The Complete Goldfish Tank Setup and Care Guide

Ornamental fish-keeping, as a hobby, has been around for several thousand years. Hobbyists may choose from a variety of freshwater and marine species to keep as pets in an aquarium or fish tank. It not only serves to beautify its surroundings but also acts as a great stress-reliever. An indoor water body such as an aquarium, if kept correctly, is also considered auspicious in Indian Vaastu Shastra and Chinese Feng-Shui.

Of the hundreds of species of ornamental fish available, Goldfish are the probably most popular and most loved variety. They are colourful, playful and come in various shapes. They are also relatively inexpensive to buy and are easily available at pet stores and markets. However, contrary to popular belief, Goldfish are not the easiest to keep or maintain. Although they are relatively tough and have long life-spans, they require clean water and good quality food to thrive and are, therefore, not recommended as beginner fish.

Goldfish can be segregated into two broad categories:

a) Common Goldfish - Also known as Comets, they are slim-bodied and fast swimmers. They can grow up to or more than a foot in length and best kept in outdoor ponds. They are inexpensive to buy and are much more tough than fancy goldfish; meaning, they can tolerate moderate changes in water temperature, pH, salinity and dissolved wastes.

b) Fancy Goldfish - There are more than a hundred species of fancy goldfish. The most popular ones are Fantail, Red Cap Oranda, Black Moor, Bubble Eye, Ryukin, Pear Scale, Lion Head, Ranchu and Celestial Eye to name a few. They typically have an egg-shaped body with long flowing fins although some varieties may have shorter fins, larger eyes or rounded heads. They are slow swimmers and are ideal for indoor aquariums and fish tanks. They may grow up to 8 inches and live for 5-10 years if cared for properly. However, these varieties are more expensive than the common goldfish and require very clean water and good quality food.

Goldfish, in general, are very docile and sweet-natured and bond well with other varieties of Goldfish and non-aggressive fish. However, in order to maintain compatibility with water quality requirements and feeding habits, it is best advised to keep only Goldfish in an aquarium or tank. The following list details all the items necessary for setting up a new Goldfish tank from scratch:

1. An aquarium, preferably rectangular and made of glass, with the longest side measuring at least 2 feet in length. Goldfish are an active species and require lots of space to swim. It is recommended to provision at least 10-12 gallons of water per fancy goldfish although the ideal volume would be 20-25 gallons of water per fancy goldfish. Such a high volume of water is needed not just for swimming but also for diluting dissolved waste concentration.
2. A high-capacity filter with a flow-rate roughly equal to 8-10 times the volume of the entire tank. Internal power filters, hang-on back filters, top filters and canisters are all suitable for a Goldfish tank. Selecting the right type would depend on the aquarium size and setup. Goldfish are messy eaters. They eat a lot and excrete a lot. Hence, the need for a high level of filtration.
3. Filter media such as sponge, bio-balls and activated carbon.
4. Aged and cycled fresh-water (tap water). Setting up a new tank and immediately putting fish in it is akin to torture. It is necessary to complete a fish-less cycle with the water by putting a piece of organic matter (e.g. raw shrimp) in it and letting it stand for 3-4 weeks. This will create a colony of beneficial bacteria in the water which will break-down the organic matter and complete the nitrogen cycle without harming your beloved goldfish. If possible, submerge the filter in this water so that the beneficial bacteria may colonize the filter media. This step is absolutely essential for cycling your tank and preventing unintended casualties in future.
5. Water-proof aquarium lights, preferably full-spectrum and led-based.
6. Thermocol or Polystyrene sheets to be placed underneath the aquarium for supporting the weight of water and to prevent cracks in the glass base.
7. Seachem Prime or any other dechlorinating agent. Chlorine is harmful for fish as it burns their gills. If you don't have a dechlorinating solution, let the water stand overnight, uncovered, before putting it inside the tank. The dissolved chlorine shall evaporate, making the water safe for use.
8. Seachem Cupramine or any other anti-ich treatment. This is necessary for disinfecting fish from external parasites and ich. Put your new goldfish in cupramine-treated water for at least 15-20 minutes before placing in the main tank.
9. Good quality fish food, in the form of pellets (sinking or floating) and/or flakes. Hikari Goldfish Gold, Saki-Hikari Fancy Goldfish Colour-Enhancing, Saki-Hikari Fancy Goldfish Balance, Sinking Goldfish Excel and Hikari Oranda Gold are some good options. If you prefer a clean tank, floating pellets are the best bet although some hobbyists are of the opinion that this might cause swim bladder issues. Sinking pellets are equally good but may cause water-quality issues if left uneaten.
10. Rock-Salt for reducing fish-stress and for treating internal parasites.
11. Decorations, such as pebbles, gravel, porcelain show-pieces, fake plants, etc. It is recommended to keep a bare-bottom tank or one with minimal decorations for fancy goldfish such as Orandas and Pear Scales. A clean bottom will prevent accumulation of waste and aid in easy clean-up during weekly water changes.
12. Background vinyl wallpaper to beautify your aquarium with minimum decorations.
13. Thermometer; digital or analog to measure water temperature and observe fluctuations in the same.
14. An air-pump, airline tubing and air-stone to oxygenate the tank or for emergency treatment of sick fish. Also stock an air-flow controller valve if you wish to control the intensity of air bubbles.
15. Magnetic scrubber for cleaning the glass walls.
16. Fish net to transfer the goldfish between tanks.
17. Siphon for water-change activities.

