The Covid 19 pandemic is rising at a very great pace in India, for last week there have addition of 10000+ cases, but for last 2 days there have been increase of 15,000+ cases per day. The total number of cases in India have crossed the figure of 426,000. Out of these many cases, and Mumbai city has contributed 66,000+ cases from Maharashtra’s total of 132,000+ cases. The death toll in Maharashtra has been 6170, out of which Mumbai has contributed 3671.Now when the case curve will flatten and then start reducing in Maharashtra and Mumbai is any body’s guess.
Now coming to my other topic of the day. Friends most of us must have heard about ORIGAMI, it is Japanese paper art form popular across the world. It has been used effectively in many ways in education as well as recreation. The word origami owes its origin from Ori meaning folding and Kami meaning paper. So it is art of paper folding, using which people can make wonderful creations.
The best part of origami is that it can be done using almost any flat paper that can be folded and can hold its crease. The folds in paper are generally called as valley and mountain, pleats, reverse, squash, and sinks. There are also few standard bases used to build origami creations namely fish frog, etc, while the base of all art form is usually a square base. For most people, especially kids and teens, Origami is a way of expression, it keeps them engaged, relaxes them, and gives them opportunity to bring out their creativity. The interesting thing is that presently it is being used as an activity for seniors also.
Origami helps to improve hand control, motor coordination skills and helps in building muscles. As such, it helps people who are recovering from hand injuries are surgeries. Origami has been found to help with anxiety, autism, the differently abled etc. Even there are stories about how Origami has helped people fighting depression and prison inmates as well.
It is also used as activity in senior centres abroad as it helps in improving the hand eye coordination for seniors. In fact, specific modified Origami figures are used in helping those affected by Alzheimer’s disease. It improves the mental faculty because it helps in improving your focus and mental skills. It stimulates the brain while your hands are deftly creating shapes with simple folds. It keeps your mind sharp as there are various instructions to be followed for new shapes. It relaxes you, even as you feel your self esteem go up as you create new shapes and feel sense of satisfaction.
The best part is that the only material it needs is paper, it can be done anywhere and wwith people of any age. One can do with the grand kids, and they would love the activity as well as together time. Most of us have grown up doing the paper boats and airplanes. However as you learn origami, you may be able to do more shapes like birds, fishes, flowers etc.
How to start:
Many books teach you how to do Origami, right from the beginner skill to expert levels. Books are available in many local bookshops and even online. With the advent of technology, now you can browse YouTube, where you can see many video tutorials, and after watching the same, you can do your own practice.
The only material you need is paper which can be purchased from any stationery shop or even some slightly thick magazine pages can be used for practice. However when you have learned well and would like to bring out your creations for display, it might be better to use some colour papers.
So, friends get going with Origami to keep yourself occupied, happy as well as to keep your mental fitness at a good level. Bring out your creations and spread happiness. You must then use the opportunity to decorate your house during festive times like birthdays, Diwali, Ganpati and other festivals.
Waiting for your comments/views/feed backs.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
22nd June 2020.