Day: April 25, 2022

New era of socially responsible toys

Buy Wooden Shape & Number House: Educational Puzzle Set Toy – Shumee

A child’s play is not simply a reproduction of what he has experienced, but a creative reworking of the impressions he has acquired.

~Lev Vygotsky

As rightly quoted by Soviet psychologist Lev Vygotsky a child not only reproduces what he has experienced but also shows the impressions they have formed through their actions. That time has passed when people believed that a child cannot understand the things happening around them. Due to this misconception, very less effort was taken to make shape their concept formation in a socially responsible manner.

As a result of the research conducted around the world people have reached to a conclusion that childhood is the period when a major portion of the concept formation takes place. This realization has developed a demand for toys which could contribute towards a positive outlook development. Realizing this rising demand several brands have shifted towards developing socially responsible toys.

Let us look into some examples:

Barbie dolls

Mattel Inc., the company producing Barbie dolls, has released a wide range of inclusive dolls which are different from conventional dolls. The company has introduced dolls of three sizes slim, broad and original. It has also released dolls in wheel chair as well as with artificial limb. The company has also tried to make it more inclusive by providing dolls in different skin tones, hair types and eye color. Apart from this, they have also introduced Moschino Barbie which caters towards boys, thereby breaking the stereotype that dolls are not meant for boys.

Lego

The company which sells building blocks have decided to make their products gender neutral after realizing the need for gender equality. It has also promised to shift from plastic packaging to other alternatives. The company’s initiative to produce sustainable bricks will also contribute towards reduction of carbon footprint of one of the biggest toy manufacturers.

Mega bloks Green Town Line

It is a set of carbon neutral construction toys for preschoolers. Mega Bloks bought carbon offsets from the Darkwood Forests conservation project in Canada to get this label. The manufacturers have specified that the toys are made from a minimum of 56% plant-based materials rather than plastic.

Hasbro

Hasbro is a company dealing with wide variety of toys and they adopt a whole lot of activities towards sustainability. Its major initiative is to replace plastic packaging with environmentally friendly materials. It also provides provisions for recycling the toys by collecting the toys and creating new toys from them. It also checks for the environment assessment of their suppliers.

Colors of the world- skin tone crayons

This is a pack of crayons which provides twenty-four shades. What makes it different from other crayons is that it has 24 skin colours from extra light to deepest. It helps to develop a sense of inclusion and generate a non-discriminatory mindset among the children. It helps children to realize that it is normal to have all shades of skin and not strive for achieving the so called “ideal” skin shade.

Similarly, several companies have initiated different measures to make their toys inclusive and climate conscious. The indigenous toys of our country could also be an alternative in this new era.

Being grownups, it is our duty to promote ethical products and thereby assist in positive concept formation of our upcoming generation.

Let us make use of the available resources and pave way for a compassionate, inclusive and climate conscious generation.

New era of socially responsible toys

Buy Wooden Shape & Number House: Educational Puzzle Set Toy – Shumee

A child’s play is not simply a reproduction of what he has experienced, but a creative reworking of the impressions he has acquired.

~Lev Vygotsky

As rightly quoted by Soviet psychologist Lev Vygotsky a child not only reproduces what he has experienced but also shows the impressions they have formed through their actions. That time has passed when people believed that a child cannot understand the things happening around them. Due to this misconception, very less effort was taken to make shape their concept formation in a socially responsible manner.

As a result of the research conducted around the world people have reached to a conclusion that childhood is the period when a major portion of the concept formation takes place. This realization has developed a demand for toys which could contribute towards a positive outlook development. Realizing this rising demand several brands have shifted towards developing socially responsible toys.

Let us look into some examples:

Barbie dolls

Mattel Inc., the company producing Barbie dolls, has released a wide range of inclusive dolls which are different from conventional dolls. The company has introduced dolls of three sizes slim, broad and original. It has also released dolls in wheel chair as well as with artificial limb. The company has also tried to make it more inclusive by providing dolls in different skin tones, hair types and eye color. Apart from this, they have also introduced Moschino Barbie which caters towards boys, thereby breaking the stereotype that dolls are not meant for boys.

Lego

The company which sells building blocks have decided to make their products gender neutral after realizing the need for gender equality. It has also promised to shift from plastic packaging to other alternatives. The company’s initiative to produce sustainable bricks will also contribute towards reduction of carbon footprint of one of the biggest toy manufacturers.

