Month: July 2021

MIGRAINE- A Severe headache

Migraine is a medical condition described by severe recurring and intense headache. There can also be sensory changes called as aura. Aura includes visual disturbances like flashing lights, seeing zigzag pattern or a temporary vision loss. Other symptoms are nausea, stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, vomiting, nasal congestion, sweating, diarrhea etc. Migraine affects the capacity to perform regular works due to pain. Sensitivity to light and sound may also increase. It is 3 times more common in women than men and affects more than 10% of the population worldwide. Migraine effects may vary from person to person.

HOW MIGRAINE IS DIFFERENT FROM NORMAL HEADACHE

Even though it is difficult to differentiate between the normal headache and a migraine, the intensity of pain may tell something about that. Migraine pain sometimes can be so severe that patient may need hospitalization which is not seen in the cases of normal headaches. Normal headaches tend to occur in both sides of the head. Migraine headaches can also occur in both sides, but majority instances include pain in only one part of the head. In normal headache you may feel pressure instead of throbbing which happens in migraine cases. Normal headaches are may be due to stress and worry or tiredness. But reason for migraine is unclear.

as already said, the cause of migraine is unknown. Some suspect that genetic features play a role in migraine. But it can be said that they arise mainly because of the changes in the way nerves communicate, loss of balance in chemicals and dilation of blood vessels in the head. But migraine can be triggered by hormonal changes, inadequate hydration, change in diet and some emotional triggers. Some medications can also cause it as side effects. Strong smells, loud noises or tiredness and lack of sleep also trigger migraine.

treatment

There is no cure for migraine. But medications can control or reduce pain and other symptoms. The frequency of the headache can also be reduced from the medication.

HOME REMIDIES TO REDUCE PAIN

Effective stress management and a good sleep habit will help to manage the pain. An improvement in the diet can also help. A regular practice of yoga and workouts may help but don’t do them while having pain. It may increase the pain. During pain staying in a dark quiet room or taking a good sleep will definitely help. Putting icepacks on forehead, neck and shoulders will help to manage the pain.

SOME FACTS ABOUT MIGRAINE
  • Migraine is found to be most common in the people belonging to the age group between 18 to 44 years.
  • Migraine tends to run in families.
  • It is the 6th most disabling illness in the world.
  • People who suffer from migraine are prone to depression and anxiety.
  • Majority of the migraine sufferers remain undiagnosed and majority people do not seek medication as well.
  • Migraine can be related to menstrual cycle as well.
  • Children can also get migraine.
  • There are surgical procedures available for migraine treatment.
  • migraines without headache and aura are also possible.

DOOARS – A BEAUTIFUL TOURIST SPOT IN WEST BENGAL

The Terai Region

Looking for a small trip in West Bengal ? then I can suggest you to visit Dooars. It’s an amazing place. Actually it is an alluvial floodplain which is located in eastern-northestern India that lies south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas and north of the Brahmaputra River basin.

In Bengali,Maithili, Bhojpuri and Assamese language ‘Dooars’ means ‘door’.The name of Dooars came from the word ‘duar’ meaning door in those languages. This area serves a purpose of a gateway between India and Bhutan with 18 passages connecting these two countries that’s why it is named Dooars.This region is 30 km wide and stretches over about 350 km from the Teesta River in West Bengalto the Dhansiri River in Assam.

This region is spread within the whole area of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar dist. This region is  spread within the whole area of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar district and some areas of Cooch Behar in West Bengal and Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta district in Assam. There are two major rivers like Brahmaputra and Manas which continuously fertile the area. The other rivers also have a great contribution to the valley like, Teesta along with Torsa, Sankosh, Jaldhaka, Raidhak etc.

How is the Dooars – Winter is the best season for visiting Dooars, between September and May. One more interesting thing is the festivals in the Winter season. The festivals attracted more people to come at that time.The winter season is the witness of the colours, the enthusiasm, excitement and unity in the city celebrated in their unique ways. But for the offbeat travellers ,nature lovers and adventurers Monsoon is the most attractive season because it makes a paradise of a location for them. But Summer is not too perfect for travel.

Alipurduar

The places to visit- Dooars consists of many cities and towns. The largest cities in the region stretching from the Darjeeling foothills to the Arunachal Pradesh foothills are Siliguri and Jalpaiguri, which both partly lie in the Terai region rather than the Dooars, geographically. Actually, North Bengal’s cities are well connected with the rest of the country by air, road and rail. The other major cities are Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Barpeta and Dhubri in Assam. Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Dhupguri, Malbazar, Mainaguri, Falakata and Birpara are the major cities of the Dooars in West Bengal, and Kishanganj in Bihar.

Buxa tiger reserve

Dooars is well known for its wildlife.There are herds of deer, one-horned rhinos, elephants, guard and reptiles and the bird population here is an ornithologist’s delight. One more attraction is the Tiger reserve besides white water rafting, trekking and jungle safaris .

Gorumara National Park- It is located on the banks of river Murti, it is famous for the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros and the King cobra. Other animals are elephants, bison, leopards and reptiles. Trees like Teak, Simul, Siris, Khair and Sal abound in the forests with numerous birds.

