Lets start !!!!!
So what exactly is data science ?
Data science is a multidisciplinary blend of data inference, algorithm
development, and technology in order to solve analytically complex
problems.

What is The history behind this ?
In 2001,William S. Cleveland wanted to bring Data Mining to another
level so he did that by combining computer science and data mining
basically he made statistics a lot more technical which he believed to
expand the possibilities of data mining and produce a powerful force for
innovation, now you can take advantage to compute power of statistics
and he called this combo as data science.
What does a data scientist do?
Job of data scientist is to solve real complicated problems of company
using data.
Why there is so much demand for data scientist these days ?
The short answer is that over the last decade there’s been a massive
explosion in both the data generated and retained by companies, as well
as you and me. Sometimes we call this “big data,” and like a pile of
lumber we’d like to build something with it. Data scientists are the
people who make sense out of all this data and figure out just what can
be done with it.

Understanding the concepts of stock market.

First lesson

                What is value investing?

We‘re going to have three main objectives as follows:

• Difference between value trading and value investing
• The difference between asset and liability
• Who created value insvesting

Well to understand this concept let’s assume  the trade life of Mr.wilson.

                Mr. Wilson started with a home business of selling toffees, then he added upon with bigger candies then the cookies, cup cakes, cakes and so on…

He got it that each item started giving up more value clear up to a big buzzy shop that he owned with time.

Now this is a big question was Mr. Wilson was conducting value trading or value investing?

Let’s reveal! He was actually making it up with value trading. There is a pretty much difference between value trading and value investing.

Value investing is a type of tactic where stocks are selected which appears to trade for less than their intrinsic or trade values. Investors who use this strategy thing that the market overreacts to the good and bad news , resulting in stock price movements which do not corresponds to the company’s fundamentals.

Now to understand this you must be able to individualize between assets and liabilities.

 In above examples the car and the bungalow lie under liabilities where as the microwave and the apartmental building lies under the assets, longing for the explanation here it is.

Asset is something that helps gaining you profit after a initial investment where as liabilities are the one who even after investments there are no return’s through it we still have to invest money to keep ourselves up with those. As here the car and the bungalow needs timely servicing, petrol/diesel investment whereas the apartment can be given on rent and create extra income, the oven can be used for baking and selling those items and generating an income. This difference between asset and liabilities if we got to get lead over this concept it proves a great deal while investing.

Who started this value investing?  many of them assuming it with one of the great investors Warren Buffet get it on wrong track but even he learned it from BENJAMIN GRAHAM(professor at the Colombia business school) through his two very famous books ‘the intelligent’ investor and ‘security analysis’.

 Learn how to succeed early and make the most of the first hour of your day with The 5 AM Club summary.

 Learn how to succeed early and make the most of the first hour of your day with The 5 AM Club summuthor, Robin Sharma introduced The 5 am Club concept over twenty years ago. Sharma’s 5 am club is based on a revolutionary morning routine that has helped his clients maximize their productivity and activate their best health.

  The three key lessons from The 5 AM Club are:

1. The solitude of 5 am will help your brain work at it’s best
2. To fully utilize 5 am, you need to sleep
3. Use the 20/20/20 formula to get the most out of your morning.

Lesson One: The solitude of 5 am will help your brain work at it’s best

Think of your cognitive capacity like a phone battery. You start at 100% and slowly throughout the day, your battery runs out before charging it again overnight.

Waking up at 5 am ensures that you spend time on one high-level activity without distraction. In a world of constant distraction, this is so important.

Also, at a peaceful 5 am start, the part of your brain which tackles rational thought, the pre-frontal cortex is inactive. This means that you stop over-analyzing everything and you stop worrying.

This combined with the dopamine hit of sunrise ensures that you automatically enter a state of flow, where your brain is working at it’s best.

This state of flow means that you will be more focused and more productive throughout the day, not just in the morning.

Lesson two: To fully utilize 5 am, you need to sleep

I know what you’re thinking…. yes, 5 am is fucking early.

So, in order to make sure you’re a functioning human at 5 am, you need rest.

In fact, the curse of the side-hustler and entrepreneur is that you try to hustle your way though life, and sleep becomes less of a priority.

But to work effectively, you need to understand that growth doesn’t just happen through the work phase, it also happens through the recovery phase.

Talk to any farmer, or even any bodybuilder.

Their growth doesn’t happen in the hours they’re working, the development also happens during recovery.

The same is true for any high performer. You cannot work at the same efficiency 24 hours a day. In fact, you probably become busier but less effective.

So, you need to make sure that you are fully rested so you can make the most of the hours that you are working.

To ensure you are rested, stop using devices at 8 pm. Yes, 8 pm.

The blue light that comes from screens is a key contributor to disrupting sleep. Instead, read, talk to loved ones, meditate, exercise… whatever you need to do.

From there, look to go to bed at no later than 10 pm, so you can be ready to produce at 5 am the next day.

Lesson three: Use the 20/20/20 formula to get the most out of your morning

So even if you do wake up early, what is to say you don’t waste most of it scrolling though social media and checking emails?

The best way to combat wasting your extra hour, is to use the 20/20/20 formula.

That means for your hour, you should look to move for 20 minutes, reflect for 20 minutes, and grow for 20 minutes.

Look to exercise for 20 minutes as it helps your mind think more clearly; Sweat gets rid of cortisol, which is the hormone of fear. Sweat also produces protein BDNF, which repairs brain cells and quickens the formation of neural connection. So, sweat literally makes you think better!

From there, look to reflect. This can be in form of a journal and a mediation session. Using the quiet time to be alone with your thoughts grounds you for the day.

Finally, look to grow and learn something. This could be reading a book, watching a documentary, listening to a podcast, or any other activity which helps you learn.

The proper response to life is applause.’ ~William Carlos Williams

The Gradual Method

The best method for changing the time you wake up is to do it gradually — 10-15 minutes earlier for 2-4 days, until you feel used to it, and then repeat. If you get up at 8 a.m. normally, don’t suddenly change it to 6 a.m. Try 7:45 a.m. first.

3 Steps to Actually Get Up

So you’ve set your alarm for 10-15 minutes earlier than normal, and maybe got through the first few days, then set it another 10-15 minutes earlier, and soon you’re at 30-45 minutes earlier than usual … but now you have the tendency to hit the snooze alarm and stay in bed (sometimes awake) without getting up.

Here’s how to beat that in 3 steps:

1. Get excited. The night before, think of one thing you’d like to do in the morning that excites you. It could be something you want to write, or a new yoga routine, or meditation, or something you’d like to read, or a work project that’s got you fired up. In the morning, when you wake up, remember that exciting thing, and that will help motivate you to get up.
2. Jump out of bed. Yes, jump out of bed. With enthusiasm. Jump up and spread your arms wide as if to say, “Yes! I am alive! Ready to tackle the day with open arms and the gusto of a driven maniac.” Seriously, it works.
3. Put your alarm across the room. If it’s right next to you, you’ll hit the snooze button. So put it on the other side of the room, so you’ll have to get up (or jump up) to turn it off. Then, get into the habit of going straight to the bathroom to pee once you’ve turned it off. Once you’re done peeing, you’re much less likely to go back to bed. At this point, remember your exciting thing. If you didn’t jump out of bed, at least stretch your arms wide and greet the day.

