CULTURAL QA 01-2023-22 BEING A COMPILATION THERE MAY BE ERRORS
Q1 What are some facts about Vatican Citythat people do not believe until they visit it? A1 Timothy L Thorman, Former FuneralDirector (1984–2012)Updated 4y As the other mansays, the size of theBasilica cannot be conveyed in words. Here is a shot of the interior: Those letters nearthe ceiling are 12 feet (3.7 m) high. Let that sink in. All of that gold and the black letters are mosaictiles. Look at the people at the base of the canopy. Those pedestals arealso 12 feet (3.7 m) high. From the entrance to the head of the church is 1/8thof a mile (201 m). Thereare brass letters in the floor of the main aisle that tell you that from whereyou stand to the end of the church is where the main cathedrals of the churchwould fit into the interior, e.g., Notre Dame, Chartres, Lourdes, etc.Even standing there, you are amazed at the size of the building. The dome is adouble dome, and you can go up (or used to be able to go up) around the insideto the top. Here is a view from there: Those littlestatues of Christ and the Apostles are also 12 feet tall (3.7 m). The museum is so worth seeing.You can’t conceive of the wealth and variety of the exhibit. On the other hand,I was surprised at howsmall and crowded the Sistine Chapel is. And the tours are really rushedright through it. Look quickly, because you won’t have more than a minute tosee it because of the number of tourists. It’s definitely worth the trip to Italy just to see thischurch. Q2 What are some mysterious scientificfacts about Indian temples? A2 Aashish Kumar Dimri, One who lovesIndia Jan 17 Doctor : In Katni ,Madhya Pradesh; Lord Hanuman ji isworshipped as an orthopedic doctor. Belief : Many devotees, afflicted with bone troubles(fractures or sprain) ,visit this popular Sankat mochan temple on Tuesday andSaturday for receiving special treatment. Chanting : They are asked by priests to chant SitaRam with utmost devotion. Herb : They are provided a secret herb by templepriest; while chanting Rama Nama. Then, they are asked to move that afflicted part of body(leg, hand or back) without any exertion. Amazingly,devotees claim themselves to be cured.Interestingly,many orthopedics are surprised by this miracle. Perhaps, skepticsmay differ ;but devotees earnestly believe in power of Lord Hanuman ji.[1] Prayer : Siya Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram ! Q3 What was your biggest culture shockwhen visiting South India? A3 Gopal Gupta, Jan 15 North Indian: December 2009. Metravelling from Lucknow to Chennai (far south) during extreme cold. The trainhad already entered Tamil Nadu. After two days of journey I reached ChennaiCentral Railway Station, MAS, and weather was hot - exact opposite of North.Outside the station a whole new culture was bustling in front of my eyes. It was an awesome sight watchinga rich, vibrant and culturally significant heritage in front of me first timein my life. Same Indians busyin their everyday lives but in a completely different setting. Hindi gotreplaced by Tamil, Chhola kulchas by Idli-sambhar and temple architecture withstatues of gods and goddesses adorning the structure more outside than inside. “Potheri, which way is Potheri?” - I asked one gentleman.He directed me across the subway to the other side of the road and to board alocal train to Tambaram.From there I was to take the bus to Potheri. At Tambaram I got my bus. I entered the bus and found thebus conductor to be a lady! Ladiesemployed as bus drivers or conductors was something I had never come across in North India.Whereas images like the one below are a common sight across South India. In North India people might not accept women working as busdrivers or bus conductors. South on the contrary has beenquite successful in achieving gender equality. Women are at par with men andequal contributors to society. Credit - SankalpTripathi My note- Womenconductors are more common in Kerala and Karnataka also. Q4 Did any Mughal Emperor(s) have a Hindumother? A4 Ahmad Abubakr (احمد ابوبکر),Likes to learn about history Jan 14 The cosmopolitannature of the Mughal Emperor meant that the consorts of the emperors were also of diverse origins.For example, Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Circassians, and Rajputs. Naturally, the mothers of theMughal emperors also came from different ethnic groups and sects/religions.There was no prerequisite condition on the imperialconsorts to convert to Sunni Islam. The relatively tolerant Mughal ethos allowed these womento continue following their own religion (Hinduism) or sect (ShiaIslam). The existence of various places of worship (Mosque,temple, church) within the Mughal palaces serves as evidence of this fact. So, yes. A fewof the Mughal emperors did have a Hindu mother. These women would usually beprincesses from the Rajput elite, one of theclasses of the Mughal nobility. Here are the ones that I can think of off thetop of my head: Mariam-uz-Zamani - The mother of the Mughal EmperorJahangir (1605 – 1627). She was the daughter of Raja Bharmal, the Rajput rulerof Amber. Note that Mariam-uz-Zamani is not her birthname. It is a title that her son (Jahangir) used to refer to her in theTuzk-i-Jahangiri, his memoirs. A title that translates to “Mary of the Age”. Shehas been referred to by many names (Harkhan Champavati, Wali Nimat Begum,Harkha Bai) and titles (Mallika-e-Hindustan, Shahi Begum) in the historicalaccounts. Her birth name however is lost to us. Jagat Gosain - The mother of the Mughal Emperor ShahJahan (1628 – 1658). She was the daughter of Raja Udai Singh, the Rajput rulerof Marwar. Note that Jagat Gosain (“Saint of the World”)is not her birth name. Her birth name was Manavati Bai. She was later grantedthe title of Bilqis Makani (Lady of the Pure Abode) after her death. Lal Bai - The mother of the last Mughal Emperor BahadurShah Zafar (1837 – 1857). I don’t really know much abouther though, but I believe she is said to have been a Rajput princess. Qudsia Begum, whowas born as Udham Bai, may have also been a Hindu woman. Though her humbleorigins make it hard to trace down her ancestry. She was the mother of theMughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1748 – 1754). Similarly, Anup Bai may alsohave been a Hindu woman (as her name suggests). She was a Rajput princess, butlittle is known of her. She was the mother of the Mughal Emperor Alamgir II(1754 – 1759). My note- An informative answer. Q5 Did countries receive any benefits frombeing part of the British Empire? A5 Claire Jordan, Degree in biology andfolklore; programmer, shop owner, secretary on newspaper Jan 16 Depended on who youwere. For example, if you were an Indian nobleman, then asidefrom giving your children access to British schools, the Raj was a majordisaster. If you were a low-caste labourer or a widow who mightotherwise have been burned to death, it was more of a mixed blessing. If youwere the Chin, being prevented from carrying out some of your traditionalcustoms was a brutal imposition: if you were one of the lowland tribes theyused to raid for slaves and severed heads, it was a relief. Q6 What are some facts about India thatIndians are generally unaware of? A6 Parag Tripathi, Lives in India6y The fact thatthere is a village in India which has been abandoned overnight, some 200 yearsago and nobody has ever been lived there since then. The village named Kuldhara in Rajasthan which is 20 Kmsaway from Jaisalmer. In an era ofpowerful kings and ministers, about 200 years ago, Kuldhara was home to the Paliwal Brahmins. Itwas during this time that Salim Singh, the Diwan of Jaisalmer, known for hisdebauchery and unscrupulous tax-collecting methods, set his eyes on the beautiful daughter of the villagechief. TheDiwan was absolutely hell bent on having the girl and he told the villagers ifthey came in his way he would levy huge taxes on them. Fearing thewrath of the Diwan, the residents of the entire village fled one dark night,leaving behind their homes and everything within them. Kuldhara wasabandoned by its very own people. No one saw the thousand-odd membersof the village leave. For generations now, no one knows where they haveresettled. All that is known is they cursed the town when they left– that no one would ever be able to settle down in Kuldhara again. Q7 What is plastic, and which material isinvolved? A7 Bibhuti Bhusan Nayak,1h Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material madefrom a wide range of organic polymers. These polymers arelong chains of molecules that are derived from natural sources such as oil,coal, and natural gas. The most common type of plastic is polyethylene, which is made from thepolymerization of ethylene. Plastic materialsare known for their durability, flexibility, and resistance to moisture,chemicals, and heat. They are widely used in a variety of products, includingpackaging materials, consumer goods, and industrial products. The most commontypes of plastic include thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics, andelastomers. Thermoplastics are plastics that can be melted andreshaped multiple times without losing their physical properties.They are widely used in products such as bottles, containers, and packagingmaterials. Some common types of thermoplastics include polyethylene,polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Thermosetting plastics are plastics that can be shapedand hardened once, but cannot be reshaped. They are commonly used in products such as kitchen appliances,automotive parts, and electrical equipment. Some common types of thermosetting plasticsinclude phenolic resins, polyurethane, and epoxy resins. Elastomers are plastics that have a rubber-likeconsistency. They are known for their flexibility andelasticity and are commonly used in products such as tires, seals, and gaskets. Some commontypes of elastomers include natural rubber, neoprene, and silicone. Plastic materials are produced through a process calledpolymerization, which involves the chemicalreaction of monomers to form long chains of molecules. The process begins withthe extraction of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas. These raw materialsare then processed to produce monomers, which are the building blocks ofplastics. The monomers arethen polymerized to form long chains of molecules, which are then processedinto various forms such as pellets, powders, or liquids. These forms are thenused to produce a wide range of products through various manufacturing processes such as injectionmolding, extrusion, and blow molding. The use of plasticmaterials has significantly increased over the past century, making it one ofthe most widely used materials in the world. However, the downside of thiswidespread use is the significant environmental impact of plastic waste. Plastic materials take hundredsof years to degrade, and as a result, they accumulate in landfills and oceans. Plastic waste is asignificant environmental problem, as it harms wildlife, marine life, andecosystems. Plastic debrisin the ocean is responsible for the death of millions of marine animals eachyear. Additionally, plastic debris in the ocean breaks down intosmaller pieces, called microplastics, which are ingested by marine animals andcan cause harm to their health. To combat theenvironmental impact of plastic waste, many countries have implemented policiesand regulations to reduce the use of plastic materials. This includes bans on single-useplastics such as straws and plastic bags, and increasing the use ofbiodegradable and compostable materials. Additionally, recycling and composting programs have beenimplemented to reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills and oceans.While these efforts have had some success, much more needs to be done toaddress the environmental impact of plastic waste. In conclusion, plastic is a synthetic or semi-syntheticmaterial made from a wide range of organic polymers. It is known for itsdurability, flexibility, and resistance to moisture, chemicals, and heat.However,the widespread use of plastic materials has led to significant environmentalproblems, including plastic waste in landfills and oceans My note- A very informative article. The containers ofliquid detergents are preferred for their purity and scrap merchantsareparticular to purchase them at a higher prize than normal plastics. Q8 I was told you cannot eat vegetablesleft in the fridge overnight because of some kind of chemical decompositionthat occurs. Is this a myth? A8 Michael KZM Fitness, Biz owner, HealthExpert Wed It is not a myththat certain types of vegetables can spoil or become unsafe to eat if left inthe refrigerator overnight. Vegetables high in moisture,such as leafy greens, cucumbers, and tomatoes, may spoil quicklyand be less fresh the next day if not stored properly. Vegetables withlower moisture content, such as carrots and potatoes, may last longer.It's important to check for signs of spoilage before consuming and discard anyvegetable that has begun to spoil or has an off-odor or slimy texture. Proper storage and timelyconsumption of vegetables is recommended. Q9 Who was the Prime Minister of Indiawhere he and his father were both classmates? A9 Atonu, Author on Economic and Currentaffair matters Thu Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then 21 years old, entered a Kanpurcollege to study law in 1945. At that time, hisclassmate had already retired after 30 years of teaching. His father wasexactly who he was. At DAVCollege Kanpur, Pandit Krishna Biharilal Vajpayee was a classmate when he wasover 50 years old. In 2002–2003,Vajpayee wrote an article for the college magazine that was later published byhis alma mater and included further information about the two after he becameprime minister. Vajpayee said inthe article, "Have you ever seen or heard of a college, whereboth father and son studied together, and that too even in the sameclass." The teachers wouldalways inquire, in a light hearted tone, "Tell where your father has vanished,"whenever my father was running late for class. And when I was late, Dad wouldoften get asked, "Whyyour kid is missing?," Vajpayee wrote. Q10 Which is the oldestcivilization on Earth and why? A10 HISTORY - Unknown/Mysterious Facts, Answeredby Luka Cvitković, Jan 16 There are two civilizations which can contend for thetitle of the oldest, in terms of how early theydeveloped and one that is oldest by duration. The two civilizations that we have archaeological evidencedeveloped first were Sumer and Caral. Sumerians are farmore well known, as they developed in the Old World and as such they were andare studied intensively. Theydeveloped cities, writing and a stratified society (rulers andpriests, working class and peasants) at around 3500 BC. Their first city isheld to be Uruk, even though the Sumerians themselves list Eridu as the firstcity. Ruins of theziggurat of Uruk. There isn't much left of Eridu. The second civilization dated to arise around the same timeis the practicality obscure Caral and Norte Chicocivilization in modern-day Peru. It's first city at Huaricanga is dated to 3500BC though apparently stratified society did not appear until a millenium later,so depending on how narrow or wide your criteria for civilization is, you maydiscount it as being equally old as Sumer. Ruins atHuaricanga. The dry climate does wonders for preservation.The civilization that is oldestby duration on the other hand is China. Even if we discount the Xiadynasty (2070–1600 BC) for which there is no conclusive evidence as of yet, theChinese civilization runs unbroken from the beginning of the Shang dynasty in1600 BC. Of course it underwent change over time as everything does but itdisplays obvious contiunity. The best example is Shang writing: On turtleshell. All the above QA are from Quora website on 22-01- 2023. Quora answers need not be 100% correct answers . Compiled and posted by R. 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