eloQuence no 59 Valentine's Day

eloQuence FEBRUARY 2021

ISSUE NO. 59

VALENTINE'S DAY

“WE ARE BORN OF LOVE; LOVE IS OUR MOTHER.”RUMI

“TRUE LOVE IS ETERNAL, INFINITE, AND ALWAYS LIKE ITSELF.” HONORE DE BALZAC

“I LOVE YOU, NOT

“LOVE IS WHEN THE OTHER PERSON’S

ONLY FOR WHAT

HAPPINESS IS MORE

YOU ARE, BUT FOR

IMPORTANT THAN

WHAT I AM WHEN I

YOUR OWN.”

AM WITH YOU.”

H. JACKSON

ROY CROFT

BROWN, JR.

“THE GREAT SECRET OF TRUE SUCCESS, OF TRUE HAPPINESS, IS THIS: THE MAN OR WOMAN WHO ASKS FOR NO RETURN, THE

“LET US ALWAYS MEET

PERFECTLY

EACH OTHER WITH SMILE,

UNSELFISH PERSON, IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL.” SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

FOR THE SMILE IS THE BEGINNING OF LOVE.” MOTHER TERESA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01

Presidential Address

02

VPPR's Message

03

WMC Communication

09

12

22

Perspective

25

Birthday Celebrations

Feature

Reflection

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK Dear members, Love can be categorised in many different ways. Love towards friends, parents, pets and so on…yet love for our life partner holds a special place and February 14th is the perfect day to reiterate our love to our better halves or partners to-be. Valentine's day is part of the traditional western culture which the world has gone on to adopt over the last few decades. This is the beauty of global culture; we embrace new traditions from other cultures and before we know they become part and parcel of our lives.

We are dedicating this edition of eloQuence newsletter to relationships and bonding. We hope that you will enjoy reading it.

Before I leave you with this beautiful collage of personal stories from some of our members, please join me in congratulating the winners of the area contest. Last two months we underwent some very useful workshops, which was followed by the club contest. Stars from our club shined in the Area 9 contest and we bagged first place in all competitions along with second places in a couple. All the very best to all winners for the Division contest.

Last but not the least, Ex-comm would like to thank all members for their active participation in Moments of Truth. We got some valuable inputs on the areas of improvement. It was indeed a positive evaluation of our performance. We promise you that we will work on these areas and will work towards more interesting meetings which are filled with fun and knowledge.

Warm Regards.

TM YASHODHAN ABHYANKAR | PAGE 01

VPPR's MESSAGE Dear WMCians, Valentine's day is a symbol of love and love is experienced in all stages of life. Stages or phases can be defined in many interesting ways. As I was designing this edition, I was sub-consciously internalising the phases of love in my life and penned it down. As you read it, I would suggest you to think about your phases...

Love= Parents Parents= Wisdom Wisdom= Experience Experience = Journey Journey= Progress Progress = Accomplishments Accomplishments= Character Character = Uniqueness Uniqueness = Actualisation Actualisation = Giving Giving = Living Living = Life Life = Love This edition of eloQuence is dedicated to "LOVE" and I leave it for you to savor upon it.

Warm Regards.

TM SUKUMAR SWAMINATHAN

| PAGE 02

WMC COMMUNICATION

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE Four members celebrated their TMI anniversary

| PAGE 03A

EDUCATION UPDATE FEBRUARY 2021

| PAGE 03B

EDUCATION UPDATE AREA CONTEST PROGRESS REPORT

| PAGE 04

EDUCATION UPDATE

AREA CONTEST WINNERS

| PAGE 05

EDUCATION UPDATE

AREA CONTEST WINNERS

| PAGE 05

EDUCATION UPDATE

AREA CONTEST WINNERS

| PAGE 05

PUBLIC RELATIONS AWARDS JANUARY 2020 WMC Toastmasters Club won the Best PR award in the District for Term-1 of 2020-2021. 18 awards in the term.

| PAGE 08

FEATURE

"RELATIONSHIPS ARE LIKE

BANK ACCOUNTS"

TM Abdulrahim Hasan What does it mean to love, if not to find peace in the pain that it brings?

