Keshav Jain

Meaning: An adjective, brusque refers to being curt, blunt or using very few words and sounding rude.

Origin: The term was borrowed from French brusque meaning “lively, fierce” which in turn came from Italian brusco meaning “sour, sharp or rough”. The Italian word was derived from bruscus, the Latin name for a plant called butcher’s broom, whose prickly twigs have long been used for making brooms. The term has been in use in English since the mid-17th Century.

Usage: He gave a brusque “No argument!” and walked off.

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Meaning: A verb, “sashay” means to walk in an an ostentatious or conspicuous manner, with exaggerated movements

Origin: The word is borrowed from the French word chassé, which refers to a dance step in which a slide on one foot is followed closely by a slide on the other foot. It comes from the French verb chasser, meaning “to chase.”

Usage: As sashyed about in her gown into the ballroom, all eyes were glued at her.

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Meaning: It is an adjective that describes something or someone young, immature, or pertaining to young people. It can refer to the early stage of development, youthfulness, or lack of maturity.

Origin: The term juvenile originated from the Latin word “juvenilis,” which means “youthful” or “young.” It entered the English language in the late 16th Century.

Usage: The juvenile bird eagerly practised flying, its wings still weak and unsteady.

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Meaning: To raise trivial and frivolous objection, find fault without good reason (usually followed by at or about).

Origin: In use since the 1540s, the word originates from the French caviller, meaning to mock, jest, from Latin cavillari, meaning to jeer, argue scoffingly. This, in turn, is from Latin cavilla, meaning jest, jeering, which is related to Latin calumnia, meaning slander, false accusation.

Usage: Even he could find nothing to cavil about.

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Did you know that some famous literary classics almost ended in a completely different way? If you are fine with spoilers, read on…

Great Expectations

Great Expectations by English novelist Charles Dickens follows the life of Pip, a young orphan who dreams of transcending his humble origins and becoming a gentleman. Through a mysterious benefactor, Pip is granted financial resources, thus fulfilling his aspirations. However, his newfound wealth and status lead him down a path of self-discovery, where he encounters various characters who shape his journey.

Dickens initially penned a bleak conclusion for this masterpiece. However, prior to its publication in 1861, a group of his trusted friends intervened, urging him to reconsider the ending. They proposed a revision that would introduce a glimmer of hope, a chance for the protagonist Pip and his beloved Estella to mend their broken relationship. Although Dickens approached this alteration with a hint of reluctance, he ultimately embraced the suggestion and made the change.

A Farewell to Arms

 A Farewell to Arms by American novelist Ernest Hemingway is a novel that was published in 1929. This classic follows the story of an American ambulance driver named Frederic Henry, who serves in the Italian army during World War 1. The book explores important themes such as love, war, and the feeling of disappointment that comes from witnessing the horrors of battle. Hemingway’s portrayal of how people respond to tragedy makes this book a significant and enduring piece of literature. Interestingly, Hemingway went through extensive revisions to find the perfect ending for the book. In 1958, he mentioned in an interview that he rewrote the ending 39 times until he was satisfied. However, in a 2012 edition of the book, his grandson Sean Hemingway, shared that he discovered an astonishing 47 different alternative endings to the book hidden within his grandfather’s papers.

Rinkitink in Oz

Rinkitink in Oz is a delightful children’s fantasy novel written by American author L. Frank Baum and published in 1916. It is part of the famous Oz series, which includes the beloved classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz It follows the jolly character Rinkitink from the kingdom of Gilgad, who unexpectedly ventures into the magical Land of Oz with Prince Inga and a talking goat named Bilbil Baum wrote 14 Oz books in his lifetime. However, Rinkitink in Oz the 10th book in the Oz series. stands out as a unique entry. Although it is widely regarded as an excellent story, around 90% of the tale unfolds outside of Oz. Only at the very end does Dorothy make a sudden appearance to introduce the heroes to the wonders of Oz The reason for this divergence is quite straightforward the book was originally written as a standalone fairy tale with no connection to the Oz universe, a decade before its inclusion in the series. When in need of a new Oz book and feeling weary after a busy period of writing. L. Frank Baum repurposed Rinkitink’s story and reworked its ending to integrate it into the popular series. The great news is that despite its deviation from the typical Oz setting. Rinkitink in Oz is considered one of the finest stories in the entire series.

