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International Labour Day

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    Origins:   International Labour Day can be traced back to the late 19th-century labour movement in the United States.  The specific date of May 1st was chosen to commemorate a nationwide strike for an eight-hour work day that commenced on that day in 1886. This pivotal event, however, culminated in the Haymarket Affair in Chicago, a regrettable incident where a labour protest escalated into violence. A bomb explosion resulted in the loss of life for seven police officers and at least four civilians.   Despite International Labour Day tracing its origin to the commemoration of the Haymarket affair in Chicago, Labour Day in Canada and the USA is celebrated on the first Monday in September and not May 1.   International Labour Day helps us to recognise the contributions of the labours and the working class in development of the society and the country. It also urges the labours to learn about their rights. Labours are often exploited, and it is import...

One Nation One Election?

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  “ We the People...” _____________________________________________ The First Edition One Nation One Election?   From the Desk of Amaan Ojha Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel once said, "Every citizen of India must remember that..he is an Indian and he has every right in this country but with certain...duties." The most important one of those duties as an Indian citizen is to vote. When the first votes were cast to ballot in our Independent nation, it was October 1951. It took over a hundred days from the 25th of October 1951 to the 21st of February 1952 to complete this exercise of electoral endeavours. Today the panel to explore ‘One-nation, One poll’ is underway as India sets to decide if it will be a part of a small club of countries that hold concurrent polls. Those countries are Belgium, Sweden and South Africa. 'One Nation, One Election' refers to the idea of simultaneously holding the Lok Sabha polls and the elections to various state asse...

Just Breathe: The Answer to Fading Attention Spans.

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 In the contemporary landscape. Our capacity for sustained focus finds itself under siege. The enemy is the very dynamics of the attention economy. This system in which attention serves as a precious and finite resource. Has been further exacerbated by the relentless onslaught of modern diversions. The constant influx of news and the pervasive influence of social media. In essence, these distractions have overwhelmed the attention spans of the people. That have in turn evolved over millennia to meet the demands of our environment. The connection between attention and economic principles is not merely metaphorical. It is an intrinsic aspect of our cognitive existence. Similar to financial currency attention is a resource that we spend in our daily lives. Whether we direct it toward a person. Engage with a tweet, indulge in daydreams, or immerse ourselves in a television show. Once expended this cannot be reclaimed. Its allocation to one focus area precludes its use elsewhere. A par...

Nelson Mandela: Remembering his Legacy

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  December marks 10 years since the passing of Nelson Mandela. An icon of 20th-century struggles for justice and peace. A new generation of activists is building from his legacy. To counter our 21st-entury crises of rising global violence. Mandela’s Journey Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist. As well as the first elected black head of state of South Africa from 1994-1999. Focusing his term on dismantling a legacy of apartheid. Fostering a rather ingenious form of reconciliation. He also served as the President to the African National Congress. A democratic front despite his ideologies being firmly nationalist and socialist. Mandela, belonging to the Xhosa people. Born into the Thembu royal family in Mvezo, South Africa. He studied law at the University of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand. Later, he began working as a lawyer in Johannesburg. While there he got involved in anti-colonial and African nationalist politics. Joining the ANC...

The Lingering Threat: AIDS Resurgence and the Imperative for Action

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  The AIDS pandemic, which emerged in the late 20th century, has had a profound impact on global health, claiming millions of lives and leaving an indelible mark on societies worldwide.  While significant progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, recent trends suggest a potential resurgence of the epidemic, posing a renewed threat to public health.  In this blog post, we'll explore the origins of the AIDS problem, the progress made in addressing it, and the current dangers associated with its resurgence. Origins of the AIDS Problem: The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which was first identified in the early 1980s. The virus primarily spreads through unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated blood transfusions, sharing of infected needles among drug users, and from an infected mother to her child during childbirth or breastfeeding. The initial years of the epidemic were characterised by fear, mis...

Forever Chemicals Contaminate Rainwater.

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  Beyond its omnipresence in the air, water, and soil, the study sheds light on a particularly concerning aspect of PFAS contamination — its pervasive presence in rainwater. Rain, typically seen as a natural source of purity, is now revealed to be a carrier of harmful PFAS at levels deemed unsafe for long-term human consumption. Alarming Health Implications:   As rainwater contributes to the contamination of surface water and soil, the potential impact on human health becomes a growing concern. PFAS pollution is linked to adverse effects on the immune system, and the continuous exposure through rainwater raises questions about the long-term consequences for communities around the world. Planetary Boundary Exceeded:   The researchers argue that the widespread contamination of rainwater pushes PFAS pollution beyond a planetary boundary. This boundary, intended to define a safe operating space for humanity within Earth's system, is breached when anthropogenic pressures p...

The Lesson from History

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  Inspiration taken by excerpts from 'Glimpses of World History' by Jawaharlal Nehru. History is one connected whole and you cannot understand it at large by just focusing on one country's past. One must look at the rest of the world as well as it's all intertwined and dependent on each other. There is not much difference than we seem to imagine beyond borders and flags of nations. Somewhere our paths meet. Maps and atlases may seem like our world stands cut and clearly divided.  Undoubtedly on the face of things, difference in culture and language do exist. But we resemble each other a great deal. One must not be misled by the narrow mindedness of national borders. The study of history must teach a person about how we have slowly progressed. We as beings of this land rose the food chain like dictators of a banana republic. Our mental cognitive development and social sectors set us apart from our primates and the rest of the animal kingdom.  Man, by his intellect alone ...

The Gandhi Way: His Philosophy

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    "In a gentle way, you can shake the world." To leave a genuine and enduring impact on the life of another person represents a formidable achievement. Extending that impact to encompass an entire nation, crafting a legacy that echoes across the globe, is a task as challenging as it is seldom accomplished. Throughout history, only a select few individuals can lay claim to such profound influence, and among them stands Mahatma Gandhi. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, born on October 2, 1869, in India, traversed a remarkable journey. Growing up in western India, he pursued legal studies in London. His trajectory led him to South Africa, where he initially sought employment but eventually dedicated himself to advocating for the rights of Indians in that region. Upon his return to India, Gandhi immersed himself in politics, fervently championing the cause of Indian independence from British rule. Gandhi's life, though marked by achievements, was not devoid of controversy. Critic...

Our Cornerstone: Mathematics

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  In our journey through knowledge, there's a fundamental building block that not only supports our understanding but also shapes the very essence of our reality - Mathematics. This universal language surpasses cultural and language barriers, forming the foundation of science, technology, and philosophy. At its core, mathematics is the tool that unravels patterns and connections, unveiling the secrets of the universe. From basic arithmetic to advanced calculus, it equips us to explore, analyse, and make sense of the world. What makes mathematics fascinating is its everyday relevance. It's not just for academics; it's a part of our daily lives. Whether managing personal finances, creating innovative technologies, or delving into the cosmos, mathematics guides us. Furthermore, mathematics nurtures critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, cultivating a mindset crucial in our ever-changing world. It encourages abstract thinking, logical reasoning, and a systematic appro...

The Minimalists

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  In an age saturated with the pursuit of possessions, the minimalist lifestyle emerges as a powerful antidote.  Surrounded by a constant barrage of advertisements promising completeness through material acquisitions, the concept of minimalism offers a compelling alternative, challenging the prevailing narrative that more is better. Our consumerist tendencies often stem from a desire to keep up with trends or expand our ever-growing collections.  Intrusive marketing, intertwined with our daily lives, leverages algorithms to tailor product recommendations to our thoughts online, fostering a culture of instant gratification facilitated by one-click online shopping. In the midst of this consumerist chaos, the fundamental question arises: why would anyone willingly declutter their living spaces, embracing a lifestyle of bare essentials?  This question often remains unasked amid the allure of the next acquisition, overshadowing considerations of long-term value. The cruci...

Procrastination:The monkey on our shoulder.

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   "Procrastination is like a credit card, its a lot of fun until you get the bill." -Christopher Parker The ever elusive thief of time, procrastination is the ever present obstacles that halts our tracks of progress be it in any field of our day's activities. Something that is a common theme for anyone, especially when meeting deadlines. We all know someone who waits till the last minute to finish something. No one is a stickler for time, it takes practice to rein in your thoughts. Think of your consciousness to be a monkey on your shoulder, an extremely distracted individual that yearns to do anything but the goal that has been set in your mind. I'll admit being a procrastinator myself its a temptation to tuck the pressing matters into the back of the pile of things to do.  It hits one in those quite moments in the middle of your task, for example while studying or sitting in an online lecture. The thought of something else draws your attention carrying you away fr...