Amazing Animals

 

Humans are born with a gender. It is either male or female and in some cases as a transgender.  But we do not have the choice/capability to change our gender as this capability the Mother Nature has not given us. Even though it is possible with surgery and medical procedure to change but the surgery is spread over a long period, expensive and only done on the advice of medical practitioners and psychologists in some cases only. The option is either/ or only.

Most of us have seen the famous blockbuster film the “Jurassic Park”.  The picture is based on creation of an island, where the dinosaurs are hatched from eggs in the lab and then released on the island for the visitors to get a glimpse of them. In Jurassic Park all the dinosaurs are male so as to keep the population in check. But in the end we see the velociraptors population growing, due to breeding. We are also shown their nests and eggs. Finally the island had to be destroyed so that it does not become a threat to Human population. How many of us have wondered as to how this was possible that velociraptors were able to mate and have off springs even though only males were created in the lab? The answer lies in the beginning of the movie where in the auditorium the procedure of creation is revealed. The DNA of the vlociraptor had a broken link and this link was restored in the lab by using the link from the DNA of African Green Frog. This African green frog has an amazing ability given to it by nature that it has the capability to chnange its sex. If the population of frog consists of males, then some frogs change their sex to female. This process is called protogyny and occurs when a population is too heavily skewed towards male. Inadvertently the scientists at Jurassic Park gave this ability to the velociraptors due to a DNA link of African frog being given to the DNA chain of velociraptor and hence some changed over to female as the population was only of males and the result was the increase in their population.  

Even though humans do not have this capability but a large number of animals have this capability besides African frog. Some of them are bisexual like copperhead snake which are capable of virgin birth as females fertilize their own eggs.  Some butterflies have both the characteristics of male and female and this normally happens in one out of 10,000 cases. Hawkfish has an amazing ability that it starts off as a female that can morph into male if required when situation calls for it and again change back to female if required. Humped Wrasse can change over from female to male. Sea Bass found in USA can also change over female to male depending upon supply and demand. Clownfish born of one sex can change over to other if necessary. Male bearded dragons, green sea turtles, cardinal, Banana slys and common reed frog, etc all have these capabilities.

I do not know whether we humans were given this capability to change or not or if given we have lost it due to some reasons or our inability to exploit this amazing capability. In some cases of animals like sea, bearded dragons, etc this change can even occur at the time of birth and is strongly dependent upon sea and sand temperatures.

Rear Seat Belts in Cars

 

The recent crash of a Mercedes car in which two persons sitting, in the rear seat died, who were not wearing seat belt, but the two persons sitting in front seat wearing seat belt survived with injuries and one may require surgery. This incident brings to highlight the requirement of wearing seat belt by all passengers. Wearing seat belt does not guarantee no injuries but may save one's life.

I have heard of excuses like, it is not required, which law or rule, it is cumbersome, it spoils clothes, it is a short journey and on and on but not a single reason given for wearing seat belts.

Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) makes it mandatory for passengers occupying front facing seats (whether front or rear) to wear seat belts. This is given in Chapter VI (Control of Traffic) rule 138, clause 3 (2) of the CMVR.

Therefore as per rules there is no ambiguity that all front facing passengers are to wear seat belts. The problem is the lack of awareness and will to follow the rules which is missing in our citizens.

In 2005 Govt of India had issued a notification making it mandatory for car manufacturers to provide seat belts not only in front seats but also in rear seats. During a drive in south Delhi as per information published about 150 challans were issued for not wearing rear seat belts in private cars and taxis in just two hours.

The issue is compounded when one puts seat cover in the vehicle and invariably if one is not careful the rear seat belts are buried in the seat cover.

Please make sure to wear seat belts in rear seats also in order to safeguard your life and ensure that seat covers do not cover seat belts in the rear..

Disposal Of National Flag

With the Har Ghar Tiranga Movement the national flag will be displayed at a number of places, houses, carried, etc. . But If it is torn and disfigured and one wishes to dispose it off then please do not throw it in the dust bin, garbage or throw it on a public place or roadside. It is a disrespect to the national flag and offence to do so. There is a proper way to dispose of the national flag and is given in the Flag Code 2002. Please fold it properly by folding the bottom green first and then the orange and finally both sides so that the national emblem the Ashok Chakra is on top. One can keep it in safe place to be used on next occasion. But if it torn and disfigured or one wishes to dispose it then please follow the proper way to dispose it off by giving it the respect it deserves.

