Jnanpith award 2013 conferred on Hindi poet Kedarnath Singh

President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the 49^thJnanpith Award to eminent Hindi poet Kedarnath Singh for his outstanding contribution towards Indian literature.  He was conferred this award at a function held at Balyogi Auditorium, Parliament Library Building in New Delhi.

Kedarnath Singh as a poet has offered a rare assimilation of rhymes and lyrical prose, exploring both the realms of reality and fantasy with equal felicity. His poetry presents a collage of meaning, colours and acceptance.

He is the 10^th Hindi writer to receive the award.

About Kedarnath Singh

·Kedarnath Singh was a celebrated teacher who had taught at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

·He was born in Balia of Uttar Pradesh and is known for his work Abhi bilkul abhi and Yahan se dekho.

·He is also an eminent critic and essayist. He was also awarded Sahitya Academy Award (1989) in Hindi for his poetry collection, Akaal Mein Saras.

·He became famous with a book entitled Teesra Saptak edited by Sachidananda Hirananda Vatsyayan whose pen name was Agyeya.

About Jnanpith Award

·  The Jnanpith Award is a literary award in India. Along with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, it is one of the two most prestigious literary honours in the country.

· The name of award is taken from Sanskrit words, Jnana and Pitha (knowledge-seat).

· The award includes 11 lakh rupees and a citation plaque and a bronze replica of Saraswati.

· The award was instituted in 1961. It is presented by the Bharatiya Jnanpith trust founded by the Sahu Jain family.

· The award is given to any Indian citizen who writes in any 22 official languages of India mentioned in VIII Schedule of Constitution.

·Prior to 1982, the awards were given for a single work by a writer; since then, the award has been given for a lifetime contribution to Indian literatur

Indian Defence Awards

For the Purpose of Classification, India honours and awards can be divided into two categories.

• Gallantry Awards
• Non – gallantry Awards

The Gallantry awards are again divisible into two categories:

• Those for gallantry in the face of the enemy.
• Those for gallantry other than in the face of the enemy

The first category of the gallantry awards comprises :
1. Param Vir Chakra
2. Maha Vir Chakra
3. Vir Chakra
4. Sena, Nao Sena and Vayu Sena Medal
5. Mention in Dispatches
6. Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card

The second category of the gallantry awards comprise the following :
1. Ashoka Chakra *
2. Kirti Chakra *
3. Shaurya Chakra *
* These were originally named Ashoka Chakra Class I, Class II, Class III

Among non-gallantry awards, the following are mentioned: 
1. Bharat Ratna
2. Padma Vibhushan
3. Padma Bhushan
4. Param Vishisht Seva Medal
5. Padma Shri
6. Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal
7. Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
8. Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
9. Yudh Seva Medal
10. Vishisht Seva Medal
11. 30 Years Long Seva Medal
12. 20 Years Long Service Medal
13. 9 Years Long Service Medal
14. Meritorious Service Medal
15. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
16. General Service Medal – 1947
17. Samar Seva Medal
18. Sainya Seva Medal
19. Videsh Seva Medal
20. Commendation Card
21. Raksha Medal
22. Poorvi Star
23. Paschimi Star
24. Sangram Medal
25. Wound Medal
26. 25th Independence Anniversary Medal

5th Dec 2014 - World soil day

“Man , despite his artistic pretensions and his many accomplishment, owes his existence  to a six inch layer of top soil and the fact that it rains” 

                                                                                               Author Unknown

Last year ,  on December 20, 2013, the 68th UN General Assembly recognized December 5th, 2014 as World Soil Day and 2015 as the International Year of Soils. 

Keeping in view that 2014 is the International year of Family Farming , the theme for today i.e 5th Dec 2014 is the World Soil Day is " Soil , Foundation for family farming"....... a day highlighting the importance of soil and the need to use it in a sustainable way. 

Mr. Satish Kumar ,the editor-in-chief of Resurgence & Ecologist. says that  "We are all part of this healthy web of life maintained by soil. The Latin word humus means soil. The words human, humility and humus all come from the same root. When humans lose contact with soil, they are no longer humans.......We come from the soil, and we return to the soil.” 

Soil is inextricably linked to human and ecosystem health and crucial if we are to ensure food, water, and energy security for nine billion people by 2050. It sustains biodiversity – and if managed wisely – contributes to the mitigation of climate change. 

What can I do ?

1. Plant trees..... Trees stop soil erosion, helps build a rich soil, feeds us and other creatures on earth, gives us fresh air by absorbing air pollutants... and many other benefits.

2. Learn to "segregate waste at source" i.e in your own house and learn  how to compost your kitchen waste....by this simple act you will eliminate your unsegregated waste from going into landfills.... a major cause of  soil degradation and green house gas  generation
.
3. Green your home one plant at a time....  Grow some of the food you eat organically in your backyard , balcony or a bright window sill. You can use the compost you made from your kitchen waste to grow these plants. Adding your kitchen waste compost makes the soil rich , grows healthy food which is not only good for the planet but good for you too.

Amazing facts about December Month

• December starts on the same day of the week as September every year, and ends on the same day of the week as April every year.
• The name December originates from the Latin word decem, which means ten. December was the tenth month of the year in the Roman calendar.
•  On December 3, 1967, the first heart transplant was completed.
• The Observer, a British newspaper, was first published in December.
• The American Bill of Right was passed in December.
• In some culture, December 28th is considered to be the unluckiest day of the year.
• The first artificial Christmas tree was made in Germany, fashioned out of goose feathers that are dyed green!
• Spiders and spider webs are considered good luck on Christmas.
• “Jingle bells” was composed in 1857, and not for Christmas – it was meant to be a Thanksgiving song!
• An almanac prediction states that if snow falls on Christmas Day, Easter will be warm, green and sunny. December often marks the beginning of rain, snow, and cold weather.
• The first day of winter is on either December 21 or 22. This is the shortest day of the year and the longest night. It is called the winter or Southern solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
• World's AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1st.
• On 10th December, Nobel Prizes are awarded.
• On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brothers made their first flight.
• 31st December is the last day of the year. It is New Year’s Eve. Many people see the old year out with a party, welcoming in the New Year with toasts of champagne, and exchanging good wishes for a ‘Happy New Year’.
• The hugs are meant to be random act of kindness, a selfless act performed just to make others feel better. This year’s International Free Hugs Day is celebrated on Dec 4.
• Forefathers’ Day is a holiday celebrated in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 22. It is a commemoration of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 21, 1620. It was introduced in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1769.
• The stock market tends to do better in December than any other month. This has been put down to something called the ‘Santa rally’.
• December is the month when couples argue the most.