Friends Of Trees : Tree Plantation Programmed :- 2019

        People are very careless about their attitudes  towards the environment. Very few have developed habits that are environment - friendly. Here are some ways in which we can help save the environment and keep it clean. We should make it a habit to use bins to throw in waste, wherever we are. We should find ways of recycling paper. We should definitely avoid plastics at all costs. Also we should avoid packaged and canned, food, as the containers are just thrown away and become part of the litter that accumulates everywhere. We may opt for alternative mode of transport like bicycles. Most importantly. We must save the existing trees and plants more trees.

Different ways of saving the Environment :- ➡  Use alternative modes of transport like bicycle ➡ Plant more trees and save them ➡ Develop environment - friendly habits ➡  Use bins to throw waste ➡  Find ways to recycle papers ➡  Avoid using plastic ➡  Avoid packaged and canned food. 

Learning Outcome : Ability to observe common local trees. 

FRIENDS OF TREES

     'Friends of Trees' are organizing a massive We all know that our town is fast becoming a concrete jungle. Birds have become scare in our localities, and summer temperatures are soaring. Soon, there will be other related problems. Tree plantation is the need of the day. 

FRIENDS OF TREES

invite one and all

to a massive

TREE PLANTATION DRIVE

Friends, our town is in jeopardy.

Have you noticed that the

number of birds have become scarce

in our localities ?

Have you noticed how high the temperatures

are in summer ?

Tree plantation is a dire need, indeed,

Everyone's cooperation is earnestly solicited.

            Trees - Nature's gift to man : Trees are Mother Nature's precious gift to man. Directly or indirectly, they provide him with all his basic necessities, viz,,, air,,, water, food,, clothing and shelter. They also provide important raw material for our industries. Industries provide employment to people. The wood for furniture, housing and ships comes from trees. Woods is also used for fuel and for making charcoal. Wood pulp is used to make paper and artificial yarn. Trees also give us products such as spices, rubber, turpentine, eucalyptus oil, gum and medicinal products. No wonder forests are knows as ' green gold'.                                                                                                                                          Trees provide shade to tired travelers and animals and shelter to innumerable birds and insects. Trees check strong currents of wind and water and thereby prevent soil erosion. Trees keep the air clean. Forests retain humidity and attract rains. It is for this reason that trees are known as rain catchers. They absorb harmful carbon dioxide from the air and fill the atmosphere with precocious life-sustaining oxygen. In this way they reduce air pollution. Therefore, trees are called the ' lungs of nature'. We thus owe our very existence to trees.

        {  The goldmohur tree is of medium size. It has a modest height. It has compound leaves that have a feathery appearance. They are bright green in colour. Its flowers  are bright orange, red and yellow. However, it bears no fruits, It has leguminous roots that have nitrogen-fixing properties. The banyan tree, on the other hand, is large and tall. Its leaves too are large. They are glossy green in colour and elliptical in shape. The banyan tree has no flowers, but it does bear the fig fruit. The banyan tree is specially noticeable for its aerial roots. } 

       Profile of the Coconut Tree: The Sanskrit name of the coconut is Narikela, while in Hindi, it is knows as the Nariyal. Its scientific name is Cocos nucifera and it belongs to the palm family known as 'Palmae'. This tree is of Indo-Pacific origin, either around Malaysia or the Indian Ocean. In plantations, this tree can grow from 15 to 30 meters in height. It usually grows well in tropical and sub-tropical coastal regions. It is especially found near sea beaches and along coastlines. In India, this tree is known as the 'kalpavriksha' or the 'tree of heaven' because of its many uses.

        Prevention is better than cure :- We sometimes handle a knife carelessly, cut our fingers, allow the cut to go septic and, when the pain is unbearable, consult a doctor, The doctor prescribes a prolonged and costly treatment. Wouldn't it have been better for us to have taken due precaution while using the knife ? In fact, we can always protect ourselves against common ailments and diseases by resorting to proper precautionary, preventive measures. Very often, we are careless and do things thoughtlessly. We ignore signs that indicate the possibility of trouble. Finally when the trouble occurs, we regret our neglect, but by then it is too late.

           The proverb ' Prevention is better than cure' advises us to take necessary steps to stop something unpleasant from happening. This proverb has application in the proper maintenance of machines, buildings, roads or bridges, health care, in the averting of natural calamities , in the prevention of epidemic outbreaks and even at the political and nations level. The proverb stresses the need for foresight and precaution in dealing with every situation in our lives in order to avoid facing misery and searching for expensive remedies later on.

         The tree is not an immutable biological category but rather a human concept based on visual criteria. Perhaps a general definition would describe a tree as a perennial woody plant that develops along a single main trunk to a height of at least 4.5 meters (15 feet ) at maturity. This may be contrasted with a shrub, which might be loosely defined as a woody plant with multiple stems that is, in most cases, less than 3 meters (about 10 feet ) tall. However, a species fitting the description of either in one area of the world might not necessarily do so in other regions, since a variety of stresses shape the habit of the mature plant. Thus, a given woody species may be a tree in one set of habitats within its range and shrub elsewhere For example, the spruce and fir may thrive in the tree form at  the base of a mountain but assume a shrub form near the mountaintop, the variation due principally to stresses exerted by such environmental conditions as altitude, temperature, and oxygen tension.

