Patterns and Shapes of Leaves

 Nature- the master designer.

Nature the creator.

Nature if abused and hurt, can also become the destroyer. For Nature's punishment in the form of man-made floods you may read our story 'The Flood Fury'.

In this post we bring you Nature's creativity as seen in the leaves of plants, creepers and trees. 

All the pictures have been taken in our yard or neighbourhood in Secunderabad India. Of course, it is not an exhaustive compendium of plants and trees. But just a sample for you to appreciate Nature's variety. Can you name all the leaves in above picture?

Leaves convert sunlight to the nutrition needed by the plant or tree for its growth and sustenance. We all learnt that in the school. Does photosynthesis ring a bell? Well, sunlight is crucial for survival of all life on earth. Well, this is not meant as a science class in school.

We are sharing the pictures of some of the leaves below. You can check how many names of the leaves did you get it right? Enjoy.

That was the leaves of monsoon Lily with bright yellow flowers twice a year!

Nature's brush paint is not always green! See the following two pictures.

The Contest

The leaf of Umbrella Palm was the subject of KBG-63, the 63rd edition of Kaun Banega Ghumakkad, our online captions contest.

The Captions

KBG-63 Contest received overwhelming response from our readers. More than 400 readers browsed the contest story. We received 46 creative captions which are listed below in alphabetical order. We thank all the participants.

Sl.	Name	Caption for KBG-62 Contest
1	Ajai Bhumri	पहली नजर में प्यार हो गया.
2	Ajai Bhumri	प्राकृतिक सुन्दरता सभी की पहली चाहत.
3	Amandeep Kaur	Wohhhhoo
4	AP Sharma	Harmony in Symmetry
5	Avinash Tiwari	Suryakiran सूर्यकिरण
6	BC Jayaprakash	Ulta pulta...I am unique
7	Bharat Ladha	Nature is balanced if we don't destruct.
8	BR Natarajan	In Graphic Design Nature is the ultimate. Others can only imitate
9	Deepak Jena	Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift.
10	Deepak Jena	Natures beauty comes in all sizes, not just in single size.
11	GB Sethi	Geometry Box gives two dimensions, providential geometry in nature has perfected in three dimensions - us to learn?
12	GR Sreenivasan	Nature's beautiful creations are beyond description.
13	Haripriya Bathula	Phyllotaxy! (Arrangement of leaves on a plant stem)
14	Haripriya Bathula	Perfection in an imperfect world!!
15	Jaishankar	Green radiance
16	K Thyagaraj	Nice picture
17	LS Bhargava	Law of nature- equity, balance and symmetry.
18	Manju Khetan	Wow, beautiful patterns in nature to find fractals.
19	Manu Bhatnagar	Careless perfection for joy and wonderment
20	Naresh Kumar	Spokes.
21	Naresh Kumar	Spinning wheel
22	Nidhi Bhargava	परमात्मा सबसे बडा कलाकार है, उसकी हर रचना बेजोड, बेमिसाल है
23	Pierre D'Silva	In nature, symmetric and asymmetric are both beautiful!
24	Poonam Bhargava	उत्कृष्ट रेखागांडित! प्रकृति सर्वोपरि
25	Prabhat Jindal	We have to learn so much from Nature
26	Pradeep Siwach	Prakriti ka Chakra प्रकृति का चक्र
27	PRR Rao	Awesome!
28	Radhika Sareen	समानता से एकता
29	Radhika Sareen	What if our PALM has such  symmetrical lines...whole world will be together....
30	Radhika Sareen	Nature's Geometry Box
31	Rajendra Singh	Nature, the supreme Art Teacher.
32	Ramanand Baliga	Spokes of the green cycle
33	Rashmi Bhargava	Art of nature
34	Rekha Bhargava	प्रकृति के रेखा गणित के आगे सब गणित  फेल हैँ ।
35	Ritu Bhargava	There is no better designer than nature.
36	Rohini Tiwari	Yeh kaun Chitrakaar hai... jiska yeh chamatkaar hai!
37	Shereen Sultana	Khudrat ka karishma
38	Siba K Patnaik	Gift of Nature!
39	Suhas Kedar,  Vaishali Kedar and  Sandhya Thakare	Nature's way of reconnecting people.
40	Sujata Das	The universe is pure geometry. Beautiful shape twisting around  over space-time.
41	Vandana Bhargava	अलग होकर भी जुड़े रहने में सुंदरता है।
42	Veeky Baths	In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect.
43	Vinay Prasad	Nature is the mother of symmetry, geometry, shapes!
44	Vinod Dhanuka	Multi-layered creativity
45	Yogesh Verma	Jeevant
46	Ratnaja Gogula	The Big Bang!

