Race to Space!

Here are the efforts to find out what Nations across the world are doing to lead in the race to space!

For many years, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a fierce competition—the space race. The space race began in 1957 when the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik. The Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and the American presidents Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon all agreed that conquering outer space was very important. Both countries wanted to win—to prove their scientific superiority and to show their military strength. Soviet Premier Khrushchev wanted to show that communist technology was superior. President Kennedy wanted to beat the Soviets to the moon. The European Space Agency is investigating spaceships to carry astronauts. China is laying the groundwork for a moon shot. Even India plans to send its own astronauts into space.

Over the years, many nations have utilized a great deal of resources to explore the mysteries of the universe and creating their own way in the space race. Nations that are making progress toward putting humans in the orbit and participating in the space race:

The European Space Agency: The 17-member agency plans a March inaugural liftoff of a spaceship carrying supplies to the station. The ship could be the basis for a capsule that
would carry humans, says Alan Thirkettle, chief of the European agency's space-station program. The capsule or something like it would be designed to take astronauts to the moon.

China: It lofted humans into space in 2003 and 2005. It's likely to try a fall mission that would
feature the first Chinese spacewalk. China also plans to send humans to the moon in roughly
2025, as stated by Vincent Sabathier, who studies global space policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. There is "huge public support" in China for a moon mission. But, NASA hopes to return astronauts to the moon in 2020.

India: Our country blasted into the international space race with the successful launch of an ambitious two-year mission, Chandrayan-1. Packed with an international suite of science instruments, the orbiter is headed to the moon. Besides this, India is already the proud owner of a rocket capable of carrying a human crew and spacecraft into space. Last year, Indian engineers sent a small unmanned capsule to orbit and recovered it back on Earth. G. Madhavan Nair, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, stated in Washington that his agency has drawn up plans to develop a human spacecraft. He expects "no major hurdles" to obtain funding.

Japan: A Japanese laboratory will be delivered to the space station as early as March, and a
Japanese robotic cargo ship is scheduled to make its first trip to the station later this year. Japan will handle their day-to-day operations, the first time it has been in charge of spacecraft with humans aboard or nearby. Japan's new space policy calls for it to be ready to send humans to space in 20 years.

SPACE TERMS:
In the United States, astronaut is derived from the Greek words ástron (star) and nautis (sailor). While, in Russia, a space traveler goes by the name космонавт (English: cosmonaut),
which is derived from the Greek words kosmos (universe) and nautis (sailor). Westerners call a space traveler from China a taikonaut, based on the 1998 writings of Chiew Lee Yik and Chen Lan where the term tàikōng (great emptiness), Chinese for “space”. In China, the term yuháng yuán (universe navigator) is used for space traveler.

A Trekkers Paradise

Peth with its uniqueness manages to stay with you longer and high & above than all the others.

There are many hill stations in India, but as someone has very rightly said, some places are truly special in many more ways than what comes to mind. And Peth is definitely one of them. With soaring peaks, thriving flora, cool and soothing mountain air are the atmosphere that greets you in this tiny village of Peth around the year.

Peth, which means residence in English is also known as Kothaligad , situated in the Shahapur Taluka, approximately 21km North East of Karjat. One of the major draws of this place is that it is just 130 km away from Mumbai. Kothaligad, built at 3100 feet is ideal trekking destination, and is more commonly known as the fort of Peth because the village of Peth is situated at its base.

This fort though small in stature has immense historical significance. This fort was more of a ‘defense outpost’ than a full-fledged fort and is located at a vantage point. Peth was mainly used for ammunition storage and gained importance during Sambhaji’s era. Indeed, this place is great and bountiful, rewarding the visitor with a mix of old-country side charm, natural beauty, traditional livelihood and a great history.

“Although it is a long journey, due the spectacular sights along the way, you will enjoy your ride thoroughly. Greenery of the paddy fields and the murky brown streams crisscross the whole land. When it rains, and clouds descend from the sky to blanket the earth, the sight is truly breathtaking, said Prajakta, 21, art student, who visited this place through her field trip.

Highlights of this location:
The pinnacle of the fort is visible from the village. The view from the top resembles an endless expanse of colourful canvas. Once there, you can also see the beautiful caves carved in huge rocks. The first one is the cave of Goddess, besides it, runs a reservoir and the last one is the Bhairoba cave.