        As seen in the section above, trees are found among many plant families that also include shrubs and herbs, so that the concept of tree is not a phylogenetic one. Further, there is no clear consensus as to whether the tree form is the advanced or primitive condition, Some paleobotanists suggest that tress are the most primitive members within these plant families. However, tree forms are found in all the vascular plants, from the club mosses and ferns to the gymnosperms and angiosperms. It is furthermore true. that, among the flowering plants, tree are found - not only among the most primitive members (order Magnolias ) but also among the more specialized, or advanced, members, such as the roses ( order Rosales ).

        Consequently, form both taxonomic and a phylogenetic perspective, the tree is an artificial category. On an ecological basis, however, the tree can be recognized as a natural construct, as it represents an adaptive strategy by many different taxa to exploit and dominate the habitat above the ground. In the early stages of the development of terrestrial life, land plants were rootless and leafless. Since they had their origins in aqueous  environments, they did not require the specialized conducting and supporting tissues afforded by roots and stems, nor did they require localized regions of carbohydrate synthesis, since each cell was involved regions of carbohydrate synthesis, since each cell was involved in metabolism, water and nutrient absorption, and respiration. Habitats farther form the water as well as aerial habitats represented available uninhabited environments.

         One key to exploiting terrestrial habitats is increasing complexity of the plant's form to allow specialization of function This requires physiological and morphological complexity as well as biological optimization. If all the tissues of massive tree trunks were alive, for example, the physiological cost of maintaining these structures in the living state would be enormous and probably unattainable. An elegant solution came in the form of tremendous structural adaptations : new tissues and organs permitted localization of the functions of the plant body. The evolution of discrete plant body parts with separate functions allowed plants to move onto the land and undergo an incredible adaptive radiation. Leaved evolved as specialized photosynthetic organs. Stems provided mechanical strength as well as a conductive capacity to transport water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves. Roots provided anchorage and absorption of sufficient water and nutrients to support the reminder of the plant. 

Glossary : Prevention is better than cure - It is better to stop something bad from happening than to deal with it after the damage has been done. Precaution - an action which is taken in advance to prevent something unpleasant or dangerous from happening. Septic - infected by bacteria. ailments - diseases. Foresight - the ability to judge correctly what is going to happen in the future and to plan your actions based on this knowledge.

         A tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth. plants that are usable as lumber or plants above a specified height. In wider definitions, the taller palms. tree ferns, bananas, and bamboos, are also trees. Trees are not a taxonomic group but include a variety of plant species that have independently evolved a trunk and branches as a way to tower above other plants to compete for sunlight. The majority of tree species are angiosperms or hardwoods; The majority of tree species are angiosperms or hardwoods;  of the rest, many are gymnosperms or softwoods. Trees tend to be long- lived, some reaching several thousand years old. Trees have been in existence for 370 million years. It is estimated that there are some three trillion mature trees in the world.

        A tree typically has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground by the trunk. This trunk typically contains woody tissue for strength, and vascular tissue to carry materials from one part of the tree to another. For most trees it is surrounded by a layer of bark which serves as a protective barrier. Below the ground, the roots branch and spread out widely ; they serve to anchor the tree and extract moisture and nutrients from the soil. Above ground, the branches divide into smaller branches and shoots. The shoots typically bear leaves, which capture light energy and convert it into sugars by photosynthesis, providing the food for the tree's growth and development.

      Trees usually reproduce using seeds. Flowers and fruit may be present, but  some trees, such as conifers, instead have pollen cones and seed cones. Palms, bananas, and bamboos also produce seeds, but tree ferns produce spores instead. Trees play a significant role in reducing erosion and moderating the climate. They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store large quantities of carbon in their tissues. Trees and forests provide a habitat for many species of animals and plants. Tropical rainforests are among the most biodiverse habitats in the world. Trees provide shade and shelter, timber for construction, fuel for cooking and heating, and fruit for food as well as having many other uses. In parts of the world, forests are shrinking as trees are cleared to increase the amount of land available for agriculture. Because of their longevity and usefulness, trees have always been revered, with sacred groves in various cultures, and they play a role in many of the world's mythologies.

Thank You

Health is Wealth :- 2019

          There is nothing in our life that is more valuable than good health. Without health there is no happiness. no peace and no success. A person with ill health cannot enjoy the pleasure of being wealthy. This proverb causes us to reflect on whether money or good health are more valuable. Health is as valuable as wealth, if not more. We value our health. We can work harder and be more productive when we are healthy. If we are not healthy, we cannot enjoy our material wealth. A healthy sportsman can move towards a gold medal in the Olympic. A healthy businessman sees his business flourish. A healthy student has a sway over his friends and tops in the skill he likes. Man is a rational animal. In fact, man has been able to control nature due to his highly developed brain. It is all true. But for the development of the intellect. It is necessary that the body too, should be healthy. A SOUND MIND IN A SOUND BODY IS AN OFT QUOTED SAYING. The mind can never be healthy if the body is sick. 

       The Government has been spending lakhs of rupees for providing medical facilities. It is busy in fighting various diseases to make society free from diseases. But medical facilities can never solve the problem. So our people need physical exercise to develop their vitality and vigor, and to live disease-free life. It is the only way to maintain health, mental, emotional and physical development of the people. If our health is good we can do anything in our life. We can achieve success. So be healthy and always keep  in mind our true values should relate to human-well-being and not just to the accumulation of wealth. So it is rightly said ' Health is Wealth'.