What to Do When You Get Up

First, things not to do with your newfound early-morning time: don’t check email, news, social media, blogs. Don’t waste this new time doing the same thing you always do.

Here are some other things that are better, in my experience:

1. Drink a glass of water. You’re dehydrated from not drinking any water all night. Drink a full glass of water if you can. It’ll make you feel more awake.
2. Meditate. Even just for 3 minutes. It’s such a great way to start your day — doing nothing, just sitting, and practicing mindful focus.
3. Write. Or do some other kind of creating.
4. Exercise. Go for a walk or a run, or do a home workout. Even just 10 minutes.
5. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Either one of these makes the morning better.

By – Supriya

According to a recent ILO report, about 80% child labourers in india, and are employed in the agriculture sector. The children are generally sold to the rich moneylenders to whom borrowed money cannot be returned. More than 60,000 children work in extremely inhospitable conditions in the glass and bangle industry under conditions of excessive heat. Almost 4,20,000 children are employed in the carpet industry of India, and than 70,000 work in match-box factories.

Elimination of child labour is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges facing our country. Various articles of the Constitution prohibit the employment of children in factories . Under Article 24, it has been stated that no child below the age of 14 shall be employed in any factory or mine or any other hazardous occupation or work. Similarly, Article 31 provides that the state shall ensure that adolescent children are not forced to accept an employment detrimental to their age and physical ability owing to economic compulsions. Children should be provided opportunities to develop in a healthy manner and in a free and respectful environment in which they are protected against exploitation of their childhood and adolescence. Under the schedules of the Child Labour ( Prohibition and Regulation) Act,1986, employment of children is prohibited in 12 occupations and 51 hazardous processes. The Government of India formulated the National Child Labour Policy in 1987 to tackle this problem . It aims at rehabilitation of child labour, implementation of the National Child Labour Projects, grants-in-aid to the voluntary agencies and promoting international programmes for the elimination of Child Labour. For the rehabilitation of working children, special schools and rehabilitation centres have been established where there is a provision of informal education , vocational training and nutrition for the children relieved from work.

Thankyou!

North Korea on Thursday, September 9 held a midnight military parade to mark their 73rd founding anniversary in the capital city of Pyongyang.

This was the 3rd parade that was held in North Korea in under a year following a parade held last October to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the worker’s party of North Korea which saw the display of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) and one in January after the 8th congress of the worker’s party of North Korea. Contrary to what a myriad of people might believe North Korea does not hold parades as frequently as it did this past year.

This parade was broadcasted on the North Korean state run television on Thursday.

What set this parade apart?

This parade was unlike any other parade held in  North Korea as it did not consist of any display of ballistic missiles, in fact no ballistic missiles were even mentioned. This parade was more of a celebration according to Yang Moo Jin, the vice president of public affairs of North Korea. According to Moo Jin the parade was held to strengthen internal solidarity and it would have been inappropriate to exhibit any sort of missiles. The purpose of this parade was not to intimidate any country but rather to boost the morale of the citizens of North Korea in the midst of a crisis as per some experts.

The event didn’t go on for very long as opposed to the previous military parades that took place this year. This parade lasted only for around 1 hour. In addition to that it was also scaled down.

This parade observed the troops and the emergency disease prevention unit in red hazmat suits and gas masks march past their leader. The hazmat suits and the gas masks represent the prevention of Covid-19 in North Korea as the country reported no Covid-19 cases during the course of the pandemic

The leader Kim Jong-un did not deliver a speech that could cause outrage with the US, South Korea or any other country; he just simply waved at the troops that marched past. In lieu of Kim Jong-un the member of the ruling party Ri Il-Hwan addressed the nation. 

Another change that was observed during the event was Kim Jong-un’s weight loss. The leader looked much healthier and skinnier since his last public appearance. All these events are taking place amidst a food crisis in North Korea. The country is reportedly facing the worst food shortages at the time, which could be attributed to the isolated economy and a trade halt that the country is under.

The state media released photos where people were seen to be enjoying the event that represented solidarity. Paratroopers could be seen jumping off of aircrafts, fireworks filled the midnight sky in Pyongyang and firetrucks filled the Pyongyang soil.

This parade also featured students carrying rifles and farmers marching as well. People were also seen dancing towards the end of the parade.

These events are being held in North Korea amid one of the worst economic and food crises the country has ever witnessed according to the reports.

A rainforest is an area of tall, mostly evergreen trees and a high amount of rainfall.  Rainforests are Earth’s oldest living ecosystems, with some surviving in their present form for at least 70 million years. They are incredibly diverse and complex, home to more than half of the world’s plant and animal species—even though they cover just 6% of Earth’s surface. This makes rainforests astoundingly dense with flora and fauna; a 10-square-kilometer (4-square-mile) patch can contain as many as 1,500 flowering plants, 750 species of trees, 400 species of birds and 150 species of butterflies.  Rainforests thrive on every continent except Antarctica. The largest rainforests on Earth surround the Amazon River in South America and the Congo River in Africa. The tropical islands of Southeast Asia and parts of Australia support dense rainforest habitats. Even the cool evergreen forests of North America’s Pacific Northwest and Northern Europe are a type of rainforest. Rainforests’ rich biodiversity is incredibly important to our well-being and the well-being of our planet. Rainforests help regulate our climate and provide us with everyday products.  Unsustainable industrial and agricultural development, however, has severely degraded the health of the world’s rainforests. Citizens, governments, intergovernmental organizations, and conservation groups are working together to protect these invaluable but fragile ecosystems.

