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Was Covid-19 created in a laboratory? Shocking truth about the lab leaks

The Covid-19 pandemic which shook the world is still being fought in many countries despite 2 years of battle. There have been numerous speculations regarding the origin of the virus. It was claimed that it originated in Wuhan, China after humans contracted the virus from bats. But many theories state otherwise. Some say that it was man-made to regulate population, a medical-mafia induced virus to make money from it. The motives aside, a recent proof that it is actually not natural was submitted and has taken the world by storm since then.

A 22-page research paper

A 22-page research paper authored by British Professor Angus Dalgleish and Norwegian scientist Dr.Birger Sørensen has recently surfaced and it is to be published in the Quarterly Review of Biophysics Discovery, as per Daily Mail. The authors claim that they have evidence that Covid-19 is actually man made but that their research was intentionally ignored by academics and journals.

Covid-19 a result of a ‘Gain of function’ experiment?

The authors say that Covid-19 was created by Chinese scientists in a Wuhan lab when they were working on a ‘Gain of function’ project. A gain-of-function research works by tweaking a virus in order to increase the the degree of transfer of the virus in humans. This research is usually conducted in order to know about future diseases and to prepare accordingly. It has to be conducted in extremely safe environments, otherwise may lead to deadly outbreaks. It has been banned in many countries including the US.

The research paper cites that Covid-19 was a result of the alteration of a naturally occurring, not so deadly corona virus found in Chinese cave bats. They say that this virus found in bats was grafted a new spike, turning it into the deadly Covid-19, highly transferable among humans.

The author Dr.Birger Sørensen said that on the spikes were four amino acids with a positive charge. As we know, given 2 positive charges repel each other, it is very much unlikely that four such charges were found in the virus. Naturally, a maximum of only 3 such charges can be found in viruses. So the inclusion of the 4th charge makes it easier to cling to humans and thus making it highly contagious. More details.

 

Corona virus structure
The spikes in corona virus
Lab leaks

With the virus engineered in Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China, it is said that it may have leaked due to lowered security in the labs, thus spreading to the public. This justifies Wuhan to be ground zero. Once it was evident that the virus was leaked, the Chinese scientist tries to cover their tracks by retro-engineering it, to make it look as if it evolved naturally from bats. There are unique fingerprints found in the virus which make it even harder to believe that it occurred naturally.

It is also stated that some researchers were admitted in hospitals around October, a month before China reported its first Covid-19 positive.

While it is certainly believed that Covid-19 has no credible natural ancestor, the claims of the research paper are yet to be authenticated. The only thing we can do right now is to no step out of our homes and stay calm during this crisis, hoping for better times. Be home, be safe. Vaccinate yourself.

The Midnight Circus- A confusing wonder

The Midnight Circus is a 2011 historical fantasy by Erin Morgenstern and revolves around the lives of Celia Bowen and Marco Alisdair. Set in Victorian-era London, the book follows a magic duel between the apprentice of Prospero the Enchanter and Mr. Alexander. The duel is intended to be a test of their respective teaching methods. Celia Bowen is the daughter of Prospero and is trained under his watchful eye. What starts as an involved mentorship, turns into a toxic relationship. Prospero doesn’t see Celia as a daughter, but as a contestant, one who is capable of winning him a duel he has lost until now. Buy The Night Circus (Vintage Magic) Book Online at Low Prices in India | The Night Circus (Vintage Magic) Reviews & Ratings - Amazon.in

Marco is taught differently. Alexander rarely interacts with him. He lives alone in an apartment with only books to keep him company.

After their respective training, they are both sent to work at the Midnight Circus, Celia as an impressionist and Marco as the proprietor’s assistant.

This is where the story really begins. Due to its non-linear narrative, this book does make for a confusing read, but Morgenstern’s beautiful descriptions and masterful storytelling more than makeup for this. The book has a somewhat gothic aesthetic but oh! does it own it. At no point in the story does the reader feel alienated or disconnected.

Balancing multiple narratives while simultaneously creating an engaging narrative, Morgenstern really doesn’t disappoint. The twists are unpredictable and leave the reader exhilarated.

I would strongly recommend this book to lovers of historical fantasies who don’t mind a bit of a challenge.

WANT TO KNOW ABOUT MORTGAGE?

Blockchain Mortgages Could Help The Impending Recession

MORTGAGE : According to Section 58 (a) of the Transfer Of The Property Act,1882, a ‘mortgage‘ is the transfer of an interest in specific immovable property for the purpose of securing the following :

  • the payment of money advanced or to be advanced by way of loan,
  • an existing of future debt, or
  • the performance of an engagement which may give rise to a pecuniary liability.

In simple words, mortgage means taking of loan in place of some security (immovable property).

PARTIES OF MORTGAGE : Two parties are involved here which are as follows :

Lender Meaning

  • The person who transfers an interest is called the mortgagor.
  • The person in whose favor the interest in property is being transferred is known as the mortgagee.

INSTRUMENT : 

  • The instrument by which the transfer is effected is known as the mortgage deed.

What Is a Mortgage Lien? - FindLaw

MORTGAGE-MONEY :

  • The principal money and interest of which payment is secured for the time being is called the ‘mortgaged-money’.