Once the aquarium is set up and running with the goldfish in it, we need to start taking care of our pets. Maintenance does not require much time but one has to be consistent and punctual. The following list covers the most common activities:

1. Feeding: Feed your goldfish daily, at least 2-3 times a day if they are young (less than a year old) or once, if they are adults. During each feeding, care should be taken to ensure that the goldies are not over-fed. Feed each fish the quantity of food that is roughly the size of their eye or that which can be completely eaten by each goldfish within 2 minutes. Remove any excess food from the water as it may degrade water-quality by polluting the environment. For example, you may feed a 3-inch goldfish up to 5-6 small pellets per day. Split the quantity to be fed, twice or thrice during the entire day. Slightly under-feeding shall not harm the goldfish as they are known to live without food for up to 2 weeks. However, over-feeding can cause bloating, constipation and swim-bladder issues.
2. Water Change: At least 50% of the water should be changed every week to remove pollutants and dilute the concentration of growth-inhibiting hormones. A siphon may be used to drain the polluted water and also to vacuum the base of the tank to suck up fish-poop. However, do not remove all of the tank water as it contains beneficial bacteria and complete removal may upset the delicate nitrogen cycle of the aquarium. Refill with tap water and add a suitable dechlorinating agent such as Prime. One should be careful regarding the dosage since excess use of chemicals is harmful for fish.
3. Salinity & pH: Add one table-spoon (3 tea-spoons) of non-iodized rock-salt for every five gallons of water. This shall reduce stress and prevent several goldfish diseases. For temporary treatment of severely sick fish, prepare a separate 5-gallon salt bath by adding 10 table-spoons (30 tea-spoons) of rock-salt for every gallon of water. Place the sick goldfish in it and observe for 5 minutes. If the goldfish act a bit odd, that is normal and is due to the high salinity. But if they roll over and cannot stay upright, remove them from the salt bath and keep them in a hospital tank with less dosage of salt or with proper medication. Goldfish do well in the pH range of 7.2 - 7.6, that is, slightly alkaline water, and care should be taken to maintain the same.
4. Hiding Places: Goldfish sometimes need quiet places to hide. Use only blunt decorations and remove anything, including fake plants, which may tear or damage fins.
5. Fish Behaviour: Check the behaviour of your goldfish periodically. Gasping at the top indicates a lack of dissolved oxygen. The remedy is to increase oxygen or air-bubbles with an air-pump. Bottom-sitting is a sign of stress or internal parasites. Add rock-salt or suitable medication. White-spots on the body or rubbing against glass walls may be an indication of ich. Separate the affected fish in a hospital tank and treat with salt and/or cupramine solution. Sudden jerks, spams, erratic movement or red-veins may be a sign of ammonia poisoning. In such a situation, frequent 50% water-changes may provide relief. Last but not the least, looks for signs of aggression. Although rare, aggression may sometimes be noticed due to competition arising out of lack of adequate food or lack of space due to over-stocking. The remedy would be to remove the aggressor, increase food quantity and/or reduce stocking.
6. Light & Sound: Goldfish need at least 8 hours of daylight to stay active and maintain their colour (pigmentation). Direct sunlight is not recommended as it increases water temperature. Instead, use full-spectrum led aquarium lights to beautify your tank and aid your fish in maintaining their day-night cycle. Please note that goldfish also need to rest and/or sleep. Hence, 8 hours of darkness or shade per day is also necessary. Care must be taken to ensure that the goldfish are not subject to extremely loud noises.

