Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Self-directed learning, in its broadest meaning, describes a process in which individuals take the initiative with or without the help of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulation of learning goals, identifying resources for learning, choosing and implementing learning strategies and evaluating learning outcomes. Thus, it is important to attain new knowledge easily and skillfully for the rest of our life. The point is, what is the need for self-directed learning? One reason is that there is convincing evidence that people who take the initiative in learning, learn more things and learn better than people waiting to be taught. The second reason is that self-directed learning is more in tune with our natural processes of psychological development. An essential aspect of maturing is developing the ability to take increasing responsibility of our own lives to become increasingly self-directed. The third reason is that many of the new developments in education put a heavy responsibility on the learners to take a good deal of initiative in their own learning. To meet the challenges in today’s instructive environment, self-directed learning is most essential.

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Padma Bhushan Kishori Amonkar is a celebrated singer of Hindustani classical music from the Jaipur-Attrauli Gharana. She is a woman who has had the courage of her conviction and has remained true to her music. She did not let herself be suppressed by the strict rules of her Gharana. Nor was she tempted into selling her talent by catering to the lowest common denominator. “Music is my destiny,” says the sprightly seventy-year old. “I can’t remember starting to learn music. I learned it in my mother’s womb.” Her mother, Smt. Mogubai Kurdikar, a musician of high calibre also won a Padma Bhushan.

Listen to her talk about music and even the most non-musically-inclined will understand the passion and depth of her involvement. “Music is a medium, not the end. It is only a path to reach the destination, which is already fixed. I believe in sadhana. There is a definite difference between practice and sadhana. Practice is just mugging up, getting yourself habituated to the subject. But in sadhana you concentrate and meditate upon one single phrase and sing it. When you forget yourself you sway into timelessness. You forget yourself and what stays, is ultimate peace. And the name of that peace is Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Zoroaster, Christ, Allah, etc. Music is bliss.”

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The road to success is not straight; there is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, caution lights called family and a roller coaster ride called jobs. But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith and a driver called God, you will make it to a place called success! In spite of all our planning and preparation, unexpected challenges are certain to arise. The bumps in the road are unavoidable, but you’ll never get to your destination if you aren’t willing to drive over them. The difference between a disaster and triumph lies in whether or not you’re prepared and willing to weather the storm. If you’re ready, those bumps will become stepping-stones.

The key thing to realize is that working harder is the same as working smarter. How do you work smarter? You just need to have the right skills. People want improved circumstances and better life without an improved self. They want victory without paying the price or making efforts. It really cannot happen without the other. Any improvements that have not been generated by improving yourself are superficial and short-lived. If you want to have a better future, you have to change yourself. Stop worrying about the various challenges that will come your way. Just believe in yourself and use them as stepping-stones.

‘Success’ is getting whatever you want out of life without violating the rights of others. It is not an accident. Success is the result of our attitude and our attitude is a choice. Hence success is a matter of choice and not chance. Today success represents a holistic and positive attitude to life. Attitude is everything. Success is not restricted to some kind of brick and mortar premises. It assumes the individuality of a complete act executed with perfection; material achievements do not define life. We don’t remember sports stars for the products they endorse but the spirit of achievement they represent. The abundance of a positive attitude underlines the grandeur of a truly rewarding rich life.

Success can be measured from two standpoints- the external and the internal. Externally, it is the measure of a job well done, and recognition. Internally, it is the feeling of achievement and wholeness derived from the completion of a task, or the fulfilment of desire.

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Did you know that the world’s first official airmail delivery took place in India in 1911, only 8 years after the invention of airplanes ? On February 18, 1911, French pilot Henri Pequet carried the first official mail flown by airplane. Pequet carried a sack with about 6,000 cards and letters on his Humber biplane. The flight covered a distance of five miles, from Allahabad polo field to Naini across the Yamuna river. All mails received a special parcel depicting an airplane, mountains, and – “First Aerial Post, 1911, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad” written on it.

On October 1, 2024, India Post celebrated 170 years of service. Originally started by the British East India Company and known as ‘Company Mail’, India Post was brought under the Crown as a service in 1854 by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. However, the history of postal systems in India goes back to the Maurya period, particularly the reign of Chandragupta Maurya circa 300 BCE.

Some historians believe that Chandragupta introduced an early postal system in India, using carrier pigeons to communicate between the different provinces of his vast empire stretching from Karnataka in the South to Afghanistan in the North, and Nagaland in the East to Eastern Iran in the West.

This early postal system was most probably introduced to India by Alexander III of Macedon, who used it widely during his military campaigns after adopting it from the ancient Persians, who trained and used carrier pigeons as messengers as early as the 5th Century BCE.

Carrier pigeons remained the primary mode of long-distance communication in India over the next thousand years. They were used extensively by rulers from the Maurya emperor Ashoka (302-234 BCE) to the Mughal emperor Babur (1483-1530 CE).

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When the reigning world chess champion Ding Liren and his challenger D Gukesh sit down to battle for the coveted crown later this year, it will be like two peas in pod, in more ways than one. Even Ding said that he sees shadows of himself in the 17-year-old Chennai boy.

During an interaction with TOI, the Chinese Grand Master (GM) said: “Sometimes I see him as a version of me. And we do share some similarities in our playing styles and characters.”

Both Ding and Gukesh’s journey to the world Championship had surprised the chess world. After the Chinese qualified for the Candidates following a ban on Russian GM Sergey Karjakin, Ding finished second in the tournament.