There are two ways to dispose it off.

Firstly it has to be folded properly and then put in a wooden box and then buried in the ground and after burial keep a minute silence in respect of national flag.

Secondly one can burn the flag by folding it properly and then placing it in the center of the funeral pyre and finally burning it.

Please follow the correct procedure and show the respect which the national flag deserves.

Nationality and Citizenship

While talking one of my Indian born American citizen friend he casually mentioned that now he is an American national and citizen also. I decided to ask a number of friends and realized that most of us are confused between nationality and citizenship and think both are synonymous terms. Whereas both are different terms with different unique meaning and different concepts.

Nationality refers to a person's place of birth or in which country he was born. It confers some privileges and responsibilities and the country ensures the safety of its people. Whereas citizenship is when the person meets all the legal requirements of the country and the country then gives him the citizenship. For an individual both may or may not be same. When a person becomes a citizen of a country he or she gets aright to work, vote ,dwell and participate in national events.

Nationality can not be changed and a person can be national of one country only whereas citizenship can be changed and a person can become a citizen of more than one country. A nationality by virtue of its nature can not be reversed whereas a citizenship can be reversed or even changed. Nationality can be obtained by birth or by inheritance whereas citizenship can be obtained by birth, inheritance, naturalization, marriage, etc. Nationality is an ethical and racial concept while citizenship is a legal or judicial concept and a political status. Some countries do permit dual citizenship but India does not and one has to renounce his Indian citizenship when he or she accepts the citizenship of another country.

Earth and Goldilocks

In my childhood I read the story of goldilocks and three bears. Where a small girl enters a cottage   owned by three bears and finds three bowls of porridge. One is too hot and the other is too cold but the third one is just right. She finds three beds where one is too big and the other too small but the third bed is just right.

I was surprised to read an article by an astrobiologist where they described Earth as a Goliddlock planet in the Goldilock zone. In astrobiology, the goldilocks principle applies to a range of distance that a planets orbit can be from the star and maintain the temperature that are just right for liquid water.

The Goldilock zone or habitable zone is the range of distance with the right temperature for water to remain liquid and the planets that fall within this zone are called Goldilock planets. There are 1780 confirmed planets beyond our solar system and as many as 16 are located within their star’s habitable zone. Goldilock zone is determined by astronomers to be between 0.95 AU to 1.67 AU where AU is the astronomical unit which is the average distance between the earth and sun and Earth falls nearly within the range at 1 AU..

Even if the planet is habitable it does not mean that it is inhabited. It depends on a lot of other factors like atmospheric pressure, composition, gravity, etc, to make it a habitable planet. Moon is in habitable zone but too small and gravity low so that there is no atmosphere and hence not inhabited.

A recently detected planet 493 light years away from earth Kepler-186f is close to earth’s size and is located in its solar system’s habitable zone.  This is the first planet which is just right to be inhabited. But this has a basic assumption that liquid water and atmosphere is need for a planet to be inhabited but what if there are species which can tolerate and grow in different atmospheric conditions and different range of temperature and gravity.  Only time will tell.

 

Apostille

 

In India where ever copy of document is required to be submitted to any department then it requires to be authenticated or attested. Now most of the attestation is self attested except in few cases it requires to be attested by certain named official/ persons.

When we are required to submit a document out of the country then such attestation is not accepted but documents are required to be apostilled. Apostille is a french word meaning certification.117 countries are a signatory to the UN Hauge convention of 1961 which mandates that all member countries will accept the document if they are apostilled. India, USA, UK etc are signatory to this convention. Each country does its own certification and in India it is done by MEA or its regional centers with online application. A few private agencies also get it done on commission basis.One needs to log in to E-sanad website of Govt and apply. After that original are checked and apostille done by MEA by internationally accepted serially number stamps. Once done it is accepted as authentic by all member countries. For non member countries normal attestation is done by MEA. An apostilled document is treated as a legalized document for all practical purposes.

