How do plants do sex?

Most of the plants what we see around are called by botanists as angiosperms. That means the plants in which tiny baby plants or seeds are surrounded by soft and tasty fruit pulp and protective fruit coat. Whether these seeds are formed by themselves or any great mechanisms lies behind it, is the inquisitive question. Yes, that's through sexual reproduction.

We all know that production of babies resembling that of their parents is called reproduction. Could we call production of vehicles as reproduction. No, why because the structure of vehicles is different from that of the factory that produces them! Then what's meant by sex? This's another question!  Sex means being distinguished into male and female beings due to distinctive reproductive features. Just like human beings and other animals plants too exist as male plants and female plants,  or as a single plant with both male and female flowers, or as a single flower with male and female organs. Anyhow union of a male cell with a female cell is compulsory to be called as sexual reproduction.  

Animals and human beings can move from one place to the other to do mating with their opposite sex or to fulfil the need for perpetuation of their species. But plants have their own limitations. That means they can't move from one place to the other. But nature has the sense of "live and let live" principle.

To make possible the process of mating between plants or their beautiful flowers mediators like insects, snails, snakes, birds, bats and other animals and even  elephants are always there! These kind companions which have learnt the art of living are called pollinators. Another question is, "Why are these agents called pollinators?" The answer is due to their assistance in pollination. 

Then, what's meant by pollination? Pollination means transfer of pollen from anthers to stigma. It's just like introduction of sperms into the womb of the female in case of animals.  Here anthers are male parts of the plant that produce and release male cells packed inside a tightly packed micro balls called the pollen. At the time of maturiy the pollen from males has to reach the stigma of the females. This process is made possible by wind breeze, cool water or living creatures. Stigma is the reception counter of the female organ where male cells are let to go deep into the ovary to unite with their female counterparts. 

Wow! What the great mechanism in the plant world? So much process takes place without any song, music, dance, indecency and obscenity. No need of any video clip, sex ads or violence. That's why the nature is so beautiful, great, peaceful and ever appealing!

One More Independence Day, Please!

Swaraj was tenth passed but doing farming along with her wife Asha. He had a daughter named Bhavishya. He had some land sufficient enough to house a small mud shack and open space bordered by a number of trees like a curry-leaf tree, a drumstick tree, a guava tree, a jamun tree, a mango tree, a tamarind tree, a small patch of plantains and a plot for kitchen garden. The tree cover was a blessing not only for fowls, a pair of goats and a cow but also for his only girl-child to play and swing under. It was a self-sustainable home  with a plenty of paddy, millets, pulses, milk, eggs, chicken, fresh fruits and vegetables.  But no doubt a poor underdeveloped family.

One summer his brother Sevak came to the village  along with his family as usual. But this time with a great offer for Swaraj! Sevak said, "How long you live this poor life?" Swaraj couldn't understand. He continued,  "Your child is growing up, at least for her sake you come to my place, I'll try for you a job in my company." Asha who's listening from behind prompted Swaraj to accept the offer. The undestandable husband said, "OK!" Swaraj had given a serious thought to the idea and finally disposed off all of his live-belongings to the other villagers within a weak or two.

After receiving a message from his brother, he left for the city along with his family. As he's tenth passed he's appointed as a supervisor for the ongoing construction works. Bhavishya was also joined in a private school nearby. The husband was doing a job in a company,  the daughter was studying in a private school and Asha herself was busy in getting audio-visual lessons on TV concerning the modern city life through serials with intermittent  ads on sophisticated gadgets to make the life practical. At last it's turned into a small happy family. No worries and no tensions!

One day Bhavishya came home from school complaining that she's developing pain in her tummy. Within a few minutes she started vomiting. She's taken to a hospital. Many tests were conducted. No traces of any infection. Later advised to take to a nutritionist. The nutritionist revealed that the problem was due to adulterated milk. This might lead to kidney problems also. One day she came home complaining persistent headache. There's no any serious probem, only thing was that she'd to use spectacles. She's then a complete student with a huge backpack of books and cute looking spects. Both Mom and Dad were happy as their girl was looking smart and getting modern schooling!

One evening Swaraj came home from work coughing, wheezing and feeling breathlessness and tightnessness in his chest. Asha forced him to visit a hospital. Doctors had conducted spirometry test and told that he's  developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) due to the continuous inhalation of pollutants. They suggested him to avoid dust and fumes  and to eat smaller but more frequent meals, to take rest before eating and to take nutritional supplements. After branchodilation he returned  home with a long list of medicines and a modern inhaler. He became a complete man with a cellophane in one hand and an inhaler in the other!

After a few years of the adapted city life the mistress of the family started experiencing nervousness, sweating, difficulty in sleeping and distinct facial flushing. Visited a woman specialist. BP was checked.  It's  140/90. Madam advised her to visit after three days. She went as per the schedule. High reading on sphygmomanometer! No doubt.  She'd developed hypertension. Then she got a long list of prescription along with a number of instructions - "Don't sit in front of TV for hours together. " "Don't eat too much salt." "Take more fruits and raw vegetables." "Reduce body weight." "Go for walk." And so on. But she's looking heavily smart!

One day power was off. Mistakenly Asha got some time to think about her family and home. It's a complte home with all modern facilities like a TV set, gas connection, a mixer, a fridge, a washing machine, a couple of ceiling fans and sufficient furniture contrasted to that of the past rustic life. Though they couldn't get unadulterated milk and uncontaminated fresh fruits and vegetables to keep health they'd get a plenty of pills and syrups to survive from not only infectious but also degenerative diseases. They're living in the area dotted fully with concrete towers encircled by drainages and fast running  bykes and cars over.  Though they couldn't listen birds' songs and get cool breeze  there, they could keep their ears busy deafening to hustling and bustling noise of vehicles and sense of hot smoky winds non-stop. But one thing's certain that people used to consider them as "civilized" and "developed".

Meanwhile the power came back followed by daughter  and husband in the evening. She found her husband seemed to be a little disturbed. Face was gloomy and greasy with a trickle of sweat. She softly enquired,  "Why're you so dull. What do you want, my dear?" He gently replied, "Independence Day!" "What ......?"  "Yeah!  I need independence from the dusty and smoky atmosphere, from the adulterated food and diseases and from the ever escalating cost of living, medical bills, debts and tensions." He continued, "I want the past glorious life of my village where I was the boss of my own small estate, full of clean air, water, food, peace and happiness!"

