The Acid Rain__

What is acid rain?

Acid rain is the name given to rain, snow or sleet contaminated with acid substances so that its acidity is greater than the limit expected by normal concentrations of carbon dioxide dissolving in the rain to give carbonic acid. The increased acidity is caused by larger concentrations of a number of contaminants, principally the strong acids, nitric and sulphuric, which arise from industrial effluents containing oxides of nitrogen and sulphur.

It can mark fruit and leaves, and adversely affect soil but its main effect is on acquatic ecosystems especially in regions which cannot naturally buffer acidic inputs such as those with thin soils and granite rocks. Disappearance of fish from many scandinavian lakes is largely a result of pollution by acid rain.

Significance of the Satellite ARYABHATTA

When was Aryabhatta launched and what was its overall significance?

Aryabhatta is the name of the first Indian satellite launched on April 19, 1975. The 360-Kg satellite was fabricated wholly by Indian scientists at Peenya, Bengaluru, in 26 months at a cost of Rs. 50 Million.

The satellite was designated Aryabhatta after the fifth century astronomer and mathematician Aryabhatta of Kusumapura near Patliputra, now Patna, who laid the foundation of modern algebra, determined the parameters of the movements of various celestial bodies, calculated the diameters of the Earth and the Moon, and the importance of their movements around the sun.

Hampi__ THE PLACE(of India)

What is Hampi known for?

Hampi in Karnataka has been the seat of the grandeur of the great Vijayanagar Empire and the magnificent ruins one can see today remind us of the glory of Vijayanagar. Early in the fourteenth century this part of the country saw some of the bloody conflicts when the Mughal emperors sent their commanders down South to establish their ascendancy and the systematic resistance offered led to the rise of the Vijayanagar Empire__a citadel of resistance against the political aggrandizement of the Mughals.

Few can afford to forget the name of the great Krishna Devaraya (1509-29 AD), the greatest of the Vijayanagar ruler who brought glory to Hampi and symbolised its golden age. His army defeated the Bahamani Sultans, conquered Telengana and maintained diplomatic relations with the Portuguese. With his death faded the splendour of both Vijayanagar and Hampi which was virtually desecrated by the Mughal invasion. Western historians described Hampi "as large as Rome" and "the best provided city in the world". Some of the landmarks of Hampi can be seen along the banks of the Tungabhadra and the hills nearby. There are famous temples in the vicinity like the Virupaksha Temple dedicated to Lord Siva and the Vitthala Temple.

Stethoscope='='='='='='

Who invented the stethoscope?

In 1816, the French physician Rene Theoplhie Hyacinthe Laennec (1781-1826) introduced a performated wooden cylinder which concentrated the sounds of air flowing in and out of the lungs, and described the sound which it revealed. The modern form of stethoscope, with flexible tubes connection the earpieces to a circular piece placed against the chest, was developed later in the nineteenth century.

Birth details of ____TAOISM

Who was the founder of Taoism and what were the principles Taoism was based upon?

Two great philosophers who influenced the Chinese thought were confucius and Lao-tzu, the latter founding Taoism. Lao-tzu, said to have lived between 604 and 531 practice of thrift, humility and compassion. Form and ceremony held no place in his religion. Some of the other principles preached by Taoism are simplicity, patience, contentment and harmony. Taoism began its decline about AD 906, especially after the T'ang Dynasty, and today its followers number fewer than 52 million, many abandoning it and embracing Buddhism. In 2005, altogether, there were said to be 27,34,000 Taoists worldwide.

According to Taoism, the universe is believed to be kept in balance by the opposing forces of Yin and Yang that operate in dynamic tension between themselves. Yin is female and watery; the force in the moon and rain which reach its peak in the winter; Yang is masculine and solid; the force in the sun and earth which reaches its peak in the summer. The interaction of Yin and Yand is believed to shape all life.

From the fourth century, rivalry between Taoists and Mahayana Buddhists was strong in China, leading to persecution of one religion by the other. This was resolved by mutual assimilation, and Taoism developed monastic communities similar to those of the Buddhists.