         What is the use of having millions in the bank if we cannot enjoy good health ? A healthy man can enjoy the benefits of his wealth. But a wealthy man, if he is not healthy, will always be affricated with physical complaints. In fact, if you are ever asked to choose between the two, always opt for good health, Health can give wealth, but wealth does not ensure good health. Very often the desperate search for wealth takes its toll on one's health. It deprives a man of the necessary physical exercise. It makes the person follow unhealthy food habits in the name of saving time, It thus brings along with it stress, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, ulcers and diabetes. As a result a person may have to spend the later part of his life in and put of hospitals and undergo expensive operations in order to keep alive. The end result can only be a stressful and premature death. Finally all the wealth is distributed amongst the heirs. Hence, to enjoy our wealth while you live, you must believe in the dictum, ' Health is Wealth'.

       The man is responsible for the effect of his actions. If the action is based on goodness, it will churn out only goodness in the long run. If the action has been evil, the outcome also tends to be evil. Goodness in the Child of good deeds and misfortune and calamities are the children of evil. According to the natural laws every action has equal and opposite reaction. If we plant a sapling of rose we shall have roses. But if we plant cactus we shall have the thorny cactus. It is equally true in the life of an individual or a nation.

        We will be rewarded or punished according to the good or bad deeds that we do. Sowing and reaping , are part and parcel of the law of nature. If we sow good seeds in our lives, we will get good results. However, the reverse will happen if we decide to take the wrong way. To study or work honestly and diligently is one way to sow good seeds in order to get good results. We are the only one in this world ; responsible for the effects of our action. Our present work always makes or helps us to make our future.

         If a student studies hard in his early life, he builds a good career for himself in his youth. Those who neglect studies are not able to make good career. It is universal truth that we get from life what we sow in it. Actually life is like a big field and all of us are farmers in it. our future is the direct outcome of what and how we sow the seeds of character, right attitude, perseverance, utilization of time and opportunities given to us, and finally how industrious and sincere we had been in carrying out our responsibilities. This famous maxim proves the same in our life. As you Sow, so shall you Reap.

           Pollution is the damage caused to the environment by harmful substances or waste Pollution is our enemy number one today. Modern civilization and material progress have resulted in pollution everywhere - in the atmosphere, on land, in the seas and in the rivers. Our air is polluted by smoke, gases and chemicals emitted by vehicles and factories This pollution poisons the air and harms the ozone layer of the earth that protects us from the radiation of the sun. If the ozone layer is destroyed , mankind will perish, Nuclear radiation also pollutes the air causing terrible health hazards. Besides this, there is noise pollution in big cities caused by vehicles, machines, loudspeakers and crackers. Tonnes of industrial and chemical waste are thoughtlessly dumped into our rivers, lakes and seas and they kill fish and other marine life. Unplanned growth of cities brings about more and more slums, where dirt, disease and death breed. We must take immediate and effective steps to fight pollution. Otherwise our earth will turn into a wasteland. Pollution : Earth's enemy number one.

          A green city is a clean city. This is because nature has its own way of keeping the environment clean. A green city implies plenty of trees and greenery. This keeps the environment clean and fresh. Also the leaves take in excess carbon dioxide from the surrounding, emitted by heavy traffic, and give out refreshing oxygen. Besides trees on the sidewalks, a city should have a good number of parks and gardens. This brings pollution levels down to a minimum. It also reduces the risk of people suffering from respiratory diseases. Man is a part of nature, not apart from nature, If there is a variety of vegetation  in the locality, several animals and birds, that brighten up the atmosphere, will be found. Thus man's sate o mind is also brightened Stress levels are reduced. Indeed there is no doubt that the more greenery there is in the local habitat, the better the conditions of living are for the inhabitants there. Green city : Clean city.

          Our forests are important sources of natural wealth, covering one-fifth of country's land area. They supply the timber for the railways, buildings and furniture making. They also supply the fuel for cooking and the bamboo for paper-making Medicinal herbs also come from the forests. In the olden days, our Wiseman and philosophers had their ashram in the forest. These ashrams were centers of knowledge and learning. Those sages had done an excellent job of maintaining our forests. So we had wonderful forests.

        Unfortunately, forests were ruthlessly cut down in the past few years. While the forests are disappearing. the demand for timber is growing. We must, therefore, protect and develop our forests. Vanamahotsav is an important step in this direction. It is observed for a weak in July every year. During this week, lakhs of saplings are planted throughout the country. This is being done to restore our fast disappearing forests. 

        Still deforestation poses a serious threat to forests on the earth. Deforestation causes soil erosion, sudden floods and global warming. The source of our natural wealth is forest which covers country's one-fifth of land. They supply timber for railways, buildings and furniture making and also are used as fuel, paper making and medicine. The sages in ancient days maintained the forests. But now people cut down the tress for various reasons. So 'Vanamahotsav' is arranged for week in the month of July to make aware the people the importance of forests and to protect them. Deforestation causes soil erosion, sudden floods and global warming. SO WE MUST PROTECT OUR FORESTS.

       To stop the ruthless cutting trees in the Himalayas, a unique movement - Chipko was started. The word Chipko means to 'hug' or to 'embrace' in Hindi. The movement derived its name from the dramatic circumstances in which it was born. In March 1973, when treefalls arrived in Mandal village of Uttar Pradesh to the tree-felling and clung to the tress literally embracing them to save them from the axes. The non-violent protest worked and the trees were saved From that day Chipko has become an important word in the dictionary of environmentalists the world over.

