Preface

It gives me endless pleasure to bring my writing flair to the frontage by placing into your hands the second edition of my book, ‘Augmenting Your Knowledge’. I am confident that this publication of mine will once again gratify its purpose and surely augment the knowledge of readers (students) over the interesting topics chosen.

As essay writing is an essential part of various examinations, this book is prepared by keeping in mind the idea of strengthening the skills of the students in creating quality essays. The quality of an essay shows the skills, knowledge and experience of the writer over a particular topic. Compared to imaginative essays, descriptive essay writing is a tough task without apt knowledge about the given topic. However, adequate information relating to various topics is added in this book. This will help in sharpening and increasing the knowledge about the topics among the readers.

Utmost care is taken to cover a wide variety of themes ranging from prominent personalities, social issues, science and technology, health and lifestyle, environmental problems, international organizations, proverbs, etc. Moreover, at the end of the book readers will come across two beautifully created imaginative bonus essays. This book aims to encourage the readers for extra reading to collect information so that they can widen their knowledge and thoughts on the covered topics.

I have tried my level best to use student friendly, easy to understand lucid language throughout the book. Let me assure you that this publication will not only go a very long way in augmenting your knowledge over the given topics but will also assist you to score outstanding grades in the department of writing skills. This book will cultivate a flair in you for writing good informative essays. I have no doubt, even this edition will be welcomed equally by the parents, students and teachers alike.

- The Author

1st Edition, 16-June-2000

2nd Edition, 16-June-2022

Acknowledgements

From deep down my heart, I would like to express my sincere adoration and gratitude to my ever-loving mother Ms. Heera Tata to raise my spirit (after a gap of five years of no writing) during the journey of creating my 1st book for Notion Press Company, and 41st overall.

Not to forget acknowledging the creative ability of my beautiful rakhi sister Ms. Harshada Mhaske (Zenith) in designing the stunning cover of this book.

I would also extend my heartfelt gratitude to Notion Press for providing authors a beautiful platform of Xpress Publishing, helping me to publish this wonderful book.

Finally yet importantly, I also want to thank every single reader who says, "You have to read this book" to their family members, friends and relatives.

- The Author

Mother Teresa: An Angel in Human Flesh

Mother Teresa also known as ‘An angel in human flesh’ is considered as one of the paramount personalities of the world. Many people also consider her as ‘Saint of the Gutters’. Her selfless service to the cause of the underprivileged, destitute and the sick won her hearts of millions of people around the globe. It also earned her international recognition and acknowledgment.

Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu by birth name universally known as ‘Mother Teresa’ was born to Nikolle and Dranafile Bojaxhiu on 26th August 1910 in Skopje, Yugoslavia. She was a Roman Catholic nun of Albanian origin. At an early age itself, she wanted to become a nun. In 1929, she was sent first to Darjeeling and then to Kolkata to teach at the Loreto School. Teresa took her first religious vows on 24th May 1931. On 14th May 1937 while she was a teacher at the Loreto Convent School in Calcutta, she took her solemn vows. For nearly 48 years, she took care of the deprived, sick and orphans. She headed different Christian Missionaries, first all over India and then in other countries around the world.

Though Mother Teresa expressed her grave doubts about the existence of God and her lack of faith in him, His presence was felt in her soul. She was determined to pledge herself to a religious life. Her Missionaries of Charity (a Catholic religious congregation established in 1950) at the time of her death had reached up to 610 in almost 123 countries. These Missionaries also included hospitals and homes for people suffering from diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy. She also opened several centres serving the aged, blind and physically incapable. On her forty-second birthday in 1952, she established Nirmala Hriday, a hospital in Kolkata for the critically ill people.

Mother Teresa was a righteous, self-sacrificing and a woman filled with compassion. She was sensitive to the feelings of the poor, the sick, the homeless, the hungry, diseased and those who felt unwanted. She believed that sympathy was to understand how people affected others with their speech and behaviour. She spread the message of generosity, harmony and affection amongst the people. Kalighat, the home of the Pure Heart (Nirmal Hriday) is a hospice for the sick, destitute and the dying. Before soughting permission to use it, the building was an ancient abandoned temple to the Goddess Kali. People received medical attention from the hospice and were given the opportunity to die with dignity based of their respective rituals and faith. Mother Teresa said, ‘A beautiful death’ is for people who lived like animals and died like angels.

In 1962, for her services to the people of India, the Indian government awarded her the Padma Shri Award, one of its highest civilian honours. She was the recipient of many honours, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian works. In 1980, the Indian Government conferred her with Bharat Ratna.

After arriving in India on 6th January 1929 to start her virtuous deeds, she never returned to her native place. Then Calcutta became the leading center for all her activities. She was rightly a Saint and is regarded as the ‘Mother of all the Missionaries’. After she passed away on 5th September 1997, at the age of 87, Pope John Paul II blessed her with a title, ‘Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.’ Entire world grieved her death.

Charlie Chaplin: An Iconic Comedian

Charlie Chaplin, one of the significant figures in motion-picture history stands amongst the influential celebrity figures of the world. He earned fame through his acting and film making skills as well as was a world renowned humorous character making audiences not only laugh open-heartedly but also think. He captured the imagination of the audiences during the silent era of cinema. He had become a highly popular name during his time and continues to be until date.

Charlie was a renowned British comedian, producer, writer, director and soundtrack composer. He is observed as one of the greatest comic artists of the screen. Charlie was born on 16th April 1889, in London, England. As he had become an orphan in his childhood, he could not perceive much education. He had to look for a job to earn his living. Since his childhood days, he had been fascinated towards performing arts. At the age of 15, Charlie acted along with his brother in a hilarious play. His parents too were well-known entertainers. Having inherited natural talent from his parents, young Charlie saw the stage as the best break for his illustrious career.

In 1913, Charlie went to America along with a drama group. Soon he was also given an opportunity to act in a film. While touring the country with the Karno Company, he signed to make his appearance in Mack Sennett’s Keystone comedy films. In 1914, though his first one-reel film, ‘Making a Living’ was not a failure, Chaplin’s early screen character, a mercenary dandy, did not show him to best advantage.

Charlie made his professional debut as a member of a juvenile group called, ‘The Eight Lancashire Lead’. Soon he won popular favour as an outstanding tap dancer. Even his acting was enjoyed by the audience. Soon his first film in which he acted was released. Thus, Charlie decided to change his passion into an acting profession. He acted, wrote as well as directed some of the most outstanding films in motion-picture history. He was nominated for an Academic Award as the best actor for The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), The Great Dictator (1940), Monsieur Verdoux (1947) and Limelight (1952).