ELEMENTS OF MORTGAGE :

  1. Transfer of an interest
  2. Specific immovable property
  3. Consideration of mortgage

6 TYPES OF MORTGAGES : What are the Different Types of Mortgages in India?

SIMPLE MORTGAGE : 

It is a kind of mortgage where the mortgagor binds himself to repay the mortgage-money. No possession of the property is transferred in case of Simple Mortgage. It should be done by registered deed. The mortgagee can exercise his right to make the sale of that specific immovable property by the intervention of the court.

MORTGAGE BY CONDITIONAL SALE : 

It is a kind of mortgage where the mortgagor ostensibly sales his property on conditions :

  • on the repayment of such loan taken, the sale become void and the property will be retransferred by the mortgagee in the favor of the mortgagor,
  • in case of failure of payment of mortgage-money on certain time, the ostensible sale will become absolute.

In case of mortgage by conditional sale, the mortgagee has the right of foreclosure.

USUFRUCTUARY MORTAGAGE :

Usufructuary Mortgage is such a kind of mortgage where the possession of the property is being transferred in favor of the mortgagee so that the mortgage-debt or interest can be satisfied out of the rents or profits of that property. In such kind of mortgage, the mortgagee can neither have a right of sale nor of foreclosure.

MORTGAGE BY DEPOSIT OF TITLE DEEDS :

It is popularly called an ‘equitable mortgage’. It is a kind of mortgage where there is a delivery to the mortgagee, documents of title to immovable property with intent to create a security thereon. It requires neither a registration nor an attestation.

ENGLISH MORTGAGE :

An English Mortgage is a transaction in which the mortgagor binds himself to repay the mortgage-money on a certain date and transfers the mortgaged property absolutely to the mortgagee but subject to the condition that he will retransfer it to the mortgagor upon payment of the debt.

ANOMALOUS MORTGAGE :

In such a mortgage, the possession may or may not be delivered. A mortgage which is not a simple mortgage, a mortgage by conditional sale, an usufructuary mortgage, an English mortgage or a mortgage by deposit of title deeds within the meaning of section 58 is called an anomalous mortgage.

RIGHTS OF THE MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE 

Mortgagee vs Mortgagor | 8 Best Differences To Learn (With Infographics)

RIGHTS OF THE MORTGAGOR :

  1. Right to redeem the mortgage.
  2. Right to inspection and production of documents relevant to the mortgage transaction.
  3. Right to redeem the mortgage separately or simultaneously.
  4. Right to appropriate accessions, if any, to the mortgaged property.
  5. Right to appropriate improvements, if any, to the mortgaged property.
  6. Right to renewal of lease where the mortgaged property is leasehold.
  7. Right to effect lease of the mortgaged property.

RIGHTS OF THE MORTGAGEE :

  1. Rights to foreclosure or sale of the mortgaged property in default of non-payment of debt.
  2. Right to sue mortgagor for the recovery of mortgage-money.
  3. Right to exercise power of sale if given under the mortgage-deed.
  4. Right to get a receiver appointed.
  5. Right to accession to mortgaged-property.
  6. Right to have the benefit of renewed lease if mortgaged property is leased out.
  7. Right to spend money in preserving the property, defending mortgagor’s title or in renewal of lease if the property is in possession.
  8. Right to receive proceeds of revenue sale of the mortgaged property.

DUTIES OF THE MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE

Procedure of Transfer of Immovable Property

DUTIES OF THE MORTGAGOR :

  1. Liability to guarantee his title in the mortgaged property.
  2. Liability to defend his title in the mortgaged property.
  3. Liability to make payments of public.
  4. Liability to pay rents if the mortgaged property is leased hold and mortgagee is a lessee.
  5. Liability to discharge prior encumbrances on the mortgaged property.

DUTIES OF THE MORTGAGEE :

  1. Liability to manage the property with ordinary prudence.
  2. Liability to collect rents and profits with due diligence.
  3. Liability to pay the government dues in case there is no contract to the contrary.
  4. Liability to spend money for necessary repairs in the mortgaged property.
  5. Liability not to commit waste on the mortgaged property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The end of an era: Analysing Brooklyn Nine-Nine

After running for eight wonderful years, the creators of Brooklyn Nine-Nine have announced that they will be airing their final season in August of this year. After shooting nearly 150 episodes, the show has called it quits.

The show boasted of an impressive cast with SNL legend Andy Samberg, the hilarious Chelsea Peretti, the talented terry crews, the award-winning Andre Braugher, and several others. The premise of the show revolved around the lives of the detectives at the 99th precinct in Brooklyn. Watch Full Episodes | Brooklyn Nine-Nine on FOX

Not only did they have a talented cast, but it was also a diverse one. Out of the 9 main cast members, only 4 were caucasian males. Melissa Fumero plays Amy Santiago, an aspiring captain. The show follows her journey and we can only hope she achieves this goal in the final season.

The most amazing thing about the show was the way it addressed social issues while still maintaining a comedic tone. Covering issues such as racial profiling, sexual harassment, and homophobia, the show never shied away from uncomfortable topics. The elegance with which these topics are handled is truly respectable.

The eighth season will air in August and will be covering recent events such as the murder of George Floyd and the Covid pandemic. Hopefully, we’ll see more of Cheddar too!

