Category: World

AN YEAR SINCE KOBE BID ADIEU

Today, 26th January 2021 marks the first death anniversary of Kobe Bean Bryant, the renowned basketball legend of America, widely known as ‘black mamba’. He passed away in a tragic helicopter crash that happened last year along with his 13 year old daughter Gianna Bryant and 7 others while traveling to Bryant’s Mamba Academy in  Thousand Oaks for a basketball match. Kobe’s shocking demise came early at the age of 41 leaving his wife Vanessa with his other daughters Natalia, Bianca and Capri. 

Kobe was born to former National Basketball Association (NBA)  player Joe Bryant and Pamela Cox Bryant on August 23, 1978 in Philadelphia. Kobe started playing basketball at a very young age of 3. He joined the NBA in 1997 at the age of 17 when he signed for Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the sixth player in the history of the NBA to do so. He further went on to become the youngest player ever to play in an NBA game and the youngest NBA starter. During his long career with Lakers which stretched over an outstanding 20 seasons, Kobe managed to average 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 1,346 regular season games. Throughout his NBA career, Kobe won a MVP award, played 18 all star games and won five NBA championships with the Lakers. He was a part of the gold winning basketball team which represented the USA in the Beijing and London Olympics. He announced his retirement in 2015 owing to his fading form after a prolonged career and series of injuries.

August 24 is declared to be remembered as Kobe Bryant day by the Orange County’s Board of Supervisors to commemorate his invaluable achievements and the inspiration he was to many aspiring athletes. During his NBA career Kobe wore the numbers 8 and 24, which is chosen as a date to celebrate the talent and the cultural icon he was.

IMPACT OF PORN ON MODERN SOCIETY

We are living in the 21st century where the term ‘sex’ is considered as a taboo by our society. Since sex, a very basic human necessity, has been dealt so covertly, people ended up being hesitant to talk or discuss it openly in public. Sex education was included in the school curriculum as a result of relentless demands by the liberal and freethinking blocks of the society but has ended up more like a human biology and anatomy education rather than actual sex education. This has led to the scenario of people being poorly aware of the topic even after being taught about it.

Unlike a few years ago, with the advent of modern technologies like the internet, smartphone etc, porn has become a readily accessible material to everyone, especially teenagers. The lack of proper sex education and overexposure to pornographic contents set forth a complex scenario of our young generation mistaking the fantasies portrayed in porn for real. Porn often manipulates one’s idea of an ideal partner with unrealistic expectations which eventually leaves a considerable impact on our relationships with one another. As time passes, the enticing fantasies of porn drag one into the psychological traps of darker themes such as incest, rape, racial stereotypes, child porn etc. 

Though many studies and researches are yet to be conducted on the effects of porn and porn addiction, the report from the American Psychology Association provides us with a short insight into the topic. The annual traffic statistics of popular porn websites reported that an average Indian spent around eight minutes watching porn at a stretch. Another entrancing insight is that one-third of porn viewers are women and 48% are of the age group 18-24. Many consider porn as a private and harmless way through which people can enhance their sex life and relieve tension by releasing latent sexual energy. But watching porn regularly develops addictive behaviour resulting in an unhealthy lifestyle and broken relationships. The male-centric porn culture deceives its viewers into the devious mentality of objectifying women as mere sex tools to satisfy their urges. Porn drains love, respect and intimacy off a human being when he gets addicted to it and seeks for aggressive sex they’ve been exposed all their lives through porn. Lack of interest, sexual dissatisfaction, body image issues etc are a few among the list of relationship issues caused by porn addiction.

A revamping of the sex education imparted in schools by experts along with medical professionals, school managements and parents is essential to reduce the negative impacts of porn on teenagers to an extend. In addition to biology, sex education should consider the socio-psychological factors to ensure the eradication of taboo and reticence that persists regarding the topic. Setting a clear cut distinction between fact and fiction is necessary to prevent our children from having damaging unrealistic sexual fantasies. It is a natural instinct of teenagers to explore their sexuality and have sexual curiosity. Instead of blaming them for their sexual inclination and muffling the discussions regarding sex, timely guidance is what our society should provide our teenagers with.

