kind of listener

When you assess yourself now,
what kind of listener are you?

1. A deep careful listener
2. A bored listener
3. A selective listener
4. A defensive listener
5. An interruptive listener
6. An insensitive listener

Do you want to know some tips how to become a good listener?

Follow the golden rule:

• “Do unto others what you want others do unto you.”
• Put yourself on the position of the one who is speaking to you.
• Make an effort to listen to the person who is speaking by giving your full attention to the speaker.
• Focus your mind to what he is trying to say and for the unspoken messages.
• Watch for the non-verbal communication like tone of voice, hand gestures, facial expressions and other body movements.
• Listen for the real meaning and not just for the literal words.
• Finish listening first before you begin to speak for you to be sure that you understand what is being said
• Think clearly what to react. Ask questions if you are not sure, to understand what the speaker is trying to convey.
• Good listening requires practice and patience. But, if you hone this skill you’ll appreciate life more.

http://ritehealth.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-become-good-listener.html

3 percent of the global population

• 3 percent of the global population—more than 200 million people—live outside their country of birth
• Uncounted millions more have moved, or been moved, within their home borders.
• A great deal of this movement is forced, either by economic pressures or, increasingly, by damage to the environment or human conflict—both of which are exacerbated by rapid population growth.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse/crowding-planet-text

Chandrayaan sends images of Apollo 15 landing

A camera on board India's maiden unmanned lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 has recorded images of the landing site of US spacecraft Apollo 15,

• The Terrain mapper camera on board Chandrayaan-1 has sent the prints of landing site of Apollo 15
• Tracks of the lunar rovers used by astronauts to travel on lunar surface
  "The images captured by hyper spectral camera fitted as a part of Chandrayaan-1 image payload has reconfirmed the veracity of Apollo 15 mission,"
  
• The Chandrayaan-1 images have disproved the theory of conspiracy which had claimed that the Apollo 15 was a hoax, he said.
• "Chandrayaan has managed to identify the landing site used by the Apollo 15 shuttle on the basis of the disturbances on the moon's surface
• "Our images also show tracks left behind by the lunar rovers which were used by the astronauts to travel on the moon's surface
• Since lunar dust is dark, the disturbances left behind by the spacecraft and the rovers are easily distinguishable. "The disturbed surface is bright
• However, Chandrayaan's camera could not capture the images of footprint left behind by the first astronaut on moon, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, because of its low resolution capability,
  that such an image is possible for a Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter armed with high resolution camera launched into space by NASA.

reference: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Chandrayaan-sends-images-of-Apollo-15-landing/articleshow/4964829.cms

Search operations

India’s biggest-ever air, land and satellite search operations to locate the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, and others who went missing along with their helicopter in the dense Nallamala forests.

The helicopter was over the dense Nallamala jungles near the Srisailam dam, about 60 nautical miles from Hyderabad. It was carrying fuel for three hours.

Effort of Searching:

1. The unprecedented effort included ultra-sophisticated remote sensing aircraft of Isro
2. The IAF
3. Private owned & Army helicopters
4. Army personnel, 5,000 CRPF men and Andhra and Karnataka police forces.
5. The elite anti-naxal Greyhound force, the anti-naxal central COBRA force
6. The IAF later launched a Sukhoi Su-31MKI fighter aircraft equipped with the advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to track down the helicopter.
7. The Indian Army launched about 300 hundred of its troops including two columns of specialised Ghatak forces
8. The Army troops were equipped with hand-held thermal imagers and night-vision goggles
9. The Indian Space Research Organisation flew two specially-equipped B-200 Beachcraft over the Nallamalla forests.
10. The aircraft got 41 images, each covering 8 sq km.to the National Remote Sensing Agency, Of the 41 images, 21 were of no use, and no data could be picked up from the others.
11. A thermal imaging aircraft that can pick out metal on the ground. This aircraft can be refuelled mid-air, meaning that it could operate for a long stretch of time.
12. An additional Sukhoi fighter aircraft had been kept in readiness at Mumbai.
13. The IAF despatched a Dornier and Avro aircraft to search for the missing chopper.

Chandrayan 1 Deployed 11 payloads

Chandrayan 1 Deployed 11 payloads

• Five were designed and developed in India
• Three by European Space Agency
• Two were from the United States
• One from Bulgaria.
  
• The ESA's three payloads were the
• Imaging x-ray spectrometer (C1XS)
• The smart infrared spectrometer (SIR-2)
• Sub kiloelectronvolt (keV) atom reflecting analyzer (SARA).

The US payloads were

• The 6.5kg mini synthetic aperture radar (MiniSAR)
• The moon mineralogy mapper (M3).

