PHYSICAL FITNESS

The Importance Of Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is the part of true health. The true health is not the state of mere absence of diseases but a dynamic state of well-beings in terms of physical, mental and behavioural aspects of life. It is the pre-requisite to the success in life.

In every field of life the great men of the world possessed sound physical and mental fitness. If one searches for happiness, one will discover it coupled with the physical fitness. It is the best positive feature of humans. It is unique possession for the life. It is wealth. It makes life worth living. The importance of physical fitness cannot be described in words. Its necessity has become an inevitable feature of modern society.

It is all true. Humans are gifted with the faculty of reasoning and logical thinking. They are judicious creatures. Their dominance over other living things lies in their advanced brainpower. In fact, humans have been able to control Nature due to their highly developed intelligence or the brain. But, for the improvement of the mental power, it is indispensable that the body, too, should be hale and hearty.

‘A sound mind in a sound body’ is an oft quoted proverb. It emphasizes the importance of the physical fitness in our life. The mind can never be healthy, if the body is sick. The death of the body is the death of the mind; also. It is obvious that for intellectual development, the physical fitness is vital.

It is also important for the nation. Healthy and able-bodied citizens who bring athletic distinction to the nation at the international level are the priceless possession of a nation. In order to understand the importance of the physical fitness for a nation, the poignant words of the Father of the nation, Gandhi ji should be mentioned here. He said ‘India lives in the village and the strength of our nation depends upon the health of the rural folk, our richest heritage.’ Our country is not developed nation because of our effectiveness. Our effectiveness is very low in comparison to the effectiveness of the people of other country. When the effectiveness is low, the production cannot be increased and the prices cannot be lowered. So if we wish that the production of the country should be increased and consequently the goods should become cheaper, the fitness of the worker must be improved. Clearly, it has become the life-blood of the economy of a country. If we realize that the physical fitness is the noble wealth and maintain it, the whole earth will seem to be a paradise; otherwise the paradise will be lost.

The evolution of the living things and the creation of the variations are outcomes of the physical fitness. The theory of the survival of the fittest had its implication on the basis of physical fitness. The scientists know the value of physical fitness in the survival strategies of organisms ranging from smaller to the larger one. New diseases which are often a threat to us can be under the control only if we can develop the immunity against them. Undoubtedly, the physical fitness provides the power of resistance against diseases. This makes the need of physical fitness quite clear.

It is well known that our government is spending lakhs and lakhs of rupees for providing medical facilities. It is busy in fighting various diseases to make society free of them. But medical facilities alone can never solve this problem. It is also well known that diseases attack only those who lose their vitality and vigour. People with sound health may live even in poverty, but they never fail ill. So our people need physical exercises if they want to have disease free bodies.

Our body is thought to be made up of five elements: earth, water, fire, air and sky. Actually these are the things which are needed to survive in this world. We need the most fertile earth or soil for cultivation of the food grains and other objects of uses. We need clean water for drinking and performing other functions in which it is required. Similarly, fresh light, fresh air and open sky are also needed for our survival. Deficiency of any of those elements of life may cause our extinction. An ideal state of all above five elements is the state of the physical fitness.

For the students, its importance becomes many folds. Students have to do several mental works and to sit for long hours during studies. All these require energy and proper training for maintenance of good body postures. Otherwise, their posture becomes defective. They can neither sit nor stand properly. Their body begins to look very gauche. The backside does not remain upright but develops a curvature. Thus their spinal columns get ill-treated. So for our educational institutions, the management for physical exercise is very important. It is the only way; the students can maintain their health. For this very reason, other persons also, who carry on deskbound activities, must take some physical exercise each day.

Our forces need more and more young man with stout physical condition. Once our late Pandit Nehru said, “Every child of India shall have to be a soldier of freedom.” Only people with sound health who are sparkling over with heroism and patriotism can fight for their country’s sovereignty. It is only through physical fitness.