Porn is a multi-billion dollar industry spread across the web which makes it nearly impossible to reduce or cut off the exposure to it. It’s just like any other commercial movie industry, a definite work of fiction with actors and directors producing contents for a targeted audience. One should realize that what porn showcases are an exaggerated product which is far from reality and attempts to imitate it in real life will result in issues with confidence and self-esteem. While you might learn a thing or two from watching porn or reading a sexy book, it shouldn’t be considered an alternative to sex education. A doctor or sex therapist should be the ones to be approached to clarify your queries rather than porn sites.

GROPING WITHOUT ‘SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT’ – NOT A SEXUAL ASSAULT; SAYS BOMBAY HIGH COURT

The Bombay High Court is under negative spotlight recently following a verdict passed on a POCSO case. In the detailed copy of the judgement which has been made available lately, Justice Pushpa Ganediwala of the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has said that ‘skin to skin contact with sexual intent without penetration is necessary for the act to be considered as a sexual assault’. The ruling also said that ‘mere groping’ will not fall under sexual assault.

A complaint regarding the pursuant events was filed by the victim’s mother on 14th December 2016 at Gittikhadan Police Station in Nagpur. The complaint registered at the station is that “on the pretext of giving her [the minor] a guava in his house, Satish Ragde pressed her breast and attempted to remove her salwar.” The girl was found crying while the mother rescued her. She complained that the man attempted to silence her when she started to cry while disrobing.

The accused was charged with Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty); 363 (punishment for kidnapping); 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement) of the IPC; and Section 8 (punishment for sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) by the police in the FIR. During the hearing, the special court added Section 361 (kidnapping from lawful guardianship) to the aforementioned charges. The accused was found guilty by the special court and was sentenced for 3 years of imprisonment with a fine of Rs.1500 in total. 

In pursuit of the appeal filed by Ragde at the High Court of Bombay, challenging the verdict passed by the special court, Justice Pushpa Ganediwala has acquitted him of Section 8 of the POCSO charges. The Court convicted him for minor charges of IPC, thereby cutting down his three years of imprisonment to one year. 

According to Section 8 of POSCO, ‘Whoever, with sexual intent touches the vagina, penis, anus or breast of the child or makes the child touch the vagina, penis, anus or breast of such person or any other person, or does any other act with sexual intent which involves physical contact without penetration is said to commit sexual assault.’ The High Court ruled out the POSCO charges by saying, “Considering the stringent nature of punishment provided for the offence, in the opinion of the court, stricter proof and serious allegations are required. The act of pressing of the breast of the child aged 12 years, in the absence of any specific detail as to whether the top was removed or whether he inserted his hand inside the top and pressed her breast, would not fall in the definition of sexual assault.”

This shocking verdict on sexual assault towards women and children has led to outrage across the country. The judicial system is turning a blind eye against its paramount concern of protecting its citizens through this judgement.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF MARITAL RAPES IN INDIA

Marital rape is the act of indulging in sexual intercourse without proper consent of the partner. People often mistake marital rape as an act of domestic violence or sexual abuse, although a lack of consent is enough in itself.  The right for sexual intercourse within the marriage was considered as a naturally consigned right of the spouse, historically. Many countries around the world have rightly classified non-consensual sexual intercourse as “rape”, yet countries including India regard this intimate assault a perfectly legal crime.

Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code propounds rape as all forms of sexual assault involving non-consensual intercourse with a woman. Yet the Exception 2 to Section 375 absolves the unwilling sexual intercourse between a husband and a wife over fifteen years of age from Section 375’s definition of “rape”. Thus the atrocities and abuses within the sacredness and sacrosanctity of marriage are legalized by the government under this section. This is a clear case of discrimination against female victims by the Indian criminal laws, just because they have been raped by their own husbands.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) reports, an average Indian woman is 17 times more likely to be subjected to sexual violence from her own husband than others. Such heinous acts go unreported due to the ineffectiveness of the existing laws. Though India is striving hard to empower its female population, it fails to ensure their safety even in the very basic social structure like family. The patriarchal social structure of India is the fundamental reason for the mortifying status of women in Indian society and the persisting ineffectiveness of laws protecting them.