How Do Trees Shadow Growth & Development?

Buildings are growing faster than trees, a great miracle of the modern era! Yes, kudos to the architects of the modern world -  designers, developers, planners and political leaders! Growth in buildings manifests the growth in economy, but the growth in trees can't do the same. It's a known fact that construction business fetches very high income when compared to that of tree and plantation business. Buildings bear money thousands of times more than that of trees! Then naturally it's questionable, "Why do animal activists, environmentalists and nature lovers emphasize so much on tree plantation?" When the worth of a well grown tree is hardly a few dollars then what's this mania for trees? Instead trees occupy very valuable lands to become stumbling blocks for the progress of real-estate business.

Concrete buildings are non-perishable and non-corrosive strong structures resistant both to fire and water. They are the shelters during storms but killers during earthquakes too! Very sorry please. Anyhow the toll is a proof for their crushing weight and mighty strength. As big as the construction work that much business one can expect in cement, gravel, stone, sand, steel, ceramics and paints. Mining and quarrying activities will also run parallelly to supply building materials and metals and also to destroy animal homes forever. Tree cutters will be busy throughout in cutting trees, scaring away many animals, birds and other creatures to run away and supplying valuable lumber for dream homes. Carpenters will be busy in making doors, windows and  furniture. On the basis of the construction space and number of labour-days engaged, architects and contractors will also get equitable percentages and shares. No doubt a lot of direct or indirect employment opportunities because of the housing business.

A boon to both electrical and electronic business too. As per the size of the building and number of rooms, requirements for electrical wires, switch boards, lighting and other devices or gadgets will also be there. As we know that during hot summer concrete keeps indoors hotter than that of outdoor spaces. During cold winter indoors will be cooler than outdoors. A great opportunity to push the sales of fans, air coolers, air conditioners and heaters. That's how both individuals and companies will get benefit.

On the other hand trees can't be expected to do that much. A very negligible contribution to growth and development. According to some economists more trees and less buildings means underdevelpment. Trees may be green enough to absorb carbon emissions or pollutants and inturn to release oxygen. They may be effective enough in filtering dust particles and  to save human breathing systems. They may obstruct extreme cold or hot winds from touching our living habitats. They may make people hale and healthy, but at the cost of what? Health business! Fifty per cent improvement in people's health means fifty per cent drop in health business! Is it agreeble for any pharmaceurical company or its share holder? No, it isn't.

Another thing is that trees provide cool breeze and shade to reduce temperature in and around homes. A big intolerable jolt to the business of fans, coolers air conditioners and fridges. And naturally to energy business also. What would happen to power stations,  electricity producers, distributors and sellers? Even a layman can guess. Trees and soil facilitate natural rain-water harvesting and increase in ground water levels. A very big discouragement to water business run by local or multi-national companies. Then who will quench the thirst of this business? That's how a number of demerits force people to shun the idea of growing trees.

Now we can conclude that as the space under concrete constructions increase the growth and development will also increase. As the space under trees increase there will be increase in cool breeze, shade, fresh fruits, birds, animals and health of people. So negative impact on growth and development. Trees provide a free habitable environment. Then what about the business of artificial environment fabricated due to modern technological advancements! 

Besides that trees damage beautiful architectural masterpieces by shaking foundations and shrinking walls, obstruct building elevations, develop cracks in drainage systems and interfere with overhead electric lines. Trees may attract nasty insects and birds too. It's an unbearable nuisance. So it's always better to keep trees away! That's how trees shadow the process of growth and development!

But She's Still Smarter Than Her Daughter!

As the first birds were heard  a peasant woman used to wake up early to imbibe the silvery glow of moonlight for her sharp eyesight and cool fresh breeze for her strong health. She daily used to heat water on the bright flames in the cool dusky hours for her own bathing and also for her husband and for her only female child. Before golden beams of morning sun shone dews on grass, she used to sprinkle water and sweep all across the mud floor in front of her thatched hut. She was a strategic volunteer to serve the entire household, birds and farm animals through her daily noble chores. 

Neither the members of her family nor the farm animals never had any complaint against her menial services. A few acres of green paddy fields and vegetable plots hardly infested with weeds and perched for want of water in her regular attendance. An ideal woman of my native hamlet. She's now famous for educating and facilitating her only female child to raise to a dignified position. But the talk is that she is still smarter at her fifties than her daughter at thirties. The peasant woman still looks more agile and younger than the highly educated and posh software techie. It's really amazing!

The eye-catching makeup with branded cosmetics no longer keep her daughter's  face soft and smooth but with early wrinkles of ageing along with dizziness, headache and ever falling thin hair. On the other hand the peasant mother's skin is so fair and shiny and hair so dark and thick that one can guess a lot of facial creams, branded soaps and shampoos might have done the job. No that's wrong. Shikakai (traditional fruit for hair), soapnuts and turmeric have been her lifelong cosmetics. No money and no side effects! Very simple, natural, but beautiful!

The posh looking young lady's very happy and content to shed every rustic feature from her life. She often feels proud of that much development from a poor rustic background. She doesn't need poor-men's food anymore. Plenty of money is there to spend on MNC eatables like burgers, pizzas, cakes, candy bars, cookies,  pastries, ice-creams, fast food, processed meat, colas and sodas. She has profitably put on her weight to get higher number on the scale. The chubby lady has definitely misshapen her physique to be called a landwhale. She's a little bit discouraged and frustrated along with a number of modern medical complaints. But she's a lot of money to consult superspeciality doctors too. On the other hand the rustic mother has a firm body structure unlike that of her daughter's bad loose skin. Some may guess that firmness of her body might be due to super foods provided by her daughter. No, can't be adapted by her. It's unbelievable and shocking that she's still on green leafy vegetables, fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, plenty of milk, jaggery, millets, pulses, ragi balls and jowar flat breads.