In our country the rate of infant mortality is quite high. The weak health of the parents is its main reason. Sick and diseased parents can reproduce only feeble and unhealthy offspring. The parents must be healthy, if they want to have healthy children. They must take some physical exercise daily.

Morning walk is good for health. It is the best form of exercise that keeps our body fit and active. It costs nothing yet it is very useful for our health. Those who live in towns and cities must take morning walk to get fresh air and energy. It makes us healthy and strong. It refreshes our mind. It strengthens our body. It saves us form many disease. It improves our digestion. We feel a good appetite after a long walk. It is equally good for the young and the old. It keeps us fresh for the whole day. It develops in us a good habit of rising early. It awakens in us love for nature. So it keeps us fresh healthy and energetic. Hence, it is of great advantages to us.

To be healthy we keep our houses clean. It should be well ventilated. It must get light from the sun. Our food plays an important part in the constitution of our health. It is a fuel for the body. In order to be healthy, food must be balanced. Besides these, body needs exercises. Regular exercise keeps us active. Rest after work is also necessary.

To be brief, for the individual as well as the social point of view physical fitness is very crucial. It is the constitutive ingredient of contentment. It makes our life fascinating, significant, intense and worth living. Even in paucity, one can enjoy peace and satisfaction much more than those of the rich. An exercise is the only way to maintain the physical fitness besides Yoga. Mental, emotional and physical development of the people can continue efficiently only if they take physical exercises. So, wherever possible, physical exercises must be made unavoidable.

THE IDIOT BOX

Television- Its uses and abuses

It will be no exaggeration to say that we are living in the epoch of television. Television is one of the most significant inventions of science. It is the first electronic equipment that facilitates us to perceive sound and also glimpse the speaker at the same time. The uses of TVs are many.

Television has been one of the most important means of propaganda and national integration as it leaves a more permanent impression on our minds. Everybody knows that it is an important means of recreation and entertainment. Besides, it is the most suitable medium for mass communication and mass education. Its uses are varied in recent times. We can form public opinions and eradicate many social evils from the society through television programmes. Further, it can be used as the tool for the vital task of increasing production including the industrial and agricultural fields. It can help in imparting family planning education and in spreading mass literacy. It can be medium for giving information and exchanging ideas. It has already succeeded in amusing people and teaching them. It can educate the viewers and widen their mental horizon. Its viewers can enjoy national and international games played anywhere in the world. Talks delivered by eminent persons are carried to the masses through TVs. It transmits programmes on abuses of drugs and alcohols, gambling and lots more. It creates an awareness regarding AIDS, unplanned family and several socio-political crimes. It can be used by the government to provide extensive publicity to its views and the development programmes. It can be used to form the public opinion.

Some experts have suggested the television as the essential components for the success of planning. The government processing should be telecast through TV satellites so that people can view all those which are formulated for them. It is not mere a medium of entertainment but it has far reaching educational and cultural significance. TV sets installed in schools can supplement the education imparted in classes. It is an important means of national unity and integration. TV serials can be used to fight the menace of communalism, regionalism and terrorism. Special programmes with this end in view should be regularly telecast. Indeed, it has brought the whole world at our door-step.

One should not forget that TVs can be easily abused. We know that children imitate the facts and characters that they view on the screen and it may result in a great health hazard for teenagers. Too much TV watching is harmful and wastage of time as well as energy. Sometimes undesirable films are shown which corrupt young minds. The advertisements shows during telecast of programmes are generally misleading the spectators and also lead to the increase in consumerism. It also promotes the concept of westernization which is anathema to the Indian culture. It is, therefore, rightly called as an idiot box. It is imperative that before a serial is brought to telecast for the public, the authorities should look into its pros and cons. In case, it has any adverse perception on the mind, it needs to be banned. At present, we need good and responsible citizens with high moral values. It requires lively serials which have potentials to embedded moral values in viewers. TV programmes must have moral, educational and cultural significance. We can show such serials that are likely to uproot social evils, corruption, regionalism, terrorism and communalism etc. Let us hope that the government would provide such serials that would be beneficial to all in every respect. It clearly indicates that TV does more good than harm if we are selective in watching its programmes.

