General

Anime is a term that refers to a style of Japanese animated entertainment that has become increasingly popular around the world. The word “anime” is derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the English word “animation”. While it originated in Japan, anime has a dedicated fanbase all over the world, with millions of people tuning in to watch the latest episodes of their favorite shows.

Japanese Animations are well-known for its distinct visual style that features colorful characters with large eyes and exaggerated facial expressions. It covers a wide range of genres, from action-adventure to romance, science fiction to comedy. Anime also often tackles complex themes and topics, including politics, social issues, and philosophy.

The history of anime can be traced back to the early 1900s, when Japanese filmmakers began experimenting with animation techniques. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s and 70s that anime began to develop its own unique identity. This period saw the rise of popular anime series such as “Astro Boy” and “Gatchaman”, which helped to establish many of the tropes and themes that would come to define the genre.

Today, anime continues to thrive in Japan and around the world, with countless new shows being produced every year. It has become a major cultural export, with many anime series being dubbed into multiple languages and distributed globally. Anime also has a strong presence online, with dedicated fan communities and streaming platforms making it easier than ever to access and enjoy anime content.

Anime is a unique and diverse form of animated entertainment that has captured the hearts of millions of people around the world. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious about the genre, there’s no denying the impact that anime has had on popular culture, and its influence shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

There is a significant growth over the past few decades for Anime in terms of its popularity and its impact on global culture. From its early origins in Japan to its current status as a major cultural export, anime has become an important part of the entertainment industry and a beloved art form for millions of fans around the world.

One factor contributing to anime’s growth has been its expanding availability through various media channels. In the past, anime was primarily distributed through VHS tapes or DVDs, limiting its reach to a niche audience. However, with the advent of online streaming services and digital downloads, anime has become more accessible than ever. Popular streaming platforms such as Crunchyroll and Funimation provide fans with easy access to thousands of anime titles, many of which are subtitled or dubbed in multiple languages.

Anime’s growing popularity can also be attributed to the global appeal of Japanese pop culture. Anime has played a significant role in the spread of Japanese culture around the world, with fans embracing everything from Japanese fashion and music to food and technology. Japanese anime studios have also capitalized on this trend by creating content that appeals to international audiences, including English-speaking voice actors and diverse storylines.

Moreover, anime has gained a new generation of fans through the popularity of social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. These platforms allow fans to create and share their own anime-inspired content, from cosplay photos to fan art and memes. This has helped to build a vibrant online community of anime enthusiasts who share their love for the medium and engage with new and classic anime titles.

Finally, the increased recognition and critical acclaim for anime has contributed to its growth. Anime films such as “Your Name” and “Weathering With You” have received worldwide acclaim, winning awards and breaking box office records. The success of these films, as well as the growing appreciation for anime as an art form, has helped to raise the profile of anime and attract new fans.

In conclusion,  anime’s growth can be attributed to a variety of factors, including its expanding availability through digital platforms, its global appeal, the popularity of social media, and its increasing recognition as an important art form. As anime continues to evolve and gain new fans around the world, it is clear that it has become a major cultural force with a bright future ahead.

Written by: Rtr. Sivashanker Sivacumaran

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

In the year 2023, the world was shaken by the news of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. The bank, which had been a mainstay of the technology and life science industries for a long time, had encountered mounting financial difficulties due to a series of bad loans and risky investments. Although Silicon Valley Bank attempted to strengthen its finances, it was unable to halt the increasing losses and eventually became insolvent, leading to its takeover by the FDIC.

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank had a profound impact on the financial industry. As a major player in the technology and life science sectors, the bank’s downfall sent shockwaves through these industries. Many companies suddenly found themselves without access to the financing and banking services they relied on to fuel their growth. The loss of this vital support threatened to stifle innovation and development, potentially having long-term implications for the global economy.

The Financial Crisis of 2008

The 2008 financial crash was a significant global crisis that shook the entire financial industry, resulting in the collapse of several large banks, massive job losses, and a recession that affected multiple countries. The crisis began in the US and was caused by a combination of factors, including poor regulation, excessive risk-taking, and the collapse of the housing market. In this blog, we will discuss the events that led up to the banking crash of 2008, the consequences of it, and the lessons that we can learn from it.