The Bulgarian payload

• was the radiation dose monitor (RADOM).

The five Indian payloads were

• The terrain mapping camera (TMC),
• The hyper spectral imager (HySI)
• The lunar laser ranging instrument (LLRI)
• The high energy x-ray spectrometer (HEX)
• The moon impact probe (MIP).

This mission is terminated abruptly after repeated attempts to restore communication link with the spacecraft by the space agency's telemetry, tracking and command network (Istrac) failed.

http://www.zeenews.com/news561215.html

High temperatures led to faulty thermal protection.

India’s first Moon mission became casualty of unforeseen high temperatures that led to faulty thermal protection.

In May this year, the orbit of the spacecraft was raised to 200kms from 100 kms from the surface of the Moon. It was done for a better view and to enable further studies on orbit perturbations, gravitational field variation of the Moon and also enable imaging of the lunar surface with a wider swath.

the orbit was raised to escape the surface heat which was above 75 degrees Celsius. It was this that led to the failure of two star censors in July. These censors were responsible for the orientation of Chandrayaan and the scientists were operating the spacecraft using ingenious ways.

http://www.zeenews.com/news561318.html

degree from Claremont McKenna

Akshata Murthy Is the First Daughter of Infosys co-founder and chief mentor N R Narayana Murthy and Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murthy’s

Akshata has done her Schooling in Bangalore.

She received her undergrad degree from Claremont McKenna in California

Did her MBA from Stanford.

She has worked with Deloitte and Unilever.

The Guy with whom she is going to marry is an Indian classmate of hers from Stanford Business School.

Unique in Indian Lunar mission

Most engineering goals have been fulfilled, but pious promises to deliver "good science" from the mission are still to be met.

This in itself was a big achievement since neither Russia nor America succeeded in their maiden attempts; and there were several failures even before they got anywhere near the Moon.
So did India ride on the shoulders of earlier successes?

Certainly not, since the know-how and technologies to go to the Moon are just not available for the asking. Each nation has to learn on its own. India experimented and did that with complete success.

The only other country to have managed a similar maiden feat was China - its mission Chang'e-1 in 2007 lasted 16 months in space,

The Indian mission survived for about 10 months in space; most other missions to the Moon have been much more short-lived.

Despite being dubbed by Isro as an "engineering success", the mission had a rough ride around the Moon.

1. A fuel leak from the rocket almost aborted its lift-off.
2. Within days of reaching the Moon, a power system failed, and a back-up system had to be activated.
3. the spacecraft started overheating due to the intense heat on the Moon.
4. Scientists say it was deft mission management that saved it from a total burnout.
5. The mission the spacecraft lost its fine guidance system when the onboard "star sensor" packed up in the intense radiation around the Moon.
6. The space agency lost all contact with Chandrayaan after a catastrophic failure - possibly in its power supply system.

SUCCESS

• Every time an instrument on this 1,380kg robot gave way, mission controllers at Isro found an innovative solution to keep the mission alive.
• The Indian mission was in certain respects much more challenging than the Chinese maiden lunar mission which was a simple national orbiter.
• Chandrayaan-1 was literally a two-in-one mission, since the main satellite was to orbit at 100km above the Moon and then a tiny gadget the size of a computer monitor was to attempt a "landing" on the Moon's surface.
• No nation to date had succeeded in both a lunar orbiter and an impactor at the first attempt.
• Probe that crash-landed on the Moon also permanently placed India's flag on the lunar surface.
• India became the fourth space bloc to have done this after Russia, America and the European Space Agency.
• There are many other firsts to this mission.
• In a highly un-Indian trait, the Indian space agency delivered the Moon mission with no cost or time overrun at $100m and within eight years of it first being suggested.
• The spacecraft carried 11 different sophisticated instruments, one of the largest suites of experiments ever carried to the Moon.
• The objective was to remotely map the resources of the Moon, prepare a three-dimensional atlas of it and look for water.
• All instruments worked for about 10 months in the hostile lunar environment.
• The chief scientist for Space Sciences at Esa, calls the Indian mission "the first multi-continent, multi-country lunar mission ever to be undertaken".
• A little known fact is that India did not charge any money to fly these instruments 400,000km away: all got a free ride to the Moon, merely in exchange for sharing the scientific data.
• Search for water Chandrayaan-1 was also the first and the most detailed search for water on the Moon using radars - to date, water has never been found.
• A miniature American radar onboard the Chandrayaan peered into the Moon's deepest craters searching for "water ice".
• The termination of the Moon mission will, however, not affect India's plans in space.
  refence : Economic Times - Srinivas Laxman - ‎Aug 31, 2009‎

destress technique....more & more

Methodology of the Workshop / Techniques Used & Taught:

1. Breathing Exercises -
2. Progressive Relaxation Techniques -
3. Creative Visualization -
4. Self-Hypnosis -
5. Emotional Freedom Technique -
6. Emotional Empowerment Technique -
7. Affirmations -
8. Chakra Clearing Exercises -
9. Body Stretches and Exercises -
10. Guided Imagery -
11. Earth Meditation Technique -
12. Astral Work Techniques

Xe Services

Blackwater, now known as Xe Services, the company whose operations in Iraq had come under intense scrutiny. It was earlier hired by CIA for its secret (now abandoned) programme to eliminate top al-Qaida leaders.

Contractors of Xe Services assemble and load Hellfire missiles and 500-pound laser-guided bombs on remotely piloted Predator aircraft at hidden bases in Pakistan and Afghanistan,

"Only a handful of the agency's employees actually work at the Predator bases in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the current and former employees said," the news report said, adding that Blackwater is not directly involved in it, except that it puts bombs and missiles on the drones.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/world/us/CIA-using-outsiders-to-load-bombs-on-drones-Report/articleshow/4917718.cms

Extra passengers on board :)

The airline, in a shocking violation of air safety norms, allowed three extra passengers on board a full-loaded flight.

one woman was accommodated in the cockpit's jump seat behind the pilots,
two others were made to sit on foldable seats meant for cabin crew.

The incident occurred on the Mumbai-Mangalore flight on May 5

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ai-stuffs-extra-passengers-on-a-flight-faces-action/96793-3.html

Universal Bakers @ Sania

All arrangements have been made for the engagement of Sania with Mohd Sohrab Mirza, a prospective owner of Universal Bakers, a popular chain of bakeries in Hyderabad

DISTIGUIESHED GUESTS:

Cricket genius Sachin Tendulkar, tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, cricketer-turned-MP Mohd Azharuddin, badminton star Pullela Gopichand are among the invitees

Besides who’s who of Hyderabadi Nawabi families.

DECORATIONS BY:

Popular florists of Jam Bagh

DISHES:

• Karachi Bakeries
• Universal Bakeries would provide sweets and dry fruits.
• The Pista House of Old City of Hyderabad will supply special dishes like patthar -ka-gosht and qubani ka meetha.
• Two popular cooks of moghalai dishes in Government service have been hired by the Hotel to produce memorable biryani, chicken and dum-mutton dishes.

Matan­­i S­hakya

Eleven kumaris reign in different cities of Nepal, each having her own palace and retinue.

The Kumari is a tradition that goes back over three centuries, and one the Maoists have not dared to challenge
Selected on the basis of several criteria from among Buddhist families
the kumaris were not allowed to step out of their palaces and not allowed to tread the ground, either having to walk on a red carpet or be borne in a chariot.

A three-year-old girl who will be worshipped as the new Kumari or Living Goddess for at least the next seven years.Tiny Manita Shakya, a three-year-old from Nepal’s Newar community, a Buddhist clan famed for their business acumen and skill in fine arts, was ceremonially appointed the new Kumari of Kathmandu Tuesday — celebrated in Nepal as Maha Ashtami with fervent worship at the temples of nine Hindu goddesses.

The key criterion for selection is to have
The 32 prerequisite physical perfections

1. who are typically selected as toddlers
2. must have a voice as soft and clear as a duck’’s
3. the body of a Banyan tree
4. the chest of a lion.
5. flawless skin
6. hair
7. eyes
8. teeth
9. A suitable horoscope is mandatory was chosen on the basis of her horoscope, which had to be compatible with the king’s.
10. being afraid of the dark is not allowed.
11. A Kumari can eat whatever she likes
12. act with impunity at least her parents, who receive a small cash stipend, are not allowed to tell her off.

For 240 years, before the abolition of Nepal’’s monarchy in May after a Maoist uprising, the Royal Kumari was asked to approve the rule of the king.

This year she was called to approve the Himalayan state’’s interim prime minister.

Mr. Jackson was to music what Michael Jordan was to sports and Barack Obama to politics.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/quickiearticleshow/4709318.cms

Three eclipses in a month

• Solar eclipse : Sun ---- Moon ------Earth


• Lunar eclipse : Sun----- Earth ------ Moon

Solar eclipses take place on new moon day (Sun-Moon-Earth). Lunar eclipses take place on full moon days (Sun-Earth-Moon) which happens 15 days before and 15 days after new moon. Eclipses do not always happen, because the moon is either above or below the ecliptic plane (the plane in which the earth orbits). If, however, it is in the plane during a new moon, it is very likely to be still close to the plane during the following full moon. Hence, normally solar and lunar eclipses come together.

