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In <keyword id="909361" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Daphne-du-Maurier" source="Orion">Daphne du Maurier</keyword>'s short story, <keyword id="124416" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Birds" source="Orion">The Birds</keyword> (1952), a change in bird behaviour is linked to the impact of technological developments after the second world war. <keyword id="48643" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="birds" source="Orion">Birds</keyword>, as the 2022 State of the World's Birds report warns, are "barometers for planetary health". Nearly half of global bird species are now in decline. In <keyword id="5882797" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="du-maurier" source="Orion">du Maurier</keyword>'s apocalyptic tale, set in Cornwall, birds launch vicious and unprovoked attacks on humans. Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation, The Birds, celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023. Revisiting du Maurier's story of relentless devastation shows how the writer anticipated some of today's most pressing environmental concerns. In her 1989 memoir, Enchanted Cornwall, du Maurier claims that she was inspired by seeing a tractor ploughing a field in Cornwall surrounded by circling "cloud of screaming gulls". This scene is transplanted into The Birds when its narrator, disabled second world war veteran and land worker Nat Hocken, observes some unusual behaviour: "As the tractor traced its path up and down the hills ... the man upon it would be lost momentarily in the great cloud of wheeling, crying birds." Nat acknowledges that birds always followed the plough in autumn: "but not in great flocks like these, nor with such clamour". The tractor - and the birds' engagement with it - is significant, as the vehicle is synonymous with mechanisation and changes in the landscape. In his book Something New Under the Sun, historian J.R. McNeill explains that agricultural ecology changed from the 1950s, with the creation of large fields and elimination of hedgerows in order to facilitate industrial farming. This created a situation in which animal "chances for survival and reproduction were apportioned largely according to compatibility with human action". In du Maurier's story, the birds turn this on its head - quite literally - through their attacks. The unnamed tractor driver tells Nat: "I could scarcely see what I was doing." As the birds attack the eyes, sight becomes a metaphor for humans failing to see the changes in nature. Nat, by contrast, eschews technology in favour of traditional methods (he fixes hedgerows and works with a hoe) and quickly realises that the farm owner's attempt to shoot the birds is futile. Like many environmental campaigners, Nat is ignored. His attentiveness to the birds' rhythms and his traditional modes of working are perceived as strange. The aptly named Farmer Trigg is found dead with his gun, as the birds mimic wartime aerial strategies to overcome modern technologies of war and agriculture. The point is underlined when an RAF fighter plane is later found in the field in which the tractor was ploughing, brought down by birds. Du Maurier observed a world in which humans were becoming increasingly disassociated from their environment. This is shown through her sensitivity to nature's delicate balance and attentiveness to changing technology and society (the council houses of Nat's neighbours cannot withstand the birds' assaults whereas his old cottage, with its thick walls, provides more security). The story unremittingly portrays how the social and economic infrastructures we take for granted are fragile and, ultimately, unsustainable. The Birds was published a decade before conservationist <keyword id="258406" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rachel-carson" source="Orion">Rachel Carson</keyword>'s Silent Spring (1962), a pioneering book which highlighted the adverse biological effects of pesticides in American farming. Carson drew on the Romantic poet John Keats's La Belle Dame Sans Merci, set in a wasteland where "The sedge has withered from the lake, / And no birds sing", as one of its epigraphs, signalling the value of literature in the articulation of environmental crisis. Carson's scientific text opens with an apocalyptic vision of a: Spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and scores of other bird voices, there was now no sound; only silence lay over the fields and woods and marsh. The birds are either dying or dead, their plight - both actual and symbolic - indicative of wider environmental damage. Similarly, in The Birds, winter appears overnight and the ground becomes instantly hardened. Carson pioneered an understanding of human biological destruction of nature through her scientific book. Du Maurier articulates the dangers through fiction. In The Birds, du Maurier demonstrates how war - particularly war of the scale that she had witnessed as a civilian - is a destroyer and at the same time a mobiliser of the technologies of mechanisation and chemistry which have wreaked, and continue to wreak, havoc on the planet. The Birds is a pessimistic story. Nat's attempt to warn London of the impeding danger from the birds fails as the woman on the telephone exchange is "laconic, weary" and "impatient", leaving Nat to observe: She doesn't care ... She hopes to go to the pictures tonight. She'll squeeze some fellow's hand, and point up at the sky, and say 'Look at all them birds!' Read today, Nat's comment feels like an ironic observation on the Hollywood interpretations of du Maurier's story, which obscured her original narrative. Modern readers need to "look" at du Maurier's The Birds more closely to see that "something in nature has turned against us". In du Maurier's thriller of altered nature, birds become the violent emissaries of death. She terrorised contemporary readers with a vision of the future, which is now very close to the present. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/top-10-fastest-fifty-in-ipl-till-11th-april-2023/slidelist/99397187.cms">KL Rahul to Nicholas Pooran – here are top ten fastest IPL fifties</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-s23-plus-smartphone-review/articleshow/99302027.cms">Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus review: The perfect blend of style and substance</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/most-common-passwords-can-be-easily-cracked-by-ai-in-under-a-minute/articleshow/99379900.cms">AI chatbots are cracking the code: How PassGAN can break into 51% of common passwords in under a minute</a>

