Author: ADITI18

Bored in Quarantine? 10 Fun Things To Do!

Are you bored from being in quarantine due to the coronavirus? Here are some things to keep you occupied during the pandemic of COVID-19:

  1. Get some exercise! Ride your bike, take a walk, just get outside!
  2. Time to reorganize those areas of your home that have been needing it for years now. You have the time!
  3. That lengthy to-do list that never ends? Start chipping at the top and work your way through it.
  4. Pick up an art, such as writing (poetry, journaling your experience during COVID), painting, drawing.
  5. Use technology to interact with your friends and family (Apps such as Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, etc.). You can also play games or “cook” together!
  6. Watch new movies or TV shows that came out. Or get through the long “watch list” you’ve got going!
  7. Get outside more and start projects such as gardening/planting, small renovations, updates/upkeep, etc.
  8. Feel like learning? Start learning a new language, learn music, learn a new hobbie or craft such as crocheting, baking or robotics.
  9. Get crackin’ in the kitchen! Now more than ever people are having to cook at home, learn a new recipe- or how to cook altogether!
  10. This is the time to DIY! Start projects in the house or even for your kids such as making a doll or tree house, building furniture, or fixing what’s needed

HOW DOES DOGS HELP HUMANITY?

Dogs have not always held a special place in the hearts of their human companions. Their role among humans was mostly utilitarian until the 18th century, when the term “man’s best friend” came into the lexicon. Their working roles are reduced today, but their importance at home has only increased. From pets to sporting companions to service dogs, canines add a measurable degree of quality to the worlds of the humans they share their lives with.

Companionship

Dogs provide companionship and company. They can be a comfort to people who crave unconditional interaction with another living being. According to Vanderbilt University, dogs can decrease levels of human loneliness and give humans a sense of purpose as they care for their animal companions. This can be especially beneficial for people who live alone, don’t socialize much, are empty-nesters or recently experienced a major change of life, such as the loss of a close human companion to death or divorce.

Security

Dogs provide a sense of security for human companions. Trained watchdogs can provide a high degree of security, while even small house dogs can offer a sense of protection by alerting their owners to approaching strangers or unusual circumstances in the home. Dogs employed by government agencies and police organizations sniff out contraband in places likes airports and large public venues to ensure public security. According to a Texas A&M website, dogs utilized specifically for security purposes require a specialized degree of training to be safe and effective for their handlers.

Teaching Responsibility

Many families use the family dog to help teach responsibility to children. Kids can be taught valuable traits and life skills through positive interaction with the family pet and by taking responsibility for feeding, walking, training and grooming. Children can learn the value of treating all living things with respect and dignity when they have the opportunity care for and love a family dog.

Stress Reduction and Health Benefits

Dogs can help reduce stress levels in human beings and are often used for therapeutic purposes in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices. Playing with a dog, exercising, walking or running can help human beings reduce stress levels and increase their health and well-being. Studies by Harvard University and Kansas State show dog interaction with humans can help combat challenges associated with some form of heart disease and autism.

Service Animals

Dogs raised as service, assistance or therapy animals can open up the world for disabled individuals. Specially trained animal companions help with daily activities and assist people with challenges to make their way in the world. Service animals can make it possible for physically disadvantaged individuals to work, travel and live independently. Search-and-rescue dogs can track human scent in even the most challenging environments.

MAGNITUDE 3.7 EARTHQUAKE

MILD earthquake was felt in the country’s capital and in it’s ncr on Monday night as a low-intensity earthquake hit near Haryana’s Jhajjar. The magnitude of the quake was 3.7, according to the National Center for Seismology.

The agency said the earthquake struck 10 kilometre north of Jhajjar at around 10.37 pm. Its depth was 5 kilometres.

Twitter users started sharing their earthquake experience, with many saying their homes shook because of the tremors.

Delhi, which lies close to a faultline, is susceptible to big earthquakes, geologists say. Since April 12, the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) has recorded over two dozen earthquakes.

The city falls in seismic zone IV – a very high-risk zone. India is divided into four seismic zones — II, III, IV and V — according to increasing intensity and frequency of earthquakes.

If a magnitude 6 earthquake strikes Delhi, a large number of structures which do not follow safety norms are likely to be demolished, experts have said.

THE ULTIMATE TEST

Today is the day 5 of the final match of world test championship. But sadly, there hasn’t been almost three days of play. ICC has allowed to use the reserved 6th day. Currently third innings and India’s second innings are going on. Winning the toss, Kiwi captain Kane Williamson choose to bowl. Against it, team India could only manage to score a total of 217 runs. There was am excellent partnership between the indian captain Virat Kohli and vice captain Ajinkaya Rahane. Where rest of the players struggled, skippers were there at rescue. In response to India’s struggling 217, team New Zealand scored 249 runs with a lead of 32. Kiwi skipper stood like a wall and scored 49 crutial runs for his team. At the moment, 11:10 pm IST, IND are 51-1 after 26 overs, with a lead of 19 runs.

How much runs will the Indian team score? Will NZ be able to chase us down? Or will it be a draw? Stay tunned to know!

CRYPTO TODAY

Cryptocurrency prices continue to be in the red on June 21. The global cryptocurrency market cap is $1.48 trillion, a 0.44 percent decrease over the last day. The total crypto market volume over the last 24 hours is $80.63 billion, which makes a 15.58 percent increase. The volume of all stable coins is now $64.06 billion – 79.44 percent of the total crypto market 24-hour volume. Bitcoin’s price is currently $35,535.03 and its dominance is currently 44.89 percent, an increase of 0.27 percent over the day.

WHAT’S THE NEWS FROM SOUTHAMPTON?

Today is the fourth day of the final test of the World Test Championship, which is being played between the table toppers India and the second place holders New Zealand. Though being the fourth day, only three day game has been seen, as the first day was completely washed off due to rain. Similar is the senario of the forth day, today. According to BCCI’s tweet, Rain may play spoilsport on fourth day in Southampton. There was rain earlier and thick clouds are still surrounding. Even if the rain stops, the pitch is under covers and it might take time for the outfield to dry, costing us no play in the first session. Now the question arises, was ICC not aware of the weather conditions? Why choose England as a spot for the ultimate test when every body knew this was gonna happen?

Stay tunned for more updates!

UGC questions Christ University over online exams

 The regional office of the University Grants Commission (UGC) has questioned the decision of Christ deemed-to-be-university to conduct its end semester examinations in the online format.

In a letter to the university, the UGC South West Regional Office also brought into question the institute’s mode of evaluation.

The letter was based on complaints the commission’s office received from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and from students.

The students’ body had sought that the university not rely on artificial intelligence (AI) and proctored mode (invigilated online) of evaluation. NSUI suggested alternative methods of examination such as open book and assignment-based ones, and also demanded that it be taken into confidence while framing the policy for evaluation.

UGC education officer Latha KC confirmed to The New Indian Express that the university was asked to consider the students’ requests, and not “target them”.

“If the institute fails to implement these directions, it could invite punitive action,” the letter states.

The regional office asked the university to reconsider holding its online remote proctored end-term examinations as the move was an “unilateral policy formulated without consulting the students or taking into account the students’ best interests”.

It pointed out that students did not have access to the library after physical classes were suspended, and some teachers did not even provide proper study material. The syllabus was not also completed before the examinations, it said in the letter.

“Students had only around four weeks of classes to complete almost 70-75 per cent of the syllabus, resulting in the syllabus of many subjects remaining unfinished,” said the letter.

The proposed remote proctored examination is not a sound evaluation policy, it added about the AI’s technological limitations failing to account for practical difficulties of students, and requiring them to have uninterrupted electricity and internet connections.

Latha said that the university was yet to respond to the letter. “Although there are separate bureaus (for deemed-to-be-universities), here the complaint was by students during the pandemic, and the regional offices should respond,” she said.

Christ Vice-Chancellor Dr Fr Abraham VM told The New Indian Express that students were given a chance to write physically proctored examination if they were unable to attend the online one. “How can they (UGC regional office) ask us to adhere to the NSUI’s demand?” he said, adding that the exams started for the junior semesters on Friday, and was attended by 1,430 out of 1,450 students.

Meanwhile, the university’s student council stated that it has been kept informed and was consulted on holding the exams through the online software Mettl platform.

I WANDER ON WHEELS!

Redeeming my dreams,

Waking up in this eternal land,

Watching the sky blush,

Starting the day to end the rush,

I wander on wheels,

Getting into the feels.

Moving away from the country side,

Heading ahead, oh this stark ride!

Feeling those soft falling showers,

Freezing seathe keeps me in wonders.

I wander on wheels,

Getting into the feels.

-ADITI