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VOL. XV, NO.23 , RNI NO. 65140/96 Mumbai , Oct 30 - Nov 5, 2010 Pages 12 Rs : 12/-
Children’s weekly newspaper
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Check about National Awards celebration in India news
Take a look at the New Mac Book in Technology news
Check out dogs dressed up as celebrities in Leisure
Know about the new Egyptian tomb in world news
Read about Federer’s Stockholm Open win in sports news
A spotted tale A team of researchers has answered the age-old question of how the leopard got its spots. The team studied the flank markings of 35 species of wild cats and linked their spots to a mathematical model of pattern development. The results showed that cats living in dense habitats are the most likely to be patterned. This suggests that patterning evolved for camouflage. The research also explains why black leopards are common but black cheetahs aren’t. Unlike the cheetah, leopards live in a wide range of habitats. Having several habitats and niches allows atypical colours and patterns to evolve .
An engineered collision Scientist have released the first detailed explanation of the crater formed when a part of NASA’s LCROSS satellite was intentionally crashed into the Moon. The satellite’s companion, Centaur, was sent into the Cabeus crater near the lunar South Pole. This kicked up debris from the bottom of the crater to be analysed. Scientists have received a number of surprises. Not only did the lunar sample contain water, it also harboured other compounds such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, free sodium and even silver.
Lungs can smell A number of 50-millionyear old insects have been discovered in Gujarat. Entombed in amber deposits, the specimens have been exquisitely preserved. This discovery may change the current views of India’s biogeographical history. On studying the insect specimens found recently, it has been discovered that they are related closely to extinct species from Europe, Australia and even tropical America.This relationship suggests that insects were migrating through islands evens before India collided with Asia. Further, the amber deposit also provide evidence of a tropical rainforest in Asia. This rainforest would be 50 million years old, making it the earliest recorded one in Asia. This pushes back the antiquity of Asian rainforests by nearly 25 million years.
Asia’s oldest forest NEW research has found that bitter taste receptors exist not only in the mouth, but also in the lungs. This new discovery could revolutionise the treatment of asthma. Unlike the taste receptors on the tongue, the ones in the lungs are not clustered in buds and do not send signals to the brain. However, they do respond to bitter taste. It was found that bitter substances open the airway better than most medication. Another surprising discovery was the role of calcium when the lungs’ taste receptors were activated. Normally, calcium causes contraction in smooth muscles. Yet, the bitter compounds increased calcium and caused muscles to relax.
News Bytes
Centuries old tunnel A 200-year-old tunnel was unearthed in Mumbai. The tunnel has a vast hall, thick walls, pillars and a muddy floor. It will soon be examined to see if it has any heritage value or anything related to history background. Strengthening the Navy
The Indian Navy is planning to procure six Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft. These will replace the ageing fleet of 12 Islander aircraft in service. Back to school Freedom fighter Bhol-aram Das, who just turned 100, has announced he is going back to school.Das has enrolled in a PhD programme, making him one of India’s oldest university students. Math for marathoners A dedicated marathoner has made a mathematical model to help fellow runners perform better. His formula helps calculate how much carbohydrate a runner needs to stay fuelled through 26.2 miles as well as what pace a runner can expect to sustain.
02 Navneet Newshouse
Oct 30 - Nov 5
Arty Smarty
CraftyArt: Dangly stars
Sarvesh H. Patil (7 yrs) Don Bosco High School, Naigaon
You will need: • One sheet of cardboard or thermocol • Sequins of different colours and shapes • Glitter, glue, pencil, scissors, needle and string Method: • With a pencil, draw some stars on the cardboard or thermocol sheet (you can draw other shapes too). • Carefully cut out the shapes using the scissors. • Apply some glue and sprinkle some glitter over the glued side. Shake off the excess glitter and add sequins, when dry. Keep aside to dry. • Pierce one end of each star with a needle and pass the string through it. Now pierce the bottom of the star with the same string and attach it to the top of another star. Make a link of 4-5 stars. Make 3-4 separate links in all. • Using the bangle or compass, draw a circle on the cardboard and cut it out. Make a hole in the center. • Pass the links through the hole and tie a knot on top. Your dangly stars are ready! Hang them at your door.
Phunny Noose
Watch play to sleep
Mayur M. Kudkar (13yrs) A.V. S.Vidya Mandir, Virar
Nilay Desai (14 yrs) Sri Sathya Sai Vidyaniketan, Navsari, Gujarat
Dance of safety
Amazing Facts • The king of hearts is the only one of all the four kings without a moustache. • The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley’s chewing gum. • Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are 50 years of age or older. • A Boeing 747’s wingspan is more than the distance of the Wright brothers’ first flight. • You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television. • Dentists recommend that a toothbrush be kept at least six feet away from a toilet to prevent airborne particles from the flush from settling on it.
At some point of time or the other, many of us have fallen asleep while watching a particularly boring movie or play. Well, while watching Lullaby, one needn’t feel guilty at all to do just that! The play will be held in London and ismeant for just that – putting people to sleep. Aptly titled Lullaby, the viewers of the play will be called to the Barbican Pit theatre at 10pm, instructed to change into their nightwear and brush their teeth before enjoying the performance. Seems like the viewers can go for a night out and make a ‘day’ of it!
The words ‘safety instructions’ evoke anything but a funny response from a person. However, if one is travelling by Philippines’ Cebu Pacific Airlines, then it’s possible. Here, the flight attendants don’t just give safety instructions, they dance while doing so!The crew dances while instructing fliers about safety precautions. In fact, they are industrious enough to use the tune of Safety Dance, the 1980s song by the band ‘Men Without Hats’, for the purpose.The airline received a lot of positive publicity after a video of its flight attendants doing this unique dance was viewed .
Listings
Creative writing
Paper fun
Shivani Tibrewala of ‘No License Yet’ will conduct a 6-month creative writing course from January. It will be an intensive course in storytelling, dramatic writing and scriptwriting, wherein participants will be exposed to various classic and contemporary writing styles. There will be a two-hour session o a week.