Love

and

without

pain

one,

go

you

hand-in-hand;

can’t

hope

to

experience the other.

Millions of people are falling in love.

Millions of people are going through the ups and downs that love is known for. Without love, there would be no art. There would be no music. There would be no family, no society, no passion.

However, of all the suffering known to man, why do relationships cause maximum agony and anguish to us?

Aren’t our relationships supposedly a source of soothe and solace for us?

One of the underlying reason, I think is Expectation. It is the overriding factor in almost every relationship.

Father expects son to listen to him; son expects the father to be living in the current age; wife expects the husband to spend more time with her; the husband expects the wife to understand his busy schedule, so on and so forth.

When you are expecting and demanding a bit too much, you set yourself up for disappointment. Because most people don’t want to be subjected to unrealistic expectations.

Sometimes what damages our life most is that image that we have in our head as to how everything supposed to be.

Therefore, lowering our expectations from one another could lead to harmony in relationships. If you’re very fond of expectations, expect the best from you.

One other toxin for a relationship is excessively controlling others.

| PAGE 09

By controlling, I mean to sweat over the behaviour of other people when those behaviour doesn’t match our expectations. Again, expectation raising its ugly head.

As a matter of fact, controlling is highly stressful for both the person controlling and the one getting controlled.

And where there is stress; there is no

soothe.

A controlling behaviour is a lack of willingness to allow others to be themselves and give others space to be who they are and also not respecting the fact that people think and behave differently. And strength lies in differences; not in similarities.

Come to think of it, a controlling person doesn’t want the other person to be who they are, rather be like the image in their head as to who they want them to be.

The problem is, deep within a controlling person, he thinks that he knows best and surely lacks respect for other people’s opinion and their ways of doing things.

It goes without saying, most people don’t like to be controlled. It is a sure fire turnoff. When people feel accepted as to who they are rather than being judged for who you think they should be, relationships will foster.

One other way to have a gratifying relationship is to ease off our ego. I think of ego as that part of our self

that wants to stand out and be special everywhere and every time. While we are unique and special in our own way, our ego has the need to prove this every time. That is the problem.

It is this ego that makes us criticize, blame, brag, and judge others. Because the ego is selfish and selfcentered, hence it makes us lose compassion for others. The ego’s sole commitment is to maintain our self. However, as they say, if I am not for myself, who will be?...but if I am only for myself, then what am I? As you ease off your ego, you become kinder, humbler, compassionate, and a better listener. As you let go of the need to judge others and just be simply yourself, you will have infused goodwill in your relationships Another factor by which we can improve our relationships is by giving up fighting all the battles. For some reason, we keep alive unnecessary quarrels and squabbles, insist on being right always, and strive hard to change our near and dear ones. We keep on fighting every silly battle out of ego, headstrong attitude and prove that it is we who are right and the other person is wrong.

We rarely realize that our happiness and emotional well-being are far more important in our life than being right all the time. | PAGE 10

Let your partner have the glory.

Mind you, every relationship you have, you inevitably form a joint emotional bank account whether you

Our need for excessive attention is because of that

realize it or not.

ego-centred part of us that says “ look at me, I am Just like any bank account, when there are constant

special...I am right”.

deposits, a sense of security, comfort and trust are However, relationships will thrive if we show some

developed. Conversely, withdrawals over time can

concern and be a little magnanimous and let go off

threaten that sense of security and cause stress and

your need to be right, and let your spouse enjoy the

anxiety. That same sense of security is formed within

feeling of being right and let her enjoy the glory. And

any personal relationship and directly affects each

be sincerely happy when others around you are happy.

other’s emotional bank account. Just like money, it can

Another strategy to a harmonious relationship is to be

waver up and down.

the first one to reach out.

When you deposit money into your bank account So many of us hold on to the age-old bitterness and

consistently, the withdrawals you make here and there

resentments waiting for our loved ones to come to us

won’t affect the overall healthy balance.

first with an apology.

When you hold on to old We

But we all know what happens if we continually make

think our position is more important than our

withdrawals over and over again without topping up

happiness.

the account; we become overdrawn and bankruptcy

grievances, we turn small stuff into a big stuff.

can loom.

