Belief in ancient giant human races is a pervasive theme across cultures and mythologies worldwide, but it’s important to distinguish between folklore and scientific evidence.
Mythology and Folklore:
Many ancient cultures have stories of giants. These narratives often describe beings of immense size and strength, sometimes as primordial forces, antagonists to gods or humans, or even as builders of ancient structures. Some notable examples include:
* Biblical Giants: The Bible mentions figures like the Nephilim (Genesis 6:4, Numbers 13:33), often translated as giants, and the famous Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Other groups like the Anakim, Amorites, and Rephaites are also described as having great stature.
* Greek Mythology: The Gigantes (Giants) were a race of monstrous, earth-born beings who battled the Olympian gods. Other giants like the one-eyed Cyclopes (e.g., Polyphemus from Homer’s Odyssey) and figures like Antaeus also appear in Greek myths.
* Norse Mythology: The Jötnar (often translated as giants) are powerful beings who inhabit various realms and have complex relationships with the Norse gods, sometimes acting as allies, other times as adversaries.
* Other Cultures:
* Aztec mythology speaks of the Quinametzin, a race of giant men.
* Basque folklore features giants like the Jentil and Mairu.
* Bulgarian mythology mentions the Ispolini, who inhabited the Earth before modern humans.
* Native American traditions like the Northern Paiute’s legend of the Si-Te-Cah (cannibalistic red-haired giants) also exist.
These stories often served to explain natural phenomena, monumental ancient structures, or simply to represent powerful, untamed forces. In many cases, the discovery of large fossilized bones (often from extinct megafauna like mammoths or mastodons) by ancient peoples likely contributed to the belief in giants, as these bones could be easily mistaken for oversized human remains.
Scientific and Archaeological Perspective:
From a scientific standpoint, there is no credible archaeological evidence of a distinct “giant human race” in ancient times, meaning a population of humans significantly larger than the tallest humans known today (e.g., over 8-9 feet tall as a consistent average for a population).
While individuals with gigantism (a condition caused by excessive growth hormone) have existed throughout history, and some ancient people were taller than the average for their time, this does not indicate an entire race of giants.
Reports of “giant skeletons” found in the 19th and early 20th centuries in places like the United States were largely debunked as hoaxes, misidentifications of animal bones, or exaggerations. For example, the Smithsonian Institution officially debunked many such claims in 1934.
In summary, while the idea of ancient giant human races is a rich and fascinating part of human mythology and folklore across the globe, it is not supported by scientific or archaeological evidence.

اداکارہ صاحبہ نے ایک انکشاف کیا ہے کہ ان کے شوہر افضل خان المعروف ریمبو کی سب سے عجیب عادت یہ ہے کہ وہ ہر چیز کو سونگھتے ہیں، چاہے وہ کوئی بھی چیز ہو۔ یہ بات انہوں نے ایک ٹی وی شو میں بتائی۔

The statement, “The last 25 years have shown us what’s possible. The next 25 will depend on whether the world keeps showing up for the children who need it most,” encapsulates a critical truth about global child welfare.
The Last 25 Years: Achievements and What’s Possible
Over the past quarter-century, significant progress has been made in various aspects of child well-being, largely due to international cooperation and dedicated efforts by organizations like UNICEF and the Global Fund for Children. Some key achievements include:
* Decline in child mortality: There has been a steady global decline in child mortality rates, indicating improved access to healthcare, vaccinations, and nutrition.
* Increased school completion rates: More children are attending and completing school, expanding opportunities for education and future prospects.
* Reduced adolescent suicide rates: While challenges remain, there has been an overall reduction in adolescent suicide in many countries, suggesting greater awareness and support for mental health.
* Growing recognition of child rights: The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), adopted in 1989, has been a cornerstone in advocating for and integrating children’s rights into international relations and national policies.
* Expansion of social protection programs: Integrated social protection schemes and “cash plus” programs have shown positive impacts on reducing child poverty and deprivation.
These advancements demonstrate that with concerted effort, strategic investment, and international collaboration, tangible improvements in children’s lives are indeed possible.
The Next 25 Years: The Dependence on Global Commitment
Despite the progress, significant challenges persist and new ones are emerging, threatening to reverse hard-won gains. The next 25 years will critically depend on whether the world collectively addresses these issues and maintains its commitment to the most vulnerable children:
* Conflict and geopolitical instability: Over 473 million children now live in conflict-affected areas, the highest number since World War II. Attacks on civilian infrastructure, displacement, starvation, disease, and psychological trauma are severe consequences that require urgent and sustained humanitarian response.
* Economic instability and poverty: Debt distress in many developing countries is diverting funds away from essential services like education and healthcare, pushing hundreds of thousands of children into poverty. Global economic shocks disproportionately impact the most vulnerable.
* Climate change: Extreme weather events, water scarcity, and environmental degradation are directly affecting children’s health, displacement, and food security. Integrating child rights into climate policies and providing necessary finance for implementation will be crucial.
* Declining mental well-being and academic skills: Recent UNICEF reports highlight a concerning decline in children’s academic performance and life satisfaction in many wealthy countries, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns around excessive digital technology use.
* Workforce shortages in child welfare: Many countries face severe shortages of social service workers, leaving millions of children unprotected. Investment in professionalizing and supporting this workforce is vital.
* Inconsistent and fragmented funding: Child protection initiatives often suffer from unreliable and fragmented funding streams, hindering their ability to provide consistent support. Innovative and blended finance models are needed.
The future of child welfare hinges on a continued, intensified, and well-coordinated global effort. This includes:
* Strengthening resilient systems: Building robust systems for education, healthcare, social protection, and child protection that can withstand and adapt to crises.
* Prioritizing investment in children: Reforming global financial systems to prioritize sustainable development and intergenerational equity, ensuring adequate funding for child-focused programs.
* Upholding international law and norms: Ensuring respect for child rights and international humanitarian law in conflict zones and holding perpetrators accountable.
* Fostering collaboration: Encouraging partnerships between governments, international organizations, civil society, and local communities to address multifaceted challenges.
* Addressing inequalities: Focusing on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, who are disproportionately affected by global crises.
In essence, the remarkable achievements of the past 25 years provide a roadmap and a testament to what’s achievable. However, the path forward is fraught with complex and interconnected challenges. The responsibility now lies with the global community to not only “show up” but to actively invest in, protect, and empower the children who represent our collective future.

حالیہ خبروں کے مطابق، پاکستان میں بجلی کے دو میٹر لگانے پر پابندی کی خبریں جھوٹی اور من گھڑت ہیں۔ پاور ڈویژن نے ان خبروں کی تردید کی ہے اور وضاحت جاری کی ہے۔
نیپرا کنزیومر سروسز مینول 2021 کے مطابق، مخصوص شرائط پر دوسرا میٹر لگانا جائز ہے۔ مثال کے طور پر، اگر رہائشی جگہ میں علیحدہ پورشن ہو، علیحدہ داخلی راستہ ہو اور علیحدہ کچن ہو تو وہاں الگ میٹر کی اجازت ہے۔
پاور ڈویژن کا کہنا ہے کہ بجلی کے ناجائز استعمال اور سبسڈی کے غلط فائدے کو روکنے کے لیے قانون پہلے بھی موجود تھا اور اب بھی مکمل طور پر نافذ العمل ہے۔ عوام سے گزارش کی گئی ہے کہ وہ اس قسم کی جھوٹی خبروں پر توجہ نہ دیں اور بجلی کے میٹرز کے درست اور شفاف استعمال میں بجلی کی تقسیم کار کمپنیوں سے تعاون کریں۔