Covid Vaccines: Why you can’t compare 92% efficiency with 81% efficiency

The only way to fight this deadly pandemic is by vaccinating ourselves. People are people’s cure. With so many companies releasing Covid-19 vaccines, people get confused as to which parameter is to be used while comparing them. Most of them start comparing vaccines based on their efficiency. There is a strong reason behind why you shouldn’t do that.

Parameters to consider
covishield,covaxin,sputnik
Covaxin, Covishield, Sputnik V (left to right)

Let us consider the three most used vaccines in India: Sputnik V, Covaxin, Covishield. The efficacy rates of the three are:

  • Sputnik V- 92%
  • Covaxin-81%
  • Covishield-70%

Based on this data, one may conclude that Sputnik V is the best and Covishield the worst. But before reaching this conclusion, let us consider some more important specifications.

Sputnik V vaccine:

Sputnik V is an adenoviral based Russian made vaccine, used against Covid-19. It works by introducing a weakened virus into the body so that they don’t immediately replicate and cause disease. Instead it prepares our immune system so that when the real virus attacks, the severity can be minimum to none. It requires two doses, with a 21 day interval between.

The trials were conducted on volunteers from Russia from June 2020 to Nov 2020 against the original and UK variant Covid-19. 19,000 volunteers from Russia participated in the trial, so trials were not done on Indian people.

Covaxin:

Covaxin was developed by India’s National Institute of Virology (NIV). It works by introducing a dead Covid virus into the body, thus enabling the immune system to develop a response, and this method is often considered safe. It was first trialed on animals, and then proceeded to human trials. It requires two doses, with a 4-6 week interval between.

The trials were conducted on volunteers from India from June 2020 to Jan 2021 against both the original and UK variant virus. Trials were done on a total of 26,000 volunteers.

Covishield:

Covishield was developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. It works by introducing a weakened version of a common cold adenovirus into the body and triggers an immune response. It requires two doses, with a 4-8 week interval between.

The trials were conducted on volunteers from USA from August 2020 to December 2020 against the original virus only. Trials were done on a total of 30,000 volunteers.

As it can be observed, all three vaccine trials were conducted under different time periods, in different countries, on people of different nationalities on different variant viruses. Thus comparing them solely on the efficiency rates alone is not fair.

So which one to choose?

The answer to this question is that all three do their jobs as specified. There is no single ‘perfect’ vaccine. So instead of waiting for a vaccine with higher efficiency rate, try to vaccinate yourself as soon as possible. The goal of a vaccine is not to prevent you from getting Covid-19, but to reduce its severity, thus reducing severe symptoms and death.

Evidently, no vaccinated individual during the trials were hospitalized when they got Covid-19. The intake of medicines prescribed by their doctors, good food and isolation cured them. Hence this is proof that vaccination reduces the severity of the virus. Do not be under the false pretense that once vaccinated, Covid-19 cannot affect you and hence do not roam out. You maybe vaccinated, but other may not be. So do not be the cause of their attack.

This post was written with the intention of debunking the false hope of people that better efficiency rate equals better vaccine. So vaccinate yourself when you get the chance instead of waiting for the perfect vaccine. Be safe and be home. Let us together win this battle and soon return back to normal.

LIVE-IN-RELATIONSHIP

The Invisible Parts of Your Relationship. - Kim CochraneKim Cochrane

INTRODUCTION

Live-in-relationship means where the partners live together as husband and wife without marriage. It involves continuous cohabitation between the partners without any responsibilities or obligations towards each other. It resembles like marriage but in actual it is little bit different as marriage is a sacred bond accepted by the society whereas on the other hand live-in-relationship is not accepted by the society at large till now.

Change is the law of nature and where right we should change ourselves a bit over time like we have started changing our perspective on live-in-relation. As we live in a society where our customs, rituals, ceremonies, traditions, etc. matter a lot so it will take some time to accept this emerging concept at large.

 

 

 

LAW IN INDIA ON LIVE-IN-RELATIONSHIPS

A BOND BY HEART OR BY KNOT” A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON MARRIAGE AND LIVE IN RELATIONSHIP | RACOLB LEGAL

Marriages are governed by the personal laws of the parties to which they belong but there is no uniform code for Live-In-Relationship. There is neither any law relating to Live-in-relationship nor any enactment which can determine the rights and obligations of the parties living as partners. It is nowhere defined in the law but if two major consenting adults are living together without marriage for a long span of time it is not illegal or unlawful. However, court has interpreted this concept in various judgements. By interpreting it, court ascertained certain rights and is amending the existing legislations so that misuse of such relations can be prevented.

VARIOUS LEGISLATIONS

  • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT,2005 : The provisions of the act are now extended to those who are in live-in-relationships as well. The amendments intend to protect the victims of domestic abuse in live-in-relation. Legislature has given the rights and protection to the females not legally married but living with a male individual in a relationship having resemblance of marriage. A woman who is in live-in-relationship can now seek the legal remedy against her partner in case of abuse or harassment.

Section 2 (f) of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005 defines :

Domestic Relationship means a relationship between two persons who live or have, at any point of time, lived together in a shared household, when they are related by consanguinity, marriage, or through a relationship in the nature of marriage, adoption or are family members living together as a joint family.

Section 2 (g) of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005 provides :

A relationship between the two individuals who live together or have lived together in the past is considered as a domestic relationship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVIDENCE ACT,1872 : It raises the presumption of the existence of the fact.

