Knowledge begins at home

The crack 'knowledge' begins at home

As we are going into an era where we can detect any type of seismic wave, however small the amplitude of it may be, I think, the first step towards a safer future is possible if we can use the basic knowledge about the earthquakes. We know many things about them, but, many parts of the World know about how does it really experience, or what actually happens when it strikes. We will get enough theoretical knowledge about it from the internet, but, experiencing it, its cause and effects by one’s own senses, is also must. So, I think, we can start it today. The best way to have such knowledge is by going about your own house, the houses in your locality and then in your city. If you don’t find it there, then you need to go out and look for places, meet people there and have some interesting facts about them. Wherever you live, we have places nearby where people do feel these waves. It may not be devastating, but, surely it has an impact.

The crack that clicked

 One such impact was at my house. It’s a crack in one of the columns. The crack is tilted 45⁰ to the vertical and has a pretty good depth. My family members were shocked to see the crack. They told me they haven’t seen such a crack in the house before. They even told me the reason may be an earthquake. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice it even as it was behind my wardrobe. Last weekend, I was cleaning the house from its length to breadth. Pushing my wardrobe, made the column open, including the crack. I was not sure about the cause of such damage, but, a close look gave me an idea. Within a day, I found out the possible reasons of the damage. It didn't happen due to any earthquakes, but the cross ties in the column reinforcements, were not in perfect position. I asked one of the local engineers. He told that my reason may be one of them. The other reason may be sudden release of energy or trapped water may be dried out leaving the crack. Whatever be the consequences, it surely needed instant retrofitting which I was sureof. So, one should give a thorough practical knowledge about the things one study. In India, students seldom get a chance of having proper practical knowledge. We have good theoretical knowledge and projects, but, practically we lack in proper instruments. There may be cracks in buildings in areas prone to earthquakes, but the reason for their cracks may not be these waves. It may be due to improper construction techniques, which happened in my house. Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansha, guru of Swami Vivekananda, used to tell that, ’A swan has the capability of drinking milk out of the mixture of water and milk. So shall human beings learn what to choose and what not to?’