The Roots of the Crisis

The roots of the crisis can be traced back to the early 2000s when the US housing market began to boom. Lenders, eager to make profits, started issuing subprime mortgages to people with poor credit ratings. These loans were bundled together and sold as mortgage-backed securities (MBSs) to investors worldwide. The problem was that the value of these securities was based on the assumption that the housing market would continue to rise indefinitely. When the housing market collapsed in 2007, the value of the securities plummeted, leading to significant losses for investors.

Another contributing factor was the deregulation of the financial industry that started in the 1980s. Banks and other financial institutions were permitted to engage in risky investment practices, such as trading in derivatives and other complex financial instruments, without proper oversight or regulation. This led to a situation where banks took on too much risk, and when the crisis hit, they were unable to absorb the losses.

The Consequences

The financial crash of 2008 had far-reaching consequences that were felt worldwide. Many of the world’s largest banks, including Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, and Merrill Lynch, collapsed or were forced to merge with other institutions. In the US alone, more than 500 banks failed, leading to massive job losses and a deep recession. The crisis also had a significant impact on other countries, especially those that had heavily invested in the US housing market.

Governments worldwide had to take swift action to prevent a complete collapse of the financial system. Central banks lowered interest rates and injected massive amounts of liquidity into the markets, while governments passed stimulus packages to keep the economy afloat. The crisis also resulted in a global recession that lasted for several years, with many countries struggling to recover.

Lessons Learned

The banking crash of 2008 was a wake-up call for the financial industry and policymakers worldwide. It highlighted the need for better regulation and oversight of the financial system to prevent excessive risk-taking and the accumulation of systemic risk. Several regulatory reforms were implemented after the crisis, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in the US and the Basel III accord internationally. These reforms aimed to increase transparency and accountability in the financial industry, as well as to reduce the likelihood of another crisis.

The crisis also emphasized the importance of risk management in the financial industry. Banks and other financial institutions need to have robust risk management processes in place to identify, assess, and manage risks effectively. This includes stress testing and scenario analysis to evaluate the impact of adverse market conditions on their portfolios.

Another lesson from the crisis is the significance of avoiding conflicts of interest in the financial industry. Banks and other financial institutions need to maintain a clear separation between their trading and investment activities and their other businesses, such as retail banking. This will help prevent situations where banks take on excessive risk to generate profits, at the expense of their customers and the wider economy.

The Present

Coming back to the present, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank is a stark reminder of the risks inherent in the financial industry, and of the importance of maintaining vigilance and oversight to prevent another global financial crisis. But by applying the lessons learned from the past, hopefully the industry will be able to weather the storm and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.

Written by: Rtr. Lakshan Banneheke

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

Embracing the true spirit of the holiday season, the Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business  School planned “A Christmas to Remember” project to celebrate Christmas in 2022. This project  was organized by community services avenue. 

Marking the true significance of Christmas by giving more than receiving, the purpose of the  project was to help the less fortunate during Christmas. In phase one of “A Christmas to  Remember”, we raised funds to provide essential groceries to people in need. Phase 1 of the  project kicked off on December 16 and was completed on December 28, 2022. We successfully collected monetary donations in Phase 1 of the project.  

Uncle Christo, who works at the Achievers Lanka Business School has been struggling financially  due to the economic impacts of Sri Lanka. He has been a great help to the Rotaract Club as well.  We, therefore, decided to show our gratitude by supporting him financially in his most difficult  moments. Therefore, dry rations, stationary donations worth LKR 13,000, and an LKR 2000  voucher to purchase fresh produce were gifted to Uncle Christo, from the collected monetary  funds.

In Phase 2 of “A Christmas to Remember”, the members of the Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka  Business School along with the Rotaract members from RACNSBM, RAC Alumni of the University  of Moratuwa and RAC Colombo Mid City got together to spend an evening purposefully with  elders at Methodist Elders’ Home-Kirulapone. We celebrated the wonderful Christmas by Singing  Carols and creating memories with the elders. In addition to Phase 2 of the project, “A Christmas  to Remember”, the “Food Voyager – Phase 2” project took place at the elders’ home. Together  with all the participants and the elders, we made Christmas cookies and decorated them. Phase  2 of the two projects took place on December 28th from 2:30 P.M. onwards. Since sharing is  caring, the baked cookies were then shared among participants and elders, making the month of  December memorable.