Persuasion

Persuasion is English novelist June Austen’s final completed novel, written after Emma and finished in August 1816, a year before her death at the age of 41 The stony follows Anne Elliot, who is persuaded by her family to decline a marriage proposal from Captain Frederick Wentworth, Years later, circumstances reunite them, compelling Anne to confront her emotions and societal expectations Interestingly, the published ending of the book was not Austen’s original one. In James Edward Austen-Lengths A Memoir of Jane Austen, the authors nephew included the “cancelled chapters associated with the book, revealing Austen’s first ending of the novel. However, she became dissatisfied with it and rewrote the chapters between July and August 1816. These unique pages are the only surviving manuscript of a novel Austen planned and completed for publication The revised ending, was published in the first edition of the novel in 1818. Since the release of A Memoir of Jane Austen in 1871, both readers and critics have agreed that Austen made the right choice by selecting the altemate ending. It is widely regarded as superior for it offered a greater emotional depth and artistry.

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Magic Sand is regular sand which has been coated with an oil-like substance that repels water.

It is ordinary sand coated with a hydrophobic compound called trimethylsilanol. This compound makes the sand resistant to water. The substance which was originally made to clean up oil spills is now used as a children’s educational toy.

This sand has many amazing properties. When it comes into contact with water its granules stick together forming blocks which can be moulded into various shapes. These blocks of grains form a thin layer and float on water. Gradually it becomes heavy and sinks to the bottom. As air bubbles form around the granules they appear silvery when seen underwater. But once they are taken out of water the shapes disappear and the sand is surprisingly dry. It also flows freely when dropped from the hand. This mysterious sand is a great attraction for kids who can have hours of fun playing with it.

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Mercury is the closest planet to the San whipping around our star every 88 days compared to Earth 365.25 days. Mercury will also be the first planet destroyed when the Sun expands on its way to becoming a real giant in about 5 billion years.

So it seems a bit rough that we blame Mercury for all our problems three to four times a year when its in retrograde. But what does it mean when we say Mercury is in retrograde?

A matter of orbits

Retrograde motion means a planet is moving in the opposite direction to normal around the Sun. However, the planets never actually change direction. What we are talking about is apparent retrograde motion, when to us on Earth it looks like a planet is moving across the sky in the opposite direction to its usual movement Because Mercing is closest to the Sun and has the fastest orbit, it appears to move backwards in the sky more often than any other planet. But Mercury isn’t the only planet to do this. Venus also orbits. Inside our oririt of the Sun, ripping around once every 224-7 days. This means Venues is in retrograde twice every three years.

There is also another retrograde. It works the other way around, too. The planets outside our orbit (Mars, jupiter, Saturn Uranus, and Neptune) also go into retrograde. Mars is in retrograde once every two years. The other planets are so far from the Sun and travelling so slowly compared to Earth that its almost like they’re standing still. So we see them in retrograde approximately once a year as we whip around the Sun so much faster than they do

A well-known illusion

Retrograde motion bumboozled act astronomers since humans started looking up in space, and we only officially figures it out when Copernicus proposed in 1543 that the planets are orbiting the Sun (though he wasn’t the first astronomer to propose this heliocentric model).

Before Copernicus, many astronomers thought Earth was the centre of the universe and the planets were spinning around us. Astronomers like Apollonius around 300 BCE saw the planets going backwards, and explained this by adding more circles called epicycles. So, humans found out retrograde motion was an optical illusion 500 years ago. However, the pseudoscientific practice of astrology continues to ascribe a deeper meaning to this illusion.

There’s a retrograde most of the time

 If we consider the seven planets other than Earth, at least one planet is in retrograde for 244 days of 2023 – that’s around two-thirds of the year.

If we include the dwarf planets Pluto and Ceres (and exclude the other seven dwarf planets in the Solar System), at least one planet or dwarf planet is in retrograde for 354 days of 2023, leaving only 11 days without any retrograde motion.

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Imagine going on a big adventure with your friends you spend all day exploring new places having fun, and making memories. But when the day comes to an end, you have to say goodbye to them and go back home. Even though you had a great time, you might feel a little bit sad that it is over.

It is the same with a good book. When you finish it you are no longer immersed in that world, and it can be tough to adjust back to reality. That feeling of emptiness or sadness that can come after finishing a really good book is commonly called post-book blues. It is like you have been on an incredible journey with the characters, experiencing their triumphs and tribulations, and when the book ends, you are left feeling a bit lost.