“The specialty of these caves is a flat floor and well sculpted pillars. These caves are famous for camping and make for a challenging trekking adventure which is yet not perilous. However it is advised that an expert should accompany a trekking trip in this cave for novice trekkers, said Dhanaji, 26, a frequent trekker.

Another highlight is that historical places like Kalwawantinicha Mahal, Nagfani, Siddhagad, Malanggad, Chanderi, Prabalgad, Manikgad, and Matheran that surround the fort are also visible from its apex.

“Kothaligad, is truly for nature lovers and best known for trekking. Peth is a tiny village which is devoid of any hotel for accommodation and food. Therefore it is advisable that the visitors carry their camping gears and packaged drinking water and food,” Shailesh Rane, a tour organiser.

In conclusion, don’t expect the luxury of city life here. This destination is certainly for those people who want to experience nature up and close and get a vivid taste of what wilderness is all about so close to the city.

So, if you are a nature lover, then you should mark this location on the top of your adventure holiday itinerary.

Fact File:
Location
Karjat – Peth – Kothaligad (Fort)
Weather
Mild temperate weather
Best time to visit
Monsoon and winter season
Drinking Water Facility
There are many a cisterns and tanks on the fort, but the one near the cave is reliable as long as you boil it. If you are hesitant about it then do carry packaged water as no other drinking facility is available.
How to reach
One can board a ST bus for Ambivali via Kashele or from Karjat railway station on Mumbai-Pune route. The distance from Karjat to Ambivali is about 30 Kms. You can use the roadway to Peth from Ambivali. An extensive pathway leads to the fort entrance from Peth.
On can also get down at Neral, another railway station on Mumbai-Pune route and reach Kashele by local transport and catch a bus for Ambivali.
Where to stay
The cave on the fort is the best place to spend the night.
Note: Make sure to carry your camping gear along to compensate for the lack of accommodation.
Time to Reach:
Ambivali to Peth – 2 hours
45 minutes from the base village, Peth

Paranoid Schizophrenia – a reality check!

Kranti Khanderkar explores the much misunderstood and controversial mental ailment – paranoid schizophrenia and sheds some light on the reality and popular misconceptions plaguing those affected.

Thirty year old Smita Raut (name changed) speaks to people everyday who do not exist in reality. She speaks, hears and sees them as part of her life and doesn’t realize that they aren’t really there. If you come to the conclusion that she is possessed by a spirit or something paranormal, then you have been misled by a popular belief or superstition, rather, the real cause of her behaviour is paranoid schizophrenia, a paranoid form of the disorder.

“She usually speaks to people which she claims exist and forces her to do the things which she doesn’t want to do,” expressed Anil Arekar, brother of Smita.

"Schizophrenia, one of the most damaging of all mental disorders causes its victims to lose touch with reality. They often begin to hear, see, or feel things that aren't really there (hallucinations) or become convinced of things that simply aren't true (delusions),” explained Dr. Anand Patkar, a Psychiatrist.

Smita has been married for six year and stays with her in-laws, and a son who is five year old. “Few years back we had Ganpati at home. I and Smita were performing pooja, she suddenly had an attack and said to me that her imaginary companion was asking her to physically desecrate the Ganesh idol. That episode really stunned me for a while,” said Deepak Raut, Smita’s husband.

“Once, I and my cousin sister went to visit sister Smita. We were having a casual conversation, and out of nowhere, she revealed that sometimes she feels an urge to throw her son from the first floor,” said Sneha Naik, Smita’s cousin sister.

Without medication and therapy, most paranoid schizophrenics are unable to function in the real world. If they fall victim to severe hallucinations and delusions, they can be a danger to themselves and those around them.

The causes of schizophrenia are still under debate. A chemical imbalance in the brain seems to play a role, but the reason for the imbalance remains unclear. Reaserchers believe that you're more likely to become schizophrenic if you have a family member with the illness. Stress does not cause schizophrenia, but can make the symptoms worse.

According to Dr. Patkar, in the paranoid form of this disorder, they develop delusions of persecution or personal grandeur. The first signs of paranoid schizophrenia usually surface between the ages of 15 and 34. There is no cure, but the disorder can be controlled with medications. Counseling and group therapy help recovering patients to understand the disease and to function effectively. Severe attacks may require hospitalization.