The way to a more rewarding relationship is to let go and reach out.

One of the most insidious, tempting habits in our life also happens to be the surest way to rob us of joy, abundance and empowerment in our relationships.

I am referring to the habit of blaming others or

So how do two people form a joint emotional bank

external factors for our problems, worries, failure, etc.

account?

It is not that our tendency to blame is without any

In any relationship, when we treat people with respect,

merit every time. Sometimes there lies a grain of truth

kindness, and courtesy, this results in deposits to your

in our blame. But that is the real problem.

joint

emotional

bank

account

and

alternatively

treating people with disrespect, rudeness, and neglect We can always keep on justifying why our version of

will ultimately result in withdrawals.

the blame game is valid while others are wrong.

A healthy relationship is kind of like a trinity, two But it only helps to keep the game going which has no

individuals create something deeper and better than

real value to add to our life. Remember, such blame

themselves, yet they are still themselves. For a

game inevitably leads to unnecessary arguments

relationship to grow, you must also grow as an

mostly over trivial issues.

individual.

And even if you win an

argument with your loved ones, you’re actually losing because you leave your partner badly shattered, which

Relationships are hard work, but if you commit

in turn will affect your happiness in the long run.

yourself to plant the seeds of growth, you will see

| PAGE 11

something beautiful you could never imagine alone.

PERSPECTIVE

1984- A STORY DTM Babu Ramachandran

A beige coloured, KRV 2612 registered Ambassador

The beautiful lady medico is still beautiful and is now

car slowly eased forward through the roads of

a spiritual leader. Yes my own Teddy Mary and I have

Trivandrum. At the wheel was a young handsome

traversed this colourful journey of life this far. The

medico. The back seat driver was a beautiful young

years gone by have had its fair share of very happy

lady medico, a heart throb with a vast fan following at

moments and events and of course a few quarrels

the Trivandrum Medical College. Little did the driver

and depressing moments too. Life after all is not

realize that this back seat driver for the journey from

always a bed of roses; thorns too are an integral part.

the hostel premises to Hotel Luciya would slowly become the front seat driver of his life. Our first

The first official lunch at Hotel Luciya is still fresh in

journey, which started 36 years back on February 11,

my mind's eye. Mustering the courage to ask her out

1984, continues even to this day.

was not easy. However it was then or never. In

Reliving memories are always refreshing and as I look

Shakespearean language "To be or not to be... that is

back, the handsome driver who is none other than

the question"

the writer of these meandering thoughts scribes his feelings on this note pad for posterity.

| PAGE 12

"Can we go for an outing? "The word date was not in vogue then. Had I realized that Valentine's Day was just three days later, maybe I would have waited...

She readily agreed to the outing as though she was waiting to be asked (you should bear in mind that I was flying high after a successful conduct of the 9th Kerala inter-medical youth festival as the General Secretary of the college union and I had a good female fan following). Hurdle one successful. Yay !!!

I picked Mary outside the boundary of the ladies hostel as she didn't want others to see her getting into my car. She was the hostel secretary and was strict with the hostelites as she was a guardian. The strict practice continues to this day but the hostelites have been replaced by the family members and the church congregation. Sigh!!😩😩 Mary refused to sit in the front seat of my car (moral values!!!) and with her in the back seat I showed off my driving skills. The dress I wore was a blue stretch full sleeve shirt and bell bottom pants. Mary's dress I don't recall but she had a large red round bindi on her forehead. She looked really beautiful and the bindi was her hall mark for years. With the passage of time the size of the bindi became smaller and smaller and now when she has become the woman of God the bindi has disappeared. (Occasionally I do harbour hopes of seeing the bindi back on her forehead at least for some time... we all live on hopes).

| PAGE 13

Over Fried rice and some other dishes (the money

At times I feel that I am Romantic and Mary is a

was borrowed from my father- no pocket money

Realist. I treasure little events, value sweet moments,

then) I said "Mary... I really want to marry you!!! Why

relish

and how the "really " came in, I am not sure! .........She

multitasking) interspersed with nagging episodes, in

looked at me, stood up, paused and said "Babu, you

short a curry pot with all ingredients - sweet, sour,

are like my brother. I have not thought of you

spicy and salty. The bottom line is " I love her and she

otherwise. Let's be friends"...

loves me - nothing else matters."

