Hope diamond , sapphire-blue gemstone from  India , one of the largest blue diamonds known. It is thought to have been cut from a 112-carat stone brought to  France  by the jewel trader Jean-Baptiste Tavernier and purchased by  Louis XIV  in 1668 as part of the French  crown jewels . This stone, later called the  French Blue, was recut into a 67-carat heart in 1673 and disappeared after the crown-jewel robbery of 1792. The 45.5-carat Hope  diamond , named for the  London  banker  Thomas Hope , who purchased it in 1830, was apparently formed from it. The Hope diamond is on display in the  Smithsonian Institution , Washington, D.C. 10 Victims of the Hope Diamond Curse     1. JEAN-BAPTISTE TAVERNIER The story goes that French gem merchant  Jean-Baptiste Tavernier  came down with a raging fever soon after stealing the diamond, and after he died, his body was possibly ravaged by wolves. However, other reports sho...

Located in Russia's south-west Chelyabinsk region, close to the border with Kazakhstan, in the southern Ural mountains, the Karachay Lake it’s considered the most polluted place on Earth . In fact, it’s so polluted that the lake is radioactive. Lake Karachay can thank the neighboring Mayak Production Association for its deadliness.  Built in the late 1940's,  Mayak  was one of Russia's most prominent nuclear weapons factories. The factory was kept secret by the government until 1990. When Russian president  Boris Yeltsin  signed a 1992 decree opening the area, Western scientists were able to gain access. The sediment of the lake bed is estimated to be composed almost entirely of high level radioactive waste deposits to a depth of roughly 11 feet.   Even just standing on shore can be deadly: If a human were to hang out on Lake Karachay for an hour, they would be exposed to a lethal dose of radiation. It was a small lake used as a dumping ground for Chelyabin...

  Mobile is the future of workplace learning. It is not just a statement, but something I believe in. The biggest challenge to achieving the full potential of this device will depend on whether we are able to harness its powers for good purposes and develop appropriate stimuli to influence our behavior. This is the future of behavioral change.  Ray Kurzweil once said that "Mobile phones are misnamed. They should be called gateways to human knowledge." I was a solitary child and loved toys. I’d find toys in books and make models of them. I hope I’m much the same now– although I was cleverer back then. The Cube’s character is contradictory, a mix of simplicity and complexity. The Japanese slogan for it goes: “A Minute to Learn, a Lifetime to Master.” You never finish it – there will always be new challenges/discoveries. The design was also important, a good example of having everything you need and nothing more. A philosophy for life? Yes, I think so! It took me a great whi...

    SOCIAL ISOLATION With governments around the world advising residents to stay inside and avoid unnecessary contact, many of us are unable to see friends, family or colleagues. This makes me feel lonely and disconnected. But in today's world there are several ways to overcome this.  Firstly, we are all so digitally connected now and with various video platforms, we can connect with others online for free.  Although this isn’t quite the same as being face-to-face, I can feel as though friends and family are there in the room with  me.  The current situation is only temporary, so for now, I try to make the most out of the options I have to stay in touch. STRESS & ANXIETY Covid 19 has caused a lot of change across the globe and everyone has felt the impact of this in some form or another. I managed to overcome this by  Staying connected with others Talking about my concerns Looking after my physical health Focusing on the present moment D...

  'Slow strike-rate, 'lack of intent', 'old tactics' were the few terms that people started associating with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after they lost their first match of IPL 2021. The reason wasn't just that particular match but a stretch of 9 months in which the MS Dhoni-led franchise had concluded the 2020 edition on a dismal note – finishing 7th on the points table.  However, the Men-in-Yellow, being one of the top teams of IPL, didn't let this noise keep them down. They made an astonishing comeback by climbing from the bottom to the top of the table. At the time, IPL 2021 was suspended, CSK was placed second with 5 wins to their name in the 7 games. There were several players, who stepped up just at the right time, to change the fortunes for Chennai.  Senior campaigners piloting the ship Chennai has a team full of experienced campaigners, right from skipper MS Dhoni to one of the oldest players playing at the moment – Imran Tahir. People often find it ...

IPL  2021 got underway in April in India but was suspended and  postponed  indefinitely on May 4 after the completion of 29 matches due to Covid-19 positive cases in bio-bubbles of multiple franchises across Delhi and Ahmedabad                                     BCCI: The postponed IPL 2021 will resume tentatively on September 18 or 19 in the UAE with as many as 10 double headers expected to be played during a three week window. The final might be held on October 9 or 10.The three week window will be enough for the league complete its remaining 31 games for the season.