Apostille authenticates the seals, signature of official on public documents, the capacity in which the person signing the document acted and the stamp.

Same procedure applies to documents of other countries to be accepted in India to be done by respective country.

Please do get your documents/ certificates/ court orders, etc apostilled before taking them abroad or submitting them for any purpose whatsoever.

Indian Traditions and Science Behind it

Traditions in Hinduism were considered mainly as superstitions, but with the advent of science, it is becoming evident that these traditions are based on some scientific knowledge and moved from generations to generations as traditions. Though the common people did not know science in it, they were following it very faithfully over the years. This blog is an attempt to bring forward the science involved in these traditions and rituals...

1. Throwing Coins into a River: The general reasoning given for this act is that it brings Good Luck. However, scientifically speaking, in the ancient times, most of the currency used was made of copper unlike the stainless steel coins of today. Copper is a vital metal very useful to the human body. Throwing coins in the river was one way our fore-fathers ensured we intake sufficient copper as part of the water as rivers were the only source of drinking water. Making it a custom ensured that all of us follow the practice.

2. Joining Both Palms together to Greet: In Hindu culture, people greet each other by joining their palms - termed as “Namaskar.” The general reason behind this tradition is that greeting by joining both the palms means respect. However, scientifically speaking, joining both hands ensures joining the tips of all the fingers together; which are denoted to the pressure points of eyes, ears, and mind. Pressing them together is said to activate the pressure points which helps us remember that person for a long time. And, no germs since we don’t make any physical contact!

3. Why do Indian Women wear Toe Ring: Wearing toe rings is not just the significance of married women but there is science behind it. Normally toe rings are worn on the second toe. A particular nerve from the second toe connects the uterus and passes to heart. Wearing toe ring on this finger strengthens the uterus. It will keep it healthy by regulating the blood flow to it and menstrual cycle will be regularized. As Silver is a good conductor, it also absorbs polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body.

4. Applying Tilak on the Forehead: On the forehead, between the two eyebrows, is a spot that is considered as a major nerve point in human body since ancient times. The Tilak is believed to prevent the loss of "energy", the red 'kumkum' between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. While applying kumkum the points on the mid-brow region and Adnya-chakra are automatically pressed. This also facilitates the blood supply to the face muscles.

5. Why do Temples have Bells: People who are visiting the temple should and will Ring the bell before entering the inner sanctum (Garbhagudi or Garbha Gruha or womb-chamber) where the main idol is placed. According to Agama Sastra, the bell is used to give sound for keeping evil forces away and the ring of the bell is pleasant to God. However, the scientific reason behind bells is that their ring clears our mind and helps us stay sharp and keep our full concentration on devotional purpose. These bells are made in such a way that when they produce a sound it creates a unity in the Left and Right parts of our brains. The moment we ring the bell, it produces a sharp and enduring sound which lasts for minimum of 7 seconds in echo mode. The duration of echo is good enough to activate all the seven healing centres in our body. This results in emptying our brain from all negative thoughts.

6. Why do we have Navratras: Our living style has drastically changed if we compare it to the society hundreds & thousands of years ago. The traditions which we follow in present are not establishments of today but of the past. Ever thought, why do we have Navratras twice a year unlike other festivals like Deepawali or Holi? Well, both these months are the months of changing seasons and the eating habits of both the seasons are quite different from each other. Navratras give enough time to the body to adjust and prepare itself for to the changing season. These nine days were marked as a period when people would clean their body system by keeping fasts by avoiding excessive salt and sugar, meditate, gain a lot of positive energy, gain a lot of self confidence & increase the self determination power (fasts are a medium to improve our will power and self determination) and finally get ready for the challenges of the changed season.