Well this last part was what I had imagined would

Back to the present - My beloved Teddy has taken on

happen (my pessimistic nature). Just think of it...if that

the roles of a dutiful wife to me, a great mum to our

had been the answer there would have been no

four children, a loving daughter to my parents and a

sweet Deepu and sweet Gautham today.

pillar of support to many many souls. I have seen her

face

to

face

conversations

(not

while

spiritual growth from My Mary to Deacon Mary to But the Almighty and Mary had other plans… she

Pastor Dr. Mary. The spiritual gap between us is large

looked at me paused for what seemed like an eternity

and I will never be able to bridge that gap in this life

and said "Yes Babu, I am willing... but your parents,

time. But that does not worry me.

will they accept me???? Even at that point of time she expressed concern about them-so thoughtful.

An ocean of memories cross my mind, gigantic waves of sweet ones and some small bitter ones as well pass

"Leave that to me" I said.

through my grey matter. The endless voyage on my ship of life continues. Mary was destined to be mine.

Exit Luciya - Again the driver's role and showing off

Our close knit family with two wonderful sons and

my driving skills I dropped her at the hostel, outside

more wonderful daughters along with a good circle of

the boundary of course!!!

teenagers who call us aunty and uncle are all a part of this journey.

12 Feb 1984 - I invited Mary home and introduced her to my parents. Almost all my girl friends had visited

With the blessings of her spiritual parents (Miji and

my house but my dad noted that there was some

Jose Pastor) who are her role models my own Teddy

hidden agenda when I introduced Mary... He didn't

extends her reach saving souls and touching lives.

ask anything.

I am indeed blessed to have her as my better half.

Rephrasing the words of William Wordsworth...

The visits by Mary became frequent and in no time she walked into the hearts of my parents. That same

"For oft when on my couch I lie

endearing quality continues to this day.

In vacant or in pensive mood...

29

June

1988

-

Sri

Mulam

Club,

Trivandrum,

I wonder how my life would have been if 36 years

reverberated to the traditional fanfare of Hindu

back Mary had responded "You are like my brother,

weddings and in the presence of family friends and

let's continue to be friends."

well wishers we tied the wedding knot at the auspicious time between 9:10 AM and 9:30 AM.

I consider myself very fortunate to get a partner like her around whom, then and now my life revolves. God

Life with its trials and tribulations took us through

Bless her and our family and friends.

thick and thin. There may have been times when Mary might have wished she had never married me and vice versa - life is a roller coaster.

| PAGE 14

Praise the Lord!!!

I was in love with her but she was not a dainty girl. She was a Naval officer and we were working on the same ship. One day I sneaked into her office and revealed my emotions to her in a stammering voice.

“Ma’am....I love you and I am serious about it!!”- I said.

“Mind your language Masood Shah!!”- she retorted.

“Ma'am…I am serious...”- I laid my case again.

“Shut up and get out..”- she bellowed .

“Ma’am..” “out...out…”

CRAZY IN

LOVE TM Masood Shah My feelings for her actually started a few months before. It all started with her constant appreciation for my good work. A few times she would exemplify my work to other sailors and professionalism. Coming from a conservative background and less exposure I did not know how to handle feelings towards the opposite gender. I was falling for her and like those typical lovey-dovey one sided love moments – I was sleeping less, thinking more about her and losing my focus on work. To make matters worse, she had just dismissed me out of her office.

Feelings of humiliation and embarrassment started engulfing me. I did not know what to do next. It was dawning upon me that she did not like me the same way I liked her. She was being a professional and treating me like another colleague. All of I sudden I realized somebody came and sat next to me. I looked up and saw Jaffer, my friend. He had overheard…before I could say anything he said...

