Introducing you to the world of SU DO KU.

Now you might be wondering what is there to introduce something that is almost a common feature in all daily newspapers. However it is also common to find most people avoiding it! So here’s a re-look.

Sudoku is a number puzzle that is usually presented in a 9 x 9 square. The earliest forms were presented in 1892 & 1895 in France. The present form called as Number Place was published in Dell Magazines during 1979. The Japanese picked it up in 1984 and gave it a new name as well – Sudoku.

In another 20 years, it became known and popular the world over. In fact, in 2010 a 100×100-grid puzzle nicknamed Sudoku-zilla was also attempted. Today there is a whole world of variants, including alphabetical, alphanumeric and grids of different dimensions. For our discussion let us stick to the 9 by 9 variant.

So why should one be looking at Sudoku? Because it is a logic-based number placement puzzle that uses combinations – something similar to the Travelling Salesman problem in Operations Research, an exercise at optimizing resources. It keeps the brain active with the need for logic. One starts noticing patterns that helps in analysis. It teaches patience. Many puzzles have a unique solution and the player starts evolving different approaches every time, a skill that comes handy in advanced mathematics.

What do we need to do to solve a Sudoku puzzle? We need to fill in numbers 1 to 9 in a 9 x 9 grid of small squares, taking into consideration those numbers which are already presented, and finding the remaining numbers such that 1 to 9 occur in whatever order in every row, column and 3 x 3 grid. In doing so, no number should repeat in any row, column or 3 x 3 grid.

Every Sudoku puzzle is like embarking on an adventure. The same numbers go round and round revealing various patterns and combinations, tricking you now, surrendering next, drawing you deeper. It is amazing how just nine numbers can keep you spellbound. Especially those with some exotic tags like ‘killer’ or ‘devilish’ which can drive you to desperation.

The best part is that there is no “How to” on this skill to fill. If you come across a How To guide, don’t even open it! Every puzzle is unique and will open with a unique key, or so it would seem. Besides the aim is to enjoy cracking the challenge, not find shortcuts to finish the race in the shortest time. 

Are Languages Dying?

Just as animal species go extinct, it is found that languages too are disappearing, at an unprecedented rate of late. This is perhaps to be expected because everything is speeding up. However, how would you like it if 3,000 out of 6,000 tongues spoken on earth disappear by say 2100AD?

In fact it is said that there were 300 million speakers of the Russian language in 1990, just before USSR disintegrated. By 2025 this is estimated to come down to 150 million…. Just ten years from now. Knowing Russian was an asset in all of Central Asia but not anymore!

What is more worrying is, history is embedded in these spoken and written words. Alex Haley speaks about griots in ROOTS: It is said that, "when a griot dies, a library has burned to the ground." A griot is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet and/or musician. He is a repository of oral tradition, just as there are similar roles in other cultures. And much of history had been passed down orally for a long time.

Language, culture, history – all these hold in them secrets for survival of humankind, because generations in the past did not feel as threatened as we do about survival, despite the fact that much ground was still uncovered as far as scientific advances went. Are we neglecting them at our own expense or that of our children?

Did you know that bees migrate.... almost regularly?!

Beside our office terrace on the 3^rd floor which acts as our dining area, there is a Peepal tree - Ficus Religiosa – at arm’s reach, which looks pale and paler as the year goes around. You should really see the environment in which it exists, to know why I say so.

However we are surprised by the amount of life it supports. Butterflies, squirrels, crows, mynas, cuckoos, parrots, robins and many others are regular visitors. None of them appear to live on this tree though. With the exception of bees.

Several months ago there were some 5 small beehives spread across the Peepal tree. It was a peaceful coexistence, they never bothered us. Then one day, all the hives disappeared without a trace... overnight.

Not being aware that bees shift bases periodically, we were wondering what prompted them to go! Come to think of it, that is how they came there in the first place.... from somewhere else!

However, that didn't strike us as unusual, it was just exciting that they had chosen our tree. And now they'd gone. Somehow it didn't generate much attention or conversation at that time.

A few days ago, we noticed another small beehive taking shape in a neighboring tree - Singapore Cherry perhaps. It has stayed small since then.

Today, however, as we panned the trees, we found a huge, dark beehive in yet another tree, a banyan this time. These bees are much bigger, their bites are said to be a lot more painful. They are Hejjaenu.

Raju, our encyclopedia of rural life, shared the gyan that bees do change places during the new or full moon days. And while doing so, they also empty out all the honey! So if you want to pluck the hive for extracting honey, you will need to do it a couple of days ahead. Otherwise, chances are, you’ll find just the bare tree.

Some movers, these bees, moving the honey along with the hive! Now, there’s more respect for this joint family.

This was something new... a lesson, a learning emanating from this Holi’s full moon! While I was at it, I was able to find some of that other life as well.

Keep looking around you. Keep learning.