Month: September 2024

Jivitputrika Vrat 2024: Jitiya Vrat is considered as one of the most auspicious vrat. This day is mainly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and other parts of Uttar Pradesh. Jitiya Vrat is also known as Jivitputrika Vrat and this fast will begin from Ashtami Tithi of Ashwina Month and women perform its parana on the next day after sun rise. This year, Jivitputrika Vrat is going to be observed on September 25, 2024.
Jivitputrika Vrat Date and Time
Ashtami date starts – September 24, 2024 – 12:38 PM
Ashtami date ends – September 25, 2024 – 12:10 PM
Jivitputrika Vrat 2024: Significance
Jivitputrika Vrat has a great religious significance among Hindus. On this auspicious day, married women observe this fast and offer prayers to Jimutavahana and Lord Surya with immense devotion and dedication. This day is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. This fast is observed by all women for the longevity and well being of their children. This fast is observe for 24 hours.
Jivitputrika Vrat Story
According to the Hindu scriptures, there once lived a humble and benevolent king by the name of Jimutavahana. Giving his kingdom to his brothers and retreating into the forest, he was neither tied to nor content with the world’s pleasures. When he arrived at the woodland, he discovered that a woman was inconsolable.
It was her turn to feed the Pakshiraj Garuda, as she was the one who had to explain to the monarch after he had repeatedly questioned her about her snake family and the custom of feeding him. King assured her that she would get her child back after learning everything. He prepared, wrapped a cloth around himself, and made his presentation to Garuda.
As Garuda was about to consume him, she saw no fear in his eyes. Then he paused and inquired as to his true identity. Everything about him was revealed by the kind King Jimutavahana. Garuda was moved by his humanity. He was assured by Jimutavahana that he will not accept sacrifices from the families of snakes. All Nagvansha became happy and blessed the king with happiness, prosperity and good luck.
Jivitputrika Vrat 2024: Puja Rituals
1. Women get up early in the morning and take bath.
2. They clean the house especially puja room.
3. Women begin the the rituals early in the morning and first offer water to Lord Surya.
4. Female devotees then place an idol Jimutavahana god and light a diya with desi ghee, offer akshat, flowers, banana leaves and other offerings.
5. Recite the Jitiya Vrat Katha for the longevity and well being of the children.
6. This fast is observed for 24 hours and devotees can break their fast next morning after offering prayers and water to Lord Surya.

Throughout history, women have made significant contributions to science and technology and overcoming the barriers to achieve groundbreaking discoveries. These women exemplify the profound impact of female scientists across various disciplines. Their contributions not only advanced their fields but also inspired future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Celebrate women’s legacies in promoting their work and discoveries remain recognized and valued.

Women scientists’ achieving groundbreaking discoveries

Marie Curie was a trailblazer in the field of radioactivity, becoming the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields: Physics (1903) and Chemistry (1911). Her discoveries of the radioactive elements polonium and radium not only advanced scientific understanding but also laid the groundwork for cancer treatment through radiation therapy. Curie’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and dedication to science established her as a pioneer for women in STEM.

Rosalind Franklin was a skilled chemist and X-ray crystallographer whose work was crucial in understanding the molecular structure of DNA, RNA, and viruses. Her famous photograph, known as Photograph 51, provided key insights that led to the discovery of the DNA double helix by James Watson and Francis Crick. Despite her significant contributions being overlooked at the time, Franklin’s legacy has been increasingly recognized, symbolising the essential role of women in scientific research.

Jane Goodall revolutionised primatology with her groundbreaking research on chimpanzee behaviour in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. Her pioneering field studies, which included observing tool use and social interactions, challenged the conventional view of humans as unique in their behaviours. Goodall has since become a prominent conservationist, advocating for animal welfare and environmental protection through her organisation, the Jane Goodall Institute.

Ride made history in 1983 when she became the first American woman to travel to space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. A physicist by training, she flew on two space missions, contributing to scientific research and inspiring countless young women to pursue careers in science and engineering. Ride later founded Sally Ride Science, which promotes STEM education and aims to encourage girls to explore careers in these fields.

Often celebrated as the first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace was a mathematician who worked on Charles Babbage’s early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. Her visionary notes on the potential of computers to perform complex calculations and create music laid the foundation for modern computing. Lovelace’s work highlights the importance of creativity in scientific innovation and is an enduring inspiration for women in technology.

Hedy Lamarr, best known as a Hollywood actress, was also a brilliant inventor. During World War II, she co-developed a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology to prevent enemy interception of communications. This technology later became fundamental to modern wireless communications, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Lamarr’s dual legacy as a talented actress and a pioneering inventor exemplifies the multifaceted contributions women can make to society.

