya’, he mentions that he was a native of Kusumapura the modern-day Patna. Moreover, from his historical records, the archaeologists believed that he continued his further studies in Kusumapura. Because in Kusumapura his major astronomical observatory was located.

Therefore, we can ascertain that Aryabhatta spent most of the time there. Further, some historians believe that he was also the head of Nalanda University in Kusumpura. Though these theories are all on a probable basis because no proper evidence was there except the books Arybhatta wrote in his lifetime. Yet some of his records were lost and are not found till date.

 

WORK OF ARYABHATTA

Aryabhatta contributed greatly to the field of mathematics. For instance, he was responsible for discovering various trigonometrical functions which are useful for us in the modern era too.

Furthermore, his discovery for the value of ‘pi’ eased the complications in mathematics. Above all, he founded the place value system and zero which are one of his major contributions in the history of mathematics. Most Noteworthy is that every theory is in his book ‘Aryabhatiya’ which states astronomical theories. Furthermore, his book divides into different sections of mathematics and astronomy.

Apart from his discoveries in the field of mathematics, Aryabhatta contributed immensely towards astronomy. He proposed the heliocentric theory which states the planets revolve around the Sun. with the help of this theory, he calculated the speed of the different planets with respect to the Sun.

Furthermore, he also calculated the sidereal rotation which is the rotation of the earth in reference to the stars. Moreover, he founded the sidereal year to be 365 days, 6 hours, 12 minutes and 30 seconds which varies with only 3 minutes and 20 seconds over the modern-day value.

 

CONTRIBUTIONS

Most noteworthy is that Aryabhatta correctly founded that the earth rotates on its axis. Furthermore, he also proposed the geocentric model of the solar system which described the earth to be the center of the universe. And the sun, the moon, and the planets revolve around it.

Aryabhata also explained the solar and lunar eclipses in his book. Consequently, he also proposed that the moon due to the reflection of the sunlight. He explained in his book that the lunar eclipse and the solar eclipse takes by the shadow-casting of the earth and the moon.

In conclusion Aryabhatta approximations in the field of astronomy were quite accurate. It provided the core to the computational paradigm which provides a base to the modern theories.

ARYABHATTA

Aryabhatta was the first Indian mathematician and astronomer. He had immense knowledge in the field of mathematics. Moreover, he did he may discoveries during his era. For instance, some of them were the discovery of algebraic identities, trigonometrical functions, the value of pi, Place value system, etc.

Furthermore, he wrote many books which still help us in performing various calculations. Aryabhatta was a great influence to many youngsters. For he excelled in academics from a very early age. Moreover, he contributed much to the society his works and theories are still remembered and honored till date.

 

EARLY LIFE

Aryabhatta was born in 475 A.D. Furthermore his birthplace eas not sure, but in his book the ‘Aryabhatiya’, he mentions that he was a native of Kusumapura the modern-day Patna. Moreover, from his historical records, the archaeologists believed that he continued his further studies in Kusumapura. Because in Kusumapura his major astronomical observatory was located.

Therefore, we can ascertain that Aryabhatta spent most of the time there. Further, some historians believe that he was also the head of Nalanda University in Kusumpura. Though these theories are all on a probable basis because no proper evidence was there except the books Arybhatta wrote in his lifetime. Yet some of his records were lost and are not found till date.

 

WORK OF ARYABHATTA

Aryabhatta contributed greatly to the field of mathematics. For instance, he was responsible for discovering various trigonometrical functions which are useful for us in the modern era too.

Furthermore, his discovery for the value of ‘pi’ eased the complications in mathematics. Above all, he founded the place value system and zero which are one of his major contributions in the history of mathematics. Most Noteworthy is that every theory is in his book ‘Aryabhatiya’ which states astronomical theories. Furthermore, his book divides into different sections of mathematics and astronomy.

Apart from his discoveries in the field of mathematics, Aryabhatta contributed immensely towards astronomy. He proposed the heliocentric theory which states the planets revolve around the Sun. with the help of this theory, he calculated the speed of the different planets with respect to the Sun.