Signs/Symptoms

Schizophrenia usually develops gradually, although onset can be sudden. Friends and family often notice the first changes before the victim does. Among the signs are:

Confusion
Inability to make decisions
Hallucinations
Changes in eating or sleeping habits, energy level, or weight
Delusions
Nervousness
Strange statements or behavior
Withdrawal from friends, work, or school
Neglect of personal hygiene
Anger
Indifference to the opinions of others
A tendency to argue
A conviction that you are better than others, or that people are out to get you
Care

TREATMENT

The treatment for schizophrenia depends in part on the stage of the patient's condition.

Hospitalization
In the early stages, hospitalization may be necessary. Hospitalization prevents patients from doing harm to themselves or others.

Medication
The primary form of treatment for schizophrenia is medication. Drugs are now available to control many of the symptoms of the disorder.

Psychotherapy
Some forms of psychotherapy can help schizophrenic patients. Behavior therapy, example, can teach patients to cope with daily activities and may improve the way they interact with other people.

Family therapy
Family members can also benefit from some forms of therapy. Family therapy may also focus on improving the family's ability to communicate with each other and solve mutual problems brought about by the disease.

Mumbai’s WIFi Future?

The Mumbaikars take on BMC’s 50-Crore plan of setting up the Citywide WiFi network for Mumbai.

Few months back, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has brought forward a citywide WiFi plan for Mumbai. According to BMC, the plan, if implemented, would allow anyone to use WiFi on their compatible laptops or mobile phones. This initiative by the BMC is a public-private partnership of sorts, in which the BMC plans to cover the entire city with WiFi coverage, albeit not free. Let’s find out the Mumbaikars take on this plan…

“Once the city is WiFi enabled, it will make possible for any user who has a WiFi enabled device to surf the web from any location in the city. Once he is connected, he will be able to move around in the city at his own will, without worrying about any connectivity hasles. - Sampada, a MSc. IT student

“Such a network would make it easy for the citizens to communicate with each other and the civic body, thus making communications easier and processing time shorter. Cyber experts, on the other hand, see this move from a different perspective. According to them, this would place Mumbai among the top technologically advanced cities in the world.
- Mandar, system administrative

“If the plan does indeed go through, it would be interesting to see how it would be implemented. According to me, it would really help if there was a single system of managing the service. Something on the lines of Mobile Recharge coupons should be implemented, wherein each user will have his own account and he is charged as per usage. We will also need to wait and see what speeds would be implemented along with the service.
- Bijosh, a young IT professional

“Installing a WiFi network is well and good. But, the misuse by some antisocial elements should also has to be taken into consideration and necessary steps which will secure the network from misuse should be made the top priority by the BMC.
- Alliston, a technology enthusiast and a student

BMC will maintain that this will be cheaper than other such services. In conclusion, the plan will certainly benefit the Mumbaikars. But before implementing it, the BMC should consider the issues like security, efficiency & servicing.

Cricket in Olympics?
The youngsters take on the idea of the inclusion of cricket in 2020 Olympic.

With the start of the Beijing event less than a week away, Adam Gilchrist believed that cricket has the potential to be included in the Olympic Games which will secure the game’s global future. Although, considering the success of the new format and the Indian Premier League, he said Twenty 20 is the ideal version to be included in the 2020 Olympics. Let’s find out the Gen X’s view on this issue…

“It should go to the Olympics. But before that we have to make sure that it is spread to more parts of the world, so that more countries could participate. For that we have to put in the right efforts from now on, and carry on the developmental programs side by side, so it can be part of the Games in 5 or may be 10 years,” Sherin, 22, an computer engineering student.

“There are 104 members of ICC, and amongst them, there are only 8 to 10 countries that participate. So to be part of the Olympics, it has to be truly presented as a global sport and not just a few,” expressed Abhijeet Kulkarni, senior sports journalist of Hindustan Times.

“Nowadays more and more countries have started to play cricket, including USA and China. In fact, China has committed itself to be a major cricket force in the future. So I think that by 2020, the shortest version of the game will be ready to be part of the biggest sporting spectacle, The Olympic Game,” said Harshala Naik, Editor at KPO.

“I think cricket is not ready to be included in 2020 Olympics, because hardly 10-12 countries play cricket, so to include the twenty-20 format, we need to run a campaign which will teach the world how to play cricket in the first place,” said Sanket Parab, an engineering student.

