Causes of Stress and its effects on us

Tension or stress is the part of our daily life. At breakfast, on hearing that today is the last date for depositing the examination fee of the younger daughter, we become tense. On the road when traffic is jammed, we have no other option to express our anxiety but to dash our hands on the steering wheel. This mental stress or tension causes many diseases in our body. Sometimes people suffer from severe heart failure and meet with their ultimate death.

Human body reacts against the stimulus of stress by excreting some hormones in blood. Para-Sympathetic and Sympathetic nervous system are very significant in this regard. In normal states and conditions, our Para-Sympathetic nervous system controls our inner organs and their functions. However, in emergency our sympathetic nervous system comes forward and makes us prepare to meet the situation by releasing Adrenaline hormone in our blood. This hormone tries to save the body but afterwards the same excretion becomes a big hurdle in the way of body to perform its functions.

How we teach science subjects in schools

The magic spell of science has crept in our lives so silently that we sometimes take it granted.  Our sense of astonishment has grown weaker day by day. Miracles are opening their eyes but man does not pay attention to them, as it should be. Every occupation, from peace to war, bows before the goddess of science.  In this age, the battlefields will be deserted and schools and universities will be flourished. Nations will compete each other in economics, science and technology, in learning and knowledge, in modern facilities and standards of life.

It is a pity that in 21^st century, we are still mourning over the plight of our educational institutions. Our way of teaching science subjects at school level is not up date. Our examination system has yet to be credible. Our experiments at school education have no limitations. How will we meet the future challenges and how will we live while keeping up our chins in the international communities. No doubt, we are poor nation unable to facilitate properly our institutions; but we are not poor in commitment and dedication. We have an ability to translate our dreams into vivid realities.

The golden age

The ripen grapes excrete sweet sap naturally which cannot be controlled. It is excellent in taste but cannot be preserved for long time. Our old people are just like these grapes laden with great experiences of life but their company is not long lasting. Their conversation and wisdom between the lines act as a lighthouse but we have no time to sit and heed upon their thoughts. We, without listening and knowing, give a notion of rejection, labeling them the old-fashioned thoughts. By God, they are the live histories, eyewitnesses of great changes of world, an important part of past, and having great insight in them. Unfortunately, we cannot keep this treasure in our possession for long, because they are drawing near their destination by every passing moment.

They are just like a fountain sprinkling their past memories and always wish to wet their listener. They had spent a vigorous and adventurous life as we are currently leading. They have gone through the experience as we are trying to undergo. We can learn more from them but we cannot help the exploring nature of man who wants to do everything by himself whether he gains profit or loss. They are a great source of blessing for us if we value them, they are experienced guides if we admit them and they are unending treasure if we find them. What we are now, owe to their sacrifices.  This age is called old age, but must be named as the golden age.

Birds of nature

Nature reflects itself in various forms; sometimes it properly clads the silvery dress of snow, sometimes the running rivers and streams with their crystal clear water reveal its innocent beauty. At other times, it smiles confronting man as beautiful flowers, and sometimes as birds with untold beauty and fascination of their scheme of colors which snatches words from pen and man’s power of discourse. Birds are a source of love and beauty and are a way to pay a humble tribute on the part of man to his Lord, for His mastery and skill, which is the slightest manifestation of His genius. What are like these birds when twitter look singing the praise of the Almighty at breaking dawn. The dusk also reflect their chirping and the atmosphere fills with pure passions and lofty sacredness.

Mango is the king in fruits

Once the legend of Urdu Literature, Mirza Ghalib, was leisurely sitting among his contemporaries where ‘mango’ was under discussion. All were counting the qualities of a good mango. When Mirza Ghalib was asked he plainly replied, “Mango must be sweet and plentiful in quantity”. This shows the strong liking of Ghalib for mangoes. Late Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, a well-known politician of Pakistan and highly reputed in making alliances against the existing governments, the evergreen symbol of opposition and great critic of ruling parties, was in habit of sending baskets of mangoes to his fellow politicians. He continued this tradition throughout his life. The former president of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari too never forgets his colleagues including opposition leaders to send mangoes as a gift in mango seasons .It is considered a sign of love and confidence in sub-continent. The people living in mango-cultivated areas do send baskets of mangoes as gifts to their relatives and friends.

India is the home of mango. It was grown in India about 5000 years ago. The legend says that Mahatma Buddha meditated under the cool shade of mango and got tranquility. The word mango is derived from a Tamil word ‘mangkay’ or ‘man-gay’. When Portuguese came to India and settled in the western part of the country, they named this fruit ‘manga’, which afterwards became mango. The traders from Middle East and Africa introduced the fruit in their countries. In India, it is treated reverently and regarded as a sacred tree, which can fulfill every desire of man. Hindus on holy occasions clean their teeth with the twig of mango tree.   

How water is affecting us

In scorching hot summer, a glass of clean and cool water seems the only hope of life. Traveling long when we get no chance to have a shower due to unavailability of water or any other reason, water becomes a very important thing. No doubt, it is the most important, rather, one of the great blessings of Allah Almighty. The scarcity of it in some areas of the world causes terrible famines. The cultivation of crops depends upon water availability. The air and sunlight can clean the dirt but water is the most important for this purpose. Sunlight and air take months but water acts quickly .Our houses can become a place of living only when water is available. Otherwise, they will turn into a source of dirt, garbage and ill smelling. We go to our work every morning wearing clean, shining, and well-pressed dresses, which greatly owe to water. Think deep about the importance of water.

In Second World War, Singapore was well fortified by the English. The British forces proudly termed it invulnerable. Its water supply was totally linked with Malaya, which was conquered by the Japanese. They disconnected the water supply and the British Governor surrendered before the Japanese within few hours. He had to accept a shameful defeat in spite of having large number of weapons and huge quantity of food. It proves that water has been used as a weapon in wars in past. 

How flowers help humans

Flowers represent beauty in its real form. Presence of flowers in your lawn gives a unique grace to that piece of land. An orchard with flowers attracts the visitors with amusing colors and sweet fragrance. The vicinity too looks decorated and pleasant. They make everybody pleased and delighted. Actually, flowers are a great boon of God. They not only satisfy our aesthetic sense but also have great effect on our moods and temperaments. If you are sitting alone in sad and gloomy mood, they can release your pressure and tension. Their colors directly affect man and he feels relieved. When you visit your friends and relatives in their ailment, often you offer them bouquets. Flowers really console and please the patients and this is helpful to recover them soon.

Flowers decorate our homes and instill passion of love among us. The interior decoration of houses with flowers makes the inmates happy. Flowers also enhance grace and a sense of sacredness of funerals. The flower petals put on the bed of the deceased person, wreaths of flowers highlight the graves. The tombs of prominent national heroes when visited, people pay homage by offering flowers. The reception of Barat in marriages is conventionally associated with flowers. Birthday parties seem dull without them. The young children offer small bouquets to their favorite teachers when they get high ranks in their exams.

The rose symbolizes love and affection. It is a common observation people offer roses to their beloved ones. Huge spending is seen on Valentine’s Day. Kids to their parents, husbands to their wives and young boys and girls to their partners offer red roses. It shows that they are the symbol of love and integrity.

Why Students Avoid Mathematics?

“Mathematics is the mother of all sciences “is frequently heard saying. It does not bother the logical minds because of its concrete facts. However, it is hard to capture by literary and poetic nature. The concept prevails upon our students. The myth that math is a difficult subject to comprehend is baseless. As you climb stairs systematically and ultimately you find yourself on the roof, similarly in mathematics after some logical steps you get hold of the whole idea. If your behavior is rational, your mind will be of a mathematician.

Mathematics anxiety is not a common problem with our students only but I think it is an air, which goes throughout the whole world. A research in United States stunned me to know that only 17 percent of their High school seniors are proficient in mathematic. The job opportunities are much more for mathematics graduates than other disciplines. The proficiency in mathematics is not sufficient to meet US workforce demands. The students do not study mathematics because they are unable to get good grades in it. They had to labor hard but with poor outcome.

Diversity is the real beauty

We often hear people complaining about the unequal status in different strata of society based on wealth and riches. If Allah Almighty has created the world justly, then why He has created differences in human race. Some are working hard while others are born with silver spoon in their mouth. There are many who do not have enough money to keep their body and soul together, and multitudes are seen with heaps of wealth. The roads are busy with people having diverse personalities who are rushing to their job places. How this can all be justified?   

Imagine for a moment if all the offsprings of the same parents are alike in habits, behavior, and complexion. How dull and boring will be the atmosphere of the home. With the same shape and color of hair and eyes, it will just be like statues standing in showcases. Wouldn’t you feel them like robots walking around you? The home is really a sweet home when its inhabitants are diverse in each and every thing. If the whole family wears the same colors, it might be interesting for some time, but soon you will get bored and will feel uneasy and strange. This is just one example. How is it possible to accept the uniformity of the world then?

Who is Behind the Curtain??

I see an un-ending panorama of different forms of life before me. I feel an invisible thread, which is responsible to keep harmony and compatibility among the worldly things and people. When I look at the objects of nature, the sun, the moon and stars, all are bound to follow a strict routine. The seasons throughout the year set in and off automatically. The hot summer is followed by the wet and suffocating rainy season. The fascinating beauty of spring and charming sights of autumn come after each other without any human effort.

Similarly, people of this world are in close co-operation with one another without wishing to do so. I do not know whether they extend their helping hand for their own benefit or really to help their fellow beings. I step out of my house daily and find rickshaws waiting for me at the roadside. By the dawn, buses, wagons and school vans can be seen running on the roads. Who does compel them to do so? The working class, the travelers, the school going children hurry to catch their vehicle of transport.

Marriage Rituals in the Sub-Continent

Marriage is a bond that maintains the continuity of human race. Human race continued millions of years ago and left its imprints on the pages of history. All the hustle and bustle of this world owes a great deal to this institution. Marriage is followed by many interesting and meaningful rites and rituals all over the world.

In the sub-continent, these are not only glamorous but have a special message and are greatly cherished by the people. The happiness relating to these rituals penetrate deep into the hearts enlightening a new ray of hope. Since centuries, these customs have been on the verge of evolution and change. These are not in the same form as they were a couple of centuries ago. A marriage in the sub-continent completes in about four to five days but today the ceremonial hours can be counted on fingers.