Students auction paintings for Green Drive
- kidsfreesouls
Fourteen
students of Riverside school in Ahmedabad raised Rs.46,000/- by
auctioning their paintings. A hoarding to create awareness on
vehicular pollutions also has been designed by the students. This
came out with a unique experiment to fight Vehicular pollution by
Riverside School, Ahmedabad whose Director is Kiran Sethi. A
hoarding with the slogan 'Stop the smoke or your child will choke'
will be put up near Roopali cinema and this spreads the message on
using car pools and CNG too.
Students taught to say 'No' to firecrackers
- kidsfreesouls
Ahmedabad
Initiative for Reduction in Air Pollution (AIR) conducted
workshops in schools recently to educate students and teachers in
the city. Their theme is 'Children for the city' in which, they
create awareness about the harmful effects of bursting
firecrackers and how to save environment. Around 350 higher level
school children and teachers participated in this presentation
from the DPS school. Some teachers from gandhi Vidyalaya printed
leaflets with student signatures to spread the message to say 'No'
to firecrackers. It is learnt that Children themselves made
presentations on the ill effects of firecrackers and then charted
out an action plan where they provided alternatives to spending on
firecrackers. A crackerless Diwali can be a welcoming idea to save
environment but becomes a debate for banning its use when hundreds
of people earn through making the firecrackers and also bursting
crackers has its positive effects on killing mosquitoes and
insects that exist and bring disease after the rainy season.
-Save Environment
National
Council on Science & Technology organize Competition for
Teachers
-Kidsfreesouls
National
Council on Science & Technology Network, New Delhi organised a
Competition for teacher in celebration of 2005 being declared the
'Year of Physics' Secondary and higher secondary school teachers,
educators, scientists, university/college teachers, professors and
people working in science Institutions can present a paper on
topics like the role of physics in daily life, physics in
co=relation with other disciplines, research in physical science
and pedagogy of physics. Last date for paper submission is October
8, 2005l The Developmental Innovation in Support of Human Action (Disha)
Ahmedabad can be contacted for further information.
St.
Kabir kids crowned 'Champion of Champions 2005'
-Kidsfreesouls
St.
Kabir win Cadbury Bournvita Quiz Contest held in Kolkata and were
crowned 'Champion of Champions 2005'. The participating kids
Helish Sharma and Yogarshi Vyas, 8th and 7th grade were the
winning team beating around 4000 schools from across Asia.
Al Jazeera starts Kids Channel
-Kidsfreesouls
Al
Jazeera, the Arab Satellite channel known for broadcasting taped
message by Al Qaida leaders has now launched a new children's
channel to combine entertainment with teaching tolerance.
This would be the first channel in the Arab world. Children adore
American cartoons and MBC3, a Saudi based channel, rival to Al
Jazeera, already make cartoon network type kids show widely
available. The goal of Al Jazeera is to teach modern values such
as open mindedness and tolerance to Arab children age 3-15 and
their families.
Emotional
Dip - Teens in trouble
-Kidsfreesouls
The
Researchers at University college of London and the Institute of
Child Health have discovered that the ability of boys and girls to
decode social cues and recognize emotions, particularly anger and
sadness, dips between the ages 12 and 14. The ability to interpret
irritated tone of voice and angry facial expression may well
deteriorate during the period of adolscence but the same problem
seems to disappear by the age of 16 and 17. This is the
function of development of their brain says Prof. David Skuse of
the Group's behavioural science unit. Their brains maybe unable to
detect subtle signs from parents, teachers and other adults or to
decode them correctly, feels the researchers.
- Emotions
Workshop
on Creative Writing
-Kidsfreesouls
National
Book Trust (NBT), New Delhi has conducted a three day workshop in
association to The Science City in Ahmedabad on creative writing
and illustrations. Forty students are being trained in writing,
reporting, editing and illustration. These participants will
contribute their content to Readers Club Bulletin, a bilingual children's'
monthly.
India
in heart of China
- Kidsfreesouls
A
bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was
unveiled recently by visiting Home Minister Shivraj Patil at
Chaoyang Park in Central Beijing. Jiang Jingkui, head of the Hindi
Dept. at the Peking University mentioned "India is now in the
heart of China. Putting up the statue of the Father of the Indian
nation in China is possible because of political acceptance of
it." The Chinese have great admiration for the wisdom and the
political struggle of the Mahatma.
13th
September and it's time to take a dip into the world of books by
Raold Dahl
Raold
Dahl, a profilic writer of children's stories, adult fiction and
film scripts was born on September 13, 1916 in Wales of Norwegian
parents. His stories are marked by nightmarish or fantasy
elements, grotesque humour and surprise endings. His most popular
books for children are Gremlins(1943), James and the Giant Peach
(1961) and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (1964).
Dahl's adult fiction includes the short story collections Kiss
Kiss (1960), Tales of the Unexpected (1979) and Raold Dahl's Books
of Ghost Stories (1983). He wrote the screen plays for the James
Bond film 'You only live Twice' (1967) and the Children's classic
'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
Raold
died in1990 leaving behind his books that find place on top
shelves in kids rooms. Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has
always remained on Top of Charts in Kidsfreesouls Library &
gets  It
is cherishing the memories of childhood days and reading the
Children's Literature. An all time classic for all ages. Never
miss out the fun Reading Raold Dahl and yeah, don't miss to read
'Famous Five' - The Great Enid Blyton too!