“Perseverance is the key to success” and walked off.

| PAGE 15

Suddenly, I started getting a newfound feeling of

Life on the ship continued to nose-dive. In the passing

hope and the embarrassment was fading away. I

months I suffered many a punishment, received

resolved to make another move.

many a warning for my un military like behavior (as they would call it). In a way, I was frightened, but

The next morning, I left a beautiful red rose on her

whenever I thought about it more, I was just a man in

table… only to find it outside her office with a

love! This man had set sail and then there was no

shoeprint on the petals after some time. I looked at

looking back!!!

the rose closely, it was squished and had withered under pressure. It looked like my face! I was once

“Perseverance is the key to success”

again heart broken!

My one sided love story soon became talk of the ship In the evening, as I packed up to disembark I was

and everybody was eager to see what course will it

informed that I am not allowed to leave the ship for

take. High seas or the dock!!!

twenty four hours. I was confused at first and then it

One fine day, she barged into my office and snapped,”

dawned upon me- she had punished me!!

I want to see you outside the ship!”

5PM at seaside McDonalds, I proposed before she could utter anything else.

Soon, my escapades took a turn for the worse! One

At 5PM she entered the restaurant, sat down before

morning, the whole ship's company gathered on the

me and to my surprise, slumped. She muttered “you

top deck as usual to pay salutation to the National

ruined my career at embark…I can’t face my staff,

Flag. All of us were standing in a U shape, in-front of

every one stares at me. You have devastated my life

the national flag. The clock struck 8 and the national

Masood Shah. How could you do this to me? I am

anthem started. We raised our hands in salutation. As

sorry for all the punishments you got but please leave

soon as the anthem was over, my colleagues burst

me alone.”

out laughing. The officers on the deck were looking down at me with disgust. In what looked like forever I

I took a deep breath, pulled out my revolver from the

realized the gravity of what I had done! Rather than

hip holster, gently placed it in front of her and said,

saluting the National Flag I had been paying my

“ma’am, you still have one punishment that you can

respect to the deck where my crush, my officer was

give me. Shoot me and I swear I will have no choice

standing. All I could remember was that the Anthem

but to leave you alone.” I carried on “but, I love you

had started and somehow our glances met. I was lost

with all my heart, please marry me.”

in her elegance, the Navy uniform accentuated her look. The cap looked like a crown on her and her

She retorted “You have gone mad, you idiot”. She got

golden shoulder straps shimmered in the morning

up and started leaving.

sunlight.

But before she took on the door, she turned and I was asked to be fully dressed and loaded,20 kgs

there…right there, I could see a different expression in

were added to my backpack, a huge rifle was placed

her wet eyes, it was not the usual stare or cold look

in my hands and a large steel helmet on placed on

but something different. I could feel it, perhaps it was

my head. I had to run in a figure of 8 on the jetty

a glimpse of budding love.

along side the ship. I don’t know how many hours

Something had hit her heart. Her eyes gave that away,

passed but when I recovered, I found myself at the

something was different. The words she spoke and

hospital bed.

the look that she gave me did not add up.

| PAGE 16

I clasped my revolver put it back into the holster and as I got thinking I ordered for a double cheese burger.

Something was about to change, I felt!

Three days had passed by and there complete silence from her end. On the fourth day as I entered my office, I could smell something was different. To my joy, I found a red rose on my table with a note that read “I love you too! I want to see you, outside the ship.” The most awaited moment of my life just happened!

We met at the same spot but this time around the McDonalds felt a place from another plant- may be a love plant. She was in love and I was in love much earlier!!!

Long after our marriage, I now realize that she was indeed a smart officer. She did act on my advice and put me on a life-long punishment :)

| PAGE 17

In India, Valentine’s day gained prominence from the year 1992 just when I was about to complete my graduation. Being a shy person, I never gave a rose to any girl on Valentine’s day.

I got married in the year 2003, and my wife insisted we celebrate Valentine’s day that year. A year before my marriage, my feelings about Valentine’s day were quite different. But after I got married, I recall counting days and waiting for February 14th with overwhelming enthusiasm to celebrate love with the love of my life. I secretly had a desire to go on a date on Valentine's Day which would be more special than usual. I planned to go somewhere more meaningful or romantic, some place significant that we will remember always, discussing the amazing moments and our relentless insecurities we have spent together in our life over the years.

