Scientists' information on butterfly wings: Letters to the Editor

Scientists' information on butterfly wings

Compared to the body of a butterfly, its wings are much larger. However, it can protect itself from the enemy by quickly escaping from such flowers or other objects. Scientists are working to unravel the mystery of butterfly flying. Researchers at the University of Lund in Sweden have recently studied the flying speed of butterflies with the help of wind tunnels to gather information on the secrets behind the flight of this moth. According to the study, both the shape and flexibility of the butterfly's exceptional wings contribute significantly to the flight of moths. Researchers have noticed that the butterfly is flying through the wind tunnel and the wings are vibrating. It has been observed that when the butterfly is flying upwards, i.e. during the upward wing beat of the wings, when the wings are cupped next to the wings, the air is trapped inside. This is followed by the friction of the wings and the force of the wind blowing backwards, causing the butterfly to move forward. The downward wing beat of wings is different. In this case, the butterfly may float in the air without falling.

Such a description of butterfly flying was given by scientists about 50 years ago, although experimental evidence of this has only recently been made. Not long ago, the flying aerodynamics of butterflies was considered ineffective. But more recent experiments have shown that a butterfly can defend itself by flying at high speed with the help of this mechanism in its body. Researchers have decided to build a mechanical model of butterfly wings and conduct experiments with its help. The shape and flexibility of mechanical wings are similar to that of butterfly wings. And it is similarly cupped and can move forward by trapping air in the middle.

Scientists believe that the shape and flexibility of butterfly wings help increase the flying technology and efficiency of smaller drones.

Truly such amusing researches provide a source of curiosity as well as a joy to the minds of the people. Science has an intimate relationship with nature. Sometimes it feels like science is impossible without nature. Butterfly wings are a good example of this.

Heramba Nath,

Kamrup.

Deeply hurt?

When jailed Maoist sympathizer Father Stan died of cardiac arrest many leading news channels and few portals are continuously weaving stories after stories to present the deceased soul as a patriot. Rahul Gandhi, the anti-Hindu leader immediately tweeted that he is deeply hurt by the demise of Father Stan. The same Gandhi consumed fevicol when two innocent sadhus were lynched by a group of Maoists in Palghar, Maharashtra. Rahul Gandhi is not hurt when over 1,200 innocent lives including servicemen were taken by the Maoists. Has Rahul Gandhi ever tried to connect with the families of those people? Has he ever connected with the sons, daughters, wives, sisters, father, mother, brother, etc of the lost ones? Father Stan used to instigate tribal people taking advantage of their ignorance to join Maoist forces. I offer my condolences for Father Stan's demise but don't support the idea or ploy to make him a national hero.

Julie Bhuyan,

Gaurisagar.

Digital divide

Given the burgeoning digital disparity, bridging it is not just about providing more computers or mobile phones to farmers. It is essentially a matter of making the information more accessible, and this needs political will, awareness and financial resources. From promoting digital literacy to minimizing entry barriers for tech startups, the incumbent government can leverage technology and digital solutions to achieve the highly ambitious target of doubling farmers' income by 2022.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog

The last mandate

The mandate of the last Assembly elections has sent a crystal clear message to every Bonafide Asomiya that it is only because of upper Assam and northern Assam, the Mahagathbandhan comprising of Congress and AIUDF have failed to form their government at Dispur. Interestingly, upper Assam and northern Assam were epicentres of Anti-CAB/CAA agitations. In Lower Assam, AIUDF the new version of earlier UMF registered thumping victory due to domination of people of doubtful nationality and integrity. A similar trend was witnessed in West Bengal as sons of the soil have become refugees on their land like the Kashmiri pandits in the 1990s. As long as we have leaders and so-called intellectuals who are sympathetic to the immigrants we have a very uncertain political and social future.

Lanu Dutta Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Vector-borne diseases

Mosquitoes are unwelcome guests in every home. People wield many weapons in the form of anti-mosquito racquets, mosquito repellent vaporizers and even our palms to little or no avail. The administration in almost all towns have this ritual of spraying insecticides with the help of big vans every year and this ritual have appeared to be beneficial. But with the recent Corona crisis, this ritual has taken a backseat as Corona is hogging all the attention. We should not downplay diseases like Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis and Dengue as these diseases have not taken a break due to corona. According to sources, there were more than 60 thousand malaria cases in 2020 which is not a small number. The rainy season is here with the mosquitoes doing the celebratory dance as it is their season, I urge the State government and the respective administrations of every district through your esteemed daily to take measures of cleaning all the clogged drains and culverts and to start the process of spraying insecticides. We are already dealing with a menace called Corona, we cannot afford to tackle another one.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur

Father Stan Swamy's death

It pained me to know that human rights activist Father Stan Swamy died as an under-trial prisoner before he could establish his innocence before the NIA Court.

An 84-year-old priest activist who worked for his entire life for the cause of the downtrodden so that poor and have not classed may lead a life with honour and dignity his death is a black-letter day for us, the Judiciary has also failed to provide relief on medical grounds for his release on bail in most of the cases when an individual approach before the Court on medical ground for bail, in most of the cases the casual order is that "Jail authorities shall provide treatment", without even knowing the infrastructure relates to the medical facilities available in the jail. In many cases, the jail authority shifts the UTP when he becomes very serious. This is what happened in the case of Father Stan Swamy who was even denied basic things for his personal use being a patient of Parkinson. His words from jail will still sing in chorus, a case bird can still sing shall provide more spirit to join in this struggle for Human Rights.

Subhash Chandra Biswas,

Guwahati-11.

Habitual critics

The AASU has become an organization that is best in criticizing any government decision without giving any solution to their side. It is the easiest job for anyone to criticize without finding any solution. The Education Minister and the State Government had to tread a very careful path to assess the students of class 10 and higher secondary as both the exams were called off due to the pandemic. Neither the government nor the students were prepared for this scenario. Education Minister Ronuj Pegu called the AASU, ABSU, educationalists, heads of schools, colleges and universities to sit in a discussion to find out an alternative way. Finally, a slew of decisions was taken at the meeting which was welcomed by all as there was no other solution. The next day the AASU leaders who like to be in limelight and also proved themselves as a superior class called a press conference and started criticizing the assessment formula to be adopted by the SEBA and the AHSEC. The overage of AASU leaders has become a burden on society and the state. Their contributions to the state or the society are nil ( except producing politicians) only indulging in roadblocks, calling bandhs, forceful donation collection, Andolan, etc.

Pratap Dutta,

Tezpur.

Adjusting with new normal

The pictures of tourists thronging hill stations amid the ongoing pandemic are frightening as a rampant violation of COVID protocols will nullify gains made in pandemic management so far. It's surprising how quickly we've forgotten the huge price India has paid in the second wave just a couple of months ago. Although the cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed the landmark of 36 crores, a repeat of such irresponsible behaviour may lead to an early onslaught of the third wave in India. These unmindful assemblies of people must be curtailed by the respective state governments by taking strict measures, sensitizing shopkeepers and holding meetings with markets and vendors associations in this regard. In short, we have to adjust to the new normal - be it wearing masks or work from home.

Akash Kumar,

Punjab

Appointing

Governors

There have been many cases earlier when politicians appointed as state Governors misused Raaj-Bhawans (Governor Houses) like party-headquarters dancing to tunes of political masters at the Centre ignoring even physical parade of majority MLAs by deserving aspirants for posts of Chief Ministers like was done during Congress regime by Governors like Romesh Bhandari. The Election Commission on 01.04.2019 had to complain against the then Rajasthan Governor for his political statement made on 23.03.2019. It is quite usual that political persons appointed as state Governors give such political statements like earlier done by the then Madhya Pradesh Governor in April 2018.

It is not proper to misuse the dignified post of state Governor for political waste. Posts of state Governors must be only for politically neutral persons like retired judges and bureaucrats who might not have ever affiliated with any political party. However, any such posting must have at least a gap of two years with the previous assignment for checking any possibility of bias in favour of the government to get post-retirement assignments.

Rather than leaving appointing Chief Ministers at the discretion of state-Governors, Chief Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker should be simultaneously elected through the secret and compulsory vote of all MLAs through EVMs equipped with VVPAT on nominations signed by at least 34-per cent MLAs with their removal through the same process but with a compulsion to name alternate leader in the same motion. MLAs not participating in such election process may not be allowed to vote in state assembly through being members of the House.

Madhu Agrawal,

Delhi-110006