History of the Nobel Prize

 

The History of the Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize was established by Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel in 1895. Nobel, who amassed a significant fortune through his inventions, including dynamite, decided to use his wealth to reward individuals who had made outstanding contributions to humanity.

The Origin

Nobel's decision to establish the prize was reportedly influenced by a newspaper obituary that mistakenly announced his death in 1888. The obituary described Nobel as a "merchant of death" due to his invention of dynamite. This prompted Nobel to reconsider his legacy and decide to use his wealth to promote peace and scientific progress.

The Will

In his will, Nobel stipulated that the interest from his fortune should be used to establish five annual prizes:

• Physics: Awarded for outstanding contributions to the field of physics.
• Chemistry: Awarded for outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry.
• Physiology or Medicine: Awarded for outstanding contributions to the field of physiology or medicine.
• Literature: Awarded for outstanding contributions to the field of literature.
• Peace: Awarded for outstanding contributions to peace.

Nobel also specified that the prizes should be awarded to individuals who have made the greatest benefit to mankind during the preceding year.

The First Awards

The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901, five years after Nobel's death. The initial awards were presented in Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway.

The Nobel Foundation

To manage the Nobel Prizes, the Nobel Foundation was established in 1900. The foundation is responsible for selecting the winners, awarding the prizes, and ensuring that Nobel's legacy is preserved.

The Prizes

The Nobel Prize is accompanied by a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash prize. The cash prize varies each year depending on the size of the Nobel Foundation's investment portfolio.

The Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize is the most widely known of the Nobel Prizes. It is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, a five-member committee appointed by the Norwegian Parliament. The Peace Prize can be awarded to individuals, organizations, or groups.

The Nobel Prize in Economics

While not technically a Nobel Prize, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was established in 1968 by the Sveriges Riksbank, the central bank of Sweden. It is often referred to as the "Nobel Prize in Economics."  

1. en.wikipedia.org

en.wikipedia.org

The Nobel Prize has become one of the most prestigious awards in the world. It recognizes outstanding achievements in various fields and serves as a testament to the importance of scientific progress and human endeavor.

Muslim Nobel Prize winners

 

• Har Gobind Khorana: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1968 for his contributions to the understanding of the genetic code. He was born in Raipur, India, and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
• Abdus Salam: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1979 for his contributions to the theory of electroweak interactions. He was Pakistani.
• Yasser Arafat: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. He was Palestinian.
• Tawakkol Karman: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights, particularly for women in Yemen. She is Yemeni.

These are the only Muslim individuals who have been awarded Nobel Prizes.

indian scientist who got nobel prize

 There are three Indian scientists who have been awarded the Nobel Prize:

1. Sir C.V. Raman: He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light, known as the Raman effect.
2. Har Gobind Khorana: He shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1968 for his contributions to the understanding of the genetic code.
3. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan: He shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009 for his studies on the structure and function of ribosomes.

Library Science: A Comprehensive Introduction

 Introduction

Library science, also known as librarianship, is the field of study and practice that deals with the organization, management, and use of information resources. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from selecting and acquiring materials to providing information services to users. Librarians play a crucial role in connecting people with the information they need to learn, grow, and succeed.

Part I: The Evolution of Libraries

Libraries have existed for thousands of years, evolving from simple collections of clay tablets and scrolls to modern institutions that offer a variety of services and resources.

Ancient Libraries

• Clay Tablet Libraries: Some of the earliest libraries were found in ancient Mesopotamia, where clay tablets were used to store information.
• Scroll Libraries: In ancient Egypt and Greece, scrolls were used to record knowledge and literature.
• Alexandria Library: One of the most famous ancient libraries was the Library of Alexandria in Egypt, which was believed to have contained hundreds of thousands of scrolls.

Medieval Libraries

• Monastic Libraries: During the Middle Ages, many monasteries established libraries to preserve and study religious texts.
• University Libraries: As universities began to emerge, they also established libraries to support their teaching and research activities.

Modern Libraries

• Public Libraries: The development of public libraries in the 19th century made access to information more accessible to the general public.
• Academic Libraries: Academic libraries support the research and teaching activities of universities and colleges.
• Special Libraries: Special libraries serve the needs of specific groups or industries, such as law libraries, medical libraries, and corporate libraries.

Part II: The Role of Libraries in Society

Libraries play a vital role in society by providing access to information, promoting literacy, and fostering intellectual development.

