Thank you sir for the additions, responding to the QA 5A
Gopalakrishnan
On Saturday, 6 January, 2024 at 10:08:50 am IST, 'venkat giri' via
KeralaIyers <[email protected]> wrote:
RespectedSir/s,
SUBJECT: CULTURAL QA 01-2024-5A
Q1:What aresome of the most mind-blowing facts?
A1
· Acloud weighs around a million tonnes.
A cloud typically has avolume of around 1km3 and a density of around 1.003kg
per m3 – that's a densitythat’s around 0.4 per cent lower than the air
surrounding it.
That is why they are able to FLOAT.
· Identicaltwins don’t have the same fingerprints.
This is because environmental factors during development in the womb
(umbilicalcord length, position in the womb, and the rate of finger growth)
impact thefingerprint.
· Earth’srotation is changingspeed. It's actually slowing.This means
that, on average, the length of a day increases byaround 1.8 seconds per
century.600 million years ago a day lasted just 21 hours.
· Our BRAIN is constantlyeating itself. This process is called
phagocytosis, where cells envelop andconsume smaller cells or molecules to
remove them from the system. Phagocytosisisn't harmful, but actually helps to
preserve the grey matter.
· Wearing a tie can reduce blood flow tothe brain by 7.5per cent. A study
in 2018 found that wearing a necktie can reducethe blood flow to our brain,
which can make one feel dizzy, nauseous, and causeheadaches. They can also
increase the pressure in our eyes if on too tight.
· The world’s oldest cat lived to 38 years and three days old.
· The Sun makes a sound but we can't hear it.In the form of pressure
waves, the Sun does make a sound. The wavelength of thepressure waves from the
Sun is measured in hundreds of miles, however, meaningthey are far beyond the
range of human hearing.
· Mount Everest isn't the tallest mountain on Earth. Some other mountains
taller than Mount Everest but they submergedunderwater.
· Footballteams wearing red kits play better. The colour of the clothes
can affect how oneis perceived by others and change howone feels. A review of
football matches in the last 55 years, for example,showed that teams wearing a
red kit consistently played better!!!!! In home matches than teams inany other
colour.
· ONE’s signaturecould reveal personality traits. Astudy in 2016 purports
that among men, a larger signature correlates with highersocial bravado and,
among women, a bigger signature correlates with narcissistictraits(Make
achievements and talents seem bigger than they are) .
· Bananas are radioactive;due to being rich in potassium.
· Our NAILS grow faster in hot summer. This is probably due toincreased
blood supply to the fingertips. It could also be because we’re lessstressed
while on holiday so less likely to gnaw away at them.
· There’s a planet mostlymade from DIAMOMD.
Called 55 Cancri e, it's around twicethe size of Earth and some 40 light-years
away from us within the Cancerconstellation.
· Football players spit so much because exercise increases theamount of
protein in saliva.
· The longestanyone has held their breath underwater is over 24.5 minutes.
Q2: Do you know a joke about a nun?
A2: In a terriblecar accident, 3 nuns die at the same time
They all appearin front of the gates of Heaven to meet Saint Peter. When they
arrive, Peterinforms them that those who lived a life of the cloth must answer
some basicquestions about theology before they are permitted to enter Heaven.
Each of thenuns has studied their bible well, so they don't feel worried by
this. Thefirst nun steps forward and tells the saint that she's ready.
"Who wasthe first woman?" Peter asks. "That's easy!" exclaims the nun."Eve!".
Peter smiles, the bells toll, and the gates of Heaven open.
The second nun,encouraged by her colleague's easy pass, steps forwards and
tells Peter thatshe's ready as well.
"Who wasthe first man?" Peter asks. "Easy! That's Adam!" says the
nun,excitedly. Peter smiles, the bells toll, and the gates of Heaven open.
The third nunis now confident that she won't have any trouble, and steps up to
face Peter'squestion. "What were Eve's first words to Adam?" he asks.
"My,that's a hard one," the nun replies worriedly, but Peter smiles, the
bellstoll, and the gates of Heaven open...
Q3:Are there any reference to cats in Puranas?
