Bathukamma is a unique floral festival celebrated with much enthusiasm and gaiety in the Indian state of Telangana. Spanning nine days, this annual festival commences with the onset of the monsoon season. Marked by a cornucopia of vibrant local flowers such as ‘gunuka,’ ‘tangedu,’ ‘banti,’ and ‘nandi-vardhanam,’ the festival signifies the abundance brought by the rain.
The elaborate celebrations begin a week ahead of the grand finale known as ‘Saddula Bathukamma,’ falling two days prior to Dussehra. During this week, women create ‘boddemma,’ an earthen figure symbolizing mother Durga, along with Batukamma. These figures are then immersed in ponds, reinforcing the pond’s ability to hold water. Thus, Bathukamma not only ushers in a season of rejoicing but also strengthens the crucial bond between humans, earth, and water, emphasizing the preservation of natural resources.
Pain: An Inbuilt Alert Mechanism
Pain, primarily associated with tissue damage, serves as a body’s internal warning system. This highly subjective and psychological sensation is triggered when pain receptors located in our skin and tissues react to chemical stimuli during potential harm.
There’s a wide spectrum of treatments available for acute pain; however, chronic or long-lasting pain presents a more challenging scenario owing to its complexity and psychological influences. Pain thresholds, giving an indirect measure of pain, can be gauged through various techniques. One such technique is the use of a dolorimeter, which employs heat sources along with precise timing mechanisms. Alternatively, pressure algometers provide a safer method by measuring pain thresholds through pressure applied on a flat bony surface. It is noteworthy that some individuals possess minimal or no ability to feel pain, resulting in higher risks and decreased life expectancies.
Estivation: A Survival Tactic for Harsh Summers
Estivation, a biological strategy employed by animals to survive extreme summer conditions, has recently earned recognition for its adaptability. This intriguing phenomenon involves a long period of dormancy or inactivity initiated in response to high temperatures or drought-like circumstances. By preserving energy and water during harsh conditions, estivation aids animals in averting desiccation and predation.
The West African lungfish offers a fascinating example of estivation. During a drought, it burrows into mud, secreting a protective mucus cocoon around itself. Similarly, desert tortoises retreat into dug burrows to escape the scorching summer months.
Gaganyaan Mission’s Maiden Flight Test
Mark your calendar for 21st October 2023 when India’s Gaganyaan mission is set to launch its Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The TV-D1 will demonstrate the efficiency of the Crew Escape System.
The ultimate goal of the Gaganyaan project is to establish India’s capability for human spaceflight. The planned mission will ferry a crew of three members to orbit around 400 km above the earth for three days before bringing them safely back to land in Indian sea waters.
69th National Film Awards
Recently, the 69th National Film Awards were bestowed upon various categories in a ceremony held in New Delhi, presided over by the President of India. Among the notable awards, the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2021 was conferred to Ms. Waheeda Rehman.
Dadasaheb Phalke, aka the “Father of Indian Cinema,” was a leading director, producer, and screenwriter. Phalke is credited with India’s first full-length feature film, ‘Raja Harishchandra,’ released in 1913. Recognized as a pioneer of Indian cinema, Phalke made over a hundred silent films during his illustrious career.