Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and constitute about 97% of water on Earth. It is a life support unit, supporting human sustenance and every other living organisms on the planet. It is home to many biodiversities of the world and also fulfils about 50-80% of the planet’s oxygen demand. Other than that, oceans absorb almost 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans restraining global warming.

World Oceans Day is observed every year on June 8 to mark the significance of oceans and spread awareness about the negative impacts of human activities and exploitation of ocean water. The objective is to conserve and use ocean and other marine resourses sustainably.

Theme for 2021

‘The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods’ is the announced theme for the year. This year the United Nations has planned to highlight the grave dangers the oceans are exposed to due to human activities such as dumping plastic pollution, garbage disposal, oil leaks etc.. With 90% of big fish populations depleting, 50% damages to coral reefs, the purpose is to highlight the role of humans in preserving oceans and its biodiversities. The theme sheds light on the wonders of oceans and creating a balance and deep rooted understanding between oceans and human relations. Moreover, it is also meant to motivate sustainable use of marine resources with oceans being a huge part of our economy by proving trade routes and jobs to millions of people.

History

The first World Oceans Day was celebrated in the year 1992 at the Earth Summit of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). However, it was only after 16 years that the United Nations General Assembly recognised the day officially as World Oceans Day and managed it to celebrate every year on 8th June.

>Failure

The root cause of fearing failure is the underlying embarassment and shame. In our society where a person is judged on the basis of the grades and achievements, failure is not observed as a life lesson but the end of career, opportunities and all good things that caould ever happen to you. The fear of failing is accompanied by emotions like unworthiness, inferiority complex, low self esteem and fear of rejection.

>Not being good enough

Psychology says ‘not being good enough’ is rather a thought than fear. It is usually our inner critic which is often doubtful about our survival in the competitive world out there. It is a result of negative thoughts, feeling of low self-esteem, comparing self with others or pressure from peers, family, relatives and society for not having the right job, good relationships, poor lifestyle etc. leading to self doubt.

>Asking for help

Asking for help makes a lot of people uneasy. It is sometimes due to the fear of rejection out of which people end up struggling for it forever. Another cause of it is the dependency factor for which self reliable people are mostly not ready. Also, asking for help might be seen by many as burdening someone else or a burden by the helper himself.

>Raising hand in class

Not raing hand in the class even being doubtful about something is a prominent issue among many students. It is most probably due to the factor of confronting your weaknesses publicly. Not everybody’s got the courage to stand upto their weaknesses and inabilities as we doubt being made fun of most of the times.

>Being vulnerable

The fear of being vulnerable is a central emotional challenge. It is due failure in relationships, fear of rejection, abandonment or lack of attention from loved ones. It is a state of isolation where giving or receiving positive thoughts becomes difficult leading to discomfort and lonliness.

In times like today, health has become the primary concern for all. Good immunity proportionates healthy living which comes from eating the right food in the right amount. Superfoods are the go-to food items for strong immunity and good health.

Superfoods are high in nutrition having very few calorie count. They contain high value of vitamins, minerals and naturally occuring antioxidants which keep your body disease-free and make you healthier. When taken in the right quantity in your diet, superfoods can improve heart health and increase energy level in the body, detox the body, regulate metabolism, lower body cholestrol, reduce cardiovascular disease risks and also help in weight reduction.

>Green leafy vegetables

Green leafy vegetable are a great source of many nutrients that boost our immunity such as vitamin A,C,E and K, calcium, iron, fibre, zinc, potassium, magnesium etc. The fibres and nutrients present in green leafy vegetables are found useful in preventing heart diseases, type-2 diabetes and certain chronic diseases. Some well known green leafy vegetables include kale, spinach, beet greens, watercress etc.

>Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits are rich source of vitamin C and B6, ribloflavin, calcium, magnesium and a variety of phytochemicals. These nutrients are responsible for improved gastrointestinal function and vascular protection. Also, consuming citrus fruits reduces risk of diabetes, cancer and neurological diseases. Examples of citrus fruits are orange, sweet lime, tangerine, kinnow,pomelo etc.

>Berries and cherries

Berries are rich in vitamin C, minerals, manganese and antioxidants and are also low in calories. They also contain flavonoids which are responsible for protection of body cells. Similar to berries, cherries are a great source of antioxidants which help in protection against viruses. Potassium rich berries are also good for improved blood pressure.

>Turmeric

Known for its antibacterial properties, turmeric is a very commonly found and well known ingredient in Indian households. It is rich in proteins, carbohydrates and minerals like manganese, potassium and phosphorous. Scientifically proven health benefits of turmeric include prevention of heart diseases, cancer, Alzheimer’s and prevent symptoms of depression and arthritis.

>Honey

Honey, which is often considered a substitute of sugar, is a rich source of ascorbic acid, pantothenic acid, niacin and riboflavin and minerals like iron, copper, zin, calcium, phosphorous etc. It is also rich in antioxidants and helps regulate blood pressure and has benefits on heart health.