Later, when Magnus Carlsen chose to not defend his world title, Ding got the opportunity to fight for the crown with Candidates champion Ian Nepomniachtchi. Ding shocked Nepo to become the new champion.

Gukesh’s route to the top, too, has also been full of surprises. Despite being written off in the 2024 Candidates, Gukesh, seeded sixth among eight players, emerging triumphant on his debut.

That apart, Ding and Gukesh are similar personalities- calm, composed and men of a few words, who let their moves do all the talking. “He (Gukesh) is not in a hurry while playing, he calmly tries to have everything under control. He’s a very mature player ever at 17. Also, he had said my game has some inspirations for him, so maybe I have had some influence,” said Ding.

Ding, who was also astounded by Gukesh’s Candidates win, feels the Indian prodigy can be a ‘difficult player to handle’. “I have beaten Gukesh twice but what sets him apart is he can play many kinds of openings. And he always wants to surprise you at the openings. So he’s a difficult player to handle.”

After becoming the world champion last year, Ding hit a rough patch where he didn’t play for almost eight months due to psychological and physical issues. And, when he did play, he had a series of bad results, which led the five-time world champion Carlsen to make a remark that Ding is “permanently broken”.

“Well, I’m getting repaired,” he quipped.

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When the reigning world chess champion Ding Liren and his challenger D Gukesh sit down to battle for the coveted crown later this year, it will be like two peas in pod, in more ways than one. Even Ding said that he sees shadows of himself in the 17-year-old Chennai boy.

During an interaction with TOI, the Chinese Grand Master (GM) said: “Sometimes I see him as a version of me. And we do share some similarities in our playing styles and characters.”

Both Ding and Gukesh’s journey to the world Championship had surprised the chess world. After the Chinese qualified for the Candidates following a ban on Russian GM Sergey Karjakin, Ding finished second in the tournament.

Later, when Magnus Carlsen chose to not defend his world title, Ding got the opportunity to fight for the crown with Candidates champion Ian Nepomniachtchi. Ding shocked Nepo to become the new champion.

Gukesh’s route to the top, too, has also been full of surprises. Despite being written off in the 2024 Candidates, Gukesh, seeded sixth among eight players, emerging triumphant on his debut.

That apart, Ding and Gukesh are similar personalities- calm, composed and men of a few words, who let their moves do all the talking. “He (Gukesh) is not in a hurry while playing, he calmly tries to have everything under control. He’s a very mature player ever at 17. Also, he had said my game has some inspirations for him, so maybe I have had some influence,” said Ding.

Ding, who was also astounded by Gukesh’s Candidates win, feels the Indian prodigy can be a ‘difficult player to handle’. “I have beaten Gukesh twice but what sets him apart is he can play many kinds of openings. And he always wants to surprise you at the openings. So he’s a difficult player to handle.”

After becoming the world champion last year, Ding hit a rough patch where he didn’t play for almost eight months due to psychological and physical issues. And, when he did play, he had a series of bad results, which led the five-time world champion Carlsen to make a remark that Ding is “permanently broken”.

“Well, I’m getting repaired,” he quipped.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:

New Delhi: Whether it is playing chess online, ordering food on a delivery platform, interacting with bots for reponses to queries, triaging patients or creating deep fakes, Artificial intelligence is now entrenched in modern life. It isn’t surprising then that universities and research institutes are carrying out extensive studies not only on the application of AI in multifarious disciplines, but also on the impact the technology has on lives. At the Yardi School of Artificial intelligence in Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, studies are being conducted on building AI algorithms that can be used for different applications- a dialogue system where patients can talk to an agent about patient history, machines that can interpret ultrasound images and CT scans and systems to predict cyclones early. The range of studies is extensive.

A lot of the studies at Yardi School are also assessing the existing AI algorithms to plug gaps and social biases present. Abhijan Chakraborty, assistant professor, IIT-D, said, “While these days, the hype is around ChatGPT, there are other kinds of algorithms that are already in practice. For instance, when one applies for a loan, banks use a model in which data on the customer generates a sense of how risky the loan will be. In many of the contexts used for AI, it was found that the algorithms tend to be unfair to marginalized groups because there might not be much data available and the model automatically assumes that the person is a potential defaulter.”

Chakraborty talked about its use in the judicial domain. “People are using a sort of predictive tool to determine how likely a person is to commit a crime if released on bail,” he pointed out. “A study showed that it was highly biased against African Americans with even those who hadn’t ever committed a crime being classified as high risk.” It is because of these drawbacks that Chakraborty said the studies at Yardi School “aim to create algorithms that are fair across diversities, ethnic, religious, linguistic or gender”. “We mean to rectify anything that directly impacts any particular group,” said the assistant professor.

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While working in the establishments of Space Defense Research and Atomic Energy, Dr. Kalam found that the best human beings and the most innovative minds were present here, in plenty. One common feature was also found in all the scientists and technologists: they were not afraid of failures during their pursuits because failures contained within themselves the seeds for further learning, which could lead to better technology and eventually to high level of success. These people were great dreamers and their dreams finally culminated in spectacular achievements. Taking account of the combined technological strength of allthese scientific institutions, it would certainly be comparable to the best found in the developed world.

Regardingpersonal freedom, Kalam is said to have adopted two techniques to strengthen it. First, by building one’s own education and skills – knowledge is the most precious tool: the more up-to-date knowledge one possesses, the freer one is. A leader can only be free to leadhis team, if he keeps abreast of all that is happening around him. To lead is in a way, to engage in continuing education. The second way, is to develop a passion for personal responsibility, by way of taking on responsibility to work for the things you believe in. If you do not, you would be surrendering your fate to others.