Rainforest Structure  Most rainforests are structured in four layers: emergent, canopy, understory, and forest floor. Each layer has unique characteristics based on differing levels of water, sunlight, and air circulation. While each layer is distinct, they exist in an interdependent system: processes and species in one layer influence those in another.  Emergent Layer The top layer of the rainforest is the emergent layer. Here, trees as tall as 60 meters (200 feet) dominate the skyline. Foliage is often sparse on tree trunks, but spreads wide as the trees reach the sunny upper layer, where they photosynthesize the sun’s rays. Small, waxy leaves help trees in the emergent layer retain water during long droughts or dry seasons. Lightweight seeds are carried away from the parent plant by strong winds.  In the Amazon rainforest, the towering trees of the emergent layer include the Brazil nut tree and the kapok tree. The Brazil nut tree, a vulnerable species, can live up to 1,000 years in undisturbed rainforest habitats. Unlike many rainforest species, both the Brazil nut tree and the kapok tree are deciduous—they shed their leaves during the dry season.  Animals often maneuver through the emergent layer’s unstable topmost branches by flying or gliding. Animals that can’t fly or glide are usually quite small—they need to be light enough to be supported by a tree’s slender uppermost layers. The animals living in the emergent layer of the Amazon rainforest include birds, bats, gliders, and butterflies. Large raptors, such as white-tailed hawks and harpy eagles, are its top predators.  In rainforests on the island of New Guinea, pygmy gliders populate the emergent layer. Pygmy gliders are small rodents that get their name from the way flaps of skin between their legs allow them to glide from branch to branch.  Bats are the most diverse mammal species in most tropical rainforests, and they regularly fly throughout the emergent, canopy, and understory layers. One of the world’s largest species of bat, the Madagascan flying fox (found on the African island of Madagascar), for instance, is an important pollinator that mainly feeds on juice from fruit, but will chew flowers for their nectar.  Canopy Layer Beneath the emergent layer is the canopy, a deep layer of vegetation roughly 6 meters (20 feet) thick. The canopy’s dense network of leaves and branches forms a roof over the two remaining layers.  The canopy blocks winds, rainfall, and sunlight, creating a humid, still, and dark environment below. Trees have adapted to this damp environment by producing glossy leaves with pointed tips that repel water.  While trees in the emergent layer rely on wind to scatter their seeds, many canopy plants, lacking wind, encase their seeds in fruit. Sweet fruit entices animals, which eat the fruit and deposit seeds on the forest floor as droppings. Fig trees, common throughout most of the world’s tropical rainforests, may be the most familiar fruit tree in the canopy. With so much food available, more animals live in the canopy than any other layer in the rainforest. The dense vegetation dulls sound, so many—but not all—canopy dwellers are notable for their shrill or frequent vocalizing. In the Amazon rainforest, canopy fruit is snatched up in the large beaks of screeching scarlet macaws and keel-billed toucans, and picked by barking spider and howler monkeys. The silent two-toed sloth chews on the leaves, shoots, and fruit in the canopy.  Thousands and thousands of insect species can also be found in the canopy, from bees to beetles, borers to butterflies. Many of these insects are the principal diet of the canopy’s reptiles, including the “flying” draco lizards of Southeast Asia. Understory Layer Located several meters below the canopy, the understory is an even darker, stiller, and more humid environment. Plants here, such as palms and philodendrons, are much shorter and have larger leaves than plants that dominate the canopy. Understory plants’ large leaves catch the minimal sunlight reaching beyond the dense canopy.  Understory plants often produce flowers that are large and easy to see, such as Heliconia, native to the Americas and the South Pacific. Others have a strong smell, such as orchids. These features attract pollinators even in the understory’s low-light conditions. The fruit and seeds of many understory shrubs in temperate rainforests are edible. The temperate rainforests of North America, for example, bloom with berries.  Animals call the understory home for a variety of reasons. Many take advantage of the dimly lit environment for camouflage. The spots on a jaguar (found in the rainforests of Central and South America) may be mistaken for leaves or flecks of sunlight, for instance. The green mamba, one of the deadliest snakes in the world, blends in with foliage as it slithers up branches in the Congo rainforest. Many bats, birds, and insects prefer the open airspace the understory offers. Amphibians, such as dazzlingly colored tree frogs, thrive in the humidity because it keeps their skin moist.  Central Africa’s tropical rainforest canopies and understories are home to some of the most endangered and familiar rainforest animals—such as forest elephants, pythons, antelopes, and gorillas. Gorillas, a critically endangered species of primate, are crucial for seed dispersal. Gorillas are herbivores that move throughout the dark, dense rainforest as well as more sun-dappled swamps and jungles. Their droppings disperse seeds in these sunny areas where new trees and shrubs can take root. In this way, gorillas are keystone species in many African rainforest ecosystems. Forest Floor Layer The forest floor is the darkest of all rainforest layers, making it extremely difficult for plants to grow. Leaves that fall to the forest floor decay quickly.  Decomposers, such as termites, slugs, scorpions, worms, and fungi, thrive on the forest floor. Organic matter falls from trees and plants, and these organisms break down the decaying material into nutrients. The shallow roots of rainforest trees absorb these nutrients, and dozens of predators consume the decomposers! Animals such as wild pigs, armadillos, and anteaters forage in the decomposing brush for these tasty insects, roots and tubers of the South American rainforest. Even larger predators, including leopards, skulk in the darkness to surprise their prey. Smaller rodents, such as rats and lowland pacas (a type of striped rodent indigenous to Central and South America), hide from predators beneath the shallow roots of trees that dominate the canopy and emergent layer.  Rivers that run through some tropical rainforests create unusual freshwater habitats on the forest floor. The Amazon River, for instance, is home to the boto, or pink river dolphin, one of the few freshwater dolphin species in the world. The Amazon is also home to black caimans, large reptiles related to alligators, while the Congo River is home to the caimans’ crocodilian cousin, the Nile crocodile.

Types of Rainforests Tropical Rainforests Tropical rainforests are mainly located between the latitudes of 23.5°N (the Tropic of Cancer) and 23.5°S (the Tropic of Capricorn)—the tropics. Tropical rainforests are found in Central and South America, western and central Africa, western India, Southeast Asia, the island of New Guinea, and Australia.  Sunlight strikes the tropics almost straight on, producing intense solar energy that keeps temperatures high, between 21° and 30°C (70° and 85°F). High temperatures keep the air warm and wet, with an average humidity of between 77% and 88%. Such humid air produces extreme and frequent rainfall, ranging between 200-1000 centimeters (80-400 inches) per year. Tropical rainforests are so warm and moist that they produce as much as 75% of their own rain through evaporation and transpiration.  Such ample sunlight and moisture are the essential building blocks for tropical rainforests’ diverse flora and fauna. Roughly half of the world’s species can be found here, with an estimated 40 to 100 or more different species of trees present in each hectare.  Tropical rainforests are the most biologically diverse terrestrial ecosystems in the world. The Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest tropical rainforest. It is home to around 40,000 plant species, nearly 1,300 bird species, 3,000 types of fish, 427 species of mammals, and 2.5 million different insects. Red-bellied piranhas and pink river dolphins swim its waters. Jewel-toned parrots squawk and fly through its trees. Poison dart frogs warn off predators with their bright colors. Capuchin and spider monkeys swing and scamper through the branches of the rainforest’s estimated 400 billion trees. Millions of mushrooms and other fungi decompose dead and dying plant material, recycling nutrients to the soil and organisms in the understory. The Amazon rainforest is truly an ecological kaleidoscope, full of colorful sights and sounds. Temperate Rainforests Temperate rainforests are located in the mid-latitudes, where temperatures are much more mild than the tropics. Temperate rainforests are found mostly in coastal, mountainous areas. These geographic conditions help create areas of high rainfall. Temperate rainforests can be found on the coasts of the Pacific Northwest in North America, Chile, the United Kingdom, Norway, Japan, New Zealand, and southern Australia.  As their name implies, temperate rainforests are much cooler than their tropical cousins, averaging between 10° and 21°C (50° and 70°F). They are also much less sunny and rainy, receiving anywhere between 150-500 centimeters (60-200 inches) of rain per year. Rainfall in these forests is produced by warm, moist air coming in from the coast and being trapped by nearby mountains.  Temperate rainforests are not as biologically diverse as tropical rainforests. They are, however, home to an incredible amount of biological productivity, storing up to 500-2000 metric tons of leaves, wood, and other organic matter per hectare (202-809 metric tons per acre). Cooler temperatures and a more stable climate slow down decomposition, allowing more material to accumulate. The old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest, for example, produce three times the biomass (living or once-living material) of tropical rainforests.  This productivity allows many plant species to grow for incredibly long periods of time. Temperate rainforest trees such as the coast redwood in the U.S. state of California and the alerce in Chile are among the oldest and largest tree species in the world.  The animals of the temperate rainforest are mostly made up of large mammals and small birds, insects, and reptiles. These species vary widely between rainforests in different world regions. Bobcats, mountain lions, and black bears are major predators in the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. In Australia, ground dwellers such as wallabies, bandicoots, and potoroos (small marsupials that are among Australia’s most endangered animals) feast on the foods provided by the forest floor. Chile’s rainforests are home to a number of unique birds such as the Magellanic woodpecker and the Juan Fernández firecrown, a hummingbird species that has a crown of color-changing feathers.