       The movement got a big push when Sunderlal Bahuguna, an environmental activist of Tehri actively supported it. He and his volunteers travelled on foot from village to village to educate and involved the local people on the urgent need of forest conservation. "Our blue-print is not only for the saving of the trees but for the survival of mankind, " said Bahuguna.  Similar to the Chipko movement is the Appico (meaning 'to hug' in Kannada) movement started in Karnataka. The movements motivated many other activists to fight against tree-felling. When the people in the Himalayas realized the tress are cut down unnecessarily they hugged the trees and risked their lives to save them The incident in Mandal village in Uttar Pradesh was an eye-opener for all of us. The women stopped the treefalls by hugging the trees. It was a good initiative taken by the women to save trees and protect forest risking their own lives. Sunderlal Baguhuna an environmental activist of Tehri supported the movement. Along with his activists he travelled from village to village to counsel the villagers about the importance of forest and bad effects of tree felling on environment. Thus the movement spread all over and even it reached Karnataka. It motivated many volunteers to stand against the trees fellers.

       Wetlands are constantly in the news, mostly because they are being degraded, occupied or destroyed. Why are they important ? Let find out what wetlands are. According to standard definition, "Wetlands occur where water meets land. They include mangroves, peatlands and marshes, rivers and lakes, deltas, floodplains and flooded forest, rice-fields, and even coral reefs. Wetlands exist in every country and in every climatic zone, from the polar regions to the tropics, from high altitudes to dry regions."

          Wetlands do a lot of good work for us. They are needed to keep the environment, economy, society and culture healthy. They reduce damage storms and flooding maintain good water quality in rivers, recharge groundwater, store carbon, help stabilize climatic conditions and control pests. They protect our shores from wave action, provide habitat for animals and plants. They support plants and animals that are found nowhere else.

         Wetlands are important for agriculture, fisheries and forestry. Many coastal and inland wetlands are popular for tourism and recreational activities such as swimming boating, fishing. camping and bird watching, Wetlands have been homes for tribal from whose rich culture we can learn many lessons. They educate us on history, science and geography.

            Importance of wetlands :- Wetlands are very useful to mankind. In spite of their importance, they are neglected and destroyed, nowadays. Wetlands are found everywhere in the world. They help us to keep our environment, economy, society and culture healthy. They protect our shores, from storms and floods, maintain quality in rivers, keep the climate conditions stable and control pests. They are also important for agriculture, fisheries, forestry and recreational activities. They are the homes for trial's, animals and birds. We should preserve them.

         Common sense use of paper, if practiced by a majority of people, will save immense forest from needless cutting. Use paper carefully. If, in writing, you use bot sides of the paper, you reduce waste by 50 per cent. old envelopes, old bills, etc. make good memo paper. Do not discard a  memo sheet until it is full. Don't burn discarded paper. Better to have it converted to pulp and composting it. Be thoughtful about paper. Be conscious of how much you throw away that could be out to other uses. You can save eight to ten tress per year if you see that all reusable paper is returned for recycling. Stack newspaper in bundles and save them for return to the paper and pulp industries. Look for those products which contain the most reused paper. Some products feature completely recycled paper. Encourage recycling by buying such products. A ton of paper saved or recycled saves seventeen tress - your family uses that much or more each year.

         The campaign has given all citizens an opportunity to nurture a tree to life. We encourage individuals.  Adopt a tree today because nurturing a tree is like nurturing a friend for life.

         Science and modern inventions : A blessing or a curse ? Science has invented marvelous machines to take the drudgery out of man's work. By doing much of his work and doing it fast, machines have provided man with a lot of leisure. Distance has been conquered. Modern means of transport and communication have made the world a global village. Internet has brought people of the world together and brought about a revolution in the fields of information and communication. Man has already landed on the moon and man-made satellites have made voyages through space. In the fields of healthcare, education and entertainment, science has made immense strides. Though we welcome these blessings of science, we have to consider the other side of the picture also, Factories have polluted the water and the atmosphere. They have caused noise pollution. Industrialization has led to slums. Medical inventions have, by reducing infant mortality and increasing longevity, led to the population explosion and the consequent miseries. Again. Science has put in our hands terrible weapons such as nuclear bombs, guided missiles and the means of chemical and biological warfare. We are in danger of destroying ourselves with these monstrous means. Rightly used, science can bring heaven on earth. Wrongly used, it can turn this earth into hell.

         Today in the modern age the importance of  sports and games is much more than it was in the past. The impact of machine growing comforts of life, sports and games provide us the opportunities of physical exercise along with enjoyment. It is obvious that healthy individuals make a healthy nation and nobody can deny that, "Health is wealth."

           Every school and college has its sports day when annual competition in the games and sports are held. There are cricket clubs, hockey associations, swimming clubs, boating clubs, football clubs and athletic forces of the country sport and games hold an unrivalled place. Also, the general population displays a keen interest in sports and games. 

      The sports are popular among all classes of people ; the reason is that sports influence a man physically and mentally as well as morally. In all kind of sports. the muscles of the body are engaged and so the body is developed. Different organs of the body are given exercise and as a result, eyes become sharper, hearing is made keener and so on. It is quite obvious how sports influence the body but sports do much more. As Hippocrates said, "Sport is a preserver of health."

     Sports - Key to our Health: Games play a very important role in 21st Century compared to the olden days. Games are the key components of physical and mental health. The importance of the day starts from schools and colleges through sports days and annual sports competition, Besides sportspersons, even commoners have a deep interest in sport and games. Sports develop an individual physically, mentally as well s morally. Each and ever organ of our body gets an exercise if an individual plays any type of game. For example, when we concentrate on a game, our eyes become keener and it influences our body. Thus sports are preserver of our health in real sense.

