Unfurling the flag at the Red fort on the occasion of 61st Independence Day, Indian Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh delivered Independence Day speech, which was not less than just reading out problems of India. The speech seems like the one that has been used over and over again by all the past prime ministers of India and had the similar highlights:
* More Employment Opportunities for all
* Remove Poverty
* Economic Growth
On 3 June 1947, Viscount Louis Mountbatten, the last British Governor-General of India, announced the partitioning of the British Indian Empire into a secular India and a Muslim Pakistan. On 14 August 1947, Pakistan was declared a separate nation from them. At midnight, on 15 August 1947, India became an independent nation. Violent clashes between Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs followed. Prime Minister Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel invited Mountbatten to continue as Governor General of India. He was replaced in June 1948 by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. Patel took on the responsibility of unifying 565 princely states, steering efforts by his “iron fist in a velvet glove” policies, exemplified by the use of military force to integrate Junagadh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Hyderabad state (Operation Polo) into India.
The Constituent Assembly completed the work of drafting the constitution on 26 November 1949; on 26 January 1950 the Republic of India was officially proclaimed. The Constituent Assembly elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the first President of India, taking over from Governor General Rajgopalachari. Subsequently, a free and sovereign India absorbed three other territories: Goa (from Portuguese control in 1961), Pondicherry (which the French ceded in 1953–1954) and Sikkim which was absorbed in 1975. In 1952, India held its first general elections, with a voter turnout exceeding 62%.
Mr Singh highlighted that Government need to generate more employment opportunities for all. But how? All the schemes provided by the Government generated less than 2% opportunities and considering the amount we have spent on those it isn’t worth. The key problem is the population Mr. Singh. And second problem is more than 50% of the graduates and post graduates people are UNEMPLOYABLE! We are still working on the old techniques of education, there are many unrecognized and unauthorized institutions running in the country who are giving false degrees and playing with the careers of the people. Regarding Population, recently Kerala adopted 2 Children per family policy, similar to that of China. Why can’t this be adopted across India? We do not have room for more than 2 children per family in India.
Further free education to all has been the slogan of all Prime Ministers since Independence but till now that has just a dream. What we have to understand that the development of RURAL INDIA is the what will bring India forward. We understand that many teachers and professors would not like to go to villages and train children. Why cannot we pay these teachers extra salary and bonuses so that they can be motivated to get bright students from village to come up and help with the development of their village, their town, their city and their country?
Coming back to Poverty - Well one of the reasons for poverty is lack of education and growing population. Subsidy, Reservations, Backward classes, OBC etc wont help remove the poverty, we need to very firm with our population policy and ensuring right distribution of national funds to the right people. In one incident, which I remember, the farmer was handed over a cheque of Rs 5 for relief purpose, which seemed nothing more than a joke. Definitely the chunk money were eaten away by the babus or the civil servants through whom the money was channelized. Farmers are uneducated and we should make efforts by providing them with latest technologies and information, which will help them to produce the right crop at the right time of the year. Drought and Flood should be minimized by implementing the policy of “Channelizing all rivers“.
Reservation - Why do we need that? Why cannot we make education system fair enough for everyone to afford and should be only on the basis of merit. Reservations sound good only in the Railway Platform and not in School, Colleges and Institutions. We should not differentiate between High Caste and Low Caste and should ensure fair opportunities for all.
Economic Growth - No doubt India has seen huge economic growth in past 5 years, especially last year when the GDP was 9%. However the growth’s benefit has not been distributed evenly and has been retarded by constant terror activities and fake currency distribution. And we all know who has been sponsoring the terror activities. Why cannot be take firm actions against our neighbors whose constant interference, terror plots and Anti-India Policy has not only hampered the growth but also claimed millions of innocent lives. Would China tolerated if Pakistan had sponsored their terror activities there? Enough of peace talks, timid warnings and resistance. If they can violate ceasefire thrice in a week (recent ceasefire violations - August 2008), can’t we reply them back so that they should think twice before violating again! Our politicians might say its “Easy said!” No, not easy said Sir. You and me are not standing on the Borders, it’s the soldiers. They risk their lives for us and what we tell them, exercise restraint. Anyways, in past 2-3 years, terror groups inside India have struck almost every major city and they did whenever they wanted. So much as been their courage that they can send emails and give prior warnings that they are striking and we cannot do anything. What is the solution for that? Let Police and Army do the work without any interference by the Politicians and Bureaucrats. We are sure the terror activities will reduce to 10% of what has been happening till now. Like we worship and glorify sportsmen and bollywood, we will also do for all those Police and Army Jawans who will stop and remove these activities.