Goldfish make excellent pets. They are cute, playful and come in various colours. Taking good care of them if the least that we can do. I really hope that this article shall help a lot of Goldfish owners or those who are planning to keep some as pets.

Cyclone Fani: How India saved more than a million lives and averted a disaster of epic proportions

When a natural calamity of epic proportions strikes, humans are mostly rendered helpless. However, proper use of technology may help us prepare for the worst and minimize loss of precious lives. This was evident in the way India managed early warning and disaster relief operations and rescued more than a million people from impending disaster. Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Fani was the strongest tropical cyclone to strike the Indian state of Odisha since Phailin in 2013. Fani originated from a tropical depression that formed west of Sumatra in the Indian Ocean on 26th April, 2019. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) monitored a tropical disturbance that formed in the North Indian Ocean, and designated it with the identifier 01B. Fani slowly drifted westward, finding itself in an area conducive for strengthening. The system intensified and two days after being named, it became Cyclone Fani.

Simulated depiction of cyclonic winds, Fani

Fani moved northward and began to rapidly intensify. It became an extremely severe cyclonic storm on 30 April 2019, the first severe cyclonic storm of the season. Fani reached its peak intensity on 2nd May, as a high-end extremely severe cyclonic storm, and the equivalent of a high-end Category 4 major hurricane. Fani continued to maintain its strength up until landfall in the Indian state of Odisha on 3rd May when the coastal state witnessed torrential rain and wind-speeds reaching 200 kmph. Trees were uprooted, huts and temporary shelters blown away, vehicles over-turned, cranes toppled and buildings damaged. As people sought safety inside their homes, doors and windows were no match for Fani's might. Power-supply was cut off and transportation services were grounded. At least 14 people were reported killed and several others injured. Considering the power of the super typhoon, the number of casualties was miraculously low.

Trees uprooted by cyclone Fani, Odisha

So, how did India manage to keep casualties at a minimum? What was different from the India of 20 years ago when it experienced a similar super-cyclone which ripped through the state of Odisha and left 10,000 people dead in its wake? The answer lay in early satellite-based meteorological forecast and warning, preemptive evacuation and speedy supply of relief materials to the affected areas. Prior to its landfall, authorities in India had moved at least a million people from Fani's projected path onto higher ground and into cyclone shelters, which is thought to have reduced the resultant death toll. The Central Government released preemptive aid to the tune of 1000 crore rupees for the coastal states and naval ships and reconnaissance aircraft were used to monitor and patrol the coastline.

Fani topples a crane

Approximately 1.2 million people were shifted across 13 districts to the safety of 5000 cyclone shelters within a span of 24 to 36 hours. This was a tremendous achievement and required meticulous planning and herculean effort by both the state and central governments. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and several other agencies were pressed into action and an operation ensued which involved 45,000 volunteers and 2,000 emergency workers.

NDRF Team for Cyclone Fani, Odisha

Some 3 million targeted text messages were sent asking people to get to their nearest shelters and warning messages were repeatedly circulated across television and radio. The reach was more personal, and magnified several times over. Public address systems on government vehicles and auto-rickshaws moved around, telling people that they need to move. There was elaborate planning and everybody worked as a team.

Relief aid for Cyclone Fani, IAF C130J Super Hercules

Technical teams were kept on standby to repair fallen poles, broken wires and telecom lines; to move debris and fallen trees quickly to restore road connectivity. Air connectivity was restored in 36 hours. Those stranded, were air-lifted and essential supplies were air-dropped by army helicopters. The United Nations praised India for its early warning systems and its well-coordinated efforts aimed at rapid evacuation and relief.