World
Suicide Prevention Day
-Kidsfreesouls
World
Suicide Prevention Day on September 10:Suicide
Prevention has been the need of the hour with the rising rate of
suicides being the 13th most common cause of death worldwide
according to World
Health Organisation (WHO). The prevention of this came as
declaration of the first World Suicide Prevention Day on September
10. The International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP) in
conjuction with WHO designated the day as a way of focusing
attention and spreading awareness on the problem world wide. In
Gujarat, Saath is the representative with its Director Ms. Anjuben
Sheth, in association to International organisation is working
towards prevention of suicide. They provide professional help,
listening therapies and befriend a person to remove negativity and
provide emotional support.
-Read more
The
first programme on Television
in India - 15th SEPTEMBER 1959
-Kidsfreesouls
The first
Television Programme started in Delhi on 15th
September 1959. Since then, the so called ‘Idiot Box’ has
attracted mass media, glued to its charm with various programmes.
The history of the development of television has been basically
the history of a search for an adequate device for scanning the
image. The first such device was the so called Nipkow disk,
patented by the German Inventor Paul Gottlieb Nipkow in 1884. This
was a flat
circular disk that was perforated with series of small
holes arranged in a spiral radiating from the center to the rim.
As the disk was revolved in front of the eye, the outermost hole
scanned a strip across the top of the image and the succeeding
holes scanned strips lower down until the entire image had been
scanned. Because of its mechanical nature, however, the Nipkow
disk failed to operate efficiently when made in large sizes and
revolved at high speeds to obtain better definition.
The first truly
successful television pickup devices were the iconoscope, which
was invented by Russian born American physicist Vladimir Kosma
Zworykin in 1923 and the Image dissector tube invented by the
American radio engineer Philo Taylor Farnsworth shortly
thereafter. With the availability of the tubes and the advances in
radio transmission and electronic circuits that occurred in the
years following World War I, practical television systems became a
possibility. The first public television Broadcast were made in
England in 1927 and in the U.S. in 1930 though the programs were
not on a regularly scheduled basis. Television broadcasting on a
regular service begain in the U.S. on 30th April 1939,
in connection with the opening of the New York World’s Fair.
Scheduled broadcasting was interrupted by World War II and the
service was resumed by a few broadcasting stations after the war.
Children
with Lost Dreams !
- Kidsfreesouls
As Labor Day is observed on 1st
September, its all 'Thanx' to Sam Grompers who started the
movement who gave working class a voice. He fought for worker's
welfare and trade unions flourished. Labor problems occur all over
the world and child labor has become a great concern esp. in
India.On Child Labour Day, last year, as quoted by Ravi Saxena, Secretary of the Dept.of Social
Justice and Empowerment, "The definition of street children
covers destitute, orphaned and neglected children. It becomes very
difficult to determine the numbers of such children. We work with
the NGOs as there has been estimated 18 million street children in
India."
Estimated 40 Million in Latin America and over 100 Million
world wide. How many are there in Ahmedabad? No figure can
be concluded. However, as per the survey of NGOs, the number could
be 3600 plus (on average 300 plus children are covered under
NGOS). On many cross roads in city, a glimpse of struggle, abuse
and humiliation of kids is found. The traffic personnel are
already over-pressed with problems of traffic violation and
attempting to discourage these children from begging at traffic
signals. Then, Keshav Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police,
promised to look into this serious problem and had many plans on the
shelves for the betterment of the street children. A year past,
this year, Labor day nor child labor seem to be so important to
the govt criteria list and it's awaited to be seen what measures
are taken in this issue.
- Read More
The
Cloud
-Kidsfreesouls
English
poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote impassioned, impulsive poems noted
for their lyricism and Romanticism. Critics consider Shelley one
of the greatest poets of the English language who died in a
sailing accident in 1822 shortly before his 30th birthday. August
2 marks the Birthday memories of the poet whose poetry we learnt
during our school days and dive into dreamy oceans of imagination
while reciting esp. 'The Cloud'. I'm sure many kids mug those
poetry for Recitation exams or competitions but hardly even care
to know anything about the poet. So here I bring Literature
columns for you - of coz with Authors & Poets & Famous
Personalities. click for the Literature
section at kidsfreesouls.
- The Poem
cloud here on the Blog
City
shun the Green Cover
- Kidsfreesouls
Ahmedabad
city which is ever popular to be described by NRIs as hot, dry and
dusty has shunned 60 sq.kms of Green Cover between 1991-2001. A
CEPT (Center for Environment & Planning Technology) student
revealed her study recently. To address this rapid worsening
situation, a collective of city based institutions, organisations,
professionals and concerned citizens have decided to carry out a
three day Awareness Program (AGA)from August 12 and this 'Van
Mohatsav' will involve schools, colleges, residential societies,
citizens and NGOs for massive tree plantation. The Ahmedabad Green
Agenda (AGA) & CEPT will hold Awareness drives and will
educate people to double the approx.3 lac existing trees in town.
However, how much these trees are nurtured and protected is to be
planned, it seems. The Green Peace volunteers are even noticed at
known places collecting funds for the Tree plantation and
preservation. As the city turns to Mega city, the first measure
would be 'Stop cutting Trees' before even 'grow more trees'
campaign begins!
Harry
Potter and the Half Blood Prince
- kidsfreesouls
70 Muggles to meet Rowling to
mark the midnight launch of the book Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on Saturday,
16th July. These 70 lucky children in age group 8 to 16 won competitions in their home
countries will attend an exclusive party at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland which has been
transformed into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy to celebrate the book launch.
