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Sulabh Founder Wins Swedish Prize
STOCKHOLM: An Indian doctor who developed cheap toilets to improve sanitation in poor communities won the 2009 Stockholm Water Prize on Wednesday.
Bindeshwar Pathak, 65, will receive the US$150,000 (euro110,057) cash award and a symbolic glass sculpture during a ceremony in Stockholm in August.
The Stockholm International Water Institute said Pathak's achievements ``constitute one of the most amazing examples of how one person can impact the well-being of millions.''
It said Pathak has worked to change social attitudes toward unsanitary behavior in poor areas where latrine buckets have been the practice.
He has developed cost-efficient and water-efficient toilet systems that are now used in 1.2 million homes.
Innovations include a pour-flush toilet system, pay-per-use public facilities in slum communities, water conservation solutions for flushing, waste-water treatment and technologies that convert toilet waste to biogas.
``Dr. Pathak's leadership in attaining these remarkable socio-environmental results has been universally recognized, and not least by those who have secured the freedom of human dignity as a consequence of his efforts,'' the prize citation read.
Pathak founded the Sulabh International Social Service Organization in India in 1970 and has recently started operations in Bhutan and Afghanistan. The organization collaborates with the United Nations settlements program U.N.-Habitat to train engineers and planners from 14 countries in Africa, and plans to start work in Ethiopia, Cambodia, Laos, Angola, Madagascar, the Dominican Republic and Tajikistan.
The Stockholm Water Prize is awarded annually to individuals and institutions for contributions to the preservation, enhancement or availability of the world's water resources.
First awarded in 1991, the prize was founded by several companies, including Fujitsu Siemens, General Motors Corp., Swedish Railways and the Water Environment
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Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Human Rights Violation
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Human rights violation maximum in UP, Delhi: Survey
15 Mar 2009, 1013 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh has topped the list of states with maximum number of complaints relating to human rights violation and New Delhi follows a
close second, according to NHRC statistics.
The statistics reveal that out of the total 94,559 cases of human rights violation last year, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) received 55,216 from Uttar Pradesh alone.
This accounts for about 58.39 per cent of the total complaints received by the Commission from across the country, followed by Delhi from where a total of 5,616 such complaints were filed till December last year.
Gujarat, which stands third in the list, accounts for a total of 3,813 complaints of human rights violation. The NHRC received a total of 3,672 such complaints from Bihar.
Haryana too was close with 3,493 complaints, followed by Maharashtra (3,483), Rajasthan (2,640), Madhya Pradesh (2,246) and Punjab (1,082).
However, the Commission did not receive a single complaint of human rights violation from Lakshadweep, while only seven such complaints were filed from Dadar and Nagar Haveli last year.
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Human rights violation maximum in UP, Delhi: Survey
15 Mar 2009, 1013 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh has topped the list of states with maximum number of complaints relating to human rights violation and New Delhi follows a
close second, according to NHRC statistics.
The statistics reveal that out of the total 94,559 cases of human rights violation last year, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) received 55,216 from Uttar Pradesh alone.
This accounts for about 58.39 per cent of the total complaints received by the Commission from across the country, followed by Delhi from where a total of 5,616 such complaints were filed till December last year.
Gujarat, which stands third in the list, accounts for a total of 3,813 complaints of human rights violation. The NHRC received a total of 3,672 such complaints from Bihar.
Haryana too was close with 3,493 complaints, followed by Maharashtra (3,483), Rajasthan (2,640), Madhya Pradesh (2,246) and Punjab (1,082).
However, the Commission did not receive a single complaint of human rights violation from Lakshadweep, while only seven such complaints were filed from Dadar and Nagar Haveli last year.
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Friday, March 13, 2009
The 7 Habits
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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Courtesy : Major-General Brajesh
The Principles established in Stephen R. Covey’s book are supposed to help a person achieve true interdependent "effectiveness". Covey argues this is achieved by aligning oneself to what he calls "true north"—principles of a character ethic that, unlike values, he believes to be universal and timeless. The book presents the principles in four sections.
Paradigms and Principles. Here, Covey introduces the basic foundation for the creation of the habits.
Private Victory. Here, Covey introduces the first three habits intended to take a person from dependence to independence, or one's ability to be self-reliant. You must be able to win your private victories before you can start on your public victories. If you start to win your public victories first, how can you feel good about yourself and still work on habits...
Public Victory. Here, Covey introduces habits four through six which are intended to lead to interdependence, the ability to align one's needs and desires with those of other people and create effective relationships.
Renewal. Here, Covey introduces the final habit which directs the reader to begin a process of self-improvement.
======
1. Be Proactive - Principles of Personal Vision
The word proactive means that we are responsible for our own lives. Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. We can subordinate feelings to values. We have the initiative and the responsibility to make things happen. Highly proactive people recognize that responsibility. The do not blame circumstances, conditions, or social conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feeling. Proactive people are still influenced by external stimuli but their response, conscious or unconscious, is a value based choice or response.
=
2. Begin with the end in mind - Principles of Personal Leadership
Begin today with the image, picture, or paradigm of the end of your life as your frame of reference of the criterion by which everything else is examined. Each part of your life—today’s behavior, tomorrow’s behavior, next week’s behavior, next month’s behavior—can be examined in the context of the whole, of what really matters most to you. By keeping that end clearly in mind, you can make certain that whatever you do on any particular day does not violate the criteria you have defined as supremely important, and that each day of your life contributes in a meaningful way to the vision you have of your life as a whole. To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.
=
3. Put First Things First - Principles of Personal Management
Habit 1 says that you are the programmer. Habit 2 says to write the program. Habit 3 says to run the program. Living it is primarily a function of our independent will, our self-discipline, our integrity, and commitment—not to short-term goals and schedules or to the impulse of the moment, but to the correct principles and our own deepest values, which give meaning and context to our goals, our schedules, and our lives. Organize and execute around priorities.
=
4. Think Win/Win - Principles of Interpersonal Leadership
Win/Win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. Win/Win means that agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial, mutually satisfying. With a Win/Win solution all parties feel good about the decision and feel committed to the action plan. Win/Win is a belief in a Third Alternative. It’s not your way or my way; it’s a better way. And if a solution can’t be found to benefit both parties they agree to disagree agreeably—No Deal. Anything less than Win/Win in and interdependent reality is a poor second best that will have impact in the long-term relationship. The cost of that impact needs to be carefully considered. If you can’t reach a true Win/Win, you’re very often better off to go for No Deal.
=
5. Seek 1st to Understand, Then to Be Understood - Principles of Empathy
Listening with the intent to understand is called empathic listening. Empathic listening gets inside another person’s frame of reference. You look out through it, you see the world the way they see the world, you understand their paradigm, you understand how they feel. Empathy is not sympathy. Empathic listening involves much more than registering, reflecting, or even understanding the words that are said. You aren’t just listening with your ears, but also with you eyes and your heart. Empathic listening is so powerful because it gives you accurate data to work with. When you present your own ideas be clear, specific, visual, and most important, contextual—in the context of a deep understanding of the other person’s paradigms and concerns. You will significantly increase the credibility of your ideas. What you’re presenting may even be different form what you had originally thought because in you effort to understand, you learned.
=
6. Synergize - Principles of Creative Cooperation
Synergy is the essence of principle-centered leadership. It catalyzes, unifies, and unleashes the greatest power within people. Simply defined, it meant that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Without doubt, you have to leave the comfort zone of base camp and confront an entirely new and unknown wilderness. You become a trailblazer, a pathfinder. You open new possibilities, new territories, new continents, so that others can follow. The essence of synergy is to value differences—to respect them, to build on strengths, to compensate for weaknesses.
=
7. Sharpen the Saw - Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal
Habit 7 is preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have—you. It’s renewing the four dimensions of your nature—physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional. Express all 4 motivations. Exercise all four dimensions of our nature regularly and consistently in wise and balanced ways. This is the single most powerful investment we can ever make in life—the investment in ourselves. We are the instruments of our own performance, we need to recognize the importance of taking time to regularly sharpen the saw in all four ways.
=
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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Courtesy : Major-General Brajesh
The Principles established in Stephen R. Covey’s book are supposed to help a person achieve true interdependent "effectiveness". Covey argues this is achieved by aligning oneself to what he calls "true north"—principles of a character ethic that, unlike values, he believes to be universal and timeless. The book presents the principles in four sections.
Paradigms and Principles. Here, Covey introduces the basic foundation for the creation of the habits.
Private Victory. Here, Covey introduces the first three habits intended to take a person from dependence to independence, or one's ability to be self-reliant. You must be able to win your private victories before you can start on your public victories. If you start to win your public victories first, how can you feel good about yourself and still work on habits...
Public Victory. Here, Covey introduces habits four through six which are intended to lead to interdependence, the ability to align one's needs and desires with those of other people and create effective relationships.
Renewal. Here, Covey introduces the final habit which directs the reader to begin a process of self-improvement.
======
1. Be Proactive - Principles of Personal Vision
The word proactive means that we are responsible for our own lives. Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. We can subordinate feelings to values. We have the initiative and the responsibility to make things happen. Highly proactive people recognize that responsibility. The do not blame circumstances, conditions, or social conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feeling. Proactive people are still influenced by external stimuli but their response, conscious or unconscious, is a value based choice or response.
=
2. Begin with the end in mind - Principles of Personal Leadership
Begin today with the image, picture, or paradigm of the end of your life as your frame of reference of the criterion by which everything else is examined. Each part of your life—today’s behavior, tomorrow’s behavior, next week’s behavior, next month’s behavior—can be examined in the context of the whole, of what really matters most to you. By keeping that end clearly in mind, you can make certain that whatever you do on any particular day does not violate the criteria you have defined as supremely important, and that each day of your life contributes in a meaningful way to the vision you have of your life as a whole. To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.
=
3. Put First Things First - Principles of Personal Management
Habit 1 says that you are the programmer. Habit 2 says to write the program. Habit 3 says to run the program. Living it is primarily a function of our independent will, our self-discipline, our integrity, and commitment—not to short-term goals and schedules or to the impulse of the moment, but to the correct principles and our own deepest values, which give meaning and context to our goals, our schedules, and our lives. Organize and execute around priorities.
