BIHAR :Banka DM Deepak Anand and Trainee IAS Mithilesh Mishra Giving Wings to UPSC dreams

 
Shri Deepak Anand. is an officer of the Indian Administrative Service(2007). He is a Post Graduate (Gold Medalist) in Philosophy from Patna University. Besides Public Administration he has interests in Book Reading, Poetry, Tourism etc.

 A concerted attempt is on in this backward and remote town of the state to replicate the success of now famous Super 30, albeit with some differences. While Super 30 of Patna coaches 30 students for cracking the IIT-JEE entrance examination, the initiative at Banka is aimed at helping the underprivileged crack the UPSC's Civil Services Examination. A brainchild of Banka DM Deepak Anand and Trainee IAS Mithilesh Mishra, this initiative, christened Super-12, took off on 12.12.2012. It has picked up 12 meritorious students and is providing them free coaching to help them come out with flying colours in the much-coveted examination.

 Meet Kamdeo Das, a native of an obscure village in this district. Vehicles fitted with beacons always fascinated him and he dreamed of joining the civil services, driven by a keen desire to ameliorate the condition of the poor in the backward areas of the country. But his dream seemed destined to meet an untimely death in the face of harsh realities of being born in underprivileged personal, societal and geographical surroundings. In an area under extremist influence, academic and competitive pursuits are scarce. Similar was the predicament of Ram Sagar, Nitesh, Sushil, Arghaya Deepak, Randhir, Gyan Vikash, Priyaranjan, Birendra, Amit Roushan, Gulzar Mukul and Abhinav, all belonging to various parts of this district.

But thanks to DM Deepak Anand and Mithilesh Mishra, the dreams of all these 12 bright youth have now got wings. They are getting quality coaching entirely free. Now, gloom has given way to hope in their minds. They have been chosen by the two IAS officers through a rigorous selection procedure. DM Anand said out of 350 aspirants, 60 students were shortlisted after a preliminary examination. Then, another written examination was held and 21 aspirants were selected for interview. Finally, 12 made it to the select group. Now, they are being given specialized guidance and coaching of different subjects and given exposure to 'smart study' methods.

The DM, who is an IAS official of 2007 batch, uses the inspiring motto of Lord Buddha - 'Appa Deepo Bhava' (be a light unto yourself) - before starting his classes on all the days when he finds time. "Majority of the 'Super-12' students belong to underprivileged bracket and have been provided free hostel and other facilities to concentrate on studies," said Anand. The newspapers and magazines that he buys for himself are provided to the students for preparing for general studies, the DM said, adding local experts of different subjects engage classes on Saturday and Sunday. IAS trainee Mithilesh Kumar, deputy collector Lalit Kumar Singh, SP Vikash Burman and other officials also engage classes in their spare time.

The students were also taken to coaching centres in Delhi to see the teaching methods adopted at famed centres, said the DM, adding it was to impress in the minds of the youth that ultimately it is one's own studies and hard work that leads to success in most of the competitive examinations.

Many specialist teachers from outside the state have also expressed interest in teaching the 'Super-12' students. They have volunteered to come down to Banka and engage classes every month, said the DM, adding study material on different subjects besides books are provided to the students from the small library put up at the Super-12 centre.

When asked whether the novel endeavour was limited to 12 meritorious students only, the DM said though the focus was on 'Super-12', many youth, including girls, from different sections of society were attending the classes and their number was swelling. "All needy and dedicated students are welcome to attend the classes and get guidance," he added.

 The guiding spirits behind the move are hopeful that the students of 'Super-12', as also other students attending the classes, would be successful in the UPSC examination. The DM said there were many similarities between his own student life at Sitamarhi (from where he did schooling up to plus two level and then BA and MA from Patna University) and that of the underprivileged students of Banka.
The focus is on changing the mindset of students with exposure to orientation programmes, smart studies, increasing the memorizing ability, promoting group studies and discussion, general studies, besides subjects that are taught by them and other experts, the DM said. "We are not taking any financial help from anyone," he said, adding the help is in the form of imparting knowledge and time spared by the subject experts for the students.

source:TNN

Bihar Village girls from Muzaffarpur districts works for HIV+ Awareness,

They are the harbingers of hope, peace and development in this small hamlet Majhaulia of Muzaffarpur district. They fought against ignorance, myths, and socio-cultural taboos and broke through the wall of silence to lend voice to the voiceless.

Inevitably, they ran into barriers. But determined to fight and overcome all odds, these young Muslim activists of Kalyan Red Ribbon Club (RRC) have today ushered in a silent revolution in this village. This includes an outreach strategy to address HIV+ prevention, care and support and treatment in this vulnerable district.

 Talking about sex was virtually taboo in this village, so for young Muslim girls, mostly in their teens, initiating any discussion on the issue was to invite controversy. But that is what Amina Khatoon, a 17-year-old girl, has done ever since she was made president of the 70-member RRC. She comes from a poor family and also works as a part-time dressmaker. April 14, 2009, was a memorable day for Amina when Nirdesh (an NGO) link worker Kumkum Kumari, formed the Kalyan Red Ribbon Club (KRRC) at the village with 21 girls. Prior to this, these girls had never come out in the open without 'purdah' and mingled with each other freely. The most sensitive and important issue about which they learnt was the disastrous effect of HIV/AIDS.

"I had to make a huge effort to make these girls understand the challenge of HIV/AIDS, particularly in rural areas, as here it becomes more pronounced in view of stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV, resulting in poor access to health care, and, above all, infections going undetected or treated by unqualified practitioners," said Kumkum.

Soon these girls started spreading awareness about prevention and protection from HIV/AIDS among the rural community. They were also imparted training at various places, which changed their outlook and provided them a broader vision. The effort made by these girls was soon recognized by Unicef too. The girls were then provided a sewing machine and a ceiling fan. Today these girls, apart from generating social awareness are also learning skills like stitching, puppet-making, hosiery making etc to make their life better.

KRRC is constantly expanding its base and now has 70 members, of which 20 are young boys. Sajda, Naznin, Momina, Shaba, Ruksana, Raksa, Mohd Raja, Aftab... all are enthusiastically involved in their assignments. The slogan on the walls of Majhaulia reads, "Hum sabka hai yehi sapna, AIDS-mukt ho Bihar apna."

source: TNN

Women have Smaller Brain but More Efficient Brains than men

Women may have smaller brains than men, but they are more efficient at completing a task, a new study has claimed. It has been a mystery for scientists why women show no difference in intelligence , although their brains are 8% smaller than men's . 

Neuroscientists at the University of California, Los Angeles , and universities in Madrid , Spain found that women's brains are more efficient , needing fewer neurons and less energy to complete a task. The study conducted a number of psychological tests on 59 women and 45 men, aged 18-27 . They found that in women the hippocampus, which plays a central role in memory, intelligence and emotion, consumes less energy and uses fewer brain cells on a given task than in men, The Sunday Times reported. 

The study found that women outperformed men in inductive reasoning and some numerical skills. They were also better at keeping track of a changing situation, while men did better on spatial intelligence . "There is a positive association with hippocampus shape and cognitive performance in males, whereas for females this association is negative," said the study.

source : PTI

Blood's Self life three weeks and not six weeks- Scientists says,,,

RBCS Stored Longer Can’t Deliver Oxygen-rich Cells:

People walk past a residential house that started leaning after a tunnel collapsed in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on Monday. The house was unoccupied at the time of the incident London: A new finding could help India better manage and utilize its pool of donated blood.

BAD NEWS FOR BLOOD BANKS:

 Scientists have now found that the shelf life of blood is shorter than what was thought till now — three weeks and not six weeks.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins have found that red blood cells (RBCs) stored longer than three weeks begin to lose the capacity to deliver oxygen-rich cells where they may be most needed.

According to the investigators, red cells in blood stored that long gradually lose the flexibility required to squeeze through the body’s smallest capillaries to deliver oxygen to tissue. Moreover, they say, that capacity is not regained after transfusion into patients during or after surgery.

“The study is telling us that the shelf life of blood may not be six weeks, which is what the blood banks consider standard,” says study leader Steven Frank from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The study has been published in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Frank acknowledges that blood banks do not have enough fresh blood for everybody, and that shorter storage periods would result in diminished inventory. But he says that the current practice of transfusing blood stored up to six weeks may need to be reconsidered. The finding is of vital importance for India which already faces an acute shortage of donated blood — to the tune of 2 million units a year. Less than 45% of donated blood is collected in developing and transitional countries, which are home to about 80% of the world’s population. India requires 8.5 million units of blood annually but collects only about 6.5 million units.

For this study, Frank and his colleagues enrolled 16 patients scheduled to have spinal fusion surgery, an operation that requires blood transfusions. Six of the patients received five or more units of blood, while 10 needed three or fewer units. The researchers drew samples from every bag of blood used — 53 in total — and measured the flexibility of the red blood cells.

What they found is that blood older than 3 weeks was more likely to have less flexible red blood cell membranes, a condition that may make it more difficult for blood to deliver oxygen, Frank says.

The team also took blood samples from patients in the three days following surgery. Even though the blood cells were out of storage and back in biological environments with proper pH (acidity), electrolytes and oxygen levels, the injury to the red cells was not reversible and appeared to be permanent. The damaged blood cells would likely remain dysfunctional for their life cycle limit, which is up to 120 days, Frank says.       

    

  

source:-TNN

HONEY has been used by humans to treat a variety of ailments, from gastric disturbances to ulcers, wounds and burns, through ingestion or topical application AND CINNAMON is used in traditional medicine, and several studies have tested chemicals extracted from cinnamon for various possible medicinal effects.

Drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:-

It is found that a mix of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus.Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain. 

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder....who knew? 

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it's delicious too!

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.

HYPER ACIDITY (GAS): According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:Daily in the morning one half hour beforebreakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.

Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!