This concludes the lineup of the project “A Christmas to Remember” for the 2nd Quarter by the  Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School. Carrying the festive spirit, love, and goodwill  in our hearts, we celebrated Christmas in 2022 by giving back to the community.

Written by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

The Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School transitioned to yet another glorious year with their 13th Installation Ceremony. This marked an unforgettable day in the calendar of RACALBS, as the newly appointed board of officials began their year of “Redefining a Legacy”.

The ceremony was a sight to see! The path leading to the stage was illuminated with jars of flowers and fairy lights, and the event begun with the lighting of the oil lamp decorated beautifully by the incoming board members.

The outgoing president Rtr. Bipash Suriyage called the ceremony to order, followed by the National Anthem, Rotaract Formalities, and welcome address by the project chairpersons Rtr. Seshan Kingsley and Rtr. Zulfiquar Aysha.

Next, the guests got a glimpse into the club’s amazing journey throughout the past year with the secretary’s report presented by Rtr. Sandithi Jagoda.

Then came the time for the outgoing president to address the gathering one last time.

In his speech, Rtr. Bipash fondly reminisced his year as president. After presenting tokens of appreciation and certificates to several dignitaries and his board of directors, Rtr. Bipash received a token from his board members.

It was finally time to introduce the incoming president of the club, Rtr. Sandithi Jagoda, who was collared as the 13th President of RACALBS!

Rtr. Sandithi addressed the gathering as the newly appointed president, following which she inducted her new board of directors.

District Rotaract Representative Rtn. Rtr. PP Ahamed Hussain, District Rotaract Chair Rtn. PP Farzana Khan, and Chief Guest and President of the Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town Rtn. Dhamitha Pathirana then took the stage to address the audience.

Rtr. Sandithi then presented tokens to several dignitaries, followed by felicitations and the vote of thanks delivered by the newly appointed secretary Rtr. Vinuri Ramanayake.

The event ended with a beautiful rendition of ‘Master Sir’ by directors Rtr. Mahira Dissanayake and Rtr. Hiruni Hettiarachchi, with Rtr. Sandithi terminating the 13th Installation Ceremony of RACALBS.

Written by: Rtr. Hiruni Hettiarachchi

Photographs courtesy of Charaka Welihinda Photography

Although we are all destined to live on this planet, how we live does make a difference. We prefer to look the best and dress according to fashion. The purpose of life gets enhanced by fashion, and it updates us about current trends. Before getting to know a person, the first impression we notice is how they dress and look. Therefore, it can be stated that fashion is a silent language.

“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of life”

– Bill Cunningham

Meaning of Fashion

Our level of life is raised and improved through fashion. The way we act, the technology we use, and everything else we pick are all based on current trends.

Have you ever considered where we spend the majority of our earnings? Most of our income is spent on fashion-related expenses such as shopping, branded things, and eating out. The majority of us are not going to think of dining outdoors as a part of fashion, but it is. Starting from scratch, up until it gets served to customers, the entire process of the food-making and dining experience is an art. When it comes to outdoor dining, the expansion of food trucks along the roadways is a reflection of the growing trend of eating from mobile kitchens. 

Fashion goes hand in hand with the food industry when the customers bring value to it. A great example would be, having fun in the great outdoors and uploading images, and videos on social media. This builds social media trends and marketing standards to promote businesses and much more.

The need to keep up with the latest styles and trends in fashion is what usually drives many of us to work harder and earn more money. Fashion allows us to conceal our physical defects and seem more appealing, boosting our self-actualization and confidence.

Additionally, we can argue that fashion plays a significant part in the generation gap. If we were to look at old photographs of our parents and grandparents, we would notice that they all used to dress differently. They had various hairstyles and chose different colors and shoes. All these are according to the trends and social acceptances of the time.

“Fashion is about something that comes from within you”

– Ralph Lauren

We should acknowledge that fashion is a significant aspect of life that cannot be ignored. It is something that connects you to society is fashion. For instance, the once-famous tech giant Nokia collapsed because it failed to innovate in line with the trend, although its competitors did with rapid adaptability. In the information and technology field, Apple company made sure to set technological trends and standards. It resulted in them having the highest long-term customer base in the market. The Apple company became globally famous because of their insightfulness and detail in their product with impeccable customer satisfaction.

