US researchers say goodbye to beloved chimp

Washoe, the chimpanzee researchers said was the first non-human to acquire a human language, was being remembered by some as a dear friend and an inspiration.

Washoe, who died recently at age 42 after a brief illness, first learned American Sign Language in a research project in Nevada, according to the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI) where she had lived since 1980.

Founders of the chimpanzee research institute on the campus of Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, said Washoe was a treasured member of their family. A memorial service was to be held on November 12.

"Washoe was an emissary (go-between), bringing us a message of respect for nature. She was a dear friend to so many; we will miss her," said CHCI co-founders Roger and Deborah Fouts.

Many scientists were sceptical (unable to believe) of Washoe's ability to communicate with humans, but all agreed that she prompted a great deal of excitement and debate, The New York Times said.

Washoe, named for the Nevada county where she lived until age 5, was the matriarch (female head) of the family housed at the institute dedicated to the study of the chimpanzee's communication skills and behaviour.

"Being the first chimpanzee to learn a human language and pass it on to her adopted son, Washoe is truly unique," Friends of Washoe, a non-profit support group, said on its website. Fans of Washoe were invited to post tributes of their own at this site.

"I only just heard about you Washoe, and now you are gone," one admirer wrote. "Reading so many tributes and how much you meant to so many brings a huge lump in my throat and then tears."

Reuters

Soil conservation programme

Cabinet approval has been granted to a memorandum with regard to the implementation of a comprehensive national programme for soil conservation within a period of five years. The memorandum was submitted by the Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

A sum of Rs. 150 million has been allocated for this project which was formulated by the Natural Resources Management Unit of the Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Ministry.

Amendments to the Soil Conservation Act to strengthen the legal framework are also planned.

 

Day to celebrate the television

How many hours do you spend per day watching television? For others this could be between three and four hours, while for others this may be less than half an hour. Regardless of the time spent watching TV, the activity has become one of the favourite pastimes of most people, both young and old.

Although the TV is at the receiving end of a lot of criticism these days, it's not entirely a harmful thing. It could inform, educate and entertain, if you only know what to watch and limit your time spent in front of it without wasting your entire free time staring at what has now come to be known as the 'idiot box'.

The television brings the world to your doorstep and has many positive features. These positive aspects are celebrated on World Television Day, which is observed by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on November 21.

The day was declared by the UN General Assembly in 1996 to encourage global exchanges of television programmes focusing on peace, security, economic and social development and the enhancement of cultural exchange. The announcement regarding the event was made at the 99th plenary meeting of the Assembly, on December 17, 1996.

November 21 was chosen because the first World Television Forum was held on that day in 1996, when media figures from around the world gathered to discuss the role of television in the modern world.

The TV is, of course, one of the most powerful forms of media today. It brings a complete product to viewers with the combination of images, sounds, technologies, styles and ideas.

It presents its information in audiovisual form and could be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age, nationality, social status, literacy level or other extra skills, which has led to its popularity. It plays a key role in the world's 'information society'.

The TV is one of the primary means of communication and a standard gateway of information for the public, especially in less developed countries. It contributes effectively to spreading information and knowledge, and is a powerful tool for reflecting and shaping human ideas.

Some of UNESCO's main aims through this Day is to foster freedom of expression and increase cultural diversity in the media, particularly by improving production capacities, distribution and quality of audio-visual programmes.

UNESCO promotes universal access to information and knowledge through quality and diverse content, reflecting the needs, concerns and expectations of the various audiences, especially the disadvantaged communities.

The organisation focuses on enhancing the utility of televisions as an educational and cultural vehicle; on advising member states on legal, regulatory, financial and other major issues; and on encouraging media professionals to reduce violence both in news and fictional programmes in electronic media with special emphasis on children and youth.

This strategy is carried out by providing training, funding local productions and establishing platforms for local content distribution for television authors, producers and broadcasters.

The UN and UNESCO have called for the world's television professionals to work together with them to ensure that television contributes to progress and to the well-being of the people of the world.

More scholarships from 'Pranama'

Up to 185 new scholarships worth around Rs. 7 million will be on offer to students and young people from all districts of Sri Lanka, in the seventh round of 'Ceylinco Pranama' scholarships to be presented by Life Insurance Company - Ceylinco Life.

The company's flagship policyholder rewards initiative in the field of education has benefited more than 770 'future leaders' since the first awards ceremony in January 2002.

Ceylinco Life has commenced the collection of applications from eligible students in all districts of the country, and will close applications on November 30 for the annual scholarships presentation at the BMICH in January 2008.

Ceylinco Pranama scholarships are presented to policyholders' children who achieve the best results in their respective districts at the Year 5 scholarship examination, the GCE Ordinary Level, the GCE Advanced Level or those who excel at the national level in sports, culture, arts, drama or invention.

Ceylinco Life also pays special cash awards to policyholders' children who are placed second, third and fourth at district level at the GCE Advanced Level examinations.

Additionally, special cash awards of Rs. 25,000 each are presented to students who achieve the highest marks islandwide in mathematics, biology, commerce, and arts at the GCE (A/L) examinations, irrespective of whether or not they are the children of policyholders.

If, however, a policyholder's child has achieved this distinction, he or she qualifies to receive both awards - the districtwise scholarship and the special cash award.

Applications for Pranama scholarships are available at Ceylinco Life branches islandwide. For the next round of scholarships, students who sat the Year 5 scholarship examination in 2006 and 2007, the GCE (O/L) in 2006, GCE (A/L) in 2007 are eligible to apply. The National Merit Awards will consider achievements in 2006/07.

Ceylinco Life has also established the Ceylinco Aloka Fund for education, which pays up to Rs. 54,000 in 36 equal monthly instalments on the death of an active policyholder in the low income segment whose children are undergoing primary, secondary or tertiary education.

World's tallest Buddha statue to get facelift

The world's tallest ancient Buddha statue, suffering from years of environmental damage, will get its latest facelift to fix damage from weathering and acid rain.

The 71-metre (237-foot) Leshan Buddha, in the southwestern province of Sichuan, China is looking "somewhat battered" with a blackened nose, and with moss and dark streaks coating its face and body, the official Xinhua news agency said.

The damage was due to acid rain, weathering and high humidity, Peng Xueyi, director of the Leshan Cultural Relics Management Institute, told Xinhua.

A team of scientists is currently carrying out preparation work for repairs next year, he said.

The Buddha, carved into a cliff face overlooking the point where the Dadu and Min rivers meet, was built over a 90-year period beginning in 713, during the Tang Dynasty.

It is 16 metres taller than the bigger of two giant carved Buddhas in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, both of which were destroyed in March 2001 by the then hardline ruling Taliban which considered them unIslamic.

The UN-listed world cultural heritage statue has already undergone several repairs in recent years. In 2001, a 250-million-yuan (34-million-dollar) project was conducted to clean the body, cement rock structure, mend cracks and install drainage pipes.

Since 2003, thousands of residents have been moved away from the scenic area and 20 coal-fired power plants as well as other small factories have been relocated in a move to cut pollution damage.

But weathering as well as damage caused by visitors have outpaced the conservation work, Peng said, adding that maintenance projects needed to be carried out every five years.

AFP