After writing about heroes, it is time to write about Zero. An element from which all the heroes evolve. Zéro (French), Zefiro (Italian), Sifr (Arabic), Sunya (Sanskrit) - they all represent a term "empty" and in the modern world we know it as "Zero". Zero is a foundation and a fundamental start for all of us.

"Nothing" can be "Something"

Imagine the world without zero. Without zero, there will be no decimal system in place. The distance between planets, their orbits, their shapes and other heavenly bodies existing in the universe would not have been found out by humans. No algebra, financial accounting, calculus or arithmetic calculations are possible without zero, hence, no real mathematics. On a humorous note, we would have less to study and women wouldn't stress to get their figure size zero.

Every hero whom we idolize must have started from a zero. The concept of null, empty and nothingness emerged from zero. We all strived from a starting point which is always a zero and we calculate our success or failure based on this starting point which is defined by zero.

Power of Zero 

Zero is supposed to be nothing, but works wonders if on the right side.
Anonymous

When being asked who do you consider your hero or superhero, I have always answered "my father". For almost every girl, her father is her first superhero. I am no different. We see our fathers performing supernatural and next to impossible activities for us to keep us happy so we tend to compare them with superheroes. In my humble opinion, every individual who takes pride in serving his country and countrymen, is a hero.

My another reason to call my papa "superhero" is - he made my country proud. Yes, he served in Indian Army. Married to a daughter of another army soldier, my papa has been a pride for his country and his family. He had been a part of three wars during his service to the country - two with Pakistan (1965 & 1971) and one with China (1962).

On being selected in Indian Army and going through his months-long strenuous training, he was ready to accept all the challenges his life was about to throw at him. His life, while at service, had never been a bed of roses but he never complained about it. He could have worked in offices like some of his friends but he always says that the feeling to make your country proud will never match any other feeling even when you make the six-figure salary.

Having posted at the coldest place in India at Siachen to the hottest place in Rajasthan, we had never seen his mental and physical stamina being shaken. We didn't see him for months unless we all lived in army quarters together.

It has been 26 years since he retired from the Indian Defence Services but the soldier inside him is still in action. Like every other Indian, his blood boils too when he hears the blood being shed at the border. He is still ready to go and fight for the country if called by the services.

When being asked what is his biggest asset, his answer is always his "Uniform and medallions" which are precious to him. They are his pride and honour. We have grown up listening to his stories during his service life. Needless to say, when the head of the family is in Army, discipline is instilled in the family as well.

I am one of those lucky daughters of army personnel who loves her father to be at a phone call's distance away. Life never gives another chance to a soldier and there are no runners-up in war. Yes, my father is my "superhero".

Be the change you want to see in the world.
- Mahatma Gandhi

Duties of a common man

Nathan Hope. Does anyone know who this person is?

Well, all the selfie lovers must thank him because Nathan Hope, an Australian, is believed to have used the word "selfie" for the first time by sharing an image of his busted lip. In the year 2016, when all the leading phone companies are launching their best mobile phones enhanced with the best cameras, we are so busy documenting our life and cannot afford a moment to be lost.

A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.
- Eudora Welty

In the good old days, when taking a photograph was not a daily affair and the limited photo collection we had was very precious to us. Be it a childhood photograph or a wedding photograph, it is always so close to one's heart which reminds us of our special time spans in our life. In the age when no facebook, instagram, or pinterest existed and the development of photographs took more than extra effort, we always ensured that we should make memories of our special occasions.

According to some memory researchers, photographs have an impact on the memory. Although this impact is not always encouraging, it helps in improving memory. If it is a family photograph, it helps in reviving the relationships.

Having thought about any such photograph which I cherish forever is my childhood picture with my father when I was a few months old. This picture brings back the memories of my childhood. This picture has been so close to my heart because my father and I shot a similar picture 29 years later and we were totally unaware of the fact that we were creating another version of it. In all those years, smiles haven't changed and so is the bond between father and daughter, the only thing that has changed is our geographic location.

1984 (Punjab, India):
It is the wonder of the old photographs which makes me think that how much I miss being a child. I am sure that the photographs I take today will also make a memory which I can cherish with my next generation.