Furthermore, he also calculated the sidereal rotation which is the rotation of the earth in reference to the stars. Moreover, he founded the sidereal year to be 365 days, 6 hours, 12 minutes and 30 seconds which varies with only 3 minutes and 20 seconds over the modern-day value.

 

CONTRIBUTIONS

Most noteworthy is that Aryabhatta correctly founded that the earth rotates on its axis. Furthermore, he also proposed the geocentric model of the solar system which described the earth to be the center of the universe. And the sun, the moon, and the planets revolve around it.

Aryabhata also explained the solar and lunar eclipses in his book. Consequently, he also proposed that the moon due to the reflection of the sunlight. He explained in his book that the lunar eclipse and the solar eclipse takes by the shadow-casting of the earth and the moon.

In conclusion Aryabhatta approximations in the field of astronomy were quite accurate. It provided the core to the computational paradigm which provides a base to the modern theories.

History of Tea in India

Though the Camellia synesis is also native to India, and grew in the wild long before its actual value was understood, it is thought that tea was carried to India by silk caravans travelling from China to Europe centuries ago.

Native Americans ate the leaves occasionally, but they were largely employed for their medicinal powers.

Photo by Lisa on Pexels.com

It took a long time for it to evolve into what is currently known as chai, a flavorful black tea sweetened with sugar and milk, along with spices like cardamom and ginger, and used in cooking, vegetable dishes, and soup.

Tea was initially introduced to Indians by the British and is now an integral component of daily life. Tea originated in India thanks to the British, who sought to break China’s tea monopoly after discovering that Indian soil was ideal for growing these plants.

The presence of native flora indicated that the soil was suitable for transplanting Chinese seedlings, and the Assam valley and Darjeeling’s towering mountains were chosen as early tea planting sites.

Tea manufacturing in India began to blossom after 14 years of fruitless attempts, allowing the manufacture of a tea that was equivalent to, if not better than, its Chinese counterpart.

The native tea species

When Scotsman Robert Bruce identified a native type of Camellia sinensis plant in Assam in 1823, commercial tea plantations were first created under British rule.

According to legend, a local merchant named Maniram Dewan brought Bruce to the Singpho people, who drank a tea-like beverage. The Singphos gathered fragile leaves from a wild plant and dried them in the sun.

It’s worth noting that, at the time these changes were taking shape, the East India Company was attempting to break the Chinese monopoly on the global tea trade due to a growing conflict of interests.

In response to this scenario, one of the Company’s initiatives was to begin producing tea in British possessions, particularly India.

Around the year 1840, India’s tea industry began to take shape. Chinary tea plants, which were first tested in Assam, were later tested in the high-elevation districts of Darjeeling and Kangra, where they thrived.

Tea planting in Darjeeling began in 1841, when Archibald Campbell, the first superintendent of Darjeeling, experimented by planting a few chinar trees.

Tea consumption has evolved in a variety of ways, with each region of this large country producing its own chai variations. On one end of the scale are the gourmet stores that sell and serve good Indian tea, while on the other are the simple roadside chaiwallas who offer hundreds of steaming cups to people from all walks of life.

Photo by Tatiana Syrikova on Pexels.com

While India is today known for its high-quality tea and the countless cups of chai consumed by Indians, the custom of drinking tea as a regular beverage did not begin in India.

Tea had been used as a medicinal drink in India since ancient times (nearly identical to China), but it had never been used as a beverage.

After years of selling tea to Portugal, Japan opted to seal its doors to the rest of the world and isolate itself, leaving the global tea trade in the hands of the Chinese. While China was willing to trade, it was adamant about keeping the secrets of tea cultivation.

Darjeeling tea estates began in the 1850s, and the world soon sampled the “Champagne of teas,” Darjeeling tea.