Finally, on this day, we remember our forefathers who fought for us so that we can get a better life. What are we leaving behind for our future generations! I know all these are easy said, but somewhere we have to start. Someone has to come forward and bring with him/her a force that will start removing the problems that has plagued India for long. We have the will, courage and determination to do whatever asked for. Let’s take one step from today and ensure that we sincerely put an effort to remove the problems from India.
It is very easy for me to pen down thoughts in this way… but having to set an example would be the real step forward in building our nation… Small small things can help a lot.. Teaching our younger generation to conserve power… to respect the value of the food we eat…. To help keep our roads clean(We throw chewing gum wrappers, chocolate wrappers etc just as and when we wish out of our car windows.. seeing this our children also do the same…), giving education to needy chilren. If we can think about such small small differences we can make.. it would go a long way…. Atleast I try to follow a few things to help my country be really Independant, Vibrant, Super power… Jai Hind!
Nice thoughts vivz! Those are not small things, keeping the streets clean and conserving power are key problems as well. So lets pledge we will not throw any thing on streets. Even if we see someone throwing them, we can go ahead and pick them up (without any grudge) and throw them in dustbin so that the person who threw will thing twice before doing again.
Conserving power, be it office or hotel or your friend’s home, we should not think its not our power and we can let it go for waste. Switch off unwanted lights/fans/Acs and disallow power thefts.
A healthy country should have at least 35 per cent of forest land and due to deforestation the per cent has reduced to 25-26% only and reducing further. We should plant more trees and encourage afforestation and not convert this country into concrete jungle!
I hope many more people come forward with these small thoughts, which can be implemented easily.
Monday, August 18, 2008
India's 61st Independence Day
Monday, August 11, 2008
Gold Medal for INDIA in Olympics 2008
A star-starved nation found a new sporting icon in a bespectacled marksman as Abhinav Bindra shot his way to history, winning India's first ever individual Olympic gold medal in the 10m air rifle event on Monday. World champion Abhinav Bindra clinched India's first ever individual gold medal at the Olympics, winning 10m air rifle event at the Beijing Games here today.
The 25-year-old, who qualified fourth for the event, shot an overall score of (596+140.5) 700.5 in a thrilling finale which went right down to the last shot.
Bindra's historic feat makes him India's first-ever individual gold medallist, bettering the silver medal feat of double trap shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore in Athens 2004.
"He is the best shooter in the world and I think his is a morale boosting feat for everyone in the contingent," a jubilant Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi said after Bindra's win.
"We are all very happy. He is a very hardworking athlete. The entire shooting contingent is celebrating. We are very proud of him and it is just the beginning," national coach Sunny Thomas said.
"Abhinav is a very calm and composed guy and doesn't get very excited," Thomas added.
A 10.6 on his seventh attempt earned him the lead and Bindra held on to it. He then scored a 10.0, 10.2 and finally a 10.8 to clinch the first berth.
His scores in the ten rounds of the finals were: 10.7, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5, 10.6, 10.0, 10.2, 10.8.
Local favourite and defending champion Qinan Zhu of China won silver, while Finland's Hakkinen won bronze.
Final scores: Abhinav Bindra 700.5 (596+104.5). Qinan Zhu 699.7 (597+102.7). Henri Hakkinen 699.4 (598+101.4).
Fellow Indian Gagan Narang too almost made it to the final but was ruled out on countback. Gagan scored 595, levelled at the fifth place but lost out on a final place in countback. He finished ninth.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Keeping Relationships Healthy..
“When it comes to love, you need not fall but rather surrender, surrender to the idea that you must love yourself before you can love another. You must absolutely trust yourself before you can absolutely trust another and most importantly you must accept your flaws before you can accept the flaws of another”.