=
4. Think Win/Win - Principles of Interpersonal Leadership
Win/Win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. Win/Win means that agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial, mutually satisfying. With a Win/Win solution all parties feel good about the decision and feel committed to the action plan. Win/Win is a belief in a Third Alternative. It’s not your way or my way; it’s a better way. And if a solution can’t be found to benefit both parties they agree to disagree agreeably—No Deal. Anything less than Win/Win in and interdependent reality is a poor second best that will have impact in the long-term relationship. The cost of that impact needs to be carefully considered. If you can’t reach a true Win/Win, you’re very often better off to go for No Deal.
=
5. Seek 1st to Understand, Then to Be Understood - Principles of Empathy
Listening with the intent to understand is called empathic listening. Empathic listening gets inside another person’s frame of reference. You look out through it, you see the world the way they see the world, you understand their paradigm, you understand how they feel. Empathy is not sympathy. Empathic listening involves much more than registering, reflecting, or even understanding the words that are said. You aren’t just listening with your ears, but also with you eyes and your heart. Empathic listening is so powerful because it gives you accurate data to work with. When you present your own ideas be clear, specific, visual, and most important, contextual—in the context of a deep understanding of the other person’s paradigms and concerns. You will significantly increase the credibility of your ideas. What you’re presenting may even be different form what you had originally thought because in you effort to understand, you learned.
=
6. Synergize - Principles of Creative Cooperation
Synergy is the essence of principle-centered leadership. It catalyzes, unifies, and unleashes the greatest power within people. Simply defined, it meant that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Without doubt, you have to leave the comfort zone of base camp and confront an entirely new and unknown wilderness. You become a trailblazer, a pathfinder. You open new possibilities, new territories, new continents, so that others can follow. The essence of synergy is to value differences—to respect them, to build on strengths, to compensate for weaknesses.
=
7. Sharpen the Saw - Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal
Habit 7 is preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have—you. It’s renewing the four dimensions of your nature—physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional. Express all 4 motivations. Exercise all four dimensions of our nature regularly and consistently in wise and balanced ways. This is the single most powerful investment we can ever make in life—the investment in ourselves. We are the instruments of our own performance, we need to recognize the importance of taking time to regularly sharpen the saw in all four ways.
=
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
Hyderabad : Wife Kills Husband
Wife kills husband with help of paramour
12 Mar 2009, 0416 hrs IST, TNN
HYDERABAD: In a gruesome incident , a woman allegedly killed her husband with the help of her paramour and buried the body near a lake at Narsingi.
The incident came to light on Wednesday, when the family members of Venkata Swamy Goud - traced the accused and pressed them for his whereabouts .
Goud was an employee of a cooking oil manufacturing unit at Nagarkurnool and 10 years ago he was married to Venkatamma of Mahbubnagar district.
According to the police, since one year, Venkatamma was allegedly having an extramarital relationship with one Mallesh of Nagarkurnool .
"Goud came to know about the relationship and warned Venkatamma to mend her ways," Narsingi Inspector of police R Ravi Chandra Reddy said. Five months ago, without informing her husband, Venkatamma came to Hyderabad with Mallesh and started living together at Lakmapur in Narsingi police limits.
The duo went home for Sankranti celebrations in January 2009 and Goud met his wife at her parents' house in Mahbubnagar district. On January 16, Goud came to Hyderabad with his wife. Already informed by Venkatamma, Mallesh also followed the couple from Nagarkurnool to Hyderabad.
On their way to their house at Lakmapur village, Goud noticed Mallesh following them and asked him why he was following them.
"Mallesh told Goud that he was also working in the same village. After that the three of them sat for a drinking session at Venkatamma's house," Reddy said.
S t r at e g i c a l ly Venkatamma made her husband consume more liquor and when Goud was in an intoxicated state, Mallesh strangled him to death with the help of Venkatamma, police said. The incident came to light on Wednesday, when Bhaskar, younger brother of Goud came to Venkatamma's house along with her relatives and questioned her about the whereabouts of Goud.
"The duo confessed about killing Goud and the same was informed to the local police," Reddy added.
Police later dug out the skeletal remains of the Goud from the lake bed at Lakmapur and arrested the duo.
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12 Mar 2009, 0416 hrs IST, TNN
HYDERABAD: In a gruesome incident , a woman allegedly killed her husband with the help of her paramour and buried the body near a lake at Narsingi.
The incident came to light on Wednesday, when the family members of Venkata Swamy Goud - traced the accused and pressed them for his whereabouts .
Goud was an employee of a cooking oil manufacturing unit at Nagarkurnool and 10 years ago he was married to Venkatamma of Mahbubnagar district.
According to the police, since one year, Venkatamma was allegedly having an extramarital relationship with one Mallesh of Nagarkurnool .
"Goud came to know about the relationship and warned Venkatamma to mend her ways," Narsingi Inspector of police R Ravi Chandra Reddy said. Five months ago, without informing her husband, Venkatamma came to Hyderabad with Mallesh and started living together at Lakmapur in Narsingi police limits.
The duo went home for Sankranti celebrations in January 2009 and Goud met his wife at her parents' house in Mahbubnagar district. On January 16, Goud came to Hyderabad with his wife. Already informed by Venkatamma, Mallesh also followed the couple from Nagarkurnool to Hyderabad.
On their way to their house at Lakmapur village, Goud noticed Mallesh following them and asked him why he was following them.
"Mallesh told Goud that he was also working in the same village. After that the three of them sat for a drinking session at Venkatamma's house," Reddy said.
S t r at e g i c a l ly Venkatamma made her husband consume more liquor and when Goud was in an intoxicated state, Mallesh strangled him to death with the help of Venkatamma, police said. The incident came to light on Wednesday, when Bhaskar, younger brother of Goud came to Venkatamma's house along with her relatives and questioned her about the whereabouts of Goud.
"The duo confessed about killing Goud and the same was informed to the local police," Reddy added.
Police later dug out the skeletal remains of the Goud from the lake bed at Lakmapur and arrested the duo.
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
History of Holi
History of Holi
Holi is an ancient festival of India and was originally known as 'Holika'. The festivals finds a detailed description in early religious works such as Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras.
Historians also believe that Holi was celebrated by all Aryans but more so in the Eastern part of India. It is said that Holi existed several centuries before Christ. However, the meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the years. Earlier it was a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was worshiped. Calculating the Day of HoliThere are two ways of reckoning a lunar month- 'purnimanta' and 'amanta'. In the former, the first day starts after the full moon; and in the latter, after the new moon. Though the amanta reckoning is more common now, the purnimanta was very much in vogue in the earlier days. According to this purnimanta reckoning, Phalguna purnima was the last day of the year and the new year heralding the Vasanta-ritu (with spring starting from next day). Thus the full moon festival of Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking, announcing the commencement of the spring season. This perhaps explains the other names of this festival - Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.Reference in Ancient Texts and InscriptionsBesides having a detailed description in the Vedas and Puranas such as Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana, the festival of Holi finds a mention in Jaimini Mimansa. A stone incription belonging to 300 BC found at Ramgarh in the province of Vindhya has mention of Holikotsav on it. King Harsha, too has mentioned about holikotsav in his work Ratnavali that was written during the 7th century. The famous Muslim tourist - Ulbaruni too has mentioned about holikotsav in his historical memories. Other Muslim writers of that period have mentioned, that holikotsav were not only celebrated by the Hindus but also by the Muslims. Reference in Ancient Paintings and Murals The festival of Holi also finds a reference in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century panel sculpted in a temple at Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, shows a joyous scene of Holi. The painting depicts a Prince and his Princess standing amidst maids waiting with syringes or pichkaris to drench the Royal couple in coloured water. A 16th century Ahmednagar painting is on the theme of Vasanta Ragini - spring song or music. It shows a royal couple sitting on a grand swing, while maidens are playing music and spraying colors with pichkaris. There are a lot of other paintings and murals in the temples of medieval India which provide a pictoral description of Holi. For instance, a Mewar painting (circa 1755) shows the Maharana with his courtiers. While the ruler is bestowing gifts on some people, a merry dance is on, and in the center is a tank filled with colored water. Also, a Bundi miniature shows a king seated on a tusker and from a balcony above some damsels are showering gulal (colored powders) on him. Legends and MythologyIn some parts of India, specially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533). However, the literal meaning of the word 'Holi' is 'burning'. There are various legends to explain the meaning of this word, most prominent of all is the legend associated with demon king Hiranyakashyap. Hiranyakashyap wanted everybody in his kingdom to worship only him but to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. Hiaranyakashyap commanded his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a boon whereby she could enter fire without any damage on herself. However, she was not aware that the boon worked only when she enters the fire alone. As a result she paid a price for her sinister desires, while Prahlad was saved by the grace of the god for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore, celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion. Legend of Lord Krishna is also associated with play with colors as the Lord started the tradition of play with colours by applying colour on his beloved Radha and other gopis. Gradually, the play gained popularity with the people and became a tradition.There are also a few other legends associated with the festival - like the legend of Shiva and Kaamadeva and those of Ogress Dhundhi and Pootana. All depict triumph of good over evil - lending a philosophy to the festival.
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Rituals of Holi
http://www.holifestival.org/rituals-of-holi.html
Rituals of the ancient festival of Holi are religiously followed every year with care and enthusiasm. PreparationsDays before the festival people start gathering wood for the lighting of the bonfire called Holika at the major crossroads of the city. This ensures that at the time of the actual celebration a huge pile of wood is collected. Holika Dahan CelebrationsThen on the eve of Holi, Holika Dahan takes place. Effigy of Holika, the devil minded sister of demon King Hiranyakashyap is placed in the wood and burnt. For, Holika tried to kill Hiranyakashyap's son Prahlad, an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of a true devotee. Children also hurl abuses at Holika and pray pranks, as if they still try to chase away Dhundhi who once troubled little ones in the Kingdom of Prithu. Some people also take embers from the fire to their homes to rekindle their own domestic fires. Play of ColorsNext day, is of course the main day of Holi celebrations. The day is called Dhuletiand it is on this day that the actual play of colours take place. There is no tradition of holding puja and is meant for pure enjoyment.The tradition of playing colours is particularly rampant in north India and even in that region, there can be no comparison to the Holi of Mathura and Vrindavan. In Maharashtra and Gujarat too Holi is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and fun. People take extreme delight in spraying colour water on each other with pichkaris or pouring buckets and buckets of it. Singing Bollywood Holi numbers and dancing on the beat of dholak is also a part of the tradition. Amidst all this activity people relish gujiya, mathri, malpuas and other traditional Holi delicacies with great joy.Drinks, specially thandai laced with bhang is also an intrinsic part of the Holi festivity. Bhang helps to further enhance the spirit of the occasion but if taken in excess it might dampen it also. So caution should be taken while consuming it. Holi Celebrations in South IndiaIn south India, however, people follow the tradition of worshiping Kaamadeva, the love god of Indian mythology. People have faith in the legend which speak about the great sacrifice of Kaamadeva when he shot his love arrow on Lord Shiva to break his meditation and evoke his interest in worldly affairs. After, an eventful and funfilled day people become a little sober in the evening and greet friends and relatives by visiting them and exchange sweets. Holi special get togethers are also organised by various cultural organisations to generate harmony and brotherhood in the society.
