Prevent Electrical Fires

15 Austin South Asian | October 2020

Gandhi Jayanti 4 Tips To Help Prevent

(Continued From Page 01) backdrop of the national tricolour. ecation free’ and success of the Electrical Fires At Home In a tribute to Gandhi, The HonorSwachh Bharat Mission and launch Gandhi Jayanti is marked by prayer able Prime Minister has released a a war against plastic. Electrical fires often occur unexrecognized testing laboratory, like services and tributes all over India, coin of ₹150 on his 150th birthday. pectedly in locations that may be UL, CSA or Intertek. including at Gandhi’s memorial Congress interim chief Sonia GanAn exhibition titled ‘Picture Posthidden from view. Raj Ghat in New Delhi where he dhi, former PM Manmohan Singh cards for Gandhi’ to mark the was cremated. also paid tributes at Rajghat. 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and his contribution towards environment was held at M.F. Hussain Art Gallery of Jamia Millia Islamia.

The exhibition was conceived, designed and curated by Prof. Farhat Basir Khan.

Painting and essay competitions are conducted and best awards are granted for projects in schools and the community encouraging a non-violent way of life as well as celebrating Gandhi’s effort in the Indian independence movement.

Popular activities include prayer meetings, commemorative ceremonies in different cities by colleges, local government institutions and socio-political institutions.

On Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birthday, he was paid different tributes. The Central Railway zone celebrated Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary Year by painting diesel locomotives with the Mahatma Gandhi’s picture on the Congress workers took a mass oath to carry forward Mahatma Gandhi’s vision.

Meanwhile, BJP chief Amit Shah flaged off the party’s nationwide Gandhi Sankalp Yatra.

In the evening, PM Modi visited Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat to address 10,000 sarpanchs.

He also declared India ‘open def- Gandhi’s favourite Bhajan (Hindu devotional song), Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, is usually sung in his memory.

Statues of Mahatma Gandhi throughout the country are decorated with flowers and garlands, and some people avoid drinking alcohol or eating meat on the day. Public buildings, banks and post offices are closed.

Navaratri

(Continued From Page 01) Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratri. However, in practice, it is the postmonsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navaratri that is the most observed in the honor of the divine feminine Devi (Durga). Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated yearly on 2 October. It is one of the official declared national holidays of India, observed in all of its states and territories. The festival is celebrated in the bright half of the Hindu calendar month Ashvin, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October. In the eastern and northeastern states of India, the Durga Puja is synonymous with Navaratri, wherein goddess Durga battles and emerges victorious over the buffalo demon to help restore Dharma. In the northern and western states, the festival is synonymous with “Rama Lila” and Dussehra that celebrates the battle and victory of god Rama over the demon king Ravana. In southern states, the victory of different goddesses, of Rama or Saraswati is celebrated. In all cases, the common theme is the battle and victory of Good over Evil based on a regionally famous epic or legend such as the Ramayana or the Devi Mahatmya.Celebrations include stage decorations, recital of the legend, enacting of the story, and chanting of the scriptures of Hinduism. The nine days are also a major crop season cultural event, such as competitive design and staging of pandals, a family visit to these pandals and the public celebration of classical and folk dances of Hindu culture.

On the final day, called the Vijayadashami or Dussehra, the statues are either immersed in a water body such as river and ocean, or alternatively the statue symbolizing the evil is burnt with fireworks marking evil’s destruction. The festival also starts the preparation for one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays, Diwali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after the Vijayadashami or Dussehra or Dashain.

As the second most common type of home fire in the U.S., more than 40,000 electrical fires occur in American homes every year, resulting in hundreds of deaths, over 1,000 injuries and more than $1 billion in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

“With millions of Americans working and learning from home amid COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to take a few simple steps to protect your home and loved ones from electrical fires,” says Ashley Bryant, National Electrical Manufacturers Association Low Voltage Distribution Equipment AFCI Task Force co-chair.

To make needed updates at home, consider these safety tips from the NEMA LVDE AFCI Task Force:

1. Take Care with Cords: Inspect cords regularly for signs of damage or wear and tear. Use extension cords properly and according to the load ratings for the product. Never overload them or run cords under furniture, carpets or rugs.

2. Examine Appliances: When using appliances, inspect them for signs of damage. Only use the appliance in its intended manner.