After wrecking havoc in Odisha, Fani's convective structure rapidly degraded. The tropical storm passed through Kolkata as a cyclonic storm. On 4th May, Fani weakened to a depression, before degenerating into a well-marked low later that day and moved on to neighbouring Bangladesh. India's well coordinated efforts saved the day for a million people and goes on to prove, yet again, that technology can be and should be used for the benefit and welfare of mankind.

Unreal Reality

According to popular definition, reality is the state or quality of having existence or substance. It also refers to events that have actually happened and those which are being perceived as happening at the moment. Therefore, reality is a state which can be perceived by the five fundamental senses, namely, sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. It is a mental construction of the inputs provided by our senses. Anything, which cannot be perceived, is usually called imaginary or unreal.

However, reality is not as simple as it seems. The more we explore, the more baffled we are at its complexity and true nature. As humans, we have all experienced the state of dreaming. Dreams are nothing but a series of events, images, ideas, emotions and sensations that flash across our mind when we are asleep. They occur involuntarily and are usually reflections of our memories and/or aspirations. However, to the observer in a state of sleep, these dreams appear as real and believable as they would to an observer who, in his state of awakened awareness, would experience the events had they actually taken place. The visual projection created by our mind may be pleasant or unpleasant but the fact is that the observer interprets the mental projection as "real" during the period of the dream. The observer experiences interaction with animate and inanimate entities during this time-frame. He may experience speaking with someone, holding hands, having food or driving his car. In his state of sleep, the observer cannot distinguish between that which is real and that which is not.

Sometimes, the emotions and sensations experienced in a dream have repercussions in the physical world as well. For example: if the observer, in his dreams, visualizes that he is falling from a roof-top or down a flight of stairs, he may experience a feeling of fright or a sense of loss of gravity. When the sensation peaks, the subject wakes up but he may find himself sweating profusely out of fright. He may also experience temporary nervousness and elevated pulse rates in this state. The question that remains is: If the dream was unreal, why did the observer experience nervousness and elevated pulse rates in his awakened state of reality? A scientific explanation would suggest that the dream influenced his mind or, rather, the brain; and the brain triggered hormonal reactions in his physical body resulting in the knee-jerk reaction. Thus, what we perceive as reality, is essentially what our brain or mind wants us to believe. If this hypothesis is true, then is it not possible that what we perceive as reality in this universe, is actually part of an elaborate dream; a dream, which our mind wants us to believe? Is it not possible that whatever we think exists, actually does not? Is it not possible that our lives are also part of an on-going dream? Is it not possible that one day, we might wake up from this elaborate dream and discover our true nature?

Ancient wisdom and spiritual thought suggests the concept of Maya or illusion to explore this possibility. The Upanishads describe the universe, and the human experience, as an interplay of Purusha (the eternal, unchanging principles, consciousness) and Prakrti (the temporary, changing material world, nature). The former manifests itself as Atman (Soul, Self), and the latter as Maya. Maya is the divine ability to create dimensional reality out of nothing. It is referred to as a wondrous and mysterious power which can turn an idea into a physical reality. When we say illusion, it does not mean that the world is not real and simply a figment of the human imagination. Maya means that the world is not as it seems; the world that one experiences is misleading as far as its true nature is concerned. The world is both real and unreal because it exists but is not what it appears to be. It is something that is constantly being made. Maya not only deceives people about the things they think they know; more basically, it limits their knowledge.

Mission Shakti: India's ASAT test and its geopolitical implications

India announced on 27th March, 2019 that it had successfully terminated a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite in space using an indigenously developed anti-satellite missile system. The test, code-named Mission Shakti, was fully successful and achieved all parameters and met desired objectives. An ASAT test requires an extremely high degree of precision and technological capability. The test makes India the fourth country in the world after the United States, Russia and China, to acquire the strategic capability to shoot down enemy satellites in orbit.