SCIENCE: A BLESSING OR CURSE

Science: A Blessing Or A Curse

“There is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so......” --Shakespeare

We are living in the scientific age that has undoubtedly proved a great boon to the human race. Science has given our control over nature. It is everywhere. Modern scientific discoveries have turned our lives into comfort and happiness. The uncivilized human beings became the civilized due to the advancement in the scientific knowledge. The post values have also undergone a sea change. Life has become far less difficult. In reality, science has revolutionised our life and soul. It has given us insight into almost everything that helps in improving life and enhances the quality of life-span. It is difficult to say how much we owe to science for the affairs of our life.

Science has done wonderful job in the filed of agriculture. Better irrigation facilities, improved seeds, high-yielding varieties, chemical fertilizers and scientific methods and practices of cultivation have increased the agricultural production many fold. Now, we are familiar with the nutritive value of food that we take in. Similarly, in the field of industry, it has proved its worth. Our material needs are fulfilled from the goods produced in the industry using several machines. It has furnished different ways of amusement. It has successfully created the tremendous entertainment value.

Computer has done the creditable work to the perfection of our national well-being. Everything has been computerised today. Science has, indeed, facilitated the arduous tasks. We can do a greater volume of work in the shorter span and with less physical labour. The computing machines, the ATMs and all such scientific gadgets have saved us from the drudgery of labour-intensive work. The modern man is, thus, enabled to live a full splendored life.

Science has created miracles in the domain of medical science. The invention of drugs or medicines has cured many incurable diseases which were formerly not amenable to treatment. With the help of X-rays, CT scanning machines and ultrasound, we can have our complete details of any ailments. Now, we can live a longer and healthier life due to science. Bubonic plague has been controlled. The small pox has been completely eradicated. Now, our efforts are in direction to the completely eradication of the polio disease. We cannot imagine the wonders of science.

Electricity has brought a great revolution in human life. Our radios, cinemas, televisions and other machines work on electricity. Electric fans, coolers and air conditioning plants, heaters etc are blessings of science which make us the master of our environment. Books, magazines and newspapers which are being published on a large scale have succeeded to eradicate ignorance among the people. It has conquered both the time and the distance. We have placed our foot on the moon. Now a day, we have the better means of communication and transport. It will not be an exaggeration to say that science has provided eyes to the blind, legs to the lame and hearing to the deaf.

Side by side, we should not forget that if science is misused, it will prove fury to humanity. It has given us many things but we are misusing the scientific knowledge in various ways. Science has stimulated the process of industrialization that has resulted into the rise in competition, unemployment, pollution and capitalism. Atom and Hydrogen bombs are the weapons of the mass destruction. In itself, science is neither a curse nor a blessing. it is a great blessing provided that it should used in the welfare of mankind. Actually, Science is not to blame for colossal annihilation. It is the user who is to blame.

Wild life protection is vital to India’s economic development

Ladies and gentlemen, in view of the following points I agree that the wild life protection is vital to India’s economic development.

1.  In India there are many wild national parks, sanctuaries and reserves situated in different parts of the country, which thousands of tourists visit every year. These places can be further modified and developed to attract more and more foreign tourists. As a result it strengthens the Indian economy. We accumulate a huge amount of money.  

2.  India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity countries of the world. The innumerable life forms provide medicines. Here a large majority of people rely on traditional medicines are derived for their primary health care. Hence, it supports the medical and health facilities in India. The investment in programmes related to the health sectors may be reduced using our traditional heritage of wildlife in curing diseases. It further leads to the economic development.  