Relationships with our spouses and girl/boy-friends can be one of the most rewarding aspects of our lives. We hold a special place for that someone with whom we’ve shared countless moments of joy. Personality differences are inevitable, and what makes us unique as individuals can result in disagreements and conflicts during our relationship.
The following are some pointers that have proven to be effective in our relationship
• Make sure both sides of the dispute get equally heard. Too many times, one person does all of the talking. No matter how tempted you are to start talking, always be ready to listen as well, and not just half-heartedly. Understand what your partner says, just as you expect them to do when it’s your turn to talk.
• Love.
• Recognize the Crying Baby - By bringing awareness into a situation, we will get better at recognizing when our partner is in the crying baby state. When they are in a baby state, it is highly beneficial if we remain calm. Don’t take what they say personally during this state, they don’t mean it.
• Love.
• Compromise. Learn to bend at times. Be flexible. If you are abl
e to try different things while keeping an open mind, you’ll find yourselves a lot happier with your relationship and with yourself.
• Love.
• Ask yourself: “Am I arguing so that I could win the battle?” - If the answer is yes, ask yourself whether winning this battle will make a difference in your life in 40 years? How about tomorrow?
• Love.
• Forgive & Accept - Remember that inside, we are all good people. Really, we were all born innocent, loving, kind and generous. See the light in them, as you too have that light within yourself.
• Love.
• Apologize & Explain - Say I’m sorry and show that you mean it by explaining why you are sorry. Don’t be shy or let your pride get in the way. Life is short, do the right thing, instead of the thing right for your ego.
• And Love and love….
Conflict Resolution Skills
Conflict can endanger re
lationships, but if handled well, it can also provide opportunities for growth, ultimately strengthening the bond between two people. Since relationship conflicts are inevitable, learning to deal with them (rather than avoiding them) is crucial. Recognizing and managing conflict is also an essential part of building emotional intelligence, and nurturing relationships at home and work. Learn the skills you need for conflict resolution, and keep your relationships strong and growing.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Ouija Board - Facts & Realties
Users subconsciously direct the path of the triangle to produce a word that is in that person's subconscious thought process. This subconscious behavior is known as ideomotor action, a term coined by William Carpenter in 1882. It is also known as automatism. Some people may be convinced the "powers" of the ouija board are real because they are unaware that they are in fact moving the piece and therefore assume that the piece must be moving due to some other "spiritual force". The subconscious thought process may produce an answer that is different from what the user expected in their conscious thought process—thus perpetuating the idea that the board has "mystical powers". Spiritualists who believe Ouija boards can be used to make actual contact with the spirit world feel that the act of hindering a medium’s ability to use his or her own eyes while the board is in use effectively places too great of a handicap on the whole exercise (see ad hoc hypothesis). This argument stems from the belief that contacted spirits actually utilize the eyes of the medium during a Ouija session in order to point to the letters and words needed to form a message. Most believers of this notion believe that the board has no intrinsic power in and of itself, but rather, is used simply as a tool to aid a medium while in communication with the spirit world.
Ouija Board !!
An ouija board is any flat surface - sometimes an actual board such as a piece of wood or sometimes it can be a table or something like that. On the board are arranged the letters of the alphabet (sometimes also the numbers 0-9) and the words YES and NO. If you are using a table these can be witten on pieces of paper or card. An upturned glass is placed on the centre on the board and every participant places the index finger of their right hand on top of the upturned glass. The spirits are then summoned and may be asked questions to which they will reply by moving the glass to either YES or NO or by spelling out the answer by moving to each letter in turn. It is a good idea to have at least one person in the room who is an observer. They can note down the questions and answers and are also able to intervene if something starts to go horribly wrong.Explanation
Scientific explanation
Spiritualist explanation
Stories about Ouija Boards:-
* Two boys of about 13 were found dead in a locked room sat around an Ouija Board. The expressions on their faces was one of total horror and they had both died of heart attacks.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!
* late Roman Catholic priest Malachi Martin believed talking boards are dangerous and claimed that by using these devices a person opens themselves to demonic oppression or possession.