Mega bloks Green Town Line

It is a set of carbon neutral construction toys for preschoolers. Mega Bloks bought carbon offsets from the Darkwood Forests conservation project in Canada to get this label. The manufacturers have specified that the toys are made from a minimum of 56% plant-based materials rather than plastic.

Hasbro

Hasbro is a company dealing with wide variety of toys and they adopt a whole lot of activities towards sustainability. Its major initiative is to replace plastic packaging with environmentally friendly materials. It also provides provisions for recycling the toys by collecting the toys and creating new toys from them. It also checks for the environment assessment of their suppliers.

Colors of the world- skin tone crayons

This is a pack of crayons which provides twenty-four shades. What makes it different from other crayons is that it has 24 skin colours from extra light to deepest. It helps to develop a sense of inclusion and generate a non-discriminatory mindset among the children. It helps children to realize that it is normal to have all shades of skin and not strive for achieving the so called “ideal” skin shade.

Similarly, several companies have initiated different measures to make their toys inclusive and climate conscious. The indigenous toys of our country could also be an alternative in this new era.

Being grownups, it is our duty to promote ethical products and thereby assist in positive concept formation of our upcoming generation.

Let us make use of the available resources and pave way for a compassionate, inclusive and climate conscious generation.

STOP BARRING THE VOICES OF NATION

Source: The Guardian (New Zealand start climate change protest)

When countries are facing crisis in the form of protests that simply means government and others should focus on their needs. Protests emphasized on the fact that we do have problems in our countries which we need to address as early as possible. Protests are a wake call to the country.

Source: The Washington Post (Chile demonstration March October 2019)

In Modern era protests become the vitality of the democracy. If government tries to shut the voices of the protests then we should raise our voices even more because if we don’t react today it will be become more dangerous to the Constitution, then their is no meaning to enjoying the ‘DEMOCRACY’.

Source: New York times (French union workers strike against Government for pension reform Plan Dec 2019)

Protests are not just some voices against injustice or representing dissent. It is much more than this, more meaningful; it is AWAKENING. Awakening of people, awareness of surrounding. Awakening cannot die and it should not die because this is a combination of our consciousness or subconsciousness.

Source: TOI (Emergency in 1975)

Our history and freedom is a reflection of stand against the cruelty , knowing the fact if we don’t speak today, tomorrow will be in dark. JP Narayan movement which was started as protest against the government (Emergency) eventually become the movement for country. At the end of the movement what happened to “INDIRA” government was fallen Apart.

Source: TOI (From Right to Left Mandal commission, CAA Protests in foreign & Indian University)

Mandal commission another vicious mistake of government. This particular protest turned into violence. Commission introduced high reservation to Social and educationally backward classes in the central government and public sector.

Source: Indian Express

Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 was passed by the parliament of India on December 11 2019. This act amended the 1995 citizenship Act by providing a pavement to indian citizen for persecuted religious minorities from the countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan; who are only Hindus, Sikhs , Buddhist, Jains, Parsis or Christian, the law does not grant such eligibility to Muslims from these Muslim majority countries. The act was declared as first act in the history of India and lndian law that used religion as criterion for citizenship. The amendment has been criticized on the basis of religious discrimination which targets one community.

 United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called this act fundamentally discriminatory. The protests first began in Assam and spread swiftly in the other states such as Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura. The CAA protests rests on 14 Match 2020 because of coronavirus. This protests led Police brutality at University campus, violence brokedown against protestors. Through Section 144 Curfew Internet shutdown and paramilitary forces were imposed in various parts of the country. According to Police record, more than 65 died, 175 injured and 3000+ we’re arrested.

Source: abc

Thousands of farmers protest against three most problematic agricultural reform laws that they say government putting corporate interests over the country requirement. The 3 laws introduced to loosen the grip of rules around the sale, pricing and storage of farm produce in india. Government claimed that these changes make it easier for farmers to bypass regulatory farming market and sell their produce directly to Private buyers like supermarkets chains. As per Government, laws would benefit farmers and make investment to a agricultural sector that makes up nearly 15% of Indian $3.8 trillion economy.

Source: Indian Express (Police use water canons to disperse & stop Farmer activits from marching into New Delhi)

Now discuss if laws sounds too accurate then where is a problem? Problem lies in Government’s intension. Farmers were worried that they don’t have enough bargaining powers to get the kinds of prices they want for their products especially when they are negotiating with bigger companies. There was one more tassel over MSP – Minimum Support Price which is a price the government guarantees for certain crops like wheat and rice. The protests were largely peaceful until 26 January after this it took drastic sight. The central government again shut down mobile internet services at several protest sites and putting the fundamentals rights of people’s on threshold.