Chapamari wildlife park

Buxa tiger reserve- It preserved the Royal Bengal Tiger and it is the crown gem of Dooars. There are  284 bird species inhabited in the reserve.Mammals present include Asian elephant, gaur, Sambar deer, clouded leopard, Indian leopard.

Alipurduar-  It is the gateway to Bhutan and the north-eastern states of India. The Chota Sinchula,the highest peak of Jalpaiguri, is located in Alipurduar from where you can view both the Buxa Hills and Bhutan Valley. 

Lava

Chapramari Wildlife Park- It is famous for elephants, gaur, spotted cheetah and sambar.there are also birds like green magpie, scarlet minivet, hill myna, Indian treepie and white-breasted kingfisher.

Samsing-  It is famous for the orange orchards and cardamom plantations. It is a nice and cool shady place.

Phuntsholing

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary-  It has the largest population of the Indian one horned rhinoceros in the state.Another must watch is the Royal Bengal tiger. Reptiles like the Indian python, fresh-water turtles and geckos can also be found here. Elephant and jeep safaris inside the forest can be organised.

Lava- The climate of the town is usually very cold because of high altitude making it a perfect place for tourists during summer season.

Phuntsholing- It is the gateway to Bhutan from India. 

National Doctors Day: Are we doing enough to protect our life savers?

Typically, in an Indian household when a child grows up, Indian parents expect them to be doctors or engineers. But do we respect and love the same children when they actually become our life savers?

July 1, every year, is celebrated as National Doctors Day in India as this date marks both birth and death anniversary of prominent Doctor Bidhan Chandra Roy who was also the Chief Minister of West Bengal in early years of post independent India.

In 1991, Government of India established National Doctor’s Day to recognise the contributions of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy and also honour the Doctors nationwide.

Currently, the doctor-patient ratio in India is 1:1445 which is lower than WHO’s prescribed ratio of 1:1000. Doctors work day and night for their patients’ well being and this even increased since March 2020 due to COVID-19. But how much we as citizens give them in return?

India has suffered because of acute shortage of Doctors since the beginning as they never got the remuneration they deserve. This has always led to brain-drain in India as Doctors shift to other developed countries for better career prospects as they receive better salary and opportunities there.

Since the beginning of COVID-19, the only hope to get out of this deadly pandemic were Doctors and health care workers. Whenever our loved ones contract the virus, we immediately look towards our doctors with a helpless eyes, and Doctors without caring about themselves tirelessly give their life and time for us.

Some incidents in the recent past haven’t been so fruitful though. Doctors and other healthcare workers were brutally assaulted during the entire first and second wave and this is another downfall our country has witnessed.

Even on eve of Doctors day, two doctors were assaulted in Delhi yesterday after having a heated argument with two fellows. From an assault in June 2020 in Hyderabad to several such incidents in all parts of the country like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam and many more shows that we as citizens have failed our doctors.

Citizens have to understand by doing such acts of violence, their loves ones whom they lost won’t return. Yes, if any citizen feels their loved ones faced hospital casualties, they’ve a right to protest and they can take the legal procedures but they must not come into emotions and act violently.

Indian Medical Association has held several protests to voice for the rights of doctors. Nearly, 3000 Doctors resigned last month in Madhya Pradesh after High Court declared their strike as “illegal”. Several more prominent as well as junior Doctors in the country have vowed to not serve India as they feel citizens do not treat them with dignity.

If this goes on, India would have a vast decline in doctors per thousand people ratio and all the lives of Indian citizens will be at stake because private hospitals charge a lot and most Indians won’t be able to afford them due to mediocre and low income.

India would face a dangerous phase just like it faced in the second wave of pandemic if things continue like this till the upcoming third wave which will probably hit India by the end of 2021 as predicted by health experts. Stricter parliamentary laws against anyone who assaults doctors and moral policing of citizens can improve the doctor-citizen relationships however.

The natural sun block-Ozone.

What is ozone?

The ozone layer is the part of the Earth’s atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone gas, which is an inorganic molecule with the chemical formula O3.In the stratosphere,ozone blocks out the sun’s ultraviolet Ray’s and is a life saver.

The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs a portion of the radiation from the sun,preventing it from reaching the planet’s surface.Most importantly,it absorbs the portion of UV light called UVB.It has been linked to many harmful effects like skin cancers,cataracts,and harm to some crops and marine life.

Ozone as a natural sun block

The ozone layer is like the Earth’s sunscreen,as it absorbs some of the sun’s radiation hitting our place. Without the ozone, radiation from the sun would reach earth directly,damaging DNA of many plants,animals and even human beings.Skin cancerrates would be on the rise .

The electromagnetic radiation emitted from the sun includes ultraviolet radiation,which is potentially harmful to most living things since it can damage DNA.The ozone layer screens out the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.Even 1 percent reduction in the amount of ozone in the upper stratosphere causes a measurable increase in the ultraviolet radiation thet reaches the earth surface.If there was no ozone at all,the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching us would be very high.All living things would suffer radiation burns,unless they were underground or in the sea.

In the stratosphere,small amount of ozone are constantly being made by the action of sunlight on oxygen.At the same time,ozone is being broken down by natural processes.The total amount of ozone usually stays constant because it’s formation and destruction occur at about the same rate.But human activity has recently changed the natural balance.