3. Ensure Products Meet Safety Standards: To ensure the products you use at home comply with national safety standards, always look for the label of a nationally4. Consider Additional Protection: Arcing was the heat source in approximately three of five electrical home fires from 2012-2016, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

However, you can help prevent this dangerous condition from leading to a worst case scenario with ArcFault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs).

AFCIs are designed to monitor the circuit for the presence of “normal” and “dangerous” arcing conditions in order to reduce the chance of your electrical system being an ignition source of a fire.

An affordable, proven smart technology that provides a higher level of protection than standard circuit breakers, AFCIs have been a National Electrical Code requirement in new home building since 1999 for certain electrical circuits. To better protect your entire home, experts recommend requesting AFCI protection on all 15 and 20A branch circuits.

To learn more about electrical fire prevention and AFCI technology, visit afcisafety.org.

Electrical fires can be devastating and lethal. Fortunately, there are simple proactive steps every household can take that can help stop an electrical fire before it starts.

16 Austin South Asian | October 2020 Shop Smart This October to Benefit Breast Cancer Patients

It is not always easy to tell how your charitable dollars are going to be used, especially during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Honored every October, this is a time of year when many companies use pink logos on product packaging to symbolize support for breast cancer-related charities.

Unfortunately, these symbols are not always backed by a promise that proceeds will directly support research or those living with breast cancer.

In the case of Susan G. Komen and its Live Pink program, the organization works closely with all its partners to ensure program details are transparent to consumers.

And this year, 18 companies are donating a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of select products to Math can be one of the toughest subjects to conquer, even in a typical school year. In today’s unusual learning environment, new challenges are presenting themselves to teachers and students alike. Here is how you can help your child make the grade in math, no matter where their learning is taking place: 1. Use online resources: For distance-learners, (or students who would like to reinforce math concepts at home) free online educational resources can supplement formal instruction. One unique site providing remotelearning support to educators, parents and teachers is Casio Cares. The site features free software, math lessons for K through 12 and live webinars, as well as provides a web-based calculation tool that supports the curriculum of grade levels 6 through college. Komen. As many consumers are doing much of their shopping online these days, Komen has created a site that makes it easy and safe to shop for a cause. Visit livepink.org to shop and learn more.

“It just takes a moment to get involved and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer,” says Visit casioeducation.com to access these tools and learn more. 2. Encourage tailored learning: Leaning into the strengths of online learning can help your student make the most of this atypical school year. Sarah Rosales, vice president of Corporate Partnerships, Susan G. Komen.

“We’re honored to have so many partners giving consumers an op

portunity to support breast cancer patients and fund lifesaving research.” While online tools like webinars, instructional videos and activities may not provide the same type of interaction as an in-person classroom experience, they do have some clear advantages: such tools appeal to digital natives, can be tailored to individual needs, offer opportunities for self pacing and can be revisited again and again as Want to ensure you are making the biggest impact possible? Before making any purchase you assume benefits the fight against breast cancer, Susan G. Komen recommends asking the following questions:

1. Who is the program supporting? Is it clear what charity is benefiting from the program? Susan G. Komen, for example, requires all of its partners to clearly state that their program benefits the organization. In many cases, they will include Komen’s iconic logo on their packaging.

2. How will the charity use the doneeded. 3. Get equipped: Be sure your student is equipped with a calculator well-suited to the curriculum. The affordable scientific calculators and graphing calculators available from Casio feature hundreds of functions, as well as high-definition, three dimensional displays, helping students visualize mathematical concepts for a better grasp of the material. nation? It should be clear where the proceeds go. Look for programs that support organizations which take a 360-degree approach to fighting the disease by funding breakthrough research, supporting compassionate public policy and providing patient support.

3. How is the program structured? Transparency is key. Is the company clearly stating how the money is raised and how much will be going to charity? For example, if it’s a donation per purchase structure, ask how much of the purchase price benefits the charity. Is there is a minimum or maximum contribution? Is it a flat donation regardless of sale?

By shopping savvy this National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, you can ensure your purchases are making the biggest impact pos

Solving The Challenge Of Math Class This School Year

sible. (StatePoint) Tutorials offering in-depth instructions for using different calculator features are available online, and can expand your child’s capabilities.

Remote and hybrid learning come with different challenges than regular classroom learning, especially when it comes to math class.

However, new tools can help make this school year a success.

(StatePoint)