Category Books

What is the mimicry of nature?

Nature has many sustainable solutions to numerous pressing problems that man is struggling to cope with today. Scientists and engineers study these unique models and systems of nature while designing new technologies. This biologically-inspired engineering, called biomimicry, biomimetics or bionics, is fast gaining popularity in many parts of the world.

American biologist Janine M. Benyus, who wrote the book. Biomimicry Innovation Inspired by Nature was the first to propose that learning from nature would be the perfect tool for eco-design

The leaf of the lotus plant has a way surface that is covered with tiny bumps or ridges. These ridges cause water droplets to roll off carrying away dust and dirt. This unique ability of the plant to clean itself called the Lotus Effect, was the inspiration behind self-cleaning paint coatings

Besides paints, roof tiles and optical sensors in public places like toll bridges also use innovations based on the Lotus Effect Research is also underway to create self-cleaning textiles. plastic and metals.

 

Inspired by insects

The Eastgate Centre, an office complex in Harare. Zimbabwe, has been designed to mimic the mounds of the African tower building termites (Macrotermes Michaelseni) which use a unique system to keep their homes cool. The insects have developed a method which involves opening and closing air vents in the mound in such a way that cool air is drawn inside while hot air escapes through the chimney. The Eastgate Centre uses 10 per cent less energy than conventional structures of the same size. by adopting the design and ventilation system of the termites.

Sportswear manufacturer Speedo’s swimsuit. the Fastskin LZR Racer, has been fashioned from fabric that mimics the shape and rough texture of sharkskin. This ‘sharkskin’ swimsuit reduces drag, enabling competitive swimmers to shave a few crucial seconds off their race timings. This technology is also being used to develop coatings for ship hulls, submarines and aircraft fuselage.

The tropical boxfish, a reef-dwelling amphibian, inspired Daimler Chryslers concept car. The Bionic Car, as the automobile is called, mimics the fish’s aerodynamic shape and the structure of its rigid protective skin. This innovation consumes 20 per cent less fuel and emits 80 per cent less nitrogen oxide than conventional automobiles. Researchers at the University of California have created two prototype glues after studying the way geckos move across ceilings and cling to polished glass. The soles of Tokay geckos have sticky ridges which contain half a million microscopic hairs. These tiny hairs which exert an attractive force on the wall or floor are responsible for the lizard’s superb grip. The stickiness of gecko adhesive never wears off. The scientists cast two sets of imitation gecko toe hairs and then tipped the hairs with silicon rubber or polyester. In the lab, both materials adhered as well to most surfaces as gecko’s feet.

Fire-extinguisher

Scientists at the Leeds University in England have built an experimental contraption that can shoot a spray of chemicals up to a distance of four metres. The device mimics the behaviour of the bombardier beetle, which squirts a hot explosive stream of venom to ward off predators. The chemical concoction is mixed in a sort of ‘combustion chamber in the insect’s abdomen, with inlet and exit valves determining the precise blend.

Researchers are utilising this technology to build pharmaceutical inhalers and long-range fire extinguishers.

Bullet train

The world’s fastest train, the Japanese shinkansen bullet train includes a number of biomimetic innovations. The trains, which zip between cities at a speed of close to 321 km per hour, have serrations similar to those that allow owls to fly stealthily through the night. This feature is incorporated in the overhead wire collectors to reduce noise. The train’s nose, which mimics the aerodynamic beak of the kingfisher, enables the train to exit tunnels without emitting sonic booms.

Velcro plants

It was only recently that man discovered the touch and close tape. Velcro. This discovery was inspired by nature, since seeds, fruits and even whole plants stowaway on the coats of animals by gripping on in the same manner as Velcro: and have been doing so since time immemorial.

It was in the 1950s that George de Mestral of Switzerland observed the burdock fruit which led him to develop Velcro. This fruit has barbed hooks that enable it to fasten itself to an animal’s fur. And when the burr is brushed off the coat of the animal the casing splits open. The seeds of the burdock are thus spread over a wide area and do not have to germinate in one place

Stowaways like the burdock can be counted in the hundreds in the plant world

Froggy tape

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IT) Kanpur, who were working on creating a reusable sticky tape, received inspiration from an unusual source- the humble tree frog.

It was observed that the sticky toe pads of tree frogs have a patter of tiny channels that increase their adhesion to a surface and prevent the spread of cracks when the frog moves away.