People and the Rainforest Rainforests have been home to thriving, complex communities for thousands of years. For instance, unique rainforest ecosystems have influenced the diet of cultures from Africa to the Pacific Northwest. MbutiThe Mbuti, a community indigenous to the Ituri rainforest in Central Africa, have traditionally been hunter-gatherers. Their diet consists of plants and animals from every layer of the rainforest.  From the forest floor, the Mbuti hunt fish and crabs from the Ituri River (a tributary of the Congo), as well as gather berries from low-lying shrubs. The giant forest hog, a species of wild boar, is also frequently targeted by Mbuti hunters, although this species is hunted for sale more often than food. From the understory, the Mbuti may gather honey from bee hives, or hunt monkeys. From the canopy and emergent layers, Mbuti hunters may set nets or traps for birds.  Although they are a historically nomadic society, agriculture has become a way of life for many Mbuti communities today as they trade and barter with neighboring agricultural groups such as the Bantu for crops such as manioc, nuts, rice, and plantains.  Chimbu The Chimbu people live in the highland rainforest on the island of New Guinea. The Chimbu practice subsistence agriculture through shifting cultivation. This means they have gardens on arable land that has been cleared of vegetation. A portion of the plot may be left fallow for months or years. The plots are never abandoned and are passed on within the family. Crops harvested in Chimbu garden plots include sweet potatoes, bananas, and beans. The Chimbu also maintain livestock, particularly pigs. In addition to their own diet, pigs are valuable economic commodities for trade and sale.  TlingitThe temperate rainforest of the northwest coast of North America is the home of the Tlingit. The Tlingit enjoy a diverse diet, relying on both marine and freshwater species, as well as game from inland forests.  Due to bountiful Pacific inlets, rivers, and streams, the traditional Tlingit diet consists of a wide variety of aquatic life: crab, shrimp, clams, oysters, seals, and fish such as herring, halibut, and, crucially, salmon. Kelps and other seaweeds can be harvested and eaten in soups or dried. One familiar Tlingit saying is “When the tide is out, our table is set.”  In more inland areas, historic Tlingit hunters may have targeted deer, elk, rabbit, and mountain goats. Plants gathered or harvested include berries, nuts, and wild celery.  YanomamiThe Yanomami are a people and culture native to the northern Amazon rainforest, spanning the border between Venezuela and Brazil. Like the Chimbu, the Yanomami practice both hunting and shifting-cultivation agriculture. Game hunted by the Yanomami include deer, tapirs (an animal similar to a pig), monkeys, birds, and armadillos. The Yanomami have hunting dogs to help them search the understory and forest floor for game.  The Yanomami practice slash-and-burn agriculture to clear the land of vegetation prior to farming. Crops grown include cassava, banana, and corn. In addition to food crops, the Yanomami also cultivate cotton, which is used for hammocks, nets, and clothing.

Benefits of Rainforests Ecological Well-Being Rainforests are critically important to the well-being of our planet. Tropical rainforests encompass approximately 1.2 billion hectares (3 billion acres) of vegetation and are sometimes described as the Earth’s thermostat.  Rainforests produce about 20% of our oxygen and store a huge amount of carbon dioxide, drastically reducing the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. Massive amounts of solar radiation are absorbed, helping regulate temperatures around the globe. Taken together, these processes help to stabilize Earth’s climate.  Rainforests also help maintain the world’s water cycle. More than 50% of precipitation striking a rainforest is returned to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration, helping regulate healthy rainfall around the planet. Rainforests also store a considerable percentage of the world’s freshwater, with the Amazon Basin alone storing one-fifth.  Human Well-Being Rainforests provide us with many products that we use every day. Tropical woods such as teak, balsa, rosewood, and mahogany are used in flooring, doors, windows, boatbuilding, and cabinetry. Fibers such as raffia, bamboo, kapok, and rattan are used to make furniture, baskets, insulation, and cord. Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and ginger are just a few spices of the rainforest. The ecosystem supports fruits including bananas, papayas, mangos, cocoa and coffee beans.  Rainforests also provide us with many medicinal products. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, 70% of plants useful in the treatment of cancer are found only in rainforests. Rainforest plants are also used in the creation of muscle relaxants, steroids, and insecticides. They are used to treat asthma, arthritis, malaria, heart disease, and pneumonia. The importance of rainforest species in public health is even more incredible considering that less than one percent of rainforest species have been analyzed for their medicinal value.  Even rainforest fungi can contribute to humanity’s well-being. A mushroom discovered in the tropical rainforest of Ecuador, for example, is capable of consuming polyurethane—a hard, durable type of plastic used in everything from garden hoses to carpets to shoes. The fungi can even consume the plastic in an oxygen-free environment, leading many environmentalists and businesses to invest in research to investigate if the fungi can help reduce waste in urban landfills.

Threats to Rainforests Rainforests are disappearing at an alarmingly fast pace, largely due to human development over the past few centuries. Once covering 14% of land on Earth, rainforests now make up only 6%. Since 1947, the total area of tropical rainforests has probably been reduced by more than half, to about 6.2 to 7.8 million square kilometers (3 million square miles).  Many biologists expect rainforests will lose 5-10% of their species each decade. Rampant deforestation could cause many important rainforest habitats to disappear completely within the next hundred years.  Such rapid habitat loss is due to the fact that 40 hectares (100 acres) of rainforest are cleared every minute for agricultural and industrial development. In the Pacific Northwest’s rainforests, logging companies cut down trees for timber while paper industries use the wood for pulp. In the Amazon rainforest, large-scale agricultural industries, such as cattle ranching, clear huge tracts of forests for arable land. In the Congo rainforest, roads and other infrastructure development have reduced habitat and cut off migration corridors for many rainforest species. Throughout both the Amazon and Congo, mining and logging operations clear-cut to build roads and dig mines. Some rainforests are threatened by massive hydroelectric power projects, where dams flood acres of land. Development is encroaching on rainforest habitats from all sides.  Economic inequalities fuel this rapid deforestation. Many rainforests are located in developing countries with economies based on natural resources. Wealthy nations drive demand for products, and economic development increases energy use. These demands encourage local governments to develop rainforest acreage at a fraction of its value. Impoverished people who live on or near these lands are also motivated to improve their lives by converting forests into subsistence farmland.