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Holi is an ancient festival of India and was originally known as 'Holika'. The festivals finds a detailed description in early religious works such as Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras.
Historians also believe that Holi was celebrated by all Aryans but more so in the Eastern part of India. It is said that Holi existed several centuries before Christ. However, the meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the years. Earlier it was a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was worshiped. Calculating the Day of HoliThere are two ways of reckoning a lunar month- 'purnimanta' and 'amanta'. In the former, the first day starts after the full moon; and in the latter, after the new moon. Though the amanta reckoning is more common now, the purnimanta was very much in vogue in the earlier days. According to this purnimanta reckoning, Phalguna purnima was the last day of the year and the new year heralding the Vasanta-ritu (with spring starting from next day). Thus the full moon festival of Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking, announcing the commencement of the spring season. This perhaps explains the other names of this festival - Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.Reference in Ancient Texts and InscriptionsBesides having a detailed description in the Vedas and Puranas such as Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana, the festival of Holi finds a mention in Jaimini Mimansa. A stone incription belonging to 300 BC found at Ramgarh in the province of Vindhya has mention of Holikotsav on it. King Harsha, too has mentioned about holikotsav in his work Ratnavali that was written during the 7th century. The famous Muslim tourist - Ulbaruni too has mentioned about holikotsav in his historical memories. Other Muslim writers of that period have mentioned, that holikotsav were not only celebrated by the Hindus but also by the Muslims. Reference in Ancient Paintings and Murals The festival of Holi also finds a reference in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century panel sculpted in a temple at Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, shows a joyous scene of Holi. The painting depicts a Prince and his Princess standing amidst maids waiting with syringes or pichkaris to drench the Royal couple in coloured water. A 16th century Ahmednagar painting is on the theme of Vasanta Ragini - spring song or music. It shows a royal couple sitting on a grand swing, while maidens are playing music and spraying colors with pichkaris. There are a lot of other paintings and murals in the temples of medieval India which provide a pictoral description of Holi. For instance, a Mewar painting (circa 1755) shows the Maharana with his courtiers. While the ruler is bestowing gifts on some people, a merry dance is on, and in the center is a tank filled with colored water. Also, a Bundi miniature shows a king seated on a tusker and from a balcony above some damsels are showering gulal (colored powders) on him. Legends and MythologyIn some parts of India, specially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533). However, the literal meaning of the word 'Holi' is 'burning'. There are various legends to explain the meaning of this word, most prominent of all is the legend associated with demon king Hiranyakashyap. Hiranyakashyap wanted everybody in his kingdom to worship only him but to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. Hiaranyakashyap commanded his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a boon whereby she could enter fire without any damage on herself. However, she was not aware that the boon worked only when she enters the fire alone. As a result she paid a price for her sinister desires, while Prahlad was saved by the grace of the god for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore, celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion. Legend of Lord Krishna is also associated with play with colors as the Lord started the tradition of play with colours by applying colour on his beloved Radha and other gopis. Gradually, the play gained popularity with the people and became a tradition.There are also a few other legends associated with the festival - like the legend of Shiva and Kaamadeva and those of Ogress Dhundhi and Pootana. All depict triumph of good over evil - lending a philosophy to the festival.
.
Rituals of Holi
http://www.holifestival.org/rituals-of-holi.html
Rituals of the ancient festival of Holi are religiously followed every year with care and enthusiasm. PreparationsDays before the festival people start gathering wood for the lighting of the bonfire called Holika at the major crossroads of the city. This ensures that at the time of the actual celebration a huge pile of wood is collected. Holika Dahan CelebrationsThen on the eve of Holi, Holika Dahan takes place. Effigy of Holika, the devil minded sister of demon King Hiranyakashyap is placed in the wood and burnt. For, Holika tried to kill Hiranyakashyap's son Prahlad, an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of a true devotee. Children also hurl abuses at Holika and pray pranks, as if they still try to chase away Dhundhi who once troubled little ones in the Kingdom of Prithu. Some people also take embers from the fire to their homes to rekindle their own domestic fires. Play of ColorsNext day, is of course the main day of Holi celebrations. The day is called Dhuletiand it is on this day that the actual play of colours take place. There is no tradition of holding puja and is meant for pure enjoyment.The tradition of playing colours is particularly rampant in north India and even in that region, there can be no comparison to the Holi of Mathura and Vrindavan. In Maharashtra and Gujarat too Holi is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and fun. People take extreme delight in spraying colour water on each other with pichkaris or pouring buckets and buckets of it. Singing Bollywood Holi numbers and dancing on the beat of dholak is also a part of the tradition. Amidst all this activity people relish gujiya, mathri, malpuas and other traditional Holi delicacies with great joy.Drinks, specially thandai laced with bhang is also an intrinsic part of the Holi festivity. Bhang helps to further enhance the spirit of the occasion but if taken in excess it might dampen it also. So caution should be taken while consuming it. Holi Celebrations in South IndiaIn south India, however, people follow the tradition of worshiping Kaamadeva, the love god of Indian mythology. People have faith in the legend which speak about the great sacrifice of Kaamadeva when he shot his love arrow on Lord Shiva to break his meditation and evoke his interest in worldly affairs. After, an eventful and funfilled day people become a little sober in the evening and greet friends and relatives by visiting them and exchange sweets. Holi special get togethers are also organised by various cultural organisations to generate harmony and brotherhood in the society.
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Monday, March 9, 2009
Govt Restricted Musharraf Itinerary in India
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NEW DELHI: The Manmohan Singh government was most reluctant to host former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf during his visit to India. The
loquacious general was seen as a hindrance to India-Pakistan ties and his attempt to cut a high profile by requesting meetings with the PM, President Pratibha Patil and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were politely rebuffed.
The general, who was in India on a lecture tour, was keen to use the visit to make a few public interventions, but the government, wary of Musharraf's penchant to play the media and stir controversies, was hardly keen to roll out the red carpet. There was apprehension that Musharraf would dish out his hackneyed proposals on Kashmir, bringing out in the open some back-channel exchanges made during his tenure at a time when the government here is facing elections.
The versions of the two sides of what transpired during these hush-hush exchanges diverge, with India disputing Pakistan's claim that the two sides were close to agreement on Indian Army being pulled out from J&K. The back channel parleys had also covered demilitarisation of Siachen which was stoutly opposed by the Indian armed forces who were quite unenthused by catchy lines like turning the glacial heights into a mountain of peace. Any revelations could have become fodder for the opposition at election time.
The former Pakistani president was indeed given due diplomatic courtesies. A joint-secretary level officer was at hand to receive him and the former general -- a valued target for jihadis, many of whom he supported during his ascendancy -- was given a degree of security cover. But things were consciously kept low-key.
The shadow of 26/11 and the repeated deceptions that Musharraf indulged in with regard to commitments on terrorism have hardly made him a popular figure with Indian foreign policy and security establishments. Seen as a leader who did little to check anti-India jihadis while palming off a dubious joint anti-terrorism mechanism on India, Musharraf was not seen as likely to make a positive contribution in mending the frayed bilateral ties.
Ever seeking a platform to hold forth, Musharraf wanted to instil an official note to his visit by calling on the PM and Sonia. He also wanted to visit Aligarh as his mother had lived there for a while and there was also a proposal to go to Ajmer. Aware that Musharraf had little traction with the Asif Zardari regime and even less with other political players like Nawaz Sharif, the government was quite determined to ensure his visit remained within certain bounds.
The government did not want to annoy the PPP regime in Pakistan by accommodating Musharraf's requests for appointments and also did not feel the necessity for the former army chief to travel to destinations outside Delhi. Even in the Capital, his itinerary was restricted to two engagements. Even there, officials were dismayed to see him peddle his highly coloured versions of the Agra summit and his peace plans for Kashmir which included red herrings like demilitarisation and shared sovereignty.
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NEW DELHI: The Manmohan Singh government was most reluctant to host former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf during his visit to India. The
loquacious general was seen as a hindrance to India-Pakistan ties and his attempt to cut a high profile by requesting meetings with the PM, President Pratibha Patil and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were politely rebuffed.
The general, who was in India on a lecture tour, was keen to use the visit to make a few public interventions, but the government, wary of Musharraf's penchant to play the media and stir controversies, was hardly keen to roll out the red carpet. There was apprehension that Musharraf would dish out his hackneyed proposals on Kashmir, bringing out in the open some back-channel exchanges made during his tenure at a time when the government here is facing elections.
The versions of the two sides of what transpired during these hush-hush exchanges diverge, with India disputing Pakistan's claim that the two sides were close to agreement on Indian Army being pulled out from J&K. The back channel parleys had also covered demilitarisation of Siachen which was stoutly opposed by the Indian armed forces who were quite unenthused by catchy lines like turning the glacial heights into a mountain of peace. Any revelations could have become fodder for the opposition at election time.
The former Pakistani president was indeed given due diplomatic courtesies. A joint-secretary level officer was at hand to receive him and the former general -- a valued target for jihadis, many of whom he supported during his ascendancy -- was given a degree of security cover. But things were consciously kept low-key.
The shadow of 26/11 and the repeated deceptions that Musharraf indulged in with regard to commitments on terrorism have hardly made him a popular figure with Indian foreign policy and security establishments. Seen as a leader who did little to check anti-India jihadis while palming off a dubious joint anti-terrorism mechanism on India, Musharraf was not seen as likely to make a positive contribution in mending the frayed bilateral ties.
Ever seeking a platform to hold forth, Musharraf wanted to instil an official note to his visit by calling on the PM and Sonia. He also wanted to visit Aligarh as his mother had lived there for a while and there was also a proposal to go to Ajmer. Aware that Musharraf had little traction with the Asif Zardari regime and even less with other political players like Nawaz Sharif, the government was quite determined to ensure his visit remained within certain bounds.