Information Access

• Knowledge Centers: Libraries serve as centers of knowledge, providing access to a wide range of information resources, including books, journals, databases, and digital collections.
• Digital Literacy: Libraries play a crucial role in promoting digital literacy by providing training and resources on how to use technology to access and evaluate information.

Education and Learning

• Lifelong Learning: Libraries support lifelong learning by offering programs and resources for people of all ages.
• Research and Study: Libraries provide a quiet and conducive environment for research and study.

Community Engagement

• Cultural Programs: Libraries often host cultural programs and events, such as author talks, book clubs, and film screenings.
• Community Outreach: Libraries may also participate in community outreach programs, such as summer reading programs and literacy initiatives.

Part III: Library Services and Resources

Modern libraries offer a wide range of services and resources to meet the needs of their users.

Collection Development

• Selection and Acquisition: Librarians select and acquire materials based on the needs and interests of their users.
• Preservation and Conservation: Libraries are responsible for preserving and conserving their collections.

Information Services

• Reference Services: Librarians provide reference services, such as answering questions and helping users find information.
• Interlibrary Loan: Libraries may participate in interlibrary loan programs, which allow users to borrow materials from other libraries.

Technology Services

• Digital Collections: Many libraries now offer digital collections of books, journals, and other materials.
• Computer Access: Libraries often provide public computer access and Wi-Fi.

Programming and Events

• Literacy Programs: Libraries may offer literacy programs for children and adults.
• Cultural Programs: Libraries may host cultural programs, such as author talks and film screenings.

Part IV: Library Management and Administration

Library management and administration involve planning, organizing, staffing, and directing library operations.

Planning and Budgeting

• Strategic Planning: Libraries develop strategic plans to set goals and objectives.
• Budgeting: Libraries must manage their budgets to ensure that they have the resources they need to provide services.

Staffing

• Recruitment and Training: Libraries recruit and train qualified staff to provide services to users.
• Professional Development: Libraries support the professional development of their staff.

Facilities Management

• Building Maintenance: Libraries must maintain their buildings and equipment.
• Space Planning: Libraries may need to plan for future space needs.

Part V: The Future of Libraries

The future of libraries is bright, as they continue to adapt to the changing needs of society.

Digital Transformation

• E-Libraries: Libraries are increasingly offering e-books, e-journals, and other digital resources.
• Online Services: Libraries are also expanding their online services, such as virtual reference and online catalog access.

Community Hubs

• Community Centers: Libraries are becoming more than just places to borrow books. They are also serving as community centers, providing a variety of services and programs.

Collaboration and Partnerships

• Partnerships: Libraries are forming partnerships with other organizations, such as schools, universities, and businesses, to expand their reach and services.

Conclusion

Library science is a dynamic and evolving field that plays a vital role in society. Libraries continue to adapt to the changing needs of their users and to provide essential services and resources. As we move forward, libraries will undoubtedly remain important institutions for learning, discovery, and community engagement.

Essential Excel Shortcuts

 Here are some of the most useful Excel shortcuts to help you work more efficiently:

Navigation Shortcuts:

• Ctrl+Home: Go to the top-left cell (A1).
• Ctrl+End: Go to the bottom-rightmost cell containing data.
• Ctrl+Arrow Keys: Move to the edges of the current data block.
• Ctrl+Tab: Switch between open workbooks.
• F5: Go to a specific cell or range.
• F6: Move between panes (if you have split panes).

Editing Shortcuts:

• Ctrl+C: Copy selected cells.
• Ctrl+X: Cut selected cells.
• Ctrl+V: Paste copied or cut cells.
• Ctrl+Z: Undo the last action.
• Ctrl+Y: Redo the last action.
• Ctrl+B: Bold selected cells.
• Ctrl+I: Italicize selected cells.
• Ctrl+U: Underline selected cells.
• Ctrl+Shift+S: Save the workbook with a new name.

Formatting Shortcuts:

• Ctrl+Shift+4: Format selected cells as currency.
• Ctrl+Shift+5: Format selected cells as percentage.
• Ctrl+Shift+6: Format selected cells as number.
• Ctrl+Shift+7: Apply a number format with two decimal places.

Other Useful Shortcuts:

• Ctrl+F: Find text or values.
• Ctrl+H: Replace text or values.
• Ctrl+P: Print the active worksheet.
• F1: Open the Excel Help.
• Shift+F3: Insert a function.
• Alt+Enter: Add a line break within a cell.