* GK Chesterton used a Ouija board. Around 1893 he had gone through a crisis of skepticism and depression, and during this period Chesterton experimented with the Ouija board and grew fascinated with the occult. [20]
* Poet James Merrill used a Ouija board for years, and even encouraged entrance of spirits into his body. He wrote the poem "The Changing Light at Sandover" with the help of a Ouija board. Before he died, he recommended people to not use Ouija boards.[21]
* Rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony often mention the Ouija board and what it tells them to do
* Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi claimed under oath that, in a séance held in 1978 with other professors at the University of Bologna, the "ghost" of Giorgio La Pira spelled the name of the street where Aldo Moro was being held by the Red Brigades in a Ouija. According to Peter Popham of The Independent: "Everybody here has long believed that Prodi's ouija board tale was no more than an ill-advised and bizarre way to conceal the identity of his true source, probably a person from Bologna's seething far-left underground whom he was pledged to protect."
* Bill Wilson the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous used the Ouija Board to contact spirits.[23] His wife said that he would get messages directly without even using the board.[24]For a while, his participation in AA was deeply affected by his involvement with the Ouija board. Wilson claimed that he received the twelve step method directly from a spirit without the board and wrote it down.[25]
* Art Bell, the former host of the paranormal-themed radio show Coast To Coast AM (which on Halloween became Ghost To Ghost AM) had once used an Ouija board, and experienced something he's been wanting to forget ever since. He refused to tell any of the callers/listeners about the actual experience and he always advised not to use an Ouija board - ever.
* The Fiery Furnaces said that they used a Ouija board to write lyrics for their forthcoming album Widow City [26]
* On the July 25, 2007 edition of the paranormal radio show Coast to Coast AM, host George Noory attempted to carry out a live Ouija board experiment on national radio despite the strong objections of one of his guests, Jordan Maxwell, and with the encouragement of his other guests, Dr. Bruce Goldberg, Rosemary Ellen Guiley and Jerry Edward Cornelius.[citation needed] In the days and hours leading up to the show, unfortunate events kept occurring to Noory's friends and family as well as some of his guests, but these events would likely be considered coincidences by skeptics. After recounting a near-death experience in 2000 and noting bizarre events taking place, Noory canceled the experiment.[citation needed]
* The singer Morrissey has a song titled Ouija Board, Ouija Board.
* Matthew Bellamy, front man of the rock band Muse, has said that his mother was a medium.[citation needed] When he was a young boy, he and his family played with Ouija boards.[citation needed]
* In 2008, progressive rock band The Mars Volta released an album titled The Bedlam in Goliath in an attempt to reverse the bad luck from a Ouija board that guitaritst/producer Omar Rodriguez-Lopez bought while visiting Jerusalem and later buried after a disastrous tour.[citation needed] The vinyl release will come with its own Ouija board built into the gatefold.
* Sheryl Crow makes a reference to the Ouija board in a text passage of A Change Would Do You Good.
* Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has a signature guitar model with a Ouija board motif which was actually spelt wrong which he used live.
* N.W.A They were seen using the board, during one of their Homevideos
For more details vist: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouija
Monday, August 4, 2008
San Fermin Festival In Pamplona , Spain
San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain
The San Fermin festival in nor
thern Spain, held since 1591, attracts tens of thousands of foreign visitors each year for nine days of revelry, bull runs and bullfights. The bulls are released on to the streets each morning and hundreds of people are chased along an 825-metre course leading to the arenas where bullfights are staged in the afternoons.
The festival of San Fermin, or the Pamplona bull running as it's more commonly known outside Spain officially begins at midday on 6th July every year with the 'chupinazo' which takes place on the balcony of the Casa Consistorial in Pamplona. Thousands of people congregate in the square awaiting the mayor's official announcement that the fiestas have begun, a rocket is launched and the partying begins.The history of the bullrunning in Pamplona is not clear. There is evidence of the festival from as far back as the 13th century when it seems the events took place in October as this coincided with the festival of San Fermin on October 10th. It seems that the modern day celebration has evolved from this as well as individual commercial and bullfighting fiestas which can be traced back to the 14th century.
