Smiling Zoku

SMILE, it gives your face something to do.

It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 muscles to frown. So what would you rather do? 

Let me tell you . . . you have every reason to smile and count your blessings . . .

So SMILE . . . it is a month of celebration and festivals around the world. 

Smile Poem

There are loads of festivals in October, some originating from religious myths while others are wacky and great fun. 

Oktoberfest, in Germany … 

17th Sept to 3rd Oct 

This 16-day in the heart of Munich has been celebrated since 1810 when travelers came to enjoy the beer and rich food, the regional folk dances, and a great atmosphere. 

octoberfest-collage

Concurs de Castells, Spain ... 1st and 2nd Oct

Have you ever seen human towers so tall that they overtake buildings? Catalonia’s annual competitions are jaw-droppers! Tracing back to the 18th century, traditional Valencian dances decided to challenge human forms…now 32 tower teams compete to build human towers, more than 9 stories high, with a child as the top rider. 

In India, one sees a similar competition of ‘Dahi Handi’ on Janmashtami, Lord Krishna’s birthday, where people make human towers to break a pot of yogurt hung high up. 

Watch this two-minute demonstration of building a castle – 

https://youtu.be/mECmZPmJ1ZI

castle-building-spain

Barcolana Regatta, Italy ...1st to 9th Oct

This is an International regatta in the Gulf of Trieste … a very impressive sight with over 2000 boats and 16000 sailors. One can also see vintage vessels in a parade. 

colorful-balloons

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, USA ... 2nd Oct to 10th Oct

This is one of the biggest hot-air balloon festivals in the world. For 9 days, the skies of New Mexico have a colorful display of 500 bobbing balloons in different shapes and sizes. 

air-balloons

https://youtu.be/jN4lELn55ec  – a short film…

2nd Oct…Gandhi Jayanti . . . 

Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat.
This day is also known as International Day of Non-violence, as Gandhiji started the non-violent movement to free India from British rule. 

The General Assembly adopted a resolution to spread the message of peace and education. 

https://youtu.be/B7I6D3mSYTE – 

Trailer of the movie Gandhi by Richard Attenborough

4th Oct ... World Animal Welfare Day

world-wildlife-day

The habitat of the animals is being taken away by humans. As they do not have a voice, we should speak out for them. In 1925, Heinrich Zimmermann wanted to protect animals, domestic and wild. He chose this day to raise awareness among people to take action for the rights and welfare of animals, as it is the birthday of Saint Francis of Assisi, who was the patron saint of animals and ecology. 

Things to do…. 

  • Spread the word about keeping animals safe

  • Volunteer at a shelter

  • Use social media to bring awareness

  • Read up about conservations worldwide

Trailer of film, ‘Born Free’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC9_wg8Ko6U

Watch the series on ‘Our Planet’ – Sir David Attenborough – here is the trailer –  https://youtu.be/5WkqMERnwXk

Video -’ Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots’ – https://youtu.be/5WkqMERnwXk

https://youtu.be/rcL4jnGTL1U

Dusshera, India ...5th Oct

Deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, it pays tribute to the victory of God Rama over the demon king, Ravana. Tall effigies of the ten-headed Ravana are burnt with a lot of fanfare, to celebrate good over evil. Firecrackers light up the sky heralding Diwali a few weeks later. This festival is also celebrated in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Dusshera marks the end of Durga Puja, a 10- day event revering Goddess Durga who sits on a lion. She killed the demon Mahishasur to rid the world of evil. New clothes and delicious food mark this reveler. 

https://youtu.be/plA6H3KVdZg – Story of Ravana

https://youtu.be/tOzGht7Q_3c – Story of Durga

On Dassehra day, as I narrated the story and meaning of Dassehra to my grand- daughter, Amaira, an idea germinated in our minds – Why not make one at home? We quickly pulled out resources from our home – aggarbattis [incense sticks], wooden soup stirrers, a paper napkin, some coloured thread, glue and a potato. Cutting a potato down the centre, we stuck the stirrers in, to make a base and the framework of the Ravana. The children coloured the napkin with cheerful colours and draped it around the frame. Amaira drew the Ravana faces on the folded square pieces of paper and attached it to the base, a few colored threads for decorations and our Ravana was ready! 

Children, try making a model of any figure you like, with the odds and ends lying around the house. It is creative and loads of fun.
Send us a picture of what you have done on orcachronicles@gmail.com 

5th Oct …World Teachers Day . . . a salute to teachers all over the world

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all” – ARISTOTLE 

“Let us remember:
One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world” – Malala Yousafzai 

teacher-quote

https://youtu.be/oMAjca-pgr4 – Movie Trailer – To sir with love

https://youtu.be/aISXCw0Pi94 – Molly Wright ted talk

https://youtu.be/Mebm4k2v8Vw – Sarabjit Singh’s speech

Indian Air Force Day - 8th Oct ......

to raise awareness of the IAF . . .
It works towards strengthening national security … 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. The motto of the IAF is ‘Touch the Sky with Glory’, taken from the Bhagawat Gita when Lord Krishna advises Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. 