The Chinese tea monopoly was fully broken with the creation of Darjeeling tea and widespread marketing by the British, and Indian teas quickly seized both the market and the imagination of worldwide tea consumers; and the rest, as we all know, is history.

References

http://www.teatrunk.in

http://www.wikipedia.com

http://www.cafesrichard.com

http://www.teabox.com

History of Tea in India

Though the Camellia synesis is also native to India, and grew in the wild long before its actual value was understood, it is thought that tea was carried to India by silk caravans travelling from China to Europe centuries ago.

Native Americans ate the leaves occasionally, but they were largely employed for their medicinal powers.

Photo by Lisa on Pexels.com

It took a long time for it to evolve into what is currently known as chai, a flavorful black tea sweetened with sugar and milk, along with spices like cardamom and ginger, and used in cooking, vegetable dishes, and soup.

Tea was initially introduced to Indians by the British and is now an integral component of daily life. Tea originated in India thanks to the British, who sought to break China’s tea monopoly after discovering that Indian soil was ideal for growing these plants.

The presence of native flora indicated that the soil was suitable for transplanting Chinese seedlings, and the Assam valley and Darjeeling’s towering mountains were chosen as early tea planting sites.

Tea manufacturing in India began to blossom after 14 years of fruitless attempts, allowing the manufacture of a tea that was equivalent to, if not better than, its Chinese counterpart.

The native tea species

When Scotsman Robert Bruce identified a native type of Camellia sinensis plant in Assam in 1823, commercial tea plantations were first created under British rule.

According to legend, a local merchant named Maniram Dewan brought Bruce to the Singpho people, who drank a tea-like beverage. The Singphos gathered fragile leaves from a wild plant and dried them in the sun.

It’s worth noting that, at the time these changes were taking shape, the East India Company was attempting to break the Chinese monopoly on the global tea trade due to a growing conflict of interests.

In response to this scenario, one of the Company’s initiatives was to begin producing tea in British possessions, particularly India.

Around the year 1840, India’s tea industry began to take shape. Chinary tea plants, which were first tested in Assam, were later tested in the high-elevation districts of Darjeeling and Kangra, where they thrived.

Tea planting in Darjeeling began in 1841, when Archibald Campbell, the first superintendent of Darjeeling, experimented by planting a few chinar trees.

Tea consumption has evolved in a variety of ways, with each region of this large country producing its own chai variations. On one end of the scale are the gourmet stores that sell and serve good Indian tea, while on the other are the simple roadside chaiwallas who offer hundreds of steaming cups to people from all walks of life.

Photo by Tatiana Syrikova on Pexels.com

While India is today known for its high-quality tea and the countless cups of chai consumed by Indians, the custom of drinking tea as a regular beverage did not begin in India.

Tea had been used as a medicinal drink in India since ancient times (nearly identical to China), but it had never been used as a beverage.

After years of selling tea to Portugal, Japan opted to seal its doors to the rest of the world and isolate itself, leaving the global tea trade in the hands of the Chinese. While China was willing to trade, it was adamant about keeping the secrets of tea cultivation.

Darjeeling tea estates began in the 1850s, and the world soon sampled the “Champagne of teas,” Darjeeling tea.

The Chinese tea monopoly was fully broken with the creation of Darjeeling tea and widespread marketing by the British, and Indian teas quickly seized both the market and the imagination of worldwide tea consumers; and the rest, as we all know, is history.

References

http://www.teatrunk.in

http://www.wikipedia.com

http://www.cafesrichard.com

http://www.teabox.com

Unification of Italy

(1815-1871)

Introduction

Nationalism arose mainly after the Napoleon attack in 1796. He consolidated the four major areas and people of Italy wanted revival of rich culture as during that of Renaissance period.

Congress of Vienna (1815)

As Italy was a large area, it could emerge as another powerful state. Therefore it was not declared as an independent state but distributed among kingdoms of France, Spain and Austria.

Like German unification, Italian unification was also done in three parts.