Equations to find eclipses

"equations" are easily available in astronomy books (

1. Our panchangam (which is started more than 5000 years) can also be used to find the past eclipses with the equations...


2. As per panchangam, when rahu & ketu are closure to moon or sun accordingly lunar eclipses & solar eclipses will be formed.


3. Timings and features of eclipses will be similar for the eclipse which is forming after 27 years from the current .


4. simple ones like Duffet-Smith on Astronomy calculations using a pocket calculator gives the formulae.


5. No ancient text (including as late as Aryabhatta's works) are able to predict eclipses accurately. This is because the motion of the moon is extremely complex as it is affected by the Earth and the Sun.


6. The end of the 19th century that Delauny correctly calculated perturbation terms to predict lunar motion.


7. Empirical observations like the Saros cycle (which can be used to make reasonable predictions about eclipses), they were known about 5000 years ago.

Mahabharatha says there were 3 eclipses in the same month... Few years back scientists/archiologists have found from research that that civilization was there around 5000years back...Mahabharatha war says it started around nov/dec... Since bheema died in jan 14-15.. (uttarayana).. Previous months there were 3 eclipses... at the same time our panchangam (which is started more than 5000 years) can also be used to find the past eclipses with the equations...

These eclipses were accurately predicted using mathematical calculations 1000s of years back much before Kepler rediscovered the equations.

August 6th is the 3rd eclipse and on next day August 7th, at 12hrs and 34 mins and 56 seconds another very rare thing happens. The time at that point will be 123456789 or12:34:56 07/08/09. It happens only once. Maybe related?

Monsoon, Madagascar coast & Mascarenas High

The south-west monsoon travels thousands of kilometres from its place of origin off the Madagascar coast to Somalia from where it gets deflected to India to its retreat to Tibet in September and its final dissipation in Madagascar again -- a journey transcending continents, cultures and different climates.

1. The monsoon is born due to a high pressure area called the Mascarenas High.


2. The moisture laden currents then travel northwards to the African country of Somalia


3. From Somalia a jet stream formed in the month of May brings monsoon from Somalia to India.


4. Met officials explained the reason why India attracts the south-west monsoon from Madagascar:


5. The land in Indian subcontinent heats up in the month of May in summers but the ocean surrounding it does not heat up as fast as the land.


6. The hot air over the land mass rises creating a low pressure area.


7. The air from the high pressure area rushes to fill the void created by low pressure.


8. The jet stream brings moisture laden winds from high pressure area to India, hitting from south-west direction. That's why the monsoon is called `south-west monsoon'.


9. This south-west monsoon enters India through two areas


10. -- winds that gather moisture over the Arabian Sea lash the Western Ghats


11. ---those collecting moisture over the Bay of Bengal hit north-eastern states.


12. This further brings rain to West Bengal and Bihar. Both the streams merge over Central India to power the monsoon towards UP, Delhi and Jammu.


13. However, by this time the winds lose most of their moisture, hence northern states receive less rain than coastal areas. The last place to be hit by monsoon in India is west Rajasthan.


14. The monsoon starts withdrawing from the month of September. As temperature starts dropping in September, a high pressure area gets formed over Tibet, known as Tibetan High.


15. The anti-cyclone movement over this area pushes the winds coming from Bay of Bengal to assume an easterly direction, creating an easterly tropical jet which takes the winds back to the coast of Madagascar where it finally sinks into Mascarenas High the place of its inception.

The entire cycle of formation and departure is going on for thousands of years

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lucknow/Monsoon-in-UP-delayed-by-a-week/articleshow/4664396.cms

Sania's betrothal

`Sohrab who?' here goes: he is the son of Adil Mirza and Noora Begum, owners of the Universal Bakers chain in the city, which is popular with the hip set. Sohrab, 23, is a year older than Sania. After a B Com from St Mary's College, he took admission in a British university for an MBA. He is expected to fly to UK soon.