Many socio – Political movements occurred in the past for instance Chipko movement, silent valley protest, Assam movement, Jungle bachao Andolan, Great Bombay strike, Narmada bachao Andolan, Dalit Agitation in Maharashtra (2006), Nandigram and singur protests in West Bengal (2007), Nirbhaya protest, FTII protest against chairman many more in different part of country, CAA Protest and widespread Farmer Protest.

Source: The Economics Times

Now Remember, we living in the kind of society where we know when we have to pick up our placard, flags, slogans, singing songs and show our dissent.

What should government do in such situations is a biggest question – firstly they should not adopt such policy which go against the people. Even if it is beneficiary to few people but at the same time going against the numerous number of population. Take affective measure to control the situation; Use the effective power of bureaucracy. It is government responsibility that make sure people must believe the government and their style of policy implementation is good for nation; after all Our constitution stand on – OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE!!

STOP BARRING THE VOICES OF NATION

Source: The Guardian (New Zealand start climate change protest)

When countries are facing crisis in the form of protests that simply means government and others should focus on their needs. Protests emphasized on the fact that we do have problems in our countries which we need to address as early as possible. Protests are a wake call to the country.

Source: The Washington Post (Chile demonstration March October 2019)

In Modern era protests become the vitality of the democracy. If government tries to shut the voices of the protests then we should raise our voices even more because if we don’t react today it will be become more dangerous to the Constitution, then their is no meaning to enjoying the ‘DEMOCRACY’.

Source: New York times (French union workers strike against Government for pension reform Plan Dec 2019)

Protests are not just some voices against injustice or representing dissent. It is much more than this, more meaningful; it is AWAKENING. Awakening of people, awareness of surrounding. Awakening cannot die and it should not die because this is a combination of our consciousness or subconsciousness.

Source: TOI (Emergency in 1975)

Our history and freedom is a reflection of stand against the cruelty , knowing the fact if we don’t speak today, tomorrow will be in dark. JP Narayan movement which was started as protest against the government (Emergency) eventually become the movement for country. At the end of the movement what happened to “INDIRA” government was fallen Apart.

Source: TOI (From Right to Left Mandal commission, CAA Protests in foreign & Indian University)

Mandal commission another vicious mistake of government. This particular protest turned into violence. Commission introduced high reservation to Social and educationally backward classes in the central government and public sector.

Source: Indian Express

Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 was passed by the parliament of India on December 11 2019. This act amended the 1995 citizenship Act by providing a pavement to indian citizen for persecuted religious minorities from the countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan; who are only Hindus, Sikhs , Buddhist, Jains, Parsis or Christian, the law does not grant such eligibility to Muslims from these Muslim majority countries. The act was declared as first act in the history of India and lndian law that used religion as criterion for citizenship. The amendment has been criticized on the basis of religious discrimination which targets one community.

 United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called this act fundamentally discriminatory. The protests first began in Assam and spread swiftly in the other states such as Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura. The CAA protests rests on 14 Match 2020 because of coronavirus. This protests led Police brutality at University campus, violence brokedown against protestors. Through Section 144 Curfew Internet shutdown and paramilitary forces were imposed in various parts of the country. According to Police record, more than 65 died, 175 injured and 3000+ we’re arrested.

Source: abc

Thousands of farmers protest against three most problematic agricultural reform laws that they say government putting corporate interests over the country requirement. The 3 laws introduced to loosen the grip of rules around the sale, pricing and storage of farm produce in india. Government claimed that these changes make it easier for farmers to bypass regulatory farming market and sell their produce directly to Private buyers like supermarkets chains. As per Government, laws would benefit farmers and make investment to a agricultural sector that makes up nearly 15% of Indian $3.8 trillion economy.

Source: Indian Express (Police use water canons to disperse & stop Farmer activits from marching into New Delhi)

Now discuss if laws sounds too accurate then where is a problem? Problem lies in Government’s intension. Farmers were worried that they don’t have enough bargaining powers to get the kinds of prices they want for their products especially when they are negotiating with bigger companies. There was one more tassel over MSP – Minimum Support Price which is a price the government guarantees for certain crops like wheat and rice. The protests were largely peaceful until 26 January after this it took drastic sight. The central government again shut down mobile internet services at several protest sites and putting the fundamentals rights of people’s on threshold.