  • 1858-59 : War against Austria and integration of Lombardy
  • 1860 : Integration of Parma, Modena, Tuscany, Naples and Sicily
  • 1866 : Integration of Venice and in 1871, Rome.

(Nationalism arose in 1815 but actually started in 1858.)

Causes of Unification

  • Nationalism Wave of nationalism swept across Europe in nineteenth century, Language, Religion and Territory.
    • Italian thinkers, writers, artists started bringing up cultural traditions
    • Secret societies were formed for political change to overthrow Austrian government.
    • Carboneria was a secret organisation (1800-31) aimed simply ato remove foreign rule and tyranny.
    • Guiseppe Mazzini was the first person who gave idea of unification. In 1831 formed YOUNG ITALY a nationalist group. He gave the Republican ideology and was exciled to France but smuggled patriotic pamphlets to Italy. However, all his insurrections sadly failed.
  • Cound Cavour who was the Prime Minister of Piedmont Sardinia (1852) under King Victor Emanuel II was the architect of Italian Unification.
    • He founded nationalistic newspaper Il Risorgiments. Gave civil rights freedom of press and economi development.

Cavour’s policies

  • Built up Sardinian economy
  • Believed unified Italy should be reborn as monarchy
  • Spread telling of unification to neighbouring states
  • Helped France and British soldiers in crimean War. At the conference, he highlighted Austria’s suppression over Italy. Thereby gained sympathy.

Phase I (1858-59)

  • Lombardy and Venice were instigated by cavour against Austria
  • Austria declared war on Sardinia
  • Italy with French helped emerged as victor and liberated Lombardy
  • But could not lierate Venice
  • Lombardy was therefore integrated

Phase II (1860)

  • Parma, Modena, tuscany was ruled by client state of Habsburg.
  • Plebiscite was conducted here and people voted to join Piedmont- Sardinia.
  • Some popal states were also unified.
  • Challenge: cavour had a deal with France only for Austria. the Southern Italy was under Bourbon dynasty who were relatives of Napoleon III. This could dismantle Cavour and Napoleon III’s relation.
  • Guiseppe Garibaldi came to rescue. Cavour asked him to lead Sardinian army against Sicily. these armies were called Red Shirts. With this, Naples and Sicily were also liberated.
  • On this Cavour said to Napoleon III- Bourban dynasty =had been overthrown by a revolutionary garibaldi. I will not attack Pope. Kindly ask pope yo let my army pass through so that I can go attack Sicily.
  • In 1861, Victor Emannuel II provclaimed the kingdom. Sadly Cavour died at the age of 50, due to over work.

Phase III 1866, 71

  • The King signed treaty with Prussia with following terms
    • both against Austria
    • Italy will help in Austria-Prussia war.
    • Venice will be given to Italy after any such war.
    • There was a Battle of Sodowa (1866) where Prussia won and Venice was given to Italy.
  • Papal State was still under France.
    • But in Franco Prussian war france lost. Napoleon III was captured.
    • Rome was captured and made capital of Italy.
    • But since they respected Pope, Vatican city is still under the control of Pope.

Unification of Italy

(1815-1871)

Introduction

Nationalism arose mainly after the Napoleon attack in 1796. He consolidated the four major areas and people of Italy wanted revival of rich culture as during that of Renaissance period.

Congress of Vienna (1815)

As Italy was a large area, it could emerge as another powerful state. Therefore it was not declared as an independent state but distributed among kingdoms of France, Spain and Austria.

Like German unification, Italian unification was also done in three parts.

  • 1858-59 : War against Austria and integration of Lombardy
  • 1860 : Integration of Parma, Modena, Tuscany, Naples and Sicily
  • 1866 : Integration of Venice and in 1871, Rome.

(Nationalism arose in 1815 but actually started in 1858.)

