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The Hindu :

BGS National Public School, Banneraghatta Road celebrated ‘Science Week’ recently. Every day, students spoke about the contributions made by great scientists during the morning assembly. Teachers spoke on the importance of science in day-to-day life and also about its relationship with music, languages and technology.

A fancy dress competition was also organised as part of the celebrations. Students dressed up like various scientists such as C. V. Raman, Ramanujam, J. C. Bose, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Newton and so on came up on stage and spoke about their innovations.

The tiny tots of pre-primary section exhibited working models on air, water and magnetic fields. Debate, exhibition and competitions in science were also part of the celebrations.

(INPUT BY SUDHINDR.A.B.)

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The Hindu : BAGESHREE S.

The Spider’s Web. Story and photographs by Lata Mani, Pictures by Ashok Rajagopalan Tulika, Rs. 100.

The Tamarind Tree. Story by Lata Mani, Illustrated by Srividya Natarajan, Tulika,

Rs. 100.

We use the words “see” and “look” as if they were synonyms. But you don’t quite see or discover anything if you are only looking casually at things around you, as Lata Mani’s book, The Spider’s Web, charmingly illustrates.

The book tells the simple story of Ali’s adventure with his father’s camera, as he gazes through it and learns to see and appreciate even the smallest of creatures. One day, six-year-old Ali spots a spider on a coconut tree and begins to watch its every movement through the lens of his father’s camera.Many details

That’s when he discovers ever so many details about the insect which had escaped his attention when he was only looking: the thorns on its eight legs, play of sunlight on every thread of the silken web, the smaller insect trapped in the spider’s web…

The book comes with an interesting mix of photographs and illustrations.Leisurely pace

The second book by the same author, The Tamarind Tree, narrates what happens when Mallikarjuna and his three companions set out cycling on a warm afternoon and end up atop a fruit-laden tamarind tree. It’s an afternoon of absolute bliss as the friends sit on the tree, sucking succulent tamarind fruits, listening to the sounds of crickets from the surrounding fields. Both the books are remarkable for the way they are engaging even though nothing really “happens” in the stories in terms of events. The pace of the books is leisurely and the mood tranquil. There is attention paid to every small detail and it leaves the reader contemplative.

Lata Mani is a historian and culture critic. She occasionally dabbles in children’s writing.

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The Hindu :

Bruce George’s thrilling encounters on the Animal Planet

All for snakes Bruce George: ‘Snakes do return the love and affection that you give them’

Bruce George has hit the road. The animal crusader is back to what he does best – travelling across countries and rescuing snakes, catching stray pythons, running snake education programmes and bringing an awareness about animal issues. In his new series “Snake Crusader with Bruce George”, on the Animal Planet every Saturday at 9 p.m., Bruce is back with some thrilling animal encounters.

Excerpts from an interview:

Life must be constant adventure saving the deadliest of snakes.Does it ever scare you?

No. Snakes are a special animal. The biggest thing for any animal rescuer is to educate the public about the plight of animals. That is why call myself now a crusader because my crusade is to educate and help people.

Tell us a few of your amazing encounters.

I’ve actually come across Russell Vipers resting on my foot. Pit Vipers, Taipans, the world’s most deadliest snake, the Inland Taipan. I’ve played with all of those.

Being kissed literally by a king cobra in Kuala Lumpur was an exciting event for me, but if that lady had opened her mouth and bitten my cheek rather than lick it, I knew I was going to be in some big bad trouble.

Do the snakes of different countries behave differently?

It’s amazing to go to another country and find that people do exactly what I do here in Australia.

We all treat snakes with great respect. In 2003 in Sri Lanka, I tooka serious bite where we had no anti-venom for it. Dealing with the Sri Lankan cobra wasvery difficult.

You are very passionate about conservation of snakes. Any particular reason?

I love all animals, but snakes arespecial. I want to show people there is another side to these wonderful creatures. Looked after properly, they do return the…More

The Hindu :

Are people finding it difficult to sound politically correct?

Photo: Mohammed YousufJUST FOR LAUGHS? But everyone may not find your joke amusing

With the elections around the corner, everyone is hungry for news. There’s a lot of speculation and gossip, be it in corporate corridors, roadside eateries or coffee shops.

Politicians firing salvos at opponents are suddenly growing wary of what they say to escape the wrath of the Election Commission.

Interestingly, apart from those who are in the fray, there’s a fresh group that’s increasingly becoming obsessed with being politically correct, 24×7. They are determined to avoid using language that may be offensive to others. So what are they doing to sound politically correct? The neighbourhood barber becomes ‘hairdresser’, the tailor ‘fashion designer’, the grocer ‘food retailer’ and the pickpocket ‘an economic offender’!