7. Why do we worship Tulsi Plant: Hindu religion has bestowed ‘Tulsi’, with the status of mother. Also known as ‘Sacred or Holy Basil’, Tulsi, has been recognized as a religious and spiritual devout in many parts of the world. The vedic sages knew the benefits of Tulsi and that is why they personified it as a Goddess and gave a clear message to the entire community that it needs to be taken care of by the people, literate or illiterate. We try to protect it because it is like Sanjeevani for the mankind. Tulsi has great medicinal properties. It is a remarkable antibiotic. Taking Tulsi everyday in tea or otherwise increases immunity and help the drinker prevent diseases, stabilize his or her health condition, balance his or her body system and most important of all, prolong his or her life. Keeping Tulsi plant at home prevents insects and mosquitoes from entering the house. It is said that snakes do not dare to go near a Tulsi plant. Maybe that is why ancient people would grow lots of Tulsi near their houses.

8. Why do we worship Peepal Tree: ‘Peepal’ tree is almost useless for an ordinary person, except for its shadow. ‘Peepal’ does not a have a delicious fruit, its wood is not strong enough for any purpose then why should a common villager or person worship it or even care for it? Our ancestors knew that ‘Peepal’ is one of the very few trees (or probably the only tree) which produces oxygen even at night. So in order to save this tree because of its unique property they related it to God/religion.

9. Start with Spice & End with Sweet: Our ancestors have stressed on the fact that our meals should be started off with something spicy and sweet dishes should be taken towards the end. The significance of this eating practice is that while spicy things activate the digestive juices and acids and ensure that the digestion process goes on smoothly and efficiently, sweets or carbohydrates pulls down the digestive process. Hence, sweets were always recommended to be taken as a last item.

10. Choti on the Male Head: Sushrut rishi, the foremost surgeon of Ayurveda, describes the master sensitive spot on the head as Adhipati Marma, where there is a nexus of all nerves. The shikha protects this spot. Below, in the brain, occurs the Brahmarandhra, where the sushumnã (nerve) arrives from the lower part of the body. In Yog, Brahmarandhra is the highest, seventh chakra, with the thousand-petalled lotus. It is the centre of wisdom. The knotted shikhã helps boost this centre and conserve its subtle energy known as ojas.

11. Applying Mehendi/Henna on the Hand: Besides lending color to the hands, mehndi is a very powerful medicinal herb. Weddings are stressful, and often, the stress causes headaches and fevers. As the wedding day approaches, the excitement mixed with nervous anticipation can take its toll on the bride and groom. Application of mehndi can prevent too much stress because it cools the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense. This is the reason why mehndi is applied on the hands and feet, which house nerve endings in the body.

12. Celebration & Cleaning During Diwali: Diwali usually falls in October or November which marks the start of winter season and end of rainy season. Rainy season wasn't a good time for everyone back then; many homes needed repair and renovation after a heavy fall. That is why time before diwali was considered the period during which everyone can indulge in cleaning and beautification of their home. And also take out their winter clothes and pack the summer ones.

13. Sitting on the Floor & Eating: This tradition is not just about sitting on floor and eating, it is regarding sitting in the “Sukhasan” position and then eating. Sukhasan is the position we normally use for Yoga asanas. Sitting in this position while eating helps in improving digestion as the circulatory system can focus solely upon digestion and not on our legs dangling from a chair or supporting us while we are standing.

14. Why not to sleep with Your Head towards North: Myth is that it invites ghost or death but science says that it is because human body has its own magnetic field (Also known as hearts magnetic field, because the flow of blood) and Earth is a giant magnet. When we sleep with head towards north, our body's magnetic field become completely asymmetrical to the Earth's Magnetic field. That cause problems related to blood pressure and our heart needs to work harder in order to overcome this".

Citizenship Dillema

The other day somebody asked me whether I am a citizen of India. My answer was yes but I kept thinking that how am I going to prove that I am citizen on India as I do not have a certificate of citizenship of India but I do have a variety of documents which give my date and place of birth in India and in some my nationality is listed as Indian.

I have a valid passport, Aadhar card, PAN card, voter I -card, retired Air Force I- card, my Ex-servicemen I-card, revenue receipts and land/house documents and a pension account in a PSU bank but these are not proof of my citizen ship. Various Supreme Court judgements and High Court judgement have ruled that passport, voter I card, PAN Card, Aadhar card, revenue receipts and even a bank account including the retired Air Force identity card are not proof of my citizenship. Well I could not think of anything beyond them and here lies my dilemma.