Adil's father, Samad Shakebai, better known as Samad Seth, is an Iranian businessman. Early in his career in Hyderabad, he was a caterer to Prince Azam Jah, the eldest son of the last Nizam. He married into Hyderabadi nobility - Shaheda Begum. While Seth set up restaurants, Begum was involved in social work, essentially girls' education. They have three sons - Kamran, Nariman and Adil, and a daughter. The family is now into real estate business.

http://greatandhra.com/ganews/viewnews.php?id=13893&cat=1&scat=4

INDIAN MP Qualifications, assets

• More than 300 MPs have assets worth over a crore in the new Lok Sabha.
• the Congress has 137 crorepatis, the BJP has 58.
• The richest MP is Telugu Desam Party's Namma Nageshwara Rao from Andhra Pradesh. He is worth Rs 173 crore.
• The combined assets of Indian MPs stand at Rs 3,075 crore. That is in a country where 28 crore people live below the poverty line.
• The poorest MP is Congress' Chandrahas Mahant, who won from Korba in Chhattisgarh. He has to his credit just Rs 12,000.
• The number of MPs with criminal antecedents has gone up to 153
• BJP list of criminal candidates with 42.
• Congress is a close second with 41.
• Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 31 of which 22 face serious charges.
• Maharashtra is second with 23.
• There is only one illiterate MP in the new Lok Sabha -- Pakodilal from Robertsganj in Uttar Pradesh.
• There are 130 postgraduate MPs and 23 MPs with doctoral degrees.
• The number of graduates is 237 while 47 have completed higher-secondary education.
• There are 300 MPs with liabilities. The man with the maximum liability is from Andhra Pradesh: Congeress' L Rajagopal with Rs 8 crore.
• There are 29 Muslim MPs now. In 2004, the number stood at 35.
• 369 parties -- including seven national parties -- contested the Lok Sabha polls 2009, but only 37 parties could open their account.

reference : www.rediff.com

Dreams of a militant

......On the surface, my life goes on as a happily married mother in an affluent Sydney suburb who enjoys reading, travelling and gardening. .....But often, in my dreams, I am being chased by soldiers or hanging off the side of a cliff, unable to save myself. It has taken me a long time not to panic when I hear a helicopter overhead

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/5283438/Life-as-a-female-Tamil-Tiger-guerilla-relived-by-one-of-first-female-soldiers.html

Natural Breathing

· The Tao of Natural Breathing:

o Our inhalation and exhalation cycle

o is 12-14 times a minute when we are awake

o 6-8 times a minute when we are asleep.

o A baby breathes at about twice these rates.

o Breath have its regular cycle, it can change radically with different activities.

§ After extreme physical activity it can go up to 100 times a minute.

§ But serious and correct breathers can breathe four to eight times a minute, as they take in more oxygen and expel more carbon dioxide with each exhalation and inhalation.

· Patanjali Yoga Sutra

o This is the Three Step Rhythmic Breathing (3 SRB)—

o Three steps being:

1. Technique

2. Volume

3. Rhythm.

o In 3 SRB,

§ The chest and abdomen have to rise and fall simultaneously

§ Lungs filled to normal capacity

o The correct rhythm followed, involving

§ 3 Seconds to inhale

§ 2 Seconds to exhale.

o Contents of air

1. A life-sustaining force in the air

2. oxygen

3. nitrogen

4. carbon dioxide

5. Taoists also discovered ions—floating charged particles.

o The air high up in the mountains has the maximum concentration of ions.

o That is why, apart from the serenity and isolation, many Taoists lived in the mountains of China.

o The most important are negative ions, which supply the electric current within our body's cells.

o In the cities nowadays, these ions are depleted by pollution and constricting spaces. Any depletion in these negative ions makes us weak and depressed.

o Research has shown that ionizers in space capsules keep the astronauts alert and energized.Evidently, the movement of breath regulates the body.

Notes from:

http://www.lifepositive.com/body/body-holistic/breath/healthy-breathing.asp

Prominent businessmen Jump into elections

India has a history of entrepreneurs seeking to walk the corridors of power, but not many have taken the electoral route, opting to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

This election has seen prominent businessmen or executives jump into the fray, largely spurred by a public resentment for traditional politicians following the 26 November terror attack in Mumbai.

But no state has seen a surge as in Andhra Pradesh shift from funding political parties to actually fighting the grime comes from a turn of heart.

• At least 19 entrepreneurs and executives of listed or privately held companies are contesting for Lok Sabha in AP
• The list doesn’t include smaller businessmen or contractors in the fray for the 294 assembly seats.
  