NURSED A

DESIRE TM Prabodha Sarangi But it is true that not all dreams come true. In reality due to low income I am unable to have a grand celebration. I honestly cannot think of taking her to an exclusive restaurant where the waiters will eventually show up with a bill worth thousands for a dinner. So I opened up in front of my wife and expressed my emotion. That day I realize that she is the perfect life partner, when she smiled and said, “honey, I am too worried about why we have to spend so much at a restaurant. Instead I will cook some delicious food for dinner and we can enjoy at home.” I was speechless, gave her a hug, smiled and said, ‘Right, we can go to a restaurant next time’ and she happily agreed.

I realized love is not to show off, I thank you my love to give me that hope for life. I choose you, and I will choose you over and over again without a doubt. In a heartbeat I will keep choosing you.

| PAGE 18

I am a man of few words and she likes to chit chat. I love to flip TV channels constantly while she will change the TV channel only after the movie is over. I have a sweet tooth and she says NO to sweets. I hate waking up early whereas she is an early riser. There are so many things which are uncommon between us but we still love each other.

We met in college and spent a lot of time together as good friends.

Eventually we decided to become life partners. She was a rank holder in the college and I struggled to get passing marks. I still wonder why she married me, even after knowing my good qualities.

We are happily married for more than 25 years and we still carry the beautiful bond of friendship between us. We have been in a common friends’ circle right from our college days. Whenever we meet our gang of friends, we make fun of each other, tease each other and laugh.

That's the beauty of our relationship.

OPPOSITES

ATTRACT TM Yashodhan Abhyankar Any successful relationship thrives on a pillar called trust. You don’t have to say I love you every day, you don’t have to hug your spouse every day; what you need to do is build trust. Trust creates a feeling of security in a relationship and that’s how you emerge strong.

If you are a good friend of your spouse, if you trust each other wholeheartedly, then every day is Valentine's Day for you.

| PAGE 19

I found my Valentine in the “Traditional” way. It’s not that my quest for my Valentine did not take the adventurous route, I did but either the girls did not agree or I did not, until I met mine online! Much before the Pandemic, online was a way of life for me- be it a date with my valentine or something like getting myself a degree.

Staying in Saudi Arabia, I did not have much of a choice but made the best of the choices I had at my disposal. We met online and agreed to go down the aisle- around the fire in my case.

PATIO

LOVE TM Sukumar Swaminathan In Saudi, my Valentine-now my wife had nothing else to do but catch up on the telly-tube during the day and spend time in the evening with ‘her valentine’. We would sit on the open patio in this little villa of ours, play the gems of Kishore Kumar and have a Saudi-champagne! On some days the champagne was replaced by dinner or just a cup of tea but the place was always the same. The Patio. We spent so many evenings there that we even got to know the patio!!! The chipped tiles, the cracks, the faded ones compared to less faded ones, the odd looking ones and so on… It may seem a bit odd that I am talking so much about the patio, but that is where I got to know all about “my valentine”. That stage of life was about ‘knowing each other’.

We stayed in that house for a little over three years and we went through many stages in our married life but the patio is where we laid a solid foundation to our relationship.

| PAGE 20

Sadly, I was one among those who always were a step behind when it came to talking to girls in school days.

I fell in love with many, but it was always a one-sided train. So taking someone on a date, to a movie or giving roses weren’t my cup of tea.

In college I liked a girl. It was the Farewell day of our college. Boys were giving roses to girls. I gave her rose. She smiled and accepted it. We clicked a photo together and a couple of close friends. But, I didn’t share what was in my heart. Looking back today I am somewhat sure, she understood how I felt then. Yet, some love stories remain openended; which is good! I don’t like sad endings.

BLIND

DATE TM Norman Dass

God closes one door but opens another. She brought bouquet of beautiful flowers on our first blind date while I was standing there empty handed. We watched movies together, went on candle light dinners, long walks, played on beaches etc. everything which I dreamt of! I am happy for that!!!

I am talking about the girl, my last love and the first valentine – My Wife Mishal!

| PAGE 21

REFLECTION

PUZZLE

| PAGE 22

Answer Key

BRAIN TEASER Answers below

1. FOUR BOY SCOUTS TROOPS TOTALING 42 BOYS WENT CAMPING. IF THE SAME NUMBER OF BOYS WERE IN EACH VAN, HOW MANY VANS DID IT TAKE TO GET THE BOYS TO CAMP?

