Why Wiki’s all set to turn Ghalib cool
In an effort to make Urdu accessible to the new generation, India will soon have its first Urdu Wikipedia.

The Urdu Wiki will work along the lines of Wikipedia allowing readers to edit and add comments. National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), which is helming the project, will initially upload nine volumes of the Urdu encyclopedia that covers subjects ranging from arts, science, politics and culture and soon there will be online classes at 400 NCPUL centres across the country.
Urdu lovers are excited about the project and wonder if this paves the way for a Sanskritpedia or Banglapedia.
Linguist and English teacher Shamik Chakravarty says today when everything seems to be happening on the Internet, it’ll help systematic and topical learning and supplement the broader reading. He adds, “There would be a good amount of curiosity. Plus, Urdu Wiki will give Urdu significant public visibility and presence, thus empowering the language, giving it a prestige value. Most things that get publicised on the Web get a cool factor by default. Given that it’s Wiki, it’ll be even more.”
Urdu is a dying language and is only restricted to speaking and literary exercises and it’s important to put efforts to not only preserve it but let it spread, says Sadia Dehlvi, author and editor of the Urdu magazine Bano.
She says, “It’s a fantastic initiative and I am sure it will have a tremendous impact. I am learning Arabic on the YouTube and there can’t be a better medium than the Internet to learn anything. People who love the language often desire to learn Urdu but due to paucity of time and other reasons, they can’t. This move will connect them to the language. If they link it with YouTube and social networking sites and make it interactive, I am sure it will benefit the language immensely and get it more followers.”
Publishing professional Yawar Khan seconds that Wikipedia can help if they also provide a good Urdu dictionary online and something like Google translate app and help get the users the results in both Urdu and English.
But author Vikrant Dutta begs to differ and says, “Urdu has a very romantic appeal for its lyrical ability and poetic flow. Millions in India despite not having an academic knowledge follow the verses of poets and relish them. However, Urdu Wiki will not really help in getting more people enthused in Urdu as there has to be a basic education to learn the language and the script. Urdu may not really benefit from having an online encyclopedia but it may have the power to appeal and engage interested readers.”

Where burial is an eco-friendly affair
Those concerned about the environment are increasingly turning to biodegradable coffins and other means of being eco-friendly. However, you don’t need a pine box to be ecologically friendly in death.
In Sweden, there is increasing interest in using science to help decomposition along. First, your body is reduced to a fine powder through a special process. And, since there are metals in your body, these can be recycled. So the metals from your body are separated out and sent to be reused in various products.
Then, your remains are placed in a biodegradable container and buried. Once the container breaks down, your remains are easily absorbed, as they are in the form of an earth-friendly powder.

Who has sued a paper for defamation
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi has sued Hong Kong’s leading newspaper the Apple Daily and its sister weekly Next Magazine over reports that she prostituted herself with senior Chinese officials. An article in Apple Daily said Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star Zhang “is a prostitute” and had sex with disgraced top official Bo Xilai and his wealthy associate Xu Ming for money on “numerous occasions”.
The story was removed from the newspaper’s website after Zhang threatened to sue last month.
When geeks are in for a cultural feast
South Florida’s largest Geek Entertainment Festival: Florida Supercon 2012 returns to Miami for its 7th annual event at the Miami Airport Convention Center. The five-day fest starts on June 29.
The festival will feature over 10,000 fans, over 200 guest celebrities, comic book creators, artists, writers, filmmakers and bands, as well as hundreds of events, including celebrity Q&As, costume contests, photoshoots, industry panels, live music, video games and much more!
Complete information on all the guests and more events can be found at www.floridasupercon.com.

What is the recipe for fermented fashion
Scientists have unveiled a collection of garments fashioned from red wine.
A team from the University of Western Australia added a bacteria called acetobacter to vats of wine to convert it into vinegar and a scum-like surface gradually forms. This layer is then harvested and dried on an inflatable mannequin to get the desired shape.
When the dummy is deflated the clothing remains. When the ensemble dries the fibres become like tissue paper, tearing easily and need to be kept damp when worn.