The government did not want to annoy the PPP regime in Pakistan by accommodating Musharraf's requests for appointments and also did not feel the necessity for the former army chief to travel to destinations outside Delhi. Even in the Capital, his itinerary was restricted to two engagements. Even there, officials were dismayed to see him peddle his highly coloured versions of the Agra summit and his peace plans for Kashmir which included red herrings like demilitarisation and shared sovereignty.
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Seven Nations' Link in Mumbai attack: Interpol
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NEW DELHI: Interpol secretary general Ronald K Noble has said that links of seven different countries are found in the Mumbai terror attacks that
killed more than 180 people.
"Interpol and Pakistan are cooperating with each other to investigate into the Mumbai terrorist attacks, links of the seven different countries are found during the investigation. We are trying to help expose the terrorists wherever they are hiding," The Nation quoted Noble, as saying.
Pakistan has asked Interpol to help it obtain information located in seven countries in connection with the Mumbai attacks, said Noble.
During his three-day stay in Islamabad Ronald met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Interior Advisor Rehman Malik and the DG Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Tariq Khosa.
When asked whether Pakistan had sought the handing over of Ajmal Kasab the only surviving terrorist of the brutal attacks in Mumbai, Noble did not reply saying, "This is the most difficult question to answer."
Noble added that Pakistan was providing the DNA to the Interpol, which would be checked by the global data of the 187 countries maintained by the Interpol.
He said Pakistan understood that unless terrorists-related information was compared against Interpol's global database and shared among its global network, an international terrorist investigation can never be considered complete and all countries, which are not provided with this vital information, remain at risk.
Pakistan's interior ministry chief Rehman Malik had on Friday briefed visiting Interpol chief on Pakistan's investigation into the Mumbai attacks and the information shared with India in this regard.
Noble called on Malik to discuss the investigation of the Mumbai incident. Malik had shared with him the information on the attacks that Pakistan had provided to the Indian government through diplomatic channels.
The Interpol chief appreciated Pakistan's efforts to investigate the incident and the work done by Pakistani investigators, officials said.
Interior secretary Syed Kamal Shah and federal investigation agency chief Tariq Khosa had also attended the meeting.
Noble is on his second visit to Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai attacks in November last year.
Pakistani authorities have arrested six suspects in connection with the attacks. Four of these suspects Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Zarar Shah, Abu al Qama and Hamad Amin Sadiq have been remanded to the custody of the FIA till March 17 by an anti-terrorism court.
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NEW DELHI: Interpol secretary general Ronald K Noble has said that links of seven different countries are found in the Mumbai terror attacks that
killed more than 180 people.
"Interpol and Pakistan are cooperating with each other to investigate into the Mumbai terrorist attacks, links of the seven different countries are found during the investigation. We are trying to help expose the terrorists wherever they are hiding," The Nation quoted Noble, as saying.
Pakistan has asked Interpol to help it obtain information located in seven countries in connection with the Mumbai attacks, said Noble.
During his three-day stay in Islamabad Ronald met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Interior Advisor Rehman Malik and the DG Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Tariq Khosa.
When asked whether Pakistan had sought the handing over of Ajmal Kasab the only surviving terrorist of the brutal attacks in Mumbai, Noble did not reply saying, "This is the most difficult question to answer."
Noble added that Pakistan was providing the DNA to the Interpol, which would be checked by the global data of the 187 countries maintained by the Interpol.
He said Pakistan understood that unless terrorists-related information was compared against Interpol's global database and shared among its global network, an international terrorist investigation can never be considered complete and all countries, which are not provided with this vital information, remain at risk.
Pakistan's interior ministry chief Rehman Malik had on Friday briefed visiting Interpol chief on Pakistan's investigation into the Mumbai attacks and the information shared with India in this regard.
Noble called on Malik to discuss the investigation of the Mumbai incident. Malik had shared with him the information on the attacks that Pakistan had provided to the Indian government through diplomatic channels.
The Interpol chief appreciated Pakistan's efforts to investigate the incident and the work done by Pakistani investigators, officials said.
Interior secretary Syed Kamal Shah and federal investigation agency chief Tariq Khosa had also attended the meeting.
Noble is on his second visit to Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai attacks in November last year.
Pakistani authorities have arrested six suspects in connection with the attacks. Four of these suspects Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Zarar Shah, Abu al Qama and Hamad Amin Sadiq have been remanded to the custody of the FIA till March 17 by an anti-terrorism court.
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Saturday, March 7, 2009
BARAH WAFAT
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Id-e-Milad is a festival of both rejoicing and mourning. The festival of Id-e-Milad popularly known as Barah Wafat the twelfth day is one of the important festival in the Muslim calendar.
The Prophet was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal.
The celebrations of BIRTHDAY are subdued as the day also happens to be the DEATH-ANNIVERSARY of Prophet Muhammad. The day is marked by holding religious discourses, reading the Holy book of Quran and giving alms to the poor. This is the third month of the Muslim year.
The word 'barah' refers to the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness. In 632 Muhammad fell ill and suffered for several days with head pain and weakness. He succumbed on Monday, in the city of Medina. He is buried in his tomb (which previously was in his wife Aisha’s house), which is housed within Mosque of the Prophet in Medina, is the second holiest mosque in Islam. On such days, there are sermons which are delivered in mosques by learned men. These sermons concentrate on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet.
Prophet Mohammed, son of Abdul Muttalib, of the Qureysh tribe, was born at Mecca in 570AD. From about 610 AD, he began to receive revelations sent down from Allah through angel Gabriel. He spread the word among people, and soon had a small community of followers. Later Islam became one of the most popular religions of the world. In 632 AD, Prophet Muhammad went on a pilgrimage to Mecca followed by thousands of his devotees, where he preached his farewell sermon and later left the mortal world forever.
The festival mainly commemorates the teachings and beliefs of Prophet Mohammed. During the twelve days, sermons and Koranic texts narrating the life and noble deeds of the Prophet are recited in mosques.
Learned men and scholars focus their sermons on the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammed and inspire people to follow the path of good life as shown in Quran. Hence, the festival gives a chance to people to introspect their deeds and think of ways of being a better person.
On this day, a 'sandal 'rite is performed. This is done over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet which is engraved in the stone. A representation of 'buraq', which is a horse on which the Prophet is believed to have gone to heaven and this is kept near the footprints of the prophet. The foot is also smeared with sandal paste or scented powder. The house and casket having all of these are elaborately decorated. There are elegies or 'marsiyas' which are sung in memory of the last days of the Prophet. The twelfth day which is also known as the Urs is observed in prayers and alms-giving quietly.During these days, learned men and scholars in mosques, focus on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet and deliver sermons.
In many places hymns are sung and elegies or marsiyas are recited in memory of the last days of the Prophet. Acts of charity are also done by devout Muslims and alms are distributed to the poor and the needy. Later, people invite friends and relatives for a feast.
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MUSLIM FESTIVAL BARAH WAFAT IN INDIA
http://festivals.indianetzone.com/1/barah_wafat.htm
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Id-e-Milad is a festival of both rejoicing and mourning. The festival of Id-e-Milad popularly known as Barah Wafat the twelfth day is one of the important festival in the Muslim calendar.
The Prophet was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal.
The celebrations of BIRTHDAY are subdued as the day also happens to be the DEATH-ANNIVERSARY of Prophet Muhammad. The day is marked by holding religious discourses, reading the Holy book of Quran and giving alms to the poor. This is the third month of the Muslim year.
The word 'barah' refers to the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness. In 632 Muhammad fell ill and suffered for several days with head pain and weakness. He succumbed on Monday, in the city of Medina. He is buried in his tomb (which previously was in his wife Aisha’s house), which is housed within Mosque of the Prophet in Medina, is the second holiest mosque in Islam. On such days, there are sermons which are delivered in mosques by learned men. These sermons concentrate on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet.
Prophet Mohammed, son of Abdul Muttalib, of the Qureysh tribe, was born at Mecca in 570AD. From about 610 AD, he began to receive revelations sent down from Allah through angel Gabriel. He spread the word among people, and soon had a small community of followers. Later Islam became one of the most popular religions of the world. In 632 AD, Prophet Muhammad went on a pilgrimage to Mecca followed by thousands of his devotees, where he preached his farewell sermon and later left the mortal world forever.
The festival mainly commemorates the teachings and beliefs of Prophet Mohammed. During the twelve days, sermons and Koranic texts narrating the life and noble deeds of the Prophet are recited in mosques.
Learned men and scholars focus their sermons on the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammed and inspire people to follow the path of good life as shown in Quran. Hence, the festival gives a chance to people to introspect their deeds and think of ways of being a better person.
On this day, a 'sandal 'rite is performed. This is done over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet which is engraved in the stone. A representation of 'buraq', which is a horse on which the Prophet is believed to have gone to heaven and this is kept near the footprints of the prophet. The foot is also smeared with sandal paste or scented powder. The house and casket having all of these are elaborately decorated. There are elegies or 'marsiyas' which are sung in memory of the last days of the Prophet. The twelfth day which is also known as the Urs is observed in prayers and alms-giving quietly.During these days, learned men and scholars in mosques, focus on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet and deliver sermons.
In many places hymns are sung and elegies or marsiyas are recited in memory of the last days of the Prophet. Acts of charity are also done by devout Muslims and alms are distributed to the poor and the needy. Later, people invite friends and relatives for a feast.
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MUSLIM FESTIVAL BARAH WAFAT IN INDIA
http://festivals.indianetzone.com/1/barah_wafat.htm
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AMBIKA SONI, CONGRESS and the BLUNDER
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CONGRESS -
We procured Gandhi Items Through Mallya: Govt [Ambika Soni]
I BID MY OWN ................................ : [VIJAY MALLYS]
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BANGALORE: In 2003, as a 'proud Kannadiga', Vijay Mallya, chairman, UB Group, brought back to Karnataka Tipu Sultan's sword from England for Rs 1.5
crore. Two years later, he put down a million pounds at a Sotheby's auction in London to purchase some more Tipu items, like a silver-mounted flintlock sporting gun. Circa 2009, as a 'proud Indian', he bought Mahatma Gandhi's metal-rimmed glasses, sandals, pocket watch, bowl and plate for $1.8 million in a controversial New York auction.
