Random Curiosity (Vol.II)

Curiosity is the fundamental basis for the process of learning about It helps children to explore, question and often wonder world they live in his book puts together many such questions the and only posted to Prot Yash Pal, like 'Why is the sky bluer? 'Why does an air conditioner "leak" water? ''Do baby chicks breathe inside the eggshell before they are born?"; 'Will life on Mars be possible in next 10 years.'; 'Why was Einstein so intelligent?' and even 'Can a human being become invisible?' Whatever the question, Prof. Yash Palls answers are marked by basis their simplicity, honesty and a gradual unravelling of the scientific behind each. Covering a wide array of subjects, this book with over (1011 questions arranged randomly, makes an interesting read for all.

Children are natural scientists, emerging, evolving, immersed as they are in a new world full of wonder. As they grow, they seek to make sense of their surroundings - a quest for explanation, a thirst for understanding. Questions abound, questions that expand the limits of their knowledge, questions that agitate and excite their eager, enquiring, malleable minds. Understanding can truly be joyous and mind-altering. And as a wise person once said, a mind stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions. As humans, there is so much CO learn and to understand; to not do so every single day would be such a terrible waste. Now, more than ever, we can benefit from the learning of those around us in unique and wonderful ways - without the constraints of time and space. Nobody has all the answers, a message I hope many of the responses in this book convey. An honest acceptance of a lack of knowledge is frequently a critical first step to learning. As we understand more and more of the happenings around us, the connections between seemingly unrelated things and events become clearer, and we learn how to untangle phenomena which seem at first perplexing. This is the third such book I have helped my father put together; a particularly poignant moment for me, having lost him recently. Whenever I am confounded by an occurrence without explanation or apparent reason (as happens with astonishing regularity), I can still feel his presence, his application of mind, his urge to de-mystify. In my mind, there can be no bigger tribute.

Yash Pal (1926-2017) was a distinguished scientist, educationist, science communicator and institution builder. He did his PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a specialisation in high-energy physics, astrophysics, communication, science policy and space technology. He held several key positions icluding Professor at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai; Director, Space Applications, Centre, Ahmedabad; Chief Consultant, Planning Commission; Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; and Chairman, University Grants Commission, New Delhi. He also served as the Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He was recipient of several awards including Padma Bhushan in 1976; Indira Gandhi Prize for Popularisation of Science in 2000; Meghnad Saha Medal in 2006; and India's second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2013. Yash Pal is also known for the science programme Turning Point telecast on Doordarshan where he explained scientific concepts in layman's language.

Rahul Pal is presently working as a scientist at the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi. After receiving his Masters degree in biological sciences from BITS Pilani, Rajasthan, Rahul Pal did his PhD in biochemistry from AIIMS, New Delhi.

**Contents and Sample Pages**