Coping strategies

Coping with post-book blues can be a fun and rewarding process. Here are a few ways you can handle those feelings

Write a letter: imagine you are writing a letter to the author of the book Express your thoughts, feelings, and gratitude for creating such a captivating story. This can help you reflect on the book and find closure.
Join a book club: Engage in discussions with other who have reaut the same book Share your favourite moments debute character choices, or even explore alternative endings. Connecting with fellow readers can bring a sense of community and keep the book alive in your conversations
Explore related content: Dive  deeper into the world of the book by searching for fan theones, interviews with the author, or even fanfiction. Discovering additional content can extend your enjoyment and provide new perspectives on the story.
Engage in creative activities: Channel your post-book blues into a creative outlet. Write a short story inspired by the book, draw or paint scenes from it. or even create a playlist of songs that remind you of the story. Expressing your creativity can help you process your emotions and keep the book’s spirit alive.
Take a break: Sometimes, you need a little time to let go and allow yourself to miss the book. Engage in other activities you enjoy, spend time with friends, or pursue hobbies. Eventually, you may find yourself ready to revisit the book or discover something entirely new.

Remember, post-book blues can be a sign that the book truly touched your heart and left a lasting impression. Embrace those feelings, cherish the memories, and remain open to the next literary adventure!

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If you have been following the news, you will be aware that the Union Jal Shakti Ministry will be conducting field surveys ahead of the monsoon season as part of the ‘Catch the Rain’ programme. But do you know what the role of the Ministry of Jal Shakti is and when it was set up? Come, let’s find out.

When was it formed?

The Ministry of Jal Shakti (water power) was established in May 2019 by the Indian Government to focus on the management and development of water resources in the country. The Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation were merged to form the Ministry of Jal Shakti to address water-related issues. The Ministry was formed in the face of mounting water crisis witnessed by the country over the past few decades. Its main objective is to create an integrated approach to water management and provide clean drinking water to all citizens. It also encompasses issues such as inter-State water disputes, cleaning of the Ganga and its tributaries, interlinking of rivers and assessing the impact of climate change on water resources.

Major initiatives

Some of the major initiatives of the Jal Shakti Ministry are the Jal Jeevan Mission, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Namami Gange Programme, and the National Aquifer Mapping Programme. The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019, aims to provide adequate potable water through tap water connections to all rural households by 2024. Under implementation in partnership with the States, it focusses on promoting water conservation efficient use of water resources tensure sustainability of water supply systems, rainwater harvesting, renovation of water bodies, and use of recycled water. Through its Namami Gange Programme, the Ministry has taken steps to rejuvenate and conserve River Ganga and its tributaries. This includes setting up of sewage treatment infrastructure to reduce pollution, river front development. ban on disposal of waste, and promotion of eco-friendly methods of cremation of the dead. The National Aquifer Mapping Programme is aimed at developing plans for sustainable management of groundwater resources. The ‘Catch the Rain’ programme focusses on strengthening water sources in 150 water-stressed districts identified by the Jal Jeevan Mission. According to a statement, a central team will conduct two field visits to the identified districts before and after monsoon, first to assess the preparation for the campaign and then to assess its impact.

Besides these initiatives, the Ministry works with the States, UTS, and other stakeholders to implement water management programmes and conducts awareness campaigns to promote water conservation. All these efforts are expected to have a major impact on the country’s water governance and management in the future.

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The rings of Satum have fascinated and captivated humankind for over 400 years. It was in 1610 that Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei first observed these features through a telescope, though he had no idea what they were.

While our understanding of Saturn’s rings has matured over these four centuries, the age of these rings haven’t been determined precisely yet. The assumption that the rings likely formed at the same time as Satum draws flak as the rings are sparkling clean when compared to the planet.

A new study at the University of Colorado Boulder has provided the strongest evidence so far that the rings of Saturn are remarkably young. The research, published in May in the journal Science Advances, places the age of Saturn’s rings at around 400 million years old. When we compare this with Saturn itself, which is 4.5 billion years old, the rings are really young.

Studying dust                                                                        

The researchers arrived at this number by studying dust. By studying how rapidly the layer of dust built up on Saturn’s rings, they set out to put a date on it. It was, however, not an easy process.

The Cassini spacecraft provided an opportunity by arriving at Saturn in 2004 and collecting data until it intentionally crashed into the planet’s atmosphere in 2017. The Cosmic Dust Analyzer, which was shaped a little bit like a bucket and was aboard this spacecraft, scooped up small particles as the spacecraft whizzed by.

Just 163 grains

The researchers were able to collect just 163 grains of dust that had originated from beyond Saturn’s close neighbourhood during these 13 years. This quantity. however, was enough to make their calculations, placing the age of Saturn’s rings at a little less than 400 million years.

With this, we now know approximately how old Saturn’s rings are and that they are a relatively new phenomena in cosmic terms. With a previous study suggesting that Saturn’s rings could entirely disappear in another 100 million years, questions pertaining to how these rings were initially formed and why these short-lived, dynamic rings can be seen just now still remain.

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