Fashion nowadays plays a significant role in people’s lives. It now serves as a means of expression. It never fails to draw attention and is accessible to everyone, regardless of age. Do not slow down no matter how old you are; instead, enjoy every moment to the utmost.

Written by: Rtr. Ashfaq Ahamed

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

Friendship happens when someone believes the best in you at all times; it can also mean many things. Sometimes, it can be someone that protects you when you cannot stand up for yourself. A friend is someone who will be standing in your corner, ready to help you at any time. A friend will push you to be the best version of yourself and is the first to stand and clap for you when you succeed. A true friendship is God’s way of reaching down and hugging you at your best and at your worst. Also, a true friendship is easygoing without many conflicts.
As there are so many things in this world that stress and force heartache, worrying about having a friend must be the least of worries in life. I would love to be a friend that is always there no matter what. A supportive, trustworthy, loyal, and always down for a good cocktail!

Somewhere along the way in life, there is a shift – from the ties of childhood and college memories to an actual connection that spreads beyond social commitment. Our extra time lessens as our ability to navigate through the negativities in life heightens. And that’s when we identify with those who will be with us for the long haul. We may not speak every day or every week but when the conversation and connection happen, it will last over. When you are in need, your closest friends will make you a priority and help you out; such a bond is no longer called friendship – it is called family.

Friendship, in my opinion, has a whole new meaning in this season of life. It is your gift to pick and choose and build your team member by member by knowing the value of the power and bond you share. A true friend loves the imperfect you, the confused you, the wrong you – because that is the real you. All at the same time, they celebrate you, cheer for you and show up for you, no questions asked. Although, it may not be a big group, but a solid and genuine friend that expects nothing more than your company in return. Throughout my twenties, I’ve learned so much about genuine love and realized the importance of cultivating relationships and surrounding yourself with people who get you on a soul level.

We all have people in our lives who come and go – seasonal friends if you will. But, the older I get, the more thankful I am for those few friends who are genuine women in my life whom I never have to question. They show up in every way – and it’s easy. As I’m rounding out my twenties, I have not only learned a lot but have also been continually reminded that this is the age and stage of life where a lot of those life-long friendships get cultivated.

I have always been more of a few ‘best’ friends rather than lots of acquaintances kind of person, and close relationships mean everything to me. I would like to see soft-hearted, strong-minded, and humble as some of the main qualities of my best friends. Such friends will always think alike and will not talk behind your back as they respect the bond of friendship they have with you. Also, I can simply look at them and they will know what I’m thinking. A long-lasting friend would not hesitate to get down on their knees and pray behalf.

When it comes to finding long-lasting friends, I appreciate assertive women because they are an inspiration to me and they have been through many hurdles in life. Those that faced many challenges in life, always have a story to tell, as those stories are valuable life lessons that shaped them. These are the ones whom you should run into and get advice when you are in need or feeling down. Women who support that way without hesitation genuinely would want the best for us.

To sum up, in order to have long-lasting friends, we need to understand who are the ones we know will defend us. And trust us with their whole hearts, as well as understand what unconditional love truly means and prove it.

Written by: Rtr. Amatulla Aliasger

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

Before we understand the concept of gender equality, we need to ensure that we have a fundamental idea of what equality means. Making sure that each individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents, despite the major demographic factors inclusive of religion, race, and gender, is considered to be one of the most essential factors required to ensure that equality among the cultures or sexes is nurtured. Gender equality is a human right that expects all genders to be provided with equal chances and opportunities in all aspects.

Dating back to when women were only expected to engage in domestic duties, it is evident that they were viewed as the weaker part of the community. Their opinions were often neglected when it comes to making certain decisions due to the common practice of relying on men for financial support.

Due to societal norms around the world, the majority expects women to be patient and soft. They are working for the “man that provides for the family”. Upon review, it can be stated that being born as a female is considered an offense in some parts of the world, taking into consideration the fact that the mother is blamed by those who have not been educated from a biological standpoint, about the said “mishap”.

“Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong.”

– Emma Watson

Other than these two genders, the different genders such as non-binary, transgender, etc. have been going through many hardships for a very long time. They were not even treated and accepted as a part of society for years. And they still find it challenging to live a simple everyday life. History shows us enough evidence that society has never been fair to them. Although we can see the state of acceptance by society, and the improvement of people’s attitudes towards them, they continue to face exclusion and discrimination. These occur in the industries such as education, employment, and health care – as well as within homes and communities. And many were harassed, beaten, sexually assaulted, tortured, and killed.