NGOs for the empowerment of women and Constitutional experts are of the opinion that the Exception 2 to Section 375 is a clear violation of Article 14 and Article 21 and insists that its high time India criminalize marital rape and frame new laws for protecting women from intramarital violence. The equality and liberty rights assured for all citizens in Article 14  and Article 21 of the constitution are denied in exception 2 to section 375. Even the UN General Committee has recommended the Indian government to criminalize marital rape back in 2013. A large part of the British influenced Indian laws which need timely amendments remains untouched for the past 73 years since independence. No Indian government has, however, so far shown an active interest in remedying this problem. As a result, many of such primitive practices still exist in our society. 

INFERTILITY AND THE IMPACT OF GADGETS

We live in a century where technology and gadgets are closely knitted to our everyday life and it is hard for us to imagine that the generations before our’s existed with near to zero exposure to the kind of technologies we have today. With the introduction of modern technologies, a significant change in the basic routine of people’s lives is clearly visible. Though these technologies are meant to make life easier and better, they do come with several drawbacks as well. Many aspects of the modern lifestyle have severe impacts upon our health both mentally as well as physically. 

While new technologies are introduced every day, simultaneous attempts are made by the researchers to understand its various health impacts. Of all the identified threats caused by the excessive use of technology, especially electronic gadgets, infertility stays high in the order followed by cancer, poor mental being etc. People often overlook the health consequences and carry these gadgets most of the time because of the convenience it provides. Many have a habit of scrolling through their phones right before they go to sleep. Apart from sleep deprivation, studies have revealed that this habit can cause far more shocking repercussions like reproductive disorders in both males and females.

According to studies, the electromagnetic radiations are transferred directly to the reproductive organs when cell phones are kept in trouser pockets for a longer period. Evening or late-night exposure to short-wavelength light(SWL) emitted from electronic gadgets and digital media devices can result in poor sperm quality, reducing sperm motility, sperm progressive motility and sperm concentration. The long-term exposure and its proximity affect the ovarian activity in women leading to infertility. The radiation from mobile phones affects one’s DNA destroying our cell’s natural ability to recover and might result in abortions.

Abstinence from electronic gadgets is not practical but their excessive use must be reduced. The people suffering from fertility issues must consider reducing the use of electronic gadgets. Cutting down the screen time helps one to avoid health consequences like sleep deprivation, fatigue, headache caused by the overexposure to digital gadgets. Pregnant women should limit their exposure to cell phones as it is known to affect the growth of the fetus. Exposure to EMF radiation / RF from laptops, cell phones, Wi-Fi and other personal devices are known to be key detriments to the mental health of a child in its pre-term and neonatal days.

Modern technologies and gadgets are invented to reduce physical efforts and make life easier and better for. The introduction of new technologies every day is revolutionising our world and lifestyle. But the comforts provided by these technologies should never be the ground for us to move away from our basic instincts. Exploiting these technologies without its proper and limited usage will be similar to digging our own grave.

KERALA’S BIGGEST SOLAR FLOATING POWER PLANTS COMMISSIONED AT COCHIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Cochin International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Kerala which handles about 10 million passenger movements in and out the state annually, is located at Nedumbassery in the outskirts of Cochin city. With the inauguration of a dedicated solar plant in 2015, Cochin International airport won the title of world’s first fully solar-powered airport. The CIAL solar power project comprises 92,150 solar panels laid across 94 acres, generating 100,000 units of electricity on a daily basis. The airport authority has been honoured with the Champion of Earth award by the United Nations in 2018 for their excellence in the large-scale introduction of sustainable energy sources.

