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Eco drive

How can one develop an awareness of ecological behaviour? Read on…

Ecological awareness is important because it helps us understand the impact of our actions on the environment and promotes responsible behaviour towards nature. Here are some tips to help develop ecological awareness:

Environment knowledge: Start by learning about the environment and the different ecosystems that make up our planet. Understand the importance of biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability.

Outdoor activities: Spend time outdoors and explore nature. This will help them develop an appreciation for the natural world and understand the importance of protecting it.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle: Know your 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and the importance of waste reduction. Learn how you can recycle paper, plastic, and other materials, and how to reduce waste by using reusable bags, containers, and water bottles.

Plant a garden: Planting a garden is a great way to learn about the environment and the importance of sustainability. You can learn about the different types of plants, how to care for them, and the benefits of growing your own food.

A view like no other!

Episode 39: Vaayu helps Hanuman tick things off his bucket list starting with a supersonic flight and view through the vortex!

Hanuman was sitting on top of Mount Kishkindha meditating to meet his celestial father Vaayu. Soon, Vaayu appeared before him.

Vaayu: You wanted to see me?

Hanuman: Yes, Dad. I’m bored. Can you take me for a ride?

Vaayu: Of course. Where do you want to go?

Hanuman: A place where no human has ever been to, at a speed at which no flying machine can fly, to see a view that no bird has ever seen.

Vaayu: What is the reason behind this unusual wish?

Hanuman: It’s Nala, Dad. He keeps talking about his “bucket list”. When I asked him what it means, he explained that it is a list of things a person hopes to do or experience during their lifetime.

Vaayu: Oh, interesting. But why is it called a bucket list?

Hanuman: Nala said that it originates from the phrase “to kick the bucket”, meaning ‘to die’. It was coined by Justin Zackham while writing the screenplay for the movie The Bucket List, which Nala watched.

Vaayu: Oh, this Nala and his time travel skills! He uses them for the strangest of things.

Hanuman: Dad, can you please help fulfil my bucket list?

Vaayu: Okay, fine. I’m going to make you fly at supersonic speed at which no plane has flown before. I’m going to take you to the centre of a tornado and show you a view that no bird would have experienced. Then, we will go to Ganghkhar Purnsum, the unclimbed mountain that no human has ever been to.

Vaayu flies Hanuman at a hypersonic speed, creating tornado-like waves called vortices, through which Hanuman sees a magical view. Finally, Vaayu takes him to Gangkhar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan. It is the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Climbing it is prohibited due to spiritual/religious beliefs.

Vaayu: Is your bucket list complete now?

Hanuman: This is just three of the million things I have on that list, Dad. But, tell me, did we really fly faster than the world’s fastest plane?

Vaayu: Yes, we flew at Mach 4, which is faster than Mach 3.3 at which the SR71- Black Bird flies.

Hanuman: What is Mach?

Vaayu: Mach is a unit of measurement used for the speed of a moving object in relation to the speed of sound. As the object’s speed approaches that of sound, the flight Mach number is nearly equal to one.

Hanuman: This is interesting, Dad.

Vaayu: Speaking of interesting, what do you think about the vortices?

Hanuman: They looked like tornados. I have seen a similar movement in water when we move a boat or throw a stone.

Vaayu: Exactly. A vortex is a whirling or spinning mass, as of water or air like a whirlpool or whirlwind. A tornado is a vortex of air that spins and makes a funnel.

Hanuman: Don’t planes create similar vortices when they fly?

Vaayu: Good observation, Hanuman! It’s called the wingtip vortices. The differences in pressure between the upper and lower surfaces of an aeroplane’s wings produce swirling vortices that trail as it flies through the air.

Hanuman: But why doesn’t the air just flow straight?

Vaayu: That has to do with the shape of the wings. When the air leaves the trailing edge of the wing, the air from the upper surface is inclined to that from the lower surface, creating the vortices.

Hanuman: Wow! I can’t wait to share this with Nala. I have crossed three items off my bucket list!

Vaayu smiled, knowing that Hanuman has more surprises awaiting him.

The author is the founder and CEO of Vaayusastra Aerospace, an IIT-Madras incubated ed-tech startup that offers Air Science workshops for children between five and 14 years.

 

Wordoku

This puzzle is a variant of sudoku where the grid contains letters instead of numbers. Solve tit by ensuring each letter of the word – VORTEX – fits exactly once in each row, column and grid.

Safety first

Ever wondered why an electric plug looks the way it does?

Electricity is like magic! You plug in an appliance, flip a switch and it springs to life. Appliances like ACs and microwave ovens that draw heavy power have three pin-plugs, and your phone’s charger has just two. Ever wondered why? Physics has the answer. The bigger third pin ensures you are grounded and unaffected by any leaking current, but why would the current leak in the first place?