Daphne du Maurier's The Birds predicted environmental crisis 70 years ago

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The early reviews for <keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword>'s new film "<keyword id="1603" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Rebecca">Rebecca</keyword>" have been poor, but director Ben Wheatley told Insider that they are "'irrelevant'" to him and his assessment of the film's success. </li><li>"You can just look at it in terms of numbers and you go, 'Oh, look, it's at 55% [Rotten Tomatoes score] it's a split,'" he said during a phone call on Tuesday evening. "Half the people like it and half the people don't, so whether people like it or not it's kind of irrelevant at that point. As long as some people are liking it, it doesn't matter if some people don't."</li><li>Many publications — including Insider — have panned the film for striking the wrong thematic tone and failing to match up to either Du Maurier's novel or Alfred Hitchcock's beloved 1940s film adaptation. </li></ul>This week Netflix released "Rebecca" — its hotly anticipated adaptation of <keyword id="909361" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Daphne-du-Maurier">Daphne Du Maurier</keyword>'s classic gothic novel.But the early reviews have been poor <a href="https://www.insider.com/netflix-rebecca-review-armie-hammer-disappoints-in-weak-adaptation-2020-10">with many critics — including Insider —</a> criticizing the film for striking the wrong thematic tone and failing to match up to either Du Maurier's novel or Alfred Hitchcock's beloved 1940s film adaptation.However, British writer-director Ben Wheatley who adapted the classic novel for the streaming giant told Insider that bad reviews are "'irrelevant'" to him and his assessment of the film's success. "You can just look at it in terms of numbers and you go, 'Oh, look, it's at 55% [Rotten Tomatoes score] it's a split,'" he said during a phone call on Tuesday evening. "Half the people like it and half the people don't, so whether people like it or not it's kind of irrelevant at that point. As long as some people are liking it, it doesn't matter if some people don't."<div type="image" title="&quot;Rebecca&quot;" height="933" width="1400" msid="78793806" hostid="261"></div><h2>'I think your criteria for failure is a totally personal one'</h2>He added: "In terms of art, it's your own judgment at the end of the day. You can say there's a financial imperative if things do or don't work, but then over time, you see that plenty of things that don't work financially do work later on. "Audiences change and shift over time, so you'd be a fool to go: 'Oh yeah, it failed because it didn't earn enough money.' I think your criteria for failure is a totally personal one."In the new adaptation, <keyword id="1110348" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Lily-James">Lily James</keyword> stars as a bright-eyed young woman who falls in love with and marries a recent widower named Maxim de Winter (<keyword id="618313" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Armie-Hammer">Armie Hammer</keyword>), only to find that his expansive home is haunted by the shadows of his revered late first wife, Rebecca.Kristin Scott Thomas also stars as Mrs. Danvers, the cruel head housekeeper of Maxim de Winter's estate in a performance that Insider described as masterful.Wheatley, who is best known for his independent genre films such as "Kill List" and "Hire Rise," said that casting Scott Thomas was a no-brainer. "Once someone suggested her name it was very difficult to picture anyone else in that part," he explained. "It was more like talking to her and trying to convince her to do it."<div type="image" title="&quot;Rebecca&quot;" height="933" width="1400" msid="78793808" hostid="261"></div>Wheatley also defended his decision to cast Armie Hammer after the "Call Me by Your Name" star's performance was singled out by critics. Insider identified Hammer's performance as a specific low-point for the film describing him as disappointing and inept. In response, Wheatley said: "Those kinds of criticisms, when I read them I go: 'But this is why I did it. This is what I like,' so it's like whatever. If you don't like it that's just a different take."The pair previously worked together on Wheatley's 2016's crime thriller "Free Fire." Next, Wheatley is set to direct "Tomb Raider 2" with Alicia Vikander returning as Lara Croft. The sequel was set to start filming earlier in 2020 for a March 2021 release, but the pandemic halted all production and Wheatley said that everything is "up in the air at the moment." "I mean Christ the whole country is about to go into full lockdown as far as I can see," he said. "Since March everything is day-to-day with planning. It's hard to think about stuff months ahead I just want to get to the end of 2020, to be honest." Read More: <a href="https://www.insider.com/netflix-rebecca-review-armie-hammer-disappoints-in-weak-adaptation-2020-10">Armie Hammer disappoints, Kristin Scott Thomas excels in Netflix's tepid 'Rebecca' adaptation</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/the-20-best-streaming-murder-mysteries-ranked-by-critics-2020-9">The 20 best murder mysteries you can stream online, ranked by critics</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/netflix-best-horror-movies-to-watch-stream">The 29 best horror movies you can stream on Netflix right now</a>

'Rebecca' director Ben Wheatley says it's 'irrelevant' what critics think of his movie

The cost <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> index (<keyword id="6358345" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="cii" source="Orion">CII</keyword>) for 2023-24 relevant to assessment year 2024-25 stood at 348, according to a notification issued by the <keyword id="121964" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="central-board-of-direct-taxes" source="Orion">Central Board of Direct Taxes</keyword> (<keyword id="128665" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="cbdt" source="Orion">CBDT</keyword>) on Tuesday. The income tax department notified the CII for calculating long-term capital gains which arise from sale of assets like immovable property, securities and jewellery. The CII number for 2022-23 was 331 and for 2021-22 it was 317. CII is notified under the <keyword id="472467" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tax-act" source="Orion">Income-tax Act</keyword>, 1961 annually. It is commonly used for calculating 'indexed cost of acquisition' while calculating capital gains at the time of sale of any capital asset. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/daphne-du-mauriers-the-birds-predicted-environmental-crisis-70-years-ago/articleshow/99398111.cms">Daphne du Maurier's The Birds predicted environmental crisis 70 years ago</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/amul-vs-nandini-how-the-dairy-giants-compare-in-terms-of-price-product-types-and-more/slidelist/99398670.cms">Amul vs Nandini: How the dairy giants compare in terms of price, product types and more</a>

Central Board of Direct Taxes notifies cost inflation index for 2023-24

A wind-swept wildfire ripped through the South Korean coastal city of <keyword id="210586" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gangneung" source="Orion">Gangneung</keyword> on Tuesday, destroying about 100 homes and forcing hundreds of residents and tourists to evacuate. The wildfire broke out on a hill in Gangneung's Nangok-dong district at around 8.30 a.m. amid the combination of high wind and dry weather warnings issued by the <keyword id="4959433" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="korea-meteorological-administration" source="Orion">Korea Meteorological Administration</keyword> (<keyword id="6521936" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kma" source="Orion">KMA</keyword>) for the region earlier, reports <keyword id="1248424" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="yonhap-news-agency" source="Orion">Yonhap News Agency</keyword>. From early Tuesday, typhoon-class strong winds with an instantaneous maximum speed reaching 30 metres per second blew over Gangneung, 168 km east of Seoul, and other <keyword id="127185" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="east-coast" source="Orion">east coast</keyword> areas of Gangwon province. The fire was rapidly spreading to the district's residential areas due to gusty winds, burning about 100 houses so far, according to the city's fire officials. No casualties have been reported yet. The city government sent a disaster warning message to the fire-stricken district's residents, asking them to evacuate to community service centres or to the Gangneung Ice Arena. Some tourists staying in nearby accommodations were also evacuated to safe places in case there is an emergency. The fire authorities raised their response posture to the highest level and mobilised more than 300 firefighters, six helicopters and 200 fire trucks, though their firefighting efforts were hampered by strong winds. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/daphne-du-mauriers-the-birds-predicted-environmental-crisis-70-years-ago/articleshow/99398111.cms">Daphne du Maurier's The Birds predicted environmental crisis 70 years ago</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/central-board-of-direct-taxes-notifies-cost-inflation-index-for-2023-24/articleshow/99399432.cms">Central Board of Direct Taxes notifies cost inflation index for 2023-24</a>