Speaking to TOI on his stunning coup, Mallya talked of his interest in bringing back items that are part of India's heritage. Incidentally, Mallya acted alone. The government, which is taking credit for the return of the Gandhi items to India, didn't contact him either before or after the auction.
Excerpts from the interview:
How do you feel about winning the Gandhi items at the auction?
I did what I felt I had to.
What made you want to do this?
This is nothing new for me. I had earlier bought the sword of Tipu Sultan. I always believed that items of great heritage value should be owned by India and restored to India. I have already committed to gifting Mahatma Gandhi's items to the government. Hopefully, without having to pay import duty.
Why didn't you announce earlier that you would be in the fray?
I was testing my internal system. Everything about me and my group these days leaks and I have become the favourite whipping boy for the Indian media. I wanted to see if we could keep this a secret and it worked. It looks like I have now learnt the art.
What was your first reaction when you heard you had the winning bid?
I was completely in the loop. Tony Bedi was on the floor and I was on the phone with him. Frankly, the price was going up so steeply, I was rather relieved when it got over. The guideline price was just $20000-30000 and it was rising so fast. But, let me tell you, there is no right price for Gandhi's items which are part of our national heritage. These are items of emotional value. One can't put a price to it.
Did you know that Dilip Doshi (the former Indian spinner) was bidding against you?
No, I did not know that. He is a good friend of mine. He called me after the auction and congratulated me. The auctioneer had said there were over 30 registered bidders. I couldn't second guess them all.
Has the Indian government been in touch with you, either before or after the auction?
No. Neither before or after.
Are you waiting to hear from them?
No, why should I? As soon as I get delivery, I will take it to Delhi and present it to the government.
Is the legal position over the Gandhi items clear given there was an injunction against the auction?
I spoke to the auctioneer about it. The injunction was against conducting it. The auction went on regardless. Now that it is over and I have bought the items, I would now say the injunction has lost its relevance.
What's the status with Tipu's sword and other items that you bought?
All Tipu items, including the sword, are in San Francisco. I would love to bring them back to India. I would love to have a Tipu Sultan museum, either in Mysore or Bangalore. I can't bring them now as they will levy duty on that.
If the government reconsiders the position and allows duty-free import, I would love to bring them back and put it for public display. After all, they are a part and parcel of India's heritage. They are now in packed wooden crates in my custody in San Francisco. It makes no sense.
Are you interested in buying or bringing back more India related memorabilia?
I will decide as and when they become available. I can't make a blanket statement.
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CONGRESS -
We procured Gandhi Items Through Mallya: Govt [Ambika Soni]
I BID MY OWN ................................ : [VIJAY MALLYS]
.
BANGALORE: In 2003, as a 'proud Kannadiga', Vijay Mallya, chairman, UB Group, brought back to Karnataka Tipu Sultan's sword from England for Rs 1.5
crore. Two years later, he put down a million pounds at a Sotheby's auction in London to purchase some more Tipu items, like a silver-mounted flintlock sporting gun. Circa 2009, as a 'proud Indian', he bought Mahatma Gandhi's metal-rimmed glasses, sandals, pocket watch, bowl and plate for $1.8 million in a controversial New York auction.
Speaking to TOI on his stunning coup, Mallya talked of his interest in bringing back items that are part of India's heritage. Incidentally, Mallya acted alone. The government, which is taking credit for the return of the Gandhi items to India, didn't contact him either before or after the auction.
Excerpts from the interview:
How do you feel about winning the Gandhi items at the auction?
I did what I felt I had to.
What made you want to do this?
This is nothing new for me. I had earlier bought the sword of Tipu Sultan. I always believed that items of great heritage value should be owned by India and restored to India. I have already committed to gifting Mahatma Gandhi's items to the government. Hopefully, without having to pay import duty.
Why didn't you announce earlier that you would be in the fray?
I was testing my internal system. Everything about me and my group these days leaks and I have become the favourite whipping boy for the Indian media. I wanted to see if we could keep this a secret and it worked. It looks like I have now learnt the art.
What was your first reaction when you heard you had the winning bid?
I was completely in the loop. Tony Bedi was on the floor and I was on the phone with him. Frankly, the price was going up so steeply, I was rather relieved when it got over. The guideline price was just $20000-30000 and it was rising so fast. But, let me tell you, there is no right price for Gandhi's items which are part of our national heritage. These are items of emotional value. One can't put a price to it.
Did you know that Dilip Doshi (the former Indian spinner) was bidding against you?
No, I did not know that. He is a good friend of mine. He called me after the auction and congratulated me. The auctioneer had said there were over 30 registered bidders. I couldn't second guess them all.
Has the Indian government been in touch with you, either before or after the auction?
No. Neither before or after.
Are you waiting to hear from them?
No, why should I? As soon as I get delivery, I will take it to Delhi and present it to the government.
Is the legal position over the Gandhi items clear given there was an injunction against the auction?
I spoke to the auctioneer about it. The injunction was against conducting it. The auction went on regardless. Now that it is over and I have bought the items, I would now say the injunction has lost its relevance.
What's the status with Tipu's sword and other items that you bought?
All Tipu items, including the sword, are in San Francisco. I would love to bring them back to India. I would love to have a Tipu Sultan museum, either in Mysore or Bangalore. I can't bring them now as they will levy duty on that.
If the government reconsiders the position and allows duty-free import, I would love to bring them back and put it for public display. After all, they are a part and parcel of India's heritage. They are now in packed wooden crates in my custody in San Francisco. It makes no sense.
Are you interested in buying or bringing back more India related memorabilia?
I will decide as and when they become available. I can't make a blanket statement.
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Thursday, March 5, 2009
Positive Thinking
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जीवन जीने का बेहतरीन तरीका !!!
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Our THINKING is shaped by the multiple inputs stored in our brain since childhood and the on-going experiences we have on a daily basis. Some experiences and events however leave a profound long-term impact on us.
All these experiences and inputs are a combination of whatever we term for ourselves as happy, sad and indifferent ones.
It is a universal truth that life will present all possible combinations in everyone’s life. No one can aspire to have only ONE kind of CHOSEN experiences.
It is however in OUR OWN HANDS to view and interpret these inputs:
As Positive or Negative
To rewrite on Our Old Stored Memory and re-interpret the stored thoughts and experiences.
To ultimately position ourselves to view things logically while drawing POSITIVES from each occurrence, whether it directly concerns us or not.
The Power of Positive Thinking is immense. We can change our whole personality and the day-to-day state-of-being through Positive Thinking.
A whole body of writings is available on this subject and almost 4,000 books have been written on Happy Psychology and related subjects last year (The Times of India-Magazine Section, Sunday 1st Feb’09).
While there has been tremendous material progress the world over in the last decades and new opportunities are available for hitherto unheard of careers, new services are available, choices for the consumer have increased multifold, we have to recognize that in today’s globalized world, this automatically leads to higher competition and greater emphasis on performance.
Is there anything wrong in it? Definitely not.
Evolution is a natural process and the shape of things is continuously undergoing transformation.
Can we stop it? No.
Can we ignore this fact? At our peril only.
Do we want to go back to the earlier ages? Only if we want to regress.
We have to learn to live and enjoy in this wonderful world full of opportunities while being conscious of the challenges the pace of development poses.
There is an on-going debate between materialism and spiritualism and many ‘Gurus’ ascribe higher stress and depression faced by mankind today to the RACE towards materialism.
Can we stop the Race? No.
Can we retard the PACE of growth or PROGRESS? No.
Do we want to scream-STOP THE WORLD, WE WANT TO GET OFF? No.
We all should and do want to remain on this fast moving train and enjoy the fruits of progress and the increased choices without feeling depressed or unduly stressed.
We do not want to go to an isolated mountain or an island to pray and meditate, yet want to lead a HAPPY LIFE.
It is definitely POSSIBLE. We only have to imbibe POSITIVE THINKING and the RIGHT ATTITUDE towards things, events and happenings.
This will also help to achieve the necessary BALANCE.
According to Lord Krishna in Gita, the mantra is of ‘Karma’ and of ‘Detached Attachment’. It is a bit difficult but can be achieved to a reasonable degree if we think positively and strive to achieve it through continuous conscious efforts.
CONCLUSION
We can engage in the Worldly Pursuits and also follow the Path of Spirituality simultaneously by following the ‘GOLDEN MEAN’, the path of moderation. We have to keep defining boundary limits for ourselves and should never go overboard.
Positive Thinking helps us to view things differently and enables us to develop a healthy perspective.
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.
जीवन जीने का बेहतरीन तरीका !!!
.
Our THINKING is shaped by the multiple inputs stored in our brain since childhood and the on-going experiences we have on a daily basis. Some experiences and events however leave a profound long-term impact on us.
All these experiences and inputs are a combination of whatever we term for ourselves as happy, sad and indifferent ones.
It is a universal truth that life will present all possible combinations in everyone’s life. No one can aspire to have only ONE kind of CHOSEN experiences.
It is however in OUR OWN HANDS to view and interpret these inputs:
As Positive or Negative
To rewrite on Our Old Stored Memory and re-interpret the stored thoughts and experiences.
To ultimately position ourselves to view things logically while drawing POSITIVES from each occurrence, whether it directly concerns us or not.
The Power of Positive Thinking is immense. We can change our whole personality and the day-to-day state-of-being through Positive Thinking.
A whole body of writings is available on this subject and almost 4,000 books have been written on Happy Psychology and related subjects last year (The Times of India-Magazine Section, Sunday 1st Feb’09).
While there has been tremendous material progress the world over in the last decades and new opportunities are available for hitherto unheard of careers, new services are available, choices for the consumer have increased multifold, we have to recognize that in today’s globalized world, this automatically leads to higher competition and greater emphasis on performance.
Is there anything wrong in it? Definitely not.
Evolution is a natural process and the shape of things is continuously undergoing transformation.
Can we stop it? No.
Can we ignore this fact? At our peril only.
Do we want to go back to the earlier ages? Only if we want to regress.
We have to learn to live and enjoy in this wonderful world full of opportunities while being conscious of the challenges the pace of development poses.
There is an on-going debate between materialism and spiritualism and many ‘Gurus’ ascribe higher stress and depression faced by mankind today to the RACE towards materialism.
Can we stop the Race? No.
Can we retard the PACE of growth or PROGRESS? No.
Do we want to scream-STOP THE WORLD, WE WANT TO GET OFF? No.
We all should and do want to remain on this fast moving train and enjoy the fruits of progress and the increased choices without feeling depressed or unduly stressed.