Causes of Unification

  • Nationalism Wave of nationalism swept across Europe in nineteenth century, Language, Religion and Territory.
    • Italian thinkers, writers, artists started bringing up cultural traditions
    • Secret societies were formed for political change to overthrow Austrian government.
    • Carboneria was a secret organisation (1800-31) aimed simply ato remove foreign rule and tyranny.
    • Guiseppe Mazzini was the first person who gave idea of unification. In 1831 formed YOUNG ITALY a nationalist group. He gave the Republican ideology and was exciled to France but smuggled patriotic pamphlets to Italy. However, all his insurrections sadly failed.
  • Cound Cavour who was the Prime Minister of Piedmont Sardinia (1852) under King Victor Emanuel II was the architect of Italian Unification.
    • He founded nationalistic newspaper Il Risorgiments. Gave civil rights freedom of press and economi development.

Cavour’s policies

  • Built up Sardinian economy
  • Believed unified Italy should be reborn as monarchy
  • Spread telling of unification to neighbouring states
  • Helped France and British soldiers in crimean War. At the conference, he highlighted Austria’s suppression over Italy. Thereby gained sympathy.

Phase I (1858-59)

  • Lombardy and Venice were instigated by cavour against Austria
  • Austria declared war on Sardinia
  • Italy with French helped emerged as victor and liberated Lombardy
  • But could not lierate Venice
  • Lombardy was therefore integrated

Phase II (1860)

  • Parma, Modena, tuscany was ruled by client state of Habsburg.
  • Plebiscite was conducted here and people voted to join Piedmont- Sardinia.
  • Some popal states were also unified.
  • Challenge: cavour had a deal with France only for Austria. the Southern Italy was under Bourbon dynasty who were relatives of Napoleon III. This could dismantle Cavour and Napoleon III’s relation.
  • Guiseppe Garibaldi came to rescue. Cavour asked him to lead Sardinian army against Sicily. these armies were called Red Shirts. With this, Naples and Sicily were also liberated.
  • On this Cavour said to Napoleon III- Bourban dynasty =had been overthrown by a revolutionary garibaldi. I will not attack Pope. Kindly ask pope yo let my army pass through so that I can go attack Sicily.
  • In 1861, Victor Emannuel II provclaimed the kingdom. Sadly Cavour died at the age of 50, due to over work.

Phase III 1866, 71

  • The King signed treaty with Prussia with following terms
    • both against Austria
    • Italy will help in Austria-Prussia war.
    • Venice will be given to Italy after any such war.
    • There was a Battle of Sodowa (1866) where Prussia won and Venice was given to Italy.
  • Papal State was still under France.
    • But in Franco Prussian war france lost. Napoleon III was captured.
    • Rome was captured and made capital of Italy.
    • But since they respected Pope, Vatican city is still under the control of Pope.

Gandhigiri With Munna Bhai: Valuable Lessons From The Film

Released in 2006, Lage Raho Munna Bhai is a movie directed by Rajkumar Hirani, screenplay by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and starring talented actors like Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan, Boman Irani, etc that proved to be a massive hit on the box office. The story begins with Munna Bhai being in love with the radio jockey Jhanvi. To win a chance to meet her, he cheats his way through the Mahatma Gandhi quiz and passes. When he finally meets Jhanvi, Jhanvi requests him to give a lecture on Mahatma Gandhi to the old people in her house. Munna who pretended to be a History professor and a Mahatma Gandhi fan has no choice left but to study all about Mahatma Gandhi for the remaining 3-4 days that he has left until the fixed date. This causes an extensive load on his brain due to which Munna Bhai starts hallucinating about Mahatma Gandhi’s persona.

The whole story moves forward with a battle against the corrupt Lucky Singh who deceives Munna and takes over the 2nd Innings House (of the old men) versus Munna Bhai who fights back using Gandhigiri. All along the movie Munna’s hallucinations of Gandhi continue to help him win and showcases Gandhi’s ethics that were long forgotten. Lage Raho Munna Bhai leaves its viewers with a deep sense of morality and Gandhigiri along with bouts of humor and comedy that keeps the audience engaged throughout the end, making it such a massive hit.!