Section 114 of the Evidence act,1872 says :

The court may presume the existence of any fact which it thinks likely to have happened, regard being given to the common course of natural events, human conduct and public and private business, in a relation as to the facts of the particular case. Therefore, where a man and a lady live respectively for a long time as a couple then there would be an assumption of marriage between the two.

 

 

 

 

 

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE,1973 : 

The Supreme Court of India has confirmed the proposition in Velusamy vs. Patchaiammal case that a woman who was in a live-in-relationship with man not legally wedded is not entitled to claim maintenance under Section 125 of Criminal Procedure Code. However, if such a woman proves that she was in domestic relationship with the man in the nature of marriage would be entitled to claim maintenance under Section 20 (3) of Protection of Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHILDREN BORN OUT OF LIVE-IN-RELATIONSHIP :

Legal Rights of a Child Born in a Live-In Relationship

In January 2008, the Supreme Court held that children born out of live-in-relationships will not be considered as illegitimate.

In Vidyadhari v Sukhrana Bai, the Supreme Court passed a landmark judgement wherein the Court granted inheritance to the children born from the live in relationship in question and ascribed them the status of “legal heirs”.

  • Maintenance can also be claimed by a child born out of such live-in-relationship under section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code,1973.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPREME COURT OBSERVATIONS AND JUDGEMENTS :

  • In the landmark case of S.Khushboo vs. Kanniammal (2010), the Supreme Court held that a live-in-relationship comes within the ambit of right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The court further held that live-in-relationships are permissible and the act of two major living together cannot be considered as illegal or unlawful.

 

  • In Lata Singh vs. State Of U.P & Anr., AIR 2006, the Supreme Court of India observed that live-in-relationship between two consenting adults of heterogenic sex does not amount to any offence (exception adultery which is decriminalized now) , even though it may be perceived as immoral.

 

 

  • In Indra Sarma vs. V.K.V.Sarma (2013), the Supreme Court observed that live-in-relationship like relations are neither a crime nor a sin though socially unacceptable in this country. The decision to marry or not to marry or to have a heterosexual relationship is intensely personal. 

 

  • In its recent judgement in the case of Pardeep Singh and Anr. vs. State Of Haryana

the Punjab & Haryana High Court : Live-In-Relationships not prohibited; such persons are entitled to equal protection of laws. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION 

Live-in-relationships are not illegal or unlawful, if the two consenting adults are living together for a long period of time and that too without marriage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A love quote!

 

We,the people are surrounded by love.Love is everywhere around and means to be everything.The first true love we witnessed is the mother love which is unexpected in return,meant to be only giving…lucky are the ones who get! Everyone in their life has one person who is meant to be their whole world!That person has the key to our all kind of emotions.When we have met them for the first time,we wouldn’t have been realised that they gonna be this important to us!But later we do.

We used to care them,accepting their flaws,always worrying and thinking about their safety and welfare,being a needy support,always wanted to hear their voice and to be with them,used to say sorry first though it’s not our fault,having belief and hopes on them,doing each &everything for them with care, valuing their feelings and respect them,giving often chances to rectify their mistakes,getting refreshed with a smile on their face,making them feel better,feeling liberal,wanting to share everything, accepting &loving them as they are,trying our level best to keep them happy always,not even a single day passes without thinking about….And moreover loving them unconditionally!

The moment when we feel that magic, when we have really started exploring ourselves,finding ourselves to be a newly flourished one,freshly born again…..the day when we fall in love with them despite their flaws,when they become only our dreams,feels extremely difficult to forget& hard while missing them,being true to them,when they made you feel contented and serene,who knows us like they know their soul….

The moment when we just know that we will never be able to replace them if they left,when we used to sacrifice everything for them unintentionally,when we afraid of losing them and not even think to go to the extreme end,the moment when we never used to give up on them…that moment when we realize that we have been already changed and started dedicating our lives to them,when we blindly believe that-in them lies happiness,under their palm lies our world, everything within them…..ask yourself,who’s that one person? For whom we have been changed this a lot? On finding our answer we might come to know about that one person of our life!

With whom we are connected deeply and soulfully!It takes someone really special to make us smile with tears in our eyes.The greatest gift is the time we give ,we are giving our portion of life that we’ll never get back. We cannot see the beautiful things,it must be felt by our whole heart!

Love is a hidden treasure,we never know we have it until someone special explore &reveals it. Love is all about only giving,love is where ,our heart is.

Is coding an absolute necessity for kids starting from 1st grade?

The world is moving at a fast pace. And adults try their best to match the pace, but often they cannot because such is the development consuming the world. While 25 year olds are still trying to earn a place in this highly competitive salary race, what about 5 year olds? You would have seen many advertisements endorsed by popular celebrities saying that kids should start coding right from age 5. The tender age where they should be chasing a butterfly, they are to sit before computers. And not just learn coding, but also aim to be the stalwart that companies should be hounding after.

The biggest scam

Coding is an integral part of the digital world and of course, everything is done with the help of it. But that alone is not enough to incentivize parents into signing up their 5 and 6 year olds to coding classes. These ‘education’ platforms supposedly charge a hefty amount from parents just by some flashy marketing and advertising. You would’ve come across ads where a company allegedly claims that a 2nd grader bagged a 1.2-150 crore job from Google. It is definitely hard to believe(it has been proved that the claims are bogus) and at the same time, saddening that kids are now forced to enter the salary race.