China conducted an ASAT test in January 2007 which demonstrated the capability of shooting down satellites at an altitude of over 800 kilometres in the lower earth orbit (LEO). US was the first country to acquire the ASAT technology in 1958 followed by USSR in 1964. Anti-satellite weapons are considered to be strategic assets since they can easily cripple an enemy nation's communication links and earth-observing capabilities, thereby impacting military operations, financial transactions and broadcasting services. Much like nuclear assets, ASAT capabilities serve to act like a deterrence. The DRDO’s Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor was used in this test, which is part of India's on-going ballistic missile defence programme. Crucial support was also provided by ISRO, India's premier space research organization. The mission took only 3 minutes to complete from the time of locking on to the target satellite till the moment it was terminated.

Mission Shakti: India's ASAT Test

The government of India has stated that it has no intention of entering into an arms race in outer space. The country has always maintained that space must be used only for peaceful purposes. The government has also stated that India is against the weaponization of outer space and supports international efforts to reinforce the safety and security of space based assets. The test was done simply to verify that India has the capability to safeguard its space assets. Care was taken to ensure that test was performed in the lower earth atmosphere. This would ensure that there was no space debris. Whatever debris was generated shall decay and fall back on to the earth's surface within a few weeks, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to other active satellites in the vicinity.

The consequences of publicly announcing an ASAT capability are far-reaching. An ASAT capability can finish a war even before it starts. It is a message to India's hostile neighbours, namely Pakistan and China, that the country can defend its space assets and, if required, eliminate enemy assets to cause massive disruption during war. It is a strategic and bold move by India and reflects a tectonic shift in the nation's military doctrine. India, is now truly ready for the space age.

The Nature of Matter

What is matter? According to popular definition, anything that occupies space and has mass is known as matter. It is distinct from energy (physics), mind and spirit.

For example, a stone is made of matter; so is wood, metal, plastic, rubber, water, air, etc. Even the human body, all forms of animal and plant life, the sun, the moon and the stars above us are all made of some form of matter. The chemical composition of these various forms of matter may be different, leading to difference in appearance, texture, colour, behaviour, etc, but essentially, they are all physical entities which occupy space and have mass. One can touch matter and feel it's presence.

Having understood the basic nature of matter, it is time to dig a bit deeper and understand it's chemical composition, properties and behaviour. Matter is composed of metals and non-metals, also known as elements. Metals like copper, gold, silver and iron are lustrous, malleable and conduct electricity whereas non-metals such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, boron and chlorine are non-lustrous, non-malleable and do not conduct electricity. Matter can also be segregated into organic (carbon-based) and inorganic (non-carbon based) forms. Living organisms such as humans, animals and plants are primarily made of organic matter whereas inanimate objects are primarily made of inorganic matter.

If we split any element, we get sub-particles such as molecules, and further down, atoms. It is the atom or molecule (collection of atoms) which imparts specific properties to an element (matter) and which defines its nature and appearance. Thus, an atom of oxygen is different from an atom of gold or an atom of carbon. As science has progressed, humanity has been able to look beyond molecules and atoms. Today, we are aware that atoms are made of electrons (negatively charged particles), protons (positively charged particles) and neutrons (neutral particles with mass). Every atom has an equal number of electrons and protons, with the positively charged protons counter-balancing the negatively charged electrons. The hydrogen atom has 1 electron, the carbon atom has 6 electrons and an atom of gold has 79 electrons. They are all different in properties, appearance and behaviour and the difference is attributed to the varying number of electrons (or protons) in each type of atom. However, if we analyse the behaviour of each electron, we find no difference. An electron taken from an atom of carbon is indistinguishable from an electron taken from an atom of gold or iron. In fact, an electron taken from any form of matter (living or non-living) on Earth would be identical to an electron taken from any other form of matter anywhere in the universe. If the fundamental sub-atomic particles of matter are identical, what is it that differentiates living organisms from non-living entities? If an electron taken from a human body is identical to an electron taken from a stone or pebble, what is it that makes us, humans, intelligent, aware and conscious of our surroundings? What gives us the power of speech, thought, vision and locomotion? What drives our the growth in our bodies that the stone or pebble is not capable of? What is it that makes us "living"?

Let us take another example. A horse is a living organism which is capable of running at high speeds. A car, on the other hand, is a man-made mechanical device which is capable of high-speed locomotion. Smart Cars developed in the 21st century are capable of autonomous locomotion as well. Does that mean that a car and a horse are similar in nature? Can we treat the car as a living entity although the underlying sub-atomic electrons are identical in both? Popular belief and perception would say no. According to ancient wisdom and spiritual thought, there exists a life-force, a creative energy, an intelligence and consciousness which pervades every atom in the universe. It is this spark of creative energy or life force manifesting itself as intelligence, awareness and growth, which creates the distinction between living and non-living entities. Then again, if the universal consciousness and creative energy pervades every atom in the universe, it must be present in the atoms of non-living entities as well. Does this mean that the human perception of living and non-living is not well-defined? Does this mean that what may appear to be non-living in plain sight, may actually turn out to be an intelligent and "living" entity? We must remember that trees and plants were not considered to be living organisms until a renowned Indian scientist, Jagadish Chandra Bose, proved the contrary. It may, therefore, be possible that all forms of matter in this universe have an inherent creative force and consciousness embedded in them. In some entities it is manifested as "life" while, in others, it is dormant. How we communicate with that consciousness is a matter of debate and introspection.

Multiverse and Multiple Dimensions

The Human mind can perceive only four dimensions. The first three being physical dimensions such as length, breadth and height, and the fourth being the Time dimension. That is why we can see, hear, feel and touch only those entities which exist in the three dimensional world. Our sensory organs control how we perceive the universe that we live in and we believe in the reality that our mind presents before us.

Multiverse

The multiverse is a hypothetical group of multiple universes including the universe in which we live. Together, these universes comprise everything that exists: the entirety of space, time, matter, energy, and the physical laws and constants that describe them. The different universes within the multiverse are called "parallel universes", "other universes", or "alternate universes". The idea of different worlds and dimensions floating around might seem absurd and bewildering to some, but it is not just some random idea that scientists came up with. This is a hypothesis which has solid physics and mathematical evidence to back it up and which, if true, holds answers to several anomalies and discrepancies in quantum physics. There are numerous theories (e.g.: The String Theory) that point to the fact that there are multiple parallel universes out there, and some experts believe that chances are high that hidden universes actually exist in plain sight.

Concepts of a multiverse are also evident in the cyclical infinite worlds of ancient Hindu cosmology. According to Hindu Vedic cosmology, there is no absolute start to time, as it is considered infinite and cyclic. Similarly, the space and universe has neither start nor end, rather it is cyclical. The current universe is just the start of a present cycle preceded by an infinite number of universes and to be followed by another infinite number of universes.

It is also possible for each universe to have multiple dimensions and not just the four we humans can perceive. According to the Puranas and the Atharvaveda, our universe consists of 7 upper (Vyahrtis) and 7 lower (Patalas) planes of existence: Satya-loka, Tapa-loka, Jana-loka, Mahar-loka, Svar-loka, Bhuvar-loka, Bhu-loka, Atala-loka, Vitala-loka, Sutala-loka, Talatala-loka, Mahatala-loka, Rasatala-loka and Patala-loka. The concept of multiple planes or dimensions is echoed in several other religions such as Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Thus, it is evident that the concept of multiple universes and/or multiple dimensions is not new. It is something which has been known or pondered upon since antiquity.

Let us take the example of fire or a burning flame. It has neither length nor breadth nor any thickness. Yet, we can see the the light emanating out of the flame and feel its warmth. We cannot physically touch it or hold it, yet we get burnt by the flame if we come in contact. Can we define its existence in any of the three dimensional physical planes? We cannot; yet, we know it exists. It is possible that the flame exists in a different dimension and is perceivable to us only by our sense of sight. If we were not able to see the flame, it would not be possible for us to sense its existence. We might have felt its warmth but we could have never identified the location of the flame if it was not visible to us. Similarly, there might be an infinite number of dimensions around us which our limited senses are not able to perceive but it does not mean that they do not exist. It is possible that we may be able to travel or move to these other dimensions or planes in future once we achieve a certain level of technological and psycho-physiological advancement. This could also potentially explain the sudden appearance and disappearance of Gods and other worldly beings as depicted in several religious and historical scriptures across the world. It may be that these evolved beings had the capability to transcend our three dimensional world and move between various planes of existence. Modern science explores such a possibility by means of wormholes.

A wormhole is a theoretical passage through space-time that could create shortcuts for long journeys across the universe. Wormholes are predicted by the theory of general relativity and may offer a plausible explanation and solution for inter-galactic travel through the space-time continuum. If this hold true, then we should probably not limit our search for extra terrestrial intelligence within our perceptible universe or three dimensional world. It is time to explore and revisit our perception of reality and undertake research to create break-through technologies which may be able to transcend physical barriers.

The Multiverse and Multi-dimensional universe are possibilities not yet proven by science but accepted by many as a possible reality. The sooner we accept it the better it would be for the evolution of mankind.

The Alien Theory

Since time immemorial, humanity has been perplexed about the possibility of extra terrestrial life and visitors from outer space. There have been numerous reports of sightings of spaceships and natural phenomenon which did not have any logical explanation and which could not be attributed to any other event or source.

Cave painting in Chhattisgarh, India.

Cave paintings and inscriptions on rocks found across the world indicate that we have had alien visitors since antiquity. Several religious scriptures also indicate the presence of other worldly beings. However, if aliens or extra terrestrial life forms have been visiting us for a long time, why have we, in recent history, not encountered them up close or had any meaningful interaction? One possibility could be that humanity is not yet ready, either culturally or technologically.

Petroglyphs in Barrier Canyon, Utah, USA.

A significant portion of modern human society still believes that the origin of Man was an act of God and that we are alone in this universe. But have we ever wondered that if God could create humans and establish life on Earth, could he not have done the same in other Worlds? Is it not unlikely that life never originated in any of the billions of galactic systems in the ever-expanding and infinite universe?

A particular school of thought suggests that life on Earth was seeded or implanted by technologically advanced visitors from outer space. They tweaked their own DNA and started the process for human evolution. This explains why many rock paintings and early scriptures depict alien visitors as having physical forms similar to that of modern humans.

Nourlangie, Kakadu National Park, Australia

Their purpose, according to proponents of this theory, was to use planet Earth as a laboratory or testing ground for studying various life-forms, primarily human, in an effort to create perfectly evolved intelligent beings. Just like scientists visit their laboratory experiments from time to time to record progress and observations, our alien creators also visited us and continue to do so to study and record the progress of human civilization. This theory lines up with frequent sightings of spaceships and records of alien visitors in cave paintings and inscriptions since antiquity.

It also explains reported abductions of human beings by extraterrestrial beings. Indications of extra-terrestrial contact and presence of technological inventions, which were much ahead of their time, have been reported in Egyptian hieroglyphs as well as in archaeological findings across the World. Depictions of modern-day helicopters, tanks, submarines and spaceships in carvings dating back several thousands of years have no logical explanation except for the fact that early civilizations had contact with extra terrestrial beings. Now, coming back to theory of human civilization being an experiment; if an experiment goes wrong, or if the results are not as per expectation, scientists usually terminate the project and sanitize the laboratory for a new experiment. This is probably what happened with the dinosaurs (the meteorite collision theory is not well-proven) and this is what probably might happen to humans as well, in future.

Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Another example of unexplainable natural phenomenon would the Nazca lines of Peru. They are a group of very large geoglyphs formed by depressions or shallow incisions made in the soil of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. They were created between 500 BCE and 500 CE. Most lines run straight across the landscape, but there are also figurative designs of animals and plants, made up of lines. It is not just the sheer size of such patterns but also the geometric alignment and coordination, which surprises us, even to this day.

The Condor, Nazca Desert, Peru.

Some of the Nazca lines form shapes that are best seen from the air (~1,500 ft), though they are visible from the surrounding foothills and other high places as well and are usually made from one continuous line. Could it be that these lines or patterns were merely some form of ancient art or irrigation system? Or, could it be that these were some sort of marking for our aerial visitors, similar to landing strips for aircraft and spaceships? We do not have an answer.

Questions have also been raised on Darwin's theory of evolution. It is said that modern humans evolved from apes. But apart from the ape-to-human evolution lineage, we do not see similar and drastic change in appearance and intelligence in other life-forms on planet Earth. For example, sharks have been around for more than 450 million years according to available archaeological evidence, while primates diverged from other mammals around 85 million years ago. The Hominina sub-tribe (humans and biped ancestors) separated later about 4-7.5 million years ago.

Evolution of Sharks

Apart from a reduction in size (probably due to scarcity of food resources) and some minor changes in appearance, sharks have not evolved much. On the other hand, the evolution from primates to humans has been dramatic and significant in terms of changes in appearance, behaviour and intelligence in a much shorter period of time. Does it not bring forth the obvious question - were humans destined for such rapid evolution or was it deliberately brought about by external influence and assistance?

The last couple of centuries have witnessed the emergence of break-through technologies and inventions in science and space research; technologies, which enable us, humans, to peer into the vast galactic wilderness beyond our Earth. Spaceships, solar-powered satellites and interstellar probes have already started visiting nearby planets, satellites and asteroids for research and for seeking possible signs of extra-terrestrial life. Humans have already landed on the Moon and a manned mission to Mars is on the cards. If humans could achieve so much in so little time, would it not be possible for extra-terrestrial civilizations, who may be light years ahead of us in evolution and technological advancement, to visit us and maybe, even guide us towards a higher form of evolution? A recent observation suggests so.

Artist's impression of Oumuamua.

Oumuamua, (which means “scout” or “messenger” in Hawaiian), is an elongated space object, which was discovered speeding past the sun in 2017. It is the only celestial body known to have visited our solar system from another. Oumuamua is believed to be an exotic type of comet or asteroid, but it is such an oddity that some astronomers have speculated it could be an alien spacecraft. The interstellar object's origin, path of motion, non-gravitational acceleration and strange reflecting properties have baffled scientists across the world. Several theories have been proposed which indicate that Oumuamua could be an alien light-sail or space probe.

Acceptance of the concept of extra terrestrial beings has become more common in the modern day due to the emergence of the internet and the viral nature of conspiracy theories and sightings. The recent spate of western movies dealing with concepts of inter-galactic journey, genetically evolved super-human beings and time-travel have helped promote the alien theory, but the pertinent question still remains: If aliens created humans, who created the aliens? It may now be time to acknowledge the fact that we are probably not alone in this universe. There is a higher intelligence, in whatever form that might be, observing us and probably guiding us, through to our destiny.

Tata Tigor Petrol Review 2018 Refresh

The Tata Tigor is a compact sedan from the stables of Tata Motors. Powered by a 1.2 litre 3-cylinder Revotron petrol engine, this smart-looking car is a head-turner. This brief review is for the manual top-end variant (XZ+) of the petrol version of the car.

The Tigor stands out for its distinctly fresh appearance, bold lines and aggressive stance. The top variant comes with dual-chambered projector head-lamps, fog lamps and LED tail-lamps. Auto-retractable ORVM(s) are a handy feature which are usually available in high-end full-featured sedans but Tata Motors has introduced this feature in the Tigor and it is a welcome addition.

The ground clearance of 170 mm and dual-tone 15-inch alloy wheels help the Tigor tide over bumpy roads and obstacles like a breeze. Handling and suspension are superb and power-delivery is smooth. Contrary to what some would say, the Tigor offers sufficient power (84 bhp @ 6000 rpm) and torque (114 Nm @ 3500 rpm) for both city rides as well as long trips on the highway. The engine uses latest technology and offers two modes: City (for better power and torque) and Economy (for better fuel-efficiency).

Cooling and air-conditioning is impressive and the 8-speaker Harman-Kardon music system is a real treat for the occupants of the car. Safety has always been on the priority list of Tata Motors and the Tigor is no exception. The build-quality is excellent and this leads to the overall heavy weight of the car. Although this may compromise the fuel-efficiency of the car by a couple of kilometres to the litre, it increases the stability of the car and guarantees peace of mind.

The Tigor XZ+ comes with a 7-inch integrated infotainment system compatible with Android Auto. The fully automated climate control feature integrates into the large touch-screen system and the controls are super-responsive. The dashboard is nicely designed and the gear shifts are slick. The tilt power steering offers good control and balance and it comes integrated with bluetooth and audio controls. Overall, the cabin is spacious and the seats are ergonomically comfortable.

In comparison to the other compact sedans in its class, which are more expensive, The Tigor is a well-built package and is a good value-for-money proposition. Considering the safety aspects, fuel-efficiency and on-board features, it is definitely recommended for those who wish to be a part of the sedan experience.