Historian Edith Hamilton wrote of ancient Greece, “When the freedom they wished for most was freedom from responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free andwas never free again. The truth is that there is a great deal that most of us can do to increase our freedom. We can combat the forces that threaten to oppress us. We can fortify ourselves with the qualities and conditions that promote individual freedom.”

Dr. Kalam is neither an orthodox nor a conservative religionist. He has a scientific temper blended with spirituality. Drawing an analogy between science and spirituality he says, “While science has a habit of questioning, spirituality is based on known principles; both of them lead one to seek truth.” He is an individual filled with humanism and loved and renowned bythe entire nation, without any barriers of age and community. “India must stand up to the world because I believe that unless India stands up to the world, no one willrespect Only strength respects strength.” So said Dr. Abdul Kalam, the nuclear scientist who developed and structured India’s missile arsenal. He belongs to the world of nuclear weaponisation and has supported the nuclearisation of India consistently.

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Asthma is a respiratory disorder that we have known about for hundreds of years. However, there is still no cure although drugs, such as steroids, and inhalers can alleviate the symptoms of an asthmatic attack, and there is still no known cause. Worryingly, the number of people who suffer from asthma is increasing rapidly. In some countries in the world the disease is becoming more like an epidemic.

Because of the huge increase in the number of cases in the last 30 years, there is a widespread feeling that some kind of lifestyle change is to blame. Since asthma is a disease which impairs breathing, many researchers have thought that a reduction in air quality might have caused the increase in it. However, it is now thought that although the pollution in the atmosphere might exacerbate the condition, it is unlikely to be the cause of it.

For a considerable time, household dust mites were thought to be a possible cause of the condition, but attempts to keep these to a minimum have not reduced the numbers of asthmatic sufferers. Far from it.

Now researchers are looking at diet to find the culprit. The period over which asthma has increased dramatically in some countries coincides with a period when there have been major changes in diet in countries which have seen the highest rates of increase. It was first thought that some kind of dietary allergy might be a major factor.

At the moment, researchers looking for a dietary trigger for asthma are considering whether a lack of antioxidants could be responsible. Their possible protective powers have been much discussed in connection with other diseases. Now, doctors are wondering if a diet rich in things known to contain high levels of antioxidants, such as fruit and vegetables, would prevent asthma, especially if such a diet was followed by pregnant women.

Meanwhile, the schoolbags of more and more children contain an inhaler as well as books and notebooks. Something at school could trigger an attack and they must be prepared.

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Experts in climatology and other scientists are becoming extremely concerned about the changes to our climate which are taking place. Admittedly, climate changes have occurred on our planet before. For example, there have been several ice ages or glacial periods.

These climatic changes, however, were different from the modern ones in that they occurred gradually and, as far as we know, naturally. The changes currently being monitored are said to be the result not of natural causes, but of human activity. Furthermore, the rate of change is becoming alarmingly rapid.

The major problem is that the planet appears to be warming up. According to some experts, this warming process, known as global warming, is occurring at a rate unprecedented in the last 10,000 years. The implications for the planet are very serious. Rising global temperatures could give rise to such ecological disasters as extremely high increase in the incidence of flooding and of droughts. These in turn could have a harmful effect on agriculture.

It is thought that this unusual warming of the Earth has been caused by so-called greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, being emitted into the atmosphere by car engines and modern industrial processes, for example. Such gases not only add to the pollution of the atmosphere, but also create a greenhouse effect, by which the heat of the sun is trapped. This leads to the warming up of the planet.

Politicians are also concerned about climate change and there are now regular summits on the subject, attended by representatives from around 180 of the world’s industrialized countries. Of these summits, the most important one took place in Kyoto in Japan in 1997. There it was agreed that the most industrialized countries would try to reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions and were given targets for this reduction of emissions.

It was also suggested that more forests should be planted to create so-called sinks to absorb greenhouse gases. At least part of the problem of rapid climate change has been caused by too drastic deforestation.

Sadly, the targets are not being met. Even more sadly, global warming about climate changes are often still being regarded as scaremongering.

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Experts in climatology and other scientists are becoming extremely concerned about the changes to our climate which are taking place. Admittedly, climate changes have occurred on our planet before. For example, there have been several ice ages or glacial periods.

These climatic changes, however, were different from the modern ones in that they occurred gradually and, as far as we know, naturally. The changes currently being monitored are said to be the result not of natural causes, but of human activity. Furthermore, the rate of change is becoming alarmingly rapid.

The major problem is that the planet appears to be warming up. According to some experts, this warming process, known as global warming, is occurring at a rate unprecedented in the last 10,000 years. The implications for the planet are very serious. Rising global temperatures could give rise to such ecological disasters as extremely high increase in the incidence of flooding and of droughts. These in turn could have a harmful effect on agriculture.

It is thought that this unusual warming of the Earth has been caused by so-called greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, being emitted into the atmosphere by car engines and modern industrial processes, for example. Such gases not only add to the pollution of the atmosphere, but also create a greenhouse effect, by which the heat of the sun is trapped. This leads to the warming up of the planet.

Politicians are also concerned about climate change and there are now regular summits on the subject, attended by representatives from around 180 of the world’s industrialized countries. Of these summits, the most important one took place in Kyoto in Japan in 1997. There it was agreed that the most industrialized countries would try to reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions and were given targets for this reduction of emissions.

