🥭Aam Ke Aam aur Guthliyon ke Daam 🥭( आम के आम और गुठलियों के दाम )
News of The Week 🗞️
According to a Bloomberg report, Samsung is developing a non-invasive blood glucose monitoring feature for its future Galaxy smartwatches. Apple is also working on a non-invasive blood glucose technology that uses optical absorption spectroscopy to measure glucose concentration levels in the body.
Samsung digital health chief Hon Pak, in a recent interview, has emphasized the importance of incorporating a glucose-measuring device on its watches. This news is really interesting not only because it highlights the battle intensifying between Apple and Samsung but I wonder what will it mean for the diagnostics industry as a whole. If tech companies can keep bringing us devices that can give us near-accurate measurements without resorting to bloodwork I think the diagnostics industry will also face a slow decline like the camera and film industry.
🥭Aam Ke Aam aur Guthliyon ke Daam 🥭( आम के आम और गुठलियों के दाम )
The Mao Mango Cult of 1968: A Strange Episode in Chinese History
In 1968, China was in the midst of the Cultural Revolution, a turbulent and violent campaign launched by Mao Zedong to purge the country of "reactionary" elements and revive the revolutionary spirit. One of the most bizarre episodes of this period was the emergence of a cult-like worship of mangoes, triggered by a simple gesture from Mao.
On August 5, 1968, Mao received a box of Sindhri mangoes from the Pakistani Foreign Minister Mian Arshad Hussain, who visited him in Beijing. The next day, Mao decided to give the mangoes to the workers who had been sent to quell the fighting among the Red Guards at Tsinghua University. The workers, who had suffered casualties and injuries in the clashes, were deeply moved by Mao's gift, which they saw as a symbol of his gratitude and affection.
The mangoes soon became objects of veneration and reverence among the workers and peasants, who had little or no idea what they were. They preserved them in formaldehyde or wax, displayed them in glass cases, made replicas of them in various materials, and paraded them around the country. Anyone who dared to disrespect or criticize the mangoes was denounced as a counterrevolutionary and faced severe punishment. One dentist from Fulin, Dr. Han Guangdi, was executed for saying that the mango looked like a sweet potato.
The mango cult lasted for about a year, until Mao himself put an end to it by ordering the mangoes to be distributed among the people for consumption. The cult coincided with a shift in the power dynamics of the Cultural Revolution, as Mao transferred the leadership from the student Red Guards to the working class. The mangoes were used as a propaganda tool to promote Mao's cult of personality and his ideology of "Mao Zedong Thought".
What can we learn from this strange episode in Chinese history? How does it compare to the modern phenomenon of influencers and their followers? Here are some possible lessons:
The power of symbolism:
The mangoes were not just fruits, but symbols of Mao's love and care for the workers and peasants. They represented his authority and legitimacy as the supreme leader of China. Symbolism can be a powerful way to communicate messages and values, especially in times of crisis or uncertainty.
The role of emotion:
The workers and peasants were emotionally attached to the mangoes, which they saw as a rare and precious gift from Mao. They felt honored and grateful for his recognition and attention. Emotion can be a strong motivator for action and loyalty, especially when it is linked to a higher cause or purpose.
The danger of fanaticism:
The mango cult also showed how fanaticism can blind people to reality and reason. The workers and peasants worshipped the mangoes without knowing what they were or where they came from. They followed Mao's orders without question or criticism. They persecuted anyone who disagreed with them or challenged their beliefs. Fanaticism can lead to intolerance and violence, especially when it is fueled by fear or hatred.
The influence of social media:
The mango cult was spread by word-of-mouth, posters, newspapers, radio, and other forms of mass media. Today, social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and others have become powerful tools for influencers to reach millions of followers around the world. They can create content that is engaging, entertaining, informative, or inspiring. They can also shape opinions, behaviors, trends, and cultures.
The responsibility of business:
The mango cult was also exploited by some businesses that produced and sold mango-related products such as candies, drinks, toys, souvenirs, etc. They capitalized on the popularity and demand for the fruit among the masses. Today, businesses can collaborate with influencers to promote their products or services to their target audiences. They can also leverage their influence to support social causes or movements that align with their values and missions.
The Mao Mango Cult of 1968 was a unique and fascinating phenomenon that reveals some aspects of human psychology and sociology. It also offers some insights and lessons for today's world of influencers and followers.
Recommendation of the Week✨
Did you know that there is a fascinating connection between Ayodhya and a clan in South Korea who considers Ayodhya to be their maternal home? According to an ancient legend, a princess from Ayodhya crossed the seas and married a king of Korea, becoming the ancestor of millions of Koreans today. In this blog post, I will explore this amazing story and its implications for the history and culture of both India and Korea.
The legend goes like this: In 48 AD, Princess Suriratna, also known as Heo Hwang-ok, left her home in Ayodhya and sailed to Korea, where she married King Kim Suro, who founded the Gaya Kingdom in the southern part of the Korean peninsula. She became Queen Heo Hwang-ok and gave birth to ten sons, who became the founders of different clans in Korea. The clan that descended from Queen Heo Hwang-ok and King Kim Suro is known as the Kim-Hae-Kim clan, which has over six million members today. Many prominent figures in Korean history and society belong to this clan, including presidents, prime ministers, generals, scholars, artists and celebrities.
The legend of Queen Heo Hwang-ok is recorded in an ancient Korean history text called "Samguk Yusa", which means "Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms". It states that the queen came from "Ayuta", which is believed to be Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama and the capital of the ancient Kosala Kingdom. The text also describes her appearance, personality and achievements as a queen. She is revered as the progenitor mother of the Gimhae Heo clan and the Gaya Kingdom.
The legend is not only a myth, but also has some historical and archaeological evidence to support it. For instance, some ancient stone monuments and relics found in Korea bear inscriptions that mention Queen Heo Hwang-ok and her origin from Ayodhya. Some Korean scholars have also traced the linguistic and cultural similarities between India and Korea, especially in the regions where the Gaya Kingdom flourished. Moreover, some genetic studies have shown that there is a common ancestry between some Koreans and Indians, especially those from the Uttar Pradesh region.
The connection between Ayodhya and Korea is not only a matter of historical curiosity, but also a source of cultural exchange and friendship between the two countries. Since 2001, there is a memorial park dedicated to Queen Heo Hwang-ok on the banks of the Sarayu river in Ayodhya, which was built with the cooperation of the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Gimhae City. The park features a statue of the queen, a meditation hall, pavilions and murals depicting her life story. Every year, many Koreans visit Ayodhya to pay homage to their ancestral mother and to celebrate their cultural ties with India .
Recently, many Koreans also watched the online ceremony of the Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya on January 22nd 2024, as they consider Lord Rama as their ancestor too. They expressed their happiness and excitement about the new temple and their desire to visit it in the future . Some Indian officials have also invited them to join the celebrations when the temple is completed.
The legend of Queen Heo Hwang-ok is a remarkable example of how historically us humans were intercontinental, and history is full of anecdotes about the enterprising nature of humans. It shows how a princess from India became a queen in Korea and created a lasting legacy for both nations. It also shows how culture and civilization can transcend boundaries and create bonds of kinship and friendship across oceans. It is a story that inspires awe and surprise, as well as respect and appreciation for our diverse yet connected human heritage.
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