Monday, June 3, 2024

Sensex and Nifty.



You have heard of 

You might have heard of others like S&P 500 and Nasdaq.

What are these? Why are they important?

An index or indices (plural) is calculated using a group of stocks.

Example:

-Sensex is based on the 30 biggest companies in India.
-S&P 500 is based on the 500 biggest companies in the USA.

These are the most popular indices. There are many more like these.

Purpose of index: they help us understand how a certain group of stocks is doing.

Example:

-Bank Nifty index shows us how the banking sector is doing.
-Sensex shows how the overall market is doing (since it is made up of the 30 biggest companies in India).

Sunday, June 2, 2024

Socotra, Abd al Kuri, Samhah, and Darsah

Socotra, the largest island, spans 132 kilometers in length and 42 kilometers across at its widest point.

Socotra’s isolation, about 380 kilometers south of the Arabian Peninsula and 240 kilometers east of Somalia, has resulted in a unique and highly endemic ecosystem. The archipelago is home to an astonishing variety of flora and fauna, with up to 37% of its 825 plant species, 90% of its reptile species, and 95% of its land snail species found nowhere else on the planet.

The most iconic symbol of Socotra’s otherworldly flora is the Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari), known for its distinctive umbrella-shaped canopy and the red resin it produces, which has been valued for centuries for its supposed medicinal properties. The island’s biodiversity extends beyond its famous trees; it includes a range of rare and unusual plants like the desert rose (Adenium socotranum), which has an unusually swollen trunk and bears vibrant pink flowers.

Socotra’s fauna is equally remarkable, with a high level of endemism among its bird, reptile, and marine life. The archipelago supports significant populations of land and sea birds, including several threatened species. The marine environment around Socotra is rich and diverse, hosting 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 species of coastal fish, and 300 species of crab, lobster, and shrimp.
The human history of Socotra is as fascinating as its natural history. The island has been known since ancient times, and its strategic location near major shipping routes has attracted various powers throughout history. The unique Soqotri language spoken by the islanders is a testament to Socotra’s long-standing cultural heritage and isolation.

Despite its natural wonders, Socotra faces challenges. The ongoing civil war in Yemen has led to concerns about the archipelago’s future, with the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council taking de facto control of the island. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect Socotra’s unique biodiversity and cultural heritage, recognized by UNESCO when it designated the archipelago as a World Heritage Site in 20082.

Socotra’s alien appearance and rich biodiversity have captured the imagination of scientists, conservationists, and travelers alike. Its unique landscape, shaped by millions of years of isolation, continues to be a source of scientific discovery and a priority for conservation. The Socotra archipelago remains a place of mystery and wonder, a natural treasure that holds secrets of evolution and the resilience of life in extreme environments. It is a vivid reminder of the diversity of life on our planet and the importance of preserving such irreplaceable natural sanctuaries for future generations.

A Beginner's Guide to Buying a Weightlifting Belt

Velcro or leather? Lever or prong? We have recommendations.

If you’re serious about lifting barbells, sooner or later you’re probably going to want a belt. Belts don’t prevent injury as people sometimes assume, but they do help you to lift more weight. This helps you to squat and deadlift heavier—thus get stronger—so they’re standard equipment for a lot of strong people.


We have a guide here to understanding what belts are for, how they work, and who needs them. But once you get the basic idea, you’ll probably still have questions. So let’s dig in.
When should you buy a weightlifting belt?

Every coach has their own opinion on when is the right time for a new trainee to buy a belt. Some might want to see you lift a certain weight first, or demonstrate a certain amount of skill at the big lifts. But the truth is, there’s no agreed-upon dividing line between people who need a belt and people who don’t. A belt is a tool that anybody can use, at any point in their lifting career. It doesn’t make up for not knowing how to brace, so it makes sense to learn how to brace first. But a belt can help you learn how to brace, since you can feel your belly pushing against the belt when you’re doing it right.

In my opinion, if you’re wondering whether you should get a belt, it’s probably time to get a belt. A lot of the good ones need to be ordered online, and some have a lead time of several weeks, so you might not actually get the belt until a month or two after you decide you’re ready—in other words, you may want to order your belt sooner rather than later.
Which kind of weightlifting belt should you get?

If you search for “weightlifting belt” online, you’ll get tons of results, many of them marketed to gym goers who want to look cool but who don’t really understand what a belt is for. Let me cut through the marketing to say: There are only a few kinds of belts that strength sport athletes commonly wear.
A velcro belt

First, there’s the 4-inch velcro belt. I’m starting here because it’s a good all-purpose belt, cheaper than the leather ones we’re about to talk about, and it’s arguably easier to adjust and wear, too. I have one from 2Pood, which is a popular brand among Olympic weightlifters and Crossfitters. These belts are 4 inches wide, they close with a velcro strap, and they have a locking mechanism around the strap so that it won’t pop open even if the velcro fails mid-lift. The velcro will wear out over time, although mine has put up with more than three years of frequent use and it’s still going strong.

Velcro belts will generally run you between $30 and $70, depending on the brand and any special features, like custom colors.