But people’s views on the subject differ. Says Snehalatha Bhardwaj, for instance, “I find it ridiculous. I don’t see any harm in sharing jokes based on nationality or ethnicity, as long as they are done just for fun. I don’t want to be politically correct at least when I am with my close friends. It would really take the sheen off our friendship. You cannot think of exercising diplomacy all the time. If you do so, where is the real you?” Pavan Ankam fears losing his sense of humour by trying to be what he is not. “It is not always possible to measure your words before you utter them. That’s too much of diplomacy and I am not for it,” he shrugs.

Most youngsters feel they might never be able to share jokes without fear of offending someone if ‘political correctness’ has to be taken into account. “Because of the emphasis on political correctness, humour is becoming less acceptable,” rues Bhavana, a happy-go-lucky college student.

The shrewder ones have, however, found a way out of this predicament. Taking the middle path, they…More

The Hindu : y>

DRESSES

The Vinegar SS’09 collection showcases a range of structured dresses that accentuate the curves and provide a chic appeal. The colour palette is diverse ranging from royal blues, straight blacks or whites etc. Vinegar also provides help to woman for wardrobe makeovers. It is available at select stores across the country. It is available in the price range from Rs.4,000 to Rs.10,000.EDUCATIONAL CD

Pebbles Infotainment has launched GK puzzle, India quiz and Learn GK CDs for students. The Students GK puzzles CD comprises a collection of interesting facts. The The CDs & DVDs are available in all leading bookstores and music stores across thecountry. The CDs are priced at Rs. 99 and the DVD is priced at Rs. 149. For enquiries call 32981150 or visitwww.pebbles.in.DIAMONDS

Nirvana has launched an array of diamond jewellery for the contemporary and traditional Indian woman. The Tanmaniyas is styled with one or two strings of black beads and a diamond pendant in intricate designs. The Misaki collection manages to merge the flash of diamonds and the quiet beauty of the pearls manages to blend together and create a complete beauty. The Tanmaniyas are priced at Rs. 15,000 onwards and the Misaki collection is priced at Rs. 6,300 onwards. It is available at Nirvana stores across the country.MOBILE PHONES

Meridian Mobile has launched two new models; Fly SX 230 and the E310. The 0X 230 is a slim slider phone and manages to exhibit a combination of features such as high intensity colour display, 1.3 mega pixel camera, Bluetooth facilities, GPRS etc. Thephone is available for Rs. 5,000 at mobile stores across the country. The E 310 comprises a 3.2 mega auto focus camera and a touch screen. The phone supports a T-Flash card up to 8 GB and is priced at Rs. 10,999.SUNSCREEN

Lakme has launched a new sunscreen lotion, with insta…More

The Hindu : y>From the vase to the kitchen, flowers will never cease to stun you

FLOWER POWER For the stomach too

Flowers have been eaten for thousands of years. They have been used in many in Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Indian cuisines and are known to have been cooked by the ancient Romans.

When used with care, flowers can add a new dimension to recipes both for flavour and looks. However, although many flowers are edible, some of them are poisonous, it’s best to stick to the one’s you know are harmless.

Once naturally dry, edible flowers can also can be fully dried or frozen, but the texture will change, so they are best used for infusions or when cooked dishes in their freshest form.General uses for edible flowers

As an edible garnish or decoration: Edible flowers can be used to garnish salads, desserts and flavouring drinks. Crystallized flowers can be used to decorate cakes and confectionary.

Adding colour and flavour: Marigolds in particular can add both colour and flavour to dishes using eggs, rice and milk. Soak the petals in warm milk (twice the amount of milk to petals). This can then be used in cakes, breads and desserts.

Many flowers can be used to flavour oils, dressings and marinades and in salads. Stuffing and cooking courgette flowers are excellent when stuffed as are gladioli and day lily flowers, although the latter two are used more for their look rather than taste.

Courgette flowers are also excellent batter and deep fried in Japanese cookery.Preparation and storage

It is best to pick flowers just before you want to use them and when they have freshly opened up in the morning, then wash them in cold water. Adding a little salt to the water will help get rid of insects.

Once well washed, carefully pat dry or allow them dry naturally at room temperature.

They can then be stored in the refrigerator…More

The Hindu :

Playing golf is a great way to de-stress; and a greater way to keep fit

PHOTO: AFPBURN CALORIES Make golf part of your routine

Is golf a healthy sport? Addicts swear by it: Carrying (or dragging) a cartful of irons and hitting odd-looking balls into the distance is the best way to stay healthy. “It is exercise in fresh air and open greens,” they argue, holding their breath before teeing off. “Even if you’re covering the 18 holes in an electric cart, you’ll get to burn quite a few calories. Playing golf improves coordination. Look at golfers. Over 50 and still playing!” Which is why, at any point, hundreds of golf-buffs are practising baby-shots on the office carpet or backswings on a driving range.Fun way to fitness

Oh, for the joy of golf — birdie, bunker or bogey, they say. Play golf two to three times a week, and over a five-month period burn an average of 1,750 calories per game, shed abdominal fat by eight per cent, shrink waistline by an inch, pile up “good” HDL cholesterol by five per cent, lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides by four per cent each, become more aerobically fit and improve trunk muscles. If you play regularly, everyone is at par, in spite of the handicap, a big boost to your self-esteem.