The fans with parents will be driven in horse carriages to the castle, where fire-eaters,
jugglers and torch throwers are due to be performing outside. 2000 local children are also
expected to gather along the main road to welcome the arrival of Rowling, 39, who will
make a brief appearance shortly before witching hour strikes. Adding to the sense of
magic, a giant image of the front cover of the latest book, showing Potter and his
headmaster Albus Dumbledore, with wands poised, surrounded by fire, will be beamed
overhead. The author will then enter the castle with these 70 children for an extravagant
party! She will read the first chapter of the sixth volume of her world famous series
about the magical adventures of potter and his friends. She will then given a signed copy
to each child. Bloomsbury, the publisher of the book has arranged for this party and
televisions of British channel ITV1 will show the live events.
Back to school
-Kidsfreesouls
The summer vacations are soon to end.
Parents & children have started getting for 'Back to school',
making new uniforms, shopping for school bags and stationery. Many schools re-open on 9th
June whereas some schools begin from 15th June. Kids are enthusiastic to meet their
friends and shop for fancy stuff with cartoon characters on Compass Boxes and school Bags.
Variety of water bottles are available in town and new brands of pencils, erasers and
fancy sharpeners are available. Text and Note books have special attraction. Note books
too have cartoon characters of mickey mouse, spiderman, etc. Summer coaching classes are
winding up with swimming competitions in last phase, drawing competitions held in various
centers and a variety of activity classes come to a closure except for the yearly classes
in drawing, music, sports which are conducted especially on half school days like
saturday/sunday.
Parent Coach
- Kidsfreesouls
The trend of Parent Coaching
has picked up which is the form of newest help approach for overstretched parents. Cheaper
than counseling, with many coaches charging $75 an hour and at least one Internet Coaching
service charging $30 a month. Counseling has just begun in India but ahead is US with the
'Parent Coach' trends leaving behind Counseling as many parents sort for quick and easier
solutions.
-Read More on Kidsfreesouls New York Times News Page
Boy's
Day in Japan
-kidsfreesouls
In Japan, Kodomo-no-hi (Children's Day) falls on May 5th. Originally known as "Boy's Day",
it is a day for families to celebrate their children's happiness and health. It is also a
day for children to be thankful for the loving home that their parents provide for them.
Cloth banners in the shape of open mouth carp fly over Japanese gardens.The intention is
that parents believe their sons will grow to possess the qualities of Koi (or
Carp).Well,
here on this occassion of Japan Childrens Day, kids can enjoy singing and listening to
kiddie songs. You can even surf kidsfreesouls for more songs and
grammar songs too. 5th May is also a day to learn how to draw a Cartoon
Character!
Conserving Environment
A health week is being
celebrated for school children as a part of a program 'Manav Ghadtar' (human development)
by a voluntary Youth Organisation 'Society for Environment Protection'. The group works
for the conservation and protection of environment. School children are being educated and
a health week programme is being conducted in schools which have students from low income
group. Basic medical facilities and health check ups are provided to students and
counselling with the help of Doctors is taken up. The programme makes the students feel
involved and they learn to connect their actions with the well being of the environment.
The program in charge Maitreyi Diwanji says, 'We plan our programmes in an interactive
manner where we play games and involve children in the environment project work. This
makes them involved and they learn to connect their actions with the well being of the
environment.
Motif-TOI: Tsunami
Charity Walk
With so many Tsunami Charity
shows going on, here's a fresh Motif Inc & Times Foundation organised Motif Charity
Walk 2005. After a successful 'Cycle Day' with more than 80,000 participants in Ahmedabad,
the 'Save Environment' Theme is soon forgotten as people are getting together to make a
Difference with this Charity Walk on Sunday, Feb 13, 2005 starting from 7 a.m. from the
main Atira building - a 5 km walk/8 km run for Tsunami relief efforts. A minimum of
Rs.100/- donation is required to register and for the first 1000 registrants, Free T Shirt
are given. Children below 12 can participate Free. A number of sponsorers like Jade Blue,
Kids Studion, Maharaja Tea, Le Meridian Hotel, Concept Hyundai, Fun Republic, TATA AIG,
Paras Publications, etc have donated for the cause. More information at www.motifinc.com - the Offshore Outsourcing
Solutions.
National
Book Fair In Town
Book Lovers in Ahmedabad have
their brainy heads searching for Books at the National Book Fair organised at Ahmedabad
Education Society Grounds from 3rd Feb to 13th Feb. Rajasthan Patrika being the main
sponsorers, other main participants are Book Publishers & sellers from Delhi,
Rajasthan (Udaipur, Jaipur,etc) and Ahmedabad. A wide collection of Classics like Dickens,
Mark Twain, Shakespeare and many more are on display with prices ranging as cheap as
Rs.100/- per classic or a set of Hard Bound Two Books worth Rs.250/-. Poetry books of ex
P.M. Vajpayee is sorted for and books on Arts, Artichecture, Management, Fiction,
non-fiction, spiritual, children's series are abundant with almost few takers. An Osho
Books and CD center is the center of attraction with Osho Pics display at the Osho stall.
A couple of Computer CDs, Mp3 and video movie and game CDs are on display. As the city is
on back seat of Book reading Habits, the initiative of Books Exhibition is worth an
encouragement for people to read books. The exhibition, second part of section covers
stalls of pickles, carpets, confectionary, household and eatable items, etc. especialy for
the not-so-fond-of books visitors.