A3: Cat is rarely referred in Vedic literature. In certain Puranicstories, cats
are symbolically associated with certain deities or characters.For example, the
cat is linked with the goddess Shashthi, who is consideredthe protector of
children& pregnant women.Shashthi or Shashti (Sanskrit: षष्ठी, Bengali:
ষষ্ঠী,Ṣaṣṭhī, literally "sixth") is a Hindu goddess,venerated in Nepal and
India as the benefactor and protector of children. Sheis also the deity of
vegetation and reproduction and is believed to bestow childrenand assist during
childbirth. She is often pictured as a motherly figure,riding a cat and nursing
one or more infants. Theworship of Shashthi is prescribed to occur on the sixth
day of each lunar monthof the Hindu calendar as well as on the sixth day after
a child's birth. Barrenwomen desiring to conceive and mothers seeking to ensure
the protection oftheir children will worship Shashthi and request her blessings
and aid. Sheis especially venerated in Eastern India.
Cats are a Vastusymbol for Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and abundance.
Considering that catsare connected to the goddess Laxmi,it is believed that
they attract riches and money.Cats are intelligent and incredibly affectionate
creatures.
Q4:What are some strange things banned in countries?
A4: Thereare strange things happening every day in the world. Over the years,
peoplehave created certain laws that ban the ridiculous things in the world.
Suchlists of the weirdest bans around the world are….
1. Samosas inSomalia werebanned after deeming that the popular snack is too
western. The justificationfor this weird ban was made on the basis of its
triangular shape that resemblesChristian Holy Trinity.
2. Valentine’sDay in Saudi Arabia
A simple celebration in thename of love for some and a capitalist scam for
others, Valentine’s Day remainsdebatable. Thereligious authorities in Saudi
Arabia stated that unmarried men and womenshould not celebrate this western
festival as it promotes immoral relationships.
3. Chewinggum in Singapore…..The Lion city issued chewing gum ban almost two
decades ago.It happened after the government confirmed abundant vandals
disrupting thepublic transit system by sticking gum on the doors of the trains.
The penaltycharges can vary from fine to community work to jail time.
4.Ketchupin France…. They banned ketchup in schools because the American
combinationof ketchup made of tomato, salt, vinegar, spice, and sugar imposed a
threat totheir traditional cuisine style.
5.High Heels InHistorical Sites (Greece)
Since 2009, Greece has outlawed wearing heels at any historicalsite.
Apparently, the pointy heels apply too much pressure to the ground andcan chip
away at architectural structures.
6. Noise(Victoria, Australia)
In Victoria, Australia,residents are prohibited from making any loud noises
during set hours, whichare Monday to Friday before 7 am and after 8 pm. and on
weekends and publicholidays before 9 am and after 8 pm.
Q5: What are the most "Tamilthings" about you?
A5: The term 'JALLIKATTU,' comes fromTamil term
'Sallikaasu'சல்லிக்கட்டுwhich means coins and kattu which
meanspackage tied to the horns of bulls as prize money. சல்லி என்பதற்கு பணம்
என்பது பொருளாகும். பண முடிப்பை, மாட்டின் கொம்புகளுக்கிடையே கட்டி விடுவர்.The
deploymentof salli as prize money gave rise to the Tamil sport of Jallikattu.
The sacredday of Thai Pongal, thefirst day of the Tamil month Thai, in the
middle of January, is the mostimportant festival of the Tamils. It is afestival
that bestows a national identity to the Tamils. It also transcendsreligious
barriers.
Jallikattu (or sallikkattu), also known aseru thazhuvuthal and
mañcuvirattu, is atraditional event in which a bull such as the Pulikulam
orKangayam breeds, is released into a crowd of people, and multiplehuman
participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back with botharms
and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape. Participants hold thehump
for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop. In somecases,
participants must ride long enough to remove flags on the bull's horns.
BULLS are bredspecifically by people of the
village for the event. Bulls that are able toparticipate successfully in the
jallikattu event are used as studs forbreeding. These bulls also fetch higher
prices in the markets.
Importantly, this festival is not governed by the taboosregarding
defilement associated with birth and death. In Tirunelveli district, for
instance, the Thai Pongalrituals are performed in a house even if adeath occurs
on the day of the festival. The body is removed and the house is quickly
cleaned.
On the day of Pongal, vegetables and tubersare prominent among the foods
offered to the favourite gods after lighting theceremonial lamps. These include
the tubers (yam, taro and edible Palmyra root) proscribed since timeimmemorial
by Brahmins and in major temples. Clearly, Thai Pongal is afestival that is a
part apart from BRAHMINICACULTURE.
-----------
Regard
V.Sridharan
Trichy
On Friday, 5 January, 2024 at 08:21:36 pm IST, 'gopala krishnan' via
iyer123 <[email protected]> wrote:
CULTURAL QA 01-2024-05A
All the BELOW QA are from Quora digest to me on 05-01-2024.
Quora answers need not be 100% correct answers
.Compiled and posted byR. Gopala krishnan, on 05-01-2024
Q1 Whatare some of the most mind-blowing facts?
A1 PriyankaShrivastava, Project Manager at Quatrro
(2015–present)Updated 6y
The “World War 1” ended at 11th hour on the 11thday of the 11th month of 1918
Iceland isthe only country without mosquitoes, snakes or other reptiles.
Iceland has one of the largest gunownership rates in the world and lowest crime
rates as well.
A tiger’sroar can be heard as far as 1.8 miles (3 km) away.
The first colgate toothpaste – Colgate’sAntiseptic dental powder.
Baby elephants don’t know how to use their trunksto drink until they are nine
months.
Harry Potter was first rejected by 12 different bookpublishers.
The first Apple computer – Apple I was with woodenframe.
TheLamborghini Gallardo is capable of going from 0-45 mph in 2.8 seconds.
Acheetah can do it in 2 seconds flat.
Alexander the Great, Napolean, Mussollini andHitler, all suffered from
ailurophobia,the fear of cats.
Q2 Doyou know a joke about a nun?
A2 Andrew Bent,Sep 9
A man was about to enter a bar when he wasapproached by a nun waving a ‘Total
abstinence’ banner.‘Don’t go in there’ she said, ‘alcohol is the devil’s work’.
‘But I just wantone pint, it’s been a tough day and I need to unwind’. ‘No you
mustn’t, no good will come of drinking alcohol’.
‘Have you ever tried it’? the man asked, ‘nocertainly not’. ‘Well perhaps you
should try it just once. I’ll get you adrink and if you don’t like it fine, but
at least you’ll know what you’retalking about’. ‘Well alright’ said the nun,
‘just get me one small drink,what do respectable ladies generally drink?’. ‘How
about gin?’ the mansuggested. The nunthought for a moment, ‘In that case get me
one gin, but put it in a cup so peoplewon’t know I’m drinking alcohol’.
The man walked into the bar and said to thebarman ‘A pint of bitter and a small
gin please, and can you put the gin in acup?’ ‘Oh no’ said the barman ‘is that
bloodynun there again?’.
Q3 Are there any reference to cats in Puranas?
A3 Devala rees
If a cat ormongoose touches your cooked food, you should purify the food by
putting sesameseeds and darbha grass in water and then sprinkling that water on
the foodbefore eating it.
Kurma Purana 2.17 says not to eat the flesh of acat.
Kurma Purana2.33 prescribes an expiation for the sin of killing a cat or a
mongoose, andthe following verse prescribes an expiation for eating a cat.
VariousDharma Shastras (Vishnu Smriti 50.31, Atri Smriti 19.227, Yagnyavalkya
Smriti3.270, Parashara Smriti 6.9) say that killing a cat is a sin requiring
expiation, as doesMahanirvana Tantra 11.140.
Vishnu Smriti 23.53 says that cats are always pure.
Shankha Smriti 16.40 says that if a cat is aroundwhile you are performing some
rite, it is auspicious.
PadmaPurana, Uttara Khanda chapter 30 mentions the holy abode Siddhashrama on
thecharming bank of the river Sarasvati, where formerly dwelt the learned
brahmanaKapila, knower of the Vedas, engrossed in the practice of vows and
fasts, whopossessed an amazingly powerful sacred lamp. He also had a pet cat
who attained high spiritualevolution while in the body of a cat.
MatsyaPurana 118.57 mentions cats running at great speed.
Baudhayana Grihya Sutra and Vaikhanasa GrihyaSutra prescribe expiations if a
cat walks on the Yagnya Kunda.
Brahmavaivarta Purana and Devi Bhagavata Puranadescribe Shashti Devi and
mention that her vahana is a cat.
Agni Puranasays that a cat crossing your path from rightto left is a good omen,
especiallywhile you are leaving your house.
GaneshaPurana refers to a demon who took the form of a cat to hunt Ganesha’s
rat.
VariousPuranas reference an Asura called “the cat” - not literally a cat, it’s
notexplained how he got this name.
Mahabharataoccasionally mentions cats in passing.
Obviouslythere are many references to large cats like tigers, lions, leopards,
etc.
Q4 Whatare some strange things banned in countries?
A4 Petter Brenna Rian,been immersed inmany cultures Updated 7y
You guysmight think Norway is a super relaxed, liberal, open-minded country
where werarely ban anything. You are wrong! There are lots of things banned in
Norway,and here are a few:
Corner fridges
Reason:Corner fridges do not pass environmental certifications.
Candy resembling tobacco products
Reason: Thisgoes along with Norway's strict laws about tobacco and alcohol
(such as banningof advertisement for such products). Sales of products that
look like tobaccoproducts is illegal.
Hookah
Reason:Generally its not allowed to import any new tobacco product that has not
been"traditionally" on the Norwegian market.
Lupins
Reason:Lupin is one of a handful of plant species that are banned because
Norway wantsto keep the ecosystem NORWEGIAN. Basically, we are racist or
plantist(?)towards some plants.
Bonus fun fact about Norway banning stuff:
Skateboardswere banned from 1978 to 1989. At the time, Norway was the only
country in theworld where it was illegal to sell, buy, and ride a skateboard.
Edit: Lupins and other plants are banned primarily because they take over
anddamage the existing ecosystem. ThanksRobin Corey.
Reason why skateboards were banned:
Theskateboard was introduced from the USA, and since the government was
unfamiliarwith the activity, they were looking into the potential dangers
ofskateboarding.
At one point they received statistics from the USAof the number of injuries, of
varying degreeof seriousness, caused by skateboarding. These statistics also
showed injurieson children. Apparently the numbers were so high that the
government imposed aban due to safety concerns.
However,skateboarding became increasingly popular in the 1980s, so the ban
waseventually phased out.
Afterconducting more research into the hookah in Norway, it appears that the
hookah itself is legal, but tobacco for hookah is illegal.So that would be the
equivalent of legalizing guns but making bullets illegal.Thanks to Gisle for
pointing that out.
Q5 Whatare the most "Tamil things" about you?
A5 Gopalkrishna Vishwanath, Willingresponder to survey questions1y
If you pokeme with a needle when I am not expecting it, I won’t say “ouch”. I
will involuntarily exclaim“Aiyyo!” confirming that even if I speak better
English and Hindi, I am,deep inside me, a Tamilian.
I prefer idli and dosa any day, any time to puris,paranthas, bread toast, and
cornflakes. I prefer rice to chapaatis, pongal tokhichdi.
I have nowgiven them up totally but when I used to drink coffee/tea, I always
preferred coffee totea.
Among all the beaches I have visited, Marina Beachhas a special fascination for
me. I met thegirl who was going to be my wife, for the first time in my life,
at MarinaBeach in 1973. My wife was born in Chennai. Every time I visit
Chennai, I tryto find time to visit Marina Beach.
While I am now happily settled in Devanahalli inKarnataka, if I am forced by
circumstancesto leave Devanahalli or Karnataka state and settle in another
state, I would choose a good place inTamil Nadu.
Probably Coonoor, Ooty, or Kodaikanal. The restof Tamil Nadu is too hot for my
liking and after being used to the weather inBengaluru/Devanahalli I will find
the other places in Tamil Nadu too hot forme.
In additionto the languages I already know if I am asked to choose one language
in which Iwould like to have the same proficiency that I have in English, it
would be Tamil. I know Tamilbut my proficiency is poor compared to my knowledge
of English and Hindi.
I willconclude with one point that describes what the least Tamil thing about
me is!I know Hindi and I love this language! It wasn’t imposed on me. I learned
it on my owninitiative and am happy to know it. I am now trying to bring
myknowledge of Tamil to the same level as my knowledge of Hindi at least, if
notmy knowledge of English.
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