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Maxwell Maltz book called Psycho Cybernetic, published in 1960, is considered one of the best books in the self-help category, of the psychology masterpieces that paved the way for most of today’s personal empowerment programs! In one section he states how physical scars are formed because the wound heals under tension and the gap between the wounds is filled by fibrous tissue!

A plastic surgeon ensures that there is no tension which makes the scars less or none! In the same way apparently even emotional scars develop when there is stress and tension or frustration! According to him the best way to heal or repair those scars is to reduce emotional stress or tension!

And then you have the healing of the fracture!  The issue with fracture is that  you need to give complete rest to the joint. Then again when you give rest to the joint the muscles become stiff! So you need to keep on moving the muscles!

Unfortunately you cannot move them too much lest the joint also moves and that may impede the healing of the fracture!

In this delicate balance between moment and restriction the body slowly tries to recover.

There is no shortcut to healing it will take its own time!

In fact if you try to mobilise faster then the healing will be delayed or incorrect and if you mobilize later then your joint will be more stiff!

And then you have the pain after the first major pain! By this time you realise that it is a fracture and then you will get pain in short intervals! So you have major pain and a minor constant pain!

The pain here is good since that means that the fracture is healing it also tells you how much you can move your joint! Then again too much pain is not good!

Slowly the pain may go or you get used to it! Just like life!

It’s all matter of balance! Just like life!

It’s not too good and then again it’s not too bad! Just like life!

A perfect balance of look and talent is also Abhay Deol!

Now for the perfect balance in life you have to sleep!

Shubh ratri!

Wilson Greatbatch was an American electrical engineer; In 1956, while building an oscillator to record heart sounds at the University of Buffalo, Greatbatch accidentally installed a resistor with the wrong resistance (1 MΩ instead of 10 KΩ). 

What happened was instead of recording the circuit emitted a steady electrical pulse!

He recognized tthat his rhythmic pulse mirrored a healthy heartbeat and could potentially regulate a diseased heart!

Greatbatch spent two years refining the device in a workshop behind his home! 

He later teamed with surgeon Dr. William Chardack and after many refinements and modification the device was ready for human implant

In 1960, the device was successfully implanted in a 77-year-old human patient by Dr. William Chardack 

He then licensed the invention to Medtronic, which led to its widespread clinical use.

Initially he was frustrated by the 2-year lifespan of early mercury batteries, Greatbatch developed the lithium-iodide battery in the early 1970s. This became the industry standard, extending pacemaker longevity to over 10 years!

Apart from this he held over 325 patents throughout his life!

His work transformed heart block from a fatal condition into a manageable one, with nearly one million pacemakers now installed annually worldwide.

All started with an accident! Remember that there are no accidents! Only opportunities! Start by dreams and then make castles! Or a bungalow! 

Or simply by your charity you can make everything you do legendary and even if you are gone you are memories and your actions will remain forever!

Praying for peace and health

Subh ratri…

This was an answer in the NYT the other day; PACS

In medical field we know PACS as the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) which is a medical imaging technology that provides economical storage, rapid retrieval, and digital distribution of medical images (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans).

It replaces physical film by storing images in DICOM format, allowing clinicians to access, view, and report on studies electronically! It is a norm now!

But (he he!) the PACS according to the NYT was a group which influences elections!


Their full form is Political Action Committees (PACs) who are apparently increasingly hiring social media influencers—ranging from micro-creators to major personalities—to drive 2024 election engagement, particularly among younger voters!

These influencers are paid to create authentic, non-traditional political content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, often aiming to sway audiences in battleground states.

PACs use micro-influencers to target specific demographics, such as farmers or young people in specific regions.

Subtle Messaging: Influencers are favored for “off-the-cuff” content, inserting political messages into lifestyle, beauty, or comedy content rather than traditional campaign slogans, which is perceived as more genuine.

So PAC is a political hack!

One hack of sorts was also a movie called executive decision! I rented that think Steven Seagal was the lead only to he dies in the first 10 minutes of the movie! The movie was really nice and Kurt Russell did a good job!

Challenging also to sketch and blog sometimes when you have some limitations!

Still nothing wrong in trying!


Praying for health and peace…

Subh ratri…

We all now what an idiot box television is! Your phone now has become an Idiot making one!

But did you know that there was a show that was specifically invented or created to improve the education quality of the lower strata?

It was seen that children from lower economic status when they join the kindergarten, they were significantly behind from their peers from richer family.

This was attributed to the lack of basic education or an educational environment in their home.


By simple characterisation and models like puppets, this show, soon became a landmark in educational Entertainment

You may have heard the about the show in passing!


The name is similar to the name called by Alibaba!

Yes! It’s Sesame Street!

Created in 1969, Sesame Street was the first television program to combine a strictly researched educational curriculum with high-quality entertainment to help underprivileged children prepare for school.