>Yogurt

Yogurt provides to the body good amount of vitamin B12, minerals like calcium, riboflavin, phosphorous etc and proteins. The fermentation process used to make yogurt makes it healthier than milk and easy to digest which cause the nutrients to get absorbed by the body more easily and quickly. This not just improves digestive health but also helps in weight management, strengthens immunity and prevents bone diseases like osteoporosis.

Who doesn’t like gifts? And a wholesome meal as a gift is no less than a surprise. But what if this a regular tradition followed by a cafeteria near you? Totally unimaginable, right? Ahmedabad’s Seva Cafe brings in the exact same concept to reality where your meal is a gift from someone else who came before you. It’s not just a tradition here but a belief in the happiness of serving people. This cafe not just gives a wholesome dinning experience but also leaves behind a lesson for all. ‘Living is Giving’ is what they believe here in Seva Cafe. You don’t get a bill once you are done with your meal as it was already paid by the guests before you. All you need to do is carry forward this tradition and contribute in sustaining it. The visitors in the cafe are treated as guests, more like family, than mere customers.

The cafe is an initiative by John Silliphant and Jayesh Patel, founders of Manav Sadhna NGO. It was founded in 2006 with its primary location in Ahmedabad. The motive is to make a change and connect people with the bond of trust. The cafe is based on pay-it-forward idea and is run by the contributions made by the guests. All the costs and income are made transparent with all the profits made in use for social services.

The cafe is run and operated by volunteers willing to devote their free time rendering their services. From cooking the meal to serving it, everything is done by the volunteers.

In today’s fast-paced life where people have forgotten to look after their loved ones, Seva Cafe is reminding and taking forward the concept of ‘Joy of giving’. The successful 15 years of this cafe justify the idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and prove that the spirit of giving still resides within.

India which is Asia’ third largest producer and exporter of coffee has started producing the world’s most expensive coffee made from cat poop. It’s being manufactured on a small scale in Coorg district of Karnataka. The coffee is called Civet coffee prepared from the poop of Civet cat.

Also known as Kopi Luwak, the world’s most expensive coffee has its origin in Indonesia. The price of the coffee ranges from Rs 8,000 per kg in India and Rs 20,000 to 25,000 per kg in other European countries. The method of preparation of this coffee contributes to its high rise prices. It is produced from excreted coffee beans. The main ingredient is the Arabian coffee. The Asain palm civet eats the skin of coffee beans which undergo fermentation as they pass through the civet’s intestine and experience acidic and enzymatic treatment. The fermented beans are then collected along other fecal matter and separated.

A Karnataka based start-up firm, Coorg Consolidated Commodities (CCC) has intiated to manufacture this luxury coffee on a small scale. The coffee is being sold locally under the brand name Animane at Club Mahindra Madikeri Resort which is the only outlet selling locally produced coffee, spices and other products.

Narender Habber, one of the founders of Coorg Consolidated Commodities claims that the company’s method of preparation of coffee is different from the traditional one. The coffee plantations are located close to the forests from where the civet cats come to eat the coffee beans cherries. The purpose is to encourage naturally produced coffee unlike other countries where the civet cats are ceged and forcefully fed with coffee beans.

>Salmon Act 1986

Under the Salmon Act, the Parliament makes it illegal to hold a salmon in suspicious circumstances in the UK. Other fish species like trout, eel, lamprey and smelt are also included in this law. However, the law does not specify what behaviour can be considered suspicious.

>Law for billboards in Hawaii

Hawaii does not allow the use of billboard advertising in public. Only directional boards, landmark signs and real estate boards are allowed to be displayed in Hawaii. However, there is a provision to have a billboard in one’s own property.

>Metabo Law of Japan

Japan takes the matter of its citizens health very seriously. The Metabo Law restricts its citizens aged 40 to 74 years to gain extreme weight and requires the citizens to have an annual weight check by the doctor. Men are supposed to have a waist size not exceeding 33.5 inches and women 35.4 inches. It was made to prevent obesity and other related health issues.

>Locust Invasion Law, India

Locust attacks cause large scale threat to crops. To prevent the destruction people living within 5 miles of the plca of locust invasion are required to beat drum or some other instrument in order to alert the town.

>No chickens to cross the road in Georgia

To let your chicken cross road is illegal in Georgia. The chickens are meant to be kept under the owner’s control and letting them loose can lead the owner to be fined.

>Law on Protection of the Rights and Interests of Elderly People, China

China has a law for its citizens above the age of 60 year. Under this law discrimination, insulting, maltreating or forsaking the elderly etc is forbidden.

>No dying without a burial plot

In Sarpourenx, France the citizens cannot die within the city limits without having purchased a burial plot for themselves. This law was put forward in the year 2008 by the city mayor claiming that those who offend will be severely punished. However, the kind of punishment has not be clarified.

>Swearing, illegal in the UAE

In the UAE, swearing is illegal leading the offender to be fined or even jailed. Under Article 373 of the UAE Penal Code, swearing is form of disgrace to a person. The law also includes indecent gestures or text message and threatening messages along with the use of inappropriate words.