Many socio – Political movements occurred in the past for instance Chipko movement, silent valley protest, Assam movement, Jungle bachao Andolan, Great Bombay strike, Narmada bachao Andolan, Dalit Agitation in Maharashtra (2006), Nandigram and singur protests in West Bengal (2007), Nirbhaya protest, FTII protest against chairman many more in different part of country, CAA Protest and widespread Farmer Protest.

Source: The Economics Times

Now Remember, we living in the kind of society where we know when we have to pick up our placard, flags, slogans, singing songs and show our dissent.

What should government do in such situations is a biggest question – firstly they should not adopt such policy which go against the people. Even if it is beneficiary to few people but at the same time going against the numerous number of population. Take affective measure to control the situation; Use the effective power of bureaucracy. It is government responsibility that make sure people must believe the government and their style of policy implementation is good for nation; after all Our constitution stand on – OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE!!

Women empowerment

 “Women empowerment” is defined as making a woman independent and let her choose what she wants without being dependent on anyone. Women empowerment is making a woman powerful in her own way. 

                In olden days, a woman is seen as a slave or as a non-existing thing. Women were married to an old man and also killed them when the husband was dead. After some year they stopped killing but did not stop child marriages. Society did not accept a women or a girl to get educated as man and boys. Government didn’t give a voting right in olden days. Women were discriminated and didn’t give any rights. But they are many great women in the past fought for equality and women rights. Till today women are fighting for their rights and choices with family and society.

          Till today women are still getting raped and killed. Women are getting discriminated for wearing her choice cloths. Society will still discriminate a women even she is independent. Society will never accept a woman as she is. Society discriminate the way she wear her cloths, her skin color, they even body shame more than a men.

         There are many women inspirations in India like Lakshmi agarwal who had an acid attack but still survived and fight for years to get her justice. She also helped many acid survivors and fought for their justice with them. a movie was released in 2020 named “chhapak”  inspired my her true story. 

           Not only Lakshmi agarwal there are many other women who inspired many other women such as kiran bedi, irom sharmila, Indra nooyi, neerja bhanot and many more.  Neerja, kahaani, razzi, gunjan saxena: the kargil girl are some the Indian movies which were inspired by true women stories. These movies show the discrimination women face and also shown about women empowerment.                               

Why should one get enough sleep?

We all need sleep, get most of us take it for granted by staying up for  long hours at night watching a screen or blocking the brain with caffeine and other harmful drugs . Many people do not get enough quality sleep, and this can affect their health, well-being, and ability to do everyday activities.

You may think nothing is happening when you sleep. But parts of your brain are quite active during sleep. And enough sleep (or lack of it) affects your physical and mental health. When you sleep, your body has a chance to rest and restore energy. A good night’s sleep can help you cope with stress, solve problems or recover from illness. Not getting enough sleep can lead to many health concerns, affecting how you think and feel.

How much sleep do I need?

Many factors affect how much sleep you need. Age is a big factor:

  • Infants need about 16 hours a day.
  • Toddlers and preschoolers need about 12 hours.
  • Teenagers need about nine hours.
  • Adults need seven to eight (though some are fine with five and others need closer to 10).
  • Pregnant people often need more sleep during the first trimester.

If you haven’t slept well or long enough for a few days, you might create a sleep debt. Once your debt builds up, you may feel physically and mentally exhausted. Try to make sure you get enough sleep every night to avoid creating this debt. You can’t necessarily make up your debt by sleeping a lot on the weekends. It’s best to get enough sleep all week long. A person who is getting too little quality sleep may experience a range of symptoms including: fatigue, irritability, mood changes, difficulty focusing and remembering, reduced sex drive

In1965 , an experiment was conducted where a high school boy stayed up for 264 hours or 11 days. He slowly lost focus of the eye, became moody and irritable, he stopped sensing stimuli and could not concentrate or retain memories. We grow sleep due to signals from our body hormones like melatonin and adenosine that send us into a deep doze.

During the night, you cycle through two types of sleep: non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Your brain and body act differently during these different phases. During non-REM stages, your body-Builds bone and muscle, Repairs and regenerates tissues, Strengthens the immune system. When you enter REM sleep, brain activity increases again, meaning sleep is not as deep. The activity levels are like when you’re awake. That’s why REM sleep is the stage where you’ll have intense dreams. Usually, REM sleep arrives about an hour and a half after you go to sleep. The first REM period lasts about 10 minutes. Each REM stage that follows gets longer and longer.