Wind-swept wildfires destroy 100 homes in South Korea's Gangneung

<keyword id="566945" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zindagi">Zindagi</keyword>, the channel launched by Zee group to air serials from around the world, has been gaining immense popularity from the Indian audience, maybe because the simple and straight to the point way of telling the stories in these Pakistani serials is a welcome change from the otherwise suffocating, never-ending Indian shows. 
 
However, one thing that differentiates Indian serials from Pakistani ones is the standard of measuring their success. While Indian audience is used to years and years of these unending sagas, with innumerable leaps and thousands of episodes, our Pakistani friends are shown just a fraction against that standard. 
 
<keyword id="2343597" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zindagi-Gulzar-Hai">Zindagi Gulzar Hai</keyword> and <keyword id="2343596" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aunn-Zara">Aunn Zara</keyword>, two of Pakistan’s highest rated serials were the first ones to be selected for being aired for the Indian audience on Zindagi. While in Pakistan, these serials enjoyed a weekly run and therefore ran for a successful 5-6 months; however, they have been aired everyday in India. 
 
This means that they are about to end soon. 
 
Aunn Zara has already completed its run and would air the last episode tonight while Zindagi Gulzar Hai would end in another 10 days. 
 
The question that is irking Indian viewers, who are already sad that these shows are ending given the bad habits of having serials running for years, is about the new shows that would be airing after these favourites. 
 
While <keyword id="2415131" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Noorpur-Ki-Rani">Noorpur Ki Rani</keyword> is all set to replace Aunn Zara at the 8:55 pm slot, Maat would most probably be the show that will take the prime slot of 8 pm. 
 
The trailers of these shows are already doing the rounds in-between the serials on Zindagi. 
 
Noorpur Ki Rani was originally aired from April to October 2009. It was penned by Samira Fazal and was directed by Haissam Hussain. Based on the English novel Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, this serial stars Mahnoor Baloch and Noman Ijaz in lead roles. 
 
Maat, on the other hand, ran from September 2011 to February 2012. It has been written by reputed author and screenwriter <keyword id="2415128" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Umera-Ahmed">Umera Ahmed</keyword>, who is also the writer of Zindagi Gulzar Hai. The famous show was directed by Amna Nawaz Khan. 
 
However, as these serials have around 25 episodes, this means we would soon be doing a similar story for upcoming serials. 
 
As far as other two shows are concerned, Kash Mein Teri Beti Na Hoti has more than 200 episodes left, and Kitni Girhain Baqi Hain too has many episodes, as it is still being aired in Pakistan after starting in March 2011. 
 <keyword id="195341" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shailja-Kejriwal">Shailja Kejriwal</keyword>, the chief creative head of Zindagi and also the person responsible for selecting the shows, tells us about her criterion of selection. 
 
Ever since the idea was conceived, I wanted Zindagi to be a channel that offered something to everyone. While you saw the storylines of ‘Mature Love’ and ‘Opposites Attract’ in Zindagi Gulzar Hai and Aunn Zara, the new shows are going to give you a detailed view in the life of normal people, like you and me, who have certain dreams, viewpoints and inhibitions in life. I hope that the audience appreciates Noorpur Ki Rani and Maat as much as it appreciated Aunn Zara and Zindagi Gulzar Hai. 
 
 
Image courtesy: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ZeeZindagiTV">Official Facebook page</a>

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Daphne du Maurier's The Birds predicted environmental crisis 70 years ago

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