3.  The direct values of wild life protection can be observed in several industries. Wild life provides raw materials for the industries. We all know that Leather, wool, silk, fur, honey, wax etc, are products of animal origin. With the development of new industrial techniques, we can except to get several new and more useful products from diverse biological resources. All these ultimately result in the economic development.

4.  The indirect values of wild protection can also be understood. They are responsible for reduction in pollution and maintaining the soil fertility along with sustaining microclimates. These are the factors which affect our economy on a large scale as our economy is agriculture based. The agro-based economy requires the suitable soils, pure water and fertile lands. If such economy lacks even a  single factor, it will certainly result in the complete failure at the economic front. India is fortunate in this case having rich biodiversity in wildlife that indirectly help in the productivity of agricultural products. Hence, wildlife protection ensures the economic development of India.

5.  A study of human history shows that in India a variety of wild life e.g., insects, molluscs, spiders, and wild herbivores are consumed by many tribal and non-tribal communities in India. This enables India to maintain her traditional and cultural values. Hence it also boosts the economic development.

6.  Wild life protection has important role in controlling natural disasters like floods and droughts. One can compute the loss caused due to the natural disasters. Such disasters directly affect the economy of the country. Hence the wildlife protection enables India to maintain her successive economic development.

7.  Throughout the human history, people have related wildlife to the very existence of human race through religious and cultural beliefs. It is both scientific and economical. A detail studies will clear that the roots of unity, co-operation and brotherhood lie here. It has an impact on economic development.  

GLOBAL WARMING

Global Warming: Its Causes And Effects

Global warming is a potential environmental problem. It can be defined as a steady increase in the global mean temperature which may result in the imbalance of environmental conditions. We know that the vital source of energy in the cosmos is the sun. The sunlight consists of light of different wavelengths such as Ultraviolet rays, visible rays and Infrared rays. Among those different rays, the Infrared radiations are responsible for the heating effect of sunlight. Due to that heating effect, life is possible on the earth. The sunlight manages the optimum temperature in the earth’s atmosphere so that life processes and other physical and chemical activities may continue effectively. However, the entire sunlight is not reached to the earth. Actually, when sunlight reaches the earth’s atmosphere, it is either reflected or absorbed by the clouds, earth’s surface and atmospheric gases. Only 50% of incoming solar radiations or sunlight reach the earth and warm it up for survival of living organisms.

Air which is the mixture of various gases contains some gases such as carbon dioxide, CFCs, ozone, methane, water vapour and nitrous oxide that allow solar radiations to pass through them but they absorb as well as partially reflect back the infrared radiations. Those gases are called Green House Gases (GHGs). GHGs are responsible for keeping the earth warm because they can retain the heat of the sunlight within their molecules. When these molecules of gases absorb heat from sunlight beyond their limit, they emit the heating rays like a red hot piece of iron and increase the temperature of the surroundings. Recently, their concentration has started rising and has resulted in increasing the mean global temperature. This increase in the temperature is termed as the global warming. During the past century, the temperature of the earth has increased by 0.6 °C. It is estimated that the average global temperature may increase by 1.4-5.8 °C by the year 2100. The gradual increase in the temperature of the environment can damage the entire living systems operating on the earth. Clearly, it is the GHGs which are chiefly responsible for the global warming. Hence, it would be better to check the increasing concentration of GHGs in order to sustain life and life processes on the earth.

There are several natural and man-made factors which are responsible for the global warming. Volcanic eruptions and forest fire are some of the important natural causes. But anthropogenic activities like deforestation, rapid urbanisation and industrialisation are more accountable for its intensification to a great extent. At present human population is budding rapidly. It has resulted in increased consumption of fossil fuels like coal and house hold fuels like firewood etc. We are now witnessing the faster technological changes and revolution in agriculture and transport sectors. No doubt, all over the world developments are taking places at the cost of environment. All these, along with several other human activities have been giving out substantial quantity of GHGs and the world is being left for facing the challenges of global warming.

Although one of the important GHGs i.e. Carbon dioxide gas is a comparatively insignificant non-pollutant gas in the atmosphere, its higher concentration is of grim environmental apprehension. As it is the most common GHG, its elimination or alteration is of prime importance. Nature has a mechanism for conversion of carbon dioxide gas into oxygen. Plants play the role of natural transducers here. They utilize carbon dioxides during the process of photosynthesis to make their own food and release oxygen gases as by-products. In this way, they keep up the delicate balance of carbon dioxide in ecosystems. But, deforestation due to the human needs results in the irregular rainfall, frequent floods, soil erosion, ground water reduction and increased drought condition. It also reduces the very utilization of carbon dioxide and augments its amount in the earth’s atmosphere. The more carbon dioxide means the more absorption of sunlight and the more chance of causing global warming.

Unfortunately, several anthropogenic activities are not eco-friendly and they pave the ways for consequences of global warming. Rise in global temperatures causes many climatic changes but most drastic change will be the increase in sea-level. A rise in sea levels is possible because of melting of ice from the poles due to the global warming. Melting even a fraction of the volume of polar ice can result in flooding of many low lying areas around the earth. The rise in global temperatures has already resulted in cracks in the Antarctic ice shelf.

Global warming is, therefore, of great concern and should be taken seriously. Every sphere of life is significantly affected from it. On the one hand, it has shifted the pattern of crop-yields and biodiversity at various levels around the world. On the other hand, it has badly damaged the quality and quantity of freshwater. It also causes natural disasters and climatic changes including storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, droughts and exceptionally warm summers. The summer of 1998 predicted to be the warmest in the century.

The International Panel on Climate Changes (IPCC) predicts a shift in the current agricultural production pattern away from the current production areas to the northern latitudes. Changes in ground water availability, increased occurrence of climate extremes and crop diseases are also predicated. Europe and America have already witnessed these changes considerably. If this process of global warming persists, the continued existence of different floras and fauna including humans will be very distressing. The impact of the global warming process will be felt several sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry and industries etc. This would ultimately affect the economies of any country. The damages caused due to the global warming are equivalent to that of nuclear wars as both have massive irreversible outcomes.

According to the report submitted to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) in February 2007, greenhouse gases are responsible for cold days, hotter nights, killer heat waves, floods and devastation and droughts. Global warming can alter some of the vital activities of living organisms such as metabolism, behaviours, reproduction and embryonic development. It will eventually lead to the death. Health experts expect a rise in climate related diseases such as heat strokes and spreading of vector borne diseases such as malaria into areas so far unaffected. Others have warned about the outcomes of increased water shortages and increasing pollution.

Global warming forms warm air and it will result in the cooling of upper atmosphere. Ultimately, It will disrupt radio-communications and further warm the troposphere. In other words, it will have effects on the range of species, food production, damage to property, ecosystems loss, primary sector damages, low output in agriculture, defects in fishery and forestry, quality and quantity of water, different means of transports, tourism industries, pollutions, migration of organisms and risk of disasters. It will not be exaggeration to say that Global warming is a real problem and this is the right time to act against.

Media vs Science

Politics is central to the democracy. It controls the whole administration at all the levels. It has great influences on the common people. The concept of democracy has given the enough emphasis on the welfare of the people and their society. On the other hand, crime is taking place in a routine way. Unemployment, poverty, fierce competition in every sphere of life and greed result in the increase of crime which have also affected the common people at length.

As both politics and crime are the very concern of the people, the media has shown its interest in their coverage without thinking on other important issue including science. The media is the medium to communicate the matter of general interest. Science is thought to be a specialized area which only attracts the limited persons like science students and scientists. The media has ignored the fact that science has been playing a pivotal role in everyday life activities besides doing a great revolutionizing work in the human welfare. Science should be everybody‘s concern. Science has been for the society. It is time for society to be for science.