 Swami
Vivekanand said, "As you have come into this world, leave some marks behind.
Otherwise, there is no difference between you and the stones and the trees" It is
said that a human need to engage in self conscious activity. Teach self, train the self.
Call upon a sleeping soul and see how it awakens. Power will come, glory will come,
goodness will come, purity will come and everything that is excellent will come. When
excellence comes, this is the time to carefully climb the ladders of success as one has to
leave footsteps on the sands of life.
On 12th Jan, being Vivekanand's birthday, collect Swami Vikvekanand Gems and let
his Quotes take you to higher
grounds to be a success and leave footsteps behind.
 School Children have fun with the President Dr. Abdul Kalam
at the Children Science Congress held in Ahmedabad recently.
The President addressed a special session
of the 92nd session of the Indian Science Congress in Ahmedabad recently and had a gala
time interacting with the budding scientists.The Children's Science Congress is held at
Science City, a theme park on the outskirts of the city. Selected by the central
government's Department of Science and Technology, the junior scientists' meet included
250 students and an equal number of science teachers from across the country.The state
government too has organised a science exhibition on the occasion in which 800 students
and an equal number of teachers are participating.Students enthusiastically responded to
the president, cheering and clapping after his inspiring remarks.
Kalam too took time off from his busy schedule and patiently answered kids questions. He
also visited the children's science exhibition and looked at models developed by
youngsters.Abdul Kalam gave inspiring words to the children who responded cheerfully and
clapped their hands in joy. "Thinking leads to imagination, imagination to
creativity, creativity to greatness," he said and asked students to repeat that after
him.He also quoted, "You are young, you must fly. Whenever somebody says something is
impossible, don't go near him." He gave the example of bumble bee that "Bumble
bee is a bee bigger than honey bee. Aeronautics would predict that given its measurements,
it cannot fly, it has no business to fly. But it flies,"
The five-day long session of the Indian
Science Congress was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday.
Barbie - The Doll Fantasy & Kids
as Barbie Fans
- Kidsfreesouls
Internet offers millions of resources and
opportunities for people of all ages. Though it has also introduced risks and dangers for
younger kids and teenagers. It is the prime responsibility of a parent/teacher to teach
them about Internet Safety. Children typically don't learn how to comprehend intent and
motivation till 9 years of age. This understanding is necessary and Net safety should be
very important for kids who learn computing at a tender age.
Girls in Ahmedabad are fond of Barbie kits and reading books, as usual, is on the
backseat. Ask a Carmelite and she would be visiting Crosswords but books is just fun
glance while Barbie is in-thing and they love to dress up and even act like Barbie.They
are fascinated with everything about Barbie Though the latest products are not available
in town, kids now surf (with moms, of coz!) at moms can peek-a-boo at latest Barbie
products at http://barbie.everythinggirl.com/parents/products/default.asp
at the most surfed children Barbie Doll website: http://barbie.everythinggirl.com
- World Computer Day (2nd Dec. around)
Marathon Race for Cleanliness Drive
-Kidsfreesouls
On occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd
October, Marathon Races are held in city for Cleanliness drive. Organised by State Urban
Development department, the message is to spread 'Clean and Healthy Gujarat'. More than
15000 youths, NGOs, students and representatives would participate in the three races to
be flagged by CM Narendra Modi at Gandhi Ashram.The first race will cover districts in
Saurashtra, the second will move via Baroda and third one will reach Bhuj passing through
N. Guj. Participants will carry Swacchta Jyot (cleanliness torch) and placards, depicting
slogans on cleanliness propagated by Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters and
leaders.
National Book Fair
- Kidsfreesouls
20th National Book Fair by Pustak Mahal is
held in Ahmedabad. Inaugurated by Mr. Chinu Modi, Poet-Gazal writer & Sambhaav
Journalist, more than 150 Book publishers have taken part. Display and sale of books vary
from fiction, children, encyclopedias, religion, management, etc. A photocopy of The
Purana written on leather is on display. Special seminars, interaction with authors,
competition for kids and cultural evenings are the main attraction at the fair. Apart from
Books, kids also have a choice for activity pads, educational CDs and toys on display.
Some books are available with translated versions too.
TEXTBOOK CONCERNS
- Kidsfreesouls
The adverse print media report hype has
created waves of concern with the Textbook flaws due to which, Anandiben Patel, Education
Minister is told to step down from her post and apologise for denigrating Mahatma Gandhi
in the State class 8 textbooks. The textbook dismisses murder of Gandhi in one sentence
without mentioning its circumstances. Osama Bin Laden feature on four pages of terrorisim
and Godse, Gandhi's killer has not been given similiar coverage. The freedom fighter
photographs has exclusion of Gandhi and Sardar Patel too. One paragraph is covered on
present CM Narendra Modi, the most controversial politician. He had brough Verma's ashes
from Geneva and this becomes a historical event in the History book! The Education
Minister admitted errors, attributing them to faulty translations and printing mistakes.
She said 'We will take action and rectify errors'. There is a strong protest for the book
to be withdrawn.
UPCOMING NAVRATRI FESTIVAL
'VIBRANT GUJARAT'
- Kidsfreesouls
The Vibrant Gujarat Navrati Festival begins
from 14-20th October 2004 this year. Navratri Festival of Gujarat is a Carnival of nine
nights involving Garba (Gujarati Folk Dance) with devotion and colour. This is the most
prominent cultural icon of the State celebrated at the best time of the year. Alongwith
dance, this festival involves music, colourful costumes and is participated by all
sections of the society. This is the longest dance festival of the world wherein millions
of people rejoice. In every city, town and village, thousands of men, women and children
dance together for the whole night. The basic spirit of Gujarat, which is vibrancy and
colour, courtesy and hospitality, enterprise and cooperation is best reflected in this
festival. Its dance forms like Garba and Raas are not only known in India but beyond the
national boundaries. The festival is now celebrated across the globe wherever the Gujarati
diaspora resides. No wonder, the festival has been attracting large number of tourists
from India as well as abroad.Last year, the festival was celebrated on an international
scale with intense participation of people from within and outside the country. The State
Govt's Vibrant Gujarat will also provide cultural festivities, the Seminars on Culture and
Heritage Tourism, Religious Tourism, Adventure and Eco Tourism as well as Medical Tourism.
There will be theme pavilions and exhibition on various facets of tourism potential in the
State, its culture and society. A Global Garba Festival is also being organised so as to
enable the national and international troupes to participate and add colour to the event.
For Event Details, visit the websites:
1. www.gujarattourism.com
2. www.indextb.com
- Visit India for Navratri Festival. Book
your Travel Destinations to Gujarat & India through Swagat Holidays.
E-mail for Details
- Last Year's Vibrant Gujarat
Details
- Gujarat History
- Gujarat History
WHO to undertake a Pilot Project on
Health Promotion in Ahmedabad Schools
-Kidsfreesouls
WHO (World Health Organization) has decided
to undertake a Pilot Project on Health Promotion in Ahmedabad Schools. State Health
Minister I.K. Jadeja informed the media that WHO team took this decision after studying
the health check up programmes in primary schools. The project will be executed in line to
the State Govt. Health Check ups. The Health teams had checked conditions of 87 lac
children, thirteen lac were provided on the spot health care after medical check by
Doctors and 46,499 children were referred to consultants. There has been cases of heart
ailments, kidney problems, cancer and other minor health problems.
Open Book System - CM Narendra Modi's
Idea!
- Kidsfreesouls
While inaugurating the Gujarat Youth
Festival recently in Ahmedabad, CM Narendra Modi said " in the education system
fraught with drawbacks, time is ripe for serious brainstorming on the pros and cos of
allowing the use of textbooks by students while taking exams". He moods the idea that
'Open-Book' system where textbooks can be used by students during examination would make a
difference. However, educationists think the idea to be impractical in the present mass
education system in Gujarat and deem it unnecessary. Furthermore, they believe that this
concept works best in west as classes are small and exams are based on application and not
mugging like it is in Gujarat. It is understood that most students do not study textbooks
but adopt to tution and guides for learning. Hence, even if they have books, they would
not know where to find the answer.
Comments: I believe the 'open book' system idea is good for Gujarat students
because instead of being mugging champions/relying on tuitions, at least while appearing
for exams, students will have to sort for answers on their own from the books if they do
not know. By this way, self learning implies and in search of answers, students will have
to sort for better language learning too! Better reading too! - Kidsfreesouls
- Email your Views
The first programme on Television - 15th SEPTEMBER 1959
Making of Television
- Kidsfreesouls
Did you know that the
first Television Programme started in Delhi on 15th
September 199? Since then, the so called ‘Idiot Box’ has
attracted mass media, glued to its charm with various programmes.
The history of the development of television has been basically the
history of a search for an adequate device for scanning the image.
The first such device was the so called Nipkow disk, patented by the
German Inventor Paul Gottlieb Nipkow in 1884. This was a flat circular
disk that was perforated with series of small holes arranged in a
spiral radiating from the center to the rim. As the disk was
revolved in front of the eye, the outermost hole scanned a strip
across the top of the image and the succeeding holes scanned strips
lower down until the entire image had been scanned. Because of its
mechanical nature, however, the Nipkow disk failed to operate
efficiently when made in large sizes and revolved at high speeds to
obtain better definition.
The first truly successful television pickup devices were the
iconoscope, which was invented by Russian born American physicist
Vladimir Kosma Zworykin in 1923 and the Image dissector tube
invented by the American radio engineer Philo Taylor Farnsworth
shortly thereafter. With the availability of the tubes and the
advances in radio transmission and electronic circuits that occurred
in the years following World War I, practical television systems
became a possibility. The first public television Broadcast were
made in England in 1927 and in the U.S. in 1930 though the programs
were not on a regularly scheduled basis. Television broadcasting on
a regular service begain in the U.S. on 30th
April 1939, in connection with the opening of the New York World’s
Fair. Scheduled broadcasting was interrupted by World War II and the
service was resumed by a few broadcasting stations after the war.
HARRY POTTER'S NEW
NOVEL : Harry Potter & Half Blood Prince
-Kidsfreesouls
Harry Potter will be releasing
her New Novel 'Harry Potter & Half Blood Prince' but before that, Harry Potter fans
have been given a sneak preview of the sixth wizard book by J.K. Rowling. Fans had to win
an online darts game at www.jkrowling.co.uk to
reveal a safe. Those who cracked the code saw an extract from the book she is still
writing. The teaser read: "He looked rather like an old lion. There were streaks of
grey in his mane of tawny hair and his busy eyebrows; he had keen yellowish eyes behind a
pair of wire-rimmed spectacles and a certain rangy, loping grace even though he walked
with a slight limp" The author says that the book will prelude a final novel, with
Harry finally facing enemy Lord Voldemort. Daniel Radcliffe, the Harry Potter star admits
that he fears Voldemort can only be killed if the boy wizard dies too.
- Amazon
Shop
- Play & Read Harry Potter
Review
National Nutrition
Week (1-7 Sept.2004)
- Kidsfreesouls
Malnutrition has been labeled
as 'A silent Emergency' as the Food & Nutrition Board, Dept. of Women and Child
Development, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India announces National
Nutrition Week. Malnutrition during early childhood has a lifelong implications on the
health of an individual. An under-nourished child do not achieve full potential of growth
and the deficiencies of Vitamin A, iron, folic acid, iodine, zinc, etc. affect their
growth and immunity. The child faces with poor cognitive skills, poor learning ability and
lack of concentration leading to school dropouts. Due to malnutrition during childhood,
diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases are the cause result in later life.
Malnutrition to the extent impairs human development, results in low productivity and poor
economic growth. The Dept. promotes nutrition by encouraging to adopt correct norms for
infant and young child feeding, provides tips to ensure Nutrition of the girl child,
pregnant and lactating women and offers Tips for Eating.
Main Tips for Healthy
Eating:
* Eat whole grain cereals,
millets and pulses
* Eat plenty of seasonal vegetables and one seasonal fruit daily.
* Consume green leafy vegetables
* Milk and milk products, fruits and vegetables are essential for healthy ageing.
* Food and animal origin, fat and sugar are good for growing children, adolescents
* Adults should reduce intake of fats and oils, sugar and sweets and increase physical
activity
* Elderly people need small frequent meals
* Wash your hands with soap before eating.
- More
on Eating & NYT News Page
Community Science
Center celebrating Dr. Vikram Sarabhai's Birthday - Science Fun 2004
- Kidsfreesouls
A Science Fun 2004 is organised at
Community Science Center in Ahmedabad on occassion of Birth Anniversary of Dr. Vikram
Sarabhai, Godfather of Scientists. He was born on 12th August in 1919 and became a great
Scientist in India who made Steam Engine when he was merely in his teens. In memory,
children across 128 schools have taken part in the celebrations and exhibited their Models
and show various experiments. The exhibition will remain open till 14th August. Research
Scientists will meet kids and will interact with visitors at the center on 11th August
between 5-7.30 p.m. On 12th August, Science Awareness Lectures are organised and on 13th
August, Science Fiction Competition Finals will take place. 14th August will be Award
function. The center will also focus on photography, model exhibits, debate, science films
and sky gazing sessions.
No Penalising Kids with Exams Now -
The CBSE Proposal
- Kidsfreesouls
CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)
has taken up the right step by advising schools not to give Homework till class II.
Thereby, the Primary schools will have the breathing space to experiment with child
sensitive pedagogic methods and engage in all the faculties in a child - build their
intellectual, physical, creative and sentient skills so that the kids grow up in a free,
flowering atmosphere. The child too overloaded with information at a tender age, kills the
joys of learning. Learning should develop alertness, observation, compassion and reasoning
in equal measures. This will make the kids make informed decisions on his career in longer
run and be aware of their own strengths and weaknesses.
- Child Development
& Parental Feedback
Science City To Shape up 'Earth
Pavilion'
- Kidsfreesouls
At the cost of around 15 Crores, Science
City will now build an 'Earth Pavilion'. This Earth Pavilion will be named 'The Planet
Earth'. Presently, the Simulator Ride is exciting for kids which makes them feel 'Car
Chase' and now, kids will experience the thrills of Earthquake feel alongwith Volcanoe
effects, Tornado sensations, Cyclones, etc. The kids will be taught on Science &
Natural Disasters and how to cope up in such situations. In the preliminary stage, an
Energy Park will be created and children will know about various Energy produced. This
project is conducted by Gujarat Energy Development Agency, Jeda and the Ministry at the
cost of Three Crores. The major funding is used from the Loans recieved from Asian
Development Bank, which makes it possible for Guj.Govt. to set up these Projects.
- Earthquake
& Other Environment Talk
Harry Potter in Gujarati
'Parasmani' - 'Philosopher's stone'
- Kidsfreesouls
Kids craze 'Harry Potter' will now be released in Gujarati as well as other
Indian Languages. As per the recent press release by Manjul Publications, Bhopal,
J.K.
Rowling's 'Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone' will now be released in Hindi,
Gujarati, Marathi and Malayalam Languages. During the March 2003 London Book Fair,
J.K.
Rowling had recommended her Literary Agent Christopher Little to arrange for translations
and around 20 Publishing House were invited for the same. Manjul Publications stands class
apart for its International language Translations and hence they struck the deal. The
translation into Gujarati is done by Ms. Jagruti Trivedi, a Baroda based Journalist and
social worker. The book is edited by Harish Naik. The book has 268 pages with the price
tag of Rs.175/-. The original price of English version 'Harry Potter & The
Philosopher's Stone' is around Rs.265/-. It is an attempt to make the kids read the
Gujarati edition with the name 'Parasmani' and Manjul Publications is out for its sale in
whole of Gujarat.
- Read Blossomsmile
ilaxi's Reviews on Harry Potter Books
Unique Dolls Museum - Dolls from 91
countries
- Kidsfreesouls
Fond of Toys? A
monkey, Teddy Bear or Barbie Doll? If you ever visit India, be sure to see the Dolls
Museum in Rajkot. Over 1200 dolls of 91 countries can now be viewed in Rajkot's Rotary
Doll Museum, the first of its kind in the state of Gujarat. A formal inauguration was done
by the BJP leader Lal krishna Advani last saturday. The Rotarians procured dolls from all
over the world as informed by Rotarian Mr. Amit Mehta and Mr. Deepak Agrawal. The Museum
was divided into various continents and sections, and eight kiosks has been set up to
provide information on the continents:Europe, Africa, South and North America and
Australia have been covered among others. From Disney world to Barbie dolls, a variety of
dolls are on display in the museum with more to be added. A special segment called
'University in the North America' would have a classroom, a sports room, a music class and
vocational guidance room. Besides, there is a 'space doll' from NASA, a 'dream catcher
doll' that can bring sweet dreams and many unique dolls. The museum is also planning for
creative section for children and training kids in painting, sculpture making, dancing and
music. It will also celebrate a 'country week' where children would display costumes,
culture and cuisine of various regions of India. The Rotarians recieved tremendous
response from people who came forward with their dolls, donations and ideas. John Wood,
past President of Rotary Club of Somerset, United Kingdom had specially flown down with a
doll to hand it over personally to the Museum.
- Visit Kidsfreesouls
Dolls Page (coming soon!!!)
Apollo 11 Moon Landing - Science
City celebrates 35 years
- Kidsfreesouls
20th July is the day when Neil Armstrong,
Edwin Eugene Aldin and Michael Collins landed the Moon in Apollo 11 and this day is
preserved as the reflection of an extraordinary Achievement of Humans. The first dusty
footprints left by them were also indelible footprints left on the hearts and imaginations
of the human race. No other adventure was shared by more people. No other quest has meant
more to our species as a standard by which we measure our icredible potential. What
a great feeling to hear the voice of Neil Armstrong when he reached there and on the
Achievement, he said "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for
Mankind". Science city in Ahmedabad celebrated 35 years of the Landing of the moon
this year with more than 3000 school students visiting the Exhibition held there to
understand the Universe. Screening of a Science film was held and the students were
excited to see the film.
Computer Science - Compulsory
Subject in Schools
- Kidsfreesouls
Government of Gujarat is planning for an
Introduction of Computer Science as a compulsory subject from Standard V in 7000 schools
across the state. Computer Science, which was first introduced in Std. X syllabus received
tremendous response from students and hence, the State secondary education board conducted
a survey and found that 60 percent students opted for Computers. State Education Minister
Anandiben Patel told TNN that the Govt. has already provided computers to 3000 schools
under its Vidya Vahini scheme in the last four years. The remaining 4000 schools will be
also covered under the scheme in next few years. The Teachers Training Programmes had been
computerised and all the training centres in 25 District were linked through Vsat, as a
part of e-governance launched by the State Government. More than 500 Teachers are trained
for the Computer Science subject in consultation with the experts of Guj. Council for
Educational and Research Training. These Teachers are also enthrusted to prepare software
for various subjects of commerce and science streems for SSC and HSC examinations.
- Computing
Kidsfreesouls - Tribute to Dewang Mehta, IT Genius
Cars - Kids Choice!
- Kidsfreesouls
Children dominate purchase decisions for
Cars involving brand and model, according to a recent market research survey by Synovate,
a Singapore based firm. Jon O'Loughlin, Global Director of Synovate said 'Kids are the
King in India, with 42% of respondents saying their choice of car is entirely dependent on
their children's and grandchildren's choice and furthur said their needs influenced the
choice of car. The following rrther 46%ation speaks for itself:
| Mumbai |
51% |
| Delhi |
42% |
| Overall respondent
for kids choice |
92% |
| Global average |
60% |
A leading Maruti Dealer said
internal surveys also revealed that children were involved in the process and kids
generally hold sway over color, followed by size and styling. In US, it is noted that kids
are least involved in the decision-making process where six out of ten respondents said
their kids are not involved. More and more kids in India are 'Car Freaks' and apart from
playing Car games, real cars are their prime choice and Dad's fulfil their heart's dream
choice car.
- Play Car Games
Green Ahmedabad
-Kidsfreesouls
Plantation drive will be launched by
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation this season as 'Casualty Replacement Programme'.,
replacing trees that have died and paying attention to plantation as it rains. 2.5 lac
saplings will be successfully planted with around one lac distributed to the public.
Around ten varieties of plants will also be grown in open plots, schools, hospitals and
roadside and centre divider spaces. The public distribution of Plants centres will be
Parimal Garden, Victoria garden and other places where people can take free or buy plants
for nominal rates. AMC is on a drive to encourage people to plant more trees in their
areas, localities and societies. Their aim for 'Green Ahmedabad' has been meeting with
enthusiasm by people who visit the distribution centres to get the saplings and support
for greener city. However, nurturing the plants to grow will be the main focus soon after
the rains.
Book Release 'My Life'
- Kidsfreesouls
Top of the Charts on 'Best
Selling' @ Amazon stands 'My Life' - Autobiography of Bill Clinton, Former US
President. The Book was released as one of the most anticipated non fiction books this
year that went on sale midnight monday last and many US book stores stayed open late to
meet the buyers rush. New York Times in a front page review Sunday, panned Clinton's 957
page book as 'sloppy, self indulgent and often eye crossingly dull'. Newsweek called in
'hardly an edge of you seat experience' and AP said it was badly conceived, flatly written
poorly edited book. However, Barnes and Nobles Bob Wietrak, vice president said the
reviews will absolutely not affect the sales as people are buying this book because they
want to know what he says not how he says it. With advance orders more than 2 million,
Clinton's book runs from his Arkansas childhood through his Presidency and this appears to
justify and make an interesting read.
- Buy here @ Amazon
Jivram Joshi
Author, Kids Literature (gujarati)
Jivram Joshi was born in Garni
village in Amreli District on 6th July 1905. He made a record contribution in Gujarati
Literature with his books for kids. He wrote books like 'Tabha Bhat, Chako-Mako, Rani
Chatura, Adukio-Dadukio, Ranglo, Chitra Varta, Mansen Sahsi, Chuk-chuk, etc. More than 30
stories was written by him which appeared in 'Zagmag', a children Supplement in Gujarat
Samachar Newspaper. Jivram Joshi's tales were full of fun, wits and moral values. Around
1980, I.N.T., a Theatre group performed Jivram Joshi's Chako-Mako' Stage Show was a record
breaking presence of 'House-full' shows and it celebrated its Silver Jubilee in Bombay
making 'Chako-Mako', a memorable characters for kids to remember. Jivram Joshi has proved
to be an Indian 'Harry Potter' - only that there has been no great publicity of his Books,
unfortunately!
Jivram Joshi remained very
active till he died recently due to old age, 95 years on 28th April 2004. Kidsfreesouls
pays homage to this great Kids Writer of yester years.
New Course for 8th Std. - Difficult
English?
-Kidsfreesouls
Under Gujarat Govt. Board 'Karmayogi'
Yojna, a new syllabus is set up for 8th and 11th std. It is understood that the new Text
Book in English is very difficult even for the Teacher who will impart education. Under
the circumstances, there is no doubt, children will not be able to follow the lessons. The
teachers themselves will have to do the training course for the subject. As there is no
extra reading and use of Dictionary is avoided, the teachers will find the book difficult
for classroom teaching. The book seems to be prepared more for conversational use rathar
than educational. Village teachers are totally baffled to teach the subject with this
change. Emphasis has been given for Project work too. It remains to be seen now, how
teachers react to teach the subject in the classroom and whether the children will be able
to understand - upto what extent?
- Back to school
Save the Children
- Kidsfreesouls
'Save the Children' Institute in Ahmedabad recently organised 'Bal Adhikar Mohatsav'
(Children's Rights). A book was released for saving 'Children Rights' and casettes were
distributed. The Chief guest was Ms. Mrinalini Sarabhai. Concerned topics related to kids
were discussed in the Seminar and ways and means to save Children's rights and make
parental awareness was the main topic. The book and casettes were provided by the active
'Save the Children, U.K. branch and this book in gujarati will be widely circulated for a
humanitarian cause.
Wanted! Seas & Oceans-Dead or
Alive?
-Kidsfreesouls
Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt
of India has announced 'Wanted! Seas & Oceans-Dead or Alive?' Campaign in wake of World Environment Day. They are
actively spreading awareness on the use of Plastics. Plastic waste kills more than 20 Lac
birds, one lac sea mammals and countless fish each year. More sea creatures are killed by
plastic decompose but the plastic remains there killing again and again. The Plastic
should be almost banned or its use reduced. It should be reused and recylced to generate
minimum plastic waste.
In Gujarat, The State Government has also
planned a detailed deliberation on the condition of Gujarat coast that will be held soon.
It will launch 'air pollution control plan' , jointly prepared by Guj. Pollution Control
Board and the State Environment Dept.They will identify sources of air pollution in the
city and categorised them as vehicular pollution, industrial pollution and miscellaneous
sources. The action plan will tackle the menace posed by use of adulterated fuel, poor
maintenance of vehicles and pollution caused by diesel and petrol driven vehicles, which
count for about 75 percent of the problem in the city.
- Ban Plastics (An earlier report)
Memorial Day - Honoring the Dead
soldiers
- Kidsfreesouls
Memorial Day was called Decoration Day
when, on May 30, 1868, General John A. Logan, Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the
Republic issued the order, "...every post of the G.A.R.should hold suitable exercises
and decorate the graves of their dead comrades with flowers" Memorial Day, originally
reminds of those who died during the Civil War, a battle in which US countrymen fought
each other. It is a day to honor the dead soldiers and be proud of the glory they have
won, proud for the job they have done to keep people free. This day is observed all over
US with a declared Holiday and memories of soldiers alive in hearts of the citizens.
Anti Aids Campaign by Students
- Kidsfreesouls
Creative Campus International Art
Association has organized an Anti Aids Campaign by students. The students will be making a
200 ft. long Canvass Painting depicting Anti Aids Awareness painting with fingers instead
of using brushes. Being the eighth attempt of the center, earlier they had
successfully launched their first Painting Campaign on C.G. Road in Ahmedabad in the year
1997 with the 'Environment' Theme. As informed by their President Mr. Rupang Shah, the
Institute focus on Social issues and aims to spread the message and bring awareness about
social problems. So far, the center has made paintings related to Aids, T.B., Environment,
World Peace and Harmony. The fine Arts college students are joining other students to make
a 200x5 ft Canvas, worked upon by 50 participants. The center also works for Street
Children and Handicapped children
Astronomy Day - April 24
- Kidsfreesouls
Astronomy Day is declar | 
PERSONALITY ZONE
ilaxi