Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement: 2017

Wednesday 27 December 2017

Letter to Student Series : Volume 3 Issue 4

My Dear Student Friends,

Greetings!

This is Dr. Ravi Saripalle, Founder, Inspire to Innovate (i2i) Storytelling Movement. Welcome to “Letter to Student Series- Volume 3 and Issue 4”. Hope you enjoyed reading my previous letter (they are available at http://i2itm.blogspot.in/). The goal of these letters is to inspire, educate, engage, entertain and empower students across the country and make them Future Ready. Wish you happy New Year 2018

Acknowledgement: In this context, I would like to acknowledge the most valuable response of Hon'ble Deputy Commissioner, Mysuru to my previous letter. Hon'ble DC was suggesting to conduct pilot run to extract the required minerals and useful manure contents from the sewage water using low cost methods. This is wonderful business model also aids our Swachh Mission.

Education 4.0 for Industry 4.0 : Industry 4.0, often called as 4^th Industrial Revolution , sometimes referred as Smart Factory, is widely adopted by industry in the form of automation, data exchange in manufacturing technologies, cyber-physical systems, Internet of things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, ubiquitous computing and cognitive computing etc. 1^stIndustrial Revolution is more towards mechanization, water power & steam power,2^ndIndustrial Revolution is more towards mass production, assembly line, electricity, 3^rd Industrial Revolution is towards Computer and Automation and finally the 4^th Industrial Revolution is towards Cyber & Physical Systems. World economic forum's report warns Industry 4.0 may affect job market and millions of jobs might either displace or lost. It causes widespread disruptions in the way business operates. It poses new threats and creates new opportunities. As per The San Diego Union-Tribune, as many as 7.1 million jobs being lost in major countries (US, Germany, France, China, Brazil and other nations), mostly in white-collar office and administrative jobs, while 2.1 million jobs will be created in computer engineering and mathematics. AI/Machine Learning/Robots may better work than humans in some domains (e.g. dermatologists, insurance claims adjusters, lawyers, seismic testers in oil fields, sports journalists and financial reporters, crew members on guided-missile destroyers, hiring managers, psychological testers, retail salespeople, and border patrol agents etc. Another report claims, activities like cars and trucks driving, medical tests analysis, middle management chores, medicine dispense, stocks trade and markets evaluation, battlefields fight on, government functions, and even creators of algorithms etc are done by machines). In such context, we need to derive answer to the following question: How do we manage transition and build a workforce with future proof skills? World Economic Forum suggests that there is a need for change in educational and learning environment so that students are employable. Education 4.0 is the prime solution!

Features of Education 4.0: Education 4.0 demands skills of 3 dimensions: Technical, Communication and Behavioral! Billionaire investor Mark Cuban says : "There's going to be a greater demand in 10 years for liberal Arts majors than for programming/engineering, because when the data is all being spit out for you, options are being spit out for you, you need a different perspective in order to have a different view of the data". At that time freer thinker become valuable. Soft skills like adaptability and communication, will have the advantage in an automated workforce. English, philosophy, and foreign language will have great future. Formal and informal learning structures will evolve to meet the changing needs of the learning. Creativity, collaborative learning, systems thinking, complex communication, and the ability to survive in diverse environments are key traits in education 4.0. New age skills include the ability to efficiently network, manage public relations, display intercultural sensitivity, marketing, nursing, caring, teaching, counseling, mentoring etc which are connected to ‘social’ and ‘emotional’ intelligence and creativity. Leadership, design thinking, human meta communication, deliberation, conflict resolution, and capacity to motivate, mobilize and innovate etc are essentials of future life. Storytelling using data, influencing and consensus building, journalistic skills, writing and speaking, understanding algorithms, grasping law and policy are key to progress. My dear student friends, Hope you understand how Education 4.0 is going to evolve over a period of time? How many traits you own? How much commitment you have to practice these qualities? Anyways, if you want to survive, you must possess maximum number of qualities stated. Are you game? http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs.pdf; http://www. sandiegouniontribune .com/military/sd-me-robots-military-20170130-story.html;https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-02-09/ machines-can-replace-millions-of-bureaucrats; https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201611/why-artificial-intelligence-will-replace-managers;http://www.businessinsider.com/ibms-watson-may-soon-be-the-best-doctor-in-the-world-2014-4; http://www.nbcnews.com/id/42183592/ns/business-careers/t/nine-jobs-humans-may-lose-robots/ #.WMBBgVXyu_4;https://www.businessinsider.in/CUBAN-Dont-go-to-school-for-finance-liberal-arts-is-the-future/ articleshow/57214655.cms)