The modern techie may be on weight loosing job also! Contrarily to that her mother hasn't find any need to do all those regular exercises, special jogging, gym or yoga sessions. Walking across fields to fetch water, running behind  tendered animals, cutting grass, watering fields,  grinding or pounding grains have been said to be the secret of her fitness, as she hasn't yer been the proud possessor of modern electronic gadgets. A day long energy spending activities are always there. Very hard to believe! No obesity, dizziness, lethargy and immobility complaints. No breathing, bowl, cardio-vascular, liver, pancreatic, kidney or neurological disorders. No complaints of arthritis as she still uses to walk and run on earth unlike that of her daughter on glossy marble flooring of international standards. No sleeping disorders too as she's addicted to sleep in the cool breeze blown across by waving tree branches on the hillside. No need of infective air conditioners unlike that of her daughter. No money or no extra time needed to spend for that ever-energetic and ever-healthy fitness.

But one thing is that the modern techie is sacrificing her health, money and time for the development of the nation along with contribution to the growth of MNCs, big malls and super markets. She has not only developed herself but also a part of the modern development. The problem is that the peasant woman has neither developed so far nor a part of the moden development. And she yet doesn't possess any electronic or plastic money, modern electronic gadgets, branded dresses, posh bungalows, vehicles and gym or yoga facilities. Whatever it might be the talk is that she's still smarter than her daughter!

Please Protect Young Innocent Eyes

Eyes are there to pronounce the beauty of the facial features more sharply and wittigly than those of the words. The colour of the eyes is an highlight to the body appearance. Eyes are not only the entrance to the heart but also the windows to the outside world.  Eyes are there to peep deep into the thoughts and feelings of the dear and near. Haven't you felt the icy looks of your beloved ones melting down your heart several times?

The beauty of the World, ighting and darkness, senses of touch, taste and smell, distinguishing of colours and shapes can't be perceived without eyes. The brain can't tag memories well without visual images from eyes. Generations can't inherit their cultures and traditions without gene embedded images clicked by eyes. Could we expect reading a book, catching or hitting a ball, safe wading through obstacle laden path or  driving a car without eyes? No, we couldn't be. The chief organizers of majority of body motions -  eyes!

Could we imagine mirrors,  lenses, microscopes, telescopes, cameras, cinemas,  computers, television sets, mobile phones, iPhones and ipads around us without such wonderful eyes?  No, possibly not. The thing is that these gadgets are meant for intensifying the taste and knowledge of  eyes but not to affect the sight of eyes. Judicious utilization is a must. Otherwise the devices will become early death traps. Too much is bad! Here the responsibility of elders increase tremendously to protect not only the eyes but also the future of the young ones. Instead of immersing ourselves in the abundantly available sea of enjoyment and entertainment we the elders could become the counsellors and guides to the younger generations. The young should be made aware of dry eye syndrome, computer vision syndrome and early myopia - the outputs of prolonged TV watching, computer screen staring, e-book reading  and endless text message scanning. The hardly blinking addicted eyes may develop cracks in superficial corneal layers to compound the defects. But don't worry! 

A number of optometrists are there to correct the early eye defects. Consulting eye  specialists shouldn't be delayed. Vitamin-A rich fruits and vegetables help a lot. Appealing greenery of days and cooling darkness of nights are always safe for improving eye sight. Light pollution should be avoided as much as possible to safeguard the brightness of the young  eyes. Besides that a number of super specialists are awaiting to deal with  cancers, obesity, heart diseases, lung diseases, fatty liver disease, diabetes, kidney diseases, neurological disorders and sometimes even  suicidal desires too. But tne young needn't to think of that. It's suggested to reduce the hours of  engagement with these electronic gadgets for less than three and half hours a day. The young ones should be the physically active persons in the society. Otherwise the young world would be a mere stuff of physical and mental trauma. We know that physical inactivity is the root cause of many dreadful diseases due to sedentary lifestyles. But the young should be motivated to physically involve themselves in games and sports.

Anyhow the man is mortal, but not immoral. The children are yet physically and mentally growing. They  aren't biologically fit for sex. That's why child marriages are banned by national and international bodies. Many health organizations are warning against  universal prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases also.  Prevention is better than cure. Prevent romantic or sexual arousals among children by preventing watching of obscenity. Don't let on line addiction to distract children from their studies, careers and professions. Don't make children victims to venereal diseases too. Otherwise this will be a kind of disappointment and desperation for parents and well-wishers for ever. 

Save young eyes from endless interruptions whether in their real lives or on silver screen, TV screen, computer screen or mobile phones. If the young finds a very beautiful girl it may ignite a feeling of romance in him. If a girl is wearing a short skirt it may entice lust in him. But be cautious about the vulnerability and also the future of the young minds. A number of internet predators are lurking there to stimulate erotica or arouse genitals of young children to make their business. Be careful about freely available alluring forces around them. Convince children that there will be no romance and no sex till they become majors to get married! Don't forget this. Don't allow the young ones to become preys to the international business of nudity, obscenity, pornography, internet predatory or sex business. Instead of letting their eyes to be on this kind of attractions we better divert and motivate them to concentrate on certain aims and goals. 

The future will be theirs. Don't let the young bow before the enticing forces, instead make them conscious and energetic enough to bow down the disruptive forces. No one world power is as strong as the will power of the little hearts! Let them have good friend circles,  advisers and councellors in us. Please protect young innocent eyes to save their precious lives and bright future. 

3C's from Development or 3R's for Environment

It's being said that the world has been evolving since its origin and is termed as "evolution", the feature of the uncivilized poor creatures. Isn't it inferior to apply this word to the superior human? Yes. That's why a new and powerful word has been invented -  "development", the most pleasing and popular word  of the era. The only word which enlivens the spirit of every human being cutting across age, gender, caste, creed, organization, profession and status is development. There's hardly any  field or person who's ignorant or oblivious of this word development. All our revolutions, politics, legislations, plans, budgets, economies, innovations and inventions revolve around this word only. 

We can call it the nuclear centre of the modern world. Even medications of doctors and prayers of devotees are not out of the orbits of this word!  "Many diseases need to develop the medical field" and "many a number of rich devotees to enrich religious organizations" have become mottos for a few! Everywhere it seems prosperity. Only some saddists might be against this. How long we have to worry about humanity, that's there for centuries!  Create novelty. Even though it's meaningless. That's what development means -the word of eagerness, enthusiasm, energy and optimism.

