Earth’s Rotation. On its axis. In 24 hours. Causing day-night, time zones; changes in temperature, humidity; tides; deflection of ocean and air currents. It is slightly slowing down over time. Earth revolves around the Sun, in an elliptical orbit, covering some 940 million kilometres, in 365 days.
47-page pamphlet ‘Common Sense: addressed to the inhabitants of America’ by Thomas Paine published anonymously in 1776 argued for total independence for America. . This sold more than 500,000 copies. This called for a war of Independence, American Revolution. Then of course, the USA emerged separated from Britain on 4 July 1776.
Mahatma Gandhi came back to India from South Africa in 1915 on 9 Jan.
Donald Trump proposes to take Canada, Greenland, Panama states within the US. Using economic force.
Narayanan, ISRO chief from 14 Jan listed ISRO’s priorities: Gaganyaan – astronauts into space; Chandrayaan-4 – samples from moon; next-generation launch vehicle; Mission to land a man on the moon; own space station; satellites for disaster management, climate change monitoring et al.
Padma Shri, Karmaveer, Rajya Sabha member for six years, Pritish Nandy, 73 [15 Jan 1951 – 8 Jan 2025], rests. Sadgati. He made 24 films. He was the publishing director of Times of India and editor of the Illustrated Weekly; The Independent; Filmfare. He co-founded ‘People for Animals’.
Pritish Nandy takes us to 1983. In 1983, Illustrated Weekly published ‘Operation Flood: The White Lie’ by Claude Alvares. This made serious scandalous allegations against the Dairy Board. This issue was raised in Parliament. The Agriculture Minister agreed to commission the inquiry. In response, 560 professionals of NDDB sent in their resignations. Dr Kurien asked all to withdraw resignations immediately. Dr Aneja, Dairy Board Secretary did not agree to Dr K’s suggestion. BG Verghese saw the letters of mass resignations. Meanwhile, Dr K replied with ‘A black lie’ responding to each and every point raised in ‘White lie’. A few days later, Indian Express flashed the headlines ‘600 scientists of NDDB resign’. Press asked Indira Gandhi at the inauguration of the International Convention related to Science, about these. PC Alexander looked into the matter. A week later, the Minister replied that NDDB was doing a great job and the purpose of the inquiry was to strengthen it to do a greater task. LK Jha Committee NDDB a clean chit and laid a road map for granting NDDB greater freedom and respect. The Dairy Board added oilseeds, oils earlier. Now, fruits and vegetables were added to its portfolio. Subsequently, the Dairy Board was declared an Institution of National Importance through the ‘NDDB Act’ of Parliament, 1987.
Incidentally: White lie is a lie told to please another person. Black lie is a lie told to gain a personal benefit. Gray lies are lies told to avoid embarrassment.
Can we have hope and grant faith in ourselves? To concentrate, understand, and practice. Can we put faith in the knowledge of this world helping the world? Aggregating what we (people, us, and outsiders) know. Reducing the unknown a bit more. Aggregating all known, analysing and synthesizing for us to make choices, calls. Can we promise to do this? Can we care to do this? Can we let them do it?
Yes, we can. If we coexist, keep flowing. Standing the flow. In N? aaswasayoga for 7L.
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