What happens in Reflex Actions? “Reflex” is a word we use very commonly when we talk about some sudden action in response to something in the environment. We say ‘I jumped out of the way of the bus reflexly’, or ‘I pulled my hand back from the flame reflexly’.
On 10th June 2012, the aircraft AI-9760, with 48 passengers had flown from Kumbhirgram airport in Silchar. But soon after take-off, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) of the Indian Air Force there noticed that something had fallen off the aircraft — it was one of the nose wheels! Even as fear and anxiety gripped inside the plane, the pilot captain Ms. Urmila Yadav and her team did not get agitated in these trying moments and made a safe landing by manipulating the controls of the aircraft, thus safeguarding the lives of all passengers and the crew.
Courage, Responsibility
Sustainable development- Sustainable economic development means development should take place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise with the needs of future generation.
In 1999, Anshu Gupta and his wife started Goonj, an NGO that recycle unused/discarded clothing into useful items - with just 67 garments that he and his wife had collected. Here is how it started. While walking around Old Delhi as part of his journalist project, he happened to hear a six-year-old girl lament about the pathetic condition of the place where they had to sleep with dead bodies brought from nearby areas to keep themselves warm due to non-availability of proper clothing. Anshu was so deeply moved by the situation that he quit his job and formed this NGO. Today, Goonj is operational in 21 states, transferring over 1,000 tonnes of used clothes, household goods etc from cities to villages annually.
Resourcefulness, Forward looking
Trigonometry was invented because its need arose in astronomy. Since then the astronomers have used it, for instance, to calculate distances from the earth to the planets and stars. Trigonometry is also used in geography and in navigation.
Mohammad Saidullah is the inventor of 'Noor Bicycle' or 'the floating bicycle'. Saidullah comes from a village in Bihar and has secondary education to his academic credit. His floating bicycle came out as a result of his effort to find an easy, time-saving way to cross the Ganges in 1975, when the river overflowed resulting in extensive flooding. Saidullah had to cross the river Ganges to get provisions. After three days of strenuous effort, he developed his floating bicycle and named it as 'Noor Bicycle', in memory of his late wife 'Noor'.
Spirit of enquiry, scientific temper, Creativity
"Good bye friend, if you don't mind - we won't meet again."(When the friendly crocodile is forced by his wife to make the monkey their prey, the monkey somehow escapes from the situation, due to his presence of mind. The monkey parts the company of the wicked crocodiles!)
During the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, two terrorists started firing incessantly at CST Station. At that time the Central Railway announcer Vishnu Zende's presence of mind saved several lives. Risking his own life Zende alerted people about the attack, by constantly announcing instruction along with direction to the exit gates to leave the Railway Station. He spoke non-stop for 25 minutes, asking hundreds of passengers disembarking from trains not to exit from the main gate. He also instructed people who were in the trains to lock the doors of the compartments. Due to this timely action many people escaped the disaster.
Mindfulness
A Tsunami is a very large and powerful wave caused by earthquakes under sea. On 26 December 2004, a tsunami hit Thailand and parts of India such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Tamil Nadu coast. Here are some stories of courage and survival.
During the Kedarnath disaster relief operations of the Ramakrishna Mission in 2013, Dr Tulsidas (MBBS), Br. Prashant and, Mr TejBahadur of Guptkashi gave free medical service to the flood victims. The scenario at Kedarnath was pitiable then; there were no hospitals for villages around. To get the minimal health care, people had to travel for hours. During his medical camps, Dr.Tulsidas realised how children had to travel up to 30kms every day to go to school. He then decided to open a hostel for young boys and girls at Kotma. By living in the hostel the children could devote more time for studies, get better food, save time and also help with their on-going studies.
Social Service
(From writing Task) Duke’s re-entry into my life lifted my numb spirits. The day he made me take my first step, there was a rekindled hope. Duke assumed all the responsibility for leading me back to my office desk…life had taken a full circle.
He is a therapist who helps children with autism. He is fluffy and very cute. And yes, he is a Dog. The treatment of Dr Ruffles, an affectionate dog and resident ‘doctor’ at a hospital in Chennai, has helped several children with special needs to overcome their learning disabilities and resolve complex behavioural issues. Indeed, he has become the hugely successful therapist by simply being himself – a non-judgemental, attentive and very affectionate dog! In the warm and loving presence of Dr Ruffles, the special children learn to open up and interact, they are taught how to read and count as well as improve their language skills and vocabulary.
Compassion, Friendship, Unconditional love