Looking at article 5 of the Constitution of India which says that a person is citizen of India if at the time of commencement of Constitution had his domicile in India and was born in the territory of India or at the time of commencement of Constitution of India had his domicile in the territory of India and either of his parents were born in the territory of India or at the commencement of constitution f India the person had his domicile within the territory of India for not less than 5 years immediately preceding the commencement, , shall be citizen of India. No citizenship certificate is issued to a person born in India.

The Citizenship Act 1955 in section 3 lays down condition for claiming citizen by birth after the commencement of Constitution. It says that every person born in India on or after 26 Jan 1950, that is the commencement of Constitution, but before 1 Jul 1987 shall be citizen of India, if born after 1 Jul1987 but before the commencement of citizenship (amendment )act 2003 and either of whose parents is a citizen of India at the time of his birth , if born after the commencement of citizenship(Amendment) act 2003 then either both of his parents are citizen of India or one of the parent is citizen of India and the other is not an illegal immigrant at the time of birth, shall be citizen of India.

It looks simple but the proof of being born in India as accepted is the birth certificate issued by the government under Registration of Birth and death Act 1969 or a birth certificate issued by the municipal authorities. Now most of senior citizen born before 1 Jul 87 may not have such a birth certificate and this will create a problem. Getting birth certificate for parents will be more troublesome as most of births used to take place at home or not registered. Even I cannot produce my birth certificate or of my parents issued by the state or municipal authorities. Most of us have used the date of birth as given in high school certificates or equivalent examination and this is what has been used in all other document including entry to Air Force or passport.

Even now as per official records in 2015-2016 only about 63% of children under the age of 5 had their birth registered. This figure now has improved considerably but a large number of births in rural area which do not take place in a hospital, health center or by Asha workers do not get reported. Of course in later stage some date of birth is entered in some document but still the birth remains unregistered thus complicating the citizenship dilemma.

In USA and most of the countries the valid passport is accepted as a proof of citizenship and in other countries India passport is accepted as a proof of Indian citizenship except in India itself.

Does it mean that I cannot prove to the satisfaction of court or authorities that I am a citizen of India. It would appear so. That is the reason India need to have a certificate or a document issued to Indian citizen that they are citizen of this country. National Register of Citizenship could be a step in this direction but the problem will become acute if other documents where date of birth is mentioned is not accepted and only birth certificate is insisted upon.

Rights Under Consumer Protection Act 2019

The new consumer protection act 2019 has become more consumers friendly with powers to the consumer court not only to give compensation but also award punishment with jail term up to 5 years. The complaints now can be filed anywhere irrespective of where the cause of action took place and can be filed online. Recently a company, the seller of its product as well as the celebrity endorsing it were fined for misleading advertisement and false claim. The president, secretary and security agency of a gated society were fined for a case of dog bite in the lift. In one of my personal case the car company was fined, harassment value given as well as lawyer’s fee for not providing the alloy spare wheel as promised and advertised. In Mohali a woman was sent to 6 months jail after her pet dog bites a neighbor. A large number of big companies like whirlpool, Rebbok , Godrej consumer, HDFC bank, Insurance companies, Car manufacturers, Consumer goods manufacturers , service provider, restaurant association ,etc have been fined and even penalized for deficiency in service or false claims/advertisements. The act allows cases to be filed against corporate bodies, medical services provided not given free, supermarket charging for carry bags, builder buyer agreement, food products, refund of extra fee by schools, deficiency in service, false claim and false advertisement, overhead charges,etc.

One has certain legal rights under the act.

1. Right to Safety

The right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services, which are hazardous to life and property.

2. Right to be informed

The right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services, as the case may be so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices.

3. Right to Choose

The right to be assured, wherever possible, access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices.

4. Right to be heard

The right to be heard and to be assured that consumer’s interests will receive due consideration at appropriate fora.

5. Right to Redressal

The right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or restrictive trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers..

