logo
#

Latest news with #Blacker

How the Great Trigonometric Survey led to the mapping of India
How the Great Trigonometric Survey led to the mapping of India

The Hindu

time5 days ago

  • General
  • The Hindu

How the Great Trigonometric Survey led to the mapping of India

Chennai, then Madras, 1819. Syed Mir Mohsin Husain, a jeweller from Arcot, was working in the store of his employer, George Gordon, when some British military officials stopped by with a strange instrument, asking if Mohsin could fix it. Though he had never seen such an instrument before, he managed to repair it, a skill noted by one of these officers, Lieutenant-Colonel Valentine Blacker, 'who was thoroughly impressed with Mohsin's 'uncommon intelligence and acuteness'', states a new book titled India in Triangles: The incredible story of how India was mapped and the Himalayasmeasured by Shruthi Rao and Meera Iyer, published by Puffin, an imprint of Penguin Random House India. From then on, Blacker often turned to Mohsin for help, even appointing him as an instrument maker at the Surveyor General's office when he (Blacker) became the Surveyor-General of India in 1823. Meera loves the story of Mohsin, this small-town jeweller, who went on to become an instrument maker and played a crucial role in the Great Trigonometric Survey (GTS), 'the most advanced survey of its kind in the Indian subcontinent at the time-and the largest in the world,' as India in Triangles puts it. 'I wish more people knew about Mohsin,' says the Bengaluru-based writer and researcher, the convenor of the Bengaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). There are other, equally compelling personalities in the book, which tells the story of how the Indian subcontinent was mapped. These include William Lambton, who kick-started the ambitious project; his successors, George Everest, Andrew Scott Waugh and James Walker; scores of mostly unnamed Indian flagmen or khalasis; and Radhanath Sikdar, the Indian mathematician and social reformer who would go on to calculate the height of Mount Everest in 1852. However, India in Triangles is also about mathematical principles, instruments, and the methodology used to survey this vast land with its complex topography. Additionally, it discusses its major outcomes — including improved maps, a deeper understanding of the Earth's curvature, and confirmation that Mount Everest is the world's tallest mountain — and is packed with engaging exercises, trivia, anecdotes, and facts. Shruthi reveals one of them: 'There is no evidence that Everest ever saw the mountain named after him,' she says, pointing out that it was actually named by Waugh in honour of his superior. While Everest, unlike his more easy-going predecessor Lambton, appears to have been a bit of a curmudgeon, he was also a 'pretty impressive guy. He brought in multiple innovations and made the survey faster,' says the California-based children's writer and editor. The start of a survey The pilot for this great survey was conducted in Banaswadi, Bengaluru, in 1800, merely a year after the defeat of Tipu Sultan in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. Lambton, who was part of the British regiment that fought this war, had proposed this survey for two broad reasons, explains Meera. The first was that the East India Company, which was rapidly acquiring new territories, needed maps. 'Yes, they had maps already, but these were not very accurate,' she says. Additionally, the geographer in Lambton sought to measure the Earth's true shape, fulfilling his long-held desire to contribute to the field of geodesy. 'In the 1780s, they had started trigonometrical surveys in England, and Lambton was following it very closely,' says Meera. Once Tipu Sultan was defeated, they had access to the entire territory of Mysore as well, which meant that 'practically all of South India is no longer enemy territory for the British so they could go almost anywhere they wanted,' she adds. 'This idea, Lambton had of drawing a line across the land, could be done. So that is how everything came together.' The GTS was based on the principle of triangulation, a process that divides a shape or surface into multiple triangles. 'In trigonometry, when you know the measurement of one side and two angles, you can calculate the lengths of the other two sides,' says Shruthi. Using this basic idea, 'they were able to draw imaginary triangles across the land.' According to her, only the first line of the triangle —the baseline —was physically drawn and measured on the ground. 'Then, from each end point of that line, they were able to sight the third point of the triangle, measure the angles and find the length of the other two sides of the triangle,' she explains, elaborating that one of these would then become the next baseline, which in turn would be used to map another triangle, and so on. 