Take care of the small things and the big things will fall into place

The metaphor of the phytoplankton is in fact a metaphor for existence itself! The parable of the phytoplankton states that the health of the ecosystem of the entire planet depends on the health of the smallest things like the microscopic phytoplankton that exist at the base of the food pyramid. 

By studying the Phytoplankton we can see how even the smallest of changes in the environment can have grave repercussions on the wellbeing of the planet. Phytoplankton are not just an important source of nutrition for larger aquatic creatures, but rather they also play a pivotal role in absorbing excess carbon dioxide thereby maintaining the health of the global carbon cycle. A further depletion in the ozone layer will affect the Phytoplankton which in turn will affect the lives of all marine animals, birds and ultimately, us human beings.

Thus, we need to act accordingly to protect the health of the Phytoplankton. By doing so we will be taking a positive step towards protecting the health of the planet. Our existence on this planet depends on many factors, one of which is the health of the Phytoplankton. Think about the Phytoplankton and then you will find solutions for the bigger problems affecting our planet.

Why is Antarctica like a living laboratory ?

Antarctica is like a living laboratory because by studying it we can gain an insight into our past, understand the climactic changes taking place in the present and predict how our future will be. We can gain insight into not just how our climate will be but also learn about the factors causing geological changes in our planet.

First and foremost, to visit Antarctica is to be part of history. one can study how the planet was formed. A study of Cordilleran folds and pre-Cambrian granite shields will tell us about the structure of our planet. A study of ice-core samples can give us data about Carbon dioxide levels that existed in the atmosphere in the past. We can also gain an insight into past global temperatures through a study of the amount of Carbon trapped in the ice-core samples.

Looking at how India and Antarctica were once part of the same continent, gives us an idea about the drifting of the continental plates can help us imagine how the planet will look like in the future. We can also predict accurately the impact of global warming on the entire planet by studying scientific data from Antarctica.

A Character Sketch of the Tiger King in the Short Story by Kalki

An analysis of the Maharaja of Pratibandapurum's character shows him to be far from perfect. He turns out to be a most self-centred, self-obsessed head of state who puts his desire to kill a hundred tigers before his duties towards the state. He abdicates his responsibility as a head of state by wantonly setting off on a killing spree knowing very well that even as a head of state he doesn't have the right to kill a tiger, unless, of course, in 'self-defence'.

Some people might claim that the Tiger King was brave enough to have fought with ninety-nine tigers and killed them in the end. However, the question here is, what was the purpose of this bravery? What was the end result of this act of killing ninety-nine tigers? Did it benefit society? Ultimately, it all boils down to the argument that the Tiger King was so scared of being killed by the hundredth tiger that he set out to eliminate the hundredth tiger so that what the astrologer had said would not come true. 'If he could kill just that one single beast, the Maharaja would have no fears left.' It is his fear of being killed by a tiger, that too, the hundredth tiger that fuels the Tiger King's frenzy toward killing tigers.

The Tiger King's obsession with killing tigers detracts him from his duties as the head of the state. 'The Maharaja vowed he would attend to all other matters only after killing a hundred tigers.' He is not just a bad statesman who neglects the state but also a father who neglects his duties toward his son. He had given his entire time to hunting tigers, so much so that 'He had had no time to spare for the crown prince.' Thus when his son turns three he decides to celebrate his birthday. 

Perhaps the greatest flaw in the Tiger King's character lies in his desire to kill tigers. It is the duty of every well-meaning statesman to work for the welfare of his people and wildlife too. As a king, it is his duty to protect tigers and knows very well that even a king cannot kill tigers. The abdication of his duties towards the state in favour of his mission to kill tigers brings out his selfishness. And last but not least is the fact that he is a bad father. It is no wonder that "The operation was successful" and it resulted in the death of the tiger king!