It was officially established on 8th October 1932.
Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict.
Every year on Republic Day, the nation watches the fly-past and the aerial acrobats. It is this precision that has helped protect our country’s borders too. 

Rescue operations 2022 – https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2604523199682400

Trailer of film ‘Gunjan Saxena’ – https://youtu.be/rtGIq9Xjnrw

Trailer of film “Airforce One” – https://youtu.be/FItgZOuaPVY

Trailer of film ‘Top Gun’ – https://youtu.be/ArOMXELHiLw

Hachiman Matsuri, Japan...9th and 10th Oct also known as Mizukake Matsuri

The Fukagawa Hachiman Festival has earned itself the nickname Mizukake Matsuri, or Water-Splashing Festival.
During the festival, over 120 mikoshi (small, kami-toting palanquins) are marched through the streets by devoted shrine- goers, accompanied by dancers and musicians. Those watching from the sidelines throw water onto the procession, believing that not only the bearers but the kami (or divine spirits) will enjoy a refreshing soak to beat the humid summer heat. 

More historically, the water was also symbolic of purification. 

https://youtu.be/H96XYXrjw1A   – Video of procession

Takayama city is home to talented craftsmen. They pay tribute to the guardian deity of Sakurayama Hachimangu shrine by decorating 11 splendid floats. Golden phoenixes, carvings, embroidery and other crafts are show-cased amidst a lot of processions. 

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH - 10TH OCTOBER

Two years of lockdown has affected everyone…online study, no school, no interaction with friends… it was tough for children and adults. Humans are social animals and this brought in loneliness and anxiety. It is not wrong to seek counseling and talk about your feelings and worries. 

Peer pressure, teacher/student relations/ academic pressure seem amplified.
Mental health issues shouldn’t be made into a stigma.

* Warning signs…worry, anxiety, excessive paranoia, extreme mood swings, social withdrawal, changes in sleeping and eating patterns.

* Attitudes and stigmas need to change to acknowledge mental health literacy . . . It is a critical health issue worldwide.

* Suicide can be avoided if one can share those feelings with a non-judgemental person.

* Share your feelings and thoughts…important to open up and not keep it bottled inside, also important is being a good listener to a friend 

* Raise community awareness . . . make badges 

* Encourage kind language 

11th Oct ... International Day of the Girl Child . . .

Starting in Dec 2011, the United Nation recognized girls’ rights and the challenges girls face in a mostly patriarchal world.

  • A girl needs to be mentored and taught to improve her self-worth.

  • Education is vital to make them independent and financially strong, so they don’t have to depend on anyone.

  • Create a safe environment for girls and women.

  • Support gender equality and gender sensitivity. To protect the girl child, we need to educate boys early in life to respect girls and their wishes.

  • Educate elders to change their mindset and allow a girl to study so that they can be empowered. 

Aisha Choudhury s video.. – https://youtu.be/ENTf10L1jt0

Wanda Bedard Ted talk Montreal – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ8TiwpEhT4&authuser=0 

girls

15th Oct... World White Cane Day

…established in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson to raise awareness of blind people.

We celebrate the achievements of the visually impaired to lead independent lives. 

Helen Keller – She lost her sight and her hearing after a bout of illness at the age of 19 months.
Stevie Wonder – He was born six weeks premature which, along with the oxygen-rich atmosphere in the hospital incubator, resulted in his blindness.
Johnny Depp and Dame Judith Dench are blind in one eye.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdY33dYWND0&authuser=0  – Stevie Wonder in ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ – 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m_OMaT5_gc&authuser=0    –  extraordinary dog

https://youtu.be/ISdHPEjNgl8   – Trailer of film on Helen Keller  – The miracle worker 

cirio-de-nazare

Cirio de Nazare, Brazil ... 2nd week of October

This is not as well-known as the Rio Carnival. It is a religious festival where pilgrims and locals come to pay tribute to ‘Our Lady of Nazareth’.
A huge procession of hundreds of boats crosses the Amazon River, making it a stunning sight. People enjoy the Amazonian cuisine and culture.

MassKara Festival, Phillipines ... 23rd Oct

It was born out of a crisis in 1980…there was an economic crisis and a tragic ferry accident where many people lost their lives. The locals rallied together to bring hope and lift people’s spirits.
The colorful beaded smiling masks, vibrant costumes, and hats all tell a story of resilience. 

 

https://youtu.be/xE03aPE0fpY – Masskara 2022 

24th Oct...United Nations Day

The UN was officially established in 1945. There are 193 member states currently from 51 states when it was started. It is the world’s largest intergovernmental organization and deals with maintaining peace and security internationally, developing friendly relations between nations, and promoting social progress, and better living standards and human rights. There have been many decisions taken unanimously on economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian topics. 

The UN has provided food and assistance to more than 80 million people, supplied vaccines to save 3 million children a year, assisted and protected millions of people fleeing war, famine, and persecution and the list goes on….. 