The movie succeeds in reminding the long-forgotten ethics laid by Mahatma Gandhi for the country that he visioned. Below are the major matters that the movie tackles by implementing the concept of Gandhigiri. A neologism that refers to implementing and following the methods and guidelines laid and preached by Mahatma Gandhi. Throughout the movie, Munna acts as a spokesperson for Gandhiji’s values.

Here are some of the valuable lessons from the movie:

1. Truth – Truth is one of the fundamental teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. In this movie too, the value to always speak the truth no matter what is depicted firmly. There are 3 major instances when the characters are encouraged to speak the truth. The first instance is when Munna hides his real identity from Jhanvi and is later persuaded by Gandhi to tell Jhanvi the truth.

The second instance is when Munna and Jhanvi start their ‘Gandhigiri’ program to help people and a caller explains his desire to die as he doesn’t have the courage or way to return the hard-earned money of his father. To this Munna convinces the caller to tell his father the truth honestly and work hard to return the money. No matter how small the amount he earns or how long it takes to return the money Munna requests the caller to speak the truth.

The last instance is when Lucky’s daughter runs away from her wedding because she is upset about the lie that her father told her in-laws about her not being ‘Manglik’. Munna advocates her to face whatever it is and to tell the truth to her in-laws. Further, he comforts her by saying that if the boy loves her then he will not care about such stuff and will still marry her regardless of all this.

2. Non-Violence – This is the 2nd fundamental teaching of Mahatma Gandhi. Non-violence is also preached through the movie in a very subtle and effective way. The first example of non-violence in the movie is when Gandhi advocates Munna to turn to non-violence rather than hurting his enemy.

The second example is when another caller asks Munna for help to stop his fellow neighbour from spitting on his entrance wall. Munna suggests him to adopt the Non-Violent way and instead of beating or spewing bad words, he should clean up the spit every day with a smile on his face. This will reduce the hatred in the enemy’s heart and make him realize his mistake. And so, it happens!

3. Importance of values and respect for elders – At the start of the film, we see how children abandon their parents in their old age. This is a very heart-wrenching scene. Later Munna is seen remarking and rebuking the son of one of the old men. He scolds him saying that the parent who raised him with everything he got, is being abandoned today by his son when he needs him the most. This is a strong criticism towards people who, in their selfishness forgets the values and morals that one needs to follow in life.

4. Satyagraha and peaceful methods of protests – The very core theme of Lage Raho Munna Bhai movie explores the aspects of corruption and bribery. Gandhi Ji advocated the concept of Sarvodaya for everyone’s progress however, we know that the present world does not focus on equity but greed.

Corruption in the system is growing at a stark rate. By adopting the Gandhigiri way to fight against this, the peaceful methods of protests preached by Mahatma Gandhi are ignited again in this movie. First, Munna adopts the peaceful method of Satyagraha to fight against Lucky Singh’s corruption. In another instance, again through one of the callers, we are reminded about how to fight bribery and corruption in the system i.e. by making the other person feel ashamed in the most non-violent way.

5. Superstitious beliefs in India Lage Raho Munna Bhai smoothly tackles the superstitious problems that are still common in India. We see the plot of the movie revolve around Lucky Singh’s daughter being ‘Manglik’ and how Lucky Singh lies about it, which in the end is revealed to the in-laws by Lucky Singh’s daughter. It shows how most of the superstitions that Indians have is nothing but a way for the so-called ‘pandits’ and ‘Jyotish’ to extract money from people. Mahatma Gandhi never showed support for superstitious beliefs and always asked people to walk with reason, empathy, truth, and non-violence. Thus, this also remains an important point in Gandhian Philosophy.

The film succeeds in lining up with the expectations of people. Lage Raho Munna Bhai proves to be a great movie to convey the message of Gandhigiri to the audience in a serious yet humoristic way without being didactic. It not only shows Gandhi’s principles of thought but also shows a way to employ them in the present situations in India. The film is a great medium for anyone who wants to explore Gandhi Ji’s ideals without needing to have any prior knowledge about it.