Audio and visual modalities are two primary means of communication. Humans use these multi-modalities to convey emotions, ideas, and messages effectively. In recent years, we have been using audio-visual communication technology. The audio modality for communication quite often remains noisy and needs to be reviewed as misuse of it has caused sound pollution and hearing loss to many. However, the usage of visual communication modality has enabled millions of deaf people to use their abilities.

In India, persons with deafness use Indian Sign Language (ISL), which is a visual-spatial concept-based language, to communicate. Our society needs to recognize this and constitutionally accept it as a language. The Government of India recognized ISL usage through the establishment of the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), New Delhi, in 2011, under the 11th Five Year Plan (FYP).

ISL uses a visual communication modality that involves the transmission of information through signs and visual cues, such as gaze and facial expression elements, as part of the grammatical and linguistic features of a language. It encompasses various visual-spatial modalities with linguistic cues like tone, pitch, volume, and intonation.

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We are social animals and therefore we need somebody faithful to share our joys and sorrows with. Having a best friend is one of the best gifts you can receive from God. God could not be present everywhere and therefore He made us potent to make a relationship like friendship.

We all need friends with whom we can share our happiness, sadness and other important aspects of life. Sharing our insecurities with friends gives us mental peace and a feeling of protection.

The noble idea of honouring friends has really caught on with youth, and Friendship Day is celebrated joyously, especially by students. Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August. This year, it will be celebrated on August 4th.

The American essayist and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, said: “The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.”

A real friend is the one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. They are the ones who understand us profoundly and remain with us for as long as we live. They do not need you to change; they accept you the way you are and listen to you whenever you need them. Your friend is the only person who does not feel jealous for your success and keeps motivating you for as long as you need them. This is the positive relation that brings forth in your life the zeal to be uniquely you. And this is what makes it worth celebrating this really significant day of Friendship Day.

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Habits are the building blocks of our daily lives. They are mental shortcuts created from repeated experiences, helping us navigate the world efficiently. According to James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, small changes in our daily routines can lead to significant transformations. His philosophy revolves around the idea of becoming 1% better every day, illustrating that tiny improvements can compound into remarkable results over time. The question then arises: What kind of person do you want to become? Here’s a guide for teenagers to incorporate essential habits into their lives to build a strong foundation for the future.

Good Sleep Habits

Getting enough sleep is crucial for physical health, mental clarity, and emotional stability. Teenagers, in particular, need 8-10 hours of sleep each night to support their developing brains and bodies. To establish good sleep habits:
Set a Consistent Bedtime and Wake-Up Time: Regular sleep schedules help regulate your body’s internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up.
Create a Bedtime Routine: Engaging in calming activities such as reading, listening to soothing music, or practising relaxation techniques can signal your brain that it’s time to wind down.
Limit Screen Time Before Bed: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with your sleep cycle. Aim to avoid screens at least an hour before bedtime to promote better sleep quality.

Keep Your Room Neat and Tidy

A clean and organized space can significantly improve focus and reduce stress. Here are some tips to keep your room tidy:
Make Your Bed Every Morning: Starting your day with this simple task sets a productive tone and gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Declutter Regularly: Spend a few minutes each day tidying up to prevent clutter from piling up. Regular decluttering helps maintain an organized environment.
Designate Spots for Essential Items: Having specific places for your belongings helps you find things easily and keeps your space organized.

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Life as we know has been altered with the fast-paced environment around us. And as we learn to grow and adapt to the changing demands, there is a heavy focus on achieving excellence. However, the bid to excel often puts emotional well-being in the back seat. A person’s ability to understand, comprehend and deal with their emotions shapes their personality significantly.

Studies have shown that the lack of ability to understand a situation can directly affect or hamper one’s growth. Identifying and communicating is an integral part of development. The human mind and its reactions have always intrigued me, captured my curiosity and has been a starting point of many of my explorations. As a student of psychology, I plan to dig deeper into such pursuits in a more structured format.

Growing up, I realised that teenagers, including me, find it very difficult to identify and express what we feel in a healthy manner, which is why I understand the importance of being able to talk about your emotions openly from a young age as it translates into a future ability to do the same. Middle school is perhaps the most eventful time as a child as it sets the tone for adult relationships. A child during this phase of life goes through a lot of emotions, and I wish I had better tools to help and understand what I felt. This is the time when one is no longer a toddler and has to navigate relationships and feelings independently. Social dynamics get more complicated and you start having stronger feelings, reactions and opinions.

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“Every human being, to a large extent, is called to deal with two common things: his internal world and the external world.”

Shaolin Kung Fu has a meditative, artistic, and martial purpose. The thousands of evolved styles broadly fall into two categories:

Temple Style: Taught and practised within the temple by the monks.

Non-Temple (civilian/Lay Styles): Taught to visitors who came to the temple to receive instructions and teachings on Buddhism. They were taught a shaolin-created style called Choy Li Fut.

“For every shaolin style practised, there is a corresponding lay practice.” The reason for this is that a Shaolin monk would teach a style (or a large part of the style) to non-Shaolin family members or a trusted friend. Tai Chi Chuan is one such non-temple style.

What Is Tai Chi Chuan?

In English, Tai Chi translates as “the supreme ultimate fist,” while Chuan refers to a boxing method that brings the two opposite energies, Yin (soft) and Yang (hard), together. As it emphasises the internal aspects of the body — breathing, mind, and internal energies — it is known as internal kung fu. It is an excellent discipline for people of all ages, combining serene movements for health and well-being with a strong fighting system.