Based on this study, scientists designed a novel sticky tape by placing elastic layers embedded with air or fluid-filled micro channels beneath the authesive layer. This new reusable tape is 30 times stickier than other adhesive tapes.

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What is vampire power?

Though it has nothing to do with vampires. Read on to know why it is a cause for concern Vampire Power, also known as Standby Power or Phantom Load is the electricity consumed by electronic gadgets when they are switched off or kept un-standby mode Printers TVs and computers are said to be electricity vampires because they suck power in the standby mode. Similarly, cell phone chargers and other adapters continue to draw power even when nothing is plugged into them, although the amount of power consumed in standby mode and switched-off state is less, the total electricity used by all appliances is a cause for concern as it generates a hefty bill and leads to wastage of power.

The best way to fight impure power is to unplug devices from the switchboard when they are not in use. Another alternative is to use a power strip (a common strip having many sockets) for plugging in devices that are used together like computer, printer etc. This way you could turn them off simultaneously by simply switching off the strip.

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What is foreshadowing ?

At its core, storytelling aims to grab reader’s attention and keep them engaged until the end. One valuable literary tool that can help writers build suspense and keep readers hooked is foreshadowing.

What is foreshadowing?

Foreshadowing is like a secret code- intentional hints or clues that the author scatters throughout the narrative to suggest future events or outcomes. These subtle clues create a sense of anticipation, making readers eager to read and to know how the story’s mysteries unravel. It can appear in various forms, such as a character’s dialogue, symbolism, or even a seemingly innocent event with hidden significance. The key to using this tool is providing hints without explicitly revealing the plot’s

outcome. Effective foreshadowing can surprise readers with plot twists they may not fully grasp until the story’s conclusion. For instance, in a tale where a character sees ghosts, various events could foreshadow the revelation that the character is, in fact, a ghost herself, leading to a powerful and unexpected twist for readers.

Types

Foreshadowing can be categorised into two basic types:

Direct foreshadowing

This type involves openly suggesting an upcoming problem, event, or twist in the story. It can be achieved through the characters’ dialogue, the narrator’s comments, a prophecy, or a prologue. For example, in English playwright William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the witches’ prediction that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and, later, the king is a form of direct foreshadowing.

Indirect foreshadowing

This type of foreshadowing involves dropping subtle hints throughout the story about an outcome without explicitly revealing it. Readers may not realise the significance of these clues until they witness the foreshadowed event. A classic example of indirect foreshadowing is seen in the film The Empire Strikes Back, where Luke Skywalker’s vision foreshadows the revelation that Darth Vader is his father.

Mastering the technique of foreshadowing enables writers to craft immersive and compelling stories. By planning the story arc carefully and planting subtle hints throughout the narrative, authors can create an emotional rollercoaster for readers, eliciting surprise, empathy, and excitement in equal measure.

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What is the point of view of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell?

As her birth anniversary approaches, let us delve into the life of the remarkable. Anna Sewell, a British wordsmith whose singular publication Black Beauty is considered to be one of the foremost works in animal welfare literature. Her magnum opus, which is a leading work in children’s pony book genre, trotted onto bookshelves just five months prior to her demise in 1877 and has since been the most celebrated animal story that revolutionised the way we treat and interact with animals.

Anna Sewell was born on March 30, 1820, in Yarmouth, England. Her mother, Mary Wright Sewell, was also a writer who specialised in children’s stories while her father, Isaac Sewell, worked as a shopkeeper and bank clerk, but struggled to maintain a steady income. The family’s financial struggles cast a shadow over Anna’s childhood, which was marked by hardship and turmoil.

 Tragically, when Anna was just 14 years old, she suffered a serious injury that would have a lasting impact on her life. While walking back from school, she broke her ankle, and the injury was not properly treated, leaving her severely disabled and in poor health for the remainder of her life.

Love for horses

Being reliant on horse-drawn carriages for any excursion beyond her home, she developed an affinity for horses that eventually grew into a deep love for them. As she spent more time around these magnificent creatures, she became increasingly troubled by the widespread mistreatment and neglect they endured at the hands of their owners. Sewell spent her final years as an invalid under the constant care of her mother. Her health had deteriorated to such an extent that she was confined to her bed, with very little mobility. However, it was during this period of confinement that she resolved to write a book that would shed light on the harsh and inhumane treatment of horses that was prevalent during the 19th Century. Her only novel, Black Beauty, was finally published when she was 57 years old, in 1877.