Why I Love India - 2019

            India is my country.  All Indians are my brothers and sisters. I love my country, and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage. I shall always strive to be worthy of it. I shall give my parents, teachers and all elders respect, and treat everyone with courtesy. To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion. In their well - being and prosperity alone lies my happiness. We, The People of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into sovereign socialist  Secular Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens: 

• India: Unity in Diversity
• India - city and village Life
• India has three seasons.
• Why I Love India
• Problems Faced by India Today
• Sugar Production in India [2002]
• Fast Food Indian
• Population Census in India - 2011
• Mumbai : The Economic Capital of India
• What Can I Do For India ?
• Getting to Know India
•  Our India Home and Environment
• Our India Environment And Us

India: Unity in Diversity

          India is my country  and I love my country very much. There are many reasons for this. This nation has a rich social history and cultural heritage. Most importantly, it is democratic and secular. There is freedom of expression, religion and beliefs. people live here in harmony. The people are peace-loving and there is mutual understanding. They are hardworking and helpful by nature. Amongst the communities there is a feeling of  love and brotherhood. As a result people here live in peaceful co-existence and with great co-operation. India is indeed an example to the world. 

   

                     The term " Unity in Diversity" refers to the state of togetherness or oneness in spite of presence of immense diversity. I am really proud to be a part of this wonderful country. India is a land of diverse physical features. Every possible geographical physical feature you can think of is present in India. The people of India have diverse physical features. They practice different religions speak different languages and follow different customs and traditions. They also differ in their dress and food habits . 

          In spite of all these external differences, the people of India have a common feeling of India ness. They are bound by a common cultural heritage and they share certain basic values. Hence we use the phrase ' Unity in Diversity' to describe the social fabric of India. This is to express the great truth that despite their many differences, the people of India, are all united as Indians. From Kashmir to kanyakumari, from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat, they all have a feeling that they belong to one nation. 

                   India - city and village Life 

         India is known as the country of villages. Around 70% Indians live in rural areas. Due to urbanization, the number of people in cities are increasing. There is vast difference between the life of city and village. 

     

         Acclaimed in Indian classics as the kalpavriksha, the all giving tree the coconut palm grows in several states in India. The coconut palm is a member of the plant family Arcade popularly known as palm family. It flourishes on sandy soils, requiring high humidity, abundant sunlight and high rainfall for optimal growth. All parts of the palm are used in some way or other in the daily life of the people. Coconut water provides a refreshing and nutritious drink. The firm kernel that lines the inside is high in calories and the white milk extracted from it is used in many different ways. Oil extracted from dried mature coconut is used as cooking Oil. The leaves are braided to make thatched roof and mats. The mid ribs of the leaves are dried and tied together to make brooms. The coconut shell and husk are good sources of efficient fuel. During religious ceremonies married women are often presented with a coconut along with a few grains of rice as a symbol of fertility and prosperity. 

India has three seasons.

            India has three seasons. They are summer, rainy and winter. The summer season in India lasts from February to May. During this period the climate is very hot. Plenty of festivals, fairs and meals are held during this season. It is also the time when the farmer ploughs the field.

             The rainy season begins in June and ends somewhere in September. It is cloudy. chilly and cold during this season. The important festivals during this period are the Gauri and Ganesh festivals. When the rains are about to begin the farmer sows the seed. The crops grow and are harvested by September.

                        Problems Faced by India Today

          India is a fastest developing country in the world. India, with its diversified culture. civilization, natural resources. technology and huge skilled human resources is also a fastest growing economy in the world, But at the same time there are several problems plaguing our modern India which is affecting the growth and development.

         The major socio - economic problem being faced by India is 'POVERTY'. Even after seven decades of independence, the country is still fighting against this social evil of poverty. The main problem of it is its overpopulation and illiteracy. People do not earn their bread and butter. Even the standard of education is very poor. There is unemployment and people are below poverty line.

           There is high - handedness of government officials which results in a great deal of corruption. Indian society is full of superstitions and many people have traditional ways of thinking. Although employment figures have increased in recent years, they are still not as good as is to be expected. Terrorism, too has taken a toll on normal day to day activities and creates a lot of destruction in the places affected. As a result India. still remains a developing country.

Fast Food Indian 

 Fast Food is gradually becoming very popular in the city of Mumbai. People, especially the younger generation, is getting attracted towards junk food.

             Recently The Times of India conducted a survey to find out the most popular fast food items. It was observed that the most preferred dish is Pav Bhaji. It could not cross 21% votes which is highest score. South Indian dishes like Idlis / Dosas are also quite popular. They stand neck to neck with pizza, with 17% votes and pizza with 18% South India Vadas are favorites with quite a few and bagged 15% votes. The strongest competitors of Pav Bhaji is Sandwish which is an all -time favorite with many. It has received 20% votes as against 21% of the pav Bhaji. Though hamburger managed to get 8% of the votes. Frankies / rolls only got barely 10%. This shows that hamburgers are slowly getting popular with some section of the society but it has a till a long way to go.

Population Census in India - 2011

        The census for 2011 was declared on 31 March 2011. The total populatio n of the country was found to be 1.21 billion. There were more than 627, 000 villages in the country but only about 2000 towns and cities. The rural population accounted for about 70% of the total population. The population of males in India was about 62 crores, which was about 52.66 per cent of the total population. The female population was about 58 crores. which was about 47.34%. The adult literacy rate is now about 74% Across the nation. The average density of the population is 382 persons per sq. km. However, in the ten major cities of India , the populations density is as high as 6888 persons per sq. km. About 44% of the population in India is made up of the youth (below 16 years of age). The population of the elderly (above 65 years of age) has increased from 6.2 to 6.7 per cent due to education and better health facilities.