Rainforest Conservation Many individuals, communities, governments, intergovernmental organizations, and conservation groups are taking innovative approaches to protect threatened rainforest habitats.  Many countries are supporting businesses and initiatives that promote the sustainable use of their rainforests. Costa Rica is a global pioneer in this field, investing in ecotourism projects that financially contribute to local economies and the forests they depend on. The country also signed an agreement with an American pharmaceutical company, Merck, which sets aside a portion of the proceeds from rainforest-derived pharmaceutical compounds to fund conservation projects.  Intergovernmental groups address rainforest conservation at a global scale. The United Nations’ REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) Program, for example, offers financial incentives for reducing carbon emissions created by deforestation to 58 member countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo used REDD funds to create an online National Forest Monitoring System that tracks and maps data on logging concessions, deforestation in protected areas, and national forestry sector measures. REDD funds were also used to investigate best practices in solving land disputes in Cambodia, which lacks proper forest zoning and boundary enforcement.  Nonprofit organizations are tackling rainforest conservation through a variety of different approaches. The Rainforest Trust, for example, supports local conservation groups around the world in purchasing and managing critically important habitats. In Ecuador, the Rainforest Trust worked with the Fundación Jocotoco to acquire 495 more hectares (1,222 more acres) for the Río Canandé Reserve, considered to have one of the highest concentrations of endemic and threatened species in the world. Partnering with Burung Indonesia, the Trust created a 8,900-hectare (22,000-acre) reserve on Sangihe Island to protect the highest concentration of threatened bird species in Asia.  The Rainforest Alliance is a nonprofit organization that helps businesses and consumers know that their products conserve rather than degrade rainforests. Products that bear the Rainforest Alliance seal contain ingredients from farms or forests that follow strict guidelines designed to support the sustainable development of rainforests and local communities. The Alliance also allows tourism businesses use of their seal after they complete an education program on efficiency and sustainability. In turn, this seal allows tourists to make ecologically smart vacation plans.

Wildlife Conservation is the practice of protecting plant and animal species and their habitats. As part of the world’s ecosystems, wildlife provides balance and stability to nature’s processes. The goal of wildlife conservation is to ensure the survival of these species, and to educate people on living sustainably with other species.

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The human population has grown exponentially over the past 200 years, to more than seven billion people today, and it continues to rapidly grow. This means natural resources are being consumed faster than ever by the billions of people on the planet. This growth and development also endangers the habitats and existence of various types of wildlife around the world, particularly animals and plants that may be displaced for land development, or used for food or other human purposes. Other threats to wildlife include the introduction of invasive species from other parts of the world, climate change, pollution, hunting, fishing, and poaching.

National and international organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the United Nations work to support global animal and habitat conservation efforts on many different fronts. They work with the government to establish and protect public lands, like national parks and wildlife refuges. They help write legislation, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 in the United States, to protect various species. They work with law enforcement to prosecute wildlife crimes, like wildlife trafficking and illegal hunting (poaching). They also promote biodiversity to support the growing human population while preserving existing species and habitats.

National Geographic Explorers, like conservation biologists Camille Coudrat and Titus Adhola, are working to slow the extinction of global species and to protect global biodiversity and habitats. Environmental filmmakers and photographers, like Thomas P. Peschak, are essential to conservation efforts as well, documenting and bringing attention to endangered wildlife all over the world.

Half of the population is facing  problem with sleep because some can not simply fall asleep. This is also known as insomnia. Insomnia is common and is mostly considered to be normal. However, the effect of not sleeping enough or change in the sleeping routine can indirectly effect our mental as well as physical health. When the sleep routine changes, it changes our eating habits as well as degrade our performance. One who is healthy and prepared is full of energy and have the potential to perform tasks better.

Stress or anxiety is the main cause for sleeplessness which can be resolved by letting out the stress or implying techniques to make our body suitable for sleeping. Techniques such as Yoga posses and exercise causes direct impact on the body which inturn relaxes the muscles.

Here are three simple and easy steps to follow if you are facing a problem sleeping.

1.Viloma Pranayama

Viloma Pranayama is a commonly used Yoga Pranayama, also called Single Nostril Breath or Alternate Nostril Breathing. This technique can be done while sitting or in a lying position.

To perform this technique, one must inhale a large amount of air while placing a finger to block one side of the nostril and hold it for about 3-4 seconds and then slowly exhale breath. This is to be done vice versa, holding the left nostril after the right nostril and the process could be repeated 7-8 rounds at once.

It is known to be effective and one does not require training to perform the technique.

2.Bhramari Pranayama

Bhramari Pranayama is one of the easiest technique of Pranayama also called ‘Bee Breath’. One can perform by either putting both index fingers on each side of the ear or even by covering the eyes using four fingers of both the hand.

It is important to stay in a quiet and peaceful environment so that all the focus and attention can be put in the humming and breathing pattern.

One should keep the mouth closed and take a deep breath and then exhale slowly, making a humming sound ‘Om’ . Repeating 4-5 times twice a day could make the respiratory system function smoothly. It is an important technique to make the heart beat level balanced, especially for the people suffering from respiratory diseases.

3.Stretching The Body

One of the most natural and easy technique to perform before bed is stretching. It could be any kind of stretch best suitable for the performers.

It can also be achieved by a simple method of stretching out the leg in a straight manner and reaching for the feet with both hands

Stretching improves circulation of blood, flexibility, mobility, relaxes the muscles and can give you a warm and comfortable sleep.

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It is important to note that in order to get a better sleep, one must avoid over thinking and complete all the important task to avoid frustrations. Our mind must be in a peaceful state

Dance is freedom for me. Since as long as I could remember, I have been dancing, whether it’s Hip-hop, contemporary, Kathak, folk, or even freestyle, dance has always been a part of my daily routine. I can’t imagine my life without dance, it’s vibrations, it’s amnesty, it’s beauty and the exultance I get from it. Most people get tired by dancing too much, but even if I dance for more than 10 hours a day, I can’t get enough of it. For me, life is empty and hollow without some moves, some music and a smile, and I can assure you, dance does that for me. It is not just a part of my life, but it is my life. Even before going to sleep, my imagination wanders off to choreographing songs, learning the taal of each song or even just dancing supine on my bed. It gets even weirder after this, believe me, you don’t wanna know.

I remember vividly, that, when I was 4, my mother put me into a dance class which I REALLY didn’t wanna join, I was hauled there, while sobbing( not brutally) but who knew, that one decision would become my entire life. I am not extremely good at dance, but I do know, that when I do it, I do it freely, with no stress or regulations at all. Whatever step I like, on whatever music I like, I do it, and I can’t even tell you how much I enjoy it, it’s ineffable.

Why I don’t choose it as a primary profession is something that I learnt while growing up, not that I am a grown up, but, you know what I am saying. It is that I know that I can go beyond dancing to choose my profession. something more essential, required in today’s world, something more arduous, I am not saying that dancing isn’t arduous, NO, NEVER in my dreams I would say that! dancing is one of the most arduous professions ever, but I mean something in a way like a doctor, mentally arduous. Take grey’s anatomy for an example if you are not familiar with a doctor’s life, they are a perfect instance. A highly risky job, with fatal consequences, amazingly crazy days, and being paid for working like a donkey. Immense pressure and stress define their life. For me, dancing is nothing like that, when you dance, you aren’t in pressure or stress, or at least shouldn’t be, when you dance, ACTUALLY, you are not straining your brain into following a specific procedure, a logical algorithm. When you are dancing, it can’t be stressful, it can’t be fatal, except, when you aren’t.

What has led today’s younger generation to be devoted towards the Korean language and its culture & where can you meet native Korean speakers in India? 