• Infrastructure moguls, film producers, media barons, software entrepreneurs—everyone is there, waving party flags, making speeches.
• founder-chairman of Lanco Group, L. Rajagopal Rao, Already a Congress member of Parliament
• film producer Vamshi Mohan, a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidate. Vijayawada
• Vice precident of ABN Amro: Meera Sanyal, executive vice-president and country head of investment bank ABN Amro Bank NV, has taken a sabbatical to fight the election as an independent candidate from Mumbai South, the seat of the November attacks.
• Deccan Aviation Pvt Ltd, Bangalore: G.R. Gopinath, who pioneered low-fare airlines in India with Deccan Aviation Pvt. Ltd, contested from Bangalore South, also as an independent candidate.
• Four Soft Ltd :“giving back to society” according to Palem Srikanth Reddy, managing director of software firm Four Soft Ltd contesting the Kadapa constituency on a TDP ticket.
• He is taking on chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s son Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, a Congress candidate and owner of a Telugu daily and a news channel, apart from cement and power plants.
• Madhucon Projects Ltd,TDP candidate Nama Nageswara Rao, managing director of Vs candidate in Khammam, Renuka Chowdhury
• Geetha Arts - Chairmen Allu Arvind
• Surya Telugu Daily chairman, N Surya Prakash Rao
• Progressive constructions Ltd, Chairman Kavuri Subba rao
• Jayalaxmi Group Chairma, Rayapati Sambasiva rao
• Sakshi Daily, TV : YS Jagan Mohan S/o CM of AP
• Vignan group , Chairman Lavu Rattaiah
• Nandi Group Chairman, SPY Reddy
• Balaji Group, Magunta Srinivasulu reddy
• Real estate, Malakondaiah yadav
• Visaka Industries, Dr G. vivekanand
• Jayabheri Group, & film personality Murali Mohan
• Gopala Krishna Granites & film personality U.V Krishnam Raju
• Color chips: Sudhish Rambotla
• VBC Group, MVSS Murthy
  
• 
  

http://www.livemint.com/2009/05/06002503/Andhra-entrepreneurs-seek-poli.html?h=A1
http://www.livemint.com/2009/05/06002503/28126AAD-8839-4F7A-AEAC-44E6CD29AE94ArtVPF.pdf

The 56th Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service

One of the first things that US president does the day after he becomes President is also the last thing he does as part of his Inauguration schedule: He attends the National Prayer Service.

• The National Prayer Service is a tradition in the US that ends the formal swearing-in events held at the National Cathedral at the conclusion of the inaugural activities.
  
• The prayer service tradition dates back to George Washington
• The service will include scripture readings, prayers, hymns and blessings delivered by faith leaders from across the United States.
• The leaders who deliver are "Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, non-believers as well
• For the first time in history, a woman will deliver the sermon.
  
• First time a Hindu faith Leader will deliver blessings—Dr. Uma Mysorekar, President, Hindu Temple Society of North America, New York City Mysorekar, a pratising gynecologist, heads the popular Ganesha temple in New York, said to be the first Hindu shrine of North America which was consecrated on July 4, 1977.
  

Presidential Inaugural Committee Communications Director Josh Earnest. “The National Prayer Service, which will embody the themes of tolerance, unity and understanding, is a worship service for all Americans. “

Rabbis in yarmulkes, Catholic bishops in magenta vestments, Protestant pastors in suits, and female Hindu and Muslim leaders in colorful garb -- 20 prominent religious leaders in all -- participated.

Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education attended the national prayer service

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/01/21/ST2009012101096.html

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090430/jsp/nation/story_10896912.jsp
http://www.pic2009.org/pressroom/entry/presidential_inaugural_committee_announces_participants_of_national_prayer_/

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1222593
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-01-20-obama-non-believers_N.htm

http://www.sikhnet.com/news/sikh-representative-joins-president-obama-prayer-national-service

Men and women And communication

Because men and women interact and interpret things very differently, learning how to change your approach is of utmost importance for the stability and longevity of relationships.

* Men and women THINK differently
* Men and women SPEAK differently
* Men and women DECIDE differently

Men think compartmentally
Women think globally.

Men speak to report facts in short phrases with little or no details,
Women speak in paragraphs tobuild rapport with lots of details.

Men want and need the “bottom line” first and foremost, followed up with more details now that their need for the bottom line has been met.

Women want and need to build up to the bottom line, as their enjoyment comes from telling the story.

On average:

Women use 25,500 words in a day
Men use about 12,500 in a day.

:-) :-)
A man using 12,495 words during an average work day comes home with only five words left, “What’s for dinner?” (that’s three!) and “Good Night” (that‘s five!).

Women maintain eye contact while speaking for twelve seconds
Man maintaining eye contact for three seconds.

Women have been taught since childhood to use “hint language” when asking for something she wants or needs.

Unfortunately, men do not often get the hint, due to the fact that men tend to take language very literally, focusing attention on the context of the message rather than hidden meanings.

Reference:
http://marital-communication.suite101.com/article.cfm/communication_amongst_the_sexes

India became a sponge

“India has unfortunately become the ‘sponge’ that protects us all. India’s very proximity to Pakistan, which has developed into the epicenter of global terrorism during the last thirty years, has resulted in New Delhi absorbing most of the blows unleashed by those terrorist groups that treat it as a common enemy along with Israel, the United States, and the West more generally,” he said.

