What is 'Breaking News'? Is it really 'Breaking'? Is every news 'Breaking' news?

What is 'Breaking news'? Is it really 'breaking'?

Is every news 'Breaking' news?

Well the words ‘Breaking news’ are important! But let us understand the word ‘Breaking’ that precedes the word ‘news’.

Breaking news is the news (or a part of it) reported about a significant event/incident as it unfolds, or is happening at that moment.

It is not ‘breaking’ to report something after an event has already happened, and it is over.

Some news channels, just to keep up the TRP, use the word ‘Breaking’ before every ‘news’!

(BTW, TRP stands for Television Rating Point)

Thus the word ‘Breaking’ has become a cliché.

Also the time factor is important. Normal standards in journalism state that the news should not be more than an hour old. Also what is 'breaking' changes from region to region.

So let us understand when should the word ‘Breaking’ actually follow the word ‘News’.

Suppose it is the World Cup Cricket final match at the Wankhede (Mumbai).

India is chasing a target to win the trophy, and become a World Champion.

Now, this event is unfolding, and is happening (in progress). So now if at a crucial stage India loses a wicket, and the news channels show it as a ‘Breaking News’ (more like a latest update!) it is acceptable.

Conclusion:

Understand that ‘Breaking’ is bringing the latest about an incident which is currently (and that stage) developing or happening.

Cheers!

What is a CO (Cover Order)? Trading related!

What is a 'CO' in trading?

What are the features?

What are its benefits, and when to use it? 

CO means ‘Cover Order’. (This is strictly MIS - INTRADAY)

This is very useful when you are fairly sure of the movement of a stock.

Let us learn from an example:

Suppose a stock is currently trading at 100. You are fairly certain that the stock will move upwards, and will hit 110 during the day.

You have 5000 rupees in your trading account. With this money you would be able to buy only 50 shares. But if you place a CO order, you will be able to buy a lot more of these shares. So this is the extra leverage you get.

To use this you must specify a Stop Loss (SL) while placing the order. This will make it easier to ascertain your total risk.

Meaning, you can place a CO with a Stop Loss of 95. So you may in this case be allowed to trade with 200 quantities (remember you could have only traded 50 shares!) because you have cleared that your risk is 5 per share. So you may hold more number of shares, and decide to book profits when the price hits 110 which was your target, or even before that!

Therefore because Zerodha (stock broker) knew that the total risk was 200 x 5 = 1000 rupees (and you have 5000 in your account). If the price hits 95, your position will be squared off.

What you need to clarify is your Stop Loss while placing the CO order. Thus your broker (in this case Zerodha) will know the limited risk.

Conclusion:

Due to this CO feature you are able to trade in more quantities. This applies to trading in futures too.

Hope this helped!

Cheers!

Samajik doori aur swasthya! (सामाजिक दूरी और स्वस्थ्य) Social distancing and health!

Samajik doori aur swasthya! 

(सामाजिक दूरी और स्वस्थ्य)

 Social distancing and health!

A student requested for an article (100 words approximately) in Hindi on this topic on Quora!
Here is my response: (You could use it for your homework!)

Hi! (शुद्धलेखन की त्रुटिओंको क्षमा करें)


हम सब इस समय COVID -19 वैश्विक महामारी से युद्ध कर रहें है। इस बीमारी का कोई उपचार अभी उपलब्ध नहीं है।


इस कारण बचाव करना ही एकमात्र विकल्प हमारे समक्ष है। COVID-19 का संक्रमण एक व्यक्ति से अन्य में तब होता है जब वह एक दुसरे के संपर्क में आते हैं।

अतः सामाजिक दूरी बनाये रखना अनिवार्य है। सामजिक दूरी से अधिक अच्छा शब्द प्रयोग 'शारीरिक अंतर' है। यदि हम सब दूरी बनाये रखे, तो हम इस संक्रामक कोरोना वायरस पर नियंत्रण कर पाएंगे।

यश प्राप्त करने के लिए हमें इन बातों का ध्यान रखना होगा।

१. आवश्यकता होने पर ही घर से बहार निकलें।

२. मुखावरण (mask) का उपयोग करें।

३. आर्थिक व्यवहार 'digital' पद्धति से करें।

४. सदैव आपस में दो गज का अंतर बनाये रखे।

५. Hand sanitizer से हस्त प्रक्षालन करें।

हमें अब सकारात्मक दृष्टिकोण से आगे बढ़ना है और निश्चित ही हम इस त्रासदी से मुक्त हो जाएंगे यह विश्वास बनाये रखना है।



Hope this helped!

Cheers!

Why Hindi/Sanskrit is more scientific than English? What are the advantages of the Hindi/Sanskrit language?

Why Hindi/Sanskrit is more scientific than English?

The answer to this question was requested to me on Quora. Here is my response....

Hi!

Introduction:

Before I answer the question, let us accept the fact that every language has its own merits. The English language is the language of the world. When you put across any idea in English, the world can understand. So when I state my points about the greatness of the Hindi language (Sanskrit is the mother language!), keep in mind that in no way am I undermining the power of the English language. I teach English, and this question has been asked, and is being answered, and will be read in English!



Now to the answer -


Yes. The Hindi language (born from Sanskrit) is very scientific, and has its own advantages. Let us study them one by one -

1. Separate letters for specific sounds -

Unlike English, the Hindi alphabet is very sophisticated. Each letter makes a unique, distinct sound. The punctuation ensures that when a word is written, there can be no ambiguity about how it has to be pronounced.

Compare that to the confusion in the English language -

The ‘-ch-’ can make three sounds!
श - (sh) chandelier or champagne, च - (ch) challenge or change, and क - (ka) Character or Chemical.

Thus the one who is well aware of these words will make an accurate pronunciation. Others will make an embarrassing error!

2. Words define themselves -

Let us consider an example: The planet Jupiter.




The word ‘Jupiter’ used in English is a Greek contribution, and it is a Greek God.
Look at the Hindi/Sanskrit term for it - Guru (गुरु)

Now, a guru (a mentor/a teacher/a guide) is greater than all! That is why this name has been assigned to the largest planet in the solar system.

How thoughtful!

3. The existence of the words show the depth -

For all modern discoveries, Sanskrit/Hindi has a word (translation) that is more to the point.
An example:


John Dalton is created with the atomic theory conveyed in the early 1800s.

However the name ‘atom’ comes from the Greek word - ‘atomos’ which means ‘uncuttable’. This is from the 5th century BC.

But from thousands of years before all of this, the ancient Hindu scriptures have used and referred to this small entity as ‘aanoo’ (आणू) and the sub-atomic particles as ‘param-aanoo’ (परम + आणू = परमाणु)

This understanding shows the depth of the language, and the quality of knowledge that its users had.

4. The rich vocabulary that reflects scientific understanding -

Of a million examples, I will present just one to expatiate on this point.

In Hindi/Sanskrit, the root ‘shwa’ (श्व ) is used for respiration - inhalation and exhalation.
Also, the prefix ‘a’ (अ) is used to create an antonym.

Now observe how etymology in Sanskrit/Hindi works!

A dog, since he breathes rapidly, is called - Shwaan - श्वान



A horse that never gasps after hard work or a run is called Ashwa - अश्व !





I hope I was able to add some value to your understanding!
Once again, I wish to say that every language has its own merits, and let’s face it - The English language is a global language. It has evolved by the contribution from almost all the other languages.

Hope you liked it!

Cheers!

English words with Sanskrit/Hindi origin! English words that have a Sanskrit origin!

English words with Sanskrit/Hindi origin!

Words from Sanskrit into English!

Everything originated in India, and went across the border to the world!
Here are some samples of Sanskrit/Hindi words that made their way into the English language.

Some examples in the list will leave you flabbergasted!
I am sure!

Table # 1

 Table # 2

Conclusion:

There are more, but these samples show that the exchange of words keeps happening, and how the languages keep evolving.

Cheers!

How to use the smileys? Are smileys/emoticons a part of the standard English punctuation? Why?

A very experienced Quora member (by the name Gopalkrishna) asked me this question:

Would you approve of symbols like the smiley “ :)” being accepted as standard English punctuation? What more can you suggest?

Here was my response to the intriguing question....

Hi Gopalkrishna!

Thanks for the request! Honoured to answer your query Sir!

This is an exhaustive topic. There are many dimensions to this. I will certainly present my view.

First of all, I believe that the purpose of any language is to establish communication. If the ideas/thoughts are not successfully communicated the existence of a language is futile.


As far as the English language is concerned, it has evolved over time, and has changed with the changing times. English has adopted words from almost all the languages.
The syntax also has adapted with the changing requirements.

Let me quote an example:
In my childhood there was a clear, distinct use of ‘will’ and ‘shall’.
I still recollect the expression on my teacher’s face if I ever messed up.
Today, things have changed. ‘Will’ is the dominant form in today’s world.

So what about the fast moving 21st century?

The generation of today wants to communicate fast, and communicate effectively. Let us also understand that during the 80s and the 90s the computer chatting was not so common. Social media wasn’t an ‘in’ thing!

Therefore we have to accept the fact that the needs have changed. The need for the ‘shortcut lingo’ arose when the SMS had limitations for the number of characters.
So, “I am fine. See you tonight.” became -

The word ‘cool’ which indicated a low temperature, acquired the new meaning ‘very good’.

However, smileys ARE NOT punctuation marks!


Altering the meaning, formal and informal language differences are alright, but to contemplate smileys and emoticons as standard English punctuation marks is too much!
No!


Not for the next five years. I know in 2025 I might have to write an entirely different article on this.
The SMS lingo I presented above, came into being due to the need to save money. Still it cannot be accepted as proper language in the exams.

I can hear some students protesting “Sir, but it saves time!”



I believe that the English language already provides a lot of scope for contractions.
I am - I’m
They have - They’ve etc.


Smileys and emoticons convey emotions, and if you have noticed they are added after the sentence has already ended.

Example 1:

Do bring a cake for me. :D

Here the sentence was over, and the smiley later just added to the sentiments.
So if that’s the case why not write/type…

Do bring a cake for me!
A single exclamatory mark did it!

Example 2:

What are you doing? >:-(

Instead why not write/type…

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
The use of capital letters for emphasis and the question mark at the end did it!



Anyway, if one is using the smileys, they are not writing anything formal.

Conclusion:

No. smileys are emotions. They are not to be considered as punctuation marks.
For casual chats, and to exchange trivial messages is one thing, but they do not have a place in the formal documentation. At least yet!


Hope I was able to satiate your thirst!

Cheers! 

Should the writers not use difficult words? Perspicuity! How to maintain the balance while writing?

Being perspicuous! Maintaining the balance!

The writing style - Using difficult words

I was asked this question on Quora.com

So, should the writers always stick to lucid language?
Here is my solution:


The purpose of any language is to communicate ideas, and exchange thoughts successfully. If that does not happen then the existence of a language becomes futile. That does not mean, not to use words that are fancy, or new for the receivers. It all comes down to what you are writing.



Let us consider the following situations:

1. You are writing a note for a friend, typing a chat line for your friend, or typing a text message-

In this case if you flaunt your vocabulary, your friends might lose interest (unless someone like me was your friend!). While casually chatting with friends, making a quick plan, be simple and straight. Use lucid language. End it fast!



2. You are writing a book -


In this situation, you have a good scope of using terms that might be new for your readers. Not a lot, but surely the readers will always welcome a new word from time to time. That is why they read, don’t they?



3. You are writing a script (Drama/Movie):


In this case you can use some high profile words, but again not too many. Imagine the plight of the audience, who cannot react to things because they cannot decipher the message!



4. You are writing a news report/article:


This one requires a very fine balance. You shouldn’t be too simple, and at the same time, not so much a ‘vocabulary-teacher’, that people don’t bother to continue reading.


Therefore you have to strike a balance-

Too easy (normal), and the report loses its spice.
Too complex, and the report is too spicy to digest!



For the writers - (to conclude)
Of course, the writers must realize that in a bid to make things very simple to comprehend at times, there must not be any compromise on using the required, authentic terminology.


For instance: A dead body cannot and should not be anything other than a cadaver in the medical field.
Then the writer must not use ‘a dead body’ to make the readers understand. It is ‘a cadaver’. Simple!



A typical doubt: What if I use the words that I know, but the listener, or the reader doesn’t know about them?


NEVER be apprehensive about displaying your vocabulary just because you think the listener might not have heard about it! Just don’t be ostentatious.
It is as hilarious as you going to a restaurant and not ordering ‘a sandwich’ because you think the waiter might not have heard of it!
Well, as a writer, it is our duty to spread the knowledge, and we must do it albeit with subtlety.






The readers read due to the trust that they stand a good chance to enhance their understanding. They have a faith in the writer that there will be something new added to what they already knew. The writers must keep this trust intact.


Hope I was able to satiate your need.


Cheers!

English vocabulary question on Quora - Shashi Tharoor and me!

"Can you beat Shashi Tharoor in vocabulary?"

I was asked this question on Quora. Let me share my response to it with you...

Here is what I wrote to Om as my reply....(Enjoy!)


Hi Om!
Thanks for this very intriguing question!

Shashi Tharoor is the one man who makes you reach for the lexicon the most!
He is a language aficionado! He is very good at vocabulary, and is a very senior speaker. So I am sure he is much better than I.

1. He came into limelight with the word ‘farrago’ which then some dictionaries did not have! (Meaning: a confused mixture)

2. He also comes up with good Hinglish terms - a good one is webaqoof (Meaning: One who believes every claim on the social media)



However, there is one word that I had used in my lectures previously and that was -
floccinaucinihilipilification -

“Why on earth did I have to mention this word to innocent students you ask….”

The thing is we were studying vowels, and while on the topic, I mentioned that the most used letter in the English language is ‘E’. One of the students asked me about the longest word without a single ‘E’, and I had taught them this word then which is the longest word in the OED (Oxford English Dictionary)

Also then I revealed that there was an experiment conducted by the writer Ernest Wright where he successfully wrote a novel (imagine not a word, not a sentence, but a novel!) without using a single ‘e’ in the book. The name of the Novel is Gadsby. (Year - 1939)

To achieve this he had disabled the ‘E’ button on his typewriter so that he would not even type it accidentally.
What is ironic is that his name begins with ‘E’.



Anyway, I reckon Shashi Tharoor is definitely superior to me!



Let me end by sharing a 45 letter word -
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis -
 (it is respiratory disorder… I surmise the patient will die before the doctor pronounces the malady!)



Hope you enjoyed!
Cheers!

What tobacco does to your body? World No Tobacco Day! How to stay away from addictive tobacco?

What tobacco does to your body?

How to stay away from the addictive tobacco?

May 31 

 WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY!

           

 Reasons why you should quit tobacco TODAY!

Before proceeding further, I would like to clarify that it is not just tobacco consumption in the form of smoking, that I am talking about. Make no mistake it is 'World No TOBACCO Day!'

Consumption of tobacco in any form is just as lethal as any other.

1. Cigarette
2. Beedi
3. Cigar
4. Hookah
5. Sheesha
6. Tobacco chewing
7. Kreteks
8. Snuffing
9. Khainee
10. E-Cigarettes (the latest killer!)

ONE:

Tobacco is addictive:

      

 Tobacco contains Nicotine which is the prime addictive chemical. Nicotine increases the chemical 'dopamine' that makes you believe that you're happy and relaxed. But this is ONLY an illusion. 

In reality, you become addict and simply find it irresistible. As you continue, you bring your doom closer and closer.

According to information on Wikipedia, five million deaths occur due to smoking every year.

TWO:

Tobacco is expensive and kills your dreams: 

Tobacco is expensive. Not just literally, but think about it. You spend your hard earned money to buy something that is pure evil. Later when your health deteriorates, you invest even more funds to regain your health. 

What this does is, that it takes away your hard-earned money. The funds could have been utilized for so many better and more meaningful things.

THREE:

Puts your near and dear ones around you at risk:

   

When you smoke, those around you also suffer. This is known as 'passive smoking'. Your loved ones will have to pay the price for your negligence. It has been observed that the children get allergic to the toxic smoke, but they can do little other than suffer in silence. It is your responsibility to understand what is right and act!

FOUR:

The next generation inadvertently picks up the ill-habit:

  

It is very common for the children to pick up the ill-habit of smoking from their parents. Tobacco in any form is dangerous. Children look up to their parents and if the parents are addicted to smoking the children easily acquire this habit.

The reverse is also true by the way.

If you successfully quit smoking, you can easily inspire others to stay away from this lethal habit. 

  

FIVE:

Deteriorates your health:

This is 100% inevitable if you smoke or consume tobacco in any form! 

What is really perplexing is that the cigarette packets do come with a statutory warning: "Smoking is injurious to health" on top of that there is even an image of someone who is going through hell, and yet there is a need to spread awareness via such blog posts! 

I call these guys - 'educated illiterates'!

The following are the hazards of tobacco consumption:

 

How to quit smoking? How to stop consumption of tobacco?

"Consult your doctor today!!"

1. Nicotine replacement  therapy - There are many products available in the market that help you get rid of the addiction. You should consider them after a consultation with your doctor.

      2. Behavioural treatment - This happens at three levels - 

               a) Psycho-education

               b) Aversion therapy

               c) Social support

Beware of how your mind fools you - 

If you think that you will gradually reduce the intake of your cigarettes/beedis, your mind is playing tricks with you.

Here is the secret....

 Imagine you used to smoke 10 cigarettes a day. Now you decide to bring the number down to 5. You may take this as development. 

It is NOT.

Your brain is smarter. While smoking those 5 cigarettes you apply double the pressure to make the most out of those 5 cigarettes. Thus with those 5 cigarettes you cause the same damage as 10 cigarettes a day. 

I hope you got it. 

 The way to quit smoking is to make it ZERO. That's it!

 The conclusion:

Stop making excuses and quit today! Tobacco is extremely hazardous for you, and your family. Consult your doctor and seek their guidance and yes, you can thank me later for this!

Hope you liked this article written on the occasion of 'WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY'.

This article covered:

1. What tobacco does for you? 
2. How to stay away from the addiction?
3. Hazards of tobacco.
4. How does tobacco damage your body?
5. How to quit smoking?

 Do leave your feedback and comments!

Cheers!