Sadly, Anna Sewell passed away a mere five months after the publication of her book. While the cause of her death remains uncertain, it is widely believed that she succumbed to either hepatitis or phthisis. However, in the few months that she lived after the publication of Black Beauty, she was able to witness the overwhelmingly positive response to her work. Last September, Sewell’s home in Yarmouth, Norfolk, was turned into a museum open to the public.

Black Beauty

Animal tales have always captivated our imagination, with their anthropomorphic (having human characteristics) characters and magical worlds. However, it was the publication of Black Beauty in 1877 that brought about a new era of realistic animal storytelling. This novel takes us on a journey through the eyes of a horse living in 19th Century England, narrated in the first-person perspective. Despite the wide range of emotions and thoughts expressed by the horse, the story remains grounded in the animal’s true nature, which is both commendable and visionary for its time.

For centuries, horses have been an essential part of society, aiding in various sectors such as agriculture, transportation, construction, and even warfare. Although steam power reduced their workload, horses still played a significant role in English society. Black Beauty revealed the cruelty inflicted upon these animals due to the vanity of the high society and the financial hardships of the working class.

Often considered a children’s classic, this book was originally crafted to serve as an autobiography of a horse. Through this story, Sewell intended to raise awareness and promote kindness, sympathy, and humane treatment towards horses. The novel’s vivid imagery and simple, lyrical prose facilitates the same. Black Beauty not only broke new ground in animal rights storytelling but also paved the way for more tales featuring horses. However, these works may not have been narrated from the horse’s point of view.

Pony book genre

Black Beauty’s success led to the rise of the Pony book genre, which gained immense popularity in the last century. These books revolve around the lives of kids and teens who share a love for horses. Such stories are an ode to the incredible bond between humans and horses, which often inspire young readers to develop a passion for equine culture. Today, the role of horses in our lives may have reduced, but the message of Black Beauty and similar works continue to inspire us to treat all living creatures with love, kindness, and respect.

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What is the analysis of the story a devoted son by Anita Desai?

How does one develop this important skill? By actively engaging in "understanding, analysing, interpreting, synthesising, and evaluating". Here's how it can be done, as explained through the popular story A Devoted Son by Anita Desai.

Critical thinking, branded the century's most critical skill, is to be developed by actively engaging in “understanding, analyzing, interpreting, synthesizing, and evaluating”. For the mind to get habituated, one has to consistently practise them by means of whatever is read and heard consciously, until they become an unconscious process.

However, multiple social media platforms and the avalanche of information they dole out every second force people to be passive consumers. With hardly any time left for reflection, they are unable to sift facts from opinions and tend to accept even fake news as real stories. The adage, "A lie will travel halfway around the world while the truth is still pulling its boots on proves to be true. The innate longing for novelty paves way for false news to go viral and compel people into a manipulated universe.

The club members confessed that comprehending stories is a non-issue but they were uncertain of critically appreciating them by engaging in analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. And, they were convinced that the path to critical thinking was through stories as they were usually gripped by them. A film reviewer came to our rescue and referred to the popular story A Devoted Son by Anita Desai to concretise the discussion. Also, he encouraged us to read as many stories of our choice as possible from any anthology for cross-references.

He started off by listing out the aspects considered for a critical analysis, namely plot and plot development characters and characterisation, setting, point of view, theme, narrative technique, writers style, comparisons (with a writers other stories, and similar stories of others), and reviewers opinion. But he limited himself to the plot and plot development to avoid clutter.

A clear distinction was made by him between plot and story as these terms are often used interchangeably Story is the entire narrative which includes all the aspects but plot is just one of them. Plot is a series of events that form the story, including the order in which they occur and their relationship with each other. He then, highlighted the five integral parts of a plot exposition (introduction), rising action, climax falling action, and resolution (conclusion). He demonstrated these aspects and explained them diagrammatically.

Exposition: All the major characters are introduced- Rakesh, the central character, and his father. Varma. The setting is the ‘small yellow house’ in a ‘shabby colony’ and the relationship between the father and son as the theme begins to unfold. Also, the minor characters such as his mother and his wife appear at the beginning itself.

Rising action: Rakesh, the topper in the medical field, returns from the U.S., gets married to the girl of his mother's choice, becomes a famed doctor, sets up his own clinic and flourishes.