Here’s a class where you can have assured fun with nothing more than paper! Mrs. Paru Mahtani conducts classes at Colaba where card making, rubber stamping and paper flower making are taught. You can attend the class for one day or continue for more sessions.
For more details, +91details, 9819375527 For registration andcall other call +91or9320291157. +91 or e-mail Age 9867790610 group: 8-10 years and jalebi.ink@gmail. 13-16 years. Cost / 4 for sessions com.course Cost R3,000 Rs.15,000 the entire
For registrations details, call Paru Mahtani on +91 9930833268 or +91 9820133268. Age group: Kids from 10+ years as well as adults. Cost Rs.1,000 / per class
Reporting workshop Reporting workshops called ‘I am a reporter’ are held by ‘Jalebi Ink’ where children are taught the art of putting together a newspaper report, a radio or video show. Through this programme, young people will pick up skills such as, writing, reporting and design, and visual skills like photography and illustrations. The next set of workshops start from October 30.
Aman Mavani (13 yrs), Mumbai • A donkey’s eyes enable it to see all four of its feet at all times. Pia Jain (12 yrs), Mumbai
In & Around Personality: Valmiki
Valmiki is a name that goes hand-in-hand with the glorious history of India. He is a celebrated poet and is also said to be one of the forerunners of Sanskrit poetry. What he is most well known for is his work on the epic Ramayana.The attribution of the epic itself identifies him as the author. Several sources date Valmiki’s Ramayana variously, but it is usually between 500 and100 BC. Valmiki is known as the Adi Kavi, or ‘First Poet’. This is because he discovered the first sloka(first verse). It was the first sloka that came to define Sanskrit poetry.The poet also wrote the Yoga Vai-stha, which recounts a conversationbetween the sage Vasistha and young Prince Ram. Valmikism, a religious movement based on the teachings in the Ramayana and Yoga Vasistha, ga- ined tremendous popularity in India.
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Oct 30 - Nov 5
India Ndc turns 50
Court for environment
THE National Defence College (NDC) recently turned 50. In order to celebrate the Golden Jubilee, a two-day international seminar was held on ‘The Role of Force in Strategic Affairs’ on October 21 and 22.The seminar was held at the newly built Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by
A special tribunal for environment issues was launched in India on October 19. The first of its kind in India. The ‘National Green Tribunal’ is chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta. To begin with, the tribunal will have four regional benches. With the introduction of the tribunal, the National
President Pratibha Patil who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Contributing to science
A ceremony was held knowledge the contribution of young Indian scien-
tists towards the cause of science. Held in New Delhi on October 20, on the auspicious day the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards for the year 2009-2010 were distributed by the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh. The awards are given to scientists who are under the age of 45 and recognise the excellence of the work already done by them.
Entertainment
Environment Appellate Authority has ceased to exist and all cases before it have been transferred tothe new body. The tribunal consists of members who are experts in the field of environmental sciences and have the authorityto issue directions to the guilty for compensation of damage done by them.
Money Matters : Gold Buyers Undettered In spite of gold prices being at an all time high, people cotinue to buy the metal.This is on account of the festive season; Diwali is coming up, and Dussehra has just gotten over.Owing to all of this,gold buying is at a high. Last year
during these days, in the month of October, the rate of 24-carat gold was around Rs.16,200, while this year it is close to Rs.20,000.The prices have increased by almost 25 per cent, but demand has not been affected. Commodity and Bullion Rates (as of October 25)
Commodity Dollar Euro Gold (10 gm) Silver (kg) Oil (per barrel)
Current price Rs.44.59 Rs.61.95 Rs.19,355 Rs.37,550 $82.96
Celebrating an icon
National film awards
The 16th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition washeld in Warsaw, Poland. The winner was Russian pianist Yulianna Avdeeva, who won a sum of 30,000 euros and a gold medal. Although the competition is held every five years, this year’s event was
The 57th National Film Awards were presented to the winners on October 22. The awards were given away by President Pratibha Patil. Malayalam movie Kutty Srank bagged five awards in total, including the best feature film. The award for best supporting actress in female role went to
Last week’s price Rs.44.11 Rs.61.93 Rs.19,810 Rs.37,000 $84.45
NNH Words Tick the word or phrase that you think is the closest in meaning to the keyword. Aplomb a) poise b) burst c) cause d) nerves Foil a) hinder b) paper d) cart d) voice Jagged a) composed b) uneven c) doomed d) calmed Malady a) drama b) tune c) front d) ailment
Wish your loved ones in a Special way for their birthday and anniversary!
Send them a message through Message Corner!!
even more importantas it celebrated the 200th birth anniversary of iconic pianist and composer Frederic Chopin. The competition is held for pianists between the ages of 17 and 28 years. The competition began on October 1, with the finals taking place between October 18 and 22.
Vidya Balan for her role in the movie Bhool Bhuliyaan. The best actor award went to Amitabh Bachchan for Paa while the Best Actress award went to Ananya Chatterjee for her performance in the Bengali film Abohoman.
04 Navneet Newshouse
Oct 30 - Nov 5
My page Rhymes from the heart
Storyteller
butterfly. Without making a sound, or taking hereyes off it, Rhea slowly walked toward it. Strangely enough, it was almost as though the butterfly was waiting for her. Just as she approached it, it started to fly away. She ran after it quickly for what seemed like an eternity, until finally, she could run no more. She hadn’t stopped because she was tired; she was suddenly at the edge of a cliff. At the bottom, were jagged, purple rocks and a red-coloured sea. Angry waves lashed at the rocks, making the entire scene extremely frightening. “What now?” she asked, and, to her surprise, it wasn’t Rhea who replied, it was the butterfly! “Halfway down the cliff is a cave. Get in the cave, you’ll find your way home from there.” Rhea
If you have a story to tell, send it to us. It may be an accident you have experienced or fiction.Plagiarised entries will not be accepted.