On 17th January 2021, CIAL crossed yet another glorious milestone with the commission of one of the biggest floating solar power plants in Kerala. The cost-effective high-density polyethylene floats, using most modern French technology, are laid over two artificial lakes in the CIAL golf course. The floats consist of 1300 photovoltaic cells and have a capacity of 452 KWh helping the airport to produce around 1.60 lakh units of power a day as against its daily consumption stands around 1.30 lakh units, the authorities said.

CIAL sets an example of Total Sustainability Management by treating the sewage water for water harvesting in its golf course with the help of 12 artificial lakes. The water from these lakes was earlier used for irrigating the lawns but now with the installation of these floating solar panels, they have taken another step forward in sustainable and environment friendly resource management.

The Managing Director of CIAL, Mr V J Kurian said, “The pre-commissioning trials showed that these panels which cost around Rs 2 crore to the company are producing power with maximum output efficiency among the eight solar power plants installed by CIAL at various locations in the airport premises. CIAL has been reinventing itself since its formative days. One of our innovations which proved that relying upon green energy is possible even for the high energy consumers like an airport has won us the champions of the earth award instituted by the United Nations. We are committed to the protection of nature and trying our best to reduce carbon footprints.” 

The installation of floating solar panels are usually very expensive when compared to the ground-mounted and rooftop ones. CIAL was able to overcome these limitations and bring down the cost using the novel technology as the  French company CIEL TERRA provided technical assistance. The solar panels are also connected to the KSEB power grid which helps them to bank the excess energy produced.

TRUMP IMPEACHED; TRIAL TO START ON 20TH

For the second time, The United States President Donald Trump was impeached for “incitement of insurrection” by the House of Congress on 13th January 2021. President Trump was impeached for the first time last year on 18th December 2019, charged with “abuse of power and obstruction of congress”. However, in Feb 2020, the Senate voted to keep Donald Trump in office. Donald Trump became the first President in the history of The United States to be impeached twice.

The impeachment of Trump was carried out as an after effect of the Capitol Hill riot. On 5th and 6th of January 2020, the Trump supporters gathered at Washington D.C, supporting Trump’s false claim that the 2020 election had been “stolen” from him. The crowd was demanding the Congress to reject Joe Biden’s victory. In the morning of 6th January, Trump summoned the protestors to march to Capitol Hill and told them to “fight like hell to take back our country”. After marching to the Capitol and surmounting police barricades, the protesters became violent and broke into the building which ended up in total commotion. Five people including a police officer lost their lives and many were severely injured in the events. Trump denied the guards to control the riot initially but was forced to disperse the crowd and establish order thereafter.

Trump’s impassioned speech at the rally which exasperated the mob to stand against the federal establishment is the provenance of the impeachment charge against him by the House of Representatives. The power to hold a trial and further conviction rights resides with the US Senate, the upper chamber of the Federal system of US Government. A two-third majority of the Senate is necessary for the conviction of Trump through which the Democrats would be able to bar him from running for the President seat in future.

Trump’s trial by the Senate could start by January 20th, the day Joe Biden will be taking charge as the 46th President of the United States.  All eyes are on the capital city as it will be witnessing events which have never occurred in the history of the US.

RESEARCHES REVEALS POTENTIAL COLLAPSE OF MARINE ECOSYSTEM BY 2050

Marine Biodiversity is a complex biological organization consisting of diverse levels of genes, species and other elements that forms a highly convoluted ecosystem having its own structural and functional  attributes. Since these elements contribute to form a larger structure, even a slight disturbance caused to one of its integrands can have a tremendous impact on the system as a whole. Analysis of local experiments, long term regional time series and global fisheries data over the past few decades have revealed an alarming rate of marine biodiversity depletion due to overfishing, pollution and global warming.