Winners of KBG-63

Our Jury has selected four captions as the winners. The winning captions along with a brief intro of the reader are given below. We congratulate all the winners of KBG-63.

Avinash Tiwari loves golf, gardening and music. A former Col of Indian Army, he is a War Veteran of 1971 war. Having done enough route marches with his troops, he detests long morning walks except on the golf course. He is a regular contributor and winner of KBG contests. His one word caption सूर्यकिरण meaning Sun rays was the Jury's immediate choice.

Jaishankar is a creative writer, blogger and Nature lover. He is a Colonel in Indian Army. He has won several KBG contests in the past. His crisp caption 'Green Radiance' was so apt for the picture.

Naresh Kumar is an alumnus of NIT Srinagar and IIT Delhi. After retiring from the Navy as a Commodore, he served as the CMD of Hindustan Shipyards Ltd at Vizag. Presently he is an advisor to IIT Jammu. Naresh loves to travel and play golf. His caption 'Spinning Wheel' corelates the green spokes of the palm leaf.

Pradeep Siwach PhD has been Vice Chancellor of several universities after retirement from Indian Army as a Brigadier. A keen photographer, Pradeep is loved by his students and colleagues alike. He has won the KBG Contest several times. His caption प्रकृति का चक्र Prakriti Ka Chakra meaning Nature's Cycle reinforces the theme of the picture and the contest.

You may have noticed that all four winners this time are from the Armed Forces. It is just a coincidence and not by design. It brings out their creativity. Who says Fauzis are not a creative lot?

We thank both the Jury members Manik Srivastava and Neeta Bhargava for their time and continued support.

Not Just Leaves

Nature's design capabilities go beyond the leaves of plants and trees. When it comes to flowers, Nature's magic multiplies manifolds. We will bring you another edition of KBG focussed exclusively on flowers. A sample follows.

We end with a PQ- picturesque quote by Alexander Mc Queen.

Once again we thank you for your continued interest and support to KBG Contests. Without you, we would have been nowhere!

Stay connected.

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Neeta Bhargava/30th Sep 2021

#Umbrellapalm #symmetry #nature #patterns #shapes #leaves #naturesartstudio #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #KBG #kaunbanegaghumakkad #onlinecontest #lockdownfun #takeabreak #captions #powerofobservation #craetivecaptions #pqs #picturesquequotations #naturetheteacher #learningthroughpictures #secunderabad #observeandlearn #naturesgeometrybox #spinningwheel #suryakiran #greenradiance

Paramotoring in Hyderabad

 Want to fly on your own? Like a paratrooper? Right here in Hyderabad?

Then head northwards to Konda Pochamma Reservoir (35 kms from RSI Secunderabad). See the map below.

Adjacent to the ramp going up the reservoir, you will see a green hangar. 

That's the home of Wingmasters Co., India's first internationally licensed Paramotoring company providing exclusive Air Safari experience to its customers. Paratrike is the safest form of powered flight. Wingmasters take you up in the air in one of their Paratrikes.

Although Ghumakkad could not take a flight as it was late in the day, we did meet Mr Abhay Rathore, Chief Flying Instructor who showed us the facilities. His love for adventure sports comes from his family background. His father and grandfather both served with the Indian Army whereas his younger brother is a marine commando with Indian Navy. Paramotor flying normally happens at sunrise and sunset when the winds are not very strong. We are sharing a few pictures of our visit. Don't miss the warning sign at the main entrance. The entire flying club is guarded by a Rottweiler and a Pit Bull- both sentries of repute. 

However, to get a feel of the thrill of a paramotor flight, you may click here for a video clip. People of all ages can take the flight. You may book your slots on phone 9950259444 or their Facebook page. Tariff in Sep-21 ranged from Rs 2500 for a 5-munite ride to Rs 8000 for a 20-minute ride. Go-Pro photography charges are extra. So, if you love adventure, don't miss a micromotor flight. Ghumakkad is posting this story on Wingmasters not for any commercial interest, but for his love for adventure sports.

We end with a PQ- picturesque quote. Shot during a recent hike with school students negotiating a rock face, the PQ says, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone". So, get out of your comfort zone- at work, on the sports field or as a learner. Your real life will begin then!

Live a life full of adventure. Likes of Corona will not bother you.

Thanks for browsing

   -  Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Neeta Bhargava/ Konda Pochamma Reservoir Hyderabad/ 24th Sep 2021

Postscript 6th Oct 2021: Within 10 days of posting this story, one of the readers went paramotoring along with few of her friends. Occasion- to celebrate her 63rd birthday up in the air! Sharing an extract from Lekha's story dated 5th Oct 21. Lekha Sishta is a well known management professional in HR circles in India and Asia.

"Harsh, thanks to you and your blog.. I had an Exhilarating experience..