Browse through these slides for the answer.

Text by Aswin Vijayaraghavan, who is a teacher and Vice President – Curriculum and Learning Experiences at BYJU’S.

Towering titans

Did you know that the tallest tree in the world would tower above the Statue of Liberty? Read on.

With their roots firmly in the ground, their trunks seemingly reach for the skies. Some of the tallest trees in the world are ancient and majestic. Scroll through the below slides to meet the top five super cool giants of nature.

Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Dessert of the kings

The favourite summer dessert goes back a long way, well before the arrival of the modern refrigerator.

Kulfi has been around long before the ice creams of today. The word ‘kulfi’ comes from the Persian qulfi meaning “covered cup”. It is believed to have originated in Delhi during the 16th century, making it nearly 500 years old. Did you ever wonder how they made it before the arrival of the modern refrigerator? Check out this slider to learn more about this delectable dish.

Guardians of the game

Do you know what sports FEI, WBF and ICC oversee?

Sporting federations are organisations that oversee and regulate various sports at the international level. Their main purpose is to promote, develop and govern their respective sports while ensuring that competitions are fair, safe and accessible to all. They also strive to foster good sportsmanship and build positive relationships between athletes, teams and countries.

Can you match these sports with the abbreviations of their sporting federations? Try guessing their expansion as well.

Quiz whizz: April 25, 2023

Up your GK quotient with this quiz.

Jog your general knowledge and exercise those grey cells with this quiz.

Beats of tradition

This International Dance Day, feast your eyes on a few folk dances from around the world.

International Dance Day is celebrated annually on April 29. Established by the Dance Committee of ITI in 1982, it is a global celebration of dance, highlighting its universality, cross-cultural appeal, and ability to bring people together. Each year, a notable dance personality issues a message, emphasising the importance of dance as an art form and as a means of promoting social, cultural, and political change. This year’s message is issued by Chinese dancer and choreographer Liping Yang.

To celebrate International Dance Day, we look at a few folk dances, which are traditional ones that reflect the culture and customs of a particular region or community. While you are at it, solve the image puzzle!

Buchaechum

Buchaechum, also known as the Korean Fan Dance, is a traditional Korean dance that incorporates the use of large, brightly coloured fans. The dance is performed by a group of female dancers, who move in synchronized patterns and formations to create a visually stunning display. The dance is often accompanied by traditional Korean music and is performed during various festivals and celebrations. The intricate movements of the dancers and the fluid motion of the fans are meant to represent the beauty of nature and the harmony between humans and the natural world.

 

Caporales

Caporales is a traditional dance that originated in La Paz, Bolivia, and has spread throughout the country and other parts of South America. Caporales is inspired by the character of the ‘Caporal’ or the overseer of slaves who wore boots and held a whip. The male dancers, known as “caporales,” wear elaborate costumes that include tall boots, colourful jackets, and wide-brimmed hats adorned with feathers. The dance is characterised by the use of intricate footwork, acrobatic movements, and the sounds of drums and bells. It is performed during various festivals and celebrations as an offering to the Virgin of Socavón, the patron saint of miners.

 

Hula

Hula is a traditional dance form that originated in Hawaii and is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and history. The dance is accompanied by chant (oli) or song (mele) combines graceful movements, storytelling, and music to express the history, legends, and culture of the Hawaiian people. The dance often depicts themes from nature and Hawaiian mythology, and it has been passed down through generations as a way of preserving Hawaiian traditions and cultural heritage.

 

Ghoomar

A Rajasthani folk dance, it was developed by the Bhil tribe. It is performed by groups of women who move in graceful circles while twirling colourful skirts called lehengas. The dance is accompanied by music played on traditional instruments such as the dholak, harmonium, and sarangi. Ghoomar is often performed during festivals and celebrations, and it is known for its intricate footwork and graceful hand movements.

 

Kolattam

Also known as Kolannalu, it is a popular folk dance from South India. It is known for its fast-paced footwork and intricate hand gestures. Traditionally performed by a group of women who dance with sticks, the dancers move in two circles – inner and outer. The pairs of dancers facing each other strike each other’s sticks and continue moving around in circles in a rhythmic fashion. Kolattam is typically performed during festivals and celebrations in South India, including Pongal and Navratri. It is also commonly performed at weddings and other special events.

Geographically speaking

Time for some Geography! Places, countries, terms and more. Go on, take a shot at it…

The study of Earth – its various features and the different kinds of people who live on it and interact with their environment – is called Geography. Now here’s a fun way to learn this subject. Try your hand at this crossword and see how many of the clues you can answer.

Opposites attract

Match the opposites. Click here to play the game.

This one is easy-peasy. Match the opposites!<\p>