Tara Iyer, once Professional Tennis Player, now a Star Economist: Recently I was reading an article in The Hindu about Ms.Tara Iyer. It was an amazing case study for an individual excelled in two different domains! Ms. Tara Iyer proved that it is quite possible when an individual determined and having extraordinary commitment. Tara Iyer is a professional tennis player from India (Hyderabad). She won 4 International Tennis Federation singles tennis titles and 1 doubles title. Ms.Iyer gave a hope that one day she would reach to Wimbledon. However, few issues like knee injury, surgeries, shattered her dreams. However, Ms.Iyer was not down. She went to Duke University (North Carolina) to pursue her studies. She worked at International Monetary Fund in Washington and did her doctoral course in Economics at Oxford University. She worked hard for more than five years to complete her PhD. Ms. Iyer credits her family for extraordinary support during these UPs and downs! During PhD, she received multiple fellowship offers like Federal Reserve Board, the International Monetary Fund, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and Harvard University etc. Thanks to her hard work and determination, recently Ms. Iyer joined the Council of Economic Advisers to the U.S. President, at the White House! Congratulations Ms.Iyer. You have inspired many individual students who are in dilemma or confused state that performer in one domain cannot reach pinnacle in another domain. You have set an example. http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/tara-iyer-now-a-star-economist/article21261462.ece; https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Tara_Iyer

River Contamination, Appeal to Awake: On Dec 23, 2017, I read an article titled "Cauvery carries 600% more chemical toxins than Ganga". It is an eye opener! We all need to do something to save our rivers. We cannot just blame Government or industry or few individuals. It is the collective responsibility of all individuals to preserve our rivers for our next generation. If we all together fail, it will be great suffering to our next generation. We cannot stop blame from our children and grand children. As per Anna University study, river Cauvery is carrying the highest levels of chemicals despite lowest discharge of water into the sea. The amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) in the river Cauvery is almost 753mg per litre which is close to five times of Ganga TDS. Cauvery is discharging around 8 cubic KM per year in the sea which is lowest among 4 major rivers (Ganga 493, Krishna 30 and Godavari 105 KM per year). TDS for other rivers (Ganga 130 mg/l, Krishna 320 mg/l, Godavri 200 mg/l). High levels of sodium can cause hypertension and reproductive toxicity. This is not good for our health. Ground water is getting contaminated across the banks. My Dear Students, think of some innovative solution without affecting industrial activity as well as agricultural activity. For more information, please read https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/cauvery-carries-600-more-chemical-toxins-than-ganga/articleshow/ 62216019.cms

Hydrogel, removes toxic dyes and metal ions (Developed in India): While we are talking about contamination as well as a proposal by Hon'ble Deputy Commissioner, Mysuru's (as stated in my acknowledgement section), there is a happy note to share with you. Indian Association for Cultivation of Sciences (IACS), Kolkata, have developed a gel that can remove toxic organic dyes and metal ions from waste water! It is make in India product. They developed a hydrogel which can absorb various commonly used dyes (malachite green, congo red, brilliant blue and rhodomine B.) within 15 minutes. It also absorbs commonly found metals like cobalt and nickel from industrial effluents in about 6 hours. The beauty of this gel is biodegradable.They used amino acids like leucine and phenylalanine to develop this gel. It is stable at room temperature and remained as gel for several months. This can be washed using sodium bicarbonate and ethyl acetate. We can reuse this. Amazing right? This has been developed under esteemed guidance of Prof. Arindam Banerjee, senior professor, Department of Biological Chemistry, IACS! For more information on this, request you to read The Hindu: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/iacs-develops-hydrogel-to-remove-toxic-dyes-and-metal-ions/article22267068.ece.

Adolescence is the best time for learning new things, Study!: Research from the Leiden University in the Netherlands found that the adolescent brain is highly sensitive to feedback. Adolescence is ideal time to acquire and retain new information! Very useful research right? This study was published in the journal called Nature Communications. To know more about this, please read the article published at https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/231217/adolescence-is-the-best-time-for-learning-new-things-study.html. My dear student friends, as most of you are in adolescence, request you to use this power gifted by God and fill your memory with lot of positive information.