My birthday gift to myself.. Went on a para-motoring ride  early today, with a group of my IIMB alumni@ Hyd group.  Totally 16 flights our group did.. With their kids and spouses too..

It was totally exhilarating.. A not to be missed experience... Initially, the  takeoff was a little bumpy, but once airborne after the first two seconds of heart in the mouth, it was amazing.. Not just the view from up above (and the reservoir is really huge...and well constructed), the farms below, the glistening water of the canals, the cold morning air freezing the hands a bit,..the birds flying below you.. And then I was "head in the clouds.."  literally and figuratively.. It was white soft feathery wisps of clouds softly brushing past the cheeks, the wind gusts gently lifting the trike now and again.. Then the sudden clearing.. the glow of the sunrise and I knew what the birds must feel like.. And all too soon, the 10 minutes just sped past... And it was back to earth with a very smooth landing... 

Glorious, glorious, glorious experience!

I have to tell you all one more awesome thing that happened yesterday.. 

One of our alumni, Mahesh had booked just for himself  and said his wife would come, see and then if she was comfortable we would book a flight for herself too on the spot. 

He brought his mom and mother-in-law  for the drive.....both in their mid 70s..

Not only did Mahesh wife love the Paramotoring experience.. she wants to now sign up for the course too to learn to pilot the craft.. 

The awesome bit was both the 70+ years young-at-heart ladies.. were enthralled and wanted to take the ride too. They both did .. And came back thrilled and smiling ear to ear. It was so cute.  They both wanted to go again soon too. 

Thanks to the two darling older ladies.. Full of zest and verve.. 😍😍

We also had a 10 yr old the daughter of another alum who flew.. So across 10-70, we took to the air!! Glorious!!!"

_________________________ 

#adventure #parachute #paratrike #sports #WingmastersCo #flying #pq #picturesquequote #KondaPochammaReservoir #micromotoring #Hyderabad #getaway #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh

Creating Symmetry Without A Geometry Box

How to draw symmetrical shapes using a geometry box? We all learnt it in the school.

But Nature creates shapes and patterns without any tools, instruments or aids like a geometry box. See the picture below of a leaf of Umbrella Palm. Is it not perfectly symmetrical? Nature's own art studio! Give the picture a caption and win the 63rd edition of KBG- Kaun Banega Ghumakkad- your own online caption contest!

Here is another view minus the Contest Logo to help you visualise the caption better.

Once again, give the above picture a caption. You could win KBG-63.

How to Submit a Caption

For the first-timers on KBG, you can respond using any of the six channels below:

1. Leave a comment on this post
2. Send email to hbindia@gmail.com   
3. Respond on the FB post
4. Comment on Instagram @ghumakkadhb 
5. Comment on Twitter @HarshBh21184761
6. Send a WA message. If you want your WA number to be added to Ghumakkad's list, send an email.

Now get going and give your caption pronto! If you feel like, you may suggest more than one caption.

Hope we have helped you in overcoming the Covid boredom to some extent.

Previous Contest

KBG-62, the 62nd edition of Kaun Banega Ghumakkad Caption Contest featured a picture of leaves partially eaten up by caterpillars during the monsoon.

This picture fired the imagination of 300+ readers! We received more than 30 captions. For a complete list of the captions and the winning entries, click the story 'Need and Greed'. Two of the winning captions of KBG-62 are reproduced below.

Be your creative best and shoot your response. Most catchy captions will be the Winners of KBG-63! All the best.

Thank you all the readers for your continued support.

Stay connected, stay safe.

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Neeta Bhargava/ 22nd September 2021

#Umbrellapalm #symmetry #nature #patterns #leaves #naturesartstudio #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #KBG #kaunbanegaghumakkad #onlinecontest #lockdownfun #takeabreak #captions #powerofobservation #craetivecaptions #pqs #picturesquequotations #naturetheteacher #learningthroughpictures #secunderabad #observeand learn

50th Year of 1971 War

Are wars good for humanity? Do we need it?

42 years ago, Ghumakkad then a Lieutenant in the Indian Navy, had 'dedicated' his Master's Dissertation on Naval War Gaming at IIT Kanpur to its 'own obsolescence'. Am reproducing the dedication below as it answers the opening questions:

"It is not pleasant to think that warfare is fundamental to the nature of man, and indeed it may not necessarily be so. However, through all recorded history we find this unfortunate trend. Perhaps, some day the present effort will become pointless/irrelevant i.e. when wars will no longer exist. In that light, this work is dedicated to its own obsolescence."

Independent India has witnessed many wars. 1971 war fought both in the eastern and western sectors, gave birth to a new nation Bangla Desh.

Swarnim Vijay Varsh स्वर्णिम विजय वर्ष - meaning the Golden Jubilee Year of the Victory- is being celebrated in India. The Prime Minister of India had flagged off four Victory Flames- Vijay Mashal विजय मशाल - from the National War Memorial in New Delhi on 16th Dec 2020. India had won the war on 16th Dec 1971. The Victory Flame is traversing the length and breadth of the country including the villages of PVC (Param Vir Chakra परम वीर चक्र ) and MVC (Maha Vir Chakra महा वीर चक्र ) gallantry awardees of the War. The Flame after visiting A&N Islands onboard a Naval ship and other towns in southern India by road, arrived in Secunderabad on 9th Sep 2021.

Naval units and Veterans of Secunderabad received the Flame with honour and reverence at a ceremony held at Navy House Secunderabad on 11th Sep 21. This story briefly recreates the solemn occasion. Naval children in station energised the audience with their inspiring performance. Naval band from the Eastern Naval Command, needless to add, brought nostalgia for all Veterans like me. The whole event was coordinated by Lt Cdr Akhila Somaraju a lady officer of Indian Navy. Hail the women of the world!

Glimpses of an unforgettable morning.

The Victory Flame was received with the dignity and reverence. See the short video clip below.

Naval war veterans were felicitated on the occasion. Though in their 70s and 80s, the josh in the veteran officers and sailors was visible. See the picture below.

The Naval Band enthralled us all with number of performances. Here is Indian Fleet March played that morning. In case you are unable to view the YouTube video, you may click this link.

The climax of the event was dance performances by Naval school children of Secunderabad. Drawn from different schools and age groups, the children reside in different locations in Secunderabad. It was admirable to see such excellent collaboration and coordination despite Covid restrictions. Am sharing three of their performances here. The first performance was based on Teri Mitti from the film Kesari. YouTube link is here.

In the next clip, the children enact 'How is the Josh' and other numbers. YouTube link is here.

They also gave an electric performance based on AR Rahman's famous song Jai Ho from the movie Slumdog Millionaire. YouTube link is here.

After their performances, I went backstage to congratulate the teachers and the students. They were a spirited lot as you can see in the picture below.

As mentioned in the beginning of the story, the whole program had been put together by a lady officer. Ghumakkad requested her for a picture.

As the Victory Flame moves on to cover the rest of the country, we once again salute the brave sons of India who laid down their lives during the 1971 War. All the four Victory Flames will converge at the War Memorial in New Delhi. The Prime Minister will formally receive the Flames on 16th Dec 2021 on completion of Swarnim Vijay Varsh. Proud of India, proud of our Armed Forces.

Jai Hind!

    - Harsh Bhargava-the-Ghumakkad and former Commodore, Indian Navy/ 18th Sep 2021/ Secunderabad

#Swarnimvijayvarsh #indianarmedforces #indiannavy #veterans #1971war #vijaymashal #vitoryflame #50thyearofwar #secunderabad #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh

Teachers too Get Bored!

Do teachers also get bored of teaching online? Ask any teacher. Or, ask yourself if you are a teacher. Honest answer will be yes!

Covid lockdown enforced online classes. A month or a term was bearable. But a year and a half of online teaching posed newer challenges. Both for teachers and learners. So, how do we overcome the boredom? One way is to stop teaching! What? Yes, do away with the slides and lecturing. Take them away from the subject which has bored them. Ask them 'Shall we see a movie together?' Or, 'Shall we go on a hike?' Invariably you will hear a chorus 'Yes Sir!'

We had shared our excitement of movie-based learning a few days ago. It sure helped both the students as well as the teacher- to overcome the online boredom! You may browse our story 'Shershaah-- Beyond the Movie'. Similarly, there can be more ways to beat the Covid boredom in online classes like online games, quizzes, role plays and team competitions. Do share your experience of online boredom.

Readers may browse Ghumakkad's posts on Teachers' Day of previous years listed below:

Who Inspires A Teacher

The Fun is about to Begin

Teachers Open the Door

Teacher Goes Beyond the Classroom - IBS Hyderabad

A Teacher Keeps Learning

Inculcating A Spirit of Enquiry

Covid Couldn't Deter Us The Teachers

Ghumakkad-the-teacher firmly believes that real learning happens outside the classroom! Be it the Internship, field assignments or even a hike in a forest! See the picture below.

On the eve of the Teachers Day 2021, I reiterate that we teachers exist because of the students and not vice versa.

Thank you all my students, former students, fellow teachers and my teachers for enriching my life. Sincere gratitude to each one of you.

Happy Teacher's Day 2021.

    -  Harsh-the-Ghumakkad-learner-teacher/4th Sep 2021

#teachersday #teaching #learning #students #learnercenriceducation #learningbydoing #experientiallearning #learningwithfun #beyondclassroom #livecases #casemethod #internalisation #covidboredom #moviesforlearning #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh