Why diseases should be named carefully

Disease names can have consequences. Yes this is true.

Government agencies generally do not pay attention whenever disease is named. This is not only in India but is prevalent in other countries also.

Swine flu has nothing to do with pigs but pigs were slaughtered in some countries at the time of spread of Swine Flu. In 2009 Egypt ordered killing of 300,000 pigs to stop its spread.

Spanish flu did not originate from Spain. Many organizations working on Spanish flu brought Spain to limelight claiming it to be the source of this disease and hence Spain could not censor reports and figures on this disease though some of the countries censored this.

HIV was first called “gay related immune deficiency” or GRID leading heterosexuals to underestimate the risk of unprotected sex.

What happens inside quietest place on Earth

Do you know which the quietiest place on Earth is?

It is Microsoft office in Redmond headquarters in USA. To be precise Anechoic chamber is the exact place at -20.6 dB.

There are six concrete rooms within rooms that enclose the chamber and can reduce the noise of a jet taking off to a whisper.

Literal meaning of Anechoic is echo free.

Year 2015 saw the world record of -9.4dB in Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis.

 

Let’s walk through sounds heard at different decibels (dB) which is a measurement unit of sound.

10 dB is the sound of normal breathing.

0 dB is the lowest limit of sound that a human ear can hear.

Negative dB is the sound that a human ear cannot hear.

-24 dB is the noise produced by colliding air molecules and this quietness is outside vacuum.

-20.6 dB is the sound limit inside the Anechoic chamber. The room is so quiet that you can hear your blood flow.

 

 

Sudden change in colour of Bosphorus strait connnecting Europe & Asia

Have you heard of Bosphorus Strait?

This strait connects continents of Asia and Europe in Istanbul, capital of Turkey.

People noticed this change as the colour of strait was bluish earlier and changed to milky turquoise this week.

This sudden change has been attributed by scientists to increasing level of pollution in the sea and surge in a species of plankton across the Black Sea.

Other reasons cited are earthquake in the region on 12^th Jun 2017 afternoon and surge in micro organism Emiliania huxleyi popularly known as Ehux.

If this continues, it may endanger species of fish and other animals living in the sea in this area and may result in decline in tourism and protests by environmentalists.

 

Love of old couple-Recoiled

It was June. Summer was at its peak.

Dharampal was sleeping with his grandchildren on either side. Sleeping on the floor with bed sheets spread evenly on the floor was his favourite and he did not like sleeping on bed. This was in the genes of his grandchildren also.

He saw Shraboni entering room of his son with sari border covering her head. She almost ran inside the room and locked the room from inside.

Dharampal heard some noise and then lost in the thoughts of Kanta.

Dharampal and Kanta used to go on the roof where Dharampal would smoke hookah and Kanta would prepare Lassi for him. Dharma would bring Chole Kulche for his wife and Kanta would eat it.

Everyday Kanta would do the same thing and Dharampal would be happy. Both then lie down and see the stars and talk to one another before going to sleep. Both were aged and would tell stories of brave and humorous acts done in their young days.

Kanta had full trust in Dharmapaji. Kanta would say Dharmapaji, you are a great man. I know you never had affair with any girl except me.

Kailash along with his family had gone out in summer holidays at his in laws house for about a week.

Kailash along with his family returned from his in-laws house in the morning in the last week of June.

He immediately left for his shop so that he could see if everything was in order in the departmental store. The departmental store was a big one and almost everything was available in the store.

He looked at his watch. It was 6.00 in the evening and this was the time when he would be on his way from departmental store to his home.

Kailash reached home at 6.45.

There was no one in the house. Generally there used to be noise in the evening. Children would cry, they would snatch one another’s things or Kanta would shout at them whenever one would slap another sibling.

He felt uneasy and started calling each member.

Shraboni where are you? Shyam where are you?

No answer.

Geeta where have you gone? Maji, Pitaji where are you?

Still no answer.

He went upstairs and reached the roof.  He was shocked to see everyone weeping. He asked everyone but no one replied.

He saw Kanta and kept on staring her. He regained consciousness soon and said Maji what happened to you?

She was lying there with no body movement.

Pitaji was crying. He said I never told a lie to Kanta. Today only I thought of pulling her leg.

He began.

It was afternoon and sun was setting. I started laughing and asked for a glass of water from Kanta.

She asked what happened Dharama.

Dharma said “nothing much dear”. You remember Sumitra. The beautiful woman in her early twenties with dove eyes and silky black long hair and perfect figure. She was no match with any woman at that time.

Expressions on Kanta’s face changed and she became somewhat furious.

Her tone changed and said now I understand why you would go late in the evening everyday and would be happy with shine in the eyes when you would return. So you were with her all those evenings and made me a fool.

He came near her and held her hands. He could not believe. Kanta’s body was very hot and was almost boiling.

Kanta loved her husband very much and they never had any disagreement throughout their lives. He was worried. He started cursing himself. He should not have said this to his wife, even if this was true. He should have thought about this earlier.

Kanta’s  face twisted after listening his story of young days. After few minutes she almost became still.

Dharma took water from the jug and sprinkled it over her face. She moved a bit and then suddenly her face dropped down with her back supporting on the leg of Dharma. His both hands were trying to shake her body.

But it was very late.

He recoiled and said you cannot leave me like this. We have been together all these years both in joys and sorrows of life. I just wanted to enjoy and hence told you the story of Sumitra. You should have at least listened to other part of the story.

They were on the same spot where they had slept together last time.

Dharma threw the glass of water on the floor and shouted you old lady I will not cremate you.

Plane-longer than a football field

Microsoft has developed an airplane longer than a football field and has a wingspan of 385 ft. It is named as Stratolaunch.

Yes, this is the world’s largest plane weighing about 1.3 million pounds.

It weighs 500,000 pounds without fuel and it can carry fuel weighing 250,000 pounds.

It has 28 wheels and has six 747 jet engines.

The aircraft is 238 feet from nose to its end and is 50 feet from the ground to the tip of its vertical tail, its highest point.

This plane developed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen unveiled it for launching satellite toting rockets into space. This was unveiled in California’s Mojave Desert on 31^st May 2017.

The plane is not developed to carry passengers but to carry and launch rockets into space.

This project was being developed for last 6 years and is expected first launch as early as 2019.

This innovation will reduce cost of launching small vehicles into space.

I love you darling

I came early from the office. It was 7.00 PM in the office.

I thought I should spend some time with my wife. Today I will have two extra hours that can be utilized effectively.

Generally I reach home at around 9 in the night.

I called my wife at 5 in the evening and told her that I would be reaching home early today as my boss was not available in the office. Then we would be going out for a long walk.

My wife seemed happy as could be judged from her tone.

My wife was cooking for me when I reached home at 7.

She cooked my favourite items- Fried Potatoes and Masoor Dal.

I was very happy eating these dishes.

We chatted for 15-20 minutes and then she switched on TV to watch her favourite serial.  The serial was for 30 minutes. I watched TV for few minutes but it was not of my interest. I thought of reading newspaper. After about 20-25 minutes, my wife changed channel and was watching another favourite serial.

I thought of asking my wife if she was interested in going out but looking at her face I thought of not disturbing her. She was smiling while watching her favourite really show.

I picked up novel “Icebound” by Dean Koontz and was lost in reading it for a long time.

I looked at watch. I felt bad. It was 10 in the night and we generally sleep by this time.

I cursed myself and thought why I did not go out immediately after reaching home or at least after finishing dinner.

Once we were on the bed, I thought of asking her if she felt bad for not going out. But thoughts came into my mind if I should ask her or not.

Finally I decided to ask her so that it does not remain buried in my heart.

“Did you feel bad for not going out”?

Wife replied calmly “You were tired when you came from office so I thought of not disturbing you”.

I felt relieved. I asked why she switched on TV when she knew that we had to go out.

She again said calmly “You have interest in reading that you generally cannot do on other days as you come late in the night so I did not feel like disturbing you”.

I was feeling bad inside.  I was expecting some harsh words from her.

Infact I wasted this precious time in all other things except the one of going out.

We love one another very much and cater to very minute needs of one another. We also say I Love You Darling.

But sometimes it becomes necessary to express it which can be in any form.

Going out was one of them. This is what I thought. I cannot say about anyone else.

One should spend some time with family whenever you get time. Do not indulge in things that can be done without one another.I had wasted my precious time and was feeling bad for myself and my wife.

I decided that next time whenever I got this opportunity we will go out for a walk and then will continue with our daily routine. Otherwise same will happen in future.

 

 

 

Vending Machine dispensing Ferraris

Now forget about vending machines dispensing eatables and soft drinks.

Vending machine in Singapore is dispensing world’s largest luxury car Ferrari.

The vending machine is a multi building where luxurious cars including Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini among others are on display.

The customer wishing to see the car has to use touch screen installed on the ground floor. The moment touch screen is pressed, the selected car comes on the ground floor in 1-2 minutes.

 

Adventure journey in the dark

It was night. Time to leave office.

Cabs start moving at 9.15 PM though shift ends at 9.00 PM.

This is the typical life of a BPO employee.

We were 4 people all hailing from Rohini. We asked driver to take route via Delhi Cantonment and Tilak Nagar.

The driver was adamant and suggested that he would take us through Kapashera and Dabri Mode and we would reach home earlier than other days.

We told him that we were not aware about this route but he said”Sirjee you need not worry as I know the route”.

We sat comfortably and waited to reach home.

We generally take Delhi cantonment route where the cab travels through Hari Nagar, Janakpuri District center and finally reach Rohini via outer Ring Road. We generally reach home by 10.30 PM.

The cab crossed Kapashera and we reached road which was clean and very wide resulting in fast movement of traffic. We entered Dwarka and thought we would be hitting Dabri Mode soon and then Janakpuri District Centre.

