"Bengaluru witnesses the driest April since 1983". "Dubai floods in April 2024 take the lives of 4 people." I came across these headlines a few weeks back. Though contrasting and bewildering these sound, the anomalies, sadly, are the truth of the times. However, with rain finally coming in Bengaluru this month, the city again witnessed water deluge in several areas. It reminded me of the 2022 floods in the Indian Silicon valley. But yes, it brought much respite from the hot weather. Ironically, people prayed for rain to keep at bay during the much anticipated and climactic CSK v/s RCB match on 18th May. And the GODS didn’t disappoint the devout at all. The epic clash will be remembered for time to come, for the reasons known to one and all. The very next day, it rained cats and dogs; washing out our society cricket tournament (thankfully, we have a reserve day ahead!!). Never ever since my childhood, I had ever wished rain to stop, and with that fervour last Sunday....
"Solar system Solar system, planets spin around the sun. Let us learn about the 8 planets now". Wait, What?? 8 planets? When did this happen? .... I was taken aback when I heard this rhyme four years back. It was a deviation from what I learnt in school - the Solar system has 9 planets and a Sun. Further into the rhyme, I understood that the one axed from the coveted list was Pluto, the farthest planet from Sun. Eager to know the reason why? Let's first know a bit about the planet. A brief history of Pluto : Before 1926, there were only 8 planets. That year, a lab discovered Pluto, the newest kid in the planet world. However, questions on allocating the coveted 'planet' status to Pluto were raised; but the decision remained undeterred. The planet enjoyed this position for close to 80 years. And then was formed a committee, which proved fatal to the youngest planet's rank. The 2000s - Era of downfall : Come 21st century, with the advancements in technology, le...