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How much time will you take to find the square of 75 WITHOUT using a calculator? I am sure about a minute or more if mathematics is not your favorite subject. Well, it is neither mine and still I can assure of solving this problem in 30 seconds flat. Surprised. Don’t be because you too can do the same and solve even big subtraction, addition, multiplication, even algebraic problems using an age-old Indian system called as vedic mathematics.
A person called Bharati Krisna Tirthaji in the 1900s rediscovered Vedic Mathematics from the Vedas, the epical Indian books of knowledge. Since then, this system has gained followers around the world owing to its simple logical problem solving techniques and quick results. According to vedic mathematics, all kind of mathematics is based on simple 16 sutras or formulas and you can solve any problem, be it adding 12345 with 67890 or multiplying 97 with 98, in the matter of seconds.
The system is so cool, that some schools in India have already introduced it to the school syllabus, and believe that with the knowledge of the traditional mathematics and vedic mathematics, students get the best of both worlds. They fear mathematics less and are even finishing their problems in record time.
Let me give an example of this mathematics.
In traditional way if I asked you to multiply 97 with 98 you will I am sure, first multiply 7 with 8 and 9, then 9 with 8 and 9 to arrive at the result. This will take you a matter of at least three minutes.
Now a student of vedic mathematics will do the following,
Subtract both figures from 100
Multiply the resulting figures 2 and 3 to arrive at the answer 06, which are the last two digits of the final answer.
Then subtract crosswise, either 2 from 97 or 3 from 98. The result is the same – 95, which are the first two digits of the final answer!
So the answer 9506 arrived in less than a minute!
Just imagine surprising everyone with your new mathematics skills if you just know these few tricks. Not only is this beneficial for student appearing for competitive exams, but also for all those who do budgeting, accounting, are always making a mess of their figures, and have to keep the calculator at hand even to multiply 2 with 6.
The battle of man vs. machine was never more real. The questions keep filling up my tray as fast as the dishes. Questions like which is more efficient- hand wash or dishwasher, which saves more water, is the electricity usage justified for the dishwasher, and not to forget which is more eco friendly.
I know this is a way old debate and people are still trying to figure out who wins the battle. So I on my part have just researched few of the sites that have written about the dishwasher vs. hand wash war. While most believe dishwasher is the winner there are a few who still feel it is better to hand wash for the environment benefit. It seems they think that the dishwasher uses up more water and energy.
Most of the writers who are backing up the dishwasher have got new proof from the research conducted by the University of Bonn, Germany that proves quite clearly that dishwashers are more energy efficient and environmental friendly as it uses only half of the energy, one sixth of the water and fairly less amount of soap too.
Now we all know the amount of labor used to wash the greasy pots, or cake plates through hand wash. The research states, dishwashers do a more efficient job for these items as the machine uses just slightly more water for removing the grease whereas we end up running the utensil into pre- rinse, soap sink, hundred scrubs, another rinse, and yet another soap sink if the grease persists.
A step-by-step analysis of dishwasher vs. the hand wash has following results,
Water usage
If you are a fairly small family with limited amount of dishes or if you tend to do the dishes only once in a day instead of many washings a day, your hands are better than the machine as it will use a little more water. But under most circumstances, a dishwasher uses less water compared to hand wash even if you are the meanest of washers who uses a dry cleaning technique for dishes.
A point to remember is, do not pre- rinse if using the machine. That will add up to the water usage and thus be a lot of wastage.
Most dishwashers manufactured since 1994 use seven to 10 gallons of water per cycle,
while older machines use eight to 15 gallons. A standard 24-inch-wide household dishwasher is designed to hold eight place settings, but some newer models will wash the same amount of dishes inside an 18-inch frame, using less water in the process.
Therefore, if you machine is the older version it is really good to replace it with a new one and if not, then I think using the dishwasher only when there is large amount of dishes to be done is good as that will save water used to wash just few dishes a day.
Energy usageYour text goes here
A dishwasher uses electricity to run. A sink does not. Also, the energy usage whether you are hand washing or using the washer is because of the water heated. Earlier, it was thus better to hand wash as a dishwasher was supposed to use slightly more energy. But now the new dishwashers heat water themselves and only the amount that is needed. Saving you of not only the trouble of heating water in a heater, but also saving unnecessary heating and usage of water.
Time
A dishwasher is more efficient and the time can be used to do ten other things of your list.
But I also know some people who clearly enjoy doing the dishes and it gives them time to spend with themselves, planning or even relaxing from the hundred activities.
Friend of the Environment
Modern dishwashers use less water, are more energy efficient and we can also switch to the non detergent based soaps, but still, the dishwasher is a machine, made of plastic and precious metals dug from ores, it generates a little more noise than hand wash, so the old fashioned method is still more eco friendly.
If the choice is of saving water and energy a new dishwasher is better.
If the choice is of not using plastic, and metal the hand wash is better
If it is a small family, again hand wash is better.
If doing lots of dishes in a day, everyday, a dishwasher is better
The debate continues….
Indian breads comes in a variety of flavors and textures and can be made with wheat flour, refined flour, maize flour, or other cereals. The most common although is the wheat flour which is made into a dough and used to make regular everyday chapattis that are light round breads eaten with a curry or veggie.
The stuffed parathas are an exotic version of the Indian bread. These are also made with dough of wheat or refined flour, but have some scrumptious stuffing of potatoes, radish, cauliflower, cottage cheese or sometimes even minced meat. What is truly lovable about these parathas is that they are a wholesome meal in themselves and do not really need any other accompaniments. A green or red tomato sauce, a pickle or some curd and butter are all that go too well with the parathas. These are really good alternative meal options for fussy children an adults who do not like their veggies.
The trick to make any of the stuffed parathas is to first make tight dough of the flour and water with a pinch of salt added to the dough. If making a potato paratha, one has to first boil the required amount, peel the potatoes and mash them. You can then add some salt, turmeric powder, red chilly powder, some chopped green chilies and chopped coriander leaves for the added zing. The stuffing is now ready to use.
rolling a flat bread
Take a ball of the dough and roll it into a flat round chapatti. Then with a spoon take a scoop of the stuffing placing it in the center of the chapatti. This stuffing should then be covered with the chapatti by folding the corners.
stuffing and folding the corners
This is again rolled flat into a bigger sized bread. A little care is needed that no stuffing comes out of the bread. Now the next step is to bake the bread on a heated griddle called the tava. If you cannot find that even a shallow frying pan is just fine.
on the heated griddle- the tava
A generous amount of oil, butter or ghee on both sides and the stuffed paratha is ready to be served.
With every bite you take of the stuffed paratha, you get the individual taste of the stuffing and the bread intermingled with each other to give a scrumptious delightful taste that leaves you asking for more.
Today, I was just going through the list of endangered birds in the world and was quite sorry to note how there are so many beautiful bird species that may perhaps not live much longer, thanks to the work of a much bigger species called the human.
So, instead of feeling low, I thought, well there are so many people like me who feel for the natural world as strongly as I do and perhaps a little information about some of the birds and animals can go a long way in saving these species or at least generating awareness about there plight
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a women offering prayers to the snake
It is not very often that you will find people offering milk, flowers, sweets and rice to a snake, but if you happen to see something like this at every home in India, then you are surely looking at the celebration called nagpanchami, the annual celebration of the revered snake.
In the Indian culture most of the celebrations are intertwined with nature – the plants, animals, weather and of course snakes. That is how the fifth day of the Hindu month shravan, which roughly falls in July August every year is celebrated as nagpanchami which means fifth day of the Cobra – the most poisonous snake found in India
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We feel dirty looking at the green colored carpet covering our favorite pond or lake but this slimy thing called algae can indeed solve the fuel problem if taken more seriuosly.
We all have heard about this before, but I am sure most if us really don't know how the algae based biofuels work
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The kurta, a traditional Indian costume has won the favor of men the world over because of its, elegance, style and sheer comfort. This loosely fitted casual shirt or robe is available in cotton, silk, khadi or any other material you want and can be worn by both men and women, although the female version is not what I am talking about here.
The kurta for men has come a long way since it was worn by the villagers of India, and still is, as a regular day to day casual dress. Nowadays, all trendy, upmarket stores have kurtas on display and these are something of a must have for every Indian male who wants to look traditional as well as stylish
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We all know how China is really using militiry like tactics to tackle its immense pollution problem in Beijing which is soon to host the olympics.
Many factories have been closed down, construction work has been stopped, cars have been stopped to be used by owners depending on the number plate , misting, cleaning everything is taking place in a mammoth way..a cleanliness drive as big as the olympic itself.
Your text goes here
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Well, we all know how toothbrushes, although an essential part of our everyday life, are made of plastic and considering the amount of people living in this planet and considering they all change their toothbrush once every 6 months, imagine the pile of tooth brushes going into the garbage bin every day!
So what can you do to prolong the life of a toothbrush? I am not saying use the same old brush for eternity. That will probably make a cleaner environment but not very clean teeth. Here are some things you can do with the very handy brush before throwing it away
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Newly weds applying turmeric paste on each other
Imagine the first day of your married life and you are asked to paint your partner’s face with a turmeric paste. Or even better, you have to beat him/her into finding a ring immersed in colored water… Well if you are a part of a traditional Hindu wedding in India, you might as well get ready to witness these kind of games being played by the newly weds.
In an Indian Hindu wedding, the moment when the bride arrives at the groom’s house is of special significance and is marked by various ceremonies differing from state to state. What adds to the richness and fun during this time is the number of games that are played by the groom and bride. These are not just fun ways to make the new bride feel more comfortable in her new environment but also have a special significance as they teach the newly weds a thing or two about married life
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Comments (5)
thanks for the tip Timmy.
Comment by atula
on Algae can indeed solve the fuel problem!
India Jump
defendgreen
atulatalks
I agree there is the problem of hydrogen being converted to sugar in the dark, but I believe there is some research going in that area and something as simple as keeping the area illuminated 24 hours can actually help curb this problem...
I will let you know when i find some more new on the subject...
thanks for the comment