Following butterflies – III “So let me get this straight… if we don’t follow these butterflies, which are nowhere to be found, we’re both going to be stuck as fourinch-tall people?” asked Rhea. “Pretty much,” said her shorter counterpart. Having no other plan, they set off together, down the blueroad, which stretched ahead of them like a bizarre, blue ribbon. And suddenly, as if from nowhere, there it was – abeautiful blue
Send in your poems to Navneet NewsHouse. Only original ideas will be accepted. Plagiarised poems will be disqualified.
Diwali is fun
couldn’t have asked for a scarier thing to do. If she climbed down, there was a chance she could die. If she didn’t, she would be stuck here forever. Then, she noticed that Other Rhea had disappeared. “Hey, where did Rhea go?” “You’re on your own from here on,” the butterfly replied before flying away. She truly was alone, and apparently, left with no choice. She began the frightening descent, holding on to rocks for support. About halfway down, to her right, Rhea saw an opening.She hoped whatever was waiting for her in there wasn’t worse than this cliff with the red sea below…
Diwali has come, Diwali has come; go get ready, jump with fun. We wear new clothes and play with small toy guns, we burst firecrackers when Diwali comes.
To be continued… Shaina Barua (14 yrs), Goa
Dear Surabhi, May this Diwali bring enough light to brighten up your life. May the New Year bring with it lots of happiness for you. With lots of good wishes, Dhawan Family
The Riddler
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Dear Anushka, Some things are left undone, some words are left unsaid, some feelings are left unepressed, but some people asnice as you can never be left unwished, Happy Birthday to you! Lots of love, Vaidehi
1. I run day and night, but I don’t seem to get anywhere. Who am I? 2. I have mountains but no trees.I have rivers but no water. Who am I?
Look! In the sky! What is it I see with my eyes?
We make rangoli designs on the floor, we hang colourful torans on our door. We light diyas everywhere, with lanterns hanging on the windowsill.
I do believe it is the burst of a firecracker, this season’s first!
Diwali has come, Diwali has come; go get ready, jump with fun.
So bring out the crackers and stock up on sweets, because everyone is in for a very special treat!
Pusti Sheth (7 yrs), Mumbai
Vinita Modi (10 yrs), Mumbai
Grammar-Wise
tive is a kind of noun with certain features of a verb. Uses Infinitives can also be used – • As the subject of another verb. For example: To err is human. • As the object of a transitive verb. For example: He likes to play cards. • As an objective complement. For example: I saw him go.
Infinitive
Message Corner
Festival of lights
An infinitive is the form of a verb that indicates existence or action without reference to any person, number or tense. It can also function as a noun. In English, an infinitive of a verb is the verb withor without the particle ‘to’; for instance, ‘to do’ or ‘do’ or ‘to walk’ or ‘walk’ are the infinitives of the respective verbs. The unconjugated form of a verb is what we call an infinitive. An infini-
It’s time for the festival of lights, the time of many delights.
- Shubham G. Verlekar, Goa
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Horizon Q& A ?
How do fireworks work?
Firecrackers are the simplest type of fireworks. They are made of gunpowder which is wrapped in paper with a fuse. Gunpowder consists of potassium nitrate, charcoal (carbon) or sugar and sulphur. These ingredients react together when heated, producing nitrogen, carbon dioxide and potassium sulphide. The nitrogen and carbon dioxide expand, causing the paper to explode, creating a loud bang. Another popular firework is the sparkler. This is a stick or wire that has a chemical mixture moulded onto it. The mixture usually comprises aluminium, iron, steel, zinc or magnesium flakes, which create sparks when heated. A number of colouring agents can also be added to the chemicals to give the shimmer different hues. A rocket contains gunpowder, which helps to propel it into the air. However, a hole at the bottom of the rocket makes the nitrogen and carbon dioxide expand and though the rocket is to burst on the ground, it launches it.
Website of the week With backpacks, shoes, tents, gear and a whole lot of other things to consider, camping isn’t something that can be planned just like that. It’s a way to get away from it all with the bare minimum, but it takes a lot of effort to plan out what that minimum baggage should be. For all budding campers and outdoor enthusiasts, Outdoorstuffgympie is the perfect site. As the homepage opens, the sign says, “Everything you ever wanted to know about camping, but never dared to ask!” and this could not be truer. This is a site filled with articles on just about anything and everything one might need to knowabout camping. From backpacks to checklists, one will find every little bit of camping information here. outdoorstuffgympie.com
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Navneet Newshouse
Oct 30 - Nov 5
Science ‘Smelling’ light A team of scientists claimed that they have created mice that can ‘smell’ light.This could be an important new step to help researchers understand the neural basis of the sense of smell. Professor Venkatesh N. Murthy of Harvard University and his team used light, applying the field of optogenetics to find out how brain cells differentiatebetween odours. These proteins were integrated into the olfactory systems of mice, creating animals in which smell pathways were activated not by odours, but by light. Using these mice, the scientists were able to characterise the patterns of activation in the olfactory bulb. Because
light input can be controlled, they designed a series of experiments stimulating specific sensory neurons in the nose and looking at the patterns of activation downstream in the olfactory bulb.
Dolphins ‘walk’ on water A new study claims that wild dolphins are learning how to ‘walk’ on water using their tails. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) in Australia claim that the aquatic mammals are
developing the skill ‘just for fun’. A WDCS researcher has managed to document two adult female dolphins ‘walking’. While this new skill is said to have been developed mostly as a form of entertainment, it also has important cultural and scientific implications. It shows that dolphins are capable of learned behaviour characteristics, something that has shaped the behaviour of societies over the years. This is the behaviour has been smell. Professor Venkatesh N. developed simply for ‘fun.’
Rewiring the brain Neuro scientists have found that it iseasier to rewire the
brain early in life. This came about when researchers found that a small part of the brain’s visual cortex was reorganised in the brains of subjects who had been born blind. The researchers studied three groups of subjects – sighted; people born blind; and people who became blind after the age of nine. The cortex of the congenitally blind people reacted to the moving sounds. However, the people belonging to the other two groups did not react. This suggests that in lateblind individuals, the visual input they received in early years allowed the brain to congenitally However, the people belonging blind people develop its typical visual function.