Over many years the mainly religious festival of San Fermin was diluted by music, dancing, bullfights and markets such that the Pamplona Council proposed that the whole event be moved to July 7th when the weather is far more conducive to such a celebration. To this day San Fermin remains a fixed date every year with the first bullrun at 8am on July 7th and the last at the same time on July 14th.
The Bull Run
The Pamplona bull run takes place at 8am every morning from 7th to 14th J
uly. Runners must be in the running area by 7.30am. The actual run stretches from the corral at Santo Domingo where the bulls are kept, to the bullring where they will fight that same afternoon. The length of the run is 825 metres and the average time of the run from start to finish is about three minutes. The streets through the old town which make up the bull run are walled off so the bulls can't escape. Each day six fighting bulls run the route as well as two herds of bullocks.
The tension builds as the release of the bulls approaches and at 8am on the dot a rocket is fired to confirm that the gate has been opened at the Santo Domingo corral. Runners dressed in white with a red hankerchief around their necks pray to San Fermin then a second rocket announces that the bulls have left. The bulls and the runners then proceed along the route.Watching the Bull Run
Yo u can s tand behi nd the fences t ha t mark th e ro ute of the bullrun but you need to arrive by around 6.30am to get the b est spots on the top of the fence directly overlooking the run. Another good spot is in front of the museum on c/ Santo Domingo where there isn't a fence but the bes t spots here are usually taken before 6am leaving you with a cold two hour wait before the run starts.
Sanfermin Festival Video: Tickets for the bullfights are sold out well in advance as the arena only holds 12,500 people. Every evening after the day's bullfight some tickets go on sale for the next evening's event at the 'taquillas' at the bull ring. You'll usually find ticket touts operating around the Plaza de Toros during the day and before the bullfight selling at elevated prices. Pamplona Hotels are very difficult to book at short notice. If you're planning on going for this event then consider booking upto twelve months in advance. An alternative to staying in Pamplona is to stay in a hotel in San Sebastian and make the early morning trip to the bull run from there.Bullfight Tickets
Pamplona Accommodation
Auto Insurance
What is an Automobile Insurance?
This is insurance which protects the insured against losses involving the use of automobiles. Various coverages may be bought depending on the desires of the insured. Such coverages include the liability coverages of bodily injury, property damage, and medical payments, and the physical damage coverages of collision and comprehensive.
In some states, to drive (get license plates) you must carry:
* Liability coverage to pay for losses you cause others, or:
* No-fault coverage to pay you and your passengers for medical and related expenses caused by injuries from a car accident, regardless of fault, or
* Both coverages.
Even in states where coverage isn’t required, drivers must, by law, be able to pay for losses they may cause others. Having insurance is the simplest way for most people to comply. Coverage for vehicle damage usually is necessary to finance a car.
Without insurance, you risk paying for the full cost of:
* Any harm you cause others, or:
* Repairing or replacing your car if it’s damaged or stolen.
Policy Coverage should Include:Loss or damage to your vehicle: The policy covers you against any loss or damage caused to the vehicle due to the following natural and man made calamities.
Natural Calamities – Fire, explosion, self-ignition or lightning, earthquake, flood, typhoon, hurricane, storm, tempest, inundation, cyclone, hailstorm, frost, landslide, rockslide.
Man made Calamities – Burglary, theft, riot, strike, malicious act, accident by external means, terrorist activity, any damage in transit by road, rail, inland waterway, lift, elevator or air.
Personal accident cover: The motor insurance provides compulsory personal accident cover of Rs. 2 lakhs for individual owner driver of the vehicle insured while travelling in, mounting or dismounting from the car. You can also opt for a personal accident cover for passengers. Third party legal liability: This protects you against legal liability arising due to accidental damages
- Any permanent injury/ death of a person
- Any damage caused to the property.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Happy Friendship Day !!
Happy Friendship day to U !!
FRIENDSHIP isn’t how U forGet but how U forGive, Not how U liSten but how U UnderStand, Not what U see but how U feel, and not how U Let Go but how U hold oN!!! HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY!! A friend is someone who knows all about us, and loves us just the same. Friendship is a wonderful bond, an enchanting chemistry between people, which feels like magic.