We do not want to go to an isolated mountain or an island to pray and meditate, yet want to lead a HAPPY LIFE.
It is definitely POSSIBLE. We only have to imbibe POSITIVE THINKING and the RIGHT ATTITUDE towards things, events and happenings.
This will also help to achieve the necessary BALANCE.
According to Lord Krishna in Gita, the mantra is of ‘Karma’ and of ‘Detached Attachment’. It is a bit difficult but can be achieved to a reasonable degree if we think positively and strive to achieve it through continuous conscious efforts.
CONCLUSION
We can engage in the Worldly Pursuits and also follow the Path of Spirituality simultaneously by following the ‘GOLDEN MEAN’, the path of moderation. We have to keep defining boundary limits for ourselves and should never go overboard.
Positive Thinking helps us to view things differently and enables us to develop a healthy perspective.
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About Human Brain
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Things You Didn't Know About Human Brain
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4 Mar 2009, 0800 hrs IST
At birth, all of your baby’s organs – the heart, lungs, kidneys are fully developed, but smaller than an adult’s organs, except one - the brain. Things you didn't know about human brain (Getty images)
Between the sixth week and fifth month of pregnancy, your baby’s brain grows about 100 billion cells! Some of these brain cells are connected at birth, but most are not. During the first five years of life (and afterwards at a slower rate), your child’s brain is hard at work connecting these brain cells.
More than three quarters of it is made of water. Scientists tell us that there are times when certain parts of the brain can learn new information more easily than at other times. They call these times windows of opportunity. Some of these windows open and then close during the first few years of life.
Some ways that your child moves can actually improve her learning! When your baby crawls, your toddler plays patty-cake, or your preschooler dances with scarves, both sides of the brain are put to work. This is important because both sides of the brain are used in many learning skills. So movement can help prepare your child to learn.
Never shake your baby! Shaking may cause your baby’s brain to swell, bleed, or bruise. Also, don’t throw your baby into the air, even though you are just playing. Hurting your baby’s brain by shaking or throwing may cause learning disabilities, blindness, seizures, mental retardation and even death.
Positive emotions enhance memory. Diet activates memory. Aromas and colours also stimulate mental alertness and memory.
Our bodies release harmful chemicals under stress, these chemicals are not good for the brain. The brain needs to be properly hydrated in order to be alert.
Small muscle exercise stimulates brain growth. No wonder children are fidgety, constantly moving their fingers and toes! The more multi sensory the activity, the more likely the child is to process the learning activity.
Sleep time is important for brain development, as the brain organises all material, otherwise can lead to confusion and loss of what is learnt.
Breast-feeding your baby for the first twelve months of life can boost her IQ by up to 8 points. If you can't breast-feed or have to stop early, be sure to use a commercial infant formula that is fortified with brain-boosting nutrients.
Feed your toddler an optimal diet to enhance brain growth. Even a flight deficiency in a key vitamin, mineral, or nutrient (such as iron, iodine) during the time when the brain is going through its spectacular growth spurt can result in a lower IQ, poor test scores, depression, and even teen drug abuse down the road.
If a child is stressed out, unhappy, under-stimulated poorly nourished, or exposed to brain toxins in the environment, important neural connections will die, his brain will be less efficient and simply stated, he will not be as smart.
(Inputs from Swati Popat Vats; Director Podar Jumbo Kids and Podar Education Network, Mumbai)
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Things You Didn't Know About Human Brain
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4 Mar 2009, 0800 hrs IST
At birth, all of your baby’s organs – the heart, lungs, kidneys are fully developed, but smaller than an adult’s organs, except one - the brain. Things you didn't know about human brain (Getty images)
Between the sixth week and fifth month of pregnancy, your baby’s brain grows about 100 billion cells! Some of these brain cells are connected at birth, but most are not. During the first five years of life (and afterwards at a slower rate), your child’s brain is hard at work connecting these brain cells.
More than three quarters of it is made of water. Scientists tell us that there are times when certain parts of the brain can learn new information more easily than at other times. They call these times windows of opportunity. Some of these windows open and then close during the first few years of life.
Some ways that your child moves can actually improve her learning! When your baby crawls, your toddler plays patty-cake, or your preschooler dances with scarves, both sides of the brain are put to work. This is important because both sides of the brain are used in many learning skills. So movement can help prepare your child to learn.
Never shake your baby! Shaking may cause your baby’s brain to swell, bleed, or bruise. Also, don’t throw your baby into the air, even though you are just playing. Hurting your baby’s brain by shaking or throwing may cause learning disabilities, blindness, seizures, mental retardation and even death.
Positive emotions enhance memory. Diet activates memory. Aromas and colours also stimulate mental alertness and memory.
Our bodies release harmful chemicals under stress, these chemicals are not good for the brain. The brain needs to be properly hydrated in order to be alert.
Small muscle exercise stimulates brain growth. No wonder children are fidgety, constantly moving their fingers and toes! The more multi sensory the activity, the more likely the child is to process the learning activity.
Sleep time is important for brain development, as the brain organises all material, otherwise can lead to confusion and loss of what is learnt.
Breast-feeding your baby for the first twelve months of life can boost her IQ by up to 8 points. If you can't breast-feed or have to stop early, be sure to use a commercial infant formula that is fortified with brain-boosting nutrients.
Feed your toddler an optimal diet to enhance brain growth. Even a flight deficiency in a key vitamin, mineral, or nutrient (such as iron, iodine) during the time when the brain is going through its spectacular growth spurt can result in a lower IQ, poor test scores, depression, and even teen drug abuse down the road.
If a child is stressed out, unhappy, under-stimulated poorly nourished, or exposed to brain toxins in the environment, important neural connections will die, his brain will be less efficient and simply stated, he will not be as smart.
(Inputs from Swati Popat Vats; Director Podar Jumbo Kids and Podar Education Network, Mumbai)
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Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Engineering College Admission through NRI Quota
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Is there any Engineering College giving Admission through NRI Quota ?.
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There is a special scheme to enable foreign nationals, persons of Indian origin (PIOs), non-resident Indians (NRIs) to apply for direct admission to undergraduate engineering programmes in India.
This Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) Scheme is coordinated by Educational Consultants India Ltd (Ed. CIL), a public sector enterprise under India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
The admission is for undergraduate engineering programmes offered by the 15 National Institutes of Technology (formerly Regional Engineering Colleges) and other centrally-funded institutions (except the Indian Institutes of Technology) and Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh.
Under the scheme, admissions are offered to foreign nationals, PIOs and NRIs who have passed the senior secondary, or any other exam equivalent to 12 years of schooling in India, and have it at least 60 per cent marks in aggregate or 6.75 CGPA on a 10-point scale or equivalent grades in all the subjects of the qualifying examination. Indian nationals seeking admissions should also have studied abroad for at least five years (including the qualifying examination, i.e. classes XI and XII) during the last eight years. Tuition fees for such students is US$4,000 a year (excluding hostel accommodation and other miscellaneous fees).
Engineering Colleges/ Institutes covered under DASA
Following 15 National Institutes of Technology (formerly Regional Engineering Colleges) located in various states of India.
1 Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology [MNNIT], Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
2 Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology [MANIT], Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
3 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Calicut, Kerala
4 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Durgapur, West Bengal
5 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
6 Malaviya National Institute of Technology [MNIT], Jaipur, Rajasthan
7 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology [DANIT], Jalandhar, Punjab
8 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
9 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Kurikshetra, Haryana
10 Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology [VNIT], Nagpur, Maharashtra
11 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Rourkela, Orissa
12 Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology [SVNIT], Surat, Gujarat
13 National Institute of Technology Karnataka [NITK], Surathkal, Karnataka
14 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
15 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Warangal, Andhra Pradesh
Other centrally funded Institutions:
1 Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh (Includ.ing Amethi Campus)
2 Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (ABVIIITM), Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
3 National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT), Ranchi, Jharkhand
4 North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
5 Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET), Longowal, Punjab
Other Institution:
1 Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh
for mre info check out Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) Scheme
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.
Is there any Engineering College giving Admission through NRI Quota ?.
.
There is a special scheme to enable foreign nationals, persons of Indian origin (PIOs), non-resident Indians (NRIs) to apply for direct admission to undergraduate engineering programmes in India.
This Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) Scheme is coordinated by Educational Consultants India Ltd (Ed. CIL), a public sector enterprise under India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
The admission is for undergraduate engineering programmes offered by the 15 National Institutes of Technology (formerly Regional Engineering Colleges) and other centrally-funded institutions (except the Indian Institutes of Technology) and Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh.
Under the scheme, admissions are offered to foreign nationals, PIOs and NRIs who have passed the senior secondary, or any other exam equivalent to 12 years of schooling in India, and have it at least 60 per cent marks in aggregate or 6.75 CGPA on a 10-point scale or equivalent grades in all the subjects of the qualifying examination. Indian nationals seeking admissions should also have studied abroad for at least five years (including the qualifying examination, i.e. classes XI and XII) during the last eight years. Tuition fees for such students is US$4,000 a year (excluding hostel accommodation and other miscellaneous fees).
Engineering Colleges/ Institutes covered under DASA
Following 15 National Institutes of Technology (formerly Regional Engineering Colleges) located in various states of India.
1 Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology [MNNIT], Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
2 Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology [MANIT], Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
3 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Calicut, Kerala
4 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Durgapur, West Bengal
5 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
6 Malaviya National Institute of Technology [MNIT], Jaipur, Rajasthan
7 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology [DANIT], Jalandhar, Punjab
8 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
9 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Kurikshetra, Haryana
10 Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology [VNIT], Nagpur, Maharashtra
11 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Rourkela, Orissa
12 Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology [SVNIT], Surat, Gujarat
13 National Institute of Technology Karnataka [NITK], Surathkal, Karnataka
14 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
15 National Institute of Technology [NIT], Warangal, Andhra Pradesh
Other centrally funded Institutions:
1 Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh (Includ.ing Amethi Campus)
2 Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (ABVIIITM), Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
3 National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT), Ranchi, Jharkhand
4 North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
5 Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET), Longowal, Punjab
Other Institution:
1 Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh
for mre info check out Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) Scheme
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US Plans $5bn Help To Boost Pakistani Economy
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US plans $5bn help to boost Pakistani economy By Anwar Iqbal
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Tuesday, 03 Mar, 2009 06:26 AM PST WASHINGTON, March 2: Providing economic assistance to Pakistan is high on the priority list of the US administration and lawmakers who also are considering a proposal to give a one-time assistance of $5 billion to help stabilise the Pakistani economy, diplomatic sources told Dawn.