Technology MacBook Next Gen The new slick and speedy MacBook Air has been released in 11 and 13 inch sizes. This new MacBook is thinner and lighter. This is on account of the fact that instead of a conventional hardrive, flash drives are being used for storage. This frees up about 90 per cent of space as compared to hard drive-driven laptops.Therefore, there is space for a bigger battery that
lasts upto seven hours on a single charge.Another attractive feature is the multitouch trackpad that allows the user to tap, swipe, drag, rotate and scroll.
to a significant improvement in signal quality as it removes almost all unwanted high-frequency signals.A low-pass filter is a circuit usually found in portable devices like mobile phones, laptops, vehicle-mounted radars and speed guns that are used in traffic monitoring.
Smallest Pass Filter
Taiwan Robot Show
A research team at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, has invented the smallest on-chip low-pass filters that can lead
The recently concluded Taipei International Robot Show was one of thebest trade cum-publicshows to have showcased the best and latest in robot tech-
Up and above : Unravelling the Universe Weighing planets A CSIRO-led team of astronomers has developed a new way of weighing the planets in our solar system. The method involves using radio signals from small spinning stars called pulsars. For the first time, entire planetary systems have been weighed. Astronomers have weighed planets by measuring the orbits of their moons or of spacecraft flying past them. Astronomers calculate when the pulses would have arrivedat the solar system’s centre of mass, around
which all theplanets orbit. To work out its position, astronomers at all times
use both a table (called an ephemeris) of where all the planets are at a given time and position and the values for their masses measured.
nology. The show brought together some of the very successful and renowned names from the fields of technology development and education. They conducted some very exciting and knowledgeable seminars for robot enthusiasts.
06 Navneet Newshouse
Oct 30 - Nov 5
Leisure
Glimpses of life In a Cocoon The ‘Cocoon’ nebula is catalogued as IC 5416, but it is so much more than that. Located in the constellation Cygnus, it is a massive cloud of dust and gas and is wrapped in a dark cloud of dus called Barnard 168. The nebula looks like a heart in this image by NASA’s Wide-field InfraredSurvey Explorer (WISE). Inside thenebula, new stars are being formed. The intense radiation from these stars heats up the cloud. The highest-energy light from the stars rips electrons from hydrogen atoms, which then recombine with the atoms andemit visible light. Cocoon nebula extends over a massive 45 light years.
Dressing up There has never been a dearth of people always ready to portray Batman or Superman. Now, even dogs don’t shy away from doing just that! An event known as the ‘Family Pet Festival’ was held in Cali, a western city in Colombia. It wasn’t unusual to bump into a Batman, a Superman a dragon or even a bumblebee at this event. This isn’t to confuse anyone; it was indeed a festival for dogs, but the dogs werebest dressed up in these costumes. It was in-
deed a sight worth watching, with the cute little four-legged friends of man strutting about wearing such innovative gear!
Lighting up Berlin Diwali is often called the ‘Festival of Lights’, but there’s one festival in Germany actually by that name. The Festival of Lights is celebrated in Berlin, the capital of Germany, every year from October 14-25. During the festival, the important and famous structures in the city, including the boulevards, towers, as well as buildings of historical or modern value, are lit up. The most important ones among these are the BrandenburgGate, Quadriga sculpture, Unter den Linden Boulevard, Berlin concert hall, Hauptbahnhof train station, Victory Column, Radio Tower and Berlin Cathedral Church (Berliner Dom). Another event which takes place
during the festival is the ‘City Light Run’ which crosses the Brandenburger Tor. Several thousand people participate in this 7.5km-long circuit. The lights, fireworks and merriment which take place during
the festival are enough to lure as many as one million attendees, from Germany and the rest of the world.
An epic retold
It is a story that we are all familiar with. yet, it is one so close to our hearts, that we don’t mind listening to it over and over...
With the festive season comes a string of films released for the occasion, but none areas apt as the latest animated feature film. Ramayana –The Epic is the story of LordRama. It is a story that has been handed over from generation to generation and one that has been loved by all. So, to combine two loves — India’s longtime fondness of the Ramayana and our latest love affair with 3D films — is something that was bound to happen sooner or later. This epic saga has been revamped, with special effects, 3D technology and powerful voices behind the heroes and villains, and it has never looked better. A simple retelling Keeping things simple was the order of the day for the writers and directors, as they avoid going into too much detail and like sticking, instead, to the main plot. This makes the film an easy watch for someone who is not properly acquainted with the Ramayana. While some might say that it is too terse, there are others who differ. The film remains fast-paced, action-packed and exciting throughout. The beautiful backgrounds and perfect score add to the appeal greatly, making it thoroughly enjoyable. Meet the cast and crew Director Chetan Desai has done a great job in providing the audience with spectacular
visuals. Keeping in mind that most of the audience would already know the plot, there are grand battle scenes to keep the audience entertained, and they definitely do their job well! The rich world of Lord Rama, Hanuman and the demon king Ravana, has been created by Desai and his team of animators — all experts at what they do. This is never more apparently obvious than the scenes with Ravana, who is always seen wearing a layered armour of gold. His fortress, perched on the top of a mountain, is no less spectacular. Lord Rama is voiced by actor Manoj Bajpayee, Sita is voiced by Juhi Chawla, Hanuman by Mukesh Rishi and the wicked, scheming Ravana is ably voiced by Ashutosh Rana. Raising standards and breaking barriers One of the most notable features of this film is the great improvement in animation. It seems that the team has proved that India is just a b o u t ready to compete with the rest of the world in terms of animation. Ramayana – The Epic is an audiovisual treat and goes far beyond anything that has been attempted in India. The designs, animation and digital visual effects match international standards, making it a film that could possibly break a number of barriers for Indian animators. Catch it for… The breathtaking animation, beautiful shots and amazing battle scenes. It’s also a great way to catch up on an old favourite and relive the days of flipping through comic book illustrations of this great saga – only with far better animation and a lot more dialogue!
Feature DIWALI is that time of year when everything is beautiful. Lights shine everywhere, everyone is in their brightest and finest clothes and there is a smile on every person’s face. From the glittering lights to the bright colours, this festival is an integral part of
Let there be light ! The Festivals of Lights is upon us and along with it comes countless traditions, celebrations, pujas and ofcourse sweets...