It was also suggested that more forests should be planted to create so-called sinks to absorb greenhouse gases. At least part of the problem of rapid climate change has been caused by too drastic deforestation.

Sadly, the targets are not being met. Even more sadly, global warming about climate changes are often still being regarded as scaremongering.

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Once we have settled on a perspective, we close off with one line of thought. Certain kinds of ideas occur to us, but only those kinds and no others. What if the crippled man who invented the motorized cart had defined his problem as, “How to occupy my time while lying in bed?” rather than “How to get out of bed and move around the house?”

Leonardo Da Vinci believed that to gain knowledge about the form of problems, you begin by approaching the problem on its own terms. He felt the first way he looked at a problem was too biased towards his usual way of seeing things. He would restructure his problem by looking at it from one perspective and move to another perspective and still another. With each move, his understanding would deepen and he would begin to understand the essence of the problem. Da Vinci discovered that genius often comes from finding a new perspective that no one else has taken.

Albert Einstein was once asked what the difference was between him andthe average person. He said that if you asked the average person to find a needle in the haystack, the person would stop when he or she found a needle. He, on the other hand, would tear through the entire haystack looking for all the possible needles. With creative thinking, one generates as many alternative approaches as one can.

Most of us have been educated to think exclusively which means we think in deficit by focusing our attention on specific information and excluding all else. In these instances, exclusive thinking leads us to neglect potentially imporant pieces of the puzzle. Exclusive thinking doesn’t merely inhibit irrelevant facts and perceptions. It can also smother the imagination.

Creative thinking is inclusive thinking. You consider the least obvious as well as the most likely approaches, and you look for-different ways to look at the problem. It is the willingness to explore all approaches that is important, evenlafter one has found a promising one.

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In an often-overwhelming world, staying sane means learning to remember and allowing to forget. Phones wallets, sunglasses, keys, a box of cornflakes, even a ukulele and, once, a gate valve. These are among the things that passengers have forgotten in cabs in 2023, according to Uber India’s annual ‘Lost and Found Index’. Further insights suggest that Delhi is the most forgetful city in India, that people are most prone to absentmindedness in the evening-from 7 pm to 9 pm – and that the festive days around Diwali tend to make people more distracted than any other time of this year. No doubt this information is amusing, and even useful – one could, for example, learn to be vigilant about one’s belongings during the weary, post-work cab ride home. But the real lesson here is that forgetfulness is inevitable.

In Remember : The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting, the American neuroscientist Lisa Genova explains that “a finely orchestrated balancing act between data storage and data disposal” is key to a well-functioning memory system. In other words, as much as remembering – to turn off the gas, your child’s smile when you return from work on that the deadline for filing tax returns is close – is necessary, so is forgetting – your score in Class X boards, the heartbreak of an early love or the time a colleague slighted you. In their own way, both help maintain sanity in an often-overwhelming world. Consider the condition of the titular character in Jorge Luis Borges’s story ‘Funes the Memorious’ whose prodigious memory forced him to note the progress of decay, corruption, fatigue and death and doomed him to be “the solitary and lucid spectator of … an intolerably precise world”.

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The end of human endeavour is happiness and contentment. The advancement of science has not been able to bring them about. On the other hand, it has made our lives complex and crooked. We can see with alarm the unending war which science is waging against literature and art. The realm of poetry is being conquered day by day. The soothing charms of Nature fly at the cold touch of science, What a solace was there in thinking of the silently shining stars, the blessed candles of the night! What comfort is now left to the average man to know that the stars are but so many burning suns and the rainbow of Wordsworth, at the sight of which his heart leapt up with joy, a prism of colours! The cheer and the charm are gone and the dull fact remains.

‘Science’, observes G.B. Shaw, ‘never solves a problem without creating ten more.’ But art and literature are themselves the solution to all our problems. All our worries leave us amid the Sounding cataracts of Wordsworth, the Skylark of Shelley and the Nightingale of Keats. They are a rest to the weary, an inspiration to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and Nature’s best antidote for trouble.

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Show me a doctor who is not confused about nutrition and I will show you a doctor who has not kept up with research Though nutritionists like to claim that basic nutritional advice does not change from year to year, the truth is that each week brings new studies, new research and new health warnings. Nor do all the studies agree with each other. Often they are contradictory and further confuse lay people.

Part of the problem is that many studies are financed by the food industry, which has a vested interest in the outcomes. And much of the so-called nutritional wisdom that has been propounded over the decades does not emerge out of pure science but out of the commercial interests of those passing on the advice.

The most famous example of this sort of thing may be the rule – rigidly advocated by some doctors over the years – that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skip breakfast, you will be told, and there will be damaging consequences for your health.

You can trace the roots of the advice to (surprise, surprise!) the American cereal industry and to such food faddists as the Kellogg family (owners of the eponymous cereal company).

It has always been a peculiarly Anglo-Saxon idea. People do eat breakfast all over the world but they do not necessarily attach such great importance to it. Nor do countries without a breakfast tradition see a sharp decline in public health. For instance, in France, breakfast may well consist of black coffee and a cigarette. The cigarette is not a good idea but the absence of solid food in the morning doesn’t really hurt the French very much. Until the fast food industry spread all over France in the last decade or so, the French had much lower rates of heart disease than most English-speaking countries.

In the US, the bogus breakfast orthodoxy has led parents to feed children sugary cereals and stuff like pancakes with sugar syrup (often misleadingly packaged as maple syrup). There is finally a recognition that the breakfast-is-essential myth has actually contributed to a decline in American public health, the obesity epidemic and to tooth decay. Manufacturers of sugary cereals are quickly putting out new ‘low-sugar’ variations.