Why coding isn’t the only thing in picture

child in front of laptop

The deeper unsettling fact is that parents are put up in such a situation where they feel bad for not signing up their kids. Think about what any parent would do if they hear that any child has the capability to design an app and can bag a place in top firms. They will readily sign up their kids, thinking they are going to secure their child’s life. But, what they don’t know is that, there is time. 1st grade or even 8th grade is not the age for children to learn the fundamentals of a for loop construct. It is the age where they are to learn the world, the surroundings, and their presence.

It is when languages should be given importance to. No, not programming languages, but the languages which lets them express their opinion to the world and which lets them explore the richness of their culture. It is when social and democratic sciences should be learnt, letting them know about their ancestral world.

It is also when values and ethics should be imparted into them, not by texts, but by making them experience it in a situation where it is put into test. While there is so much to learn about, forcing them to create a video game application not only burdens them with unnecessary information, but it also limits their creativity by directing it into one field only.

A note to parents

One thing parents must hardwire into their mind is that, coding alone cannot land you a job in Google or Microsoft. It is just another tool to put an idea into implementation. By introducing kids to coding at an early age, the ‘idea’ part gets subdued. There is no particular age to start coding. It is a gradual process.

We may not be aware, but every individual is already coding, no matter their knowledge in computer science. The literal meaning of coding is: to use a particular system for identifying things. As kids, as adults we already incorporate it in daily life when a kid arranges his play blocks in a certain manner or when adults have a particular system of doing their chores.

creativity
Let children explore their creativity. Source: Deposit Photos

Hence everyone can code if they have the interest to do so. The reason kids shouldn’t be obliged to learn coding at an early age is to allow them to have the time to identify their interests. So as parents, the least you can do is by providing them that right. The right to choose things that delight them. The right to choose it for themselves instead of pushing it down their throats at an age where they don’t even recognize it. Do not let falsified ads ruin childhood. Let them decide for themselves who they want to be. Until then, enjoy their transition. Because they are going to be kids only once.

You have a lifetime to work. But children are only young once.

My fellow murder mystery junkie, I’ve got your alibi!

Experiences are always fun to talk about, right? Let’s do a quick refreshing. Adventure, gut-wrenching, adrenaline gush. Try to map these three words to a single entity. Your mind, involuntarily would picture the obvious risk driven bungee jumping or skiing or other such outdoor activities. What if I told you, all I can picture is a cozy couch and a cup of steaming coffee? This sounds calm, not dangerous, you may think. But beware, a good murder mystery or a thriller book clutched within your hold, can shake the living hell out of you!

What happens physically when reading a murder mystery?

Without moving an ounce of your flesh, you get to experience a whirl wind of emotions. Reading a thriller book gives you the best experience. These sort of books give us a unique sensation that books of other genres can never do. They are all packed with suspense, waiting to burst within the hands that  pick them. Let me explain you what happens when you reach the core of a thriller book:

The back of our throat wanting to fill with bile, our stomach flutters, lungs struggle to get more air, our heart racing at a tremendous 120 km/hr. speed. Amidst all this, our brain trying to declutter the plethora of meaning underlying in a single sentence while at the same time, convincing our body that we our still positioned at our room’s couch, not on a wild goose chase of a psychopath of our imaginative, yet so realistic world.

Huh, I am gasping for air for just typing this out!

In addition to the chaos and turmoil bubbling inside, we can actually feel our hands go numb and our spine getting chilled. Its absolute wonder that a mere combination of 26 alphabets of a language can give you such trills. It is an amalgamation of so many things: excitement, terror, horror and what not?

Sonder

Apart from the train of random feelings, and a rollercoaster of emotions, these books actually provide a deep unfathomable impact and realization of the complexity of life. There exists a beautiful word in English for explaining this feeling and from the moment I heard it, I fell in love with it. Sonder.

sonder meaning
Sonder: Meaning

 

Movie or book?

Many a times, you may argue that a movie adaptation of a thriller book can give you the same experience. Let me tell you, you will miss one major escapade which can be experienced only by reading books, and not visually seeing a movie adaptation of the same.

When we see a movie, we do not give our brain enough time to contemplate what is going on. We adapt to the perspective of the director instead of developing our own. But when reading about the vivid description of a place, or about the character build, our brain gives life to the book. It tries to imagine the place, gives a face to the character and adsorbs the essence of the scene. This virtualization becomes impossible when we watch a movie as that work is already being done for us.

The good and evil within
Good and Evil
Good and Evil

Thriller books and murder mystery books keep us guessing about the suspects and without our knowledge, our mind penetrates into the mindsets of both the protagonist and into that of the villain. This introduces us into the duality of the human mind. We astonishingly try to relate with the good and the bad simultaneously. We try to seek justice for the light and the dark, putting us in a unique juxtaposition.

We are like water, taking the form of whatever we are poured into. It is up to us to stay true to who we are and lead our life absorbing the positive vibes only. So apart from the unique experience, thriller books also convey a beautiful truth about life, good needs evil to survive. Without mistrust, you will not grasp onto faith. Without rain, you will not appreciate the sun. So put your faith in the right things, lead your life with happiness. My dear fellow crime junkie, I’ve got your alibi (Wink).

Good and bad is not black and white but a million shades of grey.