It is estimated that within 50 years from now, a major source of wild seafood will face a collapse; i.e., a 90 percent depletion of the species’ baseline abundance. The extensive depletion of the marine ecosystem and its biodiversity happening across the globe will affect the production of seafood, resistance to diseases, filtering of pollutants etc, resulting in the decline of their productivity and stability. According to marine ecologist Palumbi, the ocean is a great recycler which takes sewage and recycles it into nutrients. But to provide these services, he added, the ocean needs all of its working parts—the millions of plant and animal species that inhabit the sea. With the loss of marine species’, human lives will also be affected by notable consequences as the chances of disease outbreaks, noxious algal blooms, and the presence of invasive species will get higher. 

Each species bears a lot of significance in an interlinked ecosystem which points to the need  of preserving the marine ecosystem altogether rather than continuing with single species management. This century might encounter the end of wild seafood unless we fundamentally change the way we manage all the ocean species together as working ecosystems. Researchers still believe that this situation can be turned around; though only one percent of the ocean is effectively protected now. Measures like integrated fisheries management, pollution control, maintenance of essential habitats and creation of marine reserves can help in stabilising and improving the quality of marine ecosystems. Though a rapid recovery is not possible, in many cases the species resurged more quickly than anticipated. 

Climate change and oceanic resource depletion is real and it’s high time for us to undertake actions to prevent the marine biodiversity loss that would have a serious impact not only on humans but also the entire  biome.

KOCHI TO GET AN INFRASTRUCTURAL FACELIFT IN 2021

The year 2021 will be witnessing a grandiose infrastructural facelift of Kochi, the stupendous port city of Kerala. Kochi has undergone a massive transformation during the past decade, with the launch of Cochin International Airport, Cochin Shipyard, Infopark, Kochi Metro etc which has uplifted it from a tiny port city to a metropolitan urban city we see today. Enormous investment in the construction and expansion of roads and bridges has increased the pace of life in the city. 

With the inauguration of the Vytilla and Kundannor flyovers, the two major projects which Kochi has been anticipating for a long time; the city has kickstarted its infrastructural facelift of 2021. The Vytilla Kundanoor flyovers built under the supervision of  Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) are expected to reduce the traffic congestion at the busiest junctions of the city. With the completion of the Palarivattom flyover by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in the coming months, commutation through and within the city will become facile.

The first phase of Kochi Water Metro, a project introduced as an alternative public transport system to reduce traffic congestion within the city with minimal pollution is expected to be completed by mid-2021 under the supervision of Kochi Metro Rail Limited. Kochi will become the first city in the country to have an integrated road, metro rail and water transport system under one roof with the launch of this project. The Phase I extension of the Kochi Metro to Tripunithura is expected to be completed this year. 

Efforts to resolve the waterlogging and flooding in Kochi during monsoon season as a follow up to Operation Breakthrough is said to begin in March 2021. Several innovative projects such as rooftop solar panel projects and Intelligent Traffic Management System have been rolled out by Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CMRL). A walkway development project, an open-air theatre and renovation of Dutch Palace premises in the Fort Kochi area will also be carried out this year.

The Ernakulam Medical College Hospital was transformed earlier this year into a state-of-the-art healthcare hub that the state can be proud of. The commissioning of the GAIL pipeline in January by the Prime Minister marked a historical achievement as the city and the government had to tackle numerous hard knocks to make the project a reality. With the launch of numerous infrastructural and economically uplifting projects, Kochi is expected to become one of the leading metropolitan cities in the coming decade.

DISEASE X: DEADLIER THAN CORONA

Life has been unreal for everyone around the globe during the past one-year accounting to the outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic. The world is on its path to recovery from the pandemic which has utterly upturned our lives. Though new strains of the virus have emerged in the UK and other parts of the world, life was almost getting back to normal with the invention of COVID 19 vaccines. However, the end of coronavirus may not be an end to the pandemic outbreaks as WHO has revealed the discovery of a new deadly virus which might be as deadly as Ebola and as contagious as Corona. The World Health Organization (WHO) has named the new virus “Disease X”, where “X” stands for unexpected. The presence of the virus is hypothetical for now but an outbreak that scientists and public health experts fear could lead to serious disease around the world if and when it occurs.

Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum, the scientist who discovered the African Ebola virus admonished that ‘Disease X’ could be more fatal and rapidly spreading. Scientists have found out that this new virus has originated in the tropical rain forests of Africa. “If a pathogen emerged from Africa it would take time to spread all over the world. So, if this virus is detected early — like in my institution here — there will be an opportunity for Europe [and the rest of the world] to develop new strategies to fight these new pathogens,” said Muyembe. 

Disease X was added earlier to the priority list by the World Health Organization to stimulate research and precautions regarding the possible outbreak. “Disease X represents the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease,” WHO said. With the outburst of COVID 19 pandemic, all countries are prudent upon their health care sector. In addition to this, WHO has raised an alert around the globe to strengthen the primary health care provisions in every country to prevent, detect and mitigate emergencies.

WHY MENSTRUAL CUPS ARE A NEED OF THE DAY?

Menstruation is one of the most natural and healthy affairs of a woman’s life. Though we live in a modern society, menstruation is still considered as a taboo and menstrual hygiene is of great concern. Majority of the women have been depending on menstrual products like sanitary pads, tampons etc for decades without knowing the health hazards behind their use. 

Sanitary napkin is one of the most widely used feminine hygiene products due to its convenience in usage and availability at an affordable cost. This ‘easy to use’ product is not only a potential threat to the environment but also causes severe health problems. These sanitary pads are made up of 90 per cent plastic that is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable which makes it difficult to be disposed of. The chemicals that are added for increasing absorption and reducing the odour can cause significant impacts on one’s health. Over time, the BPA present in the sanitary napkins and tampons along with other chemicals can enter one’s body and increase the risk of cancer in reproductive organs. The deodorants and fragrances directly enter the bloodstream and interfere with the embryonic development thus affecting one’s fertility.

Tampons are equally or more dangerous than sanitary napkins. The strings and applicators of tampons are made from polyethylene and polypropylene which makes them non-biodegradable. Studies have shown that longtime use of highly absorbent tampons can cause bacterial infections leading to fatal conditions like toxic shock syndrome. The disposal of the sanitary wastes is a big crisis as an average person who menstruates throws away up to 200 kg of menstrual products in their lifetime and they end up in landfills, on beaches or polluting our oceans for decades.

Menstrual cups come as an alternative for various problems generated by sanitary napkins and tampons. Unlike other products which absorb the menstrual blood, menstrual cups instead collect the discharge. They are made of medical-grade silicone or rubber which makes them easy to clean and durable for more than 5 years. This reusability of the menstrual cup itself is its major advantage which enables it to be cost beneficiary and eco-friendly. The proper use of a menstrual cup can reduce the chances of period hassles, rashes, skin infections and allows more physical movements without leakage. It can collect almost double the amount of blood than any other method making it more convenient to be used while travelling. Menstrual cups are getting more popular in western countries accounting its reusability and comfort. Proper practice and maintenance of hygiene can reduce the chances of risk caused by menstrual cups. The benefits of menstrual cups over other products makes it clear that they are a sustainable alternative barring certain drawbacks.

PRESENCE OF MICROPLASTICS IN ENVIRONMENT; A RISING CONCERN

Microplastics have become one of the greatest threats to the entire planet. Their presence has been identified from arctic snow to alpine soil in the deepest trenches of oceans. Scientists are yet to find out the impacts of microplastics in the human body but have recognized their intake by people both directly and indirectly through the food they have, the water they drink and the air they breathe.

Instead of biodegradation, plastic undergoes physical breakdown resulting in the formation of particles smaller than 5mm in size known as microplastics and particles having a diameter less than 0.001mm known as nanoplastics. Microplastics are usually discarded while washing synthetic clothes, vehicle tyres and emissions of plastic pellets from industries.