When chlorine and bromine atoms come into contact with ozone in the stratosphere, they destroy ozone molecules. One chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules before it is removed from the stratosphere. Ozone can be destroyed more quickly than it is naturally created.Some manufactured substances such as chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons can destroy stratosphere ozone much faster than it is formed.

Ozone hole

Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer present in the upper atmosphere. The loss of ozone was first detected in the stratosphere over the Antarctic.Tye part of the atmosphere where ozone is most depleted is referred as ozone hole.But it is not a real hole just a vast region of the upper atmosphere where there is less ozone than elsewhere.

Ozone poor air can spread out from the polar regions and move above other areas.

Reasons for the ozone hole in Antarctica

The ozone hole formed over Antarctica is due to compounds of chlorine and bromine formed in the atmosphere.Most of the chlorine and half of the bromine in the stratosphere comes from human activities.The chlorofluorocarbons released due to human activities get transported up into the upper stratosphere.

The most common ozone depleting substances are chlorofluorocarbons or freon gases, certain bromine compounds, nitrogen oxides and methyl bromide.These are released from air conditioners,freezers,foam insulations,aerosol products, industrial solvents,fire extinguishers and pesticides.

Effect of Ozone depletions

If the ozone is more depleted more ultraviolet radiation will reach the Earth’s surface.

Effect on plants:Will affect crop yield and forest productivity.

Effect on animals:Will cause damage to fish larvae and other small animals.

Effect on human health:It results in non-melanoma skin cancer and melanoma, acute erythemia,occur abnormalities, cataract and poor immune responses.

How can we prevent depletion of ozone?

⭐Avoid the consumption of gases dangerous to the ozone layer, due to their content or manufacturing process.

⭐Serving of refrigerators and air conditioners Should be regulated and minimize the use of cars.

⭐ Production,use and emission of ozone depleting chemicals should be controlled.

⭐ Refrigerators should be recaptured and used.

⭐Adopt protein measures from sun’s radiation.

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Genre: Fiction, Drama

Rating: 4/5

“They all crossed into forbidden territory. They all tampered with the laws that lay down who should be loved and how. And how much.” Arundhati Roy – God of small things. 

This book was published and won the man booker prize in the year 1997.

A story about three generations of one broken family made up of flawed and broken individuals. It deals with themes of class and caste, love and sexuality, family and politics, and other little things. The God of Small Things is more than a novel. It’s an immersion of senses into a world, a language, a society, a culture that leaves you shattered. Arundhati Roy has crafted a world within the sleepy little town of Ayemenem. The way she has written is almost as if she invented her own language. The prose is so distinct and poetic that I’ve never read anything like it. At its heart, this is a story of family struggle (and everything that entails), but the trauma and division are beautifully balanced with lush descriptions of Kerala life.

‘May in Ayemenem is a hot, brooding month. The days are long and humid. The river shrinks and black crows gorge on bright mangoes in still, dustgreen trees. Red bananas ripen. Jackfruits burst. Dissolute bluebottles hum vacuously in the fruity air. Then they stun themselves against clear windowpanes and die, fatly baffled in the sun.’

Estha and Rahel, two-egg twins have met after years of staying apart. Set in the backwaters of Kerala during the height of Marxist influence, the book moves back-and-forth in time to establish the twins’ lives, and also that of their family – their parents, uncle, grandmother, and grandaunt. One tragic evening unravels any semblance of balance in their lives and leaves the family broken.

Arundhati Roy



“Perhaps it’s true that things can change in a day. That a few dozen hours can affect the outcome of whole lifetimes. And that when they do, those few dozen hours, like the salvaged remains of a burned house—the charred clock, the singed photograph, the scorched furniture—must be resurrected from the ruins and examined. Preserved. Accounted for. Little events, ordinary things, smashed and reconstituted. Imbued with new meaning. Suddenly they become the bleached bones of a story.”

Through the eyes of the twins, Estha and Rahel, she’s pointed out the hypocrisy, dejection, and sadness that is in the world. Specifically related to Love. About who should be loved and how much. Neither the questions asked, nor the answers given are easy. I can only imagine what her process might have been while writing this masterpiece. It is one of the finest pieces of literature I’ve ever read. The beautiful prose makes rain soaked, pickled flavour, cast ridden, left leaning Kerala come alive.


But what really bothered me is the constant repetition and lack of setting and description.
The story goes back and forth in time and and is filled with rich metaphors so it demands more attention.
If I have to describe it in a sentence I would say – It’s a lesson in sociology baked in prose poetry.

Pick this book up when your brain isn’t too scrambled.

Happy Doctor’s Day

A heart felt gratitude to all the super heroes around!

What exactly is National Doctor’s Day?

Doctor’s day is celebrated around the nation on 1st July every year marking the birth and death anniversary of a renowned physician and former chief minister of West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. Doctors, the real life heroes are not just to be remembered on this day. We should be conscious of their job throughout. Doctor’s day is just meant to celebrate their contribution to each of our lives.

Who doesn’t fear for their life? – The Doctors

Doctors? Are they not angels sent from heaven to protect God’s creation from all the fatal diseases and accidents? They dedicate their lives to serve people, save life. Truly no less than a super hero. They compromise with their own health but makes sure that every patient they treat return to their families all fit and fine. The doctors, don’t they have a family waiting for them back home? They do, right? Doctors at work are also a son/daughter, husband/wife, father/mother. They too have people waiting for them to have dinner together. How strong would they have to be when they know he/she might be fighting for someone’s life forgetting about their own. Are they not equal to the other batch of heroes fighting for our country at the borders? They are indeed.