 

 

Consumer culture and the environment

In our post-industrialization society, we are heavily dependant on mass production. But at what cost? Technological and scientific advancements have enabled our current use-and-throw lifestyle.

Consumer Culture - WikipediaIn contrast to this, during the war years people were strongly encouraged to “make do and mend”- the early reuse, reduce recycle if you will. Since most of the supplies were being directed towards the war frontiers, civilians were forced to adapt to a minimalistic lifestyle.

This isn’t to say that in order to have an eco-friendly lifestyle, one must live as if in a political crisis It is just to point out that there is scope for conservation in our everyday lives.

On the topic of fast fashion, it is an inescapable one. Not only do they cause severe environmental damage, but they also do not boast of the most ethical labor culture. Factory workers tend to be overworked, exploited, and underpaid. The worst part, we consumers unknowingly enable them.

Modern advertising culture has made it seem as if we are incomplete without a certain product. This feeling of inadequacy is what drives sales. Another ugly by-product of this is big-box sales on holidays, promoting the purchase of large quantities of things, irrespective of whether or not they are needed.

After all, true evidence of one’s love for someone is the unnecessary purchases we make for them, isn’t it?

ALL ABOUT HINDU MARRIAGE IN BRIEF

How to explain 'The Hindu Marriage act 1955' to common citizen in comprehensive way - Quora

 

Introduction

According to Hindu Law, Marriage is a sacrament or a religious ceremony that creates a relation between two families. It is a sacred tie between husband and wife which can not be broken. It is believed that Marriage is the purest form of bond which is for seven lives that is birth to birth. According to Vedas, a man is considered incomplete until he gets married. It is the last tenth sacrament.

Who are Hindus?

A person who :

  • Is a Hindu by religion in any of its forms.
  • Is born from Hindu parents.
  • Is a Buddhist, Jain, Sikh by religion.
  • Is not Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jews and are not governed under Hindu Law.
  • Hindus by Conversion or Reconversion.

Conditions for a Hindu Marriage :

Section 5 of the Hindu Marriage Act,1955 lays down the following conditions for a valid Hindu Marriage :

i) neither party has the spouse living at the time of the marriage;

ii) at the time of the marriage, neither party-

  • is incapable of giving a valid consent to it in consequence of unsoundness of mind; or
  • though capable of giving valid consent, has been suffering from mental disorder of such a kind or to such an extent as to be unfit for marriage and the procreation of children; or
  • has been subject to recurrent attacks of insanity

iii) the bridegroom has completed the age of twenty-one years and the bride the age of eighteen years at the time of marriage;

iv) the parties are not within the degrees of prohibited relationship unless the custom or usage governing each of them permits of a marriage between the two;

v) the parties are not sapindas of each other unless the custom or usage governing each of them permits marriage between the two.

Ceremonies for a Hindu Marriage :

  • Marriage must be performed by the customary rites and ceremonies of either party thereto and where such ceremonies include the taking of seven steps by the bridegroom and the bride jointly before the sacred fire, the marriage becomes complete and binding when the seventh step is taken.

 

Registration of Marriage : As per section 8 of the act, provisions have been made to register the marriage under the act.

 

 

Types of Marriage :

i) Valid Marriage: if the marriage has been performed in followance of the essentials or conditions provided then it will be a perfectly valid marriage and is binding on the parties to it.

ii) Void Marriage: marriage shall be null and void and have no legal effect in the following cases if-

  •  either party has a spouse living at the time of the Marriage; or
  •  the marriage has been performed within the degrees of prohibited relationship unless the custom or usage governing each of them permits a marriage; or
  • the parties to a marriage are sapindas off each other unless the custom or usage permits it.

Marriage can be declared as void on the petition of either of the party to a marriage.

iii) Voidable Marriage: marriage is perfectly valid until or unless it is annulled by a decree of nullity and it can be avoided at the option of one of the parties to the marriage. Following are the grounds on which a marriage can be annulled-

a) marriage has not consummated owing to the impotence of the respondent; or

b) marriage violates clause (ii) of section 5; or

c) where the consent of the petitioner, or where the consent is given by the guardian, the consent is obtained by force or by fraud as to the nature of ceremony or as to any material fact or circumstances concerning the respondent. But this will not be a ground for annulment if-

  • the petition has been presented after one month of the cessation of force or fraud discovered; or
  • the petitioner has lived with the other party to a marriage with his or her full consent after the force has ceased or fraud has discovered.

d) the respondent was pregnant by another person at the time of marriage. But this ground shall not be entertained unless the court is satisfied that-

  • the petitioner was ignorant of this fact at the time of marriage;
  • proceedings have been instituted in the case of a marriage solemnized before the commencement of this act within one year of such commitment and in the case of marriages solemnised after commencement within one year from the date of such marriage; and
  • the marital intercourse with the consent of the petitioner has not taken place since the discovery by the petitioner of the existence of the said ground.

Punishments for contravention of conditions for Hindu marriage :

  •  any marriage between two Hindus solemnized after the commencement of the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 is void if at the date of such marriage either party had a  husband or wife living, and the provisions of section 494 and 495 of the IPC shall apply accordingly. This is a punishment for bigamy.
  • if there is a contravention of the condition of the age of marriage then will be punished with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to two years or with a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or with both
  •  in the case of a contravention of the condition of sapinda relationship or prohibited degree then the punishment will be simple imprisonment which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both. 