Recycle Your Diesel Pollution, IIT Delhi Alumni's Startup! Most of the people prefer diesel generator even when cheaper alternatives available! The reasons are simple: Easy to install and operate, low space requirements and easy availability (as per SHAKTI Sustainable Energy Foundation -a non-profit organization). Emissions from diesel are toxic ( carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx), unburned hydrocarbons (HC) etc). Delhi-based startup (started by IITD alumni) called Chakr Innovation developed a device which absorbs the soot emitted from diesel generators. They are using this to manufacture paint and ink! The product name is called Chakr Shield. If this model works out, it is going to be great health solution for multiple diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis etc. Hats off Team. Thank you The better India for publishing this inspiring article! https://www.thebetterindia.com/125578/former-iit-recycle-diesel-pollution/

Dear Students, Hope you have taken following Future readiness assessment. The last question is "how much time you are spending on physical activity". Reduce your exposure to games and mobile apps. Automatically you are bound to do some or other physical activity. It saves your health, focus, determination and attitude. I request you to adhere to following formula and build yourself healthy and build your nation healthy.

Request you to answer the following five questions and calculate your Future Readiness.

1. I read / hear stories of amazing people

(A) weekly once (10 marks) (B) monthly once (5 marks)

(C) Irregular reading (2 marks) (D)Not Interested (0 marks)

2. I write letter / mail to my mentor (other than parents) for guidance (professional / personal)

(A) every 6 months (10 marks) (B) yearly once (5 marks)

(C) Irregular writing (2 marks) (D)Not Interested (0 marks)

3. I practice my passion or natural intelligence (to know your intelligence https://goo.gl/vgyD54)

(A) weekly 4 hours (10 marks) (B) weekly 2 hours (5 marks)

(C) Irregular practice (2 marks) (D)Not Interested (0 marks)

4. I manage my academics with consistent percentage or grade

(A) A Grade and above (10 marks) (B) B Grade and above (5 marks) (C) C Grade or below (2 marks) (D)Consistent Failure (0 marks)

5. I do physical activity and maintain good health

(A) weekly 4 hours (10 marks) (B) weekly 2 hours (5 marks)

(C) Irregular practice (2 marks) (D)Not Interested (0 marks)

Check Your Score and Title

I wish you should be either Performer (your score should be between 40-50) or Challenger (your score should be between 25-40). You should not give any scope to be Lounger (relaxed) with 10-25 score or Laggard (slower than desired) with score less than 10.

My Dear Friends, Appreciate your valuable time. Life is short. Life without purpose is no worth. Purpose without substance is no hope. Hope without you is not real progress. Hence you are the key and critical for our nation's growth. Hope you concur with me. You are carrying a message, a hope, a purpose. Hope you understand my anguish. See you in my next letter. Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity. You can also reach to me at sdindia2020@gmail.com. I am happy to respond to your letter.

With Best Wishes,

Dr. Ravi Saripalle

About Author: Dr. Ravi Saripalle is Founder of Inspire to Innovate (i2i) Storytelling Movement and Director, Center for Innovation, GVP College of Engineering (A), Vizag, AP, India. As part of Inspire to Innovate (i2i) Storytelling Movement, Dr.Ravi is trying to instill inspiration through spreading positive stories of amazing people in the form of short stories, embedding them in the form of letters (epistolary form) and sending them to thousands of schools, colleges, universities districts administration across India. Also conducting Storytelling Workshops in select institutions. Providing customized mentoring to inspired students. Dr. Ravi is having 18 years of experience in Industry, Consultancy, Training, Mentoring and Research. Prior to this current mission, Ravi worked with Wipro Technologies for more than a decade. Ravi can be reached at sdindia2020@gmail,com or http://i2itm.blogspot.in/ or https://www.facebook.com/saripalle.ravi

Previous letters are available at http://i2itm.blogspot.in/

Disclaimer: The goal of this i2iSM letter series campaign is to inspire students / youth through storytelling and develop innovative leaders to build strong nation. In this process, I have taken several data points from various websites, NEWS articles, books, videos etc. I sincerely thank all the editors for providing such an insightful stories and information. To the best of my knowledge, I tried to acknowledge all the sources. I sincerely apologize for any omissions, grammatical mistakes and hurting any reader’s sentiments. I request all the readers to understand the spirit behind this effort. This effort doesn’t involve any commercials. Letter series is for free distribution.

Wednesday 29 November 2017

Letter to Student Series : Volume 3 Issue 3

My Dear Student Friends,

Greetings!

This is Dr. Ravi Saripalle, Founder, Inspire to Innovate (i2i) Storytelling Movement. Welcome to “Letter to Student Series- Volume 3 and Issue 3”. Hope you enjoyed reading my previous letter (they are available at http://i2itm.blogspot.in/). The goal of these letters is to inspire, educate, engage, entertain and empower students across the country and make them Future Ready.

Human Urine to Urea (Bioconomics!) : Hon'ble Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari is suggesting to setup urine banks to contain urea imports. Concept is in preliminary stage but it is a powerful idea. I call it as New Age Bioconomics! Human Urine is rich with nitrogen. If it can be extracted using distillation process, it becomes great wealth generation source. Minister was contemplating to setup Urine banks at Taluka level and 10 liters bottle can be sold for 10 rupees. It is going to be amazing Swachh Bharat Program. Though economical strategy is at early stage, but it is highly promising. A normal adult produces about 600 to 2500 ml of urine. 30 grams of urea is excreted from the urea per day. One of the research findings show that, urine is safe and best alternative as fertilizer for leafy crops like cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes etc. Urine holds nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) ratio as 10:1:4. Unless it has infection, urine is sterile. How we should use it- Sprinkle urine-water mixture around the plant without touching the eating part. Another research says, adding wood ashes to urine is making tomato sweeter and beetroot larger. Wood ash K-P-K raio is 0:1:3. Together it works as wonderful combination. Dear Friends, It sounds positive to me! This is going to make huge impact on the farming and health economics. It impacts our culture and the way we treat our toilets. It also reduces water usage in our toilets. Together it is carrying potential value. Why don't you try this research and check the results. if everything works out, Urine banks are going to be wonderful social business idea. Are you game?(http://www.studyandexam.com/composition-of-urine.html;https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/set-up-urine-banks-produce-urea-nitin-gadkari/articleshow/ 61636165.cms;https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/how-use-your-pee-planet).

Bicycle-Sharing- System, A Green Drive System: Across the world, Bicycle sharing models are becoming popular. As of last year, more than 1000 cities adopted bicycle sharing programs. Investors are seriously betting that Bike sharing becomes another Future Uber. In this case, we don't need to pay drivers. We just need to replace stolen ones, track and move ones which are parked inappropriately. Now there are multiple startups offering this service, some of them are offering dock less bikes, app driven booking and payment, unlock using scan a code, app based unlocking, auto locking facility etc. For e.g. Mobike, 2 year-old Chinese startup is valued at whopping $3 billion! You can imagine how much potential these startups are carrying. Startups have learnt how to charge fee from the customers. For e.g. LimeBike is as charging as low as $1 a ride. A Bangalore based startup named Yulu is offering ‘dockless’ bicycles through the Yulu Bikes mobile application. Bike is located using GPS. Yulu is charging user for every 30 minutes ride. Companies are investing in solar powered lights, usage tracking by bikers etc. Governments should track bikers and provide some sops to these bikers so that number increases. In India, dockless bikes may not be feasible as it misses monitoring mechanism. Each ride equals to reduction in few carbon emissions. Governments should track individual contributions and provide tax benefits to them.(https://www.wired.com/story/why-investors-are-betting-that-bike-sharing-is-the-next-uber/;https:// www.thebetterindia .com/122329/soon-you-can-book-a-bicycle-in-bengaluru-just-like-an-app-based-cab/)

School Radio' Systems, New Age Communication Channel: Have you heard about a Radio Station for Students by Students? Don't you think it is great tool for communication, commitment and team work? Yes, it is true. Across the world, best practices are suggesting to have school radio run by students. It helps them to improve their confidence and dedication. It enhances their creativity, innovation and leadership qualities. Andhra Pradesh is trying to experiment this in their government schools network. This model helps to brand best practices followed by schools. This platform empowers the school children. Potentially, message can be reached to all schools across the world! BBC has published calendar online for schools developed by school children (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl91). A consortium can be formed between the schools to operate this model. Together, they can publish calendar and run programs. It builds good portfolio of content and contemplation. Are you game for this? Will you start in your school/college? Wish you the best. (http://www.schoolradio.com/benefits; https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/school-radio-programme-to-enhance-communication-skills/articleshow/61803354.cms)

Know Your Diet, Samosa is "healthier" than burger: Recently I was reading an article about healthy food vs. junk food which was published by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). It is an eye opener article. One of the comments was samosa is better than burger because of it is made of fresh ingredients. It does not have preservatives, flavors and additives. Samosa is made of chemical free ingredients where as burger is made of preservatives, acidity regulator etc. Likewise article says poha is better than noodles, fresh juice is better than canned juice. CSE conducted a study over 13,000 schoolchildren (9-17 years) from 15 states across India between Sep 2016 and Mar 2017. CSE report says lifestyle diseases like obesity, mental health, cancer, diabetes, heart disease etc are top most killers in India. Report says pollution is major reason for mental diseases. Lack of physical activity is dangerous risk factor. Exposure to pesticides not only causes cancer but also risks us with diabetes. This is the new twist in the game. Now question lies, how do we create alternatives? Solution lies in Organic Way! Organic cultivators has great opportunity! It is multibillion opportunity! What are you thinking? Pick great idea from around this theme and start your business. It is not just selling, but of course, you also practice. Eat Healthy, Sell Healthy should be your new business mission. Are you game? Take care of your health, it preserves your wealth. (http://www.hindustantimes.com/health/samosa-is-healthier-than-burger-cse-report/story-WmBzbkIjKP9tWdLNIC51JK.html;http://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/lifestyle-diseases-top-killers-in-india-cse-report/134400).

Multilayered Farming, Akash Chaurasiya's Response to the Society: Just now we were discussing about the role of organic food-body-mind relationship. 28 year old Akash Chaurasiya from Sagar, MP was successful in developing new methods to improve crop health and agri productivity. He has successfully managed water management, natural-organic farming, intercropping and most importantly multi-layered farming. Multilayered farming allows farmer to cultivate different types of crops in single go in one season itself. Is it not amazing? Akash used natural substances to construct his farmhouse. He used bamboo and cotton strings! Developed natural manure using cow dung. Cow dung is always gold. It has 16 types of micronutrients! His farm constitution: Ginger in the ground-amaranth on top, papaya on top, kudrun in between, marvelous nature fete right? Amazing effort by Akash. Great Job. Thank you Kenfolios for publishing positive stories. ((https://www.kenfolios.com/28-yr-old-educates-42000-farmers-woos-delhi-govt-unique-technique/)

GES 2017, Hyderabad, India! Hyderabad is hosting eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit from November 28-30, 2017 in collaboration with Government of the United States of America. Entrepreneurship is new hope for us! T-Hubs in Hyderabad became India's largest incubator. Time is highly fertile for startups. Ecosystem is vibrant. How many of you want to become entrepreneur and start your startup? Mentorship is critical for your startup growth. Do you have mentor? Traditionally India is an entrepreneurial country. Every farmer is an entrepreneur. Somehow we lost ground in between. However, our glory is getting revived. Students are dreaming high. Our young minds are inspired. Ideas are blooming. World is recognizing the need for innovation. Inspire-Ideate-Innovate became tri-buzz word today. Each and every student must spend 1 year internship in 20-25 years of his/her education. It should be mandated. This should be part of your educational program. Everyone must experience the criticality of the entrepreneurship. Become entrepreneur, if not intrepreneur (works for an employer but acts like entrepreneur). This culture shift has be brought by choice and by force. If this is done, in next 10 years, India becomes vibrant.

Request you to answer the following five questions and calculate your Future Readiness.

1. I read / hear stories of amazing people

(A) weekly once (10 marks) (B) monthly once (5 marks) (C) Irregular reading (2 marks) (D)Not Interested (0 marks)

2. I write letter / mail to my mentor (other than parents) for guidance (professional / personal)

(A) every 6 months (10 marks) (B) yearly once (5 marks) (C) Irregular writing (2 marks) (D)Not Interested (0 marks)

3. I practice my passion or natural intelligence (to know your intelligence https://goo.gl/vgyD54)

(A) weekly 4 hours (10 marks) (B) weekly 2 hours (5 marks) (C) Irregular practice (2 marks) (D)Not Interested (0 marks)

4. I manage my academics with consistent percentage or grade

(A) A Grade and above (10 marks) (B) B Grade and above (5 marks) (C) C Grade or below (2 marks) (D)Consistent Failure (0 marks)

5. I do physical activity and maintain good health

(A) weekly 4 hours (10 marks) (B) weekly 2 hours (5 marks) (C) Irregular practice (2 marks) (D)Not Interested (0 marks)

Check Your Score and Title

With Best Wishes,

Dr. Ravi Saripalle

Previous letters are available at http://i2itm.blogspot.in/

Saturday 21 October 2017

Letter to Student Series : Volume 3 Issue 2

My Dear Student Friends,

Greetings!

This is Dr. Ravi Saripalle, Founder, Inspire to Innovate (i2i) Storytelling Movement. Welcome to “Letter to Student Series- Volume 3 and Issue 2”. Hope you enjoyed reading my previous letter (they are available at http://i2itm.blogspot.in/). The goal of these letters is to inspire, educate, engage, entertain and empower students across the country and make them Future Ready.

Methanol as a fuel to Ships: Hon'ble Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources announced that Government is planning to make ships run on methanol. You might be wondering why Methanol ( CH₃OH)? Methanol is cheaper and clean! Methanol can be developed using carbon dioxide and it is game changing technology! Also, it is indigenous fuel available in our country. You might ask, why we need to improve our water ways? Why Hon'ble minister is stressing the need for water ways! Interesting statistics provide us answer-Cost of road travel is ~Rs 1.50 per KM, rail travel cost Rs 1, whereas by water it will work out for 20 paisa!!In china logistics cost is 8-10%, Europe 12-14% where as India 18%. There is need for reducing this cost by improving water ways and developing alternative fuels like methanol. We also need to develop technology to produce Methanol from agricultural waste and municipal waste material. India needs inventions and innovators to work on this perpetual energy problems.(http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/shipping-/-transport/ships-in-india-soon-may-run-on-methanol-nitin-gadkari/articleshow/60926472.cms;http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/ methanol-a-clean-cheaper-fuel/article19397706.ece).Now question arises, how safe is Methanol? As per Dr. Robert Zubrin, Methanol is safer than gasoline as it is less inflammable. It is biodegradable. Hence consequences of a spill is lesser than petroleum products. (http://energy.agwired.com/2006/02/13/ethanol-vs-methanol/). It has lower production cost. Methanol remains in a liquid state, hence infrastructure investment costs are low compared to Liquefied natural gas (LNG). My dear student innovators and startups, Don't you think, it is promising research topic and business idea? Will you take up?

Rechargeable Magnesium based Eco-Friendly battery: Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) developed magnesium based battery, replacing highly toxic Lead acid battery. It is not only eco friendly but also cost effective. It used modified natural graphite as cathode, magnesium as anode and ionic liquid electrolyte. These elements are abundantly available and safe to operate. It is estimated to have 2-3 years shelf life. Lead exposure can potentially damage brain, kidney, hearing and cognitive learning in children. (http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/rechargeable-magnesium-battery-developed-at-iict-hyderabad-1409994822-1). "Children who are exposed to levels of lead (>10 ug/dl) are at increased risk for cognitive and behavioral problems during development (http://www.mwph.org/programs/lead-treatment/effects)". The other problems could be delayed language, poor speech articulation, hyper activity, problems while paying attention, poor social relationships, aggression etc. Ideally we should make house lead safe. In past, houses were painted using lead. Now it is kind of banned practice but still some old houses hold it. Some painted toys, furniture, cosmetics, food containers, water bottles etc are potential risky products (please make sure that they are lead free). You also make sure that water is not passing through lead pipes.

Dear Chemical/Chemistry students, it could be potentially consulting opportunity to you. You can visit houses and conduct lead safety assessment. Help families and Nations to grow!

Battle On Obesity : Obesity is much dangerous than terrorism! It has psychological, social and economic implications on individual as well as on the state. It has to be methodologically uprooted. Recently I was reading an article on how obesity linked diseases would cost India $13 billion by 2025! (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/obesity-linked-illnesses-to-cost-india-13bnyr-by-25/articleshow/61048217.cms). My dear friends, Can you imagine? Do you let it happen without any social responsibility? Childhood obesity is big menace in the society today. Less on the play ground, no physical exercise, fear to let them on streets, hooking to video games, mobile phones and television are making it happen. Globally it would cost $1.2 trillion per year by 2025.

This article presents interesting fact. While we have child obesity, globally more children remain underweight too! Today India is facing twin challenge of obesity-underweight/under nourishment!