This pandemic which started last year has yet not been over. The death toll is soon going to hit 4 lakhs in India. Not just a number, they are people whom we lost. Among which around 800 doctors lost their lives in just the second wave of covid. They too had a family which got shattered at their deaths. This pandemic would have destroyed the world completely if they cared about their own life and sat home in fear. Life inside a PPE kit is not at all easy. People can’t even wear masks properly. Have you all even thought of being inside a PPE kit for hours serving people whom you don’t even know? That’s humanity! At such crucial time, when common people need strict rules and fines to stay home and wear masks to protect themselves, there are people inside the PPE kits in such humid climate, fighting to save lives of those careless people.

Doctors are humans too. They’ve been seeing such devastated condition of the nation for more than a year now. So many people dying, their families crying. It’s a humane instinct to cry along seeing others cry. They are helpless, can’t even put their arms around to hug and console them. How heartbreaking would each day be for them at the hospital. They try their best to make them live a little longer. Still, when they’re gone it seems to them as a failure. They failed to make them live. Is it so easy to live with a feeling of failure everyday a thousand times for more than a year now? One needs to be strong to see people lose their life in front of them.

Above all, they are constantly being criticised by several of them for not doing their jobs and killing their patients purposely. Are these false allegations so easily bearable? Have you ever wondered what if all the doctors around the world go on strikes in this situation? You’ll beg for them to return. That’s the position they hold among us.

On the occasion of National Doctor’s Day, I would like to thank all the doctors and physicians for their care and support not just during this pandemic but for all the crucial times when we needed them. They are no less a hero to this world. I wish they pay no heed to the critiques. They are doing a wonderful job serving us and I trust our doctors, they’ll bring everything back to normalcy soon. This world has become a better and healthier place to live in with doctors bringing the joy of health and goodness to our lives. Happy Doctor’s Day.

The nation can’t thank you enough!
Stay strong, Stay safe! Jai Hind!

National Doctor’s Day

“The second God in our lives.”

Every year,July 1 is observ d as National Doctor’s Day in the memory of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, who had his birth and death anniversary on the same day.

The day, commemorated by Indian Medical Association (IMA), is dedicated to all the doctor’s and healthcare workers who have been serving people by risking their lives. Dr.Roy , former Chief Minister of Bengal, was known for his selfless service.

Dr. Roy was born on July 1,1882, and passed away on July 1,1962. Since 1991, National Doctor’s Day, also called Doctor’s Day has been celebrated across the nation every year. This day is celebrated on different dates across the world.

“This world has become a better and healthier place to live in with doctors bringing the joy of health and goodness to our lives. Happy Doctor’s Day.”

“Medicines cure diseases, but only doctors can cure patients.” – Carl Jung

Dr. Roy played a great role in establishing medical institutions like Jadavpur TB Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan for women and children, Victoria Institution (college). He was also referred to as the first medical consultant in the subcontinent of Indian and was more successful and dedicated than his contemporaries in several fields, mentioned British Medical Journal.

For his outstanding contributions, he was also awarded the Bharat Ratna, on February 4,1961. National Doctor’s Day is observed to acknowledge the role doctors play in saving numerous lives.

Amid the pandemic, the role of frontline workers has been even more emphasised. Cheers to the spirit and dedicated of our frontline workers who immensely contributed in the hour of crisis.

From the starting of the pandemic, the doctors and all the other frontline workers are doing their duty 24×7 just to save people. During this, many doctors died too but still they tried to save the patients till their last breath.

“Doctors are the boon directly sent from God for us. Salute to the heroic job you do. Hats off to you! Happy Doctor’s Day.”

“At the time of emergency, doctors are like God for the patient.”

https://english.jagran.com/lifestyle/happy-national-doctors-day-2021-wishes-quotes-messages-whatsapp-and-facebook-status-to-thank-the-doctors-10028617

https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/national-doctors-day-2021-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-day-celebrating-our-saviours-amid-covid-19-60680/

Book Review of kenneth Grahme`s

“The Wind in the willows”

INTRODUCTION

Kenneth Grahame`s ‘ The Wind in the willows’ is a novel aimed at youngsters. The plot, itself is not American humor, but that of great britian. in terms of sarcasm, and british related jokes. The novel illustrates a fair mix of the relationships between the human life animals and wildlife. The narraative acts as an important milestone in post- victorian children literature.

The characters featured in this book are Mole, Rat, Toad, Badges and otter. Toad showing big headed and childlike traits. Mole shows traits of reasoning and sensible behavior patterns. Badger shows traits of kindness and hospitality. Otter possesses traits of intelligence. All these characters participate equally in the narrative of both thrilling and neo-noir.

BODY

One of the problems with the toad is that he enjoys crashing motoe vehicles. As a result, rat tries to talk some sense into him. though, this doesn’t work. Toad is illustrated as a child stuck in an adult’s body. Furthermore, rat always renforces the act of growing up onto toad, and not to be careless for others.