Some doctors still insist that the first meal of the day may be the most important. But the scientific evidence supports the view that if you avoid breakfast nothing terrible will happen to you.

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“Stress” All people have some stress in their lives. A little stress makes life interesting, and keeps you on your toes. However, too much stress can bejunhealthy. You may find your life becoming stressful whenever there are changes in your environment, in your relationships, or in the demands you put on yourself.

Stress can also be caused by good things in your life, such as getting a new job, moving to a new place, or getting married.

How can you tell when your life is getting too “stressful”? You will probably find yourself always feeling rushed, as though you must hurry everywhere you go. There is never enough time to do everyting that you need to do. You may find yourself walking, talking, and eating more quickly than usual.

Besides causing emotional problems, stress can also cause real physical problems. If you have too much stress in your life, you may suffer from stomach problems, headaches or neck and shoulder pain.

Prevention is the best way to deal with stress. First of all, be organized- there is nothing so stressful as a disorganized life. Put your life and your surroundings (your home, apartment or desk at work or school) in order. Don’t procrastinate. Stop putting things off. Do what needs to be done today. On the other hand, don’t always feel that you have to do everyting right now. Learn to say “no” to activities and commitments that will only add more stress to your life. Remember that you are only human, and that you can only do one thing at a time.

Learn to relax. Slow down! Take a break or a walk when you feel yourself getting stressed. Find a hobby that you enjoy. Reading, listening to music or creating something with your hands are all great ways to bring some peace to a hectic life. Learn to laugh at yourself and your life. Try to look on the bright side of life. Even when things seem pretty dark and stressful, there is usually a place for some humor and a smile.

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“Stress” All people have some stress in their lives. A little stress makes life interesting, and keeps you on your toes. However, too much stress can bejunhealthy. You may find your life becoming stressful whenever there are changes in your environment, in your relationships, or in the demands you put on yourself.

Stress can also be caused by good things in your life, such as getting a new job, moving to a new place, or getting married.

How can you tell when your life is getting too “stressful”? You will probably find yourself always feeling rushed, as though you must hurry everywhere you go. There is never enough time to do everyting that you need to do. You may find yourself walking, talking, and eating more quickly than usual.

Besides causing emotional problems, stress can also cause real physical problems. If you have too much stress in your life, you may suffer from stomach problems, headaches or neck and shoulder pain.

Prevention is the best way to deal with stress. First of all, be organized- there is nothing so stressful as a disorganized life. Put your life and your surroundings (your home, apartment or desk at work or school) in order. Don’t procrastinate. Stop putting things off. Do what needs to be done today. On the other hand, don’t always feel that you have to do everyting right now. Learn to say “no” to activities and commitments that will only add more stress to your life. Remember that you are only human, and that you can only do one thing at a time.

Learn to relax. Slow down! Take a break or a walk when you feel yourself getting stressed. Find a hobby that you enjoy. Reading, listening to music or creating something with your hands are all great ways to bring some peace to a hectic life. Learn to laugh at yourself and your life. Try to look on the bright side of life. Even when things seem pretty dark and stressful, there is usually a place for some humor and a smile.

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No treatment on the market today has been proved to slow human aging. But one intervention, consumption of a low-calorie yet nutritionally balanced diet, works incredibly well in a broad range of animals, increasing longevity and prolonging good health. Those findings suggest that caloric restriction could delay aging and increase longevity in humans, too. But what if someone could create a pill that mimicked the physiological effects of eating less without actually forcing people to eat less, a ‘caloric restriction mimetic’ ?

The best-studied candidate for a caloric-restriction mimetic, 2DG (2-deoxy-D glucose), works by interfering with the way cells process glucose. It has proved toxic in some doses in animals and so cannot be used in humans. But it has demonstrated that chemicals can replicate the effects of caloric restriction; the trick is finding the right one. Cells use the glucose from food to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the molecule that powers many activities in the body. By limiting food intake, caloric restriction minimizes the amount of glucose entering cells and decreases ATP generation.

When 2DG is administered to animals that eat normally, glucose reaches cells in abundance but the drug prevents most of it from being processed and thus reduces ATP synthesis. Researchers have proposed several explanations for why interruption of glucose processing and ATP production might retard aging.

One possibility relates to the ATP-making machinery’s emission of free radicals, which are thought to contribute to aging and to such age-related disease as cancer by damaging cells. Reduced operation of the machinery should limit their production and thereby constrain the damage. Another hypothesis suggests that decreased processing of glucose could indicate to cells that food is scarce (even if it isn’t) and induce them to shift into an anti-aging mode that emphasizes preservation of the organism over such ‘luxuries’ as growth and reproduction. (Adapted from ‘The Serious Search for an Anti-Aging Pill.’)

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Each time a sitar virtuoso tugs at your heartstrings, it might just be an ode to some nimble fingers in faraway Dadpur. The nondescript village in Uluberia in Bengal’s Howrah district literally rises with string melody and sleeps with it. Most of its 250-odd households are engaged in making sitars, surbahars and guitars.

“This art is different from many others. It requires not just delicate craftsmanship, but a refined sense of music too. That’s achieved through rigorous training, passion and perseverance”, said Shyamal Halder whose father Tarapada Halder started nearly 65 years back when he went to Lucknow as a youth and learnt to make stringed instruments. Dadpur’s instruments have travelled far and wide, across the country and abroad. Many in the village have shifted to making instruments of other professions.