Sleeplessness may result in inflammations, hallucinations, high blood pressure and is also related to obesity and diabetes and obesity along with impairment in memory mood, reaction time etc.

How does sleep deprivation cause such immense effects?

 Our brain collects a lot of unwanted information during the day that can be proceed as useful and waste while we sleep. Our brain uses a lot of energy source that leads to build up of adenosine, which increases the urge to sleep and caffeine blocks the pathway of this that causes us to be awake. Waste products if not cleared away overload the brain leading to the negative symptoms of sleep deprivation. A glymphatic system is present in all which acts as a clean-up machine that removes this build up and is active mostly when we are asleep. hence if the brain doesn’t get its sufficient recharge it could lead to dire consequences like insomnia and other fatal disorders that a person can develop. For now, we can be sure that slipping into slumber is a necessity to maintain our health and sanity.

Takeaway

Sleep deprivation can harm a person’s mental and physical health, their performance at school or work, and their overall quality of life. Also, a persistent lack of sleep can lead to complications or indicate an underlying health problem, such as sleep apnea or anxiety. Anyone who is concerned about a lack of sleep should contact a medical professional.

Why should one get enough sleep?

We all need sleep, get most of us take it for granted by staying up for  long hours at night watching a screen or blocking the brain with caffeine and other harmful drugs . Many people do not get enough quality sleep, and this can affect their health, well-being, and ability to do everyday activities.

You may think nothing is happening when you sleep. But parts of your brain are quite active during sleep. And enough sleep (or lack of it) affects your physical and mental health. When you sleep, your body has a chance to rest and restore energy. A good night’s sleep can help you cope with stress, solve problems or recover from illness. Not getting enough sleep can lead to many health concerns, affecting how you think and feel.

How much sleep do I need?

Many factors affect how much sleep you need. Age is a big factor:

  • Infants need about 16 hours a day.
  • Toddlers and preschoolers need about 12 hours.
  • Teenagers need about nine hours.
  • Adults need seven to eight (though some are fine with five and others need closer to 10).
  • Pregnant people often need more sleep during the first trimester.

If you haven’t slept well or long enough for a few days, you might create a sleep debt. Once your debt builds up, you may feel physically and mentally exhausted. Try to make sure you get enough sleep every night to avoid creating this debt. You can’t necessarily make up your debt by sleeping a lot on the weekends. It’s best to get enough sleep all week long. A person who is getting too little quality sleep may experience a range of symptoms including: fatigue, irritability, mood changes, difficulty focusing and remembering, reduced sex drive

In1965 , an experiment was conducted where a high school boy stayed up for 264 hours or 11 days. He slowly lost focus of the eye, became moody and irritable, he stopped sensing stimuli and could not concentrate or retain memories. We grow sleep due to signals from our body hormones like melatonin and adenosine that send us into a deep doze.

During the night, you cycle through two types of sleep: non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Your brain and body act differently during these different phases. During non-REM stages, your body-Builds bone and muscle, Repairs and regenerates tissues, Strengthens the immune system. When you enter REM sleep, brain activity increases again, meaning sleep is not as deep. The activity levels are like when you’re awake. That’s why REM sleep is the stage where you’ll have intense dreams. Usually, REM sleep arrives about an hour and a half after you go to sleep. The first REM period lasts about 10 minutes. Each REM stage that follows gets longer and longer.

Sleeplessness may result in inflammations, hallucinations, high blood pressure and is also related to obesity and diabetes and obesity along with impairment in memory mood, reaction time etc.

How does sleep deprivation cause such immense effects?

 Our brain collects a lot of unwanted information during the day that can be proceed as useful and waste while we sleep. Our brain uses a lot of energy source that leads to build up of adenosine, which increases the urge to sleep and caffeine blocks the pathway of this that causes us to be awake. Waste products if not cleared away overload the brain leading to the negative symptoms of sleep deprivation. A glymphatic system is present in all which acts as a clean-up machine that removes this build up and is active mostly when we are asleep. hence if the brain doesn’t get its sufficient recharge it could lead to dire consequences like insomnia and other fatal disorders that a person can develop. For now, we can be sure that slipping into slumber is a necessity to maintain our health and sanity.

Takeaway

Sleep deprivation can harm a person’s mental and physical health, their performance at school or work, and their overall quality of life. Also, a persistent lack of sleep can lead to complications or indicate an underlying health problem, such as sleep apnea or anxiety. Anyone who is concerned about a lack of sleep should contact a medical professional.