Chien-Shiung Wu was a prominent experimental physicist known for her work on the Manhattan Project and her experiments that proved the theory of parity violation. In 1978, she became the first woman to receive the National Medal of Science, highlighting her substantial impact on the field of nuclear physics. Wu’s achievements are a testament to the vital role women play in scientific advancement.

In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to fly in space, orbiting the Earth aboard Vostok 6. Her mission lasted nearly three days, making her a symbol of female achievement in space exploration. Tereshkova’s journey not only demonstrated women’s capabilities in science and engineering but also inspired future generations of female astronauts.

Dorothy Hodgkin made significant contributions to X-ray crystallography, which allowed her to determine the structures of crucial biomolecules like penicillin and vitamin B12. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964, making her the first British woman to win a Nobel Prize in science. Hodgkin’s work has had a lasting impact on biochemistry and pharmaceuticals.

Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking book “Silent Spring” raised awareness about the dangers of pesticides and sparked the modern environmental movement. Her research and advocacy played a pivotal role in shaping environmental policies and promoting conservation efforts. Carson’s legacy as a pioneering environmentalist continues to inspire activists and scientists alike.
Also Read | Uncovering the mystery of peculiar noises in the Mariana Trench

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday reiterated the demand to restore full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government of taking away the democratic rights of the people of the state.
While addressing a public gathering in Poonch, the Congress leader said it was the first time a state was reduced to a Union territory.
“Union Territories have been converted into states many times. Union territories have been made into states, and states have been divided into two parts. One state was split; Andhra was divided into Andhra and Telangana, Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand was created from Bihar. But for the first time in India’s history, a state has been turned into a Union Territory,” Gandhi said.
“Your democratic rights have been taken away from you, and this has happened for the first time in India’s history. For the first time, a state, Jammu and Kashmir, has been told that it will no longer be a State but a Union Territory. Therefore, we first demand that you be given back your State status and your State be returned to you,” he added.
In 2019, the Modi government revoked Article 370, removed Article 35A, and restructured J&K into two Union territories under India’s direct control. Since the reorganisation, no regional elections have taken place. However, the Supreme Court of India mandated that local legislative elections in Indian-administered Kashmir must be conducted by September 30, 2024.
The Congress and the National Conference are fighting the polls in alliance. The PDP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and People’s Conference, to name a few, are other parties in the fray for 90 Assembly seats.
The first phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir was completed on September 18, with a voter turnout of 61.13 percent recorded across 24 constituencies in seven districts, according to the Election Commission. The second and third phases of polling are scheduled for September 25 and October 5, respectively, with vote counting set to take place on October 8, along with the counting of votes in Haryana.

Starting next week, the moon, Earth’s closest celestial body, will be joined by a new neighbour: a second moon.
From 29th September until 25th November, astronomers have calculated that 2024 PT5—an object scientists believe to be an asteroid but have dubbed a “mini-moon”—will be orbiting Earth. Eventually, it will break free from the planet’s gravitational pull.
Unfortunately, at just about 10 metres in size, the mini-moon will be extremely difficult to see from Earth, but it will nonetheless be present for almost two months. The asteroid, which was discovered on 7th August by NASA, originated from the Arjuna asteroid belt and is expected to return there once it leaves Earth’s orbit.
“Earth can regularly capture asteroids from the Near-Earth Object (NEO) population and pull them into orbit, making them mini-moons,” researchers Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raúl de la Fuente Marcos wrote in their published research.
According to NASA, a Near-Earth Object is any body, asteroid or otherwise, that is “nudged” by the gravitational attraction of nearby planets, pushing them into Earth’s vicinity. NASA has its own programme that works to track the locations and orbits of tens of thousands of asteroids—around 28,000 in total—with data pages for every NEO, including their orbital parameters and close approach summaries.
Paul Chodas, director of the Centre for Near Earth Object Studies at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, mentioned that 2024 PT5 is possibly a piece of ejecta from an impact on the moon, meaning the mini-moon may have originally been part of our moon, according to

The New York Times

.
10 things to know about earth’s “mini-moon”:

Approximately 466 million years ago, Earth might have exhibited a spectacular ring arrangement resembling Saturn’s. Recent research featured in Earth and Planetary Science Letters uncovers interesting findings about this ancient ring and its anticipated influence on our planet.
The formation of the ring
The ring is believed to have come into existence when a massive asteroid passed close to Earth.This occurrence strained the asteroid, causing it to break apart into numerous pieces. These fragments formed a debris ring that encircled Earth’s equator resembling the rings visible around Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Jupiter.
With time, much of this debris was drawn back to Earth by gravitational forces. Smaller fragments likely ignited in the atmosphere, while larger pieces impacted the surface, resulting in the creation of impact craters.
Evidence gathered from impact craters
The researchers and scientists have discovered a total of 21 impact craters that can be traced back to the Ordovician period, which is known to be between 488 and 443 million years ago. Notably, all of these craters are situated close to the equator, which is surprisingly unusual, considering that the asteroid impacts usually appear randomly throughout the planet. A professor of planetary science at Monash University, named Andrew Tomkins stated, “Under normal circumstances, asteroids hitting Earth can hit at any latitude, at random… it’s extremely unlikely that all 21 craters from this period would form close to the equator if they were unrelated to one another.”
It is believed that this accumulation of craters strengthens the argument that a debris ring affected the locations where these impacts manifested.
Climate repercussions
Researchers believe that the presence of a ring around Earth might have had notable effects on the climate. As the ring might have blocked sunlight in the planet’s winter hemisphere, it could have resulted in lower temperatures during those months. On the other hand, summer hemispheres may have experienced comparatively more sunlight and warm temperatures. “…a ring would lead to global cooling effectively acting as a giant parasol”, Tomkins elaborated.
Excitingly, the period of time when the ring was speculated to have existed corresponds with a time of significant cooling on Earth. Approximately 460 to 465 million years ago, global temperatures dropped significantly, ultimately causing the Hirnantian Ice Age, which is believed to be the coldest period in the last half-billion years.
An association with Meteorite impacts
The scientists present the notion that the ring’s presence triggered an increase in meteorite impacts, as debris fragments showered down over millions of years. Tomkins noted, “Over millions of years, material from this ring gradually fell to Earth, creating the spike in meteorite impacts observed in the geological record.” The surge coincides with increased meteorite debris present in sedimentary rock layers from that time.
Looking ahead
While the notion that Earth had a ring arrangement is incredibly exciting, further investigation is required to understand in-depth about its full impact. Researchers intend to develop mathematical models to delve into the details of how asteroids break apart and how the resulting debris would have affected the climate of Earth.
The chance of these types of rings molding our planet’s past offers depth to our insights into the climate behaviour of Earth and indicates that similar events might have occurred in the ancient past. “The idea that a ring system could have influenced global temperatures adds a new layer of complexity to our understanding of how extra-terrestrial events may have shaped Earth’s climate”, as Tomkins explained.

MG Motor India recently launched the new MG Windsor EV with prices starting from Rs 13.49 lakh (ex-showroom with battery) and from Rs 9.99 lakh with the BaaS Program where the battery is rented as a service. The bookings for the EV will commence on October 3, 2024, and deliveries are expected to begin from the festive season. The Windsor EV rivals the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 400 and Tata Curvv coupe SUV.In this article, let’s compare the new MG Windsor with the Curvv EV.

The Windsor EV has three variants – Excite, Exclusive and Essence priced at Rs 13.49 lakh, Rs 14.49 lakh and Rs 15.49 lakh respectively. All prices mentioned are ex-showroom and include the cost of battery and are not liable to Rs 3.5 per km rental under the BaaS Program. The EV will be offered with a lifetime warranty for the first owner, 60 % buyback after three years and one-year free charging at public charging at public chargers using the eHUB by MG app. The Windsor will be available in four colour options – Starburst black, Pearl White, Clay Beige and Turquoise green.

Talking about the Curvv, the Coupe EV SUV is offered in five main variants and two battery pack options – 45 kWh and 55 kWh. The 45 kWh version is available with Creative priced at 17.49 lakh, Accomplished Rs 18.49 lakh and Accomplished plus S at Rs 19.29 lakh. The 55 kWh version is available with Accomplished priced at Rs 19.25 lakh, Accomplished Plus S at 20 lakh, Empowered Plus at 21.25 lakh and Empowered Plus S priced at Rs 22 lakh (all prices are ex-showroom).
Comparing the dimensions, the Windsor EV measures 4295 mm in length, 1850 mm in width, 1677 mm in height, 2700 mm of wheelbase, 186 mm of ground clearance and gets boot space of 604 litres. The Curvv EV measures 4310 mm in length, 1810 mm in width, 1637 mm in height, 2560 mm of wheelbase, 190 mm of ground clearance and gets boot space of 500 litres. The Curvv EV has more length whereas the Windsor has more wheelbase, has more width and also gets more boot space.

In terms of features, both models come packed with features. The Windsor EV gets a large 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless connectivity Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, rear AC vents, ventilated front seats, powered driver’s seat, 9-speaker Infinity sound system, wireless phone charging, panoramic glass roof, ambient lighting and more. Safety-wise, it gets six airbags, ABS with EBD, all four disc brakes, front and rear parking sensors, ESC, and a 360-degree camera.

