55 years of landing on the moon

Mrinal Chatterjee

Window Seat

On July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon after reaching its surface in their Apollo 11 lunar module. After four days traveling to the Moon, the Lunar Module Eagle landed on the Moon. Neil Armstrong exited the spacecraft and became the first human to walk on the moon. As an estimated 650 million people watched on television, Armstrong proclaimed "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Mankind’s moon-landing also had a backstory of a typical trait of all living beings: rivalry. In this case it was the rivalry for supremacy of the Soviet Union and USA. The Soviet Union launched the first human into space on April 12, 1961. Travelling on Vostok 1, Yuri Gagarin completed one orbit of Earth on 12 April 1961, with his flight taking 108 minutes. Within days of Soviet achievement, President John F. Kennedy asked Vice President Lyndon Johnson to identify a ‘space programme which promises dramatic results in which we could win”. A little over a month later, on May 25, 1961, Kennedy called for human exploration to the moon. It took eight years and several experiments and a strong political backing to send men to the moon.

Radio

Radio broadcasting in India began as a private venture in 1923-24 when three radio clubs were established in Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras (now Chennai). However, though Radio clubs started functioning in India from 1923, there was no organized radio broadcasting till the Indian Broadcasting Company started. On July 23, 1927, the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) became the country's first radio company. This date is now celebrated annually in India as National Broadcasting Day, commemorating the inception of radio broadcasting in the nation. The Indian State Broadcasting Service became All India Radio on June 8, 1936. It was also known as Akashvani from 1956.

When India attained independence, there were six radio stations in India, at Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Tiruchirapalli and Lucknow. There were three in Pakistan (Peshawar, Lahore and Dacca). AIR then had a coverage of just 2.5 % of the area and 11% of the population. Radio in India grew rapidly after independence both in number and coverage area. Presently India has over 590 Akashvani stations, 300 plus private commercial radio stations and nearly 500 community radio stations. Incidentally, with 37 community radio stations (CSR), Odisha has the maximum number of radio stations among Eastern India states, and one among the three states with the highest number of CSRs in India.

Rain

On a lazy Sunday afternoon, I was sitting on my favourite recliner by the window. It was raining, now pitter-patter, now heavily, suddenly stopping altogether and again started abruptly. It seemed the Rain God is living his childhood. Looking at the raindrops falling, I started thinking and reflecting on the rain.

Rain is a symphony of nature, a gentle yet powerful reminder of life's cyclic beauty. Each drop, as it falls from the heavens, carries with it a story, a whisper from the skies that speaks to the heart. Rain has a way of transforming the world, washing away the dust of the past and nurturing the seeds of the future. It is a paradox, bringing both tranquility and turmoil, a dance between chaos and calm.

The sound of rain is a soothing lullaby, a rhythmic pattern that lulls the soul into a state of reflection. It evokes memories of childhood, of jumping into puddles and feeling the cool droplets on outstretched palms. Rain has a way of connecting us to simpler times, when the world was a playground and every storm was an adventure waiting to be embraced.

Yet, rain is also a force of renewal. It nourishes the earth, bringing life to parched lands and filling rivers that quench the thirst of countless beings. The scent of rain, that fresh, earthy aroma, is a promise of rejuvenation, a sign that life continues despite the harshest droughts. It teaches us resilience, reminding us that after every storm, there is growth and rebirth.

In its quiet moments, rain invites introspection. The grey skies and steady drizzle create a cocoon of solitude, a space for thoughts to wander and emotions to surface. It is in these moments that we often find clarity, a deeper understanding of our own journeys. Rain washes away the superficial, leaving behind the essence of our true selves.

Ultimately, rain is a metaphor for life itself. It is unpredictable, uncontrollable, and often arrives unannounced. It can be gentle or fierce, a blessing or a challenge. But like life, it is essential, a part of the natural order that shapes our existence. Rain reminds us to embrace the storms, to find beauty in the deluge, and to always look forward to the rainbow that follows.

Christchurch

I went to Christchurch, New Zealand, recently to attend a Conference of Media academicians and Researchers. It was my first visit to Christchurch, located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Known as the "Garden City," Christchurch is captivating. Renowned for its lush parks and gardens, such as Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens, the city offers a serene escape into nature. Christchurch is a city of contrasts, seamlessly blending historic charm with modern innovation 

The city has shown remarkable resilience and ingenuity in the wake of the devastating 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. The rebuilding efforts have led to a unique mix of old and new architecture. The iconic Christchurch Cathedral, though damaged, remains a symbol of the city's heritage, while the innovative Cardboard Cathedral stands as a testament to its forward-thinking spirit.

Christchurch is also a cultural hub, featuring a thriving arts scene with numerous galleries, theaters, and festivals. The Canterbury Museum and the Air Force Museum provide insights into the region's history and heritage. The city’s culinary scene is diverse, offering everything from gourmet dining to vibrant farmers' markets. And yes, there are a sizable number of Indian restaurants as well, including one named: Two Fat Indians, and another named Mumbaiwalla.

 Tailpiece: Ambani Marriage

The seemingly never ending marriage ceremony of the Ambanis finally ended. The marriage has created a flood of reports in mainstream and entertainment focused media, a tsunami of jokes and memes, and public conversation at a monumental scale. Everybody including my 83 year old mother was curious about the marriage. After a while, she said, “I see Bollywood celebrities and Ambani family, where are the family members of the bride?”