The additional aid – according to these sources – will be attached to a package proposing an annual assistance of $1.5 billion over the next five years. The package can be extended for five more years with congressional approval.
The sources said that the Pakistan aid package could be introduced in the US Congress later this month.
Another bill to set up reconstruction opportunity zones (ROZs) along the Pak-Afghan border my also be introduced some time this month.
Senator John Kerry, who co-sponsored the aid package, released a report last week proposing an immediate injection of about $5 billion into the Pakistani economy to prevent an imminent meltdown.
The report warned that “the Pakistan government has between 6-12 months to put in place and implement security and economic policies or face the very real prospect of considerable domestic and political turbulence”.
Apparently, the Obama administration agrees with this assessment and wants to move rapidly to protect the Pakistani economy from a possible collapse. It is also working with the Pakistani government to bring political stability to the country.
The proposed $5 billion, however, will not go directly into the government of Pakistan funds. The money will be spent on projects supervised by the US Agency for International Development.
The supervision will ensure that the money is spent for the purpose it is given and will reduce the chances of corruption and misappropriation. But this will also increase the overhead expenses to 25 to 30 per cent, running into hundreds of millions. The USAID is required to hire US contractors who then can hire Pakistani sub-contractors to work on the proposed projects.
The entire aid package, which may go up to $15 billion if extended for 10 years, will focus on the economy and social sectors.
The ROZ bill is likely to be adopted before the aid package. Once the bill is adopted, the US administration will work with the Pakistani and Afghan governments for designating the zones.
The government of Pakistan will then be required to announce an incentives package for the tribal areas.
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US plans $5bn help to boost Pakistani economy By Anwar Iqbal
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Tuesday, 03 Mar, 2009 06:26 AM PST WASHINGTON, March 2: Providing economic assistance to Pakistan is high on the priority list of the US administration and lawmakers who also are considering a proposal to give a one-time assistance of $5 billion to help stabilise the Pakistani economy, diplomatic sources told Dawn.
The additional aid – according to these sources – will be attached to a package proposing an annual assistance of $1.5 billion over the next five years. The package can be extended for five more years with congressional approval.
The sources said that the Pakistan aid package could be introduced in the US Congress later this month.
Another bill to set up reconstruction opportunity zones (ROZs) along the Pak-Afghan border my also be introduced some time this month.
Senator John Kerry, who co-sponsored the aid package, released a report last week proposing an immediate injection of about $5 billion into the Pakistani economy to prevent an imminent meltdown.
The report warned that “the Pakistan government has between 6-12 months to put in place and implement security and economic policies or face the very real prospect of considerable domestic and political turbulence”.
Apparently, the Obama administration agrees with this assessment and wants to move rapidly to protect the Pakistani economy from a possible collapse. It is also working with the Pakistani government to bring political stability to the country.
The proposed $5 billion, however, will not go directly into the government of Pakistan funds. The money will be spent on projects supervised by the US Agency for International Development.
The supervision will ensure that the money is spent for the purpose it is given and will reduce the chances of corruption and misappropriation. But this will also increase the overhead expenses to 25 to 30 per cent, running into hundreds of millions. The USAID is required to hire US contractors who then can hire Pakistani sub-contractors to work on the proposed projects.
The entire aid package, which may go up to $15 billion if extended for 10 years, will focus on the economy and social sectors.
The ROZ bill is likely to be adopted before the aid package. Once the bill is adopted, the US administration will work with the Pakistani and Afghan governments for designating the zones.
The government of Pakistan will then be required to announce an incentives package for the tribal areas.
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Pak Hints At Indian Involvement In Attack
Pak hints at Indian involvement in attack on Lanka team
3 Mar 2009, 1625 hrs IST, IANS
LAHORE: Indian involvement in the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team cannot be ruled out, Lahore Commissioner Khushro Pervaiz was quoted
as saying Tuesday.
Pervaiz also said that security officials had successfully protected the Sri Lankan team, Geo TV reported.
India was trying to weaken Pakistan, added Gen (retired) Hameed Gul, a former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
He told Geo News that India wanted to declare Pakistan a terrorist state and the firing on the Sri Lankan team was related to that conspiracy.
Six escorting security personnel were killed and six Sri Lankan cricketers as well as the assistant coach were injured when the team cavalcade was targeted by heavily armed gunmen close to the Gaddafi Stadium while they were going to play the third day of the second Test against Pakistan.
Reacting to the attack, India's foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee said in New Delhi: "The terrorism infrastructure facilities available in Pakistan must be completely dismantled and the perpetrators (of the attacks) brought to justice, otherwise perpetration of these types of incidents will take place.
"I request the Pakistani authorities not to divert the attention of the international community, but to take courage in both hands and dismantle the terrorism infrastructure and take stiff measures against the perpetrators. Only then will such issues be adequately addressed."
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3 Mar 2009, 1625 hrs IST, IANS
LAHORE: Indian involvement in the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team cannot be ruled out, Lahore Commissioner Khushro Pervaiz was quoted
as saying Tuesday.
Pervaiz also said that security officials had successfully protected the Sri Lankan team, Geo TV reported.
India was trying to weaken Pakistan, added Gen (retired) Hameed Gul, a former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
He told Geo News that India wanted to declare Pakistan a terrorist state and the firing on the Sri Lankan team was related to that conspiracy.
Six escorting security personnel were killed and six Sri Lankan cricketers as well as the assistant coach were injured when the team cavalcade was targeted by heavily armed gunmen close to the Gaddafi Stadium while they were going to play the third day of the second Test against Pakistan.
Reacting to the attack, India's foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee said in New Delhi: "The terrorism infrastructure facilities available in Pakistan must be completely dismantled and the perpetrators (of the attacks) brought to justice, otherwise perpetration of these types of incidents will take place.
"I request the Pakistani authorities not to divert the attention of the international community, but to take courage in both hands and dismantle the terrorism infrastructure and take stiff measures against the perpetrators. Only then will such issues be adequately addressed."
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Monday, March 2, 2009
RUPA'S Matrimonial Bio - Data
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Matrimonial Bio - Data
Name : AYUSHMATI ARATI SRIVASTAVA [Rupa]
Father’s Name : Sri Dinesh Chandra Srivastava
Address : 3/1, Kamla Nagar, Kaushalpuri, Kanpur.
Contact : 93078 17410 (Father), 9305284994 (Brother).
Date Of Birth : 14th July, 1983
Educational Qualification:-
High School : Second Division - 1998 - U.P. Board.
Matrimonial Bio - Data
Name : AYUSHMATI ARATI SRIVASTAVA [Rupa]
Father’s Name : Sri Dinesh Chandra Srivastava
Address : 3/1, Kamla Nagar, Kaushalpuri, Kanpur.
Contact : 93078 17410 (Father), 9305284994 (Brother).
Date Of Birth : 14th July, 1983
Educational Qualification:-
High School : Second Division - 1998 - U.P. Board.
Intermediate : Second Division - 2001 - U.P. Board.
B. A. : Second Division - 2007 - C.S.J.M. University Kanpur
Proficiency : Nursery Teacher Training
Experience : At present employed with Gurunanak Girls College,
: Teaching (Class 4th to 6th)
Experience : At present employed with Gurunanak Girls College,
: Teaching (Class 4th to 6th)
: 6th Months in The Chintels
: School for P.G. to 1st Class
: Undertakes Tuitions at Home for Maths & Science
Technical Skills : Basic [Vocational] Computer Knowledge.
Known Languages : Hindi, English & Punjabi
Other : Soft Spoken, Very Good in Cooking, Knowledge and
Interest in Stitching, Embroidery, Decorating Home.
==============================================================
KITH & KINS [ Successive Order]
PATERNAL SIDE
Grand Father [Dadaji] :
Late Sri Shakti Narayan Srivastava. Retired from JK Iron & Steel Mill, Fajalgnaj, KANPUR.
Uncle [Eldest Tauji] :
Late Sri Harish Chandra Srivastava, Retired as Forest Ranger Officer from Forest Dept., Kidwai Nagar, KANPUR. Settled in Orai – UP.
Uncle [Elder Tauji] :
Late Sri Gireesh Chandra Srivastava, Retired from JK Cotton & Spinning Mill, Darshanpurwa, KANPUR. Settled in Shastri Nagar – UP.
Uncle [Elder Tauji] :
Sri Mahesh Chandra Srivastava, Retired from Army, Presently settled & running A SECURITY AGENCY IN GORAKHPUR – UP.
Uncle [Elder Tauji] :
Sri Umesh Chandra Srivastava, Self - Employed - Dealing & Financing Second Hand Trucks in Kanpur and residing in same house in Kaushalpuri - Kanpur.
BRIDE’s FATHER :
Sri Dinesh Chandra Srivastava, Employed with Forest Department, Kidwai Nagar, Kanpur.
o THE BRIDE Herself :
BRIDE’s BROTHER :
Ch. Sudhir Kumar Srivastava, Self - Employed / Partnership Business in Kanpur.
MATERNAL SIDE :
Nanaji :
Late Sri Umashanker Srivastava, Retired from Small Arms Factory [Ordinance Factory] Kanpur – 208 002.
Eldest Mamaji :
Sri Ashok Kumar Srivastava, Self - Employed, Voluntary Retired from Private Service, presently settled in Kanpur – 208 002.
Younger Mamaji :
Sri Vijai Kumar Srivastava, Runs An Institute for IIT/AIEEE//BITS and Others Engineering Aspirants, settled in Kanpur.
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9 Years Girl Abused - To Be Aborted
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2 Mar 2009, 0038 hrs IST
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A nine-year-old girl pregnant after years of alleged sexual abuse by her stepfather is likely to abort twins she is carrying in a case that has
shocked Brazil, reports in Sao Paulo said.
The girl was found to be four months pregnant after being taken to hospital suffering stomach pains, the website Diario de Pernambuco reported.
She was being cared for in the Maternal-Child Institude in the northern city of Recife, close to her hometown of Alagoinha, they said.
“We don’t know if she will develop the pregnancy up to the end because of the structure of her body. It is a big risk for her”, Jose Severiano Cavalcanti, the doctor who confirmed her pregnancy, said.
