Children

International Day for Tolerance on November 16

Dear Children,

Tolerance is the need of the hour when we consider the number of conflicts - religious or racial we experience in our country and around the world. We often hear and see through the print and electronic media how people fight in the name of race or religion. They not only destroy their enemies but bring destruction to themselves and their families as well. The best way to solve any conflict is through tolerance, understanding and respecting each other and not through violence. All the religious leaders including the Buddha preached the importance of tolerance. By practising this virtuous deed one can achieve peace and harmony at your class, school and most importantly in your family. You are sure to become popular among your colleagues, teachers and with your brothers and sisters.

Let's find out how the International Day for Tolerance originated.

In 1996, the General Assembly invited Member States to observe the International Day for Tolerance on November 16, with activities directed towards both educational establishments and the wider public. This action came in the wake of the United Nations Year for Tolerance, 1995, proclaimed by the Assembly in 1993. The Year had been declared on the initiative of the General Conference of UNESCO. On November 16, 1995 the UNESCO member States had adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the Year. The 2005 World Summit Outcome paper, outlined the commitment of Heads of State and Government to advance human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere, as well as to encourage tolerance, respect, exchange of ideas and cooperation among different cultures, civilisations and peoples.

Bye for now.

Aunt Anji

Mount Elbrus Highest mountain in Europe

In our series on highest mountains in the world, today we feature the highest mountain in Europe which is Elbrus. Mt. Elbrus (west summit) stands at 5,642 metres (18,510 ft); it is also the highest point of Russia. The east summit is slightly lower: 5,621 metres (18,442 ft). It is part of the Ural mountains which are considered to be the border between Europe and Asia. During ancient times, Mount Elbrus was known as Strobilus and it was believed to be the location where Zeus had Prometheus chained to a rock. The highest summit of Mount Elbrus was first climbed in 1874 by F. Crauford Grove.

Mount Elbrus is located in the western Caucasus mountain range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia, near the border of Georgia, in the northern Iranian plateau. A stratovolcano that has lain dormant for about 2,000 years, it is the highest mountain in the Caucasus. Mt. Elbrus (west summit) stands at 5,642 metres (18,510 ft); it is also the highest point of Russia. The east summit is slightly lower: 5,621 metres (18,442 ft).

The White House

Barack Obama will take oaths as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009. President Elect Barack Obama will be the latest occupant of The White House which has been and will always be in the news. It could be described as the most well known and most recognisable building in the world.

The best-known address in the United States is 1600, Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. It's the White House, the home of the President of the United States. This is where the President lives, works, and entertains the leaders of other countries. There are more than 130 rooms in the White House. They spread across a main building and two wings called the East Wing and the West Wing. You can recognise the main building by its large central porches with tall columns. The wings were added later. Large lawns and gardens surround the White House.

Living quarters for the first family and their pets are on the second floor of the main building. Each Presidential family usually decorates this area when they move into The White House. Rooms for the President's guests are on the third floor. On the first floor, there are large rooms used for Presidential receptions, dinners, teas and other gatherings. Some of these rooms are known by the colour of their furnishings, including the Blue Room, Red Room and Green Room. Tourists can view five rooms on the first floor.

The President works in the Oval Office in the West Wing of the White House. It's one of the most famous offices in the world. Doors lead from the Oval Office to the Cabinet Room. This is where the President meets with a group of top advisors or the Cabinet. The Rose Garden is just outside the Oval Office. Sometimes, the President speaks to the country from the Oval Office or the Rose Garden. His talk is broadcast on television.

The Press Room is also in the West Wing. Here, White House officials give information to newspaper, radio and television reporters. You've probably seen a White House press briefing on a TV news programme. The First Lady has offices in the East Wing. There's also a movie theatre in the East Wing.

The White House also has a gymnasium, bowling alley, barbershop and clinic. Outside are tennis courts and a swimming pool. A contest was held for the design of the White House. Thomas Jefferson entered the contest, but he didn't win. James Hoban, an Irish American architect, turned in the winning design.

George Washington is the only President who didn't live at the White House. But he chose the site for the building and supervised its construction. President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, were the first occupants. They moved into The White House in 1800.

During the war of 1812 British troops burned the White House. The inside was destroyed. Smoke blackened the outside walls. The White House was rebuilt from 1815 to 1817. Afterward, the building was white to hide the smoke stains. Over the years, more office space was added to The White House to accommodate larger Presidential staffs. In 1853, central heating went in. Electricity was installed in 1890.

Major rebuilding began in 1948, after the building has begun to fall apart. That's when The White House got air conditioning and a movie theatre. Several First Ladies have made the White House move beautiful. During the 1960s, Jacqueline Kennedy turned the White House into a showcase for historic furniture. Lady Bird Johnson added many paintings by American artists.

Hela Isuru Wijayadarshana
 

By Uncle Sachi and Aunt Ruwi

part 12:

What made Maggie scream?

Ruwi just managed to steady herself by clutching onto the railing of the stairway. Luckily she could hold on. With her heart beating wild, she somehow got back on her feet.

How on earth is she going to carry the big book all the way to the entrance when she can hardly take a step? There was a brief and uncomfortable pause as Ruwi shifted the book from one side to the other, trying to find a better way to hold it upright.

"I've got an idea. Allow me," Maggie cried suddenly as she scurried down the stairs. Ruwi watched her puzzled. Surely the old woman must have seen what had happened even though she was a bit short-sighted and hard of hearing. She should have brought Sachi along so that the gnome, who was more than five or six inches taller than her and stronger, could have carried the book. Unfortunately she did not recall the book being this heavy.

A horrible thought suddenly struck her. What if the old woman had gone to get into fresh clothes and hopes joining her in taking the book of spells to where the luring stones are? Oh, no. That will never do. One look at Chinthaka and she will grab the book and be off before Sachi and she had time to do anything and they will never be able to persuade her to give the book back for any reason. Ruwi just can't imagine of any such thing.

"Maggie, it's ok. I can manage to carry it till the path leading to Hilda's hollow hideaway. I am expecting to get some help from there. It's not far. Please... I will be fine...," she called but only got a muffled "will be right back" in reply.

Ruwi stood helpless, shifting the book to every angle she hope would help her walk steadily. She was tempted to send the book sailing downstairs along the railing of the staircase but its decaying wood and Maggie's displeasure if ever she hurried back inside stopped her. She was sure Sachi or Shazie wouldn't have minded since both had a mysterious streak to them but Ruwi did her best to avoid trouble. The front door suddenly opened and slammed shut, making Ruwi jump. She was filled with a sense of dread as her mind wandered back to Pramodaka. She hoped that the old woman would not stumble across his hiding place. If they were ever discovered, everything will be lost.

Focusing her mind on the eldest in the family, Ruwi willed Pramodaka to remain calm and hidden away from sight no matter what was about to take place in the next few minutes. Her concentration was shattered by a loud shriek. Ruwi gasped. That sounded like Maggie!

What made Maggie scream? Did she discover where Pramodaka was hidden? Will they be able to take the book to the others?

Hold your breath till part 13.