We can start attaining Gender equality from the smallest part of the community, which is home. We can begin by accepting them, showing respect, and cooperating. Parents have the habit of providing pink to girls and blue to boys, buying cars and gun toys for the boys and dolls and kitchen sets for the girls. As parents, we should encourage our children to respect their differences and give them a proper environment to grow, learn, preserve and be non-biased about their choice of colors, toys, and games. Whatever a child sees and learns in childhood will be reflected when they become adults. Children pick up knowledge and are influenced by what they see and hear from others. They frequently mimic people they observe in books, movies, and their environment. So, the lesser the gender prejudice mannerisms in any characters portrayed in the media, the better environment is provided to the children to absorb equality.

Gender equality in education is crucial because it has a huge impact on children. Giving unbiased examples, including all students in courses, having comprehensive sex education programs, and supplying adequate sanitation facilities should be maintained. Due to inadequate school facilities, reports show that many females drop out of school.

When it comes to the work environment, giving women and men the same respect is the first step in the practice of gender equality. Equal possibilities for promotion must exist to ensure better equality in the work culture.

Equal participation by all genders in decision-making, household tasks, and care needs to be encouraged. Everyone must be treated with respect and on an equal footing. As gender equality improves the safety and health of our communities, promoting gender equality can result in a more peaceful society. Involving women and gender-diverse groups in all decision-making processes can lead to sustainable peace in the long run.

Written by: Rtr. Divani Canisius

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

“There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.”

-Helen Keller

Blind Walk is an initiative commemorating World Sight Day on the 2nd Thursday of the month of October, making it the largest eye donation campaign in the world; to create awareness about blindness, raise funds to support the community, and raise pledges for eye donation. What started with three Blind Walks in 2014 has developed into a global program involving 55 locations in five countries in 2016. World Sight Day is an International Day of Awareness, held annually on the second Thursday of October. World Sight Day is a reminder to you, to love your eyes. World Sight Day is an opportunity to focus the world’s attention on eye health as a global issue, raises awareness of eye health amongst individuals, families, and communities, and is a platform to influence decision-makers to prioritize eye health initiatives and help activate demand for eye health services globally.

Living with the invisible is not easy, the people who are blind, have a lot of limitations in their life. There are difficulties in work and living in society. They cannot drive and work in a career that requires their eyes to be important. Some people who are acquired blind, might still not accept their status, feel sadness, and fear, and cannot take care of themselves. Visually impaired people have a harder time of life than normal eye people. The striking experience of Blind Walk is that a visually normal person is blindfolded and led along a 1 to 1.5km route, which is utterly in the darkness on the road for an hour. This will give the feeling of being visually impaired and to understand the darkness of their world. The objective of Blind walk is to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and improved quality of life, for all blind and visually-impaired people.

The Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town along with the Rotaract clubs of Achievers Lanka Business School, Australian College of Business and Technology, Colombo Mid Town, and University of Colombo Faculty of Management and Finance join together to organize the BLINDWALK in Sri Lanka. Blind Walk is an award-winning project initiated with the aim of alleviating the plight of the visually impaired. However, the Blind Walk 2021 was held virtually with a Talk Show and an open mic night due to the pandemic. Last Year a blind challenge was held among the Rotaractors to experience the hardness of doing daily activities with a blindfold. Dr. Vasuki Gurusamy, a consultant Eye Surgeon from The Kalubowila Teaching Hospital was the guest speaker on the Talk show and she gave an insightful view on Blindness and its reasons. Blind Walk 2022 is going to be held for the sixth time, and this year in a different way including the walk and a carnival.

The Blind Walk 2022 is planned such that it reaches more audiences than before. This year’s Blind Walk will witness the walk and a carnival happening on the 22nd of October 2022 at Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre Car Park. The theme of the walk this year will be “Walk for light, in sight” and it aims to promote pledges for eye donation, collect funds to support the visually impaired, and provide them with an opportunity to reveal their talents in the open mic night. The walk will start from Viharamahadevi park at 3 p.m. and let a normal person blindfolded and led by a visually impaired person to an extent of a 1.5 km route. Then it will be followed by a fun-filled Carnival. This will consist of various types of stalls and DJs where the members of Rotaract and a few visually impaired people will perform on the stage. After 2 years of virtual sessions, The Blind Walk 2022 welcomes you all to get the real feeling of Blind Walk.

Let’s join together and get a wholesome feeling of lighting up the darkness in someone’s life!

Written by: Rtr. Ramajini Gnanasuthan

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

Every person has a life. And each has a different way or various means of living their life. Therefore, it can be said that the purpose of life varies from person to person.

Life has its ups and downs. If a person is sad, their perspective of the world can form a negative point of view. There can be instances where they feel as if their whole world has collapsed and nothing is left to be done, mostly in extreme situations. And if a person is happy he or she will feel like they are at the top of the world. Happy people often view the world as a positive and hopeful aspect of life. Although an exact definition for life cannot be given, one may say that life is the existence of every animal including human beings.

Life consists of emotions and moments for people and these factors can be extremely time sensitive. All emotions are present for a short period. And it is risky for one to judge their life based upon those moments and emotions. When you are feeling down, finding happiness can be an overwhelming task. But having correct methods that suit you to be the best and most relaxed version of yourself leads to a happier version of you. The happier you are, the more you attract and radiate positive energy to the people around you. Which results in an elevated version of oneself. Although you are happy, it can be impossible to make everyone else happy as people are different and it might lead to people pleasing personality if you do not define strong boundaries for yourself.

Your life is yours, make it the way you want. To live a memorable and quality life, a person needs to identify their unique self, and have good emotional and physical health as well. In addition, an individual should have realistic goals that are achievable in life. As life does not stop for anybody, people should use their time of life wisely. They must understand that life is very short. Regretting over past matters, being sulky, moody, sad, feeling angry and other negative emotions takes your quality time of life away so that you can enjoy a happier version of yourself. Therefore be mindful of your thoughts about where you will chase after your dreams, stand up for yourself, go out and have fun, make new friends, help others, make yourself and your parents proud, etc.

In situations where you feel sad, it is important to think about how grateful you are for the life that you have. Practicing the art of gratitude helps you to focus on the greater things that you have achieved in life. This induces positive thoughts into you, such as, not having to spend your life just in vain but rather with some great purpose. Being grateful makes you appreciate the life that you have as there can exist a person, who would have dreamt of living your life.

You are the artist of your life so do not give the paintbrush to anyone else to paint it. Similarly try to be uniquely yourself, because none of us are the same but every one of us is different.

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy”.

-Dalai Lama

In general, there are situations in life where you can get hurt. For which you will think that you will not be able to stand again. As much as we would want to make sure such incidents do not occur in life, there is always a chance that can happen. But make sure not to indulge in a mindset such that you feel you cannot outgrow.

Although all these thought processes take place inside your head, trying to change the perspective can be a bit challenging, but doable. And seeing the beauty of the world, and things that you appreciate in your life bring the best version of life for you. The future can be unpredictable, but work hard and work smart to make your future bright so that you get to live a life with quality and mindful happiness.

“Everything Negative – Pressure, Challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise”.

– Kobe Bryant.

Keep in mind that things that made you fall are your strengths. Besides, not letting oneself down twice for the same reason induces growth out of negative situations, which is an excellent example of personality development. As the legend, Kobe Bryant, himself said, the negativity in life is a lesson for you to grow in life. Once you overcome the hopelessness in life, you will pave the way to climb out of the pessimism.

In conclusion, life will be the best if you get to associate with good people who make you feel worthy, become confident in yourself, minimize insecurities, always try to do the things that you wanted to do in life, love yourself unconditionally and believe in yourself.

Shine bright like a diamond and be a better version of yourself every day even when life throws you lemons!

Written by: Rtr. Divya Dulanjali

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

Planet Earth supports the life of more than 8.7 million species, resulting in a rich Biodiversity. However, it is sad to see how Earth is currently experiencing extreme degradation by mankind, which has led to unprecedented climate change. The main cause for this is the extensive pollution due to growing population and industrialization. Pollution is the process in which undesirable toxic contaminants such as Air, Water and Soil contaminate our environment. This has led to sudden changes in the Ecosystem such as Global warming, which directly and indirectly leaves adverse effects on the lives of human beings, animals, and plants.

