A pointer to the predominant colour of many of its building, which Indian city is called the Pink City?



Known as the “Pink City of India” due to its distinctive pink coloured buildings, Jaipur is the largest city in the state of Rajasthan and one of India’s most stunning cities.



You may be wondering why it is called the “Pink City,” and this is all down to Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh who had the whole city painted pink in 1876, to entice Prince Albert and Queen Victoria to visit Jaipur as part of their tour of India, as pink was considered the colour of hospitality at the time.



There is so much to see in Jaipur and it has an amazing variety of palaces, forts, temples, monuments, museums, arts and crafts, and various market places to explore.



The city is known for its beauty, and it is unique in its straight-line planning. Its buildings are predominantly rose-coloured, and it is sometimes called the “pink city.” The chief buildings are the City Palace, part of which is home to the royal family of Jaipur; Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century open-air observatory that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010; Hawa Mahal (Hall of Winds); Ram Bagh palace; and Nahargarh, the Tiger Fort. Other public buildings include a museum and a library. Jaipur is the seat of the University of Rajasthan, founded in 1947.



The city is surrounded by fertile alluvial plains to the east and south and hill chains and desert areas to the north and west. Bajra (pearl millet), barley, gram (chickpeas), pulses, and cotton are the chief crops grown in the region. Iron ore, beryllium, mica, feldspar, marble, copper, and garnet deposits are worked. In addition to Amer, other nearby attractions include Sariska National Park to the northeast.



 



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Gotham, the Big Apple, the City that Never Sleeps, are among the many nicknames of which American city?



New York City is known by many nicknames—such as “the City that Never Sleeps” or “Gotham”—but the most popular one is probably “the Big Apple.” How did this nickname come about? Although uses of the phrase are documented in the early 1900s, the term first became popular in the 1920s when John J. Fitz Gerald, a sports writer, started a column about horse racing called “Around the Big Apple.” However, it wasn’t until a tourism campaign in the 1970s that the nickname came to be synonymous with New York City.



The most populous city in the U.S. also goes by the name Gotham, which was first used by Washington Irving in an 1807 issue of his literary magazine about the legends of an English village named Gotham.

New York City is frequently shortened to simply "New York", "NY", or "NYC". New York City is also known as "The City" in some parts of the Eastern United States, in particular New York State and surrounding U.S. states. Other monikers have taken the form of "Hong Kong on the Hudson" or "Baghdad on the Subway", references in different cases to the city's prominence or its immigrant groups.



 



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As it was a centre of the cotton industry in the 19th Century, which city in England was earlier nicknamed Cottonopolis?



Cottonopolis was a 19th-century nickname for Manchester, as it was a metropolis and the centre of the cotton industry.



Early cotton mills powered by water were built in Lancashire and its neighbouring counties. In 1781 Richard Arkwright opened the world's first steam-driven textile mill on Miller Street in Manchester. Although initially inefficient, the arrival of steam power signified the beginning of the mechanisation that was to enhance the burgeoning textile industries in Manchester into the world's first centre of mass production. As textile manufacture switched from the home to factories, Manchester and towns in south and east Lancashire became the largest and most productive cotton spinning centre in the world using in 1871, 32% of global cotton production. Ancoats, part of a planned expansion of Manchester, became the first industrial suburb centred on steam power. There were mills whose architectural innovations included fireproofing by use of iron and reinforced concrete.



The number of cotton mills on Manchester peaked at 108 in 1853. As the numbers declined, cotton mills opened in the surrounding towns, Bury, Oldham (at its zenith the most productive cotton spinning town in the world, Rochdale, Bolton (known as "Spindleton" in 1892) and in Blackburn, Darwen, Rawtenstall, Todmorden and Burnley. As the manufacturing centre of Manchester shrank, the commercial centre, warehouses, banks and services for the 280 cotton towns and villages within a 12-mile radius of the Royal Exchange grew. The term "Cottonopolis" came into use in about 1870.



The commercial centre of Cottonopolis was the exchange's trading hall. The first of Manchester's exchanges was built in the market place by Sir Oswald Mosley in 1727 for chapmen to transact business. It was subsequently re-built three times. Thomas Harrison built an exchange in the Greek Revival style between 1806 and 1809. After it opened, membership was required and trading was not restricted to textiles. Its early members were the owners of mills and warehouses, but later business was conducted by their agents and managers. Harrison's exchange was enlarged between 1847 and 1849 by Alex Mills. After a visit in 1851, Queen Victoria granted the exchange the title the Manchester Royal Exchange. The third exchange, designed by Mills and Murgatroyd, opened in 1874. It was built in the Classical style with Corinthian columns and a dome. The Royal Exchange was lavishly re-built by architects Bradshaw Gass & Hope in 1914–21 and at the time had the largest trading room in the world. Its vast hall was 29.2 metres high and had an area of 3683 square metres. The exchange had a membership of up to 11,000 cotton merchants who met every Tuesday and Friday to trade their wares beneath the 38.5-metre high central glass dome. It was badly damaged in World War II and ceased operation for cotton trading in 1968.



 



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Which Indian city is called the Maximum City and the City of Dreams, among others?



Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra is called the “city of dreams” or “Mayanagri” as they call. It has gained this epithet over the years not just because it offers limitless opportunities for the Indian citizens across the states, but also for people across the borders.



Now it would seem that his writerly evocation has been borne out by the revelation that Mumbaikars work the maximum hours in the world, The Price And Earnings 2018 report by the Swiss investment bank UBS avers that at an average of 3,314.7 hours a year, Mumbaikars work longer than denizens of 77 cities around the world, which certainly bears out its claim to be the ‘City that Never Sleeps’. But it does nothing to burnish its reputation of being the City of Dreams considering the report also reveals Mumbaikars have to work the maximum to earn enough to afford everything from a haircut to a top-end smartphone as it ranks just above Cairo at the bottom in terms of average hourly earnings, with Geneva at the top.

Parisians, the report revealed, put in only half as many working hours as Mumbaikars but take a month off on average. Mumbaikars, however, take a mere 10 days off annually, only marginally more than Beijing, Los Angeles and Hanoi residents. The inhabitants of Lagos take the fewest leaves—a suspiciously meagre six six days—but then practically every day is a holiday there obviously as they work only an average of 609 hours annually. Going by these numbers, maximum work and minimum play could very well turn Mumbai into Dull City.



 



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Due to the many canals criss-crossing it, which city in the Netherlands is often called Venice of the North?



Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. With more than one million inhabitants in its urban area (and almost two and a half million inhabitants in its metropolitan area), it is the country's largest city and its financial, cultural, and creative centre.



Amsterdam derives its name from the city’s origin as “Dam” of river “Amstel”. In the past, the name was "Amstelredamme" which later changed as “Amsterdam”. Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, attracting over 7 million international travellers annually.



Amsterdam is colloquially known as Venice of the North because of its lovely canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and more than 1,500 bridges. There is something for every traveller's taste here; whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.



Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important trading centres in the world during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century, with the first stock exchange and the joint ventures that gave birth to modern day Capitalism. The city's small medieval centre rapidly expanded as the Jordaan and the Canal Belt neighbourhoods were constructed; the latter's cultural significance was acknowledged when it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded in all directions, with many new neighbourhoods and suburbs designed in modernist styles.



Amsterdam is not the seat of the government, which is in The Hague. It has always been a city that attracted many people from outside its borders. Nowadays it's the city with the most different nationalities in the world (178 in 2010). The city has an informal atmosphere unlike other capital cities its size. In fact, Amsterdam has a history of non-conformism, tolerance and progressivism, all of which come together in its liberal policies concerning cannabis and teleiophilic prostitution. Other attractions include the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, the Flower Market, Albert Cuyp Market, and the Vondelpark.



 



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Through which technique were the age profiles of the Dickinsonia fossils determined?



The age profiles of the Dickinsonia fossils in the Maihar sandstone, determined using Zircon dating, make them comparable to those from Russia’s White Sea region, at about 555 Ma. Further proof comes from comparable Dickinsonia tenuis and Dickinsonia costata fossils in South Australia, estimated to be from 550 Ma. Studies of the rock characteristics in and around Bhimbetka show that they shared several characteristics with rocks in Australia, including “old elephant skin” texture and also a trace fossil, Prasinema gracile, the research paper notes.



Dickinsonia fossils from India were found by the scientists to be identical to the Rawnsley Quartzite in South Australia, providing evidence of their age, and the proximity of the two land masses in Gondwanaland in that era. The evidence however did not support reconstructions adjusted for the polar wander phenomenon [which involves motion of continents over geologic time and its impacts].



One distinguishing characteristic of these creatures is the absence of hard protective parts such as skeletons and carapaces (exteriors), perhaps because there were no predators. This was also the time that evidence shows some of the earliest multicellular organisms, or metazoa. The evidence comes from life forms in water when land lacked life.



 



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Which period does the Dickinsonia belong to?



Dickinsonia is an extinct genus of basal animal that lived during the late Ediacaran period in what is now Australia, China, India, Russia and Ukraine. The individual Dickinsonia typically resembles a bilaterally symmetrical ribbed oval. Its affinities are presently unknown; its mode of growth is consistent with a stem-group bilaterian affinity, though some have suggested that it belongs to the fungi, or even an "extinct kingdom". The discovery of cholesterol molecules in fossils of Dickinsonia lends support to the idea that Dickinsonia was an animal.



They are nearly bilaterally symmetric, segmented, round or oval in outline, slightly expanded to one end (i.e. egg-shaped outline). The rib-like segments are radially inclined towards the wide and narrow ends, and the width and length of the segments increases towards the wide end of the fossil. The segments are separated by a thin ridge or groove along the axis of symmetry into right and left halves.



Some spectacular fossils attributed to Dickinsonia appear to preserve internal anatomy, believed to represent a tract that both digested food and distributed it throughout the organism.



 



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The Bhimbetka caves near Bhopal were in the news recently. Why?



Researchers have discovered three fossils of the earliest known living animal — the 550-million-year-old ‘Dickinsonia’ — on the roof of the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, about 40 km from Bhopal.



One can identify the fossils from the white leaf-like patches with a central vertebra (central midrib) and connecting veins. While one fossil is 17 inches long, the other two are much smaller.



The new discoveries, published in a journal, Gondwana Research, can be seen right at the beginning of the ‘Auditorium Cave’, the first of such caves at Bhimbetka, a UNESCO heritage site, located about 3.5 metres above the ground.



Geological Survey of India’s Bhopal in-charge Tapan Pal, who had come to visit the site, told The Hindu that they were the only such fossils available in the country, and were similar to those seen in south Australia.



 



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Novak Djokovic wins his 9th Australian Open title



By defeating Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in the men's singles final of the 2021 Australian Open on February 21. 2021, Novak Djokovic claimed his ninth Australian Open and 18th Grand Slam title overall.



MAGICAL NUMBERS



Nine and counting - Victory at the 2021 Australian Open gave Novak Djokovic his ninth Australian Open title, allowing him to extend his existing record of most Australian Open titles won by a male player. Djokovic, in fact, is only the fourth player to win nine or more titles at the same Grand Slam. Rafael Nadal heads that list with 13 French Open men's singles titles, with Margaret Court (11 Australian Open women's singles titles) and Martina Navratilova (9 Wimbledon women's singles titles) coming in second and third. Djokovic however, is only the third player to achieve the feat in the Open Era (1968 onwards), as seven of Court's 11 Australian Open victories came before the Open Era began.



Final frontier? No problem! Djokovic has now made it to the final of the Australian Open on nine different occasions. On each of these nine occasions. Djokovic has emerged victorious and lifted the title 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2020, giving him a 9-0 record at Australian Open finals. Only Nadal, who has a 13-0 record in French Open finals, has a better record for most wins without a loss in finals at any major in the Open Era.



WITHIN REACHING DISTANCE



Two short of Federer, Nadal - Already second in the list of Grand Slam winners in men's singles in the Open Era, Djokovic closed in on leaders Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with his 18th Grand Slam victory. With both Federer and Nadal having 20 Grand Slam titles so far, Djokovic will be eyeing to close in further later this year.



One behind Serena - With nine Australian Open titles and three US Open titles, Djokovic has won 12 of his 18 Grand slam titles on hardcourts. His latest victory helped him break the tie with Federer and Djokovic now has the most for any man. When considering men and women, however, Djokovic is second behind Serena Williams, who has won 13 majors on hardcourts.



PLAYING DJOKOVIC AT AO ISN'T A JOKE



Top dog - Out of Djokovic's nine Australian Open titles, six have come when he has entered the tournament as the top seed. This means that Djokovic has a 42-0 record (you need to win seven matches at a Grand Slam event to lift the title) in the Australian Open as the No. 1 seed.



Getting faster - Djokovic required just an hour and 53 minutes to dispatch Daniil Medvedev in the final, making it the shortest of 28 Grand Slam finals that he has been a part of. His previous shortest also came at the Australian Open when he defeated Nadal in two hours and four minutes in the 2019 final.



 



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How are bulletproof vests made?



Bulletproof clothing are designed to protect the wearer from the impact of bullets on his/her vital organs Bulletproof vests are made of many Layers of tightly-woven fibres such as Dyneema and Kevlar. Kevlar is considered seven times stronger than steel while Dyneema is 15 times stronger. These fibres are basically a type of plastic (polyethylene) with high tensile strength owing to their tightly bound, parallel molecules. Layers of fibre are sealed together into a vest shaped sheet or panel. This panel is inserted into a carrier, ensuring it is tightly held at proper position on the wearer's body. This carrier and the panels constitute bulletproof clothing.



So, what do these layers of fibre do? The layers of this tough material deform the incoming bullet, stripping it of its energy. They absorb the energy from the bullet, slow it down through friction and bring it to a stop. However, some layers may be penetrated. Hence, unlike the name suggests, a bulletproof vest is not truly bulletproof but actually bullet resistant. It can prevent bullets from penetrating the body however, even after a bullet is stopped, the impact can sometimes injure the wearer. There are different vests for different guns. Some higher level armours allow for metal plates to be inserted, providing extra protection.



 



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How can you develop your skills using the World Wide Web?



Social media and online games are often the things that come to people's mind when someone mentions the Web. But there is more to it than just networking with people or passing time. You can use the Web to express yourself creatively, while also keeping in touch with your friends and fulfilling your academic responsibilities.



1. Make personalised greetings



COVID-19 might have forced you to stay indoors, but that doesn't have to stop you from celebrating your loved ones birthdays. There are several downloadable software such as Adobe Photoshop and GIMP, as well as online websites such as Canva and Adobe Spark, which let you personalise and design birthday cards. You can create your card, mail it to your loved ones and wish them virtually if you can't meet them in person. It will be sure to touch their hearts.



Meanwhile, you can also use these software and websites to explore your creativity when it comes to art and graphic design.



2. Host games and meetings



Are you the person who loves organising get-togethers and hosting events? Then, why not do it virtually? There are dozens of group video calling software available online for free. Most of these let you host a meet-up with at least 50 people. So, like you would do for a physical get-together, design an invite with all the details and mail it to your friends/family members. You can come up with your own games that can be played virtually, or you can take the help of online websites that let you play multiplayer games such as Tambola or Mystery Rooms. Don't let the pandemic stop you from catching up with your friends and putting on a show.



3. For the author in you



Have you ever been inspired to write novels after reading some of those chilling mystery books? Or perhaps you like flash fiction, where you can narrate a story in just a few sentences? Fiction or non-fiction, the Web is an amazing platform to explore your writing skills before you take the plunge and publish a book of your own. There are several blogging sites that let you publish content for free. You can start your own blog and share your stories in it. You can also share the blog with your friends and family and invite them to give you feedback that will help you improve as you progress.



4. Ready, set, action



If expressing yourself in front of the camera or from behind the camera is more your thing, get up, take that smartphone and explore your neighbourhood. Thousands of people from all over the world share their experiences through the camera lens every day. With sites and apps like YouTube, Vimeo and Instagram giving you the freedom to share your content, make the best use of your creativity and shoot and edit videos. You can put up any kind of content from singing, dancing, DIY crafts, or even presentations on topics that interest you.



5. Lend your voice



If you love voicing out characters or narrating stories, the Web can fulfil that wish too. There are several websites online that let you host your own podcast and share it with people. If you are more of a storyteller who loves narrating stories, you could also lend your voice to free audiobooks online. Some sites, such as Librivox, encourage you to narrate popular books so that people online can consume them.



This is a great way to learn more about voice modulation and expression, and will also be a great platform for you if you wish to be a voiceover artist or radio jockey in the future.



 



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What is hedging in English language?



When we read the word hedge, the first thing we visualise is a neatly grown green fence around a garden. That's a physical hedge. But there's also a hedge in writing: the creation of word shrubbery to protect your words.



What is hedging?



Hedging is a way of writing. It is a language tool used to express opinions, make complaints and claims, and answer questions. This type of writing is used mainly in academic work- such as in describing a discovery. Scientists and lawyers often use hedging language.



How do you define hedging?



Hedging is the use of language in a cautious or vague way. With hedging, you can make evasive statements. The verb "to hedge is to use cautious, vague or evasive language so that the writer is not challenged on what he writes.



One simple example of hedging is "If the material is left in the open, it is possible it may burst into flames." The writer avoids saying "It will burst into flames."



We often read this sort of language in statements made by economists and those from the meteorological department. There may be isolated rain in some parts of the district. The weather may remain cloudy in other parts." if none of this happens the Met department can say, "Well, we said may happen?



You now understand the importance of hedging. Hedging is done to avoid answering a question directly.



Q: Will it rain tomorrow?



A: It is likely that there may be light-to-heavy showers in different parts of the country during the day or night.



This way, the Met, department does not commit itself to rain or shine. Weather is unpredictable, it says through hedging. At the same time, it has warmed you of possible rain!



Hedging has its uses



Using this language softens strong claims and demands.



Normal: Don't go near that statue! Hedged: If I were you, wouldn't go near that statue.



Hedging helps to limit or qualify the claims and statements we make.



Normal: The man caught by the police yesterday is the one who robbed the bank



Hedged: The man caught by the police yesterday allegedly robbed the bank.



In their reports, journalists use the word "allegedly" quite often. This is because the statements they make may not have proof. In that case, it is better to hedge so that no one catches them for wrong reporting later on.



Hedging protects reporters from court cases.



But be careful!



Do not make hedging a habitual feature of your writing. Then you start sounding like you don't have confidence in your thoughts, ideas, and opinions.



Overuse of hedging language may make the reader wonder what is the authors stand on this? Is he/she saying it is right or wrong? Did it happen or not? Will this work or not?



Phrases such as "1 think we should "or "1 feel like or it would be great if weaken your sentences. The sentences seem to ramble aimlessly.



Show your readers that you have done your research and stand by what you say. Your readers will be happy to read your reports. They will respect your opinions if they are put out in crisp, unambiguous language. Your sentences should express confidence and your arguments should be to the point.



How do we go about hedging?



Here are some tips for you.



[1] Modal verbs




  • can

  • could

  • may

  • might

  • should

  • would



Example: From the data available, we can conclude that greenhouse gases may be responsible for global warming.



Non-hedged: Data available show that greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming



[2] Modal adjectives




  • possible

  • probable

  • likely

  • unlikely



Example: It is likely that the probable results of the experiments are faulty Non-hedged. The results of the experiments are faulty



[3] Adverbs




  • conceivably

  • perhaps

  • possibly

  • probably

  • usually



Example: We could conceivably map out the area before September



[4] Nouns




  • assumption

  • likelihood

  • possibility

  • probability



Example: There is a strong possibility, therefore, that there will be a dust storm over the weekend



[5] Lexical verbs




  • assume

  • believe

  • indicate

  • interpret

  • seem

  • suggest



Example: I believe that his words made the audience angry: his speech seemed to suggest that the people were stupid. Maybe his words were interpreted wrongly.



[6] Introductory phrases




  • It appears that…

  • It can be argued that…

  • We can assume that…

  • It is likely to be the case that…

  • It is probable that…

  • It can be concluded that…

  • The data indicates…



[7] Vague language



‘about’, ‘kind of’, ‘sort of’, feel, ‘seems like’.



Example: It's kind of difficult for me to share that information with you.



I feel that you should play less and pay more attention to your books. It is about time



[8] Hedging in academic writing



Hedge words and phrases allow writers to be academically cautious, to acknowledge the degrees of uncertainty in their statements and claims. Rather than claiming something is an absolute truth or fact, they hedge and stay safe. The chances their claims will be questioned or disputed by other academics then are fewer.



Examples of hedging in academic writing:




  • The evidence from this research suggests that…

  • The data collected from this study appears to support the assumption that…

  • It seems likely that these results are due to...

  • There are various possible explanations for this...

  • It is almost certain these changes can be attributed to…

  • There is a strong possibility that X would be enhanced by…

  • Current research appears to suggest that…



 



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What is the career in the field of music therapy?



The COVID-19 pandemic changed life as we know it. Masks, sanitisers, social distancing have become the new normal. In such stressful times, music has come to the aid of many across the world. Singing, listening to songs is helping people cope with quarantine and isolation. And that's exactly what the field of musical therapy is all about Music therapists draw upon the healing power of music to improve the well-being of their clients, especially those with disabilities and illnesses.



There are several psychological benefits associated with music. It has been known to help in treating stress and strain, fear, anxiety and depression, and to enhance concentration and memory in children. It is also used for patients with dementia and autism.



How it works



Music therapy is an emerging field backed by mounting scientific evidence. Music therapists work alongside paediatricians and nurses and other allied health professionals, including speech and language therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers.



What are the job prospects



Depending on your interest, you can work as a music therapist in different sectors. Primarily, music therapists work as consultants with hospitals and rehabilitation centres. Music therapy is used for children with physical, developmental and intellectual disabilities. Their treatment does not involve medication. Instead, it focusses on bringing about behavioural and cognitive changes. Similarly, schools for differently abled children may also consult music therapists to help children cope with school work. Many corporate houses ask music therapists to conduct workshops to relieve anxiety and stress of employees.



What to study



To work as a music therapist, a Bachelor's degree in music or psychology, special education, occupational therapy, social work or nursing is a prerequisite.



Where:




  • St Mira's College, Pune: One-year, full-time, and two-year, part time, Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Music Therapy

  • Chennai School of Music Therapy: An online, foundation course to train aspirants in the basics of music therapy. Individuals with a Bachelors in Music or related fields can opt for the Postgraduate Diploma programme in Music Therapy

  • Nada, Centre for Music Therapy, Chennai and Delhi: Certificate course in Music Therapy - a distance-learning course offered in affiliation with the Directorate of Distance Learning

  • Mumbai Educational Trust's Institute of Alternative Careers, Mumbai: Certificate in Music Therapy - a six-month, part-time course.

  • S.H Centre for Music Therapy and Mental Health, Amritsar: A distance-education course in Music Therapy. The centre is affiliated to Bharat Sevak Samaj, an agency promoted by the Government of India.



 



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What is the life story of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?



Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes" stories are considered to be milestones in detective fiction. However, it's not widely known that Doyle also helped investigate a real-life crime in the 20th Century and came to the rescue of a British Indian lawyer who was wrongfully convicted. In a new book, "The Mystery of the Parsee Lawyer: Arthur Conan Doyle, George Edalji and the case of the foreigner in the English village," which released on March 10, London-based author and historian Shrabani Basu digs up details about this long forgotten case.



According to the book, George Edalji, a barrister, wrote to Doyle in 1907 asking for his help. Edalji was jailed for allegedly committing a series of mysterious crimes in Staffordshire in England. But Edalji claimed to be innocent.



Doyle, who published "A Study in Scarlet", had become a household name in England and was often flooded with letters from fans asking him to help investigate crimes. Usually, Doyle did not take up any of these cases, but made an exception for Edalji. In a true Holmes like fashion, Doyle gathered all the clues and successfully proved that Edalji was wrongly convicted and framed on account of racism.



Rings a Bell?



Doyle was born in Edinburgh on May 22, 1859. He developed a love for storytelling from his mother Mary Doyle. Surprisingly, he chose to pursue medicine instead of arts-his family consisted of reputed artists. At med school, Doyle met his mentor, Professor Dr. Joseph Bell, whose keen powers of observation inspired him to create the famed fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.



Writing and cricket



Although a doctor by profession, Doyle's interests lay in writing and cricket. He frequently contributed to magazines and newspapers. One day, inspiration struck and he started writing a mystery novel, which would later become "A Study in Scarlet" marking the birth of the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes.



Cricket too played an important role in Doyle's life. He joined a team of cricketers named Allahakbarries, which translates to Heaven Help US. The side was made up of literary luminaries such as Jerome K. Jerome, PG Wodehouse as well as the son of Alfred Lord Tennyson.



In fact Doyle named Sherlock Holmes after two county cricketers - Sherrinford and Shacklock. Sherlock's mysterious brother, Mycroft too is named after another cricketer and so is his archenemy. Moriarty.



A remarkable legacy



Doyle passed away on July 7, 1930 at the age of 71. But his legacy is unparalled. The genre of detective fiction grew leaps and bounds because of his contribution.



WHAT'S NEW?




  • Sherlock Holmes has been adapted to the screen multiple times. But the latest eight-part series by Netflix, gives Sherlock a supernatural twist. "The Irregulars", set to release on March 26 follows a group of teenagers who and embark on dark adventures. They are manipulated into solving crimes by a sinister Dr. Watson.

  • In October 2020, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle filed a lawsuit against the creators of the film "Enola Holmes" for portraying Sherlock's softer side. The estate claimed that the film about Sherlock's sister infringed the copyright by depicting a warmer and emotional Sherlock. The lawsuit was subsequently dismissed.



OH REALLY?




  • The other side of the coin: Although Doyle gained recognition writing tales of the analytical and rational detective, he became obsessed with supernatural phenomena in the latter part of his life. This was a result of the untimely deaths of his children and brother in World War I.

  • Doyle was a first-class cricketer and is famous for taking the wicket of the legendary W.B. Grace. But did you know that Doyle even played football? He played as a goalkeeper for Portsmouth FC under the pseudonym AC Smith

  • Doyle brought back dinosaurs! His book, "The Lost World" was the inspiration behind films such as "King Kong" and "Jurassic Park."



 



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What are the interesting facts about the Pyramids of Giza?



The Great Pyramid of Giza, located on the bank of River Nile in Egypt is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Relics of Egypt's Old Kingdom era, they were constructed nearly 4,500 years ago. Egyptian pharaohs (kings) erected temples and giant tombs for themselves to sustain them in their afterlife. These tombs that we know as pyramids were filled with all the things the pharaohs would need in their afterlife, including gold, boats to carry them. and small tombs for the officials and relatives they would like to accompany them. Today, the Great Pyramid is the oldest and the only remaining ancient wonder of the world.



1. The three pyramids



The Giza pyramid complex has three pyramids. The first pyramid, known as the Great Pyramid of Khufu, was built by Pharaoh Khufu. It is the tallest among the three and was built around 2550 BC. It stands at 481 feet above the plateau.



The second pyramid was built by Khufu's son, Pharaoh Khafre in 2520 BC. Khafre also built the Sphinx, a mysterious limestone monument of a lion with a pharaoh's face.



The third pyramid, which is the smallest of the three, was built by Pharaoh Menkaure, son of Khafre, in 2490 BC.



2. The weight of the Great Pyramid



The Great Pyramid of Khufu took nearly 20 years to build. The massive structure required 2.5 million limestone and granite blocks to build. While some of the limestone blocks were quarried from near the site. the larger granite stones were fetched from Aswan, nearly 800 km away. Each stone block on average weighed 2.5 tonnes. The pyramid was built by skilled Egyptian workers who lived in a temporary city close by. When it was completed, the Great Pyramid was the tallest structure in the world. It retained the title for nearly 3,800 years, when it was finally overtaken by the Lincoln Cathedral in the 1300s. Experts estimate that the Great Pyramid would cost over 1 billion dollars if it were to be built today.



3. Aligned to the stars



The three pyramids of the Giza necropolis are built in such a way that they are perfectly aligned with the Orion constellation.



4. The monument of Glorious Light



In its initial years, the Great Pyramid was covered in highly polished limestone blocks known as casing stones. These stones reflected the Sun's light so well that the people of ancient Egypt used to call the Great Pyramid Ikhet, meaning GloriouS Light. The casing stones are now gone. It is suspected that massive earthquakes loosened the stones and they were taken away to build mosques in Cairo.



5. Depicting life in ancient Egypt



The interiors of the Pyramids of Giza are decorator with scenes from every aspect of life in ancient Egypt. The art includes depictions of carpentry, costumes, ancient farmers working in their fields, fishing, religious rituals and burial practices among others. The pyramids also contain inscriptions and texts that allow experts to research ancient Egyptian language and grammar.



 



Picture Credit : Google