'It became a network of triangles across India, and using these triangles and paper and pencil, they were able to map the entire country.' A lasting legacy The actual process was arduous, involving the physical labour of lugging heavy equipment through harsh, often hostile terrain, while constantly battling the elements. 'They expected it to take around five years,' says Meera, with a laugh. In reality, however, it took nearly a hundred years, with the Great Trigonometric Survey officially kickstarting in April 1802 in Madras two years after the pilot in Bangalore. 'He chose the Madras Racecourse to set up the baseline… because it was close to St Thomas Mount, which sat on the 13th parallel, the same latitude as Bangalore,' states the book. 'Lambton was already familiar with the Bangalore region, which would be useful when he extended his triangulation from coast to coast, going from Madras to Bangalore and onwards to Mangalore along this latitude.' There was no looking back from there. The surveyors would spend the next few decades establishing baselines and drawing triangles all across the country, even as the leadership baton was passed on from Lambton to Everest, Waugh and finally to Walker. 'We know when it started, but not when it ended,' says Meera. 'Very often, it is said that it lasted 70 years, because on-ground operations were going on for that long, but you still see reports written after 70 years. Even in the early 1900s, reports were coming out about the GTS because they were still doing calculations, still correcting things.' What is clear, however, is the impressive legacy that the GTS has left behind, still lingering two centuries later. For instance, all Government-made maps of India, since the 1830s, have been based on one of the outcomes of this survey, the Everest Spheroid, which 'best represents what the surface of the Earth is actually like in the Indian subcontinent,' according to the book. It is also useful for people trying to understand the Earth's tectonic shifts. 'Because the GTS benchmarks and baselines were made and measured with such accuracy, they provide useful points to geologists who study earthquakes and plate tectonics,' it further states. Writing a book about the GTS When Shruthi went on a holiday to Mussoorie in 2014, she visited George Everest's house, located in Hathipaon. 'I did some research and heard about the Great Trigonometric Survey for the first time,' she says. She found herself wanting to write about this house, which was 'at that time, completely dilapidated', and went on to publish an article about it in a national media outlet. As part of her research, she read The Great Arc by the British historian and journalist John Keay, a book about the survey, and found herself becoming increasingly fascinated by the GTS. 'It has been running in my head since that time, and I wanted to write it for children,' she says. When she started researching for the book online, she discovered that Meera's byline recurred in many of the articles about the same survey, she says. 'First, I thought I would ask her for help with research; then, I ended up asking her to co-author the book with me, and she agreed,' explains Shruthi. Meera, who was directly involved in restoring an observatory located at the end of a baseline in Kannur, off the Hennur-Bagalur Road in Bengaluru, a structure that had been used to map the landscape, says that she first laid her eyes on 'this really strange building' back in 2010. She began reading about the GTS 'to figure out what this structure was,' she says, adding that INTACH started working on restoring it in 2018 or 2019. And while, unfortunately, the structure was later demolished in June 2024, 'that was when my interest really took off,' says Meera, who spent a lot of time in various archives researching the survey. Since the book is aimed at younger readers, the authors made sure that it was as conversational and simple as possible, says Shruthi. 'I give a lot of context, see that it relates to real-life situations and make sure that we not only describe trigonometry and the mathematical part of it, but also offer a bird's eye view,' she says. 'We also put in activities for children to help them get a feel of things.' And it isn't just children who are buying the book; adults seem to be enjoying it too. 'I think, compared to my other books for children, we are getting a lot of adult interest because very few people know about this,' says Shruthi. 'But, they're fascinated by the topic.' India in Triangles is available online and at all major bookstores

Tributes pour in for 'Dr. Boomer,' Castlemont math teacher killed in Oakland chase
Tributes pour in for 'Dr. Boomer,' Castlemont math teacher killed in Oakland chase

Yahoo

time01-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

Tributes pour in for 'Dr. Boomer,' Castlemont math teacher killed in Oakland chase

OAKLAND, Calif. - On the day that he was killed – caught up as an innocent bystander in a CHP pursuit of a stolen car suspect – Castlemont High School math teacher Marvin Boomer was dressed in a plaid jacket and tie. Boomer was participating in an Urban Design Academy Pathway project that involved students giving presentations on the sustainability of the Coliseum stadium. Ray Bobbitt, founder of the African American Sports Entertainment Group, was there. "He looked like a Harvard professor," his Castlemont colleague, George Arterberry, said on Friday night as more than 100 people came out to mourn his death. "And he wanted these kids to know this: that it matters. He dressed like it was an inauguration. Nobody else does that." That was just one of the many stories colleagues, students and strangers told about Boomer, 40, who was killed in a freak accident on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. at East 21st Street and Park Boulevard while he was taking an evening stroll with his girlfriend – hours after that Urban Design Academy presentation. But just as he was walking on the sidewalk, California Highway Patrol officers were in pursuit of an 18-year-old who they say stole an Infiniti G35 and then was driving "recklessly" in an attempt to evade police. The teenage driver, Eric Hernandez-Garcia, ended up striking a minivan with two people inside, and then, five blocks later, a parked car, a tree and a fire hydrant, which ended up getting knocked off its base and flying into Boomer – some of which was captured on a neighbor's Ring video. Water spewed all over the neighborhood. Boomer's girlfriend went up the stairs to a pastor's home to get help. But it was too late. Boomer had died. Hernandez-Garcia was charged with seven felonies on Friday, including vehicular manslaughter, to which he did not enter a plea. Castlemont High also held its graduation of seniors earlier in the day, and at 6 p.m., many of his students and co-workers gathered at the site where he was killed. People praised Boomer's brilliance, his humility and his love of the underserved community in which he had called home for nearly a decade, after moving to Oakland from Memphis, Tenn. "Memphis is a lot like Oakland, just bigger and Blacker," Arterberry said, noting that they had both worked at Castlemont High for eight years, two doors down from each other. "So he knew this kind of ZIP code. So he took to the 'Deep East' very quickly. And this man was a master degree Black math teacher." Arterberry described Boomer's math class as the place to be. The blinds were closed. Soft jazz played. Boomer lit up a lava lamp. "And his class was just getting off on doing math," Arterberry said. "It was very chill." Several students, current and former, said that Boomer was the only math teacher who made the subject understandable for them. He also had a sense of humor. One student referred to him as "Mr. Boom Boom." Only one speaker took to the microphone to bring up the highly controversial matter of police chases, as the issue has been thrust into the spotlight by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who implored Oakland in December 2024 to loosen its chase policies to that of the CHP, where officers can pursue suspects for crimes that are not violent. Newsom and others say that Oakland is a magnet for criminals who know they can get away with stealing property if law enforcement won't go after them. But advocates of Oakland's more strict pursuit policy point to tragedies like the one that befell Boomer as a reason to abort a chase if it's not an urgent matter of life or death. A man who identified himself as Jaime from Dare to Struggle Bay Area, said that it's "really upsetting" not to place blame for Boomer's death on the CHP. But Cat Brooks, founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project and the organizer of the vigil, quickly shut him down, saying that Boomer's family and friends did not want to shadow the event with talk of politics and blame. Instead, the crowd was there to honor a man who held education on a pedestal. Boomer – Dr. Boomer – as many people called him, earned his Master's degree in teaching from Belmont University and a PhD in philosophy and educational research and policy analysis from North Carolina State University, according to his LinkedIn. He was hired at Castlemont High in 2017 and has been there ever since. One friend, who was wearing a "Danger: Education Black Man" shirt, described how he loved having long talks with Boomer about a variety of deep subjects. "Boomer was a Black man and he was a doctor," his friend said. "That's even more rare than a unicorn. We lost a star here and this did not have to happen." In addition to loving school and his students, friends described Boomer as a foodie and a God-fearing man. They said he had no biological children, but he poured that fatherly energy into his students. Arterberry mentioned that Boomer had two brothers who died and had two or three sisters. Boomer's girlfriend, who was injured in the pursuit, did not appear to be at the vigil. But many of his "Castle" colleagues were, as were Councilwoman Charlene Wang and state Assemblywoman Mia Bonta. That includes Castlemont teacher Brenda Franklin, who saw him after his Coliseum presentation on Wednesday, when he shared a bit of his celebratory Raising Cane's lemonade with him. She called him "brilliant," a "visionary," a "leader." Franklin also said that Boomer encouraged her to go back to school to get her masters. She recalled a time when he came to her house for six hours to help her apply to school. "You can go to school, you can get your masters," she recalled him saying. She earned her higher degree last June. "I got in graduate school, y'all, because of Dr. Boomer believing in me," she said. "I might go get my doctorate now in the name of him.