Indian culture.During this time of the year, even the drabbest of places is magically converted into a fairyland of string lights and diyas. There is the lingering smell of jalebis frying, that electric feel of anticipation and, above all, a joy so palpable it’s positively contagious Yet, with so many Diwali traditions,it’s easy to forget exactly why a custom is in place. Here we take a look at just the reason behind all those old, much loved Diwali traditions and the different ways the Festival of Lights is celebrated in India and around the world. Why do we celebrate Diwali? Diwali, or Deepavali, is a five-day festival that is celebrated for a number of different reasons by various communities. One reason for the celebration of Diwali is the triumph of good over evil. It is the day that marks the return of the exiled Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after he defeated the demon king Ravana. For others, Diwali is celebrated as the day Mahavira attained moksha in 527 BC. Around Punjab, Diwali is also known as Bandi Chhorh Divas or ‘the day of release of detainees’. The day is celebrated in remembrance of Guru Har Gobind Ji, who returned to Amritsar after he freed 52 Hindu kings who had been imprisoned by Emperor Jahangir. The five days of Diwali The first day that marks the beginning of the fiveday - long festival is Dhanteras. ‘Dhan’ means wealth, which is why, on this day, people worship Laxmi the Goddess of Prosperity. Dhanteras is an important day in the business community. Homes are cleaned just before Dhanteras, and decorated with lights, flowers and rangolis, to welcome the Goddess Laxmi. In the evening, Laxmi Puja is performed and clay diyas are lit to keep evil spirits away. In villages, cattle, which is usually the main source of income, is adorned and worshipped. South Indians in particular follow this tradition. Special offerings are made to cows, who are believed
to be the incarnation of Goddess Laxmi. The second day is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali. Laxmi Puja and a Rama Puja is performed. Chhoti Diwali is also celebrated as Narak Chaturdasi. This day is commemorated as the day the demon king Narakasur of Pragjyotishpur was defeated by Satyabhama, Lord Krishna’s wife. A unique tradition on this day is the early morning bath. In South India, people awake be-
fore dawn and prepare a paste of kumkum and oil. This paste is applied to their foreheads and an oil bath using sandalwood paste. This predawn tradition is also practised in Mahrashtra where people bathe in oil and a paste known as ‘Uptan’, which is a mixture of gram flour and fragrant powders. The most auspicious day of this festival is the third day, which is celebrated as the day of Laxmi Puja, which is largely dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Laxmi. Homes are kept spotlessly clean, as it is believed that Laxmi will visit the cleanest house first. Because of this, a rather unlikely object is worshiped on the third day of Diwali – the broom. The fourth day of Diwali marks the beginning of a new year and the coronation of King Vikramaditya. It is known as different things in different parts of India. It is celebrated as Padwa in Maharashtra and Ugadi in the south. In the north, it is celebrated as Govardhan Puja. This day is also known as Annakut. The day is observed with a ‘mountain’ of food offerings or bhog. This day is specially observed in the temples of Mathura, where the idols are bathed in milk and dressed up in special clothing and
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Navneet Newshouse
Oct 30 - Nov 5
ornaments. After prayers are conducted, a mountain of sweets is placed before the deities, as an offering, which devotees then take as prasad. The fifth and final day of Diwali is known as Bhai Dhuj. This is a day that celebrates the bond between brother and sister. Sisters pray for the safety of brothers and put an auspicious mark or tilak on their foreheads. This is believed to keep their brothers protected. In return, brothers present their sisters with a gift. Diwali around the world Diwali is celebrated all over the world. In some countries, it is merely celebrated by the Indian population, but in others, it takes on a new form and sometimes, a new name. In Singapore, a district known as Little India, which is the commercial centre of Singapore’s Indian community, is decked up for the festive season. In Trinidad and Tobago, where 43 per cent of the population are ethnic Indian, Diwali is celebrated in a big way. The day is a national holiday, with even ministers of the government participating. Many people dress in East Indian garb and a number of performances are held. The climax of the day is the lighting of thousands of diyas, come nightfall. Throughout the country, there are spectacular light displays and people often take to the streets, walking around to look at the displays. In Nepal, Diwali is known as ‘Tihar’. While the celebrations are similar to the ones in India, each of the five days has a different significance. The first day is known as Kaag Tihar and is dedicated to crows, who are considered to be divine messengers. The second day, Kukur Tihar, is the day when dogs are worshipped. The third day is Laxmi Puja and cows, believed to be an incarnation of the goddess, are worshipped. The fourth day, New Year, is celebrated with processions and smaller gatherings. On this day, the Newars perform a special ritual for the body. Also known
as Mha Puja, this is conducted to keep one fit and healthy for the year ahead. The final day of Diwali is known as Bhai Tika, which is similar to Bhai Dhuj. In Thailand, Diwali is celebrated as Lam Kriyongh. Similar practices, such as light displays and the distribution of sweets, are followed here. Tiny lamps are made from banana leaves. A candle is placed in this and they are set afloat on a river.
08 Navneet Newshouse
Oct 30 - Nov 5
Opinion
Young Opinion 558
Kings and Royals no more The Indian Premier League(IPL) garnered tremendous support in its first three seasons. Even people who were not cricket enthusiasts started following the game and ended up being hooked on to it. However, controversies soon began to arise. The most recent one had dramatic results; two teams were dropped by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) – Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). The teams’ contracts were terminated due to some irregularities in the ownership structure. Besides these two teams, another team is also facing
EDITORIAL The Festival of Lights is upon us, and all around, the mood is uplifted, happy and merry. It has been an eventful few months for India. After many months of preparation, the Commonwealth Games finally started and, to the surprise of India’s many critics, it was pulled off with great aplomb. A dazzling opening ceremony that left the crowds cheering till they were hoarse was followed by an influx of medals for India. India’s success at the Games, both as the host and on the sports field, was
trouble. The newly formed Kochi team was also under the scanner. But since it is new, it has been given some time to clear its name. While all this goes on, the common man and his opinion remain in the background. A lot of cricket fans have been perturbed by these occurrences;
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Are you disappointed that KXIP and RR were dropped from the IPL? Replies to Young Opinion will be published four issues later. they feel that the game is getting tainted. That the axing of the teams is a result of BCCI’s personal issues with ex-IPL Chairman Lalit Modi. So is the opinion of the owners, who believe that the board is being extremely unfair. But there are also some people who feel it is a right decision. For them, the IPL is hedged in controversy. They feel that it is more about the money and fanfare rather than the game itself. So, while two teams fight the BCCI in court and one team’s fate remains undecided, cricket fans are left in two minds about the BCCI’s decision.
