The ‘Sanskrit effect’ and how rigorous memorising helps the memory

Considerable excitement has been triggered through email and social media across India due to a recent “observation” reported by one Dr James Hartzell in the journal Scientific American. This neuroscientist has coined the term “The Sanskrit effect.” He writes that memorising Vedic mantras increases the size of brain regions associated with cognitive function such as memory (both short-term and long-term). He writes in his report that Indian tradition holds that rigorously memorising and reciting mantras enhances memory and thinking

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/the-sanskrit-effect-and-how-rigorous-memorising-helps-the-memory/article22436878.ece

Courtesy: The Hindu dated 13^th January 2018

Centre Ends Haj Subsidy, Says Will Use Funds for Education of Minorities

The central government has withdrawn the subsidy given to Haj pilgrims. Minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the decision is in line with the government’s agenda to empower miniorities without appeasement.

Naqvi said that for the first time in independent India, 1.75 lakh pilgrims will go to Haj without a subsidy, a rise from the 1.25 lakh that went for the annual pilgrimage last year.

The union minister said the government would save Rs 700 crore by stopping the subsidy, and would use the funds for education of minorities, particularly girls.

The decision to abolish Haj subsidy comes just a day after government allowed Muslim women above the age of 45 to go on the pilgrimage without a male guardian, in groups of at least four.

Naqvi also said that the Saudi Arabian government has in principle agreed to allow Haj journey from India by ships and officials of the two countries will sit together to finalise the modalities.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s Kamal Farooqui welcomed the move, saying that a wrong impression was being created that Muslims were gaining from the government aid. “Instead, it was national carrier Air India that was the biggest beneficiary of this government scheme,” he said.

The Centre had in May last year formed a six-member committee to look into the Haj subsidy issue in light of a 2012 Supreme Court order on gradually reducing and abolishing subsidy given to pilgrims by 2022, sources said.

The Supreme Court had in 2012 directed the Union government to gradually reduce and abolish Haj subsidy by 2022. It had asked the government to invest the subsidy amount of approximately Rs 650 crore a year then on the educational and social development of the community

First ‘Blue Moon’ total eclipse in 150 years to occur soon

A rare total lunar eclipse that involves the second full moon of the month — popularly referred to as a Blue Moon — is set to take place on January 31 for the first time in over 150 years.

This will be the first eclipse of 2018. For some parts of Asia, including India, the eclipse will already be under way as the moon rises.

Central and eastern Asia, Indonesia, New Zealand and most of Australia will get a fine view of the Blue Moon.

Alaska, Hawaii and northwestern Canada will see the eclipse from start to finish. Moonset will intervene for the rest of North and Central America.

The duration of the total phase is 77 minutes, with the moon tracking through the southern part of the Earth’s shadow.

After this year, the next time that a Blue Moon passes through Earth’s umbra will be on December 31, 2028, and, after that, on January 31, 2037. Both of these eclipses will be total. There was a partial eclipse of a Blue Moon on December 31, 2009, but the last total eclipse of a Blue Moon is dated March 31, 1866.

Had the opportunity of celebrating Pongal on 15th January 2018 at Semmedu Village, near Ginee, Tamil Nadu with family members.

Had the opportunity of celebrating Pongal on 15th January 2018 at Semmedu Village, near Ginee, Tamil Nadu with family members.

Rangoli at the entrance of our home by my daughter on the occasion of of Pongal / Makara Sankaranthi on 14th January 2018. Materials used salt and colour powder.

Rangoli at the entrance of our home by my daughter on the occasion of of Pongal / Makara Sankaranthi on 14th January 2018. Materials used salt and colour powder.

TTD to crack the whip on 44 employees following ‘alien faith

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) management has found 44 of its employees as non-Hindus following “alien faiths” and is set to crack the whip on them. The number is spread across the ministerial-level to the cadre of Assistant Executive Officer. 

The Vigilance Department took up a thorough investigation and reportedly conducted even a door-to-door inquiry to zero in on their faith and praying pattern. In the past, a person’s faith did not matter when it came to selecting him/her for employment in the TTD, but instances of proselytisation such as drawing ‘cross’ marks on the hills and distribution of pamphlets containing prohibitive content in the vicinity of Tirumala created an uproar a decade ago. The State government had then banned evangelical activities near temples.

Though the issue was discussed widely sans any action, it assumed prominence after the video of a woman officer entering a church for prayers in a vehicle provided to her by the TTD management went viral on social media.

Several Hindu groups expressed displeasure and demanded action on such people, following which the TTD was forced to take action by issuing memos and seeking explanation.

Though the nature of action is not immediately known, sources said those identified might be sent to State government service, without affecting their promotional prospects and benefits.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad accused the vigilance department of either complicity or having turned a blind eye to the anomaly all these years.

“Not just practising a different religion, some of them were found to be serving as pastors and preachers,” VHP district secretary K. Subbanna told The Hindu. It thanked Executive Officer A.K. Singhal for taking prompt action on their demands.

Courtesy: The Hindu, dated 1st January 2018