6 X 7 = 42

2. HOW DO YOU WRITE THE STANDARD FORM OF EIGHT MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY TWO

8,725,492

3. WHAT IS THE NEXT NUMBER IN THIS SEQUENCE 7512, 7514, 7518, 7524, 7532, 7534?

7538

4. IS THIS A TRUE STATEMENT 25,471 < 25,147

NO, (IT IS > GREATER THAN) 5. IF A NEW MOVIE SELLS 563 TICKETS ON FRIDAY NIGHT, 1297 TICKETS ON SATURDAY NIGHT, AND 316 TICKETS ON SUNDAY NIGHT, HOW MANY MORE TICKETS WERE SOLD ON SATURDAY THAN ON FRIDAY?

734, (1297 - 563 = 734)

| PAGE 23

LOGICAL THINKING Answers in the next issue

1. A BOOKWORM EATS FROM THE FIRST PAGE OF AN ENCYCLOPEDIA TO THE LAST PAGE. THE BOOKWORM EATS IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE ENCYCLOPEDIA CONSISTS OF TEN 1000-PAGE VOLUMES AND IS SITTING ON A BOOKSHELF IN THE USUAL ORDER. NOT COUNTING COVERS, TITLE PAGES, ETC., HOW MANY PAGES DOES THE BOOKWORM EAT THROUGH? On a book shelf the first page of the first volume is on the "inside" so the bookworm eats only through the cover of the first volume, then 8 times 1000 pages of Volumes 2 - 9, then through the cover to the 1st page of Vol 10. He eats 8,000 pages.

If the bookworm ate the first page and the last page, it ate 8,004 pages.

2. THREE PEOPLE CHECK INTO A HOTEL. THEY PAY $30 TO THE MANAGER AND GO TO THEIR ROOM. THE MANAGER FINDS OUT THAT THE ROOM RATE IS $25 AND GIVES $5 TO THE BELLBOY TO RETURN. ON THE WAY TO THE ROOM THE BELLBOY REASONS THAT $5 WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO SHARE AMONG THREE PEOPLE SO HE POCKETS $2 AND GIVES $1 TO EACH PERSON. NOW EACH PERSON PAID $10 AND GOT BACK $1. SO THEY PAID $9 EACH, TOTALLING $27. THE BELLBOY HAS $2, TOTALLING $29.

WHERE IS THE REMAINING DOLLAR? Each person paid $9, totalling $27. The manager has $25 and the bellboy $2. The bellboy's $2 should be added to the manager's $25 or subtracted from the tenants' $27, not added to the tenants' $27.

3. TWO BOXES ARE LABELED "A" AND "B". A SIGN ON BOX A SAYS "THE SIGN ON BOX B IS TRUE AND THE GOLD IS IN BOX A". A SIGN ON BOX B SAYS "THE SIGN ON BOX A IS FALSE AND THE GOLD IS IN BOX A". ASSUMING THERE IS GOLD IN ONE OF THE BOXES, WHICH BOX CONTAINS THE GOLD? The sign on box A says "The sign on box B is true and the gold is in box A". The sign on box B says "The sign on box A is false and the gold is in box A". The following argument can be made: If the statement on box A is true, then the statement on box B is true, since that is what the statement on box A says. But the statement on box B states that the statement on box A is false, which contradicts the original assumption. Therefore, the statement on box A must be false. This implies that either the statement on box B is false or that the gold is in box B. If the statement on box B is false, then either the statement on box A is true (which it cannot be) or the gold is in box B. Either way, the gold is in box B.

| PAGE 24

Birthday Celebrations February 2nd

February 5th

February 10th

February 12th

January 30th

February 14th

| PAGE 25

Editor: TM Sukumar Swaminathan Editorial Panel (PR Sub-Committee) TM Priyanka Gaikwad TM Murali Udayakanth TM Manu Phillip Feature, Perspective and Reflections Contributors Links from Activity Resource Booklet by Jennifer Jorgensen

Stock photos: Canva.com Designer: TM Sukumar Swaminathan

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