NARA'S NOTEPAD
VOLUME 14
JUNE 2018
NUMBER 6
Thursday, May 31, 2018
SPONSOR...
NARA’S
NOTEPAD
THANK
Sri. R. Padmanaban, M. Sc (Ag)
Consultant,
Tea Plantations at Darjiling, Assam & Nepal
17/22 Titan
Township, Madhagiri, Hosur 635 110
Ph: 094431
42391
MEMO FROM NARA
Terror…Terrorism…Terrorists…are
the words we come across everyday in all types of media. All over the world
people talk about these terrible words that terrorize every individual. No one
knows when terrorists strike. These people (male and female) are trained or
rather brain washed to kill fellow humans. Is it not an evil activity? Are they
taking revenge against someone? Then why they kill innocent people who watch a
musical concert or assembled in a café, or working in their office, or studying
in a school or attending religious functions or even walking on the road! Looks
ridiculous, but such activities are carried out almost every day in one part or
other on the Globe. Terrorists are mindless, unkind, unthinking animals whose
urge is to kill and kill. We know how many lives – children, men and women –
are being cruelly killed and injured!
How
to control such horrible activities? Some advice, to find out the root cause
for terrorism. Others say to put an end to it by talks and Malala Yousafzai says with
guns you can kill terrorists; with education you can kill terrorism. Certain
countries help materially and financially these people in order to create chaos
in the world. They are the real sadists. They support terrorism. On the other
hand almost all nations including the United Nations condemn terrorism. Every
time, the world leaders meet one to one or in groups, pledge to condemn and
control terrorism. Agreements are being made, information exchanged and nothing
more! Still terrorism continues unabatedly all over the world.
Fighting
terrorism is not an easy task. No one knows who is a terrorist. Sometimes it is
attributed to a particular religion but religion as such is not involved in it.
Extremists, fundamentalists, people who are brain-washed, and not bothered
about their life are participating in terrorism. Organizations are everywhere
to select, train and send such people to kill innocent civilians. The seeds of
hatred sown in the young minds sprout into seedlings that trigger the human
brain to involve in killing his/her own brothers and sisters. A cowardly act,
indeed! Still it is killing. Some of the countries are more vulnerable to such
beastly acts than others.
Disturbing
peace or disliking the act of others is some of the causes for terrorism. It is
not possible to abolish terrorism unless we satisfy the needs of such people
who are involved in it. Divisions in human society are unfortunately igniting
the element of violence and terrorism. It is a great challenge for every nation
to solve the problem of terrorism among human population. United Nations
Organizations and many religious and spiritual leaders try their best to solve
this up-growing problem. We hope they succeed in their attempt and make the
human beings happy in this world of ours.
THINK OF YOUR PAST
Think of your past for a while! You have done everything so boldly without a
second thought. But now when you are above seventy, you think twice or thrice
before doing everything! The past boldness and braveness have disappeared. Fear
has overtaken them. Yes fear of doing things boldly. What a change! What a
change age has brought in. This is the experience of every individual in this
world.
BILL GATES SAYS...
- 1. Have energy.
- 2 Have a bad influence.
- 3. Work hard.
- 4. Create the future.
- 5. Enjoy what you do.
- 6. Play bridge.
- 7. Ask for advice.
- 8. Pick good people.
- 9. Don’t procrastinate.
- 10. Have a sense of humor.
WAYS TO BEAT LONELINESS
1.
First, don’t isolate yourself – When you’re feeling lonely it is hard to go out
and be with others who seem to be OK, and don’t really notice how lonely you
feel. But putting up a wall and withdrawing from your friends will only intensify
that sense of loneliness, and will further undermine your self-esteem.
2. Second,
keep yourself busy – Do things that you normally enjoy with others. For
example, listening to a band or maybe going to watch a game … or you could
always try something that’s new, but interests you! That would allow you to
connect in a non-threatening way … as it takes the focus off talking, and off
you.
3. Third, be
kind to yourself - It’s likely that you regularly beat yourself up, criticise
yourself and are unrealistic in the kinds of expectations that you have for
yourself. So what, if it goes wrong? You can always try again – just learn what
you can from the experience. And notice your successes and the times when it
goes well. It’s likely that this happens a lot more than you think!
4. Fourth, recognize
that we ALL battle loneliness at times - You’re not some kind of freak – it’s
actually quite normal. It something we’ve all known and understand.
5.
Fifth, talk to someone you like and trust – It can really help to talk about
your feelings with a family member, a friend or counselor.
JUST BECAUSE
1. Just because I laugh a lot … it
doesn’t mean I don’t take life seriously.