The show was conceived in 1966 during a dinner party conversation between TV producer Joan Ganz Cooney and Carnegie Corporation executive Lloyd Morrisett.

They wondered if the “addictive” qualities of television could be used to teach basic literacy and numeracy, effectively “leveling the playing field” for disadvantaged preschoolers.

For the first time, researchers and producers collaborated as equal partners to ensure every segment had measurable educational outcomes.

Sesame Street premiered on November 10, 1969, on public television (NET, later PBS). It was immediate successful but also groundbreaking for its intentionally diverse cast, which was rare for the era.


The most important thing is that for the first time ever a television show was found to improve the quality of education!

Early studies by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) found that children who watched frequently scored significantly higher in letter and number recognition than non-viewers.

The show soon became a global phenomenon through “co-productions”—localized versions that adapted the Sesame model to different cultures.

Even difficult topics like death, HIV positivity, and Autism were discussed with sensitivity in the series

Even now we have so many educational materials all over the web and social media. All we need is an intent to learn!


You have to decide whether you want to learn with which actress does your favourite actor has an affair with or what is the origin of the solar system?

It’s your choice!

You can also make them watch stories which inspire like the one of Sandeep Unnikrishnan!

We miss you Sandeep; you will never be forgotten…

Jai Hind…

Circle of days by Ken Follet

Ebook

Book review

Historical fiction Genre

Based on the supposed story behind the Stonehenge monument

One major departure in this novel though is that lead character of the novel does not get into the action till much into the story! Now since it is Ken you know that the novel will move along smoothly but occasionally you do get a GOT vibe! Especially when some supposedly main characters get knocked off!

Starts with a main character who later on assumes a constant background role but still important.

He is the only character who survives the circle of days so to speak!

The only chief spoiler is that the whole novel is about the construction of the Stonehenge monument!

So once that let’s spoiler is out; you can go into the action so to speak!

The novel is set in 2500 BCE on the Great Plain, the novel follows a society divided into tribes of miners, herders, woodlanders, and farmers.

Though initially there is peace all round that’s only because the novelist starting! Even his non prehistoric  novels were, violent you can imagine how the prehistoric novels would be!

There are rigid sections and divisions within the society, people who are farmers cannot marry people who are woodlanders or herders!

Even here the actual work yes done by the women!

The miners mine flint and sell them to the other class like herders and farmers and woodlanders

The farmers grow crop and they are the  most hard working of the the lot as well as the most rigid!

The woodlanders are the most in tune with the nature and the most simple in their actions so to speak.

So you have lots of violence and you have a lots of issues and of course when two people get together you have a lots of love and fight!

All of this centered around the building of this huge monument with stones! The stones have to be procured from a place which was very far and in ancient times it is like 2 days of walk by people who may not know how to count about 10! So they have a group of people led by a priestess and they have a miner turned herder who is now a builder who is leading the whole construction!

And between then you have a dozen or so people who simply do not want any progress! These narrow minded gentleman (if you can call them that!) stand at every point of the way causing obstruction destruction death and damage!

Guess the prehistoric world is not that different after all!

The story flows like a swift boat on a smooth river guided by a great and expert driver!

A stand alone novel though the construction aspect can be linked to the Pillar of Earth series…

Enjoy!

Yesterday was the day when this planet was officially named the ninth planet and after 75 or so glorious years; it was demoted mainly because it could not keep its surroundings clean!

That is what you get when your neighbourhood is dirty! You lose your planetary status!

That too when in addition to the planet, a Disney character (introduced the same year) and a major element discovered later were named in its honor!

The planet was discovered on February 18, 1930, by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona.

Searching for a predicted “Planet X” beyond Neptune, Tombaugh used a blink comparator to identify a moving object on photographic plates taken in January 1930. The discovery was officially announced on March 13, 1930.

The discovery was telegraphed to the Harvard College Observatory on March 13, 1930, intentionally chosen to coincide with the anniversary of Lowell’s birth and the discovery of Uranus!

The planet was actually was named in 1930 by 11-year-old Venetia Burney from Oxford, England, who suggested the name of the Roman god of the underworld to her grandfather.

The name was chosen because the planet was dark, cold, and distant!

The Lowell Observatory officially adopted it, partially because “PL” are the initials of Percival Lowell!

The name fit because, as the god of the underworld, the god could make himself invisible, mirroring how the planet had been hidden, and it followed the naming convention of other planets (Jupiter and Neptune are brothers to the said Greek god!)

The staff at Lowell Observatory considered many names, including Minerva and Cronus, but voted unanimously for this name on March 24, 1930!

The name was officially announced on May 1, 1930, and Venetia received a five-pound reward from her grandfather!