6. Right to Consumer Education

Before filing a complaint in consumer forum one can also approach the ministry of consumer affairs and lodge a complaint there for redressal. These complaints are handled by concerned and nodal officers in the ministry and the resolution is time bound. One can take the help of consumer help line numbers 1800114000,14404 or 1915 or log into www.consumerhelpline.gov.in or through UMANG App also.

Please do not let the manufacturers, service providers, builders, etc take you for a ride but approach the ministry of consumer forum for redressal of your grievances.

consumerhelpline.gov.in

INGRAM | Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism

Government of India Department of Consumer Affairs Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution National Consumer Helpline (NCH)

 

Birth on high Sea or in an Aircraft

 

he other day after reading and talking to me on my article on citizenship, where said I can not legally prove that I am an Indian citizen, one of my dear friend had an unusual query. He asked me a theoretical question as to which country a child of Indian parents will belong to if the birth takes place in an aircraft while flying or on a ship in high seas or in the consulate while waiting for her visa interview or present in a function.

If the birth takes place in an aircraft or on a ship then the child will be the citizen of the country by birth where the aircraft or ship is registered and if information is provided to the central govt or by the consulate or personally then he will acquire the dual citizenship of India also. This will continue till he become major or attains the age of 18 years where he will have to renounce one citizenship within six months of his becoming major. In case of birth within the consulate premises then also the same condition as above will apply to the child.

But how does on proves that he is an Indian Citizen.Well there are a host of identity cards, documents like Aadhar card, Voter' I card,Passport , bank accounts, property papers but these do not prove that I am an Indian Citizen but as  per various judgements of high courts and also Supreme courts these are merely proof of identity or at best in case of passport a proof of nationality accepted outside India but not proof of citizenship. AS per the citizenship act which ha been amended at least four times but what has remained common is that the accepted proof of citizenship is the birth certificate issued by the registrar of birth and death. So what happens in case of oldies like me who are born before 1968 ,that is before the registration of birth and death act came into being. So far for all practical purposes my school leaving certificate or high school or higher secondary certificate where date of birth  is mentioned was accepted but as per courts this is not a primary evidence but needs to corroborated with the gazattee  notification. The same apples for all birth certificates issued by other government agencies.

Hit And Run-Road Accident

 

Government has recently notified enhanced compensation to be paid to victims which will be effective from 1 Apr 2022. The procedure has been simplified , made time bound and to be done at a local taluk level by submission of a half a page of application in the given format to the tehsildar or SDM. Fund has been created which will cater to this requirement. The payment authority is the DM.

The application is to be given to local tehsildar or SDM called the enquiry officer who will also obtain the copy of FIR from police and decide the case within 15 days and give to the DM for payment. If claim is rejected then intimation and reason will be communicated.

The amount in hit and run cases will be Rs.50000/= for grievously hurt and Rs. 2 lacs for death. In case the vehicle or owner is traced then the amount will be Rs 2 lacs for grievously injured and Rs.5 lacs for death to be paid by insurance company but with a condition that one can not approach the MACT for enhanced compensation later. Free treatment if given at hospital will be deducted and paid to hospital directly.

Right Question or Right Answer

 

While I was discussing Business Ethics in my management class one of the bright student asked me a question

" What is more important asking the right question or giving the right answer?"

This was quite sometime back and at that time the only answer I could logically think was this is like asking which is more important the chicken or the egg. But instead of answering I just gave the issue back and asked the student to decide which is more important.

If one asks the wrong question then even if you give the wrong answer then still the answer is wrong as the question was wrong and if one gives the right answer to a wrong question then still it would be wrong because the question was wrong.

But if one asks the right question then the answer can be wrong or right hence there is still a 50% probability that one would get the right answer. So decide for yourself as to what type of question one wishes to ask.

But in the modern age of social media where news travels faster than light I would tend to somewhat agree with Vinod Sujanji that even if you know the correct answer to a right question then one should deliberately give a wrong answer because then there will be hundreds of people who will point out your mistake and correct you and reaffirm your faith in your correct answer. Wrong gets more answers than the correct answer. So the end remains the same that ask the right question even though both are two sides of the same coin and one can not logically answer as to what is more important the chicken or the egg.