Today's rugby news as Welsh team close in on signing and game's newest star says 'bring on Cardiff'
Today's rugby news as Welsh team close in on signing and game's newest star says 'bring on Cardiff'

Wales Online

time04-05-2025

  • Sport
  • Wales Online

Today's rugby news as Welsh team close in on signing and game's newest star says 'bring on Cardiff'

Today's rugby news as Welsh team close in on signing and game's newest star says 'bring on Cardiff' The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world Dane Blacker of Dragons is closing in on a move to the Scarlets (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) These are your headlines on the morning of Sunday, May 4. Scarlets close in on scrum-half signing The Scarlets are leading the chase for the signature of their former scrum-half Dane Blacker who looks set to leave the Dragons at the end of the season. ‌ Dwayne Peel's side are in the market for a number nine after a move for Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney fell through, with Blacker and Wales scrum-half Ellis Bevan potential options. ‌ But WalesOnline understands the west Walians are the favourites to land Blacker, with Peel keen to add some depth at scrum-half to compliment the experience Gareth Davies along with the up and coming Archie Hughes. Blacker left the Scarlets in 2023 for the Dragons but he has played second fiddle to current Wales squad member Rhodri Williams at Rodney Parade, while former Wales U20s number nine Che Hope is very highly rated. The 26-year-old Blacker was himself once viewed as a future Wales international and was selected by Wayne Pivac for his autumn squad in 2022, where he was an unused replacement in the shocking home loss to Georgia which ultimately cost the New Zealander his job. Article continues below Blacker is a potent attacking scrum-half and still has plenty to offer. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Pollock: Bring on Cardiff By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent Henry Pollock hailed Northampton's 'no fear' approach after Saints shredded the form book to stun tournament favourites Leinster and book a place in this season's Investec Champions Cup final. ‌ The reigning Gallagher Premiership champions had been largely written off against opponents that did not concede a point in demolishing knockout-stage rivals Harlequins and Glasgow. But Saints had other ideas, avenging last year's narrow semi-final defeat against Leinster and ending a 14-year wait to reach northern hemisphere rugby's biggest domestic showpiece. They will meet Bordeaux-Begles or Toulouse in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on May 24, with England having a first Champions Cup finalist since Exeter in 2020. ‌ Flanker Pollock scored one of Northampton's five tries in a dramatic 37-34 victory and underlined his British and Irish Lions selection credentials ahead of the Australia tour squad announcement on Thursday. Pollock's England team-mate Tommy Freeman scored a first-half hat-trick, while full-back James Ramm also touched down and Fin Smith kicked three conversions and two penalties. 'I have never played in a game that hard in my life,' Pollock told Premier Sports. ‌ 'That is what dreams are made of. As a boy, I grew up watching this competition and to reach the final is so special. 'To come out here with no fear, being 100 per cent at everything we did, this is what sport is about. It is why you play the game. 'Bring on Leinster, we've ticked that box. Bring on Cardiff!' ‌ Saints and England fly-half Smith admitted that being widely dismissed spurred Northampton on for the Aviva Stadium clash. Smith said: 'All week we were reading stuff – Leinster by 35, Leinster by 40 points. We are a tight group and we looked at that and thought, 'Bring it on'. 'No-one else believed, but we stayed nice and calm all week, said we had a job to do and turned up and did it.' ‌ Freeman, who touched down in all of England's Six Nations games this season, led the way during a magnificent Saints performance. And Northampton rugby director Phil Dowson added: 'He (Freeman) comes across as a very laid-back, happy-go-lucky guy and nothing seems to faze him and he can play on occasions like that. 'But he is also massively driven. Don't let that fool you that he is this laid-back, casual guy, because he is actually pushing himself incredibly hard. His athleticism is unreal. ‌ 'I am immensely proud. The second half was ugly, but we stuck at it. The effort they put in, huge credit, it was a great team performance.' Four-time winners Leinster matched their opponents try for try, Josh van der Flier (two), Tommy O'Brien, Caelan Doris and James Lowe crossing, with Sam Prendergast landing three conversions and a penalty. Saints even had to overcome late yellow cards for flanker Josh Kemeny and lock Alex Coles that saw them briefly reduced to 13 players, yet an astonishing defensive effort kept Leinster out during the closing minutes. ‌ Leinster captain Doris said: 'We are absolutely gutted. I don't know what to say really. 'Credit to Saints. They came out firing, as we expected, and their attack was very dangerous, but we just weren't good enough.' Wales star into Cardiff final Wales' Archie Griffin has progressed to the European Challenge Cup final with Bath. ‌ The West Country outfit proved too strong for Edinburgh, winning 39-24 at the Hive Stadium. Prop Griffin came off the bench for the Premiership side and showed plenty of energy around the park. Man of the match Sam Underhill said of the win: "That was very tough. I don't think the scoreline reflected how competitive it was, especially in that middle 40. ‌ "Edinburgh were brilliant on their goalline. Their defence was very hard to break down and it was a proper match. "I'm also very proud of out lads for finding a way." They have now booked their place at the Principality Stadium on May 23, where they will face either Lyon or Racing 92, who face off tomorrow. ‌ Owens comments on comeback Welsh referee Nigel Owens says he was glad to complete the 80 minutes after making his comeback with the whistle this weekend. On Saturday afternoon, the former international official was the man in the middle as Lampeter RFC took on London Welsh in a 150th anniversary match. "And there we have it. Comeback complete and lasted the full 80mins," he wrote on Instagram, complete with laughing emojis. ‌ "Great game too well done Llanbed and London Welsh." Fellow whistler Luke Pearce commented on Owens' post, saying: "I'll complete whistle watch and come back to you." Writing on social media ahead before the game, the Welshman said: "BREAKING NEWS: I'm back. After 4 years I am picking up the whistle again tomorrow for a special 150 years anniversary celebrating Lampeter RFC in their match versus London Welsh. Hope the legs will last the 80 mins." ‌ Exeter axe Hunter PA staff Exeter have parted company with head coach Rob Hunter. The Gallagher Premiership club confirmed Hunter's departure four days after he and attack coach Ali Hepher were suspended following Exeter's club-record 79-17 defeat at Gloucester. ‌ 'Exeter Rugby Club can confirm that, following a period of consultation, Rob Hunter has departed the club by mutual agreement,' said a club statement. 'We extend our sincere thanks to Rob for his substantial and valued contribution over many years. 'His commitment and professionalism have played an important role in the club's journey.' ‌ Hunter had only had four games as head coach, having been promoted to the role following Hepher's demotion in March. Exeter are currently ninth in the Premiership after three wins in 15 games this season, with only Newcastle below them. Chiefs director of Rugby Rob Baxter said: 'Rob has been an integral part of our coaching team across multiple seasons. Article continues below 'I want to personally thank him for his hard work, loyalty, and the positive influence he has had on the squad. 'Although it is never easy to part ways with someone who has contributed so much, we look forward with confidence and enthusiasm as we continue to build on the strong foundations Rob has helped to establish.'

