Overfishing and unsustainable practices are causing fish to disappear from the world’s oceans at unprecedented rates. Pooja Rathod and Tiasa Adhya interact with fishermen in Malvan along the Maharashtra coast to learn about the impact of trawlers and the exploitation of dwindling marine resources. Pannas… don hazaar saahashe… paan she sattar!” The bidding calls started at Rs. 50 and reached Rs. 5,000. The monsoon month of July notwithstanding, trade was brisk inside the fish auction market in Malvan, a small town along the Maharashtra coast. As we pushed our way through the crowd to get a glimpse of what the…
Author: oiop
The US President’s parting shot before his departure from India, on tolerance and religious freedom, could have been made privately to Prime Minister Modi, says P.M. Kamath. Such public rebukes can have undesirable fallouts domestically in both the countries, he cautions. President Barrack Obama of the United States (US), on the third day of his second visit to Delhi on 27 January 2015, had said: “Every person has the right to practice their faith how they choose, or to practice no faith at all, and to do so free of persecution and fear of discrimination. Nowhere is that more important…
A three-hour long journey from Vishakapatnam, winding in and out of tunnels, will lead you into the intriguing world of limestone stalactites and stalagmites at the Borra caves, in the Anantagiri Hills of the Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh. The caves which stretch across 1 sq. km. at 1400m above sea level were formed a million years ago by the Gosthani River. Its limestone deposits have captured the public imagination. Many people see in them different shapes like Shiva-Parvati, a human brain, crocodile, temple, church and mushrooms, among other things. Anthropologists have also found primitive Stone Age tools in the caves.
The alacrity and promptness with which Salman Khan was granted bail after his conviction by a Mumbai Sessions Court is testimony to the fact that money and power speak a very powerful language in India. What about those under trial prisoners who languish for years in jail because there is no one to post bail? A Bollywood superstar in an allegedly inebriated state runs his car over five people sleeping on a pavement. One succumbs to his injuries while the others are injured. The case hangs fire for thirteen long years till a sessions judge puts a lid on it…
The African wild dogs have colourful markings on their bodies. The markings are in yellow, black and white colours and hence these dogs are also called Painted Dogs. Each dog has a unique set of markings. This helps them to recognise each other. Another remarkable feature about these dogs is that they have four and not five digits on each paw. The wild dogs live in packs or groups of up to ten – packs having 100 dogs have also been heard of. They are carnivores and hunt anything from zebras to rodents. Before going on a hunt, the pack…
One day a poor teacher of law brought a former student of his to the court of Emperor Akbar. “This boy promised to pay me as soon as he won his first case,” he said. “And as he was poor I agreed and taught him law. Now, through an inheritance, he has become rich but he refuses to pay me.” “We agreed I would pay him as soon as I won my first case, your Majesty,” said the young man. “If one day I take up a case and win it, I’ll surely pay him.” “All right,” said the emperor.…
Sailing the seas as a merchant navy officer may be a lot of work, but there are perks of the job too. Where else can one take one’s family on an extended cruise? And where else can one learn so much about life than by being pitted against the often hostile ocean for months on end? Ramesh Narain Kurpad takes us on a personalised journey on the high seas. The primary reason I opted for a seagoing career was because I wished to be in a service where one wears a uniform which is highly respected, and there is a…
India’s enviably long coastline needs the umbrella protection of a sound coastal resource management system. This alone will ensure a sustainable and productive coastline, which replenishes resources even as it is consumed, says Dr.Anupam Ghosh. The coast is an interfacial or transitional zone where sea meets exposed landmass, or the reverse i.e., the zone where exposed landmass meets the sea. Except the land-locked countries, countries around the world and islands have coasts. Continuity of such coasts comprising exposed coastal landmass is known as ‘coastline’. In case of islands too – be it nearer to the coast (like Talsari in Odisha,…
Superman is, without a doubt, the best-known of all the comic superheroes. In fact, his popularity launched the Golden Age of comic books in the USA. Created by Canadian artist Joe Shuster and American writer Jerry Siegel, he first appeared in Action Comics way back in 1938. His fans know him as the Man of Steel, the Man of Tomorrow and as the Last Son of Krypton. Even little kids know him as the dashing, athletic figure in blue tights and flowing red cape. Superman was born as Kal-El on the alien planet of Krypton. Sent to the Earth as…
A moron won a lottery. He went to the lottery office to claim the prize but was told that he would not be paid the entire amount at one time. “We’ll give you one lakh today and then you’ll get the remaining spread over 19 weeks,” explained the man at the lottery office. “Oh no. I want all my money right now! I won it and I want it,” insisted the moron. The man tried to explain the whole procedure to the moron once again. But the moron was furious and shouted out,” Look I want my money. If you’re…