After more than 75 years of being the beloved darling and ninth planet it was moved to the stature of a Dwarf planet!

This is because a ‘real’ planet must: 1) Orbit the Sun, 2) Be spherical (have enough mass for gravity to create a round shape), and 3) Have cleared its orbital neighborhood of other debris!

The planet however got only 2 out of three!

It orbits the Sun and is round, but it fails the third criterion. It is located in the Kuiper Belt, a region filled with other icy bodies and debris. Because its gravity is not strong enough to clear this area, it is not considered a “dominant” planet!

In 2006, the IAU or International Astronomical Union  reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet because it fits the criteria of being round and orbiting the Sun but not having the gravitational dominance to clear its path! Basically it has it “has not cleared its neighboring region of other objects.”

Now do not feel sad!  It has company!

The planet is now classified alongside other dwarf planets like Eris, Ceres, Haumea, and Makemake (that is not a song by Yohani!)!

Did you get the Planet or the dwarf planet? Do not say Uranus!

It is PLUTO!

Interesting story by the way, but why I wrote the blog was that in all this time; when it was called a planet and then discovered as a planet and when it was promoted and then demoted as a dwarf planet!

During all this time Pluto didn’t really care what we thought about it!

At some point in our life, I think we also should just do our job and not simply care what people think about you!

Just like Rohit Shetty who does not overthink when he makes his movies! Just some action and full PLUTO, I mean paisa wasool!

Now stop thinking about Pluto and sleep!

shubh ratri!

Did you know that everyone has some culture!

Even animals by the way!

I am talking about bacterial culture by the way!

Now a ‘cultured’ person like you would know that but did you know that your behaviour is determined by the bacteria in your gut!

That feeling in your gut may be a bacteria after all!


Now research indicates that the composition, diversity, and sheer amount of bacteria in your gut (the microbiome) can significantly influence your behavior, mood, and personality.

While they do not completely control you like a “puppet master,” microbes in the gut communicate with the brain, impacting stress levels, anxiety, sociability, and even cognitive functions!


The gut contains a “second brain”—the enteric nervous system—which is composed of around 100 million neurons and is in constant, two-way communication with the brain via the vagus nerve! It also produces the vital bullets of our mood guns! The neurotransmitters! Gut bacteria manufacture, or signal the body to produce, more than 90% of the body’s serotonin (which regulates mood) and significant amounts of dopamine and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps manage anxiety!


A more diverse gut microbiome is generally associated with lower stress and anxiety, while reduced diversity or an unhealthy balance (dysbiosis) is linked to higher anxiety and depression. Microbes may even influence your eating habits by producing neuroactive compounds that trigger cravings for sugar or fat, encouraging the growth of the bacteria that thrive on those specific foods.


Research has also shown that changing the gut microbiome via diet can alter social decision-making, such as increasing a sense of fairness in financial games.
A high-fiber diet with natural prebiotics and probiotics (e.g., fermented foods) supports a diverse and healthy gut, which is linked to better mood and behavior.

While the overuse of antibiotics can disrupt the microbiome, reducing its diversity and potentially causing “behavioral” side effects, such as lower scores on cognitive tests.


In fact in some “germ-free” mouse studies; it has been seen that transplanting gut microbiota from depressed humans into mice resulted in the mice displaying depression-like behaviors!

Remember that next time your gobble down those antibiotics without prescription like it’s a dessert you got in your uncle’s house!

You are what you eat and what’s in your gut!

Now this blog may not get viral because; well it’s bacterial!

Then again more than the blog getting viral I would like the world getting more peaceful! One way would be by listening to wise ‘cultured’ people like Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal…

Now stop that junk food and get more fiber for your gut and health!

Subh ratri…

This game was most popular and one of the most dangerous games of all!

In 1902 even with rules and regulations 12 people died in this game! While in 1905 the number was 71! 71 people died while playing a game! Let that sink in!

Of course it was not boxing since that can maximally have only two people playing at a time!

This game is one of the most famous games in the world right now though the injuries happened in the Americanised version of the game!

The most famous game in the world of course is football and the violent game with American version of the football; Rugby!

Although technically speaking there is an American version of rugby called American football!

Then again rugby and football and American football have the same origin!

The novel by Bill Bryon called made in America; details about how football came into play!

Bryson details how various forms of “football” were played in Britain for centuries, often as chaotic town-wide matches with few rules. The separation into distinct codes happened in the mid-19th century:

Rugby Football was Named after the Rugby School in England where, according to legend, William Webb Ellis first picked up the ball and ran with it in 1823!

Association Football or Soccer version focused on kicking the ball. The term “soccer” actually originated in Britain as a slang abbreviation of “Association” (from “Assoc.”).

Bryson explains that when these games reached the United States, they were further adapted:

Walter Camp’s Influence: Often called the “Father of American Football,” Camp was instrumental in modifying the rules of the rugby-style game played at American universities (like Yale) to create the distinct American version.