On the contrary there is another strange word that tries to slow down the pace of development called "environment".  Even the personnel and heads of the environmental department are afraid of this word. Some consider this word as the word of pessimists. Why do so .... ? Because it suggests 3R's. 3R's are nothing but Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The first word REDUCE is the deadliest of all - the ferocious enemy to threaten the rapid growth and development of the modern world.

The word REDUCE suggests reduction in the procees of deforestation, mining, refining,  fabrication, manufacturing,  production,  transport,  distribution and ultimately destruction and pollution. It suggests to shorten or remove the links in the elaborate chain of growth and development. Could any optimist bear this to happen? Certainly, couldn't. Even an illiterate person can't tolerate this. Let the doomsday happen or the hell come down, there shouldn't be even a slightest jolt to delink the stages in the process of our pet development. Otherwise the consequences will be dire and many reductions may happen. 

Money value comes down and stock markets collapse if there will be reduction in the size of well furnished buildings, length of roads, number of posh vehicles, number of clubs or pubs and quantum of enjoyment or entertainment. Further some great lives may crash down to the status of a common man, totally dry and monotonous. No question of extravaganza, luxuries and class differences in the society - haves and have nots,  class and mass, posh and poor will be no more. What's the meaning of living a life then? That's why only a few want that REDUCE. If anybody wants let the remaining two words REUSE and RECYCLE be adopted. Definitely these two things are suitable for the teaming millions of common and poor people. Reuse the things discarded by the haves and recycle the things desperately left by the have nots.

Instead you see 3C's. How beautiful and appealing these three letters to our eyes! Constructions,  Contracts and Commissions - the three basics for mega development. Whether it's an individual or a nation that can't develop without these 3C's. Mind it! Increase constructions; so don't bother about destructions. Construct as many buildings and roads as possible. People call you the architect of the nation. The well wisher of the people. The messiah. The saviour.  And so on. Popularity, vote bank and money thrive there forever for you. How could anyone expect major contracts and Commissions without construction activities? How could anyone expect vigorous minting, lavish spending and secretive savings of money without contracts and commissions? So go ahead. Won't  we all agree? Yes, we do our boss! The human world is so much mentally prepared by the preachers of development that the word environment looks old and shabby.

Still one more point disturbs everyone's mind. When we are endowed with so many furnishings and luxuries then whycan't we live a peaceful,  disease- and tension-free living? Have we missed anything else? ........ Many more answerable questions reverberate in the minds of the intellectuals. Many more choises flash before their eyes. Does this biological creature need natural breeze or air conditioned synthetic enclosures? Cool grass-cladded soil or glossy floorings? Colourful flowers or confusing paintings? Shade of trees or radiating concrete slabs? Chirpings of birds or deafening musical sounds?  Company of affectionate animals or inanimate vehicles? Dark starry nights or blinding lights? Anyhow the modern wise man has many choices to choose out of either 3C's or 3R's.

Living A Comfortable Life: An Animal Or A Common Man?

It's a common notion that human beings are better off when compared to animals. We're  stigmatized ourselves in many ways. We're cruel. We're heartless. We're unkind. And so on. How many human beings are so? Majority or minority? Are our lives better than those of factory or wild animals? Let's see who're better. There's no doubt that human beings can do what other animals can't. But the common man can't get what the factory or wild animals can get!

It's said that human beings  have superb cognitive sense and consequently superb abilities like speech,  education,  training,  skill development, professionalism, innovations and inventions. Could all these be possible without a body and its master - the brain? No, never. As much as the mind power develops that much work is supposed to be generated. As much as the work is expected that much care and maintenance are required! We're  so highly educated and sane personalities that we know the values and requirements of various things around us. But unfortunately we don't  have the least consciousness about ourselves. It may look strange. But it's true! In the glare and speed of development we've lost our senses. Just like other animals, gadgets and machines we also need comfortable environment, wholesome nourishment and  regular maintenance. Have we ever thought of this? Unless our bio-machines are kept physically fit and internally intact how could anyone expect a perpetual and potential power for meaningful development or prosperity?

Just like factory animals and birds we need Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) and  like that of wild animals and birds we need Outdoor Environment Quality (OEQ). Owing to fast track development we can expect the least with respect to  IEQ or OEQ. Then what about IEQ? IEQ comprises of air ventilation, lighting,  temperature and humidity. What about indoor air quality? There's a lot of trapping space for  poisonous gases, dust particles, bacteria and fungal spores either generated indoors or outdoors. So a number of degenerative  diseases and artificial  deaths are there to haunt the occupants. Then what about indoor temperature? A temperature range of  20-25 °C  with a relative humidity of 25-60% is said to be comfortable for the warm blooded human being, or else have to face chilled winters or hot and sticky summers. Could we dare to expect comforts in our concrete dwellings without energy and money? It's a question for majority of human beings. Off course posh people have many answers to solve this! Is there any association or union to fight for our comforts? But innumerable organizations are there to fight for material wealth! What's the secret behind pulling humans out of their comfortable natural environments to stuff into congested residential units?  That too when comforts are not available free of cost. Wild animals enjoy comforts in their wilderness. More than that factory animals enjoy superbly in their precisely planned and professionally built artificial set ups. But the only fool who has been left behind is the common man!

Let's study the Outdoor Environment Quality (OEQ). In the modern world soil and trees are thought to be hurdles for development. Instead, lengthy bitumen or concrete roads, tall concrete skyscrapers and teaming metallic vehicles are there to radiate heat, generate pollutants and release dust particles into our outdoors.  What else we need to celebrate the days of the unbridled development? That's what the index or a measure of our development. Don't let even a drop of water to seep into the ground or a bird to roost on a tree. That's the attitude of many! That's why ground surfaces are plastered and  trees are sawed down. It seems that our houses are treasury offices to stock materials rather than as living spaces for humanity to survive. Naturally octogenarians have to find out old aged homes as there's no sufficient space even for furniture at home.