 

Conclusion 

After the commencement of the Hindu Marriage Act,1955 every marriage between the two adult Hindus should be performed in accordance with the rules and regulations made under the act for this purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On peace process, US NSA speaks with Afghan counterpart

The White House said that the discussion on peace process among other issues was held on May 26, 2021 by The United States National security Advisor Jake Sullivan to his Afghan counterpart Hamdulillah Mohib.
Mr. Jake Sullivan made a prominence that the United States will endure enormously engaged with the Afghanistan government and the US troops of Afghan people should depart the country.
The spokesperson of the National security council Emily Horne said, He and Dr. Hamdulillah Mohib re asserted the remaining strength of the bilateral partnership and have committed to continue a close consultation. He gave a summary of US plans to endure security assistance as well as civilian assistance to help Afghan people and Afghan National Defense & Security forces. She also stated that the two governments agreed to continue to work closely in support of common objectives including a negotiable political settlement which ends the war in Afghanistan.
US will stand with the people of Afghan as they have seeked to achieve a durable and inclusive peace. India has been a hopeful partner for the US in Afghanistan, John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary has reported at a news conference.

WHO IS WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE was born on or about the 23rd April, 1564, at Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire. He was the son of a prosperous tradesman of the town, who a little later became its High Bailiff or Mayor. Though there is no actual record of his class , he went to the local Grammar School, an excellent institution of it’s kind, where he was taught Latin and arithmetic. While he never became a learned man, his few years at school thus gave him a sound education as far it went. Financial misfortunes presently overtook his father, and when he was about fourteen, he was taken from school that he might help the family by earning money on his own account. Of the nature of his employment, however, we know nothing. In his 19th year he married Anne Hathaway, a woman eight years his senior, the daughter of a well to do yeoman of the neighbouring village of Shottery. This marriage was hasty and ill advised and appears to have been unhappy. There children were born to him: Susannah and the twins Judith and Hamnet. Tradition says that meanwhile he fell into bad company, and that a deer- stealing escapade in the woods of Charlecote Hall obliged him to fly from home. There may or may not be the truth in this story — we cannot tell. It is certain that a few years after his marriage roughly about 1587 he left his native to seek fortune in London. At this time , the drama was gaining rapidly in popularity through the work of the University Wits. Shakespeare soon turned to the stage and became first an actor and then a playwright.

An ill natured reference to him in a pamphlet written by Greene on his deathbed, shows that in 1592 he was well known as a successful author. He remained in London upwards of twenty years after this, working hard producing on an average a couple of plays a year and growing steadily in fame and wealth. He became a shareholder in two of the leading theatres of the time , the Globe and the Black friars and purchased property in Stratford and London. but the years which brought prosperity also brought domestic sorrows. His only son died in 1596; his father in 1601 ; his younger brother Edmund , also an actor , in 1607 ; his mother in 1608 . Then between 1610 and 1612 he retired to Stratford , where he had bought a house – the largest in the town – known as New Place . His elder daughter had already (1607) married Dr. John Hall , who was later celebrated as a physician ; on February 10, 1616 , Judith became the wife of Thomas Quiney , whose father had been one of the poet’s closest friends. By this time Shakespeare’s health had broken down completely , and he died on the 23rd April of that year.

Shakespeare’s biography proves conclusively that like Chaucer , he was no dreamer , but a practical man of affairs . He reached London poor and friendless ; he left it rich and respected ; and his fortunes were the work of his own hand. Much light is thus thrown not only upon his personal character, but also upon his writings , in which great powers of creative imagination are combined with, and supported by a wonderful feeling for reality , sound commonsense , and a large and varied familiarity with the world.

An orb and Leonardo da Vinci: The Salvator Mundi Painting Solved

Leonardo da Vinci, the artist of the famous Mona Lisa and Salvator Mundi painting, is a man of mysteries. He was more than a painter. He was an avid engineer, scientist, sculptor and an architect with deep knowledge about science and astronomy. The alien theories, the striking symbolism theories and more out-of-the world speculations about his work are being debated up till now. One such puzzle is the Salvator Mundi painting

The Salvator Mundi Painting
Salvator Mundi
The Salvator Mundi painting

The Salvator Mundi painting was created by da Vinci somewhere between 1490-1500. It is the world’s most expensive painting, priced at 450 million US dollars. No, Mona Lisa isn’t the most expensive one. Deep search can tell you that. The image depicts a man, presumably Jesus Christ, holding in his hand a spherical ball like structure. Nothing mysterious about the painting as of now. Okay. So what was solved?

To understand how scientists solved the puzzle, we have to look up the problem. As I had already stated, da Vinci was a man of science and had genuine knowledge about it. It can be proved by looking at his works which deceivingly represent scientific facts. Salvator Mundi means ‘savior of the earth’. So it can be interpreted that the glass orb that Jesus is holding symbolizes the earth.

The problem behind

What is wrong about this painting is that, any 10th grader would know that a convex lens would provide an inverted, magnified, reversed image of an object placed behind it. The glass orb must act like a convex lens and thus do the same. But if you observe carefully, you can see that it appears as if those properties are defied and a clear, non-reversed image of Jesus’ hand and clothing is visible behind the glass orb.