UK's wonkiest road reopens after three-year closure
UK's wonkiest road reopens after three-year closure

Yahoo

time02-04-2025

  • General
  • Yahoo

UK's wonkiest road reopens after three-year closure

People living near a road once dubbed Britain's wonkiest say they are excited it is back open - and not at all wonky. A large section of the B4069 at Lyneham Banks, in Wiltshire, was damaged by a landslip during Storm Eunice in 2022. Three years and one month later, at a cost of £5m to Wiltshire Council, it is open again and diversion signs will be taken down over the next few days. Trish Blacker, who lives in Bradenstoke where diverted lorries had to travel down tiny roads, said it is "going to be seriously positive". Ms Blacker said the lengthy diversion route meant the school run could take two hours each day. "It's been a struggle," she said. "I'm a mum with four children. It's meant a huge amount of time in the car. It's been frustrating, but I'm excited." Ms Blacker said there was anger when the road first closed, but added this had died down over time. She said people are now in "high spirits" at the opening. "It is going to give everybody more time," she added. Kirt lives in Lyneham and explained the long diversion had been costing him a lot in petrol: "It should only be a 14 mile round trip for me to go to work. I've being doing 34 a day." "It feels absolutely amazing. It's like a weight lifted off my shoulders." He also remembers seeing the road breaking - noticing a big hole just before it shut. "If you saw the state of it, you could see why it took so long," he added. John Williams lives in Lyneham and can see the road from his home. He said the diversion meant he had to drive an additional 5,000 miles (8,047km) during the three-year closure. "I'm not angry," he said. "I just sort of accepted it really. [It was] just one of those things we had to put up with." Mr Williams said he is impressed by the work, especially with the planting of new hedgerows and trees. "They've really worked hard - they've got it done on time." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The project has been described as "challenging" by both the council and the contractor Octavius. This was because the land was moving for a while after the landslip, and meant there had to be a lot of investigation to work out how to repair it. Now the road is open once again, Ms Blacker said she will be travelling down it blasting On The Road Again by Willy Nelson. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Work starts to repair Wiltshire's 'wonkiest road' Wiltshire's wonkiest road 'killing pub's trade' Road ripped up by subsidence could cost millions to fix

Lyneham Banks: UK's wonkiest road opens after three-year closure
Lyneham Banks: UK's wonkiest road opens after three-year closure

BBC News

time02-04-2025

  • General
  • BBC News

Lyneham Banks: UK's wonkiest road opens after three-year closure

People living near a road once dubbed Britain's wonkiest say they are excited it is back open - and not at all wonky.A large section of the B4069 at Lyneham Banks, in Wiltshire, was damaged by a landslip during Storm Eunice in years and one month later, at a cost of £5m to Wiltshire Council, it is open again and diversion signs will be taken down over the next few Blacker, who lives in Bradenstoke where diverted lorries had to travel down tiny roads, said it is "going to be seriously positive". Ms Blacker said the lengthy diversion route meant the school run could take two hours each day."It's been a struggle," she said. "I'm a mum with four children. It's meant a huge amount of time in the car. It's been frustrating, but I'm excited." Ms Blacker said there was anger when the road first closed, but added this had died down over said people are now in "high spirits" at the opening."It is going to give everybody more time," she added. John Williams lives in Lyneham and can see the road from his said the diversion meant he had to drive an additional 5,000 miles (8,047km) during the three-year closure."I'm not angry," he said. "I just sort of accepted it really. [It was] just one of those things we had to put up with."Mr Williams said he is impressed by the work, especially with the planting of new hedgerows and trees."They've really worked hard - they've got it done on time." The project has been described as "challenging" by both the council and the contractor was because the land was moving for a while after the landslip, and meant there had to be a lot of investigation to work out how to repair the road is open once again, Ms Blacker said she will be travelling down it blasting On The Road Again by Willy Nelson.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store