Enigma Solution

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." ~ Marie Curie Usually the most ignorant, are the most fearful.  COVID-19 has scared the living daylights out of most people. Yet everyone is a self appointed expert on the subject, making rules that hamper rather than help. ______________________ About a month ago, our younger son Pavit complained of a persistent runny nose and sore throat. So Pavit got himself tested only to discover that he was COVID-19 virus positive. We consulted our family doctor who was treating some friends of ours.  He went through the reports instructed to isolate the whole family from the outside world and from Pavit within the house and to also get everyone at home tested. After testing it was discovered that everyone in the family were negative except my wife Mohini and I even though we were asymptomatic. The doctor asked us not to panic as the virus load was low and he adv...

With Coronavirus on the rampage and government ordered lockdown in place, many people are feeling disturbed. They  complain incessantly about the inconvenience. To them I would say, "Nothing can be more inconvenient than death". Here are some sobering facts about COVID-19 Coronavirus's trail of destruction that, at the time of writing this article. Here are the global figures, (India's figures in brackets) on the impact so far. Infections Number of Infections, currently stand at 1,014,493  (India 2,567) Numbers of infections are doubling every week.  If the disease remains unchecked and if there is widespread person to person contact, then theoretically speaking, at this rate barring those who exist in isolation the entire world's population will be infected within 14 weeks. Many people will be slightly or even completely unaware that they have been infected. They will at worst, experience some mild discomfort and go on with their normal live...

Readers asked an important question, what were the chances of survival, were someone  contracted COVID-19 Coronavirus. No one really knows, but here are some facts. The factors that lead to higher chances of fatality are Age, pre-existing health issues with Cancer, Cardio vascular disease, diabetes, place of residence and work, government policies and their ability to enforce them. **Age factor** [World Health Organisation](https://www.who.int/) (WHO) reported a global ‘snapshot’ death rate of 3.4 percent. China has the most experience and The [Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention](http://www.chinacdc.cn/en/)(CCDC) reported an  age wise death rate of patients 80s  -  14.8% 70s  -     8% 60s  -   3.6% 50s  -    1.3% 49 and below 0.5% WHO reports for other countries are Italy     7% (the epicentre of the pandemic in Europe) Spain  3.1% CCDC study also shows the following fatali...

A new idea is delicate.  It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn.  It can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man's brow. - Ovid

The Reign of Darius the Great marked the zenith of the Persian Empire. Upholding the tradition and values established by Cyrus the Great, Darius valued the rights of all people under his rule and respected the culture, language and religion of subdued nations.  The Persian Empire demonstrated for the first time how diverse peoples can culturally flourish and economically prosper under one central government. The first system of federal governments was started in the Persian Empire. There were many (nations) states that were run by smaller local kings who were under the great king or Shahan-Shah (King of Kings) and ultimately a courthouse.  The following inscription appears on his tomb: “By the favor of the great God I believe in justice and abhor inequity. It is not my desire that the weak man should have wrong done to him by the mighty.” ... Darius' goal was to be a great law-giver and organizer. He structured the empire under the satrapy system (similar to nation...

A year ago a very dear uncle passed away. I had gone to meet him a couple of days before he passed away.  It is always painful to see a loved one approaching their end. My uncle just lay there very calmly and composed as if in a deep sleep. I said a silent prayer for this kind and wonderful man who has brought joy to many people in his life. I prayed that he be allowed to go from this world with dignity and in the natural way. The family sat dignified and composed,  only the stooped shoulders, dark patches under the red eyes revealed the deep anguish within their hearts. They were practical and respectful of my uncle to know when to stop fighting and to yield to God's will. My mind raced across the past to review the passing away of other people and even organisations. Just like people, organisations also have a life. This life should be loved, nurtured and developed to grow and thrive,  and then be allowed to die respectfully when its time is up. Drive...