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The Hindu : YOGARAJ S. MUDALGI

Asking questions about nature and testing out the answers form the basis of being a good naturalist.

“As a child I just watched birds for reasons I didn’t know! Being a scientist is an excuse to carry on my observation.”

Discovering nature’s secrets: Prof. Nick Davies.

Curiosity spurred mankind to explore un-chartered territories, to find answers to some of nature’s phenomena and to see how things work. But do we have to travel to distant lands or make use of expensive equipment to be curious?Exciting trip

“To witness the wonderful creation of nature, one doesn’t have to travel to far off places. Instead if we look closely in our own backyard or up in the trees or skies, we can see exciting worlds being made there. Nature is the greatest show on Earth!” exclaimed Prof. Nick Davies, Professor of Behavioral Ecology, University of Cambridge as he took close to 600 school children present at the J. N. Tata Auditorium last week, on an exciting trip of nature’s wonders.

In his talk “How to be a Curious Naturalist”, Porf. Davies ignited sparks of curiosity in the young minds who had gathered there to observe their surroundings, question what they see, form ideas about them and finally test those ideas to see if they hold true.

“A good naturalist is always interested in understanding how and why nature behaves the way it does.” Such questions, he said, broaden our understanding about nature and help preserve it. The talk was supplemented with slides of pictures and video clips of some of the questions about nature we would have asked in our childhood but never bothered to find out more, like : Why do moths and butterflies have big dark spots on their wings? Why do cuckoos lay eggs in another bird’s nest? Are humans the only species to possess the ability to use tools?

The talk was…More

The Hindu :

Everyone’s favourite archaeologist-adventurer, Indiana Jones, is coming shortly to a TV screen near you

the mileage not the age Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

There is something about Indy. The delightfully escapist movies featuring the globetrotting, bull whip cracking, fedora toting archaeologist adventurer, Indiana Jones, are the perfect pick me up.

The Indiana Jones story started with “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in 1981. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie told a breathless tale of the search for the Ark of Covenant, where the Ten Commandments rested. The movie, set in 1936 opens in South America, dashes off to Nepal, then onward to Cairo and sundry exotic places while Indy dodges malevolent rolling rocks, poisonous arrows, superstitious natives, a charming and duplicitous French archaeologist, snakes and nasty Nazis.

Harrison Ford made for a perfect Indiana Jones. He was wry, intelligent, laconic and oh so hot. The movie was a smash hit and a sequel was a forgone conclusion. “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” came out in 1984. The film was set before the events of “Raiders” and did not have the zest and goofy charm of its predecessor. The movie unlike “Raiders” was mainly set in one location — Sri Lanka standing in for India.

While there were manic, hectic chases through underground mines, it did not mask the thinness of the plot. The tearing out of the still-beating heart touched a new level of grossness and was symbolic also of all that was wrong with the film

The only joy in the movie was to watch Amrish Puri ham it up as the villainous Mola Ram and hear Fordmutter in Hindi.

“The Last Crusade” in 1989 saw Spielberg back in the driving seat and here was an Indiana Jones movie with the right mix of elements — from exotic locations to everyone’s favourite bad boys — the…More

The Hindu : y>S. Bagyalakshmi talks of the murals that have brightened her daily commute

One could have failed to notice the dull old and almost worn-out wall enclosures of the Majestic — K.R. Circle route, even if they travelled on thatroad every day.

However, some changes are being noticed now. As a routine traveller, it was a pleasant surprise when I saw colourful motifs adorning those walls.

The painters have depicted a variety of themes such asnature and natural resources, wildlife, society, family, culture and heritage etc, working at all times of the day, even during therush-hour traffic.

Deer and horses adorn the wall with a certain dignity and gracefulness.

The paintings range from massive sculptures to projections of ordinary people. Women in traditional attire, and men involved in agriculture/cattle rearing are also showcased in the paintings. Weather-beaten face of an old lady painted near K.R. Circle is very enthralling.

On a routine day, one gets easily bored with the strain of travelling and managing the massive crowds in BMTC buses, especially during peak hours. These paintings provide a great deal of freshness and cheerfulness in the boring city landscape. It not only helps keep the city clean from the menace of movie posters and other advertisements, it provides a glimpse of our culture and the talent that this country possesses. These paintings have made me look forward to my daily journeys.

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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The Hindu : y>The Deaf see themselves as a socio-ethnic minority, with a fractured past but with a history and culture they are proud of, writes NANDINI HEBBAR

Photo: K.K. Najeebstanding tall Sign language is the basis of Deaf culture

For the uninitiated, let’s start with the rules: It is now politically correct to describe people with pathological hearing loss as deaf and people who are culturally so as Deaf (with a big D).

Culturally Deaf people include people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and families of the deaf. Deafness is no longer a disability, it is a different human experience and Deaf people see themselves as a socio-ethnic minority, with a fractured past but with a history and culture they are proud of.

For the initiated, Big D communities and Deaf pride, have opened up spaces and avenues that open with only great difficulty, and not without a great fight, for discriminated groups. Many Deaf people and researches allude to the close-mindedness exhibited by mainstream media and education which have shown little initiative in making entertainment or information accessible for the Deaf. Captions are largely absent in movies, television shows and news broadcasts; and learning for deaf children is usually in English or a spoken regional language, which they have to learn by lip reading, a way of life that continuously makes them aware of their incongruousness with the hearing world.

Therefore their own culture makes signed languages the touchstone of Deaf activities all over the world. Different sign languages are practiced in different regions and one is completely unintelligible to users of the other as Swahili is to speakers of Samoan. “Sign language is the core and spirit of Deaf Culture, reiterates Sibaji Panda of Mumbai-based Deaf learning organisation Ishara, which promotes Deaf education in Indian Sign Language and English.

As knowledge of signed languages is mandatory to be a part of the Deaf culture, Big D…More

The Hindu : y>

If you have recently decided to adopt a pet, you’ll be glad to hear that Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) Bangalore is holding an all-day adoption camp on Friday, October 2 . “Love comes in all shapes and sizes”, they say. “And it cannot be bought but can be adopted”. The animals available for adoption include dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, guinea pigs, cows, calves and rabbits. Speaking about why it is advisable to adopt rather than buy an animal, Santosh Rajashekar, CUPA managing committee member says: “Many breeders don’t follow the standards and a lot of them are involved in in-breeding. Some buyers pay upwards of Rs. 25, 000 for a Rottweiler. As for us, we don’t distinguish between breeds. All dogs are the same. Both Indian and pedigree dogs are available and there is no charge for adoption. There’s only a vaccination fee. Donations are encouraged, as the funds will help us save another abandoned or injured animal”.

The little ones have been tested for temperament and are in good health when given to their new families. CUPA will screen families for suitability and will organise follow-up visits at mutually convenient times to ensure that the pets are happy in their new homes. Success stories from past adoption camps are many and include an eight-year-old, friendly partially blind dog that was rehabilitated and then adopted. The dog is now in great shape and often visits CUPA. The adoption camp will be visited by cricketers and celebrities who are also interested in adoption. Freebies for those who are adopting include dog food, accessories and dog training tips.

The camp is being held at KVAFSU-CUPA Animal Shelter, Veterinary College Campus, Hebbal, Bangalore – 560 024 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. onOctober 2. For details, call 9845366209, 22947300 / 22947301 / 22947307.

Visit bloggers-bark.blogspot.com or cupabangalore.org

* * *BOW WOW

“No amount of time…More

The Hindu : y>

Slip it on And make a style statement this festive season

Rocia has introduced a range of new designs in footwear and handbags this festive season. The collection offers designs in bright colours.

Rocia’s festive range offers women’s sandals that come with embroidery and embellishments. There are also embroidered and bejewelled batwas and clutch handbags. These come in different colours including gold, silver, fuchsia, yellow and red.

There are designs for men too. There are casuals and ethnic designs for sandals. The festive collection offers sandals in colours such as burgundy, black and brown.

The collection is available in leading stores across the country.

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The Hindu :

Begin your meal with a bowl of spinach soup

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach with its delicate texture and jade green colour provide more nutrients than any other food.

Although spinach is available throughout the year, it is best in spring and the beginning of winter, when it is fresh. Choose spinach that has vibrant deep green leaves and stems with no signs of yellowing. The leaves should look fresh and tender, and not be wilted or bruised. Store fresh spinach loosely packed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper. Cooked spinach is an excellent source of iron, a mineral that is important for menstruating women, who are at risk for iron deficiency. The Vitamin K present in spinach is important for maintaining boneNow, for a recipe.Cold Spinach Soup

Ingredients

Plain yoghurt: 250 gm

Fresh spinach: 300 gm

Milk: 125 ml

Diced, cooked chicken: 20

gm

Chopped onion: 25 gm

Fresh dill, chopped: 30 gm

Method: In a blender, combine three cups of fresh spinach, one cup of milk, onion, dill and any additional seasoning. Cover and process until almost smooth, then pour into a large serving bowl. Again in the blender, mix the remaining milk and spinach with the yoghurt; cover and blend until smooth. Stir the new mixture into a serving bowl; stir in the cooked chicken. Refrigerate. Serve when ready.

BHOLANATH JHA

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The Hindu : y>Exhibition A 10-day festival will bring crafts from all over the country

Sampoorn crafts festival, a 10-day handicrafts exhibition begins on October 5 at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Kumarakrupa Road, 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

House decorative articles, clothes and cosmetics, cast metal and iron items, terracotta, pottery, silver and metal jewellery and bamboo products will be available at the exhibition.Many artistes from all over India will exhibit their products.

The ganjifa art form is the main attraction of the festival. Also available are the oakwood silks from Uttar Pradesh, fabrics from Gujarat, hatina crafts from Delhi, bamboo products from Kerala, Jaipur’s pottery and the Tanjore art forms.

Jewellery is also available at the mela. This year’s prime attraction is crafts by Belgaum’s Shramik Art association with a variety of handicrafts.

You will also find a variety of laundry baskets, coil bowls, bags, cushion covers,dakshini wool bags and ikkat saris. For details, call 26633038/ 9845597553. You can also visitwww.sampoorn.org

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The Hindu :

A new study says lifestyle changes are needed to prevent illness and death caused by hypertension

Photo: V. Sreenivasa MurthyTAKE CARE Food is always tempting, but put a check

Perhaps nothing in medicine more aptly depicts the paradoxical statement ‘doing better, feeling worse’ than high blood pressure.

Despite an extraordinarily easy way to detect it, strong evidence for how to prevent it and proven remedies to treat it, more Americans today have undetected or poorly controlled hypertension than ever before. The aging of the population is a reason but not the only one, said Dr. Aram V. Chobanian, a hypertension expert at Boston University Medical Centre.

As he summarised the problem in an interview and in The New England Journal of Medicine in August, Americans are too sedentary and fat. They eat too much, especially salt, but too few potassium-rich fruits and vegetables. The makers of processed and fast foods created and persistently promote a craving for high-salt foods.Long-term implications

Solutions to the blood pressure problem require broad-scale approaches — by the public, by government, by industry and by health care professionals. Several measures are similar to those that have been so effective in curbing cigarette smoking; others require better, affordable access to medical care for everyone at risk, including children and the unemployed.

Still others need the co-operation of government, industry and the public to improve the American diet and enhance opportunities for health-promoting exercise. No one claims that the solutions are cheap. But failure to fix this problem portends even greater costs down the line, because uncontrolled hypertension sets the stage for astronomically expensive heart and kidney disease and stroke — diseases that will become only more common as the population ages.

Once, the prevailing medical opinion was that lowering an elevated blood pressure was hazardous because it would deprive a person’s vital organs of an adequate blood supply. But a few pioneering…More

The Hindu :

A home that is not messy can be wonderful. There are plenty ofways and means of keeping living space free of clutter

Photo: T. Vijaya KumarGet organised For a clutter-free home

A conversation with a friend on ‘good house-keeping’ became fuel for further investigation. It felt great to know that I was not the only one trying to solve this age-old conundrum. It also felt great to connect with a fellow ‘hoarder’. In her case, for instance, hoarding entailed the collection of empty glass bottles. While in mine, hoarding found new meaning in the preservation of cloth bags.

Hoarding is our response to that “What if?” question. What if I suddenly find use for this cloth bag? What if I someday make pickles (yeah, right!) that have to be stored in glass bottles? Hoarding so many unwanted things makes it impossible to keep your living space clutter-free.

So, how does one do it? How does one put a system in place, where every chore is allotted credible time?

While for some, it is a matter of obsession (remember Monica Geller, that cleanliness freak in “Friends”?), for others it is a means to de-stress. Pride over one’s personal space is another reason. Of course, unless one is self-motivated, the desire for wanting to be organised, perhaps remains futile.

Upon careful analysis, both by talking to fellow comrades and searching online, these are some of the solutions I found worth considering…Zoning out

I divide my home into specific zones – for instance, the kitchen cabinets, the refrigerator, the bed-room, and so on. A schedule is then drawn for the coming week, for the zones that I specifically wish to attack. Every day, one hour is devoted to a selected zone. It’s amazing the amount of clutter I am able to dispose off.

Outdated spices from my kitchen cabinets are thrown away. Leftovers in the fridge are cleared off. Bathroom…More