As a result of Toads motorcar crimes, he is sent to a deepest, darkest dungeon to play for his crimes. ” Toad hall….. is an eligible self- contained gentleman’s residence replete with every modern convenince”. Toad, being the character showing the most affluence owns his own manner house. Having regained his big headedness. During his sentence, he started to boast about his mansion and great wealth. While being chained to a black weight.

“Now then, follow me! Mole first, ‘cos I’m very pleased with him; Rat next; Toad last”. Badger starts an invasion, Toad’s behavior illustrates the opposite of Mole. His ordeal is going back to the dungeon, like a child being anxious about going to their bedroom for misbehaving.

” For it has roused a longing in me that is a pain”. While in search of a missing infant otter, rat becomes faced with noise coming from a piper. The quote focuses on the main idea of author’s intension in writing the novel. The focuses being: The reasons which cause life to be worthwhile. The sounds travel through rat likes blades. With this in mind, the focus is intended to be answered between the lines.

CONCLUSION

The characters having a variety of different personalities and views of the world. Their human-like features are included with their animal-like traits. In terms of mole has a good sense of smell. The book is aimed at showing animals living british lifr, in the summer-time. The animals have a justice system, hence toad was sent to play for his motor-car crimes. The mansion was invaded by the other animals while toad was imprisioned and during his escape. Toad’s behaviour is terrible and affects the rest of the animals.

The stroy plays an important part in historical children literature. In modern-day, it is still read by children. The story, features human-like animals who all have their own ordeals. Mole and Rat being the kindest animal featured in the story, as Toad being the most immature and self-observed.

360 Wander Writer

WELCOME TO TECHIE WORLD

WORD PRESS

It is a type of content management system(CMC) that allows you design your own website. Through the various Template systems you can customize the website to fit into any type of business platform like blog ,portfolio online shopping.

Word Press as a software is free to download but to launch it as website you must need WordPress Hosting.  You can create your own website name and become a blogger. 

Create…

It is a very easy platform to start with for beginners . Once you are used to it you can create wonders . It is very powerful tool in hands of a Expert. It is simple to use as a word processor like Microsoft Word. It can be well described as a “factory to make webpages” it is a core analogy designed to clarify the functions of WordPress.

The WordPress has some of the disadvantages like plugin updates , Slow page speed , Poor SEO ranking Website Vulnerability and also downing of websites without notice. In spite of some disadvantages it stands as the most preferred one among developers. WordPress is a flexible CMS that allows multiple users to create and run a website without coding. WordPress is closely associated with Automatic, the company founded by Matt Mullenweg.

WordPress-based websites use the canvas element to detect whether the browser is able to correctly render emoji.        WordPress supported one blog per installation, although multiple concurrent copies may be run from different directories if configured to use separate database tables. WordPress also features integrated link management; a search engine–friendly, clean permalink structure; the ability to assign multiple categories to posts; and support for tagging of posts.

Every WordPress website requires at least one theme to be present and every theme should be designed using WordPress standards with structured PHP, valid HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).  WordPress has a web template system using a template processor. Its architecture is a front controller, routing all requests for non-static URIs to a single PHP file which parses the URI and identifies the target page. 

 

Reviver Reviewed

A question that has probably existed since the dawn of man himself “What happens after death ?”. This is question that Seth Patrick tries to address in his novel “Reviver”. It tells the tale of a world with special people that can temporary revive the dead and have a conversation with them. This process is even accepted by the law as the testimony of the recently departed it is a complete process where a licensed reviver asks questions to the departed about their demise and this entire conversation is recorded and presented in the court of law if required.

The story follows Jonah Miller a top reviver of the Forensic Revival Service on a seemingly normal day out to try and revive a murder victim Alice Decker. What seems to be a routine revival turns out to be a complex one as the deceased is scared of something and nothing Jonah does helps calm her down. After coaxing allice to answer his questions he lets her go but not before receiving an ominous message “Someone’s Coming” he lets her go immediately. When he’s just about to leave the corpse seemingly speaks only to him in a malicious voice “We See You..”. As this isn’t witnessed by anyone but Jonah it’s chalked up to stress and fatigue but Jonah has a feeling this isn’t all it seems.

A new day rolls around and with it sadly a new murder. A little girl is murdered and Jonah is called up to do the revival and get some answers to the cops and closure to the family. Though anxious Jonah completes the revival with no issues at all and the girl even gets to say goodbye to her distraught parents. Satisfied about a job well done Jonah leaves the girls house but is suddenly washed over with feelings of anger towards a man he feels like he knows, he then proceeds to attack the man saying “you killed me” and passes out. This is again chalked up to stress and Jonah being overworked as revivers have a rest period and he is one of the revivers with the smallest tail as it was termed.

Then Daniel Harker the man credited with the discovery of a reviver is found dead and to solve the mystery of his death FRS calls upon their finest reviver Jonah again. The reason for calling upon Jonah is simple Harker is a complex case and another top reviver Pru Dryden failed at the revival. Jonah starts the long revival attempt feeling all the pain Harker felt while dying of thirst he almost fails but still manages to establish a connection with Harker. He has a conversation with Harker and is able to get enough answers out of him but sadly isn’t able to let Harker have a last conversation with his daughter Annabel. After the revival Jonah starts seeing Harker who seemingly let go of his own body but didn’t let go Jonah.