Climax: His father's retirement and his mother's death affecting his father to be totally broken and falling ill with mysterious diseases.

Falling action: The deterioration of his father’s health, denial of the food he longs for, forcing him to take medicines and tonics, his father wishing for his death rather than leading a prolonged miserable life.

Resolution: The death of his father despite his utmost care. (An ironic ending demonstrates how excessive devotion could lead to a torturous life.)

We all realised how our usual reading of stories, focussing on the storyline and ignoring the integral parts, remained at the superficial level. But an in-depth analysis, akin to a mechanic dismantling an engine to reassemble it after a thorough investigation, made us appreciate the story better.

Reflecting over anything that is read or heard is a must, prior to accepting or rejecting. But one must not fall prey to falsehoods. Let us rise above superficial comprehension and shallow responses by developing critical sensibility.

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What is Vikram Seth famous for?

Vikram Seth is the author of “A Suitable Boy”, one of the longest books ever published in English. As the literary world celebrates 30 years of “A Suitable Boy”, let’s read up on the Indian author who seamlessly shifts between different genres.

Indian author Vikram Seth is noted for his magnum opus “A Suitable Boy”, one of the longest books ever published in English literature. And despite it running into more than a thousand pages, the book was widely celebrated and Seth made an indelible mark on the literary world.                 

Early life

Seth was born to Leila Seth (judge) and Prem Nath Seth (business executive), on June 20, 1952, in Kolkata, India. He was raised in London and India. After attending Indian schools, he graduated from Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

In 1978, he received a master’s degree in Economics from Stanford University and later studied classical Chinese poetry and languages at Nanjing University, China. He returned to India to live in New Delhi in 1987.

Writing career

Originally a poet, Seth is known for seamlessly shifting between different genres of writing and coming up with compelling works. Seth’s first volume of poetry “Mappings” was published in 1980.

It was after he published the humorous travelogue “From Heaven Lake” (1983) that he gained critical attention. The story centred around his hitchhiking journey from Nanking to New Delhi via Tibet. The first novel to be published was “The Golden Gate”. “All You Who Sleep Tonight.”, “Beastly Tales from Here and There” and the poetry collections “The Poems, 1981-1994” (1995) and “Summer Requiem” (2015) are some of his other works.

“An Equal Music’ (1999), a love story revolving around the world of professional musicians is yet another noted work of his. A lesser-known fact is Seth’s musical acumen must have helped him in writing this piece. He was even commissioned to write a libretto (text of an opera) for the English National Opera in 1994. It was published as “Arion and the Dolphin”. It is said that his work “Two Lives” is dear to his heart as it is part memoir, part family history. It revolves around the story of Seth’s great aunt “Henny”, a German Jew, and his Indian great uncle “Shanti”.

Through the book he is not only retelling their story but also trying to find answers to the unique alliance between a German Jew (who lost her family in the Holocaust) and his great uncle who served in the Second World War.

Having travelled widely and lived in Britain, California, India and China, Seth drew inspiration from his experiences for his writing. His first novel “The Golden Gate: A Novel in Verse” (1986) revolves around a group of friends living in California. The book won the WH Smith Literary Award and the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Overall Winner, Best Book). He has also authored a travel book “From Heaven Lake: Travels Through Sinkiang and Tibet (1983)”, which traces the journeys through Tibet, China and Nepal. It won the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award. “Beastly Tales from Here and There” (1992) is a children’s book that has ten stories about animals which are told in verse. He has also translated the works of Chinese, German and Hindi poets.

A Suitable Boy

Seth turned to prose in “A Suitable Boy”, exploring the relationships between four Indian families. The book is noted for its gripping narrative style. Despite the fact that “A Suitable Boy” ran to 1,349 pages, it didn’t deter readers and sold over one million copies worldwide.

The author took some eight years to write “A Suitable Boy”. Set in India around the time the country had gained independence, the book follows a mothers quest to find a suitable boy to marry her daughter Lata Mehra. It was critically acclaimed and was also made into a BBC mini-series by Mira Nair in 2020.

For the past few years, the literary world has been waiting with bated breath for a sequel to this book called “A Suitable Girl”. The story is believed to be set in contemporary India, as our former protagonist Lata, now a grandmother, tries matchmaking for her grandson. As the wait for his next book continues, why don’t you pick up “A Suitable Boy” and give it a read?

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