Ashley J Tellis, Senior Associate with the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace, a prominent think-tank.

Tilawat in mobile phones

Millions of Muslims out of love for Quran and the beauty of tilawat (Quranic recitation) use Quranic verses as ring tones. A large number of Muslims store whole Quranic tilawat in their mobile phones as they do in their laptops and desktops.

A Muslim organization has issued a fatwa over using verses from the Koran as ringtones, saying that answering the call while the aayat (verses from the Koran) is going on is a sin.

The panel of clerics in Kanpur also said that taking a cellphone to the toilet as it rings is a sin because aayat cannot be heard in a toilet. They also condemned the habit that people have of keeping cell phones

on vibration mode while attending prayer services.

"Listening to aayats partially is anti-Islamic," Ghyasuddin, a senior cleric with the Islamic group Jamia Ashraf-ul-Madaris told the Press Association. "This kind of action amounts to a gunah (sin)."

A fatwa in the Islamic faith is a religious opinion on Islamic law issued by an Islamic scholar.

http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Fatwa_Issued_on_Use_of_Mobile_Phones/551-101054-547.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,515622,00.html

An anecdote from the life of Rabindranath Tagore

The secret to success is to stick to your goal through rain or shine, through smooth or rough waters.

Even people who attained worldly goals in the fields of sports, the sciences, or the arts have accomplished wonders through their commitment.

Once, Mahatma Gandhi was visiting him there; he had gone there to give a public talk. Afterwards, he spent time with Tagore, discussing topics of interest to them both. Following lunch, Gandhi went to take rest when some of the ashram workers, followers of Tagore, approached him.

"Can you help us, Gandhiji? they asked. "What is it?" asked the Mahatma. "We are worried about the health of Rabindranath Tagore," they explained. "He is not keeping good health. The doctors advised him to take rest, but he refuses. After lunch, he immediately goes back to work and does not take a moment's rest. We do not want his health to fail." Gandhi asked, "Why do you want me to tell him to rest?" They replied, "We know he will not go against your advice."

After Gandhi had rested awhile, he went to Tagore's residence and saw that he was deeply immersed in his work. When Tagore looked up and saw Gandhi standing there he asked him, "Are you not comfortable that you have come out from your rest so soon?"

Gandhi replied: "I have come to ask you to take rest after your lunch so your health does not fail. You are not keeping fit these days."

Tagore replied: "How can I do that? I must tell you the truth so that you will understand. When I was 12 I took a vow never to rest at any time during the day for any reason. Up to now I have kept that vow. How many more years do I have to live? Why would I break that vow now?"

Tagore's firm determination and commitment to his promise moved Gandhi. For 67 years Tagore had never rested during the day. Gandhi was impressed by his commitment to his goal and told him, "Now I know the secret of your success!"


Discourse: Rajinder Singh Ji
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Honour-commitment-you-make-to-yourself/articleshow/4400401.cms

DNA is biological fingerprint

"DNA is biological fingerprint of an individual and no two persons anywhere in the world can have the same DNA profile except in case of biological twins,"

In every human body there are 46 chromosomes in each cell... 23 are inherited from mother and the other 23 from father. Therefore no two individuals in any part of the world can have the same DNA pattern, the prosecutor pointed out.

1959, the Dalai Lama alone owned

1959, the Dalai Lama alone owned

1. 160,000 liang (8,000 kilograms) of gold
2. 95 million liang of silver
3. over 20,000items of jewelry and jade
4. more than 10,000 pieces of silk and satin fabric
5. rare fur clothing

His family possessed 27 manors, 30 pastures and more than 6,000 serfs, according to Zhang Yun, a researcher with the China Tibetology Research Center.

'Distance decay theory' "Island biographic theory"

'Distance decay theory'
· a person is more likely to be found closer to where he or she was last seen.
"Island biographic theory"
· States that a place with more resources for survival attracts the fugitive.
· Going by this theory and the average daily walking distance of 6.1 kms,
American georaphers have marked 26 cities within a radius of 12.4 miles from the last known location of Tora Bora. And for Laden to survive, he will walk eastwards heading for the closest, largest and one of the least isolated cities, which is Parachinar.
Researchers also short listed Laden's housing need criteria which includes.
· His height: Laden is 6'4" tall
· His medical condition: He needs regular dialysis. So would need electricity to run the machine
· His Security: Laden will need a fortified building in an isolated place with an overhead cover to shield him
They found that not more than three buildings met all the criteria, in the whole of Parachinar that could house world's most wanted man.
And now with the Taliban all set to takeover the tribal region including Parachinar, the search for Osama Bin Laden may just get tougher.

stating the problem

The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution. - - - Bertrand Russell

without logistical support from LeT supporters holed up in the metropolis. Not only was a thorough reconnaissance of the five targets-Cafe Leopold, the Taj, the Trident, Nariman House and CST-done and the information and detailed maps sent to the LeT headquarters in Muridke, Pakistan, but there was also reason to believe that the 10 terrorists were guided to their targets by certain elements based in Mumbai.