As things stand now, cricket doesn’t have a chance to be included in the near future. A lot of lobbying and horse trading is required to get a sport to be included in the Games, as evidenced by the recent controversy regarding selection of venues and the resulting bribing allegations amongst the adjudicators,” said Diwakar Seth, a jewellery merchant and a cricket enthusiast.

The inclusion of cricket in Olympics will help spread cricket in new territories and raise its popularity amongst women. Before including cricket, we need to make our cricket popular in the majority of the competing Olympic nations, by making it exciting and ground-breaking in countries that haven't yet caught the 'cricket-bug'. This will also result in cricket getting more competitive and thereby flourishing in countries where it is currently played today.

Best phrases in Hindi Cinema

The face of films has changed over the years. From a Mother India to a Munnabhai, we sure have come a long way. All these movies came and went, but some of the memorable dialogues of these movies stay on to become part of our idiom.

I asked the youngsters some of their favourite lines of the movies and find out some brilliant, romantic and silliest phrases. Take a look…

Priyanka Kini, an art student
“Amar Prem: 1971
“Pushpa, I hate tears.... inhe ponch dalo.”
Evergreen Rajesh Khanna said this dialogue to a sobbing Sharmila Tagore in the immortal love story Amar Prem.

Sonya Khan, Sales & Marketing Executive
“Pakeezah: 1972
“Aapke paon dekhe, bahut haseen hai. Inhe zameen par mat utariyega, maile ho jayenge.”
The nation sighed when Raj Kumar left this poetic note to Meena Kumari in the movie Pakeezah.

Mubashir Usmani, Mass Media student
“Sholay: 1975
“Kitne aadmi the?”
Amjad Khan played the famously feared dacoit Gabbar Singh to perfection in this 1975 classic.

Niketa Naik, an Interior designer
“Deewar: 1975
“Main aaj bhi pheke hue paise nahin uthata.”
Amitabh Bachchan’s voice had your skin tingling when he taught us a thing or two about self-respect.

Ashray Khanderkar, Science student
“Deewar: 1975
“Aaj mere paas paisa hai, bangla hai, gaadi hai, kya hai tumhaare paas?
“Mere paas maa hai.”
Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor put the morality vs materialism debate in a nutshell with this exchange in Deewar.

Viral Joshi, an event coordinator
“Sholay: 1975
“Hum angrezon ke zamaane ke jailor hain.”
Asrani’s Great Dictator-inspired character had everyone in splits when he warned prisoners with a lathi.

Hiren Desai, Advertising Student
“Sholay: 1975
"Tumhara naam kya hai, Basanti?"
We can never forget this funny dialogue of Amitabh Bachchan which is said sarcastically to Hema Malini

Kuldeep Jalan, Advertising student
“Kaaliya: 1981
“Hum jaha pe khade ho jaate hein, line wahi se shuru hoti hai.”
Amitabh Bachchan said with poise in a jail when a person who disterving food said him to be in a cue.

Abhishek Shah, Sales and Marketing Executive
“Souten: 1983
“Jinke ghar sheeshe ke hote hai, woh batti bujha ke kapde badalte hain.”
A villainous Prem Chopra said these words. What happens in daylight, we wonder!

Ramesh Bansode, clerk, Bank of India
“Shahenshah: 1988
“Rishte mein to hum tumhare baap lagte hain, naam hai Shahenshah,”
Who can forget an over-the-hill but stylish Amitabh Bachchan and his studded leather jacket in Shahenshah?

Shweta Damankar, Teacher, Oxford School
“Baazigar: 1993
“Kabhi kabhi kuch jeetne ke liye kuch haarna bhi padta hai, aur haar ke jeetnay wale ko baazigar kehte hain.”
Shah Rukh Khan`s signature line comes when he meets Kajol on the racetrack for the first time in Baazigar.

Manish Solanki, Account Executive
“Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge: 1995
“Bade bade deshon mein, aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hain, Senorita.”
A dimpled SRK played the lover boy to perfection in the India`s biggest ever hit.

Kushdeep Singh, Entertainment student
“Devdas: 2002
“Babuje ne kaha gaon chor do, maa ne kaha haveli chor do, sab ne kaha paro ko chor do, paro ne kaha sharab chor do, phir ek din ayega jab woh kahega ke duniya hai chor do.”
Shahrukh Khan at his best in the Sanjay leela bhansali's classic DEVDAS.