Bryson highlights how Americans retained the word “football” for their specific gridiron game, while the British eventually abandoned the term “soccer” (which they had invented) in favor of just “football,” leading to the modern linguistic divide.

By about 1818 football rugby had permanently parted ways in America.

Now a player is called a jock! Don’t even ask whether the term originated from!

American football and rugby differ primarily in protective gear, player roles, and flow of play. American football uses heavy pads, has 11 players per side, and allows forward passes, resulting in stop-and-go action. Rugby uses no pads, features 15 (Union) or 13 (League) players, restricts passing to backward/lateral, and has continuous play!

So now you have football or convention football, which is soccer, then you have the international rugby or the British rugby, and then you have the American football, which is the Americanised version of rugby!

Cricket seems like a good option right now!

That’s history! A legendary historical figure also was Dr Viswanathan Shanta!

When you can read so much about football; do read about the legendary oncologist!

Praying for peace…
Shubh ratri…

“What time is it?”

There was a time when this was the question we used to ask most commonly to anyone and everyone!

Apparently, this is also one of the most common searches on the Google right now!

You want to break ice with someone just ask what time it is! Do not try that now though!

Those days if someone wants to talk to somebody or be friends with somebody, all he or she had to do was ask ‘what’s the time?

Even during exam time, if you are asking something else (not me though! Since I hate cheating…) you can always say that you are asking the time!

Even if you have a watch, on you; the only way of checking is to ask someone, what is the time?!

That person would look at you and look at your watch, and assume that you are insane (he may be right there!) then you tell your watch may not be working and everything will be okay!

Those are the days when no one had mobile phones, and the average wrist watch was the only Tech anybody had!

Then again, you have the watches with the cells or batteries which had the all or none law! Either they had a perfect time or not at all!

While the ones who had to be wound up were more consistent but costlier to have and maintain! Even then you had to ask others for the time! I remember people setting or correcting the time by listening to the Radio or seeing the TV!

In fact you had a time check every hour, just so that you would know what time it is! We do have the time check even now, that’s just, Entertainment!

Of course, now you would never, or hardly ever meet a person who ever ask you, ‘what’s the time?’

And even if he did, you would really look up and down to confirm whether he is from the same century or not!

Of course, some old timer still ask time! Maybe they genuinely want to know the time or they want to remember the time when they had to ask the time!

If you are nostalgic, Kind, then rest assured the question ‘What is the time’ is now the second most common search query on Google.!

I know, I know you would want to know which is the most common searched query!

Apparently, the most common searched query isis; ‘what is my IP address’

I have never asked that question, but now is not the TIME to discuss that!

By the way it is also one of the most common questions asked to most tech gadgets like the Alexa or even my ray ban meta!

I course, do it to find out if the glasses are working!

Of the other common things, what we ask, our gadgets to do is to play music!

Just now I  asked my Meta AI to play a Mohit Chauhan song!

Of course, now is the TIME to sleep!

Now Set the time to get up and sleep!

Shubh Ratri!

Do you know what is doomsday and do you know what is a doomsday plane!?

While the former is simply a movie by marvel having RDJ as Dr Doom! The latter is much more serious to say the least!

So the “Doomsday Plane” refers to a class of highly specialized military aircraft designed to serve as a mobile, survivable command center for the U.S. President and senior leadership during a nuclear war or national emergency.

There are currently two primary types of aircraft fulfilling this role as of March 2026:

The first is the Boeing E-4B Nightwatch (Air Force) which is known as the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) and it serves as a “flying war room” for the President, Secretary of Defense, and Joint Chiefs of Staff.
It is shielded against electromagnetic pulses from nuclear blasts; notably, it still uses analog instruments because they are less susceptible to EMP than modern digital systems!

The best part is that it can remain airborne for up to a full week with in-flight refueling!

As far as alert Status is concerned, at least one of the four existing E-4Bs is on 24/7 alert, ready to launch in minutes from its base at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska!

The other Doomsday plane is the Boeing E-6B Mercury (Navy). This is codenamed “Looking Glass,” since it mirrors the capabilities of ground-based nuclear command centers. It can relay orders to the U.S. nuclear triad, including launching ICBMs and communicating with ballistic missile submarines via a miles-long trailing wire antenna.

As far as the future is concerned the aging E-4B fleet is scheduled to be replaced by the SNC E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC).

Needless to say, the sighting of such a plane cannot be good news for anyone!
Though it could be a routine drill!

Then again I would prefer the Marvel’s Doomsday over the Doomsday plane anyday!

Then again, given my current situation, I would prefer doing a round of Tabla with the legend Zakir Hussain!

Praying for peace and health

Shubh ratri…