The revival points the police to a group know as Afterlifers who oppose revival on predominantly religious beliefs. Jonah still coming to terms with having Harker in his head decides to investigate the murder himself and bring justice to Harker. He works with Annabel and his best friend Never Geary to try and solve the mystery but is sucked into a whirlpool of mysteries and ends up with having to search his own past for the answers. He slowly discovers the reality of the defunct organisation known as Baseline which experimented and promoted revivers funded by the aging business tycoon Michael Andreas.

In conclusion the novel heavily leans on the fact that being right or wrong differs from the perspective from which its being viewed from. It is a really great novel that is part of a trilogy which is really intriguing and amazing to read. It really is gripping story that has elements of both Sci-Fi and horror. The novel plays on the concept of the world facing utter annihilation or conservation depending on who you ask. Stay tuned for a review on the next 2 parts of the trilogy too.

Factors affecting Job Analysis

Job Analysis is a systematic exploration, study, and recording of a specific job’s responsibilities, duties, skills, accountabilities, work environment, and ability requirements. It helps in establishing the job’s worth to an organization. In other words, it measures the value and contribution of a job to the growth of the organization.

It has two components- Job Description and Job Specification. A job description is a job profile that describes the contents, environment, and condition of jobs. The job specification identifies the knowledge, skills, abilities needed to perform that task effectively.

Some of the common factors considered by various HR professionals while conducting Job analysis are-

  • Reporting channel/Work flow: To define reporting relationships and establish organisational structure
  • Role and Responsibilities of the employee and its scope/expectations
  • Information pertaining to size of the team the incumbent has to lead, if any
  • Strategic role
  • Employee Ability and Availability
  • Prior Knowledge and Experience
  • Company culture– To determine the behavioural qualities a candidate must have to be the right fit for the organisation
  • Geographical location of the employee
  • Information pertaining to the job from previous/existing employees
  • Time and dynamicity- Some HR professionals also think that the factors change according to the business environment and/or goals of the organisation and Job analysis is an ‘ongoing process’ as it evolves with the expectations of the job. For instance, according to one respondent, the focus of job analysis has shifted from qualitative and quantitative aspects to employee and company-oriented factors which results in collective holistic development.

The factors mentioned above can be divided into two categories to understand the elements and processes of Job Analysis in detail: Factors considered for preparing Job Description and Job Specifications

Factors that influence the preparation of Job Description and Job Specifications are very different due to the varying nature and objectives of the two processes. As Job description is task-oriented and Job Specification is people-oriented, it is vital to separate the factors to understand the value and significance of both the concepts.

Some of the main factors considered in the preparation of Job Description are: Ergonomics, Role and responsibilities, Organisational structure, Team size, Scope of the job, Key Result Areas, Size of the team under the employee, if any. All task-oriented factors considered during job analysis are utilised to prepare a concise and accurate job description to have a deeper understanding of the job and its significance and role in achieving the organisational roles.

However, all people-oriented factors like qualifications, prior knowledge and experience, geographical location, behavioural traits that are compatible with the work/company culture and ethic, soft skills, Training, values, special skills depending on the nature of the job, personality traits etc are considered while preparing Job specification. Job specifications are heavily dependent on the nature of the job and hence, differs from job to job. Therefore, Job Description influences the job specifications of the ideal employee required for the job.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be observed that the factors considered are either people-oriented or task-oriented depending on the dimensions or objectives of the job analysis. Moreover, one of the many factors considered while preparing Job Specifications also includes the Job Description.

Presently, most organisations tend to depend on job analysis to establish working relationships and organisation structure, define job responsibilities, compensate employees and to find and recruit the right fit in accordance with the employees’ and organisation’s goals and expectations.

What Is Zen Buddhism?

Zen Buddhism is a Japanese school of philosophy that is said to have evolved from Mahayana Buddhism. It is more centred on meditation and intuition, and it is seen as a lifestyle rather than a fixed form of prayer or religion. 

The term “Zen” is the Japanese rendering of the Chinese word “Ch’an,” which means “meditation.” Around the eighth century, Ch’an arrived in Japan and became known as “Zen.” Though Zen Buddhism made its way to Japan via China, but it’s true home is India. Today, the term “Zen” is more often used in the West.

For many individuals from East Asian cultures, Zen is particularly essential in helping families show their continuing love and respect for their ancestors—departed family members who are in the afterlife awaiting rebirth.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ZEN BUDDHISM

Zen Buddhism is a simple, determined, uncompromising, to-the-point, meditation-based Buddhism that is uninterested in theological subtleties. Zen, which does not rely on scripture, dogma, or ritual, is validated by personal experience and is passed down ineffably from teacher to pupil, hand in hand, via rigorous, intimate practice.

Though Zen accepts – at least in part – the legitimacy of traditional Buddhist scriptures, it has developed its own writings over time. Much of ancient Zen literature is based on legendary stories of the great masters, and is liberally flavoured with Taoism, Confucianism, and Chinese poetry, as well as written in casual language studded with Chinese folk sayings and street slang. 

One of the most key characteristics of Zen Buddhism is Zazen or Zen meditation. Zen meditation’s objective is to control one’s attention. It is also referred to as a technique of “thinking about not thinking.” In zazen, practitioners sit on a cushion in a structured pose with a straight back, eyes half open, and legs crossed onto the opposite thigh in what is known as the full-lotus position.