“Sitars and surbahars are made in 12 workshops in this village. At least one member from each household is into this,” said Samar Mondal, who has been engaged in one of the workshops for 17 years.

Crafting a sitar is an intricate task. Each part – body making, curving, engraving, polishing and tuning requires craftsmen specialising in that particular aspect.

Abhijit Mondal switched to instrument-making a few years back. He is now an expert in designing sitars and surbahars. “Not a single part is made with the help of a machine. It is wholly dependent on human skills and acumen,” said Abhijit.

Kolkata, Varanasi, Lucknow, Pune, Delhi and Patna are among the cities from where Dadpur gets big orders. “Apart from bulk sales, we get individual orders from across the country. Many popular brands take unfinished instruments from us,” said Dipak. These brands later customise the instruments according to their specifications. “They never compromise on quality. The price is reasonable, affordable even for beginners.”

Most craftsmen complained that they did not make enough money in spite of their full-time en gagement and the high market value of their instruments, especially when these were marketed by big players.

READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW :

Come February, love or something like it is in the air. And chocolates fly off shop shelves. This year, however cocoa prices hit record high. Global chocolate industry is dominated by the “Big Five” – Hershey, Mondelez, Mars, Nestle and Ferrero with West Africa providing most of the cacao. Cacao plants grow only 20 degrees north and south of the Equator. Geography has made South Indian States home to unique varieties of cacao.

Cacao beans are rich in flavanol, which can lower blood pressure. This property has triggered controversial claims about dark chocolate’s medicinal properties. Some of the research supporting these claims has been sponsored by the Big Five. But what’s not in dispute is that cacao is rich in nutrients. It makes its downstream products a potential superfood. But the catch is that the end products such as chocolates contain other ingredients. Sugar or low quality oil, etc. Therefore, its the combination of ingredients and the manner of processing cacao that holds the key.

The last decade, an adventurous breed of Indian chocolates have transformed locally sourced cacao into artisanal chocolates. Getting the most out of cacao’s nutrients and limiting unhealthy ingredients such as refined sugar have been integral to this journey. Vegetable oil and cocoa butter, is often used to lower costs in mass market chocolates. But that’s not an ingredient super premium chocolates will use.

Preserving the nutritional value of cacao depends on the process used to transform it into chocolate. That’s really the key to earning the superfood label. India’s artisanal chocolatiers can get this label without resorting to measures used by the Big Five.

India has a growing consumer base that is discerning and health conscious. Chocolates sourced and made at home, with unique flavours that appeal to Indian and global taste buds, can do even better. If India’s chocolatiers play their cards well, Indian chocolate brands can become super premium, exportable brands.

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Like Aranmula Kannadi, Balaramapuram Kaithari saree, Killimangalam Mat is Kerala’s indigenous heritage product that needs to be marketed globally.

The century old tradition of making mats from the Kora grass that grows abundantly on the banks of Chittur Puzha is dying without any takers in the market.

Sindhu has been making mats for over a decade now and says she had joined the profession as she found the craft fascinating.

The craft of weaving is highly labour intensive and the raw material is costly.

The matured grass is first harvested by the locals and they dry each blade of grass in the sunlight after removing their tissues. The dried grass is then transported to the village for around Rs. 300 per kg as per order. At Killimangalam it again undergoes more treatment processes, including washing, dyeing and boiling before they are sun dried again.

The dried grass is then placed on the handloom and fashioned into intricately patterned mats by the deft fingers of the weavers. An artisan takes a minimum two days to weave a six-feet-long plain mat without any designs on it. It is the boiling process which makes the mat last for more than 25 years and the dye remains intact. For this reason, the finished mat is a bit expensive and their clientele consists of mostly upper middle-class people and business establishments. A plain mat costs Rs. 2,500 and a designed one can cost up to Rs. 10,000.

They used to get moderate commission from the sales of the mats, which had fairly high demand, especially outside the state and exhibitions were a great way to connect with customers. But with trade shows taking a hit, their revenue streams have been drying up.

READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW :

Like Aranmula Kannadi, Balaramapuram Kaithari saree, Killimangalam Mat is Kerala’s indigenous heritage product that needs to be marketed globally.

The century old tradition of making mats from the Kora grass that grows abundantly on the banks of Chittur Puzha is dying without any takers in the market.

Sindhu has been making mats for over a decade now and says she had joined the profession as she found the craft fascinating.

The craft of weaving is highly labour intensive and the raw material is costly.

The matured grass is first harvested by the locals and they dry each blade of grass in the sunlight after removing their tissues. The dried grass is then transported to the village for around Rs. 300 per kg as per order. At Killimangalam it again undergoes more treatment processes, including washing, dyeing and boiling before they are sun dried again.

The dried grass is then placed on the handloom and fashioned into intricately patterned mats by the deft fingers of the weavers. An artisan takes a minimum two days to weave a six-feet-long plain mat without any designs on it. The mat is so tight that nearly 2 kg of grass is requried to make it. It is the boiling process which makes the mat last for more than 25 years and the dye remains intact. For this reason, the finished mat is a bit expensive and their clientele consists of mostly upper middle-class people and business establishments. A plain mat costs Rs. 2,500 and a designed one can cost up to Rs. 10,000.

They used to get moderate commission from the sales of the mats, which had fairly high demand, especially outside the state and exhibitions were a great way to connect with customers. But with trade shows taking a hit, their revenue streams have been drying up.

PASSAGE : A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further. So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to supported the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its crawing around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

PASSAGE : It is your duty to train and develop your mind and acquire knowledge, as much knowledge as you possibly, can obtain. Knowledge is like a deep well, fed by perennial springs and your Mind is the little bucket that you drop into it you will get as much as you can assimilate. The Brain, which is the physical organ of the mind, is one of the two precious products of the aeons of Evolution : the other is the imponderable ‘Social instinct.’ This wonderful Brain, whose every convolution represents millions of years of Time, really distinguishes you from the animals. Many animals have very powerful sense organs; the eagle, the ant and the dog have keener sense of sight than Man. But no animal has a more evolved Brain and higher Intelligence. If you do not develop and use this Brain to the utmost of your power, you are more akin to the beasts than to Homo-sapiens.

Knowledge and mental self-culture will confer untold blessings upon you. You will not be victim of superstition and demagogy in religion and politics. You will know your duty and do it. To be wise and independent in your religion and your politics, not to be doped and duped by the selfish priests and the scheming politicians of Capitalism and so called Socialism: is this not a noble aim worth striving for? Most men and women today are not free and wise: they are like kites flown by the priests and politicians who hold the string. They are fleeced and fooled on account of their ignorance. Half the ills of man are due to ignorance.

PASSAGE : The study of history provides many benefits. First, we learn from the past. We may repeat mistakes, but, atleast, we have the opportunity to avoid them. Second, history teaches us what questions to ask about the present. Contrary to some people’s view, the study of history is not the memorization of names, dates and places. It is the thoughtful examination of the forces that have shaped the courses of human life. We can examine events from the past and then draw inferences about current events. History teaches us about likely outcomes.

Another benefit of the study of history is the broad range of human experience which is covered. War and peace are certainly covered as are national and international affairs. However, matters of culture (art, literature and music) are also included in historical study. Human nature is an important part of history: emotions like passion, greed and insecurity have influenced the shaping of world affairs. Anyone who thinks that the study of history is boring has not really studied history.

PASSAGE : One of the most famous monuments in the world, the Statue of Liberty was presented to the United States of America by the people of France. The great statue which was designed by the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, took ten years to complete. The actual figure was made of copper supported by a metal framework which had been specially constructed by Eiffel. Before it could be transported to the United States. A site had to be found for it and a pedestal had to be built. The site chosen was an island at the entrance of the New York harbour. By 1884, a statue which was 151 feet tall had been erected in Paris. The following year, it was taken to pieces and sent to America by the end of October, 1886, the statue had been put together again and it was officially presented to the American people by Bartholdi. Ever since then, the great monument had been a symbol of liberty for the millions of people who have passed through New York harbour to make their homes in America.

PASSAGE : In every country people imagine that they are the best and the cleverest and the others are not so good as they are. The Englishman thinks that he and his country are the best; the Frenchman is very proud of France and everything French. The Germans and Italians think no less of their countries and many Indians imagine that India in many ways is the greatest country in the world. This is wrong. Everybody wants to think well of himself and his country. But really there is no person who has not some good and some bad qualities. In the same way, here is no country which is partly good and partly bad. We must take the good wherever we find it and try to remove the bad wherever it may be.

We are of course, most concerned with our own country, India. Unhappily, it is in a bad way today. Most of our people are poor and unhappy. They have no joy of their lives. We have to find out how we can make them happier. We have to see what is good in our ways and customs and try to keep it and whatever is bad we have to throw away. If we find anything good in other countries, we should certainly take it.

Time is the most precious resource we have. Once lost, it can never be recovered. Successful people understand the value of time and use it wisely. Procrastination is the thief of time—delaying tasks leads to stress and poor results. Planning daily activities helps achieve goals efficiently. Time management improves productivity and reduces anxiety. Wasting time on unnecessary activities robs us of opportunities. Punctuality shows respect for others’ time. Balancing work, rest, and leisure creates a fulfilling life. Teaching children time management builds discipline. In a fast-paced world, effective use of time is key to success and happiness. Every second counts—make it meaningful.

True friendship is a rare and valuable treasure. Good friends support us in difficult times and celebrate our successes. They offer honest advice and listen without judgment. Friendship requires trust, loyalty, and mutual respect. Spending quality time strengthens bonds. Differences in opinions should not break friendships—instead, they enrich them. Toxic friends drain energy and create negativity—distance from them. Making new friends keeps life exciting, but maintaining old ones provides comfort. Friends influence our choices, so choose wisely. In loneliness, friends provide companionship. True friends accept us as we are. Friendship multiplies joy and divides sorrow.

Technology has revolutionized education. Online courses make learning accessible to remote areas. Interactive apps engage students more than traditional books. Virtual reality brings history and science to life. Teachers use digital tools for personalized learning. E-books save paper and allow instant updates. Video lectures enable revision anytime. However, excessive screen time harms eyes and reduces physical activity. Over-reliance on technology diminishes critical thinking. Not all students have access to devices—digital divide exists. Teachers need training to use technology effectively. Blended learning—combining online and offline—is ideal. Technology is a tool, not a replacement for teachers. Proper use enhances education quality.

Adequate sleep is essential for health. Adults need 7-9 hours nightly. Sleep restores body and mind. It improves concentration, memory, and decision-making. Lack of sleep causes irritability and weakened immunity. Deep sleep repairs tissues and boosts growth hormone. REM sleep aids learning and emotional processing. Consistent sleep schedule regulates body clock. Naps refresh but should not replace night sleep. Screen light before bed disrupts melatonin. Dark, cool room promotes better sleep. Avoid caffeine late. Good sleep enhances productivity and mood. Chronic sleep deprivation increases risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Honesty builds trust and strong relationships. Telling truth avoids complications of lies. Honest people earn respect and credibility. Dishonesty may give short-term gains but leads to long-term loss. Children taught honesty grow into reliable adults. In business, honesty attracts loyal customers. Mistakes admitted honestly allow correction. Honesty reduces guilt and stress. Even white lies can damage trust. Being honest with self is self-awareness. Society values honest leaders. Honesty fosters peace and justice. It is a virtue that pays in the end.

Positive thinking transforms lives. It shifts focus from problems to solutions. Optimists face challenges with hope and resilience. Negative thoughts create stress and limit potential. Positive affirmations rewire the brain for success. Surrounding with positive people boosts motivation. Gratitude practice increases happiness. Positive thinking improves health by reducing cortisol. It attracts opportunities through confident actions. Failures become lessons, not defeats. Visualization helps achieve goals. Positive mindset enhances relationships and career growth. Even in adversity, finding silver lining builds strength. Positive thinking is a choice that leads to fulfilling life.

Meditation calms the mind and reduces anxiety. Daily practice improves focus and emotional balance. It lowers blood pressure and enhances immunity. Mindfulness meditation increases awareness of present moment. Breathing exercises relax body. Meditation boosts creativity and problem-solving. It promotes better sleep and reduces insomnia. Regular meditators experience less depression. Meditation fosters compassion and kindness. Beginners start with 5 minutes daily. Apps and guides help learn techniques. Group meditation builds community. Long-term practice rewires brain for positivity. Meditation is free and accessible anywhere. It complements other wellness practices.

Saving money builds financial security. Track expenses to identify waste. Create budget and stick to it. Save first, spend later. Emergency fund covers unexpected costs. Small daily savings add up over time. Avoid impulse buying—wait 24 hours. Use cash instead of cards to feel spending. Invest savings for growth. Cut unnecessary subscriptions. Cook at home to save on food. Buy quality items that last longer. Teach children saving early. Financial freedom comes from disciplined saving. Peace of mind from knowing you’re prepared.

Learning new skills keeps brain active and opens opportunities. Online platforms offer free courses. Consistency beats talent—practice daily. Step out of comfort zone for growth. Mistakes are part of learning—embrace them. Set specific goals and track progress. Teach others to reinforce knowledge. Apply skills in real projects. Networking with experts accelerates learning. Curiosity drives lifelong learning. New skills boost confidence and career. Age is no barrier—anyone can learn. Enjoy process for sustained motivation.

Teamwork achieves greater results than individual efforts. Diverse skills complement each other. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings. Trust builds strong teams. Shared goals unite members. Celebrate successes together. Learn from failures as group. Delegate tasks based on strengths. Respect differences for harmony. Effective leaders guide without dominating. Collaboration sparks innovation. Teamwork teaches compromise and empathy. In sports, business, projects—team success lasts. Alone we go fast, together we go far.

Trees are vital for life on Earth. They produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and combat climate change. Roots prevent soil erosion and floods. Trees provide shade, reduce temperatures in cities. Biodiversity thrives in forests—home to millions of species. Fruits, nuts, timber, medicine come from trees. Planting trees restores degraded land. Deforestation causes desertification and loss of habitat. Urban trees improve air quality and mental health. One mature tree absorbs tons of CO2 yearly. Community tree planting builds bonds. Trees symbolize growth and strength. Protect existing trees and plant more for future generations. Every tree counts in fight against global warming.

Digital literacy is essential in modern world. It involves using technology safely and effectively. Understanding online privacy protects personal data. Critical thinking helps identify fake news. Basic skills include emailing, searching, and using apps. Cybersecurity awareness prevents scams and hacking. Digital tools enhance learning and work efficiency. Children need guidance for safe internet use. Digital divide limits access in rural areas. Governments promote digital education programs. Responsible sharing avoids spreading misinformation. Digital literacy empowers individuals and societies. It bridges gaps and creates opportunities. Continuous learning keeps skills updated.

Renewable energy sources are sustainable and clean. Solar power harnesses sunlight via panels. Wind energy uses turbines for electricity. Hydropower from dams is reliable. Geothermal taps earth’s heat. Biomass from organic waste. Renewables reduce fossil fuel dependence. They cut greenhouse emissions. Initial costs high but long-term savings. Jobs created in green sector. Energy independence for countries. Remote areas benefit from off-grid solutions. Technology advances make renewables cheaper. Governments incentivize adoption. Transition to renewables fights climate crisis. Future energy is renewable.

Mental health is as important as physical health. Stress, anxiety, depression affect millions. Open conversations reduce stigma. Professional help like therapy is effective. Exercise and meditation alleviate symptoms. Healthy relationships provide support. Work-life balance prevents burnout. Self-care routines build resilience. Warning signs include mood swings, isolation. Early intervention improves outcomes. Schools and workplaces promote awareness. Mental health days are necessary. Kindness and empathy help others. Everyone experiences mental health challenges. Seeking help is strength, not weakness.

Women’s empowerment is key to progress. Education opens doors for girls. Economic independence builds confidence. Equal opportunities in jobs and politics. Ending gender violence is priority. Role models inspire young women. Laws protect rights and promote equality. Microfinance helps women entrepreneurs. Health care including reproductive rights. Balancing family and career. Men as allies in equality movement. Empowered women empower communities. Gender equality benefits society overall. Celebrate achievements and continue fight.