Friendship Day is celebrated annually, on the first Sunday of August, ie. 3 August this year in several countries. It was initially declared a holiday in honor of friends in the United States
Friendship Day has been commercialized to a great extent in India
Friendship Day Party Ideas
First things first. Why not get the fun on with some funky invitation cards for your Friendship Day party ? Consider designing them with a funny cartoon, a few good jokes, and some nice quote
s or with your own signature message straight from the heart. Make it as colorful and attractive as possible so that your cool pals can’t wait to drop in at your Friendship Day party !
Next decide the nature of your Friendship Day party. If it’s a day-party, your planning would be a little different from an overnight Friendship Day party, right ? To party through the day, a special Friendship Day cookout at your backyard is always a good idea, especially when it’s the season for the sizzling barbecues, cool lemonades and yummy hotdogs ! Picnicking would be yet another sprightly thought for your Friendship Day party, this again if you’re planning t
o party daytime. Fill up the picnic hamper with games and goodies and check out how wild ‘wild’ can be when friends are around !
Now if you prefer to party through the night, a Friendship Day dinner party is quite a smart thought to sweep your buds over. Hit your favorite joint with the entire gang, order what you enjoy the best and romp and chomp your way to a total upbeat and zesty fun-time on Friendship Day. Yet another starry idea for the party-freaks of the night is a sleepover party on Friendship Day. It’s quite popular with the kids, but the big ones enjoy it just as much. Or you can also invite your friends for a stargazing party this Friendship Day. For all those, who haven’t experienced whatit is to lie under the starry night-sky and watch the stars with people you hold close, it’s definitely a top to-do thing, if not a must !
Friendship Day History
History of Friendship Day in USA
Considering the valuable role friends play in our life it was deemed to fit to have a day dedicated to friends and friendship. The United States Congress, in 1935, proclaimed first Sunday of August as the National Friendship Day.
In 1997, the United Nations named Winnie - the Pooh as the world's Ambassador of Friendship.
Importance of Friendship in Bible
The Bible, the primary text of the western civilization, reflects upon friendship as the bond that forms the foundation to human faith, trust and companionship.
In the famous Hindu epic ‘Mahabharata’, Lord Krishna demonstrates the many colors of friendship - affection, romance, brotherhood, protection, guidance, intimacy and even teasing.
Friendship day Quotes:
" Two may talk together under the same roof for many years, yet never really meet; and two others at first speech are old friends. "
- Mary Catherwood
" Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival. "
- C. S. Lewis
" Anybody can sympathise with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathise with a friend's success. "
- Oscar Wilde
Pick the child life insurance plan carefully
Using Insurance to plan your child's future:
Planning for the child’s future is an important decision in any parent’s life. There are a variety of child insurance plans available in the market today, which can act as a savings tool to secure your child’s future. Child plans help address your child’s future education and/or marriage needs. They also provide the capital that your child may need at a later stage to venture into a business.
Some life insurance companies have a lower premium on their child plans if the proposer is the mother. For example, SBI Life and ICICI Prudential to name just two, charge a lower premium on child plans, provided that it’s the mother who pays the premiums.
Money back child insurance plans
Money back plans are ideal for parents planning for life stage events like child's education, marriage or seed capital for a business opportunity. A father wants to set aside some money for his 5-year old daughter's higher education. He also wants to have enough money for her marriage a few years after that. This is the ideal scenario for a money back plan.
The father can select a money back endowment plan with a 20-Yr tenure for a sum assured of Rs 10 lakhs (Rs 1 million). The annual premium that he will have to pay is Rs 67,175 (refer Table 1). The premium amount will vary across life insurers.
| Age (Yrs) | Sum Assured (Rs) | Tenure (Yrs) | Premium (Rs) |
| 30 | 1,000,000 | 20 | 67,175 |
One word of caution " Please make sure that you know the expenses and other deductible’s very clearly before hand " because the early years charges are quite high in some plans and in some policies the exit years can be expensive. Most of the insurance companies in
Posts