Leave the comfortable living aside.  Don't even  dream of it! Days have gone out of our hands. Could we get at least some potable water to drink or unadulterated food to eat without money or energy? Isn't it the result of our deeds? Where are our cooling soils and shading trees? Where's the space and time to grow kitchen gardens and fruit orchards? Where's the value for soil,  but for land? Where's the value for trees, but for concrete cover? Questions are many. But no time to think the answers!  Aren't the factory animals living a better life in their airconditioned chambers than the common man? Aren't the wild animals in their cool and shady environments? Who's living a comfortable life? An animal or a common man?

Purpose of Banning Child Marriages: Achieved or Misused?

The child is the index of social prosperity. The child's scope stands on the tripod of biological, physical and psychological conditions in close intimacy to the nature. The healthy curiosity of a child lies in exploring the unending growth of the beauty of flora and fauna, but not in watching the obnoxious scenes shooted and screaned as addictive traps of modern business tactics! The child's mental and muscle power are strengthened through outdoor games under the cool shades of copiously branching canopies of mighty trees. Yes, dexterity in hands and flexibility in body are the real investments for a child's future, also that of a nation!

Some say that the child is a crow of delight. What does it mean? Eagerness and enthusiasm in exploring new colours, shapes, structures,  textures, processes and phenomena. Any child's primary job..... the marvel of the childhood. Aren't we proud of it? Yes, we are. Sometimes the pragmatic child speeds up the pace to mimic adults too! Could we stop this? We couldn't. And we never. But  marriages may hamper the progress of a child in a myriad of ways. It's said that child marriages increase illiteracy, infant mortality, premature deaths or still births, domestic violence, sexual abuses and economic poverty in the society.  If it's so then why shouldn't child marriages be banned? The idea has been strategically implemented by some world and state bodies. Do romance and free sex among children make the purpose of banning child marriages a laughing stuff? Yes, certainly. Then what's our responsibility?  Achieving purpose or exploiting it in the disguise of the ban?

No one great job is lack of certain purpose, procedure and progress. That's how the ban on child marriages too. Children are in the process of physical and psychological development. They aren't fit for sex at this phase. Sex is a stumbling block for a child's education and progress. That's what the purpose of banning child marriages. Whether our target is to ban child marriages merely or to give a fillip to every child's  progress? If the child's progress is our aim then what about the things that are causing an irreparable damage to a child's future? What's the secret behind enticing romantic or sexual feelings when child marriages are banned? Isn't this an opportunity to reap the benefit of indiscriminate business? The world isn't dearth of wise people. Let them think and act promptly to remould this opportunistic modern society.

It's a universal fact that sexualization creates negative impact on the self-image and healthy development of a child. Obscenity through tiny dresses, ads, films, sexual imageries and pornographic videos is  imprinting indelible blots on the otherwise clean young minds. Is it not disheartening to see electrifying liplock kisses, sensual gestures and amorous poses on the screen which is otherwise meant for demoting child marriages? Hmmm .... yes, an ironical link between unbridled media and warping of a child’s mind! Romance and sex are being instilled in the young minds more effectively than that of school or college education through glaring audio-visual aids. No respite since a child opens its eyes in the mother's lap. No doubt schooling is compulsory. Is it serving its purpose?  Unquenchable sex hormone levels are elevated  to such an extent that the unmarried youth can't stop listening to some romantic or sensual music. Unknown but pleasurable erotic sensations are being ignited non-stop day and night. This excited curiosity is being illegally exploited. Now it's easy to coerce children into sexual abuses or trick them  into business malpractices. The world is full of such sporadic incidents. Can't we visualize anxiety,  depression and overly sexualized behaviours among children these days? Who's responsible? Are we achieving the purpose of banning child marriages or misusing it? Does uncontrollable fantasy fill the gap of child sex? Whether our business is seductive or promotive with respect to the overall growth and development of a child?  We must introspect ourselves if we dream of a happy children's world. Or else the consequences echoe down to successive generations at geometrically progressive levels.

We know that sexuality  is a vital part of a teenagers' life. And also know that child sex or child marriage is a taboo upto 18 or 21 years. The child marriage banning  agencies or governments should promote reduction in sexual enticements rather than seduction run in the name of business or development. Who will bear the responsibility of various risks like loss of education, lack of professional skills, liable unproductive manpower, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases (HIV /AIDS), depressions or suicidal deaths? A teenager or a bachelor certainly have a desire for sex in such circumstances, but not have the opportunity to fulfill that desire, or may on constitutional, ethical or religious reasons to refrain from acting on the urge. What would be its impact on such a person's psyche? Are we here to quieten the dormant or latent instincts or inflate the flame just to do our business? Does our multi-faceted business strategies lull the libido or mull mortido? The time is alarmingly ripe to analyse! Environmental pollution too is adding fuel to the flame of sexual frustration among the young minds. Once again we have to look back to see whether the purpose of banning child marriages is achieved or misused?

Why Do Nature Lovers & Saints Prefer Small Houses?

The Earth is big and beautiful enough  for those who're gifted with broad minds. They're proud to be its inhabitants. They don't even dream of any other planet to live. The Blue Planet which is endowed with luxuriant grass, aromatic leaves, colourful flowers, pearly grains, tasty fruits, quenching water, shiny days and starry nights is a heaven for them. They never insulate themselves from its natural cool breeze by raising impregnable high walls around them. They neither hate nor keep themselves out of the lap of their mother nature. That's why they're both mentally and physically safe. They don't  prefer imperishable concrete to boil their perishable bodies. Their aim is to eke out a tensionless, healthy and peaceful long lasting  life. But not a tension laden life solely for the sake of prestige,  business and money. But the world isn't sufficient for us because we're cursed with narrow minds. That's  why we restrict ourselves to the four walls of our homes or vehicles. And we strive day and night to achieve this.

How much lumber or wood we need to ready a house? Roughly  two cubic meters! How do we get it?  "Destroy about 10 mature leafy trees, stop the release of 5000 kg oxygen per annum into atmosphere, suffocate at least 100 people or animals, scare scores of birds to fly off, chase many a number of mammals and reptiles out of, and decimate millions or billions of tiny creatures!" Now we are content that doors, windows, panels and furnishings are ready. Is transforming the lively natural set-up into a dead one our achievement? ..... But many call it civilization or development!

How much iron or steel we need to ready a house? Roughly three tonnes! How do we get it? "Employ about 50 miners to toil, turn several square metres of soil infertile,  asphyxiate or poison millions of fish in nearby ponds or rivers and saturate the air with plenty of dust". 30 tons of mined dirt is ready! "Now burn half a ton of coal up to 1000 degrees Celsius. Another opportunity to add some more dust, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide fumes to the pristine air". Steel bars or rods are now ready! The transport of raw materials from excavation site to refining site and then to delivery site is an another nightmare. This adds fuel to the already burning piles of pollutants. The same kind of saga with respect to aluminium, burnt bricks, cement, ceramics, copper, glass, plastics, synthetics, tiles and so on. Don't worry. Our houses are ready. As big as they are that much we are called developed and consequently respected in the society. Don't think about others! Otherwise we will be called common men. Won't we?

But nature lovers and saints don't want animals or people to suffer. Even if we call them poor or underdeveloped, they don't tolerate any kind of damage to our body organs! They don't want even a few to breathe polluted air, drink non-potable water and eat contaminated food.  They believe that reduction in construction sizes would definitely reduce intolerable bad effects of mining, refining and transport, and thereby reducing the trauma of life. 

Small sized houses occupy less ground area to  suffocate or moralize subterranean creatures. They also let considerable spongy soil around to absorb naturally distilled rain water, besides accommodating a plenty of trees, birds and animals. They have less wall surfaces as substrata for harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses. No doubt, less requirement of poisonous paints too. Less consumption of electricity, water and maintenance. They facilitate frequent stepping of  dwellers into natural surroundings out of the choking indoor pollution!

Nature lovers and saints prefer small and simple houses to reduce the impact of deforestation, mining and transport on vegetation, animals and human beings! That's how broad minded people think. Great people think in great way. "Live and let live" is the philosophy of their lives. Transferring the wholesome nature to the future generations, for their peaceful,  free and healthy   living, is the ultimate goal! Simplest person is safest both to nature and society.  If we want to keep about 90% corruption and pollution at a bay, we've to tread the path of these pious people. Where the narrow minds try to control destruction and pollution superficially the broad minds are there to pull out the root causes abysmally! 

Builders of Super Shelters: Poor Brains or Super Brains?

Long long ago when the world  wasn't so developed  it was being said that food, clothing and shelter were the basic needs. As the "great" people began heating up the atmosphere and pouring down pollutants all around to show the mettle of their development the meaning of the basic needs too started changing.  Now the basic needs are sensed to be unpolluted air, potable water and unadulterated food, by the poor and the rich alike. So a new opportunity has emerged out as a bolt from blue  to quench our thirsty pockets! Start ups to sell moderators of air, temperature, humidity, water, food, etc are around the corner. That's where the talent lies!

But the creatures with poor-brains have no such a talent to manipulate living factors and modulate  the supply-demand curves, as they neither invent nor know the value of money. The modern man needs not to worry any more about surrounding temperature,  relative humidity and air ventilation. It's pity that the other poor creatures still try to get these factors of comfortability from nature.  We the human beings with super-brains are proud of inventing super needs like energy-driven fans, coolers, air conditioners and the sunlight-imitating artificial lighting devices for the concrete, metallic or synthetic enclosures. Unlike that of poor-brains we needn't have to depend on brainless trees, weightless clouds and shapeless soil. In place of trees we have RCC slabs, instead of clouds we have multi-billion dams, and instead of soil we have extensive terrestrial or extraterrestrial lands to run real estate business.  Why shouldn't we be proud of our achievements?  Or bank balances? Aren't  we different from these poor-brains?  Yes, we are! We should hate and keep off these poor-brains from our highly civilized societies. Do you know why? Because they don't know the meaning of civilization or development, at least!

Have you watched the poor creatures like baya weaver birds, honeybees and termites struggling to create the shelters of comfort? That too without destruction. Yes, but they're indeed the enemies of our economies.They don't want to become a part of our developmental efforts. Instead they demonstrate comfort making without spending a spark of energy or a coin of money. Should we let them to live in our vicinity?  Definitely may not ....... dirty creatures. No appliances. No devices. No machines.  No inventions. No innovations. Because they don't know how to do business! Certainly the poor-brains  are anti-developmental elements. Our scientists are yet to know the psychology of these poor-brains.  In-depth exploration may be going on in this field of studies. One thing we can't understand, "Why don't they build super shelters?", "Why don't they try to develop? " , "Why don't they deforest lands?", "Why don't they do mining?" and "Why don't they pollute their colonies?". But, why should they make homes when they can't do business with their fellow-beings? We shouldn't be amazed to find that some scientists might be trying to genetically modify the poor-brains to suit to the nice looking suicidal behaviour  of the modern man!

The pendulant spongy homes of bay weaver bird, raised sand castles of termites and waxy hexagons of honeybees are a blot on our stupendous multi-billion economy.  Is it great to build homes of natural comfort without destroying forests and punishing uncivilized animals? Is it great to live without electricity by not facilitating earthquakes or landslides while harnessing  energy?  Is it great to live in pristine environs without pollution, degenerative diseases and multi-speciality hospitals? Is it great to live in darkness without light pollution and corrected eye visions?

Absolutely a remark on our civilization! Now we can say who can make super-shelters. Poor-brains or Super-brains? Now we can say who can care for future generations. Poor-brains or Super-brains? Could we tolerate if anyone tries to build homes of natural comfort without the need of electrical  energy or money?

The Other Mother's Lap for Education

Is there any place in the world equal to that of the mother's lap, with so much aura of care, love and warmness? Definitely not! Is there any primary school which can match this free gift of nature? No, certainly not. Whether it's day or night, summer or winter, healthy or unhealthy that comfort touches anyone's  heart.

Could we get the similar hospitality through out. No, not at all possible. As we grow we have to distance ourselves from that heaven of cosiness.  From primary to high school; then from pre-university to university studies, a lot of changes occur in the kind of atmosphere and care we get. One could visualize one's academic performance and its relationship with factors like availability of sunlight,  air ventilation, air quality, humidity and temperature. These factors boost up the understanding of the subject,  memory retention, creativity, and performance in examinations. Could we expect such an ideal atmosphere for education, these days? Hardly one can expect!