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When you hear the name Elon Musk, what comes to mind? Electric cars, space travel, or perhaps even futuristic cities on Mars? Elon Musk is one of the most influential inventors and entrepreneurs of our time, and his groundbreaking work is transforming the way we live and think about the future. In this article, we’ll explore Musk’s most notable inventions, how they are making the world a better place, and the qualities you can imbibe to become innovative and entrepreneurial.

From a young age, Elon Musk exhibited a deep interest in technology and innovation. At the age of 12, he taught himself computer programming and created a video game called Blastar, which he sold for $500. This early display of ingenuity foreshadowed the monumental achievements he would accomplish in his adult life.

Musk’s career is marked by a series of groundbreaking inventions and business ventures that have had a significant impact on various industries. Here are some of his most notable contributions:

1. Tesla Motors

One of Musk’s most well-known companies is Tesla, Inc. Tesla is renowned for its electric vehicles (EVs) that are not only environmentally-friendly but also high-performing and aesthetically appealing. The company’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, and it has been remarkably successful in this regard.

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Most of us are familiar with the idea of branding, but have you ever considered yourself as a brand? It might surprise you to know that you are not just a person: you are a brand.

Yes, you heard that right, much like your favourite sneakers or smartphone, people can also brand themselves specifically to position themselves personally, academically, and professionally in a specific light. In the same way that your favourite products position themselves as the solution to specific needs or problems, the way you ‘brand’ yourself can help you build relationships and open up a world of opportunities in your life.

I’ll admit, it is a different way of thinking about yourself and your actions but if you are following any influencers on social media, this is not a new or unfamiliar concept in today’s culture. It is crucial to understand and adapt branding so you can become more intentional and guided when making your way on your journey.

Let’s uncover some strategies to help you stand out in the crowded rooms of college admissions and networking sessions.

What is personal branding for individuals?

Imagine personal branding as your own private and exclusive label. It is what people think of when they hear your name, see your posts on social media, read your application essays, or interact with you. It’s about showcasing your unique mix of skills, passions, and experiences that make you who you are! But it’s more than just a cool logo or a catchy tagline; it’s about consistently presenting the best version of yourself to the people that you interact with. So, whoever is viewing your social media profile or interactions online, will know what you are all about and what to expect when they interact with you.

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Today, it seems that one does not have enough time for all the things one wants to do. Twenty-four hours a day is simply inadequate for school/college, study, sleep, time with family and friends, play and exercise, TV, WhatsApp/Facebook/Instagram — and, of course, one needs to set aside a little time for daydreaming, too. There is only one way out: we must plan ahead, decide our priorities, and make a time schedule in which we include all important activities. We must prioritize the important task over the trivial, and balance immediate fun activities against those that are less interesting but beneficial in the long run.

What Is Time Management?

This is ultimately about making intelligent decisions about what are our most important priorities, and then using our will-power to do those activities first. When we are short of time, we may need to ignore activities that are less important, no matter how interesting and enjoyable they are.

a. Activities that are both Urgent and Important: Activities like preparing for the next day’s exam, should receive first priority.

b. Activities that are Urgent but Not Important: Yes, it’s good fun to spend a lot of time reading humorous forwards on WhatsApp. We get frequent notifications of our friends’ Facebook and Instagram posts. We receive phone calls while we are studying or even sleeping. Though most of these calls, messages and notifications are inconsequential, we feel compelled to read them and respond immediately, due to FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). The truth is that these are major distractions. We should silence notifications, but keep aside a little time every evening for WhatsApp and social media. This is the only way we will find time for the next set of activities.

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No Shaolin master is a mindless master. Shaolin is like a great nest of ants. Some are moving grains of sand out of the nest, while others are focused on keeping the tunnels clear so that the entire nest may remain sound. Yet others pick up a grain of sand and become obsessed with the fate of the single grain of sand. It is for this reason that Shaolin Kung Fu has a repertoire of more styles than anyone has actually counted.

Necessity necessitates styles

The topographical location of the Shaolin temples and their cornerstone philosophy of observing nature to achieve a Buddhist goal of seeing past illusions were the reasons styles metamorphosed. It is said that even as early as the 20th century, Chinese trade caravans required heavy security as protection against thieves and marauders and wild animals, but the Shaolin monks moved and travelled with much greater freedom than the average Chinese citizen purely because of their combat skills, which had adapted and evolved over time.

Nature Nurtures

Nature per se is not more idyllic than the human world. As Darwin’s friend Herbert Spencer describes, “Nature is red in tooth and claw.” The survival law of nature is “Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten, slither silently but carry a formidable arsenal.” It must be said that nature’s study was not intended to emulate animals under study because an observing Shaolin practitioner is human and basically humane by nature. These observed principles and movements of nature’s wild were meant to nurture skills for self-defence to be used as an advantage against adversity.

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“Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us to deal with climate change.” (Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2014)

What is Yoga?

The word ‘yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning “to join”, “to yoke” or “to unite”. According to Yogic scriptures, the practice of yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness. Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body that will help in attaining self-realisation. It is an art and science for healthy living. Medical research in recent years has uncovered many benefits that yoga offers — physical fitness, musculoskeletal functioning and cardio-vascular health. It is also beneficial in the management of diabetes, respiratory disorders, hypertension, hypotension and many lifestyle related disorders. Yoga helps reduce depression, fatigue, anxiety disorders and stress.

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