Eyes in the Tail?

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Can eyes be in tails? No. I tell you, it can be. Better check. Well I am talking about the 'eyes' in the plumage of peacocks. You must have been fascinated by the resplendent colours of the peacocks tail, at least once in your life. If you have seen the dance of the male peacock, you must have been mesmerized.

Feathers of peacocks are used for decoration at homes in India. It is so much admired by people that patterns of peacock shape and feathers find a regular place in the motifs of sarees, kurtis and many times articles used in home decor. Lyrics portray the poets romantic mood in semblance with peacock dance.

Small girls keep the feathers of peacock in their notebooks , nourish it with chalk dust in their classrooms and believe one day they will duplicate. So that they could have two for one that they had cherished. Conservation fruits but  myths do not. I too was keen on getting my feathers doubled. Childhood! This is the time when candies can grow on trees :). Such innocence.

The way they have adapted with the changing scenario of the earth is commendable. They have survived dramatic climatic changes, predatory animals and man's destructive activities. Unlike small sparrows which has been put into red data list of IUCN, peacock continues to maintain its number, that is significant to not let it enter into the category of threatened species.

Why it has been so, as in why it continues to survive despite many adversities that are present. Is it because it is the bird of God? Scientists do not agree to the fact that as people love the bird, they choose to protect them. In Indian mythology it is believed that  peacock had dull feathers long ago, but  it helped Indra from the asura Ravana in a battle. So, in gratitude Indra made his feathers iridescent.

Females are generally seen to be ornamental, at least it is a must in India for them to be ornamental. A female is identified with ornamentation. Many accuse women not having sense of ornamentation to be 'non-males'. This is in context with the growing feminism, that was observed as a phenomenon in the past 100 years or so. But these birds, "Pride of India-Peacock", males exhibit biological ornaments-the iridescent feathers in its tail.

Peahens choose that male to be their potential mates which have numerous eyes in the tails. The more the number, the more healthier is the peacock. As in making the plumage body's energy is used and those who have all life-processes running on smoothly can only expend their energy in the making of the plumage. Females assure that this gene of 'of show off' is passed on to the up coming generation. Thus this admiration that the peacock gets is a tradition based on genetic selection- phenotypic  infact.

A New Fossil

Dinosaurs have fascinated mankind from the time they were discovered to have existed. Geologists everywhere are keen on finding fossils that can be cited resemblance with these dinosaurs. In Sindri, Dhanbad a fossil was found. BIT Sindri has claimed the fossil under the interference of Prof. Dr. G. Kumar.

People were excited in Sindri as was reported in the news report, as the fossil found resembled dinosaurs. Dinosaurs can get alive, what would happen after that, it is a general theme about which children fantasize. It is not possible or is it? A scientific wonder. It is quite evident from the response that Jurassic Park gets everytime it is released in the city. Dinosaurs are known to be kins of present day lizards.

Kumar said as reported in Dainik Jagran dated November 28, that this fossil can be a connecting link between dinosaurs and lizards. This species is extinct now. The fossil, he said would be sent to Vertebrate research Institute Chandigarh. Carbon dating method will reveal its time period during which it existed.

"The species can not be of dinosaurs as they existed in mesozoic era. (40-100 crore years ago). The fossil is 10 inches long and it resembles goh lizards larger than house lizards", said Prof Kumar.

Vinod Kumar from Sindri found the fossil in seven lakes, Sindri on monday and showed a great sense of responsibility in consulting the geologists.

 

As is evident, Universities in India are not much equipped with infrastructure to support basic research in Zoology as compared to places outside. We have miles to go.

True Essence of Diwali

It owes more to the fire than to the light that it illuminates.

Triumph of light over dark, good over evil, truth over lie is not the only essence of Diwali. Ever wondered why do people in India, Hindus basically, have mass lightening of earthen-lamps and that too in the same season i.e.; around october and november every year? Is Diwali, a day singled out to spread noise and sound pollution due to busting of crackers? 

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Bursting of crackers and the noise and sound pollution are the evil modifications that have found close association with the celebration. Almost all over the world crackers are exploded on some occasion. Why single out Diwali, when on USA day more crackers are burst. Diwali is not a practice that adds to pollution only. There is certainly some added significance behind the festival.

Reasons although are hidden but they have the capability to mold and structure the whole civilization. If any layman would face the same question his/her approach would be different, but people close to science would explain it differently. Notwithstanding the spiritual reasons to celebrate the festival of lights, there is a scientific fact behind.

The season is marked by the abundance of an insect called 'tiny leaf-hopper' of the family cycadilladae.  This insect feeds on plant sap and can transmit plant infecting viruses and bacteria. These insects are of sporadic occurrence in the rice grown areas. They have piercing and sucking type of mouth parts and are serious threat to rice cultivation as they have the capacity to transmit the virus disease of rice. Nymphs and adults both have the capacity to damage the crop.

 

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Rice is found to have a close association with every Hindu ritual.The great Indian sage Parashara has laid stress on essentiality of rice cultivation and sung in his treatise called 'Krishi Parashar', "Rice is vitality, rice is vigour too and rice is indeed the fulfillment of all ends of life. Gods, demons and human beings all subsist on rice."

The wise sages in order to protect the civilization from starvation, as rice is the principle crop in the subcontinent, devised a method. Now, if people who are ignorant are explained scientific facts, they would never understand as you should have the receptors, there in your brains to receive something that can act as stimuli ;). 

So they found religion as a weapon to execute their motive. They said because King Rama has arrived in the kingdom and his rule has been established once again, so to welcome him every house must light earthen lamps. People approved as King Rama had his influence on people far and wide due to his policies that were just and morally proved. 

Every year the same event was practiced to remember his arrival marked by the victory and justice that was established. The sages as wise they were, thus were successfully removing the insect from the environment, as we know insects are attracted to the fire and are killed. So, this event is marked by the mass killing of insects- tiny leaf-hoppers and mosquitoes chiefly, that are abundant during the same season every year, and pose a challenge to crop cultivation there upon human nutrition.

Present day concern is that people have stopped lightening earthen lamps, to find themselves more comfortable or at mark with the lifestyle fashion. You must have seen the electric bulbs and lamps that are on display before Diwali, in the markets. Do these electric lightening equipments serve the purpose? Certainly not. People must realize it is not only in the the light, but there is certainly more than light. It owes more to fire than to the light that it illuminates.

Happy Diwali.! 

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Happy Learning and Happy Blogging!

Ranchi Conference

Recently, i.e., from Friday to Sunday of the week that passed NEA (National Environmentalists Association, India) organized it's 4th International Conference On Anthropogenic Impact on Environment and Conservation Strategy (ICAIECS 2012). 

As many as 400 delegates from across the country and outside graced the grand inauguration function at Aryabhatt Hall at Ranchi University, Ranchi.

Human Resource Development Minister, Shri Baidyanath Ram was the chief guest. The programme was jointly hosted by Department of Zoology, R.U. and Department of Biological Sciences, St. Xaviers College, Ranchi- an autonomous college affiliated to R.U., Ranchi.

Dr. M.C. Dash, the renowned ecologist from Orissa was given Lifetime Achievement Award. As many as 12 fellowships were awarded.

Prof MC Dash, in his statuesque lecture laid stress on conservation of biodiversity. He said that forest cover in India is not uniform in every state. Some regions do not have the optimum land covered with forests. H e highlighted the importance of herbs and medicines, that play an important role in the life of the locals living here and urged the need to have sufficient forest cover so that they could be conserved. He said despite the laws that are framed to protect and conserve biodiversity, they are not properly executed.

Dr M.P. Sinha, secretary NEA, explained the essence of Green Technology in combating pollution that can arise due to to enhanced production activities. He outlined how destruction of green vegetation  leads to a bad impact on the environment on the earth as a whole.

Father Debrower, from St. Xavier's College, Ranchi also spoke on the issue and said how problems of Ranchi city has changed as time has passed. Initially media reported smoking is injurious, then flooded drains due to poly-bags became the news, then problem arising due to mining.And the present day environmental concerns are different entirely enhanced in multitude.

Chief Guest Baidyanath Ram highlighted how our neighboring country China invited destruction in the name of its development.The nation  had to face bad impacts on its climate as it had removed the clouds, by chemical means from its sky to successfully organise the commonwealth games.

Dr. M Prasad, Head of the Department, Department of Zoology, presented the vote of thanks.

Overall, the event was  successful, as both the campuses were glittering with vibrant faces. Undergrads of St. Xaviers did a commendable job in successfully volunteering the event. Ranchi needs such programmes. Research institutes in Ranchi, IINRG, Indian Institute of Gums and Resins,  C.T.R. & T.I., Nagri, Ranchi Central Tasar Research Institute and Training Institute actively participated in the conference. As many as 500 abstracts were accepted for presentation in the conference. 

My Memory Note 

I got an opportunity to present two papers in the conference. I am very delighted to tell, you might feel. 

Yes I was very happy, as I could do it. It was first chance after all. While answering the question that were posed on me, I was feeling like I was defending myself. 

Being defensive should be avoided, I realized before answering to the questions. 

Had I not realized, you can imagine what could have happened! Ha Ha :)  You grow up everyday. It was fantastic.

The church at St. Xaviers, college looks beautiful! And mother Mary is serene.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can make life unbearable by merely appearing in the dream. The thought of a cockroach in the shoe to be worn, in the plate or flying in the room at night can irritate a person. How little they take to make life unbearable.

They are the most resilient species on earth. But are constantly underestimated by human beings. People have noticed them and their image as evident in comic books, magazines and other records; speak how they prevail in the cultures across the globe.

They are fascinating, sometimes we don't even realize. The cockroach poses a special challenge to our capacity to feel compassion, like we feel for other animals specially the wild. Do they need our sympathy? Certainly not, as they have already survived for 300 million years, or so.

When I am into kitchen and  as I see cockroaches around like anyone who loves cleanliness, I shake my head and say, "of what on earth are cockroaches made of?" They are relentless, they will survive after every attempt you take to get rid of them. But can their increasing number be accounted as growth? Answer is plain - 'No!'

Increase in  crime is never a growth similarly increase in number of pests like cockroaches and other insects can't be accounted as growth. Ethics is the watchword here. Any change that is desired for the progress of mankind/individual is the growth of mankind/individual.

We can relate their survival strategies so that we can celebrate life. As every life that survives on earth is a proof of unremitting willingness to live. We must adhere to shoulder important responsibilities.Not just to speak but act, in order to exhibit what the change entails in our growth.

Keep growing with me!

To keep them away from Kitchen...

Boric Acid powder and 'maida' should be mixed in equal quantities so that the mixture is spoonful.The mixture taken should be mixed with water. Caution: it should be tight.Very small balls should be made from the spoonful dough and left to dry. The dried balls should be kept in the kitchen shelves, cooking-grill, microwave at night. So that when the cockroach that is tempted to eat it, eats then dies.