Goodwill Ambassadors to the UN are carefully selected individuals in the fields of art, literature, sports, and other fields of public life who have agreed to help focus worldwide attention to the work of the UN.
Angelina Jolie and Priyanka Chopra to name a few, have been very passionate ambassadors for UNICEF.
Emma Watson was named Women Goodwill Ambassador to the UN in 2014. Her role is to address gender equality issues … it is known as the ‘HeForShe’ campaign. 

Listen to Emma Watson’s inspiring and hard-hitting speech – https://youtu.be/gkjW9PZBRfk

The Girl Who Silenced the UN for Seven Minutes – https://youtu.be/f17Tc1IwWuQ

females
diwali-celebration

Diwali, India and worldwide ... 24th Oct

It is known as the ‘festival of lights and represents light’s triumph over darkness. Lord Rama came back to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest. Fireworks light up the sky, diyas (small mud lamps) are lit in every home, lots of sweets are distributed, new clothes are worn … 

it’s a day filled with festivity. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOA1eMSYNgo     – rangoli making

Halloween...31st October.. celebrated all over the world.

The Halloween Parade in New York City’s Greenwich Village is a fine example of this festival…the spookier and scarier the better. Outrageous costumes, masks, paints, and the required eerie sounds are a delight not only for children but the forever young too! 

Naga Fireball Festival, Thailand ... mid to late October

Hundreds and thousands of glowing fireballs, varying in size to about 100 meters, rise from the Mekong River. Many believe that these fireballs are breathed out by the Naga, a serpent that haunts the river. No one has found a scientific explanation for this phenomenon.

Watch videos that have recorded the event.

https://youtu.be/3gfYbmDTWqY

https://youtu.be/NvrzVKRFQVA

Here is a Brain Teaser for you:

MAKE AS MANY WORDS AS YOU CAN . . . . three letters and more from the word: 

GRASSHOPPER

grasshopper-2

Libra - (September 23 - October 22)

“My, what a beautiful baby!” Parents of October infants hear that phrase so often. The little Libran is an angel, right out of the pages of a baby book. With a sweet expression and those pleasant, well-balanced Venus features, a Libran is quite a charmer. They seldom kick off their blankets in red-faced, screaming rage, they are too well-mannered for such wild shenanigans. When they smile, it lights up the whole nursery. 

They have such charming manners and gentle, endearing ways.
Libran boys and girls are born with minds that seek the truth. They’re kind-hearted, and they want to be fair. The average Libra child, raised with the proper balance, is a delight to the teachers. Their minds are bright and logical, they’re fond of debating and they have a great curiosity that makes them good students. Since the Libra child is both musical and artistic, you may have a budding composer or artist in the family. Encourage both boys and girls to write if they feel an urge. Remember that Libra rules books, too.
One blessing about having Libra children is they’ll usually be neat and clean without being forced. Librans love beauty and pleasant things, like scents and warm water. Remember, they seek harmony; and to them, peace, beauty, and comfort equal harmony. However, never give her/ him a choice. They hate to make a decision. 

Quote of the month

“More than ever in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together…” Kofi Annan. 

kofi

Recipe . . . Diwali Sweets

Instant Ladoos

cardamom
amul-mithai

Sports

https://youtu.be/etbOmO9WJJI – Farewell interview 

fedrer

Roger Federer

Roger is a Swiss professional tennis player. He was ranked world No. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for 310 weeks,
He was born in Basil, Switzerland on 8th of Au- gust, 1981. 

* He had a very impressive career.
Winning more than 20 Grand Slam Single titles, he has the record of being World No 1 for 237 consecutive weeks.
* He was a ball boy at a young age and won his major Wimbledon singles title at 21.
* Loved by everyone for his gentlemanly graciousness, he is an active philanthropist and established his own Foundation to help impoverished children in South Africa.
* He retired from competitive tennis in Sept 2022. He will be missed on court by viewers all around the world. 

REVIEW of the Netflix series ‘OUR PLANET’

Our Planet, a groundbreaking eight-part documentary series will raise awareness of the world’s rarest wildlife and most precious habitats, and the threats they face. Brilliantly narrated by Sir David Attenborough, this is an 8 -part nature documentary series with incredible footage of our planet’s breathtaking diversity. One can travel to the wilds of Serengeti. Watch in dismay and horror the damage climate change is doing to the habitat of polar bears, penguins, and the frozen worlds. March into the jungles and rainforests to see the inhabitants living symbiotically there. Wonder at the marine creatures and realize how much the oceans need to be protected. Wander around deserts and grasslands from the comfort of your home! The visuals will leave you spellbound, it is so up close that you feel you can touch the animals, it’s a feast for the mind, and eyes, and a treasure trove of knowledge. Enjoy the viewing and discuss what you see with family and friends. 

Watch the series on our planet Sir David Attenborough 

https://youtu.be/aETNYyrqNYE – Here is the trailer of Our Planet