The existence of microplastics in the marine sediments and bottom-living creatures of the sea is a serious indication of the potential environmental hazards due to pollution. Once ingested by small creatures, the microplastics move through the food chain affecting the entire biodiversity and the exposure of wildlife to tiny particles of plastics can lead to infertility, inflammation, cancer etc. Studies on marine animals have reported an increasingly alarming rate of microplastics in every one of 50 marine mammals washed up on the shores. They have also been found in insects and birds. Apart from the identified health impacts on animals and marine life, very little is known about its health effects on humans.

The omnipresence of plastic in our environment is equally treacherous to humans even though its consequences are yet to be identified. Analysis of bottled drinking water across the globe conducted by WHO in 2018 has detected the potential risks of microplastic in 90% of the world’s most popular bottled water brands.

The studies conducted by WWF in 2019 shows that the average human eats around 2000 microplastics weakly and 90% of rainwater samples collected from various regions contain a considerable amount of microplastic in it. 

Reports on recent research conducted on deceased human organs have discovered the traces of numerous types of plastic in almost all major organs including kidney, lungs, liver etc and it also suggests that microplastics can persist in the human body. These harmful chemicals in plastic materials can cause adverse health imbalances including cancer, birth defects, developmental and reproductive issues, endocrine disruption, and compromised immunity.

The most shocking fact is that the microplastics have made their way into the human body, even in the placenta of several unborn children. Long term health hazards caused by extremely small particles of plastic in the placenta of the babies and their mothers is a serious concern. These particles are likely to have been consumed or breathed in by mothers that could carry chemicals that may upset the foetus’s developing immune system.

The inventions humans have made through the overexploitation of nature without taking the harmful effects into consideration now seems to bite back at them one by one as the maker of plastic seems to be made of plastic. It’s high time for us to respect nature and live within its bounds.

Dr E SREEDHARAN: THE MAN WHO ADDED WHEELS TO INDIA’S METRO DREAMS

Dr Elattuvalapil Sreedharan, popularly known as the “Metro Man”, is primarily credited for changing the face of public transportation in India through his leadership in building Konkan Railway, designed and built in a record time of eight years and Delhi Metro, the largest and busiest metro in India, when he served as its managing director between 1995 and 2012. He is well known for his exceptional leadership qualities and unwavering determination in shouldering arduous responsibilities. During the national railway strike by about 1.7 million workers in 1974 which spanned over 20 days, he was resolute to work on the Metro rail network in Calcutta without a halt. The construction of Konkan Railway headed by Sreedharan was the only project in India which managed to overcome all the adversities faced during the first Gulf War while many countries around the globe including India suffered excessive fuel shortage. These incidents stand out as a testimony for his clairvoyant and exhilarating personality.

Dr E Sreedharan was born on 12th  June 1932, in Palakkad district of Kerala. He completed his primary education and college from Kerala before moving to Andhra Pradesh from where he had his education of Civil Engineering from Government Engineering College in Kakinada. After completing his education, he joined the Government Polytechnic in Kozhikode where he taught Civil Engineering subjects. He passed the Indian Engineering Service (IES) examination in 1953 while working as a trainee in Bombay Port Trust and was further appointed as the Probationary Assistant Engineer in Southern Railways in 1954. 

Dr E. Sreedharan played a key role in bringing a revolution in the country as a metro. Country’s first Metro project, Kolkata Metro was entrusted to him and its foundations were laid in 1970. Cochin Shipyard got rejuvenated under his guidance and several projects which were hanging for a long time gained momentum. The construction of Konkan Railway, the biggest railway construction endeavour in independent India was carried out under the watchful eyes of Dr Sreedharan. Its construction effectively connected the southwestern coast of India with the rest of the country in a point-to-point straight line. The Delhi Metro Rail Project is another example of architectural marvel constructed under his excellency connecting Delhi and its satellite cities of Faridabad, Gurgaon etc. Being the chief advisor of major metro rail projects of Kochi, Lucknow and Jaipur, he is also associated with numerous metro rail projects across the country. The latest endeavour Dr Sreedharan has undertaken is the reconstruction of Palarivattom flyover in Ernakulam district of Kerala, which he promised to construct within 8 months using the leftover budget of other four bridges constructed by Kochi Metro Rail Corporation. The government of Kerala doesn’t need to spend a penny on the bridge’s reconstruction.
Dr E. Sreedharan, a man so dedicated to his cause and service was honoured with Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan by the country for his exceptional and unfathomable services. He was also awarded Chevalier légion d’honneur by the French government in 2005.