You may argue that any painter would be ignorant of the science behind a convex lens. But Leonardo da Vinci was not ‘any painter’. He was a polymath of the High Renaissance! He has portrayed much more complex scientific principles in his work than that of a convex lens. There is no plausible way that da Vinci couldn’t have known the laws of optical physics. So why did he do that?

Solved

The puzzle was solved by computer scientists from the University of California, Irvine. The painting was 3d virtualized to study about how the various material orbs would appear under different refractive conditions. Many materials with which orbs could be designed were taken into consideration. At last it was concluded that the spherical orb was not a solid mass, instead a hollow orb. Hollow orb does not behave like a convex lens. It displays the image as it is, thus adhering with the painting. They predicted that the glass of the orb in Salvator Mundi was a fraction of an inch thick thus accounting for the quality.

Did Leonardo da Vinci actually paint it?

Many critics claim that the painting is not actually da Vinci’s. They point that da Vinci is more of a scientist to commit such trivial errors and thus proving that he did not paint it at all and that it was painted by a ‘lesser’ painter. But many say that, such a clever installation of the orb itself is a proof of authenticity. In order to think about hollow orbs and paint it during the 1500s would take immense intellect, which can only be done by the polymath himself.

Leo constellation?

 

three dots
The three dots in the glass orb
Orange iris
The orange iris of Jesus in the painting

As if the Salvator Mundi has not enough controversies, one more intriguing detail is the three dots painted in the glass orb giving it a mystical appearance. The three dots are said to represent the constellation of the sign Leo. What does it have to do anything with this painting? Well, if you observe the iris of Jesus, a faint orange glow emanates from within. The orange iris imitates Lion’s eyes. And thus the constellation, many say. Some also relate to the fact that his name Leonardo is the reason behind. However there is no concrete explanation behind.

Hope I kindled some curiosity within you today. I leave you with one of my favorite da Vinci’s quote:

To develop a complete mind:

Study the science of art;

Study the art of science.

Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.

-Leonardo da Vinci

 

 

HOW WELL ARE STUDENTS TAKING ONLINE EDUCATION?

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought many dramatic changes in our social as well as personal lives. Our routines are changed, our habits and majorly our system of education.

Source: Google

Though the work from home culture is in its second year, the schools and universities are still trying to adapt themselves to the online mode of education. The introduction to digital classes was first seen as a major setback for the aged teachers who are not gadget-friendly or prefers an interactive physical class as the sole place for good teaching.

Over the course of time, these teachers have become quite familiar with the online teachings, yet, that special gap that will always tend to loom and show the differences of physical classes over the virtual ones.

Yes, it is quite true and agreeable that digital classrooms pave the way for the education of the future when most of the world has turned online in every sphere. But, how truly does it help students, especially the pre-primary or the primary ones? They are the ones who are most dependent on the ‘touches’ of the teachers, or be in a classroom- their first step to the world beyond home, socializing with others.

Major drawbacks online education brings:

Not affordable for all families in India:

Money stands a major factor here, in India. It is not a hidden fact to us that India is home to people of different social strata and financial standing. A handful of people across the nation cannot afford schools for their children. The Hindu in 2019 reported that 30 out of 100 children complete their school. The reasons may vary but we can’t deny the reality. The monetary conditions of families can be counted as a major reason. Well, this is the calculation done before the pandemic happened. As we see many children cannot afford proper schooling, we can predict how tough would it be for them to do classes “online”.

Online education could not serve to educate a major part of India because the poor folks cannot afford a smartphone in many parts of the country- leave alone a laptop or personal computer.

Network Accessibility:

India is a country of diversities, even geographically. Thus some groups of the population tend to live in extremely remote places like forests, or foothills of the Himalayas, or deltas of the Sundarbans. Such remote villages lack basic amenities to survive like proper water supply or electricity. To make a phone call one has to travel miles. So, this leaves us with the question, how can the children attend online classes?

This makes us think, is education moving from a basic right to a privilege?

Less personal interaction:

The virtual classes, how much fun it seemed at the beginning, could not hide its one of the major drawback for long. The lack of personal touch makes us the students detached from the school/ university vibe.

Yes, we hated the monotony of attending regular classes, but can’t deny the fact the monotony, the disciplined life, the constant monitoring of our mentors helped us in our studies. Secondly, school/university isn’t only about what we learn from books, we met real people, made friends and learn to live. But, beginning a session with online classes has made this quite impossible, we are making friends, but a part of the puzzle is missing.

Practicals:

Some of the subjects of the curriculum cannot be done with the help of online classes. In schools, physics, chemistry, biology practicals, or when we move up to the higher education subjects which require the teaching of gadget handlings like cinematography, engineering, or medical field is quite difficult on the students’ part.

The strain on eyes:

Since childhood, we came across our parents warning us not to watch too much television or going close to it, as it would harm our eyes. So, 2020 brought us to the days where most of our time is being spent staring at our mobile or laptop screens, not just adults but nursery children as well. This extended screen-time is causing eye strains, headaches and sometimes migraines to many.

 

Though throughout our school and college lives, we used to brood, What if we can attend our classes staying at home and not miss the attendance( tbh after passing school, it’s the attendance we mostly care about). But now, the one year of being in a virtual class, a part of us do miss the hustle and bustle of college life. We crave being back in those classrooms, feel those benches, or plan mass bunking our classes. Yes, though being a necessity now, online classes seem to take away a major part of our student life.