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2 Mar 2009, 0038 hrs IST
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A nine-year-old girl pregnant after years of alleged sexual abuse by her stepfather is likely to abort twins she is carrying in a case that has
shocked Brazil, reports in Sao Paulo said.
The girl was found to be four months pregnant after being taken to hospital suffering stomach pains, the website Diario de Pernambuco reported.
She was being cared for in the Maternal-Child Institude in the northern city of Recife, close to her hometown of Alagoinha, they said.
“We don’t know if she will develop the pregnancy up to the end because of the structure of her body. It is a big risk for her”, Jose Severiano Cavalcanti, the doctor who confirmed her pregnancy, said.
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Sunday, March 1, 2009
Eight Wonder Ways For A Flat Tummy!
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28 Feb 2009, 0800 hrs IST
Blame it on SRK’s six-pack-magic, Aamir’s eight-pack-charisma or Priyanka’s hot bikini bod, but flaunting the flattest tummy and a set of well Eight wonder ways for a flat tummy! (Getty Images) toned abs is the latest dream for many youngsters.
But, they usually tend to forget that it takes more than just basic crunches and crash dieting to carve a drool worthy, flat stomach. Explains fitness trainer, Deanne Pandey, “Ab exercises + cardio exercises + right diet – this is the most effective formula to achieve well-toned abdominal muscles. Missing upon any one of these will take away the real impact of an abs-workout.”
“An ideal diet and workout for every individual depends upon his/her weight loss requirement, body type and body shape,” suggests Pandey. For instance, a pear shaped person may indulge in a less strenuous workout and minimal diet modifications to get the desired tummy in comparison to an apple shaped body, who is usually heavy in the tummy area.
Here are a set of workout and physical activities, which when combined with an ideal eating plan and cardio workouts can assure you of the killer abs that you always dreamt of...
1. Naukasana- A common yoga posture that works wonders on your abs.
Method: Lie flat on the ground, with your stomach on the floor. Raise your upper body and legs to an angle of 30 degrees and hold the posture for 30-40 seconds, then relax. Repeat this asana for 10 times to begin with, graduating to 30 times. Breathe normally all through the work out.
“Holding onto the posture tightens and contracts your upper and lower abs while repeating the movement tones them up,” tells yoga expert Usha Chegappa of Bharat Thankur’s Artistic Yoga.
2. Ushtrasana : It is the counter pose to naukasana .
Method: Stand on your knees, with heels facing upwards. Arch your back, placing your hands on your knees one by one. Hold your head behind pushing your belly outwards. Hold this posture for 30 seconds and repeat 30 times.
“During naukasana , the ab muscles contract building up tension in the area, while ushtrasana releases the tension by giving your tummy a good stretch. It is important to practice ushtrasana after naukasana to save one's back from injury,” explains Usha.
3. Basic crunch : The good old crunch still remains the best exercise to bag the perfect abs.
Method: Lie on the floor with your legs off the floor in a right angle. Keep your shoulders just above the floor. Breathe in and bring your knees in towards your chest, while lifting your upper body to an angle of 30 degrees and breathe out while you relax. Repeat this exercise 15-20 times to begin with.
“Don’t arch your back. The crunches will help you contract your abdomninal muscles giving them an effective workout,” suggests Deanne.
4. Bridging: Stretch till you feel the burn!
Method: Lie flat on the floor with your hands resting by your sides, feet flat on the floor, shoulder width apart and knees bent. Now, contract your abdominals, lower back and gluts and slowly lift your midsection to form a bridge from your knees, through your hips to your shoulders. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then slowly lower. Fitness expert Kiran Swahney suggests, “Avoid this exercise in case you are suffering from lower back problems.”
5. Lying Torso Twists: Twisting motion stretches the oblique muscles.
Method: Lie on the floor with knees pulled over your chest. Eight wonder ways for a flat tummy! (Getty Images)
Place a ball between your knees and stretch arms to the sides like an airplane, palms facing up. Contract your abs and twist your hips to the right, bringing knees towards the floor Don’t touch the floor, but use your abs to bring your knees back to the start and go to the other side.
“Make sure your shoulders lie flat on the floor and keep breathing normally,” advises Kiran.
6. Cycling: Not on the cycle, but on the floor.
Method: Lie on the floor and raise your legs. Make slow pedaling motions with both your legs alternatively. Keep breathing normally. Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then your right elbow to your left knee.
“The slower and controlled are the motions, more is the pressure exerted on your abs giving better results,” explains Deanne.
7. Side Plank: targeted to your oblique muscles or side abs.
Method: Lie down on your side with elbows supporting your body above the ground. Now lift your body sideways. This will make you feel the stretch on your oblique muscles giving them a good workout. 2-3 sets of 15-20 movements are ideal.
“Make sure your body is in one line without any bends and arches. If indulging in a strenuous workout is on your mind, hold in the position and pulsate,” adds Deanne.
8. Dancing Wonders: Feel the pulse, “Stomach muscles are core muscles involved in any kind of dancing. A toned stomach accentuates your moves, while dance movements make your stomach sexy. It’s a co-related process,”. Some of the dance forms that can help you tone your stomach include Lindy Hop, Jive, cha cha and belly dancing. “All these forms of dance involve lots of lifts, dips and tricks which give a great workout to the stomach muscles,”.
The above mentioned abdominal muscles are required to be repeated over a period of time to get desired results. “Give sufficient rest between abdominal exercises and sets. Increase the amount of repetitions that you perform each week by two times, until you can comfortably perform 20 repititions of each abdominal exercise,” advises Kiran.
“With adequate diet and a regular workout, the effects can be felt in as many as just seven days,” adds Usha.
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28 Feb 2009, 0800 hrs IST
Blame it on SRK’s six-pack-magic, Aamir’s eight-pack-charisma or Priyanka’s hot bikini bod, but flaunting the flattest tummy and a set of well Eight wonder ways for a flat tummy! (Getty Images) toned abs is the latest dream for many youngsters.
But, they usually tend to forget that it takes more than just basic crunches and crash dieting to carve a drool worthy, flat stomach. Explains fitness trainer, Deanne Pandey, “Ab exercises + cardio exercises + right diet – this is the most effective formula to achieve well-toned abdominal muscles. Missing upon any one of these will take away the real impact of an abs-workout.”
“An ideal diet and workout for every individual depends upon his/her weight loss requirement, body type and body shape,” suggests Pandey. For instance, a pear shaped person may indulge in a less strenuous workout and minimal diet modifications to get the desired tummy in comparison to an apple shaped body, who is usually heavy in the tummy area.
Here are a set of workout and physical activities, which when combined with an ideal eating plan and cardio workouts can assure you of the killer abs that you always dreamt of...
1. Naukasana- A common yoga posture that works wonders on your abs.
Method: Lie flat on the ground, with your stomach on the floor. Raise your upper body and legs to an angle of 30 degrees and hold the posture for 30-40 seconds, then relax. Repeat this asana for 10 times to begin with, graduating to 30 times. Breathe normally all through the work out.
“Holding onto the posture tightens and contracts your upper and lower abs while repeating the movement tones them up,” tells yoga expert Usha Chegappa of Bharat Thankur’s Artistic Yoga.
2. Ushtrasana : It is the counter pose to naukasana .
Method: Stand on your knees, with heels facing upwards. Arch your back, placing your hands on your knees one by one. Hold your head behind pushing your belly outwards. Hold this posture for 30 seconds and repeat 30 times.
“During naukasana , the ab muscles contract building up tension in the area, while ushtrasana releases the tension by giving your tummy a good stretch. It is important to practice ushtrasana after naukasana to save one's back from injury,” explains Usha.
3. Basic crunch : The good old crunch still remains the best exercise to bag the perfect abs.
Method: Lie on the floor with your legs off the floor in a right angle. Keep your shoulders just above the floor. Breathe in and bring your knees in towards your chest, while lifting your upper body to an angle of 30 degrees and breathe out while you relax. Repeat this exercise 15-20 times to begin with.
“Don’t arch your back. The crunches will help you contract your abdomninal muscles giving them an effective workout,” suggests Deanne.
4. Bridging: Stretch till you feel the burn!
Method: Lie flat on the floor with your hands resting by your sides, feet flat on the floor, shoulder width apart and knees bent. Now, contract your abdominals, lower back and gluts and slowly lift your midsection to form a bridge from your knees, through your hips to your shoulders. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then slowly lower. Fitness expert Kiran Swahney suggests, “Avoid this exercise in case you are suffering from lower back problems.”
5. Lying Torso Twists: Twisting motion stretches the oblique muscles.
Method: Lie on the floor with knees pulled over your chest. Eight wonder ways for a flat tummy! (Getty Images)
Place a ball between your knees and stretch arms to the sides like an airplane, palms facing up. Contract your abs and twist your hips to the right, bringing knees towards the floor Don’t touch the floor, but use your abs to bring your knees back to the start and go to the other side.
“Make sure your shoulders lie flat on the floor and keep breathing normally,” advises Kiran.
6. Cycling: Not on the cycle, but on the floor.
Method: Lie on the floor and raise your legs. Make slow pedaling motions with both your legs alternatively. Keep breathing normally. Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then your right elbow to your left knee.
“The slower and controlled are the motions, more is the pressure exerted on your abs giving better results,” explains Deanne.
7. Side Plank: targeted to your oblique muscles or side abs.
Method: Lie down on your side with elbows supporting your body above the ground. Now lift your body sideways. This will make you feel the stretch on your oblique muscles giving them a good workout. 2-3 sets of 15-20 movements are ideal.
“Make sure your body is in one line without any bends and arches. If indulging in a strenuous workout is on your mind, hold in the position and pulsate,” adds Deanne.
8. Dancing Wonders: Feel the pulse, “Stomach muscles are core muscles involved in any kind of dancing. A toned stomach accentuates your moves, while dance movements make your stomach sexy. It’s a co-related process,”. Some of the dance forms that can help you tone your stomach include Lindy Hop, Jive, cha cha and belly dancing. “All these forms of dance involve lots of lifts, dips and tricks which give a great workout to the stomach muscles,”.
The above mentioned abdominal muscles are required to be repeated over a period of time to get desired results. “Give sufficient rest between abdominal exercises and sets. Increase the amount of repetitions that you perform each week by two times, until you can comfortably perform 20 repititions of each abdominal exercise,” advises Kiran.
“With adequate diet and a regular workout, the effects can be felt in as many as just seven days,” adds Usha.
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