HOW TO PRACTICE ZEN MEDITATION 

  1. Keeping an eye on one’s breath – During zazen (sitting meditation), meditators should adopt a comfortable position such as the Burmese, half-lotus, or Seiza pose. Sitting on a cushioned mat or cushion is preferable, although sitting in a chair is also fine. The focus of awareness focuses on a specific object of meditation, most commonly the breath and how it travels in and out of the abdominal area. 
  1. Stillness of mind – This type of meditation does not rely on a single point of focus, such as the breath. Meditation students are taught to let thoughts pass through their brains without judgement or rejection. This is known as shikantaza, or “simply sitting” in Japanese. This Zen Buddhist meditation technique is performed without the need of an object of concentration, attachments, or contents.
  1. Intensive group meditation – Committed meditators conduct intensive group meditation on a regular basis in meditation centres or temples. This is known as sesshin in Japanese. During this stage of intense meditation, practitioners dedicate the majority of their time seated. Each class lasts approximately 30 to 50 minutes and is interspersed with walking meditation, brief breaks, and meals. 

Finally, Zen Buddhism provides practitioners with means to mend their minds and hearts while also connecting with the world. Many practitioners nowadays turn to Zen in search of mental clarity and peacefulness through meditation. Zen, like other schools of Buddhism, begins with the recognition that humans suffer, and it offers a remedy to this suffering by realising the interconnection of all creatures and learning to live in accordance with this reality.  

Black Holes: What are they exactly?

Don’t be fooled by the name: a black hole isn’t just empty space. Rather, it’s a vast amount of matter compressed into a small space – imagine a star 10 times more massive than the Sun crammed into a sphere the size of New York City. As a result, nothing, not even light, can escape the gravitational field. NASA instruments have created a fresh picture of these strange objects in recent years, which are considered by many to be the most fascinating entities in space.

For millennia, people have imagined an object in space that is so big and thick that light cannot escape it. Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which proved that when a large star dies, it leaves behind a small, dense remnant core, is most famous for predicting black holes. The equations demonstrated that if the core’s mass is greater than three times that of the Sun, gravity will override all other forces, resulting in a black hole.

Telescopes that detect x-rays, light, or other forms of electromagnetic radiation cannot directly observe black holes. However, we can deduce the existence of black holes and study them by observing their effects on adjacent matter. If a black hole passes through a cloud of interstellar matter, for example, it will accrete matter. If a normal star approaches close enough to a black hole, a similar scenario can occur. In this situation, as it pushes the star closer to itself, the black hole has the potential to break it apart. As the attracted matter speeds up and warms up, x-rays are emitted into space. Moreover, recent discoveries provide compelling evidence that black holes have a profound impact on their surroundings, generating intense gamma ray bursts, eating neighboring stars, and playing a large role in the creation of new stars in some locations while halting it in others.

The death of a star and the beginning of a black hole

The remnants of a massive star that dies in a supernova explosion form the majority of black holes in our universe. (Smaller stars decay into dense neutron stars, which lack the mass to confine light.) It can be demonstrated theoretically that no force can protect a star from collapsing under the force of gravity if the entire mass of the star is great enough (about three times the mass of the Sun). However, something unexpected happens when the star collapses. As the star’s surface approaches an imaginary surface known as the “event horizon,” time on the star slows in comparison to time measured by observers far away. When the surface of the star reaches the event horizon, time stops and the star can no longer collapse – it is merely a frozen entity in space.

Collisions between stars can produce even larger black holes. The strong, transient flashes of light known as gamma ray bursts were first spotted by NASA’s Swift telescope shortly after its launch in December 2004. After collecting data from the event’s “afterglow” with Chandra and NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, researchers concluded that enormous explosions can occur when a black hole and a neutron star meet, forming another black hole.

The sheer size of black holes

Although the basic formation process is well studied and documented, one persistent mystery in black hole research is that they appear to exist on two dramatically different scales. On one hand, there are innumerable black holes formed by the collapse of huge stars. These “stellar mass” black holes are 10 to 24 times as massive as the Sun and can be found all around the Universe. When another star gets close enough to the black hole’s gravity, some of the matter around it is snared, causing x-rays to be emitted. The majority of galactic black holes, however, are extremely difficult to detect. Models estimate that there are as many as ten million to a billion such black holes in the Milky Way alone, based on the number of stars massive enough to form them.

The “supermassive” black holes, which are millions, if not billions, of times as massive as the Sun, are on the other extreme of the size range. Supermassive black holes, according to astronomers, are found at the centre of nearly all major galaxies, including our own Milky Way. Astronomers can spot them by observing the effects they have on neighboring stars and gas.

Astronomers have long held the belief that no mid-sized black holes exist, but r ecent data from Chandra, XMM-Newton, and Hubble, on the other hand, strengthens the case for the existence of mid-sized black holes. A chain reaction of star collisions in compact star clusters leads to the production of extremely massive stars, which eventually collapse to generate intermediate-mass black holes, according to one theory. After then, the star clusters descend to the galaxy’s centre, where the intermediate-mass black holes merge to produce a supermassive black hole.