Mumbai : The Economic Capital of India

          Mumbai, the economic capital of India, has a population of more than 10 million. It is India's chief western seaport. It is not only an important financial central but also the central of the Indian film industry. Mumbai has many magnificent heritage buildings like the CSMT and the University of Mumbai. Mumbai is full of places for one to visit. For those who like the outdoors, there are places like the Racecourse at Mahalaxmi, the Gateway of India, Chowpatty, Beach, Jijamata  Udyan and Hanging Gardens. Those interested in history will like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Sangrahalaya, Mani Bhavan, Rajabai Tower, CSMT and Hutatma Chowk. Film lovers have film City. Other worth seeing places are the Nehru Planetarium, Jehangir Art Gallery, and Nariman Point. Indeed, a visit to Mumbai will be an unforgettable experience.

What Can I Do For India ? 

A Speech on the topic 'What can I do for India?' Honourable Chief Guest, Respected Headmaster and Teachers, and My Dear Friends, It is my privilege today to speak to you on a topic that is dear to my heart. What can I do for India? I have often thought about this question and have tried to find the answer in many ways. When I joined the Rotoract club and we arranged a free eye checking camp for the poor of our locality, I got part of the answer. When I assisted the students of the Junior College in their Adult Education Shibir, again I got part of the answer. In fact, when you come to think of it, there are so many things that we as students can do to make this country a better place. Our main concern, I think, is in seeing that medical care and education reach those who do not have access to them. If we, as students, can do our little bit in these two fields, we are contributing much to the betterment and progress of India. Another fields we can concentrate on is cleanliness and its awareness. We can conduct Cleanliness Campaigns frequently in our localities. We can go from house to house telling people about the proper way of garbage disposal. We can also dissuade them from using plastic. In addition to these, we must take up tree plantation programmes with the help of the local municipal officers. There is so much to do, and such a lot that is not being done. The Indian student force is very large. It runs into millions. Just think, how much and how soon our country would improve if every student takes up just one of these tasks I have mentioned seriously. I have made up my mind to involve myself in as many social projects as possibe for the good of my countrymen. I hope my friends in this school will be with me. We will together work towards making a stronger and happier India. Thank You!

My District My State

From hamlets and settlements to state :  Man began to farm the land. He settled near his farms and began to live there. In this way, hamlets and settlements were formed. Many hamlets and settlements form a village. Many villages form a city. Many cities form a taluka. Many talukas form a district. Many districts forms a state.

Important information of our state : Mumbai, is the capital of Maharashtra state. Nagpur is the second capital. According to its physical features. Maharashtra is divided into the following three regions : (i) The coastal region  (ii) The mountainous region and (iii) The plateau region. 

       The Arabian Sea is to the west of Maharashtra. The Sahyadri Mountain is in the western part of Maharashtra. It is also called the 'Western Ghat' . 'Kalsubai' in this mountain is the highest peak in Maharashtra. The Satpuda Mountain is in the northern part of Maharashtra. Astambha is the highest peak in the Satpuda Mountain. Satmala, Ajanta, Harishchandra, Balaghat, Mahadeo, Gavilgad, Navegaon, etc. ranges are spread in different parts of Maharashtra. Thal, Bor, varandha, Tamhini Kumbharli, Amba, Phonda, Amboli, etc. are the ghats in the Sahyadri Mountain. Burhanpur pass is in the Satpuda Mountain. Godavari, Krishna, Koyna, Tapi, Narmada, Painganga, Bhima, Sina, Vaitarna, Ulhas, Vashishthi, Savitri are few rivers that flow in Maharashtra. It rains heavily in the western and the eastern parts of Maharashtra. It rains moderately in the central part of Maharashtra. The area of low rainfall is to the east of the Sahyadri Mountain.

Agriculture in Maharashtra : Agriculture is the main occupation in Maharashtra. Various factors such as climate, soil and availability of water affect the growth of crops. Different regions of Maharashtra get different amounts of rainfall. As a result, there is a variety in the crops grown in Maharashtra. In Maharashtra. rice is grown in the areas of high rainfall. Wheat, tur, soybeans are grown in the areas of medium rainfall and jowar, bajra and moth beans are grown in the areas of low rainfall. The cash crops like sugarcane, cotton turmeric , onions, vegetables and the fruits like mango, coconut, cashew nut, betel - nut grapes, oranges, bananas, chikoo are also grown in Maharashtra. 

          Agriculture in Maharashtra depends mostly on rainfall. This is called rainfed (jirayati) agriculture. In Maharashtra, in some places, water obtained through irrigation is also used. This is called irrigated (bagayati) agriculture. The agricultural season that falls during the monsoon period is called the kharif season and the one that falls during the winter is called the rabi season.

Languages and dialects in Maharashtra : States in India were formed on the basis of language. Maharashtra State was formed on 1st May, 1960. 'Marathi' is the State language of Maharashtra. Dialects of Marathi such as Malvani, Varadhi, Ahirani (Khandeshi), etc. are spoken in Maharashtra. Gormati Kolami, Korku, etc. are the traditional dialects of adivasi tribes in Maharashtra.

Festivals in Maharashtra :  The festivals like Diwali, Dasara, Christmas, Eid, Ganesh Chaturthi, etc. are celebrated on a large scale in Maharashtra. 15th August and 26th January are the national festivals which are celebrated with great enthusiasm in Maharashtra and all over the country.