Talking about the features in Curvv, it gets a 12.3-inch floating infotainment touchscreen, a 320W 9-speaker JBL sound system, a panoramic sunroof, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, four-spoke steering with illuminated Tata logo and paddle shifters to adjust re-gen, wireless charging pad, ventilated and six-way adjustable front seats, a two-step rear seat recline function, cooled glove box, 45W Type-C charging ports, connected car tech, Arcade. ev app suite, powered tailgate with gesture control, push-button start and much more.
Safety features include six airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, and a range of other features. Additionally, it includes acoustic alerts to ensure pedestrian safety and Level 2 ADAS with 20 features.

Now let’s talk about the battery, e-motor and range. It gets a 38kWh LFP battery paired with a front axle-mounted motor which puts out 136hp of power and 200Nm of torque, it has a claimed range of 331 km. It gets four driving modes – Eco+, Eco, Normal and Sport. Using 45kW chargers, the battery can be juiced up from 0 to 80 per cent in 55 minutes. It also gets 3.3kW and 7.7kW AC chargers which can charge the battery from 0 to 100 percent in about 14 hours and 6.5 hours, respectively.

The Curvv EV is available in two battery pack options – a 45 kWh with a 502 km range and 55 kWh with 585 km (both claimed). In real-world conditions, these provide an estimated range of up to 350 km and 425 km, respectively. The EV also features a 1.2C charging rate, allowing it to achieve a range of 150 km in just 15 minutes of charging. Both battery packs come paired with a single PMSM electric motor which puts out 167 hp of power with the ability to sprint from 0-100 kph in 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 160 kph. (claimed).

It was a treat for Delhiites as Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah performed their play Old World at multiple venues in NCR this weekend as a part of the Delhi Theatre Festival. Adapted from Russian playwright Aleksei Arbuzov’s play that was set in the post-World War II USSR, this play directed by Arghya Lahiri discusses the lives and desires of old people, who are often neglected by their families.
‘YOU ARE OBSESSED WITH MY AGE’
In the play, Shah portrays Rodion, the medical head of a luxury health resort in Ranikhet, while Pathak embodies Lydia, a visitor to the sanatorium.In one scene, when Lydia tells Rodion that she ran around in the snow trying to retrieve a chai tapdi, he asks, “You ran around in the snow with a chaiwala? Are you crazy? You did this at your age?” Ratna responds, “You are obsessed with my age. Old age is boring, but that’s the only way to live long – ask us Parsis.” Rodion counters, “There is nothing great about a long life. An interesting life is what counts.”
In another scene, Lydia, a former actress, talks about the trauma of losing her son in the Bombay riots. “He had been selected for the NDA. He loved his country.
After his disappearance, I began to feel that everything on stage – love, laughter, suffering, death, especially death was all bloody makebelieve. To crack the same old jokes I used to find funny, over and over again? I couldn’t bear it. If there’s any violence, I couldn’t bear a sight of it. That is where art should stop. It’s all pretend, no? I quit theatre because I could not pretend any longer.”
During the performance that had the audience sighing, laughing, and cheering, it was Naseeruddin Shah’s impromptu bhangra on stage that drew the loudest whistles of the night.

Eric Stonestreet, who plays Cam Tucker on *Modern Family*, got talking recently regarding a scrapped spinoff he did with his character and Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Mitch Pritchett, which he believes would have worked. The 53-year-old was having an interview on *In Depth with Graham Bensinger* when he opened up about the disappointment that he and Jesse had when the network ended the project.

According to Eric, co-creator of the show, along with Chris Lloyd and a couple of writers, they already had an excellent script for the spinoff. The idea was supposed to revolve around the life of Cam and Mitch after transferring to Missouri, but the network would not take it. “They just said, ‘We don’t want to do it,'” Eric said. It was a let-down because they felt that the spinoff had great potential.

An actor admitted the sting of it was a little painful but guessed the network may have regarded them as “the old guys” and didn’t feel like lugging those characters any further. Still, Eric expressed his confidence that the spin-off would have worked out. “I don’t think it would have failed,” he declared, praising the commitment the creators of *Modern Family* gave the original show to make it such a success for so many years.

Although the spinoff did not come to be, Eric gave some hope with something exciting to expect from the cast in the future. He hinted at wanting a *Modern Family* Christmas special, noting that there has been talk of bringing back the cast for a holiday episode. “I wish we’d do a Christmas special, and there’s been talk of that,” he teased.

Earlier this year, the adult cast of Modern Family reunited for an adorable mini-session on the red carpet at the 2024 SAG Awards, delighting fans of the long-running sitcom. Related to this news is the interview of Nolan Gould, who played Luke Dunphy, about how being on the show dramatically changed the life of a child actor.

Although the Cam and Mitch spinoff may never make the cut, rumors of a reunion special from Eric could give fans of a favorite show the hope of seeing beloved series casts reunited once again for their next project.