Rise of the Korean culture:

The vibrant and mind-blowing Korean culture has fascinated a lot of youth as of today’s date. The culture and its awesomeness have urged lots of youths as well as adults to learn the Korean language, so that it could be easier to watch K-dramas and also K-POP songs. The influence of the culture has urged lots of people to major in Korean language in India. As a result, people not only throng the institutes where Korean language is being taught, but also opt for those classes online even from rural areas. In the past decades, people were eager to learn 

Western languages like French, German, Spanish etc., and would spend tons of dollars learning these.

Obsession towards the culture and it’s language:

 The Korean industry is on the pinnacle of its glory due to its technology, K- beauty and K-pop. It has inspired a significant population of the youth, converting people into Korean language learners and Korean culture enthusiasts. Additionally, it also inspires them to meet native Korean speakers, so that they could learn from them and watch Korean dramas with ease instead of relying on the English subtitles. Moreover, it lets you experience the culture with deep insight and also helps you to learn the language more fluently. Today, the number of Korean language learners has increased exponentially in India especially during the pandemic which led them to enroll for different Korean language courses online, where they find proper guidance.  Nonetheless, meeting a native speaker can add a huge impact. 

Where can you meet Korean native speakers?

1.Hellotalk-A social media app designed for users to learn and exchange language and cultures. 

2.Meff-Another social media app to make connections and friendships through social media. 

3.Churches-You can find lots of Korean native speakers at churches as well, especially on   

   Sundays (it specifically includes metro cities). 

4.Korean Restaurants-Another great place where you can find native speakers. 

5.Tourist spots-Taj Mahal has never ceased to surprise and captivate the hearts of Koreans. It 

   tops the list of the tourists’ spots that are chosen by Koreans during their visits to India. Yes!!!! 

   every year there is a huge multitude of Koreans visiting the Taj Mahal. 

#korea#korean#Korean Language#foreignlanguage#kdramas#kpop#culture

The queen of YA fantasy world, author of numerous books, including the throne of glass novellas, the renowned A Court Of Thorns And Roses series(ACOTAR), Crescent City, etc. all of which are ACTUALLY New York Times bestsellers, this 35 year-old author from New York, has created works that are read all over the world and loved incomparably. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband Josh, her son Taran and her dog Annie. she first wrote her novel throne of glass when she was just 16, which turned out to be her debut novel when published after almost a decade. Though after writing several chapters of the novel, which was then titled queen of glass, she put it up on fictionpress.com, and got much adoration for it.

A wild spirit, Sarah continued writing the throne of glass series, which was then purchased by Bloomsbury, and published its last novel, kingdom of ash in 2018.

Her second set of novellas is A court of thorns and roses series( my personal favorite) which is inspired by the story of Beauty and the beast( also my favorite), first written in the year of 2009 but wasn’t published until 2015. the last book of this series was just published in early 2021, in the united states and some more countries. It is expected to be a virtual series on Hulu.

Her third novel, a TOME would be a more appropriate word for it, is the Crescent City series, who’s first book, house of earth and blood was published in 2018, and the publishing of the second book was just announced yesterday! (which is how I got the idea to write about her) It is publishing on February 22, 2022. I can’t wait!

Now comes the brief introduction to each of her novellas( while NOT giving the spoilers… I guess *winks awkwardly*)

A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES

This a story of a huntress, a fierce, strong and bold huntress. involving Fae creatures, romance, wars and what not, this book will give you chills every time you read it. though, honestly speaking, the words mate, grinned and purred are used rather extensively, if you really get into the plot, you wont even notice it! it is that good.

CRESCENT CITY

Chronicles of a girl, a valiant girl named Bryce Quinlan, and a boy, a dark but kind boy named Hunt Athalar and the adventures they face for love. Though being a massive, gigantic tome, if you’re anything like me, I am sure you’ll read it in less than 4 days if you really get into the story. There is still an extensive use of the words grin, purr, and a rather peculiar way to write ‘hel’, but regardless of all of this, I love this book to death. memento mori, and read it now!

THRONE OF GLASS

a story about Calaena Sardothien, an assassin, a person whom everyone fears, Throne of glass series is Perfect for anybody who likes a Dark Romance kinda vibe. I am truthfully not the right person to descript this book as I am still on the fourth one, but, up till now, it is GOOD, so good. I would suggest you to read it with my utter heart.

Kuchipudi

This dance comes from the state of Andhra Pradesh, precisely from a village which the dance is named after. Mainly a dance-drama performance, it gives a reference to the spiritual beliefs and temple gods of India, and is deeply explained in the Natyashastra. Evidence of Kuchipudi’s existence in an older version are found in copper inscriptions of the 10th century, and by the 15th century in texts such as the Machupalli Kaifat. The traditional set was performed by an all males troupe,  A dancer in a male role would be in Agnivastra, also known as Bagalbandi, wear a dhoti (a single pleated piece of cloth hanging down from the waist). A dancer in a female role would wear a Sari with light makeup.

Odissi

coming from the state of Odissa, this dance is as popular as Bharatanatyam or any other dance, originally done by females, it grew in popularity in the 20th century. it expresses spiritual stories and ideas particularly of lord Vishnu. again, when it was banned by the British, Indians protested all over the country, following its revival, evolution and glory. Modern Odissi productions by Indian artists have presented a diverse range of experimental ideas, culture fusion, themes and plays.^[19] Odissi was the only Indian dance form present in Michael Jackson’s 1991 hit single Black and White.

By – Supriya

Yes, weird though it may sound, parents are humans too. They may have dreams they’ve sacrificed because they want you to realize yours. Once you step into their shoes and try to look at things from their point of view, two wonderful things happen; one, you feel a new respect for them, and two, you will find that you can actually get your own way without heated arguments. Today, when you come back from school or college,ask your mom or dad ,” How did your day go today?” or ” Tell me a little more about your job”. or ” Is there anything I can do to help you around in the house?” You will see the visible difference it makes to the atmosphere at home. And each day, try to keep your promises – to do your homework, to clean your room and to write letters or telephone if you are living away from home. Seventy five percent of the youngsters claimed that the teenage years are a time of stress and anxiety for them – anxiety about exams,jobs, parental expectations, peer pressure, love lives, the need to look good and dress smartly, and we’ll , even the state of the nation.

THANKYOU

There are a lot of misconceptions about what actually the classical dances of India are, what are its types and forms, and I am here to clear those confusions and let you know more about the ethereal culture of India.

there are 7 classical dances of India.

kathak

A dance form originated in the area of the present state of Uttar Pradesh, nearly 2000 years ago. Kathak literally means, one who tells a story, and that’s what it is all about. Stories and chronicles from the ancient era. It is usually known for its swift spins, bolting footwork and lightning movements. one of the fastest performing dances in the country, it is also the one of the most complex art forms. the techniques are the most important thing in the whole dance form, to practice them, there are special algorithms, for example, tarana, thumri, tukda, tatkaar, that, gat bhav, gat nikas etc. It predominantly has 3 gharanas included in it- Jaipur Gharana, Banaras Gharana and Lucknow Gharana. Jaipur gharana mainly focuses on the footwork while Banaras gharana concentrates more on the spins, and Lucknow, of course is all for the expressions or adaa. It consists of both theoretical and practical branches extending so widely that it is difficult to study all of it even in a lifetime. This prestigious dance has now spread in not only India but also the whole world. In almost every innovating country, you could find at least one Kathak dance institute. Late Pandit Chitresh das is primarily responsible for it fanning out in the US. The renowned Hindi film industry of India, or more commonly known as Bollywood, is most influenced by this form of dance. we can trace that in the songs like, kaahe chhed, aaja nachle, etc. Basically, around all Madhuri Dixit’s songs.

kathakali

A dance form originated from the area of Malabar(now Kerala), it uses vivid costumes and vibrant makeup when performed and has less theoretical knowledge when compared to any other dance forms. It mainly centralizes around depicting the stories of Krishna and usually is performed by male dancers. roots of the origin of Kathakali are not clear, but we do know that the style of Kathakali that is performed today was established in the 17th century. Most people have a misconception between the two dance forms of Kathak and Kathakali, but if you see the dance yourself, they are almost contradictory.

