Thursday, April 8, 2010

International Friendship Week

Hi,


Watch this very apt video to celebrate international friendship. The fund raising movement for the Haiti earthquake victims in early 2010 brought the world together.



The next song "We are one" is from Lion King, the movie.



You can skip the next song in Tamil on friendship if you do not understand the language. However, there are some parts where the college friends share cigarettes which we all know is very bad for our health. Cigarette smoking causes a whole host of health problems such as emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, high blood pressure and even cancer. This dated song is from the early 1980's when the health warnings against smoking was not well publicised in Tamil Nadu.






Cheers

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Lets vote for earth

Hi fellow earthlings,

All of us have a responsibility to preserve the earth's climate. However, most of us are living our lives with scant regard for the issue of climate change. We have a responsibility to keep the earth's climate liveable for ourselves and for the future generations.

The future of the earth's climate depends on ourselves. Watch the videos produced by NUS students in 2009 and learn how empowered you are actually.





Cheers

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Some videos-urgency of cliamte change issues

Here are a few more videos on the urgency in combating climate change.













Sunday, April 4, 2010

Reasons for hope (and peace) from Jane Goodall

Hi,

View this passionate lady speak about her 50 years' experience as a primatologist scientist, her reasons for hope. Most of us feel that the we are not powerful enough to make a difference in the world against the onslaught of environmental degradation, deforestation, extinction of animals and plants, pollution of the air, the water and the food we eat, the poverty and population increase.

One eskimo said " The ice is melting in Greenland (due to global warming). What will melt the human heart ( ie take the necessary steps to reduce our ecological footprints)?"

Read about her projects such as rootsandshoots and TACARE



Remember that there is no reason for us to feel hopeless. All of us can make a difference by the decisions we make in our everyday dealings such as what we buy, what we eat, what we do to reduce our ecological footprints. We have to learn about the inhumanity in our treatment of fellow animals and creatures in the forests. We have to mentor the youth on the wisdom giving dignity to fellow creatures of the planet.

Can you state the 5 reasons that Dr Goodall has for her hope?

Have a good Easter Monday.

Cheers

Saturday, April 3, 2010

The world needs all kinds of minds

Hi,

View this mind blowing TED video. It will forever change what you think about autistic children in our classes and in our midst.



Dr Temple Grandin is very famous for her quote: "Autism is part of who I am." She has done much for animal welfare, PETA and general understanding about autism in children and how they can be helped to contribute to society as they have been since the beginning of time. Autism was not a problem until people became abstract thinkers of recent times. Famous autistic/ Asperger's syndrome/ dyslexic people who had to grapple with learning difficulties include Richard Branson, Mozart, Tesla and Einstein, to name just a few movers and shakers in human civilisation.

Dr Grandin is passionate about having good mentors good teachers lighting the spark of learning and motivating children in schools.

Cheers and happy Good Friday.