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Friday, 19 December 2014

So Who Invented Radio ???



 Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, ( 30 November 1858 – 23 November 1937) was a Bengali Polymath, Physicist, Biologist, Botanist, Archeologist, as well as an early writer of science fiction. He pioneered the investigation of radio and microwave optics, made very significant contributions to plant science, and laid the foundations of experimental science in the Indian Sub-Continent.
 
Sir J.C Bose

Sir J. C. Bose invented the Mercury Coherer (together with the telephone receiver) used by Guglielmo Marconi to receive the radio signal in his first transatlantic radio communication over a distance of 2000 miles from Poldhu, UK to  Newfoundland, St. Johns in December 1901. Guglielmo Marconi was celebrated worldwide for this achievement. (In May 1897, two years after Bose's public demonstration in Kolkata, Guglielmo Marconi conducted his wireless signalling experiment on Salisbury Plain. Bose went to London on a lecture tour in 1896 and met Marconi, who was conducting wireless experiments for the British post office. In an interview, Bose expressed disinterest in commercial telegraphy and suggested others use his research work. )

Bose was sometimes, and not unnaturally, criticised as unpractical for making no profit from his inventions.
 
Crescograph

In 1895, Sir J. C. Bose gave his first public demonstration of electromagnetic waves, using them to ring a bell remotely and to explode some gunpowder. He sent an electromagnetic wave across 75 feet passing through walls and body of the Chairman, Lieutenant Governor of Bengal.

He was also the first to study the action of microwaves in plant tissues and corresponding changes in the cell membrane potential. He researched the mechanism of the seasonal effect on plants, the effect of chemical inhibitors on plant stimuli and the effect of temperature. From the analysis of the variation of the cell membrane potential of plants under different circumstances, he hypothesised that plants can "feel pain, understand affection etc." He  invented the Crescograph; a device that is used for measuring plant growth.

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Peaceful Realm Prevailed In India

Chandra Gupta II ( AD 376 - 415 ) became the sovereign King of almost all of Northern India and even some parts of present day Andhra Pradesh were under his influence. Kalidasa, greatest of India's poets and dramatist is traditionally associated with King Vikramadithya ( most probably another name of Chandra Gupta II ). It is during his reign that India reached it's zenithal stage of prosperity and happiness. This can be accounted from words of a Chinese Travellor - Fa hsien. He was a Chinese monk who came to India to obtain authentic copies of Buddhist Scriptures. He was in India for almost 6 years, travelling the length and breadth of India. He did note the peacefulness of India, rarity of serious crimes and the smoothness of administration. He stated that one could travel all over India without molestation and no documents were needed for travelling. People had great respect to each other and most of them were vegetarians.


At this time, India was perhaps the happiest and most civilized region in the world. ( Roman empire was nearing its final stage, China was passing through a period of troubles between 2 great periods of the Hans and T'angs )

Naval Conquest of Indian Kings

Its remarkable to say that our Kings were very good at Naval Expeditions too. King Raja Raja Chola ( AD 985 - 1014 ) & King Rajendra Chola (  AD 1014 - 1042 ) were regarded as the best Naval Expeditors ever. And yes, our Kings didn't just want to conquer some countries & ruthlessly loot them ( Conquest & looting was the practice of the Kings of rest of the world ). Our Kings were actually defending their subjects from the piratical activities of the Indonesian Kings ( ? ) who interfered with the flourishing trade between South India & China. Parts of Burma, Malaya & Sumatra were conquered.   Imagine the resources we had almost a 1000 years back to travel all the way by sea with all those troops, that also for the benefit of their subjects. Truly GREAT KINGS !!!!!

Recently I came across another interesting fact about the Chola Kings. They were not only great in expeditions, but also in maintaining their kingdoms. They had a council where people were elected. This council had a say in main decisions made by the king ( Democracy ?? ). Please find the image which says of qualifications and disqualifications for a candidate.

Sunday, 14 September 2014

Plastic Surgery

So while checking as to who did first plastic surgery, google gives different answers. Some say in 1917, a British sailor - Walter Yeo is the first person to have undergone plastic surgery.

But in reality, during 6 th century BC, Susruta is believed to have undertaken Plastic Surgeries. He had contributed a lot towards Ayurveda - Indian medication.

British physicians traveled to India to see plastic surgeries being performed by native methods. Reports on Indian plastic surgery performed by a man named Kumar Vaidya were published in the Gentlemans's Magazine in 1794. Joseph Constantine Carpue spent 20 years in India to study these local plastic surgery methods. Joseph was able to perform the first major surgery in the western world (to be specific, in England) by 1815. Later, in Europe it became known as "Carpue's Operation".

( Below is added on 21 Jan 2015 )

"Sushruta was the first medical person to use leeches in medical treatment. In the last two decades, the FDA of United States has accepted leeches as a medical device,"- Dr Ashwin Sawant said during a symposium at the ISC ( Indian Science Congress ). "A drilled tooth dating back 7,000 ( BC 5000 ) years was found at a place now in Pakistan" - he quoted.
"Sushruta was the first to say that the human heart is the centre of the body's circulation system. However, we give credit to William Harvey for the discovery of the circulation of blood" - he added.

Saturday, 13 September 2014

Iron Pillar of Delhi

This pillar is made of iron ( not sure if any other ingredient is also used ) and is 7 mtr tall. Though it's date of establishment is not sure, it' widely accepted as somewhere around in 900 BC. Amazing fact about the pillar is that, though for all these past centuries it was exposed to wars / sun / rain / pollution etc...it has not yet corroded. What technique would have our forefathers used ? It has not yet been discovered as to what all other ingredients are used in it's making. It's a marvelous work of ancient India. Just a small piece of work to astonish the modern world.

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Save Trees for Green Earth


Now a days, global warming is signaling a warning alarm to the whole globe. Increase in sea level, depletion of ozone layer which results in dangerous health problems, decrease in water level of rivers, ponds, wells etc.. are all just to name a few. To increase the greenery by planting more trees, several governments & organizations have come forward with Save Tree Campaigns. This is the present scenario; but what was it like in the past ? Again, as in every field, India had long before started campaigning for Green Earth. Yea, if one looks at the Upanishads, Vedas etc..it will be more clear. One will come across this hymn  ten wells equal to one pond, ten ponds equal to one lake, ten lakes equals to one son, ten sons equal to one tree  which shows the importance to have trees. Yet another hymn says “Oh Earth, whatever I take from you, let it sprout again at the earliest. Oh Holy, let me never break your heart”. One can see such innumerable hymns.

 

Another way which I feel very intelligible way of protecting birds, animals & trees is, by giving responsibility to each and every person to protect  and nurture it. That’s what our forefathers have done. They proposed a bird, an animal and a tree for each and every birth star ( Nakshathram ) to be taken care of. For eg… one who is born on star Aswathy is supposed to protect Pullu, Kuthira & Kanjiram which will in turn bring prosperity to him / her. How good an idea it was !!!!

 

Also, it was mentioned that each GOD / GODDESS loves particular flower. Hence for ‘poojas’ to particular GOD/GODESS, people are supposed to bring their particular flower.

 

So, all these Indian believes have a goal of maintaining environment healthy by protecting flowers, birds, animals and trees.

 

I could gather some info as to the Birthstar and related bird, animal and tree. Most of the names are in Malayalam as it is a difficult task to find out English names for all. If someone can help me getting it, you are most welcome to post comment.
 
Birth Star Tree - In Malayalam Animal Bird
ASWATHY Kanjiram Horse ( Kuthira ) ( Pullu )
BHARANI  Nelli Elephant ( Aana ) ( Pullu )
KARTHIKA Atthi Goat ( Aadu ) ( Pullu )
ROHINI  Njaval Snake ( Pambu ) ( Pullu )
MAKAYIRAM  Karingali Snake ( Pambu ) ( Pullu )
THIRUVATHIRA  Karimaram Dog ( Patti ) ( Uppan )
PUNARTHAM Mula Cat ( Poocha ) ( Uppan )
POOYAM  Arayal Goat ( Aadu ) ( Uppan )
AYILYAM Nakam Cat ( Poocha ) ( Uppan )
MAKAM Peral Rat ( Eli ) ( Uppan )
POORAM  Plashu Rat ( Chundeli ) ( Uppan )
UTRAM  Itthi Camel ( Ottakam ) Crow ( Kakka )
ATHAM  Ambazham Ox ( Pothu ) Crow ( Kakka )
CHITHIRA  Koovalam Tiger ( Puli ) Crow ( Kakka )
CHOTHY Neermaruthu Buffalo ( Eruma ) Crow ( Kakka )
VISHAKAM  Vayankathavu Lion ( Simham ) Crow ( Kakka )
ANIZHAM  Ilanji Deer ( Maan ) Crow ( Kakka )
TRIKETTA  Vetti ( Kezhamaan ) Chicken ( Kozhi )
MOOLAM Pine Dog ( Patti ) Chicken ( Kozhi )
POORADAM  Vanji Monkey ( Kurangu ) Chicken ( Kozhi )
UTHARADAM  Plavu Bull ( Kaala ) Chicken ( Kozhi )
THIRUVONAM Erikku Monkey ( Kurangu ) Chicken ( Kozhi )
AVITTAM  Vanni ( Nallal ) Peacock ( Mayil )
CHATHAYAM  Kadambu Horse ( Kuthira ) Peacock ( Mayil )
PURURUTTATHY  Thenmavu Human ( Manushyan ) Peacock ( Mayil )
UTHRITTATHY  Karimpana Cow ( Pashu ) Peacock ( Mayil )
REVATHI Irippa Elephant ( Aana ) Peacock ( Mayil )