Bharatanatyam

The birthplace of this dance being ancient Tamil Nadu, Bharatanatyam highly focuses on the rigid and tight postures, the movement of the eyes, and the lithe of the dancer. it is more of a theoretical dance, rather than storytelling, but the latter has become fairly prominent in the 20th- 21st century. Bharatanatyam was initially exclusive only in the Hindu temples till the eighteenth century, but when the British declared on banning the dance, The people of India revolted, and started spreading the dance outside of temples and places of worship. And look now where it has brought us, Bharatanatyam is now the most famous Indian dance form in the world, and the most widely spread, and we hope it will remain so in the future.

Mohiniyattam

Another dance from the cultural state of Kerala, Mohiniyattam is a dance that follows the lasya style of dancing( soft, eros-filled and delicate) and is mostly performed by women after extensive training. First seen in the manuscripts written in the 16th century, it started systemizing in the 18th century but decreased popularity when the British Raj banned it in the years of 1931-1938. It regained its importance in the 21st century and is still thriving sprightly.

Manipuri

As it name suggests, Manipuri is originated in the ethereal state of Manipur, one of the seven sisters in the eastern side of India. It is also known as Raas Leela in some parts of the country, for its  culture fusion between various local folk dance forms. It is a dance drama for most parts, with dresses like none other. it mainly consists of the torso working arduously and the legs no moving that much, with flowy, graceful and fluid movements, it’s beauty just reflects the state it comes from.

this is it for today!

next up, we have the following dances left, I’ll also add a special segment about little details on Natyashastra.

Kuchipudi

Odissi

By – Supriya

Indian women are equally vulnerable to domestic violence. While a total of 75930 cases were reported in the country in 2007 with an increase of 20.3% over 2006, the world statistics of domestic violence reveals around 960000 incidents of violence, against current or former partners every year. The statistics are alarming and smoking . One must remember that these are the reported cases. There are a host of other instances of violence which go unreported due to fear of further violence, social stigma or even death. Violent crimes against women have been on an increase especially in the capital city – Delhi.

THANKYOU

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A Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report of 2015 brought out the fact that 61,948 million liters of urban sewage is generated on a daily basis in India. But the cities have an installed sewage treatment capacity of only 38 per cent of this. In reality more than this amount goes untreated into the rivers or water bodies as the treatment capacity of major sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the country is around 66 per cent of the installed capacity as per CPCB findings of 2013. As a result, more than 38,000 million liters of waste water goes into the major rivers, water bodies and even percolates into the ground every day. Over and above this there is industrial effluent. The data on the raw sewage from rural areas is not available.

In April 2015, CPCB issued directions to all the state pollution control boards/pollution control committees in the country for setting up of STPs in their respective states so that untreated sewage does not enter the rivers. The same directions were also issued by CPCB to all 69 municipal authorities of metropolitan towns and capital cities in October 2015.

Crores of rupees have been pumped in for cleaning rivers under the Centre’s National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart Cities Mission programmers of the Ministry of Urban Development and the “Namami Gange” under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MOWR). Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) is taking care of the sanitation projects for villages near Ganga along with MOWR. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has so far released Rs 2,066.98 crores for implementation of various pollution abatement projects and STPs of capacity 2,446.24 million liters per day (MLD) under NRCP. Till March 2017, around Rs 7,000 crores was spent only for cleaning the Ganga, as noted in an order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The states are also getting financial assistance in the form of loans and grants that are sanctioned by foreign agencies. The concerned citizens and civil societies have moved the courts time and again to save rivers from pollution. In March 2017, Uttarakhand declared Ganga and Yamuna as living entities thinking that this will conserve and rejuvenate the rivers faster. But in July, the Supreme Court stayed the order taking note of its legal and administrative ramifications.

Pollution levels

Still pollution level in rivers of India has not shown any sign of improvement. Around 302 polluted stretches on 275 rivers have been reported recently (See ‘Extent of contamination’,). The top five states showing maximum number of polluted stretches are Maharashtra, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal. Estimated polluted riverine length is 12,363 km, which is almost five times the length of Ganga main stem.

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The Central Water Commission (CWC) report gives the maximum and minimum Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) of river water between 2012-13 and 2016-17—hence a conclusion whether there is any change in pollution trend across 4-5 years due to implementation of different sewerage systems is difficult to draw. Data of total 222 CWC water quality sites was analysed and it was found that water quality at 67 locations is beyond the permissible limit. Out of the 67 sites, 14 sites show BOD more than 30 mg/l, falling under severely polluted, 12 sites show BOD between 10-30 mg/l and 30 sites show BOD 3-10 mg/l which are also substantially polluted. Other 11 sites are also polluted showing BOD range above the permissible level.

Since cleaning Ganga and its tributaries has always been the priority for the Central government, hence the monitoring of the pollution of the rivers and availability of data in the public domain is accessible.

Namami Gange projects

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When the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came to power at the Centre in 2014, cleaning of the Ganga was declared a priority. An umbrella programme Namami Gange was created in 2015 and a budget of Rs 20,000 crore was allocated for 2015-2020 and the cleaning of the river and its tributaries started. Namami Gange was even given a status of an authority in 2016.

In August 2017, data from MOWR shows that around 163 projects were sanctioned under Namami Gange, to cover all the ongoing and new initiatives. Out of 163 projects, 41 projects have been completed so far. In these completed projects 223.13 MLD of sewage capacity have been created along with 1,339 km of sewer network. The ministry’s website says that around 46 sewage treatment projects were launched under Namami Gange (May 14, 2015 to September, 2017). These sanctioned projects will create sewage capacity of 760 MLD in river Ganga. The details of this document show that none of these projects were completed till October 2017.

This means that whatever projects were claimed to be completed by MOWR were sanctioned pre-Namami Gange. However, in an announcement made by MOWR in October 2017, when Namami Gange completed one year as an authority, it was seen that 44 STPs were sanctioned under Namami Gange with a sewage capacity of 1,402.25 MLD. Nothing really moved on STPs under Namami Gange. The only projects perceived and started on the ground under Namami Gange were that of surface cleaning. Around 11 trash skimmers had been deployed at Haridwar, Garhmukteshwar, Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad, Patna, Sahibganj, Nabadwip, Kolkata, Delhi and Mathura Vrindavan. Around 1.3 million toilets were also constructed in rural areas near Ganga to reduce sewage inflow into Ganga and latest figure from MDWS show that the coverage of household toilets in these villages was 99 per cent. But no improvement was observed in the river water quality in the whole Ganga basin. This was because solid and liquid wastes are not managed in a planned and scientific way.