2.
Just because I act as if I’m happy … it doesn’t mean that everything is OK.
3.
Just because I’m willing to forgive … doesn’t mean that you can use me, or
treat me badly.
4.
Just because I’m not in touch with you … doesn’t mean that I’ve forgotten, or
don’t care about, you.
5.
Just because I am trusting and am sometimes gullible… doesn’t mean that you can
lie, or take advantage of me.
6.
Just because I hold back and don’t always show my feelings … doesn’t mean that
I don’t feel, or can’t be hurt by you and others.
7. Just because I find it hard to
say the words “I love you” … doesn’t mean that I don’t love you, or care about
you.
GETTING MORE OUT OF LIFE
1. Stop resisting
change and see it as a constant in life.
2. Learn to enjoy, and value,
solitude.
3. Never forget that friendship is a gift, not a possession.
4.
Things are rarely as bad as they seem at first.
5. Do your most important tasks
first thing in the morning.
6. Smiling seems to help with most things!
7.
Schedule margin into your life – as something unexpected will often change your
plans.
8. QTIP: quit taking it personally.
9. Define what’s necessary; say no to
the rest.
10. Take a deep breath and wait before responding. Don’t react, and
say something you’ll regret.
JUST TO LAUGH
*boy whispers to his mom during a wedding*
boy: "Mommy?"
mom: "What?"
boy: "Why is the girl dressed in white?"
mom: "Because this is the happiest day of her life."
boy: "... so why is the boy dressed in black?"
mom: "What?"
boy: "Why is the girl dressed in white?"
mom: "Because this is the happiest day of her life."
boy: "... so why is the boy dressed in black?"
*****************************************************
My wife told me she
needs more space. I said no problem and locked her out of the house.
************************************************************
Marriage is an
institution of three rings. Engagement ring, wedding ring and suffering.
********************************************************
Honey, what will you
give me for our 25th anniversary?
A trip to Thailand?
Wow, that’s awesome, and for our 50th anniversary?
Then I pick you up again.
Wow, that’s awesome, and for our 50th anniversary?
Then I pick you up again.
**************************************************************
SELF-CARE - THINGS TO DO
v Tidy
up your bedroom
v Change
your whole outfit - underwear, shoes, hairstyle, the lot
v Scribble
with a Crayon as hard as you can on a big sheet of paper
v Go
to a library and wander around in the quiet
v Make
a wish list on each of your favorites shops’ websites
v Go
to sleep as early as you can bare
v Play
the “would you rather?” game with a friend
v Talk
to your sibling(s), see what they’re up to
v Sit
down and study for a bit, then see how you feel
v Open
a window, sit next to it and smell the fresh air
LINES I LIKED
Ø A newspaper is called upon to
report news, not to make it.
Ø A page a day keeps the worry
away.
Ø A part of us wants increased life
and wealth, and yet a part of us tells us this is wrong and bad.
Ø A pedestrian can notice so many
things which a motorist would never see.
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
MEMO FROM NARA
Agricultural scientists talked about food production, food processing, food-security and now food-safety. Much had been discussed and efforts were taken to increase food production by improving the crop cultivars, agricultural practices and popularizing them to the beneficiaries like the farmers who depend mainly on the seasonal rains and market prices. To an extent the food production in India is somewhat satisfactory.
The food processing has taken a leap in preservation
and increasing the shelf-life of food products. The attempt in this direction
has led to processing industries linked with food production. Where ever such
link exists the chain is moving alright. The processing industries and the
supply chain have provided million of jobs for the skilled persons. grown
providing self-employment to a large number of housekeepers both in urban and
Food processing as a cottage industry has also rural areas.
Food-security is another important area considered by
agricultural scientists and economists. The term ‘food-security’ was defined at
the 1974 World Food Conference. “It is
the availability at all times of adequate world food supplies of basic
foodstuffs to sustain a steady expansion of food consumption and to offset
fluctuations in production and prices.” Later in 1996, World Food Summit
stated that “food-security exists when
all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe
and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an
active and healthy life.” Food insecurity occurs when food production is
affected by natural calamities such as drought, floods, fire etc. Also war,
political instability, poor economic policies and famine caused by all these
calamities bring food insecurity. So, sufficient stocks of food grains are
stored by every government in its warehouses. So food-security is invariably
taken care by respective governments and in small scales the families
themselves.