Getting to Know India

      Our counters is rich with many rivers, mountains, and plateaus comprises various rivers, mountains, plateaus, plains, islands, etc. The Indian subcontinent is surrounded by water on three sides and tapers towards the south. This part is called the Indian peninsula. Our northern border is defined by the lofty Himalaya ranges. Our country has forests, plains and deserts. The expanse of our country is large. The height above sea-level varies and goes up even beyond 8000 meters. Therefore, the weather conditions change from region to region. This gives rise to a wide variety of plants, animals and birds. Similarly there is also a difference in the crops cultivated. Wheat is a primary crop in the north. Rice is a primary crop in the south and along the coast. Jowar is produced on a large scale in central India. This diversity has a significant effect on our lifestyle, customs, traditions and culture. People of many different cates, tribes and religions live in our country. Many different languages are spoken. We also see differences in food, clothing and festivals and celebrations in the different regions.

         India is a democratic republic. The capital of India is New Delhi. Considering the area, Rajasthan is the largest State in India. It is followed by Madhya Pradesh. Maharashtra is in third place. Goa is State with the smallest area.

Do You Know ? Apart from the Indian mainland, several group of islands are also included in the Indian territory. 1) The Lakshadweep island in the Arabian Sea. 2) The Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal. 3) The coastal island near the Indian mainland. All these islands have strategic locations from the defiance point of view. Long ago, forts were built on some of these islands off the coast of Maharashtra to safeguard the coast. These historical forts are known as sea forts. We can see several such forts along the Maharashtra [KK]coast

 Our India Home and Environment

        On the way to your school, or market, or when you travel to another town, you see many things. Observe carefully the houses that you see. Note the construction, shape, building material and other aspects of the different houses. Do some of the houses resemble the specimens shown above ?

    We saw different types of houses in the India. Their main uses be listed as follows :

• A shelter
• A RESTING PLACE
• PROTECTION AGAINST THE SUN, THE WIND, THE COLD AND THE               RAINS.
•  Protection from wild animals
• Keeping ourselves safe from anti-social elements.

       The types of houses that are common in the respective regions since ancient times. Note how the construction or structure of the houses changes from region to region.

• Regions of heavy rainfall
• Regions of medium rainfall
• Regions of low rainfall
• Desert regions
• Marshy regions
• Mountainous regions
• Plains.

       People build houses to suit the climate of their region, using the natural resources that are available. Differences in the construction and building materials give rise to the different types of houses. Water, food, clothing and shelter are the basic needs of every human being. However, these needs are not fulfilled in the case of each and every person. Then the following situations arise ______ Around us, we see many people who lack shelter. They seek shelter at the roadside, on footpaths, under bridges, in tumbledown buildings in railway or bus stations and even on open grounds. Many people are forced to be 'homeless' because they have insufficient or no means of livelihood. A section of our society being homeless is a social problem. That is why, the government implements many schemes to provide homes to the homeless. In some of the cities, the government makes 'night shelters' available to the homeless.

Why people become homeless : Lack of affordable housing, Inadequate income, Un employment, Physical and mental disorders, Natural disasters, Poverty,    

Always Remember ___ Though there are so many different types of houses, everyone is attached to their own house. It is not only the walls and doors and windows and the roof that make up a house. IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THAT HOUSE and their love and affection for one another that turns a houses into a home.

          The population of the world is increasing all the time. That is why, houses are being built in large numbers. Natural resources have to be used in very great quantities to build these houses. They are obtained using the methods listed below. The methods are harmful to the environment and lead to the pollution of air, water and soil and also cause noise pollution.

• Digging up hills for quarrying 
• Extracting sand from seahorse and riverbeds 
• Extracting stone and earth from the ground
• Drawing out excessive amounts of groundwater
• Felling trees to clear land
• Filling up ponds, lakes streams, rivers, creeks and low-lying areas to reclaim land.

    Because of growing urbanization, land which was previously being used for agriculture and similar other purposes is now being used to build roads and to raise now being used to build roads and to raise settlements. When this leads to shortage of agricultural land, forestland is used for agriculture. Trees are felled in great numbers and forest are reduced. Energy is needed to produce construction material. It is used on a very large scale to prepare bricks from soil, cement from limestone, glass from sand and so on.  Where does the energy come from ? It is produced using natural fuels like coal, natural gas or mineral oil. These natural fuels can be used only once. They get consumed when we use them. Moreover, burning these fuels leads to air pollution. It takes lakhs of years for these sources of energy to from in nature. That is why, it is necessary to bring into use other sources of energy such as solar energy or wing energy which are available in plenty and which do not cause pollution. These are non- exhaustible sources of energy. All living things need shelter. Like humans, some other living things also build shelter using various materials in their environment. But last year we saw that their shelter are eco - friendly and temporary. We should also be able to make permanent houses that are eco-friendly.

Some characteristics of eco- Friends houses  ----- Minimum consumption of natural resources, Use of non-exhaustible sources of energy such as biogas, wind energy and solar energy, Recycling of water, Recycling of garbage, Avoiding artificial materials and artificial colours, Provision for natural light and ventilation in the houses.

        Water tourism has now become an important occupation. In some places, there are underwater shelters for tourists. From these shelters, we get a direct view of the sea-bed and the amazing marine life. Such shelters are observed in the coastal regions of Europe and North America.

Do You Know? The city of Mumbai comprises seven islands. The portions of water bodies between them were filled with stone and earth to create land. Later, settlements, roads and industries were developed on this land. because this 'reclaimed' land is in a low-lying area, it easily gets water- logged when there is a heavy downpour.

Our India Environment And Us

Deforestation: The population of the world is now close to six hundred crore. Man is developing new technology to meet the needs of all these people, and is using up more and more land and water resources for this purpose. Open spaces are required on a very large scale for agriculture, housing, industry, and for building roads and railways. Forests are cut down to make place for them. The environment provides shelter to different kinds of living things. There are many types of plants in forests. Birds builds their nests in trees. Animals like the bear, deer, monkey, elephant, tiger all live in the forest, i.e. they find shelter in a forest. All their needs are met in the forest. If forests are reduced, biodiversity is also depleted.