Luckily I used to get this kind of opportunity in natural and pristine environs around my place. Whenever I had holidays I used to squat with a couple of books under the shade of my favourite tree, Karanj or Kanuga, botanically Milletia pinnata or Pongamia glabra (old name). The evergreen tree with a massive canopy of light green foliage and all-around drooping branches was the best alternative to my mother's care. The cushiony thick carpet of fragrant, pink, purple or white tiny flowers on the ground, was the best alternative to my mother's lap. The intense heat and sunlight of the summer used to chase me out towards this tree of great refuge. The occasionally-visiting chirping birds was an additional recreation for me. I hardly felt bore-some during my exam preparations. Sometimes I used to enjoy sighting a lofty bow of gleaming rainbow through the water-dripping twigs during brief summer showers. I hardly used to feel tiresome because of the amazing cooling nature of the tree due to its effective transpiring surface. No need to spend money on purchasing energy for running fans or coolers. This is not an exaggeration, please. I used to assimilate, grasp or memorize  subjects at a pace more than what I could expect at my home or in my classroom!

Can't we present our tender children and sensitive students of the day this kind of heart touching and ever-soothing environment? Definitely we can! This will save pupils and students from increasing health disorders due to accumulation of pollutants in living places to the alarming levels. The best way for saying goodbye to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), Sick School Syndrome  (SSS), or Sick Car Syndrome  (SCS) is by spending a few hours a day outdoors in green environments. We are not dearth of champions of education, children-lovers and billion-dollar planners in this era to save the children. A lot of scope is their to modify the present monotonous classroom system. This will also be  a way to avoid shifting of focus of students from studies to the travails of  dripping-wet-hair through profuse perspiration. Besides the colourful-but-cluttered classrooms, it would be better to have a live garden around, full of colourful flowers, attractive birds and shade-giving trees. It would be a relief from boredom too. So we shouldn't miss this opportunity of getting the blessings of the helpless and innocent children by providing tree shade!

Could Animal Activists Rescue the Modern Ape Too?

As a child I was very much fond of watching animals and birds. I was one of the first visitors to any circus that happened to have shows at my place.  I used to  visit  zoos too. It's pity that I wasn't  educated enough or matured enough at that age to perceive the agony of those animals which were entertaining me.  Yes, off course that's true! I couldn't notice that the poor creatures, which were supposed to entertain me, were being chained, shackled,  tethered or cramped in artificial cages. Did they have enough space to roam about?. No, they weren't  getting favourable environment and enough space as much as what they get in their natural habitats. It's being told that these animals were accommodated in spaces that's 18,000 times less than what they could have been in their wilderness! They weren't on their own choice of food, movements and mates too. Anyhow a day of enlightenment came to me. My biology teacher and animal lover narrated the bad fate of those animals. I'm very thankful to him for changing my attitude towards the artificial confinements.

My mind was still reminiscent of bellowing of deer, roaring of big cats, trumpeting of elephants, and chirping of birds.  Thanks to animal activists who have changed the conditions of captive animals.  Now we can watch the animals at their comfort  in spacious enclosures. Safari parks and zoological parks are there to replicate their natural habitats. It's great that some human beings have become humane towards wild animals! In the modern parks the animals ate provided with sufficient space, grass lands and tree canopies to make them healthy and stress free.

One day when I was watching the human like behaviour of chimpanzees,  gorillas and orang utans at a zoo park,  a little girl who was standing beside me,  muttered, "These apes are better than us to play, roam around and enjoy lives in natural surroundings". That's true. When cool breeze, grass lands and tree canopies are must for animals then what about this another biological creature, the man.

Let's hope one day the animal activists would turn their focus from animals to  "the modern ape", whose condition is severe than that of the zoo animals. Are our living factors not akin to those of zoo park animals? Lions and tigers in the circus are driven out from their cages into temporarily raised tunnels, and then into high enclosures to display to the spectators. Can we deny the fact that our living factors are also a little bit similar to theirs? We too are confined to concrete buildings, metallic vehicles and concrete offices or schools. No natural habitats to live. No fresh air to breathe. No cool shade of trees to sit under. At least for a part of the day! Every thing is artificial. There has been incessant efforts to dump a lot of cement, glass, burnt clay, marble tiles, plastic, steel and other metals around us to raise the temperature of development. Don't we need sufficient natural space for gaining natural immunity, health and vigour?  Could we expect changes in the human world  at least for the future generation? But be optimistic!   Animal activists are there. One day they will rescue this modern ape too,  from the perils of the intolerable concrete enclosures!

Whether Corruption is Famous or Notorious?

Whenever a student asks the question, "What's life?", the teacher's answer is "the period between birth and death ". Some students protest too and say that's for animals. They consider life means enjoying tasty food, living in bungalows,  driving posh vehicles, doing international journeys, and so on. That's true for majority.  That's why we are determined to develop. Development doesn't demand hard work only, a little bit of smart work too is required. We know that there's no life worth of living without Vitamin M - marks for children and money for elders, a modern belief.

What does a human body comprise of?  It's nothing but symmetrically arranged bones, adorned beautifully with flesh and skin of different complexions. Does this body need Vitamin M? No.....  never. It needs perpetual supply of pristine air, periodical supply of potable water and proteinaceous  food.

If every human story is so then what about the "class difference" in the society? Where are "prestige" and "status" be hidden? Don't to be worried! There are many inventions waiting for that purpose. But some people still live in small earthen huts. They walk on grassy soil,  amidst bird-roosting trees. They have no choice other than to breathe cool natural breeze. No electric bills and no high cost of living. Here's a chance for the rich to make a  difference. They can live in non-porous houses built out of concrete and glass to fit fans and coolers. These dwellings are amidst modern heat islands,  floating in dust and smoke. No nasty soil. Only glazed tiles and marble. The rich are distinct for restricting themselves to the four walls of houses, cars and flights. No soil, no trees and no birds to be worried about. What a great luxurious life it's! It's pity that the poor can't even dream of it. Alas! Nature is the poor man's only alternative. The fate is such that the poor are free from risks and tensions and full of peaceful and tranquil life.