Be it a baby black-hole or a giant one, these fantastic freely occurring galactic phenomena are still something that modern science needs to understand completely. The fact is that most fascinating things of science take the most time to completely grasp.

HATE CRIMES

When faced with a crisis, individuals typically revert to a terrible human trait: protecting their own while looking for a scapegoat to blame for the problem. The pandemic increased interpersonal and individual-level prejudice in a variety of circumstances, from discriminatory views toward racial, ethnic, and religious minority groups to verbal threats and physical assaults directed against them. Physical attacks and verbal abuse against LGBT community, Asian-Americans, Muslims who are frequently blamed as carriers, are now commonplace.

Hate crimes are crimes often motivated by prejudice or hatred towards specific groups of people. To be classified as a hate crime, the act must meet two criteria: first, it must be a criminal offense, and second, it must be motivated by bias. Hate crimes are acts of violence committed with the intent of injuring or intimidating someone based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion or sexual orientation. Hate crimes may also target people with disabilities. Hate crimes also appear to be more common in societies that are undergoing rapid social change and emerging groups, which may be culturally dissimilar, are seen as a threat to the status quo. Threats, property damage, assault, murder, and any other criminal offense motivated by prejudice are examples of hate crimes. Individuals from specific groups are not the only ones who are victims of hate crimes. Hate crimes can target people or property that are just affiliated with – or even considered to be a member of – a group that shares a recognized characteristic, such as human rights defenders, community centers, or houses of worship.

Hate crimes, unlike other sorts of crimes, have a far-reaching impact on both the immediate victim and others like them. They not only take lives and wreak havoc on families, but they also traumatize the communities where they occur. These activities create distrust and terror among communities, prohibiting them from participating in community life or cooperating with local law enforcement in investigating and preventing crimes. So, it’s extremely important for the authorities to find a way to stop these hate crimes.

Combating Hate Crimes

  • Recognize and condemn all instances of violent hate crimes. Government officials and public figures should send clear and consistent reminders that violent offenses motivated by bias and intolerance will be fully investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
  • Acknowledging the particular damage caused by hate crimes, authorities should introduce laws that create specific offenses or increases punishments for violent crimes committed on the basis of the victim’s race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, mental or physical disabilities, or other similar status.
  • Governments should make sure that people who commit hate crimes face legal consequences of their action.
  • Official monitoring and public reporting systems should be maintained by governments to give reliable data for informed policy decisions to address violent hate crimes.
  • Official anti-discrimination and human rights organizations should have the responsibility to supervise, report, and help victims of hate crimes.
  • Governments should support and strengthen international bodies with anti-discrimination objectives.
  • To minimize fear and support victims, governments should conduct outreach and education activities to communities and civil society groups.

HIBISCUS FLOWER (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Malvaceae. The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world.

Hibiscus Flower

Scientific name: Hibiscus
Family: Malvaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Malvales
Subfamily: Malvoideae

Colors: Orange, Yellow, Red, Pink, and Multicolor. Purple and white forms are less common.
Height: 7 feet tall

The Parts of a Hibiscus Flower

✓Pistil
✓Petal
✓Stamen
✓Leaf
✓Stem
✓Receptacle
✓Sepal
✓Bract
✓Thalamus
✓Bracteole
✓Pedicel
✓Perianth

PISTIL:

The Pistil is the female reproductive part of a plant. The pistil is made up of the ovary where seeds develop, the stigma that catches pollen and the style that is the tube between the stigma and ovary. The female reproductive organ of a flower is Gynoecium or Pistil. Each member is carpel.

PETAL:

Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. Innermost accessory whorl of flower is corolla. Each member is called Petal.

STAMEN:

The Stamen is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium. Male organ of a flower is androecium. Each member is Stamen.

LEAF:

Hibiscus leaves are simple, alternate, auriculate and have ovate stipules. Leaves are between 7 and 15 centimeters long.

STEM:

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a distinctive shrub valued for its shiny, deep green foliage and huge, exotic blooms. Propagate a new hibiscus by planting stem cuttings in the spring.

RECEPTACLE:

The Receptacle is the point on the stem to which the other structures attach.

SEPAL:

Sepals are small green petal-like structures that cover the petals before they emerge. Outermost whorl of flower is calyx. Each member is called Sepal.

BRACT:

Subtending leaf or leaf like structure of any flower is called Bract.

THALAMUS:

The part of the flower on which other floral parts are attached.

BRACTEOLE:

A Smaller bract present on the side of pedicel is called Bracteole or Bractlet.
A whorl of bracteoles at the base of calyx is called epicalyx.

PEDICEL:

Stalk of the flower. Flower is pedicellate or sessile depending upon presence or absence. The flowers with a short, rudimentary pedicel are called subsessile flowers.

PERIANTH (perigonium):

Undifferentiated calyx and corolla. Individual members are called tepal.

Benefits of Hibiscus flowers

✓The flowers and other parts of the plant are used to make medicine.

✓People use hibiscus for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, to increase the production of breast milk, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

✓Most early research shows that drinking hibiscus tea for 2-6 weeks decreases blood pressure by a small amount in people with normal or high blood pressure.

✓May Help Lower Blood Pressure.

✓May Help Lower Blood Fat Levels.

✓May Boost Liver Health.

✓Make your hair look healthy and lustrous.