Of late, because of the concerns about food-safety, the
concept of organic agriculture is popularized and more and more people started
talking about food-safety. They consider that organically produced fresh food
is safe to eat and also good for health. Rules and guidelines have been
designed to grow and certify organic foods. Here and there in every city we do
find some shops selling organic vegetables, fruits, grains and many other
items. They claim that those produce are organically produced and processed and
explain that they are safe to consume. Such organic products are costly because
the yield of such crops is reduced by 30% by organic cultivation. Anyway
food-safety is an important consideration we, the humans have to pay attention
because we hear everyday death of people and animals due to food poisoning.
Agricultural scientists are aware about the above mentioned four important
aspects of food and they should take appropriate measures to tackle the
ticklish problems.
SELF-REFLECTION
There is a growing movement comprised of tens of millions of people
(sometimes referred to as "Cultural Creatives"), who are open to new
experiences and ideas and interested in leading lives that are fulfilled
through connection rather than materialism or tribalism.
This movement seems primed to embrace the hard work of true global
awareness that resists a largely self-centered worldview in favor of an
expansive, we-are-all-neighbors perspective. It's an exciting shift with great
promise. Yet this movement, so ripe for producing solutionaries, sometimes
focuses a bit more heavily in the self-development arena than the action arena;
more on fit bodies than bodies working for change; more on personal serenity
than engagement with persistent problems in the world.
Don't get me wrong. I fall into the "Cultural Creatives"
category; I practice Aikido and yoga, take hikes in the woods, and care for my
body and mind; but I've noticed a trend among my fellow Cultural Creatives
that's sometimes unduly "I-focused," reminding me of the
self-centeredness of tribalism, albeit in different clothing.
Here's an example: a friend was going through some personal challenges;
one thing after another kept going wrong over the course of a week. Then a
blizzard hit and her car got stuck in an embankment. She exclaimed, "What
is Spirit trying to teach me?!" I couldn't help but notice how strangely
narcissistic that comment (a bit out of a new age workbook) sounded, even
though it seemed to reject typical complaining and boo-hooing in favor of
learning and growth.
But whether it's Spirit, or the Universe, or one's God, the idea that an
act of nature was directed at us personally to teach us something is pretty
self-centered when you think about it. "Spirit's" blizzard affected
millions of people. Was it truly directed at each victim of its fury to teach
each one a lesson? – Zoe Weil
VIEWPOINT
Much
of science is failure, but it is a productive failure. This is a crucial distinction
in how we think about failure. More importantly is that not all science is bad
science. As with the exaggerated expectations, about the validity of scientific
results has simply become over blown. Scientific facts are all provisional, all
needing revision or sometimes even outright upending. But this is not bad;
indeed it is critical to continued progress. Granted it’s difficult, because
you can’t just believe everything you read. But let’s grow up and recognize
that undeniable fact of life. – Stuart
Firestein, Biologist
TO QUOTE
Prohibition
did not work even in the Garden of Eden. Adam ate the apple. –
Vincent Fox, Former President of Mexico
The
highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything
about. – Wayne Dyer
The
secret of newness in life is not to do new things constantly, but to see
everything with new eyes, new insight and a new perspective. –
Brahma Kumaris
WORKOUT BOOSTS BRAIN
B Betters
cognitive function: Exercise improves
cognitive function and one thinks more efficiently and effectively.
2. Leads to
clarity in thinking: People who
exercise on working days are 25% more productive than those who do not. So if
you wish to excel professionally too, make sure you squeeze a workout session
in your busy schedule.
3. Signals
release of key hormones:
Cardiovascular exercises signal the brain to release the key hormones of
serotonin dopamine and norepinephrine. These hormones reduce stress and elevate
your mood and make you feel happier.
4. Improves
memory: If you find it difficult to
remember important things, runs your way to a better memory. Working out for
over 30 min. can improve your memory function by 20%.
5.
Develop decision-making skills: In a dilemma and not sure what to do? Go for a cardio
exercise session. It floods the brain with chemicals which will help you think
more effectively and even improve your decision making skills.
SCIENCE
The very foundation of science is to keep the door open to doubt.
Precisely because we keep questioning everything, especially our own premises,
we are always ready to improve our knowledge. Therefore, a good scientist is
never ‘certain’. Lack of certainty is precisely what makes conclusions more
reliable than the conclusions of those who are certain: because the good
scientist will be ready to shift to a different point of view if better
elements of evidence or novel arguments emerge. Therefore, certainty is not
only something of no use, but is in fact damaging, if we value reliability.
- Carlo Rovelli, Theoretical Physicist
LINES I LIKED
- A mistake is the stepping stone to better ways of doing things.
- A nation is made when taxes are paid.
- A negative attitude is infectious, but a positive attitude is contagious as well.
- A negative person will bring you down and drain your energy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)