1. "Otherwise it is not possible, for example, for strangers to the city, to easily zero in on Nariman House which is located in a labyrinth of lanes in Colaba.
2. someone has guided the mechanised boat in which the ten terrorists were travelling to precision land at Machchimar Nagar in front of Badhwar Park in Colaba.
3. in the evening it is virtually impossible to get taxis in front of Badhwar Park, but the terrorists appear to have got four with ease,'' a senior official observed.
4. The possible role of Mohammed Ali, a hardcore member of the Dawood Ibrahim, gang, who is known to operate dozens of unregistered boats in and around south Mumbai, has not been factored in at all by the state police.
5. Even though the terrorists had used GPS equipment for navigation, they could have been guided through the coast guard lines up to Machchimar Nagar by Ali's men.
6. Russian intelligence agency and others have been stating for the past several weeks that the Dawood Ibrahim gang had backed the terror operation.
7. Narayan Rane has gone on record stating that logistical support for the massacre was provided locally.
8. But the police have not questioned him for over two months.
9. After admitting for the first time there was local support for the Mumbai terror attack leaving the Government embarassed, Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor tonight backtracked from his remarks
10. Gaffor said some Indian nationals were among the 16 men including Pakistanis wanted for their role in the carnage.
11. Gafoor in remarks seen as lending weight to claims of possible local support said, "Fourteen to sixteen men, which includes Indians and Pakistanis, are wanted in the attacks."
12. in the 26/11 strikes of whom nine have been killed while one terrorist--Ajmal Kasab-- was captured and six were were still wanted.
13. The six Pakistanis included Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and suspected 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur Rahman Lakhvi and Zarar Shah,
14. Gafoor earlier had also said that two Indians have already been arrested, a reference to Fahim Ansari and Sahabuddin, who hail from Uttar Pradesh.
15. The local link to 26/11 had also triggered a slugfest between Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.

clm @ap.nic.in

Enter any city theatre, multiplex or parks, one inevitably ends up emptying the wallet on exorbitantly priced bottled water, chips and aerated drinks. In most cases, they are sold for more than double the maximum retail price (MRP), which is a punishable offence.

Yet no action is taken against them.
“In fact the employees at the eateries insist that they are selling these goods at an authorised price,” complains, service manager with RIL.

“The MRPs are clearly printed on these snack packets and bottles, yet they charge such steep rates. The loophole in the law is the biggest cause of confusion.

The government has stated that at tourist spots, prices can be increased. But who defines these places?

But water is an exception to this law, which also states that bottled water can’t be priced more than the MRP anywhere, yet it is overpriced,”

“After paying the money, we often wait for change, which is never returned.

Even diet coke and branded juice are sold way above the MRP. They usually charge more than 10 rupees extra and claim they are asked to do so,” she says.
· Meanwhile, the authorities take no responsibility and insist that the common man should be aware of the rules and rights.
· “Theatre owners are not responsible for these prices.
· Individual dealers, who have the contract to run the food joints use their free will in charging these rates. If the bottled water and aerated drinks are served in a glass, then the owners can quote their own price. We can’t do anything about it. But on purchasing a bottle, the attendants have to stick to the MRP,” explains Vijayender Reddy, secretary of AP Films Chamber of Commerce.
· The authorities also admit that the loopholes in the law is a cause of this inconsistent pricing. “Usually companies have dual pricing policies — for local and commercial places. Dealers strike an agreement with the multiplexes regarding the prices. Consumers are left with no options to pay up if these drinks are served in a glass and not in the bottle,” says S.A. Hooda, director general of legal metallurgical department.
· The only thing one can do is complain, he adds.“If the packaged items are being sold for more than the MRP, action will be taken against them only in case of complaints.
· Consumers should file a complaint at the Weigh and Measurement Department. They can also file a complaint online at clm @ap.nic.in,” adds Mr Hooda

Pubbing too much might just lead to cancer

Pubbing too much might just lead to cancer. Even if you don’t smoke or are a teetotaler, just walking into a pub full of smoke has you inhaling 4000 toxic chemicals at any given point of time, