Video Description:
In 2016, NASA used the Suomi NPP weather satellite to create a high resolution image of the earth at night. It can help us better understand the current developments and conflicts underway.
The amount of light pollution is most severe in heavily populated areas, as well as in regions of high prosperity.
In Europe, the Benelux region and the densely populated Po-Valley are so bright, that the individual towns blend into one big sea of light.
Especially in the Arab world, the extraction of oil creates bright lights from the flaring of gas.
And in Africa, you can trace the path of the Nile River, which, as the lifeline of egypt, attracts civilization and is filled with commercial boats.
This image points to the global challenges posed by the steadily increasing world population. And while man-made borders can not be seen during the day, the lines of political origin become apparent at night, but appear all the more absurd and artificial.
When viewed during daylight, the human influence on our planet is less obvious.
But this single image highlights the social divides and political strife from both the past and the present.
Month: September 2019
Equinox 2019
BARCROFT MEDIA VIA GETTY IMAGES
‘The Wall for Peace’
In today’s image, we’re featuring ‘The Wall for Peace’ in Paris for the International Day of Peace. Since 2000, this exhibit, created by artist Clara Halter and architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, has been inspiring visitors to write their own messages of peace and place them in gaps intentionally created in the structure for that purpose. To mark International Day of Peace, hundreds of events around the world are being held today, including peace fairs, music concerts, meditations, and more. The UN declared it a ‘day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.’ One of the events today is at UN Headquarters in New York, where the Secretary-General will ring the Peace Bell and participants will observe a minute of silence.
Onam Closing Ceremony 2019-Trivandrum
Aranmula Diaries – Kerala 2019
Finally the wait is over , We are In the UNESCO world heritage Site in India Aranmula, Pathanamthitta,Kerala
it is well known for its grandeur and unique history. The snake boats used for this race are called Palliyodams. The credit for the design is given to Lord Krishna himself, the chief deity at the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple. He is said to have appeared on these shores on a raft made of six bamboos, giving the village its name – Aranmula or Six Bamboos.
Met this guy from England
http://www.chrisgriffithsphoto.com
The annual Aranmula Uthrittathi Water Festival 2019
PATHANAMTHITTA: The annual Aranmula Uthrittathi Water Festival, marking the idol installation anniversary of Aranmula Lord Parthasarathy temple, was held in the Pampa on Sunday. Braving the heat, thousands, including hundreds of women and children, thronged both sides of the river to witness the procession and race of palliyodams (snake boats), which began at 2.30 pm.
A total of 52 palliyodams, including 37 ‘A’ batch of bigger size snake boats and 15 ‘B’ batch palliyodams of smaller ones, participated in the water festival. Tourism and Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran inaugurated the festival. At the inaugural address, the minister promised all government assistance, including grant, to the Palliyoda Seva Sangham, the apex body of the palliyodam karas which conducts the water festival.
World University Rankings 2020
| 1 | University of OxfordUnited Kingdom | 20,664 | 11.2 | 41% | 46 : 54 |
| 2 | California Institute of TechnologyUnited States | 2,240 | 6.4 | 30% | 34 : 66 |
| 3 | University of CambridgeUnited Kingdom | 18,978 | 10.9 | 37% | 47 : 53 |
| 4 | Stanford UniversityUnited StatesExplore | 16,135 | 7.3 | 23% | 43 : 57 |
| 5 | Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States | 11,247 | 8.6 | 34% | 39 : 61 |
| 6 | Princeton UniversityUnited States | 7,983 | 8.1 | 25% | 45 : 55 |
| 7 | Harvard UniversityUnited States | 20,823 | 9.2 | 24% | 49 : 51 |
| 8 | Yale UniversityUnited States | 12,402 | 5.4 | 20% | 50 : 50 |
| 9 | University of ChicagoUnited StatesExplore | 13,833 | 5.7 | 28% | 46 : 54 |
| 10 | Imperial College LondonUnited Kingdom | 16,760 | 11.7 | 56% | 38 : 62 |
Onam 2019: The Festival Of New Beginnings In God’s Own Country
Happy Onam 2019: Here is a look at what Onam Sadhya includes:
- Choru (boiled rice)
- Kaaya varuthatha (banana chips)
- Sharkara Varatti (fried pieces of banana coated with jaggery)
- Chenna varuthatha (yam cut into slices and fried with spices)
- Pulinji or Injipuli (tamarind-based chutney)
- Kichadi (gourd, okra or cucumber in a yoghurt curry)
- Pachadi (pineapple or bitter gourd in yoghurt)
- Puliserry (made with curd and a choice of vegetable)
- Kootu curry (black chickpeas curry)
- Olan (ash gourd with beans in a thick coconut milk gravy)
- Stir-fried vegetables with grated coconut
- Theeyal (mixed vegetable gravy)
- Erissery (mashed beans and pumpkin with coconut gravy)
- Avial (vegetables made with coconut and milk)
- Moru (spicy buttermilk)
- Pickles both sweet and sour
- Papad
- Bananas
- Sambar
- Rasam
- Payasam (various varieties)
Onam, the 10-day festival, began on September 1, and will continue till September 13. Onam marks the annual homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali – the grandson of Prahlada. On Thiru Onam, the second day of Onam today, it is believed that King Mahabali pays a visit to people’s homes. The other days are Uthraadam (September 10), Avittam (September 12) and Chathayam (September 13). Onam celebrations continue for the next couple of days with snake boat races, Pulikkali tiger play, and Kerala Tourism’s Onam Week program.
The festival of Onam is celebrated in the month of Chingam and is spread over 10 days, as per the Malayalam calendar. This year, the celebrations began on September 1 and will culminate on September 13.
Atham, Chitira, Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Utthradom and Thiruvonam together make Onam an elaborate ceremony.
Onam signifies the annual homecoming of King Mahabali from Patala Loka, where he was sent by Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar.
As per popular belief, King Mahabali, the most benevolent Raja of Kerala visits his kingdom to see his subjects happy and prosperous on the occasion of the auspicious harvest festival.
Women participate in Pookolam (rangoli made of flowers) and perform Kaikottikali, a dance form. Dressed in their best fineries, women look resplendent in an off-white Kasavu sari with golden border, teamed up with gold jewellery. The men look dapper in white Veshti (dhoti) and shirt.
People get together to participate in a number of cultural activities to celebrate the festival together. Boat race (Vallam Kali), Pulikali (folk dance in the disguise of a tiger) and other dance and art forms specific to Kerala are usually performed.
Sadya, an elaborate meal with 26 food preparations adds more fervour to the festivities.
Here’s wishing everyone a very Happy Onam!
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