There was a dead end and the cab slowed down. We all thought cab would turn right. But the driver took left  instead. We told him, “Bhaiya you have taken a wrong turn and should have taken right turn”. But he said he knew the route and was going the right way.

The cab started moving through congested roads and there was very slow movement of traffic due to narrow roads and market.

At one point the cab came to a standstill and remained idle for about 5 minutes. The cab started moving.

Suddenly a two wheeler came from the opposite side and hit our cab from right side. We felt that the cab was hit but the driver did not stop the cab. Another two wheeler coming from the opposite side shouted that the cab has been hit and bumper has come out a bit. The driver stopped the cab after some time where the traffic was thin. He went out and checked the bumper and after 30 seconds came back on his seat.

We were happy!

We all were waiting to say something as the route was very long and we were going through congested roads.

One of my colleagues said, “Bhaiya time and efforts were wasted as you have taken a long route and now your cab has also been damaged. You will have to spend money to get it repaired. You should have listened and have taken the recommended route”.

The driver laughed and said, “Sir Money is not a problem. I was earning Rs 3 lakhs in 20 minutes sometime back and repairing cab is not a problem. You sit comfortably and enjoy the ride”.

I became curious and asked how he earned so much amount in 20 minutes. He told us that we would not be able do it. I asked if he could tell me, I should at least be able to earn Rs 1 Lakh in 20 minutes.

He laughed and said we would not be able to do it.

I insisted if there was any specific reason. He simply said that was illegal work.

I laughed and told him that it could be illegal thing only otherwise it is not possible to earn Rs 3 lakhs in 20 minutes.

He was convinced to speak and said, “Sir I arranged to get license of weapons and hence earned so much amount”.

We were surprised and kept quiet and looked at the driver with suspicion.

Meanwhile the cab moved through isolated narrow road that seemed to be countryside village. There was no light on the street. We informed the driver that he had taken a wrong road but he did not accept it. Finally we hit Sagarpur road and then the driver realized and said, “I had missed one cut earlier and hence taken the long route”.

We had no choice. We simply said, “Bhaiya take your time and drop us at our home”.

The driver continued his conversation. He told us that 1275 cases were registered against him.

We all looked at one another and then at the driver. For few minutes it seemed we were sitting with a criminal.

The driver told us that he could not get be released from the courts in Haryana and finally was released from Chandigarh High court after paying Rs 22 lakhs in one go.

Naturally it was possible for a driver to pay Rs 22 Lakhs when he can earn Rs 3 lakhs in 20 minutes.

The cab finally reached Janakpuri District Centre and we all felt relieved as now it would not take much time to reach Rohini.

I was thinking how this driver could be financially well. You will always find difference between a driver and an owner of a cab in terms of dressing sense, language and attitude among other things.

I realized that the same cab driver had come previous night who was not allowing us to switch on AC of the cab. He insisted that he did not have instructions from his supervisor.  The AC was switched on after about 20 minutes after having discussion with the transport department and the supervisor of the driver.

How could a person who had to ask supervisor to switch on AC had told us about earning such a large amount.

We all were realizing that the cab driver had cooked up the story so that we do not feel bored in this long journey.

But we all enjoyed this trip. Seemed to be an adventure in the dark.

Finally we reached home at about 11.00 PM about 20 minutes later than other days.

I could not sleep for an hour and kept on thinking about the driver.

Had it not been a cooked up story then we would have landed in a difficult situation.

The company should have records of background verification of each person driving the cab so that we all feel safe while reaching home.

 

Aquasonic-First underwater music concert

First underwater music performance “Aquasonic” has taken audience on a unique and fascinating journey into unchartered territory and is a combination of water and music.

The underwater performance is given in glass water tanks. The music is more melodic and soothing to ears as compared to performance given outside water. The melody is more resonant.

The audience, of course, will remain dry on the outside, listening to the music picked up by the hydrophones.

This has been successful after years of experiment done beneath water with different music instruments and human talent having immense passion to make this experiment successful and give something new and soothing to the people on this planet. In fact this is the result of pushing the boundaries of human experience in Music on this planet.

The experiment was first conducted successfully in Rotterdam in 2016 after a decade of development.

“Between Music” is a Danish band (consisting of five members) and conducted first successful concert “Aquasonic”under the sea. Currently this is the only band performing under water.

Different music instruments were added or invented for this underwater performance and include Rotacorda, Crystallophone, Hydraulophone, percussion, violin.

China plans to catch an asteriod and living on it

China plans to do mining and start living on an asteroid.

But before that China plans to find, catch and land on an asteroid. It has plans to catch first asteroid latest by 2020 and make it livable.

This was confirmed by Chinese chief commander of lunar exploration program Ye Pijian

China wants to build space station on the asteroid so that it can command over the world through satellites and check what is happening around the globe.

Ye also said to a Chinese state-run science and technology newspaper that the asteroids located near the Earth have “precious metals,” according to the South China Morning Post, and that the mining could offset the expensive cost of space exploration.