MARADONA: THE ARGENTINE BORN NEAPOLITAN

The world was in absolute shock and the Neapolitans couldn’t believe their senses when the world’s most expensive player moved to one of the world’s poorest cities and led the team which have never won a Serie A title to two Scudetti and a UEFA cup. The signing of Maradona itself was a huge reason for the people of Naples to celebrate but when he won them the titles they could’ve never imagined of, that’s the moment when the Argentine boy Diego Maradona became Santo Diego for them. With the streets of Naples painted in blue with flags and ribbons and chants hailing Diego pulsating everywhere, it took months for Neapolitans to fall back to their senses and accept that they have become the champions of Italy. And for one last time, Neapolitans were out on 25th November 2020, wearing the blue colour, carrying Diego’s photos and chanting his name through the streets of Naples, as their Saint, the greatest of all-time bid adieu to the mortal world.

Debates on Maradona’s might as a player and a person shall go on forever but for the city of Naples and its people, Maradona is so much more than just the greatest football player of all time. He will remain a godly figure, a ray of hope, an emotion that led them through their darkest times. He had the courage, conscience, and resilience to take football beyond the pitch and elevate it to a political act embarking millions of hearts with a sense of hope and feeling of redemption. 

From the slums of Buenos Aires to attaining the stature of a demigod for millions of Argentines and Neapolitans, Maradona was all a footballer could ever imagine of becoming. He has etched his name in golden scripts in the history of world football and the people of Naples, Argentina and football lovers across the globe through his charisma, leadership qualities and love for the game. Maradona might be flawed as a person but as a player, no one can ever reach the greatness he has achieved with a ball at his feet. He had qualities which no other footballing personalities can never boast about. He wasn’t a player but a politician who rebelled against the atrocities against the people. Football was just a medium for him. Diego’s might is beyond football and the politics of nations. Wherever he’s played, no one could ever own the player in Maradona. He was never a player for a particular club or country but the people, he represented them as one among them. That is the sole reason why the people of Napoli still celebrates Diego, decades after his departure, not as a person or a player but as Santo Diego, the Saint send by God to save them from all the atrocities. For Neapolitans, Maradona stays eternal, he’s the patron saint of Naples and champion of the people. And they celebrate him now and forever by singing,

‘OH, MAMMA, MAMMA, MAMMA, DO YOU KNOW WHY MY HEART BEATS?

‘I’VE SEEN MARADONA, I’VE SEEN MARADONA, AND MAMMA, I’M IN LOVE.’

Will soon get the corona vaccine.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to three different pharma plants to take stock of the Coronavirus Inn being built in the country. In which Zayeds Cadella of Ahmedabad, Serum Institute of Pune, Bharat Biotech of Hyderabad visited and reviewed the corona vaccine.


Zahids Kedela (Ahmedabad) – The vaccine produced here is completely indigenous. The company’s chairman Pankaj Patel said that, our target is to complete the trial by March 2021.

Bharat Biotech (Hyderabad) – The vaccine produced here is completely indigenous. A third trial of the vaccine is underway. The vaccine produced here is 60% effective.

Serum Institute (Pune) – Serum Institute is the most looked after in India. Because this vaccine is in the final stage and is effective from 70% to 90%. With that, the company has made a vaccine by with Oxford. The CEO of Serum Institute said that, our first goal is to give vaccine to India and then to other country. The company is going to produce 40 crore doses by June – July.