Using VLOOKUP in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide

 VLOOKUP is a powerful Excel function used to search for a value in a table and return the corresponding value from a different column. It's particularly useful for looking up data based on a specific criterion.

Steps to Use VLOOKUP:

1. Organize your data: Ensure your data is arranged in a table format, with the column you want to search in (lookup column) to the left of the column containing the values you want to retrieve (result column).

2. Prepare the lookup value: Determine the value you want to search for. This could be a text string, number, or even another cell reference.

3. Select the cell where you want the result: Click on the cell where you want the VLOOKUP result to appear.

4. Enter the VLOOKUP formula: Type the following formula, replacing the placeholders with your specific values:

   =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
   

   • lookup_value: The value you want to search for.
   • table_array: The range of cells containing your data table.  
     1. www.mindmapcharts.com

     www.mindmapcharts.com
   • col_index_num: The column number within the table_array from which you want to extract the result. The first column is 1.
   • range_lookup: Optional. Set to TRUE (or omitted) for an approximate match, meaning it will find the closest match if an exact match isn't found. Set to FALSE for an exact match.

5. Adjust the formula:

   • Table range: Select the entire range of your data table, including headers.
   • Column index number: Specify the column number of the result you want to retrieve. For example, if the result is in the third column of your table, use 3.
   • Range lookup: Choose TRUE for approximate matches or FALSE for exact matches based on your needs.

6. Press Enter: Once you've entered the formula correctly, press Enter to see the result.

Example:

If you have a table of employee names and their salaries, and you want to find the salary of a specific employee named "John Doe," you would use the following formula:

=VLOOKUP("John Doe", A2:B10, 2, FALSE)

This formula assumes:

• "John Doe" is in cell A12.
• The employee names are in column A, and their salaries are in column B.
• The data table ranges from cells A2 to B10.
• You want an exact match.

Remember: VLOOKUP is a powerful tool, but it's essential to understand how it works and use it correctly to avoid errors. If you encounter issues, double-check your formula and ensure that your data is organized correctly.

Notable Muslim-Owned Companies in India

 

Large-Scale Conglomerates:

• Wipro: One of India's largest IT services and consulting companies, founded by Mohammed Premji.
• Cipla: A leading pharmaceutical company known for its generic drug production, founded by Khwaja Abdul Hamid.
• Hamdard: A renowned Ayurvedic medicine company, founded by Hakim Abdul Hameed.

Other Notable Companies:

• Monginis: A popular bakery chain.
• Himalaya: A well-known personal care brand.
• Red Chillies Entertainment: A film production company owned by Shah Rukh Khan.
• LuLu Group: A multinational retail conglomerate.
• Shahnaz Hussain: A beauty and wellness brand.

Smaller Businesses and Startups:

• Toppr: An ed-tech platform.
• InShorts: A news aggregation app.
• ShareChat: A social media platform.
• ID Fresh Foods: A packaged food company.
• Aster DM Healthcare: A healthcare provider.

Technology and E-commerce:

• Oyo Rooms: A hotel chain and online travel agency.
• Snapdeal: An online marketplace.
• Zomato: A food delivery and restaurant discovery platform.
• FreshToHome: An online seafood and meat delivery service.

Retail and Consumer Goods:

• Bata India: A footwear retailer.
• Vimal: A clothing brand.
• Borges: A food products company.
• Asian Paints: A paint and coatings company.

Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare:

• Lupin: A pharmaceutical company.
• Dabur: A consumer goods company with a focus on ayurvedic products.
• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals: A pharmaceutical company.
• Aster Hospitals: A healthcare provider.

Media and Entertainment:

• Balaji Telefilms: A television production company.
• Excel Entertainment: A film production company.
• UTV Motion Pictures: A film production and distribution company.
• Colors TV: A television channel.

Manufacturing and Infrastructure:

• Larsen & Toubro: A multinational engineering conglomerate.
• Shapoorji Pallonji Group: A construction and engineering conglomerate.
• Eicher Motors: A manufacturer of motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
• JK Tyre & Industries: A tire manufacturer.

Others:

• Indian Oil Corporation: A petroleum and natural gas company.
• National Peroxide Limited: A chemical manufacturing company.
• Bajaj Electricals: A consumer durables and appliances company.
• DCM Shriram Limited: A diversified conglomerate.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. There are many more Muslim-owned businesses, especially in smaller-scale industries and regions.