Odd News
Couple sends wedding cards with QR code for money transfer
As the world continues to adjust to the ‘new normal” of social distancing and no contact, a couple in Madurai, India, printed Quick Response (QR) codes on their wedding invite so their guests could transfer cash gifts directly into their accounts.
According to news reports, the culture of giving cash gifts to the hosts of any function is prevalent in that area.
People invited to Siva Sankari and Saravanan’s wedding recently had the option to send them monetary gifts by scanning a code printed on their wedding invites, instead of presenting cash in envelopes.
It was the bride – a programme analyst in Bengaluru – who thought of the idea of printing QR codes on the invites.
“About 30 persons had used the QR code facility and given cash as their wedding present,” Jeyanthi, the bride’s mother, was quoted as saying.
Jeyanthi, who runs a beauty parlour in Madurai, added, “This is the first time such a thing has been attempted in our family.”
The move also helped relatives who could not attend the function to also send gifts to the couple.
The wedding industry had seen various innovations and changes ever since the coronavirus pandemic restricted the number of people who could meet at one place.
The pandemic gave rise to the culture of ‘Zoom weddings’ – with a number of couples opting for virtual ceremonies over huge gatherings. — ndtv.com
Odd News
NASA Astronaut shows how he wears pants in Space: ‘two legs at a time’
Astronauts have a unique way of getting dressed in space. In a fascinating video posted on February 21, NASA chemical engineer, Don Pettit, demonstrated how he puts on his pants aboard the International Space Station. Instead of the traditional one-leg-at-a-time approach, Mr Pettit descended into his floating trousers, essentially jumping into them with both legs at once.
He simply captioned the video, “Two legs at a time.”
The lighthearted video delighted viewers, prompting a flurry of comments and reactions from users who enjoyed the humorous glimpse into life in space. One user wrote, “I thought you were going to land right in them at first. Haha. That might be fun to try.”
Another joked, “This is the real content that I needed! I attempted to recreate this on Earth and well.it didn’t go well.”
A third said, “Missed opportunity to not have the theme from Space Odyssey 2001 playing for this.” A fourth added, “Such a pro! Well done.”
Odd News
Company threatens to fire employees …..if they don’t get married and have children
A company based in China’s Shandong province caught the attention of government officials after it threatened to fire its single and divorced employees if they remained single by the end of September.
According to a report in South China Morning Post, Shandong Shuntian Chemical Group Co. Ltd., issued a notice to its 1,200-odd employees, emphasising that they work well and establish families.
The notice required single employees aged 28-58, including those divorced, to get married and settle down by the end of September this year. Those who do not by the end of March need to write a self-criticism letter. If they do not get married by the end of June, the company will conduct an “evaluation” of them. If they are still single by the end of September, they will be fired.
The company said the move was intended to promote the spirit and cultural values of “diligence, kindness, loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness”.
As the news went viral, Chinese social media users slammed the decision, stating the company was violating several laws.
“Corporate rules should not override laws or social morals,” one user commented, while others pointed out that the Chinese marriage law guarantees freedom of marriage.
“This crazy company should mind its own business and stay away from the personal lives of employees.”