The poor are not rich enough to take polished-lean cereals, junk food and carbonated cool drinks, instead they have to depend only on nutrient-rich unpolished cereals, millets, fruits and vegetables. Very pathetic! The poor aren't obese enough to beat the rich on weighing machines. Further they have no accessibility to posh vehicles, but walk miles together or make journey on donkeys, mules, horses or camels. "The poor animals of the poor people even don't know how to make noise and pollute the air". Very strange!".

Majority of the poor have to live through out with the same body and same organs what they were borne with. They won't get any opportunity to make changes to their bodies by replacing their organs. They don't know how to spoil their bodies and also to visit super speciality hospitals. If possible they may donate their own healthy organs to the rich.  It's fortunate that the poor can't compete with the rich at bars, clubs and pubs. They neither accumulate currency notes nor hide to spend to win in elections or destroy forests or wildlife by purchasing materials for making posh homes. And they don't have enough excess money to spend as lavishly as the rich. We must be very much thankful to the word, "development", that has given a clear cut difference between haves and have-nots. 

Anyhow to live a rich life and let the coming generations to live so, we have to develop.  This modern superstition is effectively propagated all over the world. It's not so easy to develop without Vitamin-M.  For that  many a number of professionals are required to give consultancy. They show us the ways for rapid earnings and secured savings. We have a plenty of inventions to do corruption - bribery, black marketing, commissions, dirty money making, deforestation, pilferage, poaching, looting, scandals, scams, smuggling, trafficking and many other known or unknown methods. So many international banks and agencies are there to hide the present illegal earnings for future generations. The great word of development has been given so much publicity that everyone, from a beggar to billionaire, is behind this. The meaning of life has been changed. That's "from birth to the dooms day". Even some active poor people are migrating to slums with a greed to develop. But the lazy poor man is still lying there cool and content in darkness, far away from Panama.

(Regarding some people only)

What Does Unrest at Educational Institutions Indicate?

The importance of education and it's role in moulding the lives of students is well known. A lot of emphasis  has been universally given to educate children. Whether that intention of education is still continuing or something else has taken its place is a question.  The kind of unrest prevalent in educational institutions these days is a witness.

Educational process seems to have been derailed from the right path of its true destiny. Has  the aim of education been diverted from human values to material values or anything else? If education is totally in the hands of eligible,  qualified and professional people then why human values and professionalism are lacking among the students?

When the management,  teaching and non-teaching staff are divided on the basis of caste and creed or economic and social status then how could we expect humanistic values among their products?

Now the main focus is shifted from purpose to profits. Education is no longer showing  its holistic approach towards moulding the overall life of a child, instead towards amassing wealth through the business of textbooks, stationery, uniforms, etc. This business further needs politics to dominate the field. The mind of the people of the education field is now obsessed with funds, business and profits rather than with the actual purpose of improvement of education, skills, child and human values.

The knowledge is now restricted to books. But the minds of students are empty or filled with other means of entertainment. No true essence of knowledge is there. When the school management and  teachers need money, parents and children need marks and grades. A very few concern about reading skills,  writing skills, oral skills and other life skills among students.  The target is merely marks and grades in exams.

Unless the aim of education is stressed upon and mentality of management,  teachers, parents and children is changed we can't  expect peace and tranquillity. It's  very shameful that illiterate people are aghast to see the barbaric deeds of educated ones at educational institutions. Once education was a means to transform the barbaric people into civilized ones. But now it seems that the wrong format and motto of education has transfored  the civilised people into barbaric ones. Atleast now the authorities should open their eyes to enrich the minds of students with knowledge, moral values and universal brotherhood, rather than with selfish mottos. Otherwise education will remain  a fashion rather than a purpose.

Good teachers, lecturers, professors and students never bow down to money power, muscle power, political gimmicks and communal forces;  instead they dedicate themselves to the purpose of their staying at holistic places of education.

True Social Justice in Education and Profession

The scope of social justice is very wide, which includes the well-being of every class and caste. It includes education as well as employment, the security and dignity of the individual. Justice will be ensured only when the standard of education is improved.

It's very glad to know that Mrs Smriti Irani, HRD Minister has announced to give free education to SC/ST communities in IITs. Since the adaptation of our constitution different Indian governments have been announcing and providing opportunities for underprivileged sections to change their lives with the intention of economic and social justice. And undoubtedly the electoral justice! That's to transform the waivers into voters, has been successfully achieved. What has happened to the intention of achieving standards in education and profession? This question is hardly found in the great discussions and speeches of our great leaders.

Despite spending billions of rupees in the form of reservations, free education, buildings for educational institutions, free food, free clothing, scholarships, etc where are the expected educational standards, language skills, communication skills, managerial skills, professional skills, etc among these students.

Are we really doing justice to the children or students of underprivileged sections? Or merely placating them to recognise and vote for us? How many of these students can come out successfully from interviews from private company jobs or MNCs? How much money, time, energy and efforts are being spent and how much productivity we are gaining?

Even the leaders who represent these communities seem to bother least about the standards in education profession. Instead they push for reservations. Atleast now our national and community leaders should contemplate on this kind of injustice done towards the children of underprivileged sections.

I think that if we had spent money, time, energy and efforts judiciously we might not have got this kind of products with inferior educational and professional standards (though some great personalities are emerging out due to other reasons). This kind of neglected education is mostly responsible for a lot of depression and disappointment among the youth of underprivileged communities.

What's the quality of education in BC/SC/ST schools vs other schools? Why the products out of these schools are not on par with private or international schools? Though fundings and claiming are very high! Despite degrees most of the students are not competent enough. What could be the mind of students when they could not meet the demands from the employers? What about their mental status?

A lot of heartful work from teachers and lecturers is required at both grassroots level and also at the higher levels to do a genuine justice. Or else bodies remain without soul and purpose.

Social justice is now in the speeches of politicians instead of the ground reality. It is visible because everything is clear. Apparently the social inequality is decreasing, but in absolute terms it's different. Now it is the responsibility of the government to implement standards in social justice in a ground reality instead of writing and speaking.