“You will never get that much of walking at a relaxed pace, breathing unpolluted air, anywhere else,” said A. Chandrasekhar, stock broker. “I get to walk seven km over four hours listening to birdsong from the trees around. It is a fun way to erase tension, excellent for controlling BP. There is no competition, you play against yourself. You blame yourself, cool yourself.”

And ha, the biz benefits of golfing! “The company, it is incomparable!” said Chandrasekhar. “The sixteen of us are a fraternity. We talk the walk, we travel. Play golf, and you…More

The Hindu :

Doodling is a spontaneous art and visible representation of our thinking. Encourage it

Photo: M. GovarthanIt’s alright Allow the child to create and shape a reality

Every time he mucks around his notebooks while the class is on, he gets a whack on his back. And every time the class is on, he mucks around his notebooks.

Squiggles, wiggles, circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, milky way of dots, angles, whorls, swirls, spirals, wheels, steeples, spires and shifting shapes straight out of Dr. Suess. Shapeless nebulae, phantasmagoria, fantasia, bizarre, surreal, unreal and hyper real — they are everywhere in his notebooks, on the tops of his class work notebooks and textbooks, on the margins, left and right, on the back pages, inside the corners of the stapled brown wrappers; On the wooden desk in front of him.

That’s Kiran Kumar’s mind, pictured in wiggles, scaped in doodles. Drawn on pages. That’s what it is: his thinking made visible. That’s how it is: uncanny, undecipherable, spooky and messy. It’s kind of personal, him and his mind on a canvass. “I love these, just going on drawing,” he says with a smile.

Which teacher has not whacked the tiny tot who scribbled wiggly squiggly lines on his notebook, or on the desks in front of him? Which manager has not stared down the guy who gives a finger to the awfully boring, haemorrhoid-forming power point presentation and draws something totally out of the whack on the back of a scrap of paper?

Doodlers — we, the people, who revel thinking in images, see them grow into terrifyingly bizarre or achingly beautiful that it almost hurts to see it in the mind’s eye — take heart. In fact, there is other choice.

In a new study, psychologist Jackie Andrade from University of Plymouth, England, told volunteers to listen to telephone message. Half of them were told to listen to the taped message…More

The Hindu : y>

Walk the walk A new collection inspired by the pageant

Pantaloons has unveiled the ‘Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009 collection’. The new collection comprises fusion designs from Pantaloons’ brand, Akkriti. The collection was showcased by the 20 finalists of the Miss India pageant. They sported a range of indo-western designs and Pantaloon’s summer collection with tunics for women and casual shirts for men.

The collection is youthful and trendy and is targeted at consumers, who are young at heart and love to experiment with their looks. The cuts are sleek, modern and tasteful with silhouettes like kurtis in various styles, leggings and skirts. The colour palette ranges from whites to brighter colours such as pink, blue, green, etc. The line has been designed keeping the contestants and their aspirations in mind, which sets them apart from others and gives them their winning streak. The collection will be exclusively available at all Pantaloons stores across the country.

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The Hindu : y>Usha Ramanathan feels that social interaction is the key to all-round development of children

It is important to spend time with children. Our social fabric has changed so much in cities that mothers are often forced to multi–task and are unable to spend productive time with their children. Fathers are also too busy and often fail to find time for their children.

Parents don’t have time to go out to go to a park or a beach with their children. Social interaction of the children becomes limited, especially in the case of single children. Parents now prefer to go to malls, watch television, or are glued to the computer. They provide children gadgets that do not promote any human interaction. Many young children face speech related problems, as the parents do not spend time talking to the child.

From birth to five years is a very crucial juncture in a child’s social development. Even during pregnancy women are often busy with office deadlines and stressed out; leaving no time to relax, listen to music, read good books and avoid violent television serials or films. This may also have a negative impact on the child. What our grandmothers recommended made sense in many ways, but we are too caught up in our money making web, to break free and provide the best for our children.

Why should we bring a child into the world without any commitment to devote positive time and energy, personal care and affection to the child?

Do you have anything to say? About the state of the world, the city, your angst?

Pen it stylishly and you might get it published.And dash off your piece with your photograph. Email it tobangmetro@gmail.com or post it to MetroPlus, The Hindu, 19 & 21, Bhagwan Mahaveer Road (Infantry Road), Bangalore 1.

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