The Amazon Rainforest, often called the "lungs of the Earth," produces about 20% of the world's oxygen. Covering over 5.5 million square kilometres, it stretches across nine countries in South America, with the majority lying in Brazil. This vast green canopy is home to an estimated 10% of all species on Earth — more than 40,000 plant species, 1,300 bird species, and 3,000 types of fish.
    However, this extraordinary ecosystem is in serious danger. Deforestation, driven by logging, agriculture, and cattle ranching, destroys millions of acres every year. Scientists warn that if deforestation continues at the current rate, the Amazon could reach a tipping point — transforming from a dense forest into a dry savanna. This would release enormous quantities of stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, significantly worsening global climate change.
    Local communities, indigenous tribes, and environmental groups are fighting to protect the Amazon. Some governments have introduced stricter laws against illegal logging, while international organisations are funding conservation efforts. Every individual can also help — by making sustainable consumer choices, supporting eco-friendly companies, and raising awareness about the Amazon's plight. The fate of the Earth's most biodiverse region may well depend on the decisions we make today.

    Malala Yousafzai was born on 12 July 1997 in Mingora, Pakistan. She grew up in the Swat Valley where the Taliban had banned girls from attending school. Despite the danger, Malala continued to go to school and publicly spoke out about the importance of girls' education. She even blogged anonymously for the BBC about life under Taliban rule.
    On 9 October 2012, a Taliban gunman shot Malala on her school bus. She survived after emergency surgery and rehabilitation in the United Kingdom. Rather than silencing her, the attack strengthened her resolve. She continued her advocacy for children's education worldwide.
    In 2014, Malala became the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which she shared with Indian children's rights activist Kailash Satyarthi. She established the Malala Fund, which works to ensure twelve years of free, quality education for every girl. Her autobiography "I am Malala" has inspired millions. She once said, "One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world."

    "Evelyn was completely deafened by the time she was twelve. A specialist told her bluntly that she should forget all about music and get on with her life. But Evelyn had other plans. She began to feel music through different parts of her body. Sitting on the floor, she could feel the vibrations of the music. She felt certain rhythms with her fingers and hands. She developed a remarkable ability to sense pitch through the different parts of her body."
    "Today Evelyn Glennie is a percussion virtuoso, internationally known. She gives free music lessons to deaf children. She believes that hearing is just another sense. 'Music is not just something you hear; it is something you feel,' she says."
— From "The Sound of Music" (Beehive, Class IX — NCERT)