In a festive mood . . .
perfectly punctuated with a beautiful closing ceremony. Yet, even as we bid the Commonwealth Games a fond farewell, the festive mood lingers. Diwali is upon us and with it comes the chance for a new beginning. This beautiful festival means a lot of different things to many — for some it’s a chance to eat as many sweets as they can get their hands on, for others it’s a time of luck and for yet others, it is simply a time to be with their fami-
lies. While happiness and good cheer prevail among most during this time of the year, one must also keep in mind the people who are not so lucky. And what better way to make a new beginning than with a good deed. Whether it is distributing sweets at a home for underprivileged children or simply donating a small sum of money to a charitable organisation, spreading the cheer is as good a way of celebrating as any.
NNH Helpline There is a problem that has been troubling me for a while, and I feel like I am losing myself. Whenever I have to face a challenge or difficulty, my faith goes down. Please help me! (Name withheld on request) There comes a time in every person’s life when they experience a bump in the path. While these moments are tough to get through, they are also the moments that define us. Ever heard the saying, ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade’? What it means is, look a bad situation in the face and make it work, so that, in the end, you gain something from it. You don’t need to succeed in everything you do; the best that we can do is try our hardest. More importantly, don’t let failure get you down, because what doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger. So keep the faith, go with the flow, try your best and one day, you will emerge victorious.
Views & Letters >>
Send your views, comments, suggestions and queries to Navneet NewsHouse.
Dear NNH, May I send in a quiz? It would contain some general knowledge questions along with their answers in it. Mausam M. Parikh (10yrs), Ahmedabad.
Dear Mausam, Yes, you may send in the quiz to the postal address or e-mail ID provided on page 4. Please include your name and address while sending your entry - Editor
Replies to Young Opinion 554 Are Gandhiji’s principles being followed even today? We asked you if you think Gandhiji’s principles are being followed even today. Here are your replies –
No
Yes
No, according to me, nowadays nobody is following Gandhiji’s principles anymore. If his principles were being followed, there would not have been so much terror; there wouldn’t be bomb attacks and our political leaders would also not be so corrupt. - Almas Khan (11 yrs), Gujarat No, I don’t think Gandhiji’s principles are followed today. There are very few people nowadays who stand up for truth and nonviolence. Gandhiji’s only weapon was satyagraha, which he used to fight against the British peacefully. However, I think sometimes force is also inevitable; if terrorists attack our country or any dangerous situation presents itself for the nation and its citizens, then there would be no option but to use force. But other than that, Gandhiji’s principles should always be followed; which is not the case. - Mayank Karmalker, Goa No,I don’t think Gandhiji’s principles are followed today. Today, the world is filled with corruption and pretences. In this scenario, it is not practically possible to follow the path of non-violence and truth.However, we must try to follow his teachings wherever possible. But in certain situations it is not possible to keep quiet, and at that time, we must speak up. Thus, in today’s world, it is not possible to completely follow Gandhiji’s principles. Yet, as far as possible, we should follow them, but that is not being done. - Aishwarya R. Bhuta (13 yrs), Mumbai Yes,I think Gandhiji’s principles are being followed even today. Gandhiji promoted truth and non violence. And while it is true that there is a lot of violence and hatred in the world, there is also love and affection. For instance, when the floods occurred in Mumbai in 2005 and people were stranded at their workplaces and on the roads, those who were in the safety of their homes went out to help those in need by providing water, food and biscuits.Thus, I think Gandhiji’s principles are being followed even today, in spite of all the evil that surrounds us. - Vinit Sharma, Pune Yes, I believe that Gandhiji’s principles are being followed even today. After all, we are all human beings and we all care about each other. - Sushmita Das, Mumbai No, I don’t think Gandhiji’s principles are being followed at all. Wherever one looks, there are people being cheated, neighbours fighting with each other, nations warring with one another; there is no love left in the world. Even our politicians are corrupt. They think only about their own benefit without paying any heed to the problems and needs of the common man who voted for them. Thus, I think Bapu’s principles are not valued. Were he alive today, he would be very sad with the state of affairs in today’s world. - Pranjal G. (15 yrs), Pune
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Our World UNESCO
THE Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site in the Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, India. The shelters contain a number of StoneAge rock paintings, many of which date back to 30,000 years ago. They are among the earliest traces of human settlement in India. Located near Bhopal, the caves were first mentioned in the archaeological records of India in 1888. At this time, they were listed as a Buddhist site, and most of the information on these caves was gathered from the locals. However, in the 1950s, V. S. Wakankar was passing by the area in a train, when a particular kind of rock formation caught his attention. When he visited the site with a team of archaeologists, several prehistoric rock shelters were discovered. Since 1957, studies have revealed that the caves have evolved over the centuries.
Answers to NNH Words Aplomb a) poise u’plom noun Seetha can pull off the strangest outfits with perfect aplomb. Foil a) hinder foyl noun Rahul was always trying to foil his enemy’s plans. Jagged b) uneven jagid adjective The rocks near the sea were sharp and jagged. Malady d) ailment maludee noun There are certain herbs and tonics that have been used to cure many a malady for centuries
Navneet Newshouse
Oct 30 - Nov 5
World
World Heritage Sites Bhimbetka rock shelters
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New Egyptian tomb A 4,000-year-old tomb has been discovered in Egypt. The tomb belonged to the priest Rwd-ka. Archaeologists and the antiquities council in Egypt say that the tomb dates back to the Fifth Dynasty (between 2514 and 2374 BC). Rwd-ka’s primary function was to conduct prayer rituals before statues of a dead pharaoh. The tomb was found very close to the pyramids of Giza. Partially carved out of stone, the tomb also has a number of pictures that depict the priest and his wife at a table full of offerings. The walls also include paintings of cattle.
Awarding the youth THE annual Coming Up Taller awards were recently conferred at the White House. Now known as the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards, the prizes were presented by First Lady of the US, Michelle Obama. Fifteen community groups were recognised for their work in helping young people discover their creative side. The winners for this year’s awards received $10,000 in prize money. Among the recipients were: Center for Community Arts Partnerships, Chicago; Mentors of Minorities in Education Inc., Washington D.C.; and the New York Global Action Project.
Charity with a smile UNICEF has launched a brand new campaign. Dubbed ‘Buena Onda’ (Good Mood), the fundraising campaign has been started for the benefit of underprivileged Peruvian children. Actor and UNICEF Ambassador Danny Glover is presently in Peru meeting with a number of young health promoters. During an event to promote the campaign, Glover was seen wearing a blue clown nose. It was announced that similar noses will be sold in stores, with proceeds from the sale going to the campaign. It will help in providing underprivileged children with food and education.
Environment Green Capital awards In northeastern Spain and Nantes in western France have won the European Green Capital 2012 and 2013 awards respectively. Vitoria- Gasteiz received the award for its high proportion of green public areas, ensuring the public a lot of open green space. Nantes, situated on the Loire River, is called the ‘green wonder of western France’. It was the first French city to successfully reintroduce the electric tramway. The European Green Capital award recognises local effort to successfully improve the environment in urban areas.
Rhinos on GPS SOUTH AFRICAN rangers recently announced a plan to implant GPS devices in the horns of rhinos. This plan will pave the path toward combating rampant poaching. The GPS chips will be linked to a computer that will allow rangers to monitor and track rhino movements. If a rhino lies inert for a longer than normal period of time, an alarm signal will be activated. It will also be activated if the rhino becomes unusually active. Five rhinos in the Northwest province have already been fitted with the device, but more will follow if the programme succeeds.
Coral reefs in peril A new study shows that coral reefs across the Indian Ocean are dying. This has occurred after a large pool of super-hot water swept into the eastern Indian Ocean region several months ago. This caused what is known as bleaching — the corals began to shed the symbiotic algae that nourishes them. This, in turn, led to them being undernourished, and losing their colour. So far, around 80 per cent of Acropora colonies and 50 per cent of colonies from other species have died since the outbreak began earlier this year. The large scale of destruction could mean it will take years to recover.
Flora & Fauna Scientific name: Selaginella bryopteris Kingdom: Plantae Division: Lycopodophyta Class: Isoetopsida Order: Selaginellales Family: Selaginellaceae Genus: Selaginella
POPULARLY known as Sanjeevani, Selaginella bryopteris is a plant that is known for its medicinal properties. The name ‘Sanjeevani’ literally means ‘one that infuses life’, indicative of its many uses in medical treatments. Dry Selaginella bryopteris plants are used as a remedy for a number of ailments, and have been for centuries. It is used as a treatment for heat stroke and is said to treat jaundice. It flourishes on the hills of tropical areas. This lythophytic plant grows well in rocky or stony areas, particularly the Arawali mountain terrain of India. A remarkable feature of Selaginella bryopteris is its ability to ‘recover’. In droughtlike conditions, the leaves curl inward, making it appear dead. However, once it rains, or is watered, it spreads out and become green in colour. This plant has a place in Hindu mythology, as an herb with magical properties that can cure any malady. It has the power of any kind of prevention. There are places in scientific literature where Selaginella bryopteris has been called the Sanjeevani from the Ramayana. Whether or not Selaginella bryopteris is the same plant mentioned in the Ramayana has not been confirmed yet .
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Insert digits from 1 to 9 into the white cells to total the associated clue in the black cells. Number in the top right corner are ‘across’ clues and those in the bottom left are ‘down’ clues. No number should be repeated.
So you think you know all there is to know about Diwali? Take our quiz to find out just how much of a festive friend you really are! 1) The first day of Diwali: D _ a _ _ _ _ _s 2) Popular sweet eaten on Diwali (two words): _a_uk____ 3) Small clay lamps filledwith oil: _ i__s 4) Diwali is also known as the Festival of _ _ _ _ _ _ 5) Diwali marks the return of Lord
• All the contests and columns are open for children up to 16 years of age • Each entry should be accompanied by the participant’s name, age and residential address • Please use separate sheets for each contribution • Sketch Contest entries should reach us within 15 days of the competition • The winning Sketch Contest entries will be published four issues later • Families/relatives of the management of Nav Vikas Trading Pvt. Ltd and Spenta Multimedia are not allowed to participate • Plagiarised contributions will be disqualified • The decision of the management is final and binding • Email entries of drawings will not be accepted • Send entries to Navneet NewsHouse, Post Box No. 7017, BS Road, Dadar (W), Mumbai – 400 028. You may also email them to newshouse@ navneet.com
ACROSS 1. Hand tool for driving screws(11) 5. A device (such as a fan) that introduces fresh air or expels foul air (10) 8. The financial means whereby one lives (10) 9. To stand against (6) 10. Provoke (6) 11. Plural of podium (5) 12. A small boat (6) 13. A fight (5) 16. If two are twins, three are ____ (7) 17. A consignment of goods carried in a large vehicle (8) 20. We celebrate Diwali using a ________ (11) 22. A bike (10) 23. A task assigned for individual study (6)
Festive Puzzle >> ANS : 1) Dhanteras 2) Kaju katli 3) Diyas 4) Lights 5) Rama
Sketch Contest >> 428
This contest gives you a chance to let your imagination run wild. Complete the sketch in the same box and fill in the colours. Send it to us along with the entry coupon.
Six best entries will be published four issues later.
DOWN 2. A ________ dinner (11) 3. Try to prevent (5) 4. See-through (11) 5. Game where teams hit a ball over a net using their hands (10) 6. Triangle having two equal sides (9) 7. Where a person lives (9) 11. Well-off (10) 14. An object produced or shaped by human craft, especially a tool or ornament of archaeological or historical interest (8) 15. One thousand million (7) 18. The 18th letter of the Greek alphabet (5) 19. Ice crystals forming a white deposit (5) 21. A winder around which thread or tape or film can be wound (4)
Results of Sketch Contest >> 424
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CROSSWORD
FUNNY TALK What did the big firecracker say to the little firecracker? ( My pop’s bigger than yours. )
Why did the firecrackers love the party? ( They had a blast )
What can sing without a mouth? ( Tape recorder )
Which bird comes with a bin? ( Ro-bin )
Which tree do we eat on birthdays? ( Pas-tree )
Fun Zone
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Navneet Newshouse
Oct 30 - Nov 5
It’s everyone’s favourite time of the year and the gang is gearing up for a grand celebration. Spirits are high, but there is someone spoiling Diwali for Archie and the gang….... (Readers are invited to send their own storylines for this strip without illustration.)
For all you Archie’s fans tear along the perferation and add to your collections.
12 Navneet Newshouse
Oct 30 - Nov 5
Sports
Saina Nehwal
India wins match series INDIA won the second ODI against Australia in Visakhapatnam on October 20. This win also gave the home-team a one-nil series win against the visitors. The first and third matches of the series got abandoned due to rain, resulting in a 1-0 series win for India. The second match saw Australia put up a daunting total of
289 after India won the toss and chose to chase. Australia’s Cameron White and Michael Clarke put 129 on the board between them. Clarke went on to make a century, while White struck 89 off just 49 balls.Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh put up a partnership of 137 runs for India. In spite of suffering cramps, Kohli hit 118 against Australia, his highest ever in ODIs. Finally, Suresh Raina and Saurabh Tiwary took India to a 5-wicket victory.
Chelsea, Arsenal victorious CHELSEA trounced the Wolve hampton Wanderers 2-0 on October 23 in their English Premier League match. Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou gave Chelsea the fifth victory from as many home matches. Everton drew 1-1 with Tottenham, West Bromwich Albion beat Fulham 2-1, Sunderland beat Aston
Villa 1-0, Birmingham beat Blackpool 2-0 and Bolton drew 1-1 with Wigan. Arsenal gained a victory over Manchester City, thrashing them 3-0 on October 24. Samir Nasri, Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner sealed the deal in Arsenal’s favour. On October 24, Liverpool defeated Blackburn. Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Fernando Torres scored for the Reds, while Jamie Carragher’s own-goal put the score at 2-1. With this, Liverpool broke their run of seven matches without victory.
Victory for Alonso SPAIN’S Fernando Alonso took over the lead of the Formula One world championship after winning the Korean Grand Prix on October 24. This was the Ferrari racer’s third victory in four races after pole-sitter and race leader Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull was forced to retire with a blown engine in the 46th lap of the 55-lap race.
The race was chaotic, finishing in near-darkness after a rain delayed start and a red flag after only three laps because of the soaked track. World championship leader Australian Mark Webber crashed out on lap 19 when running in second rain delayed start and a red flag after only three laps because of the soaked track. World championship leader Australian Mark Webber crashed out on lap 19 when running in second.
Federer wins open ROGER FEDERER of Switzerland beat Germany’s Florian Mayer 6-4, 6-3 to win the Stockholm Open final on October 24. With this win, he equalled Pete Sampras’s haul of 64 ATP titles. Mayer came on strong against the World No 2, attacking at every opportunity he got. He broke serve
in the first set, but Federer broke back immediately. Thereafter the Swiss held his own serve to love before breaking again to take the set. The German played some classy shots but a service break in the sixth game of the second set put the 16-time Grand Slam winner in the driving seat. This win was welcome for Federer. The Swiss had earlier lost the Shanghai Masters against World No 4 Andy Murray.
INDIA’S Saina Nehwal set upon her lasting and luminous career in badminton when she was eight. Born in Hisar,Haryana, on March 17, 1990, Saina grew and still lives in Hyderabad. She showed promise when her father introduced her to coach Nani Prasad. After hours of rigorous practice, Yonex decided to sponsor her kit and thereafter more sponsorships came her way as her ranking improved. Saina forayed into the international arena in 2003 when she won the Junior Czech Open tournament in 2003. In 2006, Saina’s career took an enormous leap when she defeated several top-seeded players including Malaysians Huaiwen Xu and Xian Pei Wong to win the 4-star Philippines Open tournament, thereby becoming the first Indian woman to do so. She also became the first Indian woman to reach the quarter finals of the Olympic Games when she defeated World No 5 Wang Chen of Hong Kong at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. A new feather was added to her ca when she won a BWF Super Series by winning the Indonesia Open in 2009. On August 29, 2010, Saina was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. This was followed by her victory against Mew Choo Wong of malaysia to win gold medal at the Delhi CWG.
Weekly Fixtures Oct 30 ( RUGBY LEAGUE ) Four Nations : New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea Oct 31 (CRICKET) 2nd ODI: South Africa vs Pakistan Abu Dhabi Nov 5 (RUGBY UNION) The Magners League Edinburgh vs Benetton Treviso Glasgow vs Aironi Rugby
Sports Bites Sachin in World XI Sachin Tendulkar has been voted into ESPN Cricinfo’s alltime World XI team. Sachin shares this honour with four Australians, three West Indians, two Englishmen and one Pakistani.
Manassero wins Masters Matteo Manassero shot a 4-under 67 in the final round of the Castello Masters to win the golf tournament. At 17 years, the Italian is the youngest player to win on the European Tour.
Azarenka wins Kremlin Cup Victoria Azarenka of Belarus won the 2010 Kremlin Cup Women’s singles tennis title on October 24. She defeated Russian Maria Kirilenko to win the match 6-3, 6-4.
Somdev at career high Indian tennis star Somdev Devvarman gained 2 places to reach a career best ranking of 94 in latest ATP rankings chart released recently. In the WTA list, Sania Mirza gained a place to 166 in the singles .