Pollution : You have seen how water sources get polluted if waste water is let into them without processing. Waste water is also given out from factories into their surroundings. If water from such polluted sources keeps soaking in to the soil, the soil becomes infertile. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used on a large scale for agriculture. They seep into the soil or finally flow into rivers with rainwater. Due to several such reasons water and soil get polluted. This is dangerous for the plants and animals there. Their number reduces and eventually they die out altogether, that is they become extinct. Fuel is used in all homes. Besides, there are big industries and factories in which fuel is used in great quantities. On the one hand, tremendous quantities of carbon dioxide enter the air due to burring of fuels. On the other hand, due to large scale deforestation, the number of trees available for absorbing this carbon dioxide is dwindling. As a  result, the proportion of carbon dioxide in the air is rising continuously. When the proportion of carbon dioxide in the air rises, it leads to rise in temperature. We see such a temperature rise in all parts of the world.  Besides, when fuels are burnt in vehicles, they give out certain poisonous gases as well as smoke. Industries also let out some poisonous gases into the air. This leads to air pollution on a very large scale.

The need to maintain environmental balance : Due to human intervention in nature, large scale changes are taking place in the air, water and land. Also, these non- living or abiotic components are getting polluted. As a result, the existence of living things is threatened, while several living  things have already become extinct. If one factor of the environment is damaged, its relationships with other factors also get affected, and environmental balance is disturbed. From time to time, some of the living things on the earth become extinct. But today this process is taking at a much faster rate. This is a threat for the whole living world.

If the different types of plants and animals become extinct one by one, many of the links in the different food chains will be lost. Many scientists believe that this will affect the entire living world on the earth and the balance in nature will collapse.

Our Needs And The Environment : Food, water and clothes are the needs of all people. We use a lot of things to meet these needs. Besides, we use many means and devices for the purpose of studies, sport, hobbies and entertainment. We even stock up these things so that they will be available to us whenever we need them. All these things are obtained by using materials from our environment. All the people in the world have similar needs and desires. As a result, the environment is being degraded rapidly. We need to be aware that we ourselves are a part of nature. If the balance of nature is disturbed, it will adversely affect human beings, too. We need to take steps to prevent the degradation of the environment. The steps should mainly include using our means frugally and recycling used articles. Such measures should be practiced sincerely by each and every person.

           Several projects are being implemented at the international level to maintain the balance in nature. It is important to raise the awareness of people all over the world about the threat to environmental balance. Many countries of the world are enacting laws that will help to prevent the pollution of air, water and soil.

Biodiversity parks : An area which is reserved for the purpose of protecting and conserving the biodiversity of a region is called a 'biodiversity parks'. In these parks, biodiversity is both preserved and studied. People visiting such a park enjoy being close to nature. This leads to more concern for nature.

National parks : Some areas which are important for the protection and conservation of wildlife are reserved for the. For example, the Kaziranga National Park, the Tadoba National Park.

Sanctuaries : Certain forest areas are reserved for the protection and conservation of a particular animal or plant. Such a reserved area is called a sanctuary. For example, the Radhanagari Sanctuary for bisons. If the plants on the earth are destroyed the numbers of animals also fall. That is why it is necessary to protect plants in forest. If deforestation is stopped, and instead tree plantation is stepped up, animals that depend on plants will get protection and thrive. Mayani lake has formed due to a dam built on the Chand river in Satara district. Flamingos from the Siberia region in northern Asia migrate to this lake. Here, they build nests and lay eggs. Once the baby birds grow big enough, they return with them to Siberia. In the recent past, as the water level in the dam had fallen, the flamingos had stopped coming. However, the lake has now been declared a sanctuary for birds. There is a Maldhok ( Great Indian Bustard) sanctuary at Nannaj in solapur district. There huge weighty birds are famous for their graceful gait. These birds live in open grasslands. They feed on insects. As they are hunted for their meat and their eggs, their number is fast swindling. Maharashtra State has declared the Nannaj area a sanctuary for the Great Indian Bustard. Deer are also found in these grasslands.

         About 50 km from Pune on the Pune - Ahmednagar highway, the village of Morachi Chincholi is famous for is peacock population. The old, well - looked after tamarind tress here have created a favorable environment for the birds. Peafowl have found sanctuary in this village. Indian culture gives importance to the protection of forests. The Devrai is an example. People believe that a Devrai is really a jungle reserved for god. No tree or plant in a Devrai is ever cut. That is why, all trees in a Devrai are safe even today. Maharashtra has many Devrais. In Madhya Pradesh, they are known as 'Sharanvan'. Devrais give shelter not only to the plants but also to the animals that live there. Hence, Devrais can be called the sanctuaries of ancient times.

Always Remember - Nature Provides enough for every man's need, but not for every man's greed.                👇

Conclusion : There are inter - relationships between all living and non - living things in the environment.  Different kinds of plants, animals and micro - organisms are found in different regions.  The balance between the cycles of the various gases in the atmosphere, the water cycle and food chains has been maintained for thousands of years. Pollution of water is a threat to aquatic plants and animals. We shall all have to make efforts to stop the degradation of the environmental balance caused by human intervention. Devrais, Bio - diversity Parks, National Parks and Sanctuaries are created for the conservation of plants and animals.

We hope that this Article will receive a warm welcome from students and parents.