Quality of river still poor

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Between 2014-15 to 2017-18, around Rs 1,942 crore has been spent against the allocated amount of Rs 3,633 crore. This means that only 10 per cent of Rs 20,000 crores allocated by the Union government has been spent till June 2017 and by 2020 the rest needs to be spent. In March this year, the Central government justified that the causes of the delay in implementation of the projects were tendering process, retendering, non-availability of land, legal issues, natural calamities like flood and earthquakes and delay in permission from local authorities on road cutting/crossing. The data of CWC (collected between May 2016-June 2017) shows that the average BOD value (a parameter to measure the pollution level) of Ganga between Garhmukteshwar and Shahzadpur was not even suitable for outdoor bathing.

Between 2006 and 2016, if the quality of Ganga is analysed for two major hotspots— Kanpur and Varanasi during the monsoon period when there is dissolution of contaminants—it is found that quality of river never dropped below 3 mg/l (CPCB standard for outdoor bathing) for Kanpur whereas there has been slight improvement in the quality of river at Varanasi. But at the same time the entry of raw sewage in the river at Varanasi did not stop between 2006 and 2016; this is indicated by high faecal colliform levels in the river water (higher than 2,500 mpn/100 ml).

But the Central government denied any such increase in the pollution trend in the monsoon session of Lok Sabha in 2017 although they agreed that there has been continuous entry of wastewater from the human settlements and industries. In 2017, when NGT gave an order in response to M C Mehta’s petition on Ganga pollution, the order document clearly showed that there has been a continuous increase in sewage and industrial effluent entering the river since 2008-09.

Yamuna also did not show any improvement during the monsoon. The quality of river is not even fit for outdoor bathing. The quality of river is poorer in 2017 in comparison to 2014 and 2016. Since 1993, the cleaning of Yamuna is being done under the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP). The Central government is supplementing the efforts of the states to reduce pollution in Yamuna by providing financial assistance to Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in a phased manner. The total expenditure incurred on conservation of river Yamuna under the YAP Phase I & II is Rs 1,515 crore. Under Phase III, the Japan International Cooperation Agency assisted project is under implementation at an estimated cost of Rs 1,656 crore for rehabilitation and up-gradation of existing STPs (950 MLD) and trunk sewers (43 kms) in Delhi. In 2016, NGT had given directions to take up cleaning of the Yamuna under Maily Se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Plan, 2017. Accordingly, the Delhi Jal Board that looks after water and sanitation of the city, has submitted a priority list of projects amounting to Rs 1,969 crore to be taken up under Phase I of Maily Se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Plan, 2017.

The results of all these projects to clean Ganga and its tributaries were not satisfactory according to the experts and in September 2017, the Prime Minister handed over the gigantic task of cleaning Ganga to the Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari. Soon after Gadkari was entrusted with the Ministry, two STPs—one in Haridwar and another in Varanasi—were approved in a public private partnership (PPP) mode at a combined cost of Rs 325 crore. These were the first two agreements with private sector companies to build STPs under an innovative PPP called hybrid-annuity payment model that the government formulated with the help of the International Finance Corporation. Few more constructions of STPs in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal were announced under hybrid annuity.

Need of the hour

Only having a large number of sewerage projects and STPs will not clean the rivers. An analysis of 71 cities by Centre for Science and Environment (seventh State of India’s Environment report – Excreta Matters) has shown that sewerage systems are not seen as connected to rivers. The analysis says that a piece of “hardware” is installed and if the water utility does not have money, the hardware does not run.

In any case incomplete sewage networks, designed without a specific plan for pollution control, do not clean rivers. Most of the sewerage projects are centralized systems conveyed through pipelines and pumping stations to an STP, where it is supposed to be treated and disposed off. Very little thought is given to the re-use of treated effluents from these STPs. Most of it mixes with untreated effluents from colonies not connected to the sewerage network. The root problems are both programmers—river-cleaning and city infrastructure—remain hardware-driven and marked by poor understanding of the water-sewage situation. In October 2017, the Centre planned to move from hardware focus to bioremediation technologies for cleaning Ganga at 54 new sites. In-situ treatment is simple and easy-to-operate and does not require major modification of the drain, said a note from MOWR. Hence, the Centre understood that the centralized system is not the only solution and it can be supplemented by decentralized techniques. Looking at the long time period of implementation of STPs and their development, the ministry is interested now in such decentralized innovative technologies from different parts of the world.

India with a population of about 950 million (in 1997) accounts for 16 per cent of the world population, as compared to about 15 per cent a dec­ade and a half ago. It is the second largest country in the world, next only to China with a population of about 1200 million (in 1995). Five coun­tries (China with 21.7%, India with 16.0%, US with 5%, Brazil with 3.5% and Russia with 3%) account for nearly half (49.2%) of the world population.

The scale at which India’s population is increasing is simply mind- boggling. While the total population of our country in 1941 was 31.86 crore, it increased to 36.10 crore in 1951, 43.92 crore in 1961, 54.81 crore in 1971, 68.33 crore in 1981, and 84.43 crore in 1991 (India, 1992:9). It is expected to reach 103 crore by 2,001, 126 crore by 2016 and 140 crore by 2,030 according to estimates of the Registrar General as well as according to a World Bank study.

While between 1921 and 1951 the percentage of increase was 43.65, between 1961 and 1991 it was 92.2. The addition of 16 crore people in the 1981-91 decade means an addition of little less than 2 crore persons every year, or about 17 lakh persons every month, or about 74 thousand persons every day, or about 52 persons every minute. In comparison to this, the increase in number of persons per minute was 21 in the 1961-71 decade, 15 in the 1951-61 decade, and 8 in the 1941-51 decade. The essence of the date is that whereas the rate of growth of population during the middle decades of the present century was moderate, now it is faster as well as alarming.

The disaster of galloping population in India is that:

1. Every sixth person on the globe today is an Indian, and by the turn of the century, every fifth living person will be an Indian.

2. India adds about 10 lakh persons to its population every fortnight.

3. Addition to India’s population is an equivalent of a Chandigarh a week, two Bhopal a month, and an Australia every eight months. During 1981-91, addition to the population was to the tune of 113 million, equaling the combined population of France, the UK and Italy.

4. By 2035, India would overtake China as the world’s most populous nation. While the rate of annual population growth in India is 1.9 per cent, in China it is 1.2 per cent. Thus, while China’s population would double in 60 years, India’s population would double in 34 years.

5. Around 49 per cent of the increase in India’s population in one dec­ade is from four states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh (known as BIMARU states).

6. More than three times as many couples enter the reproductive span than those leaving it, with the fertility rate of the younger group be­ing three times higher than that of those passing out of the reproductive range.

7. At the present rate of growth, life for most Indians would be unbear­able—medical facilities would be difficult to provide, expenses on education, housing, etc. would be exorbitant, technical and profes­sional education would become the exclusive prerogative of the elite, and the scarcity of food would once again plunge more than half of the nation below the poverty line.

The goals of containing India’s population at the level of 1,000 mil­lion by the turn of the century and that the population growth rate would decrease to 1.2 per cent per annum by 2000 A.D. have receded beyond redemption. No amount of jugglery with statistics, particularly in re­lation to the acceptance of contraception by couples, can wish away the harsh reality that India’s population would reach 101 crore by 2000 A.D.