Juhi Verma, student
“Om Shanti Om: 2007
“Jab bhi kissi cheez ko dil se chaho
to puri qayanaat usse tumse milane mein lag jaati hain.”
Shahrukh Khan expressed his passion to Shreyas Talpade in the Om Shanti Om.

Niyati Bane, a commercial art student
“Om Shanti Om: 2007
“Pictue abhi baki hain mere dost.”
SRK to Sreyas Talpade.

Today, we are celebrating our 61st year of Independence. Indian cinema played a vital role in the history of India. Pre-independence, the kind of films being made in India was full of patriotic fervour, full of messages and full of morality. On the other side, Independence brought with it a freedom that was creative in the extreme and this was reflected in our films.

Here are some films which successfully depicted Patriotic theme in the movies:
Gandhi (1982), directed by Richard Attenborough,
Shaheed (1948), Diip Kumar starrer,
Naya Daur (1957),
Jagruti (1954), old, starring Abhi Bhattacharya,
Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960), made by Raj Kapoor,
Old film Sangram (1993),
Leader (1964), Dilip Kumar starrer,
Nastik (1983), made by I.S. Johar
Son of India (1931), directed by Mehboob Khan

Get Seasonal
For the fashion conscious city-folks, rain is no constraint to flaunt the really hip and funky look. Kranti Khanderkar catches up with youngsters, fashion designers and make-up artists on the latest fashion in this rainy season.

Fashion fundas of monsoon

Shilpa Dhanmeher, 29, a fashion designer said, “People are not at all looking clumsy during Monsoon. They are more concerned about their look in rainy season. Markets are flooded with some very feminist transparent and colourful knee length raincoats. Sporty and branded Winchesters are in this monsoon for boys. Big size, transparent and colourful bags are in used. Also, a lot of stylish and colourful sports shoes and crocs in pink, light brown, blue are in vogue in this period. One should experiment with lots of loud colours like blood red, flashy yellow and experiment with the deep range in geometrical patterns and other designs in this season.”

Rainy make-up

Sharing cosmetic tips for the monsoon, make-up artist Rajashree Nayak said, “During Monsoon one should go for waterproof make-up. For this you have to buy separate lipstick, foundation, lip gloss, eyeliner, pan cake, mascara according to your skin tone, as every person has different skin tone. If possible try bright, gloomy colours and use branded such as L’Oreal and Maybelline products which help to stay your make-up longer during rainy season. Girls should be decked up with just the right cosmetics suited for the rainy season. For the overall look of the face, translucent powder should be used so that the person looks colourful during the dull monsoon."

[As far as Facial is concerned go for ‘cold facial’. One should go for mud pack pedicure.
You must applied sun control during this season.
Serum, body lotion with moisturizing and nail protection should be used instead.] box use

Accessories in fashion

Beads jewellery is appropriate for all the seasons and occasions, as there are varieties of beads and designs available. Beads earrings, necklace, bracelets and ankle-lets are evergreen, as it never goes out of fashion. However, wooden and stone beads are really in fashion these days. You can buy beads of your choice which are easily available in the market today.

Priyanka, Interior designer, 23, said, “I preferred to use beads jewelry. They are not expensive, therefore you can have one each matching with your dresses. I have also bought up some of exact colours of my dresses. The best part about beads is that it is available in lot of colours and varieties and also I can use them in all season.”

Be as simple as you can

Niyati, an artist, 20, said, “I really love wearing capres and skirts. Now that rainy season is here, so avoid wearing white colour attires. I have bought shirts with big graphic and flowery prints in colours like red, green and sky blue! They really work in the rainy season.”

Let your hair enjoy this monsoon

Sonya, 24, Marketing Executive, said, “I have got my haircut in layer cum step which looks bouncy. They look superb when they get wet in rain. And what's good is the fact that they require less maintenance.”

Neelaxi, a hairstylist said, “During monsoon, shoulder length hairstyles are in. Mostly girls preferred to trim their hair. Layers in messy look like disconnected layers and notched layers are in vogue. The best part is that these kinds of haircuts can be left untied or tied, and they are zero maintenance.”

This monsoon brings you a lot of varieties in fashion, so go ahead and enjoy rain, get wet and yet remain stylish and in.