The question is, ‘How are we going to overcome this tragedy?’ Since our Childhood we wrote various essays about reducing pollution and preserving our environment. But did we mean every word we mentioned? Today, as teenagers and adults, have we put all that into practice to protect mother nature? Have we set an example to the younger generation through our actions? Just as the famous saying tells us “What goes around comes around’’, if we don’t take correct action against this, we will
have to face the consequences, if not immediately, at least some time later.

“Going Green” is a term used for the conservation of energy and preservation of the environment. Facing environmental hazards of pollution like global warming, citizens from every part of the world
are doing their contributions to lessen the emissions of greenhouse gases. A world agreement like the Kyoto Protocol is one of the manifestations that show that the world is serious about preserving the environment for future generations.

How can we really make a change?

Can we make a change? The answer is yes, but needless to say we have to put in effort. It all starts small, from our own home and daily routine, extending to things like Awareness programs and simple initiatives. Single-Use plastic, Preserving Fresh water and Reducing Consumption of Animal Protein are few examples to avoid this situation. The 3R Initiative is one of the most effective and efficient ways to reduce the pollution Footprint or by simple meaning, help cut down on the amount of waste we throw away.

Reduce

The best way to manage waste is not to produce it. This can be done by shopping carefully and being aware of a few guidelines such as purchasing products as bulked items. Larger economy sizes use less packaging and usually cost less per ounce. Reducing Disposable goods and using reusable items such as Cloth napkins instead of paper napkins, and Dish Cloth instead of paper towels could be small ways to reduce wastage.

Reuse

It makes economic and environmental sense to reuse products. Sometimes it takes creativity. Similar to the concept of reducing, reusing products for the same purpose, or reusing products for different needs can reduce global harm in unexpected ways. For example, supermarkets giving a small discount for customers that bring a cloth bag instead of using plastic bag, can drastically motivates the customer to be concerned about the environment.

Recycle

Recycling is a series of steps that takes a used material and processes, re manufactures, and sells it as a new product. Begin recycling at home and work. Buy products made from recycled materials. Look for the recycling symbols or ask store managers or salesmen to help you. The recycling symbol means one of the two things; either the product is made of recycled material, or the item can be recycled.

 
Water plays an important role in ecological systems, and is an indispensable component of human lives. As open environmental spaces, rivers are more likely to be polluted. This issue has received a great deal of attention, because concentrations of heavy metals in rivers continue to rise above the regional background value under constant anthropocentric disturbances, and has caused potential impacts on human health and ecological balance. For the ocean to thrive, we must look to the sources that feed it; our rivers. Rivers are the arteries of our blue planet but are treated like open sewers. Only 14% meet good ecological status and 3 in 4 poses a serious risk to human health. We could make a change. The petition to have 200 River Bathing Waters by 2030 to help #EndSewagePollution is a timely example.

A bit on the Contrary

Did you know that Air Pollution actually helps plants to grow faster? Researches have found that pollution allows the sunlight to scatter, allowing more plants to be in the shade. As a result of this, plants absorb Carbon dioxide more efficiently under polluted skies than under clean skies. It has also been found that this polluted air blocks in coming solar radiation, making the plant temporarily cooler. The Earth would actually be 0.5 – 1.1 degrees warmer if not for the polluted gases.

A take home

However, these fun facts work only for a small percentage. If we conclude and ask if pollution is Good or Bad, the simple answer is YES, it’s bad. Air pollution specifically increases the risk of respiratory infection, heart
Diseases, strokes, Lung Cancer, and more severely affect people who are already ill. Children, elderly individuals and people in low-income neighborhoods experience disproportionate health effects from air pollution. The effects of long-term exposure to lower concentrations of air pollutants could be more damaging to public health than short-term exposure to higher concentrations. For this reason alone, local authorities should take action to assess and improve local air quality. It is not advisable to wait for an episode of severe air pollution and then try to deal with its effects.
 
In conclusion, Environmental pollution has become a big concern when talking about saving the planet. To create the clean and healthy planet that we long, we need to adapt to various measures in order to reduce environmental pollution. Some of them include planting trees, reducing the use of non-renewable resources and proper disposal of waste. It is the responsibility of every individual, you and I, to save our environment from getting polluted. It is the responsibility of every individual to be an example to the younger generation. If we do so, together we can create a greener planet, a better future.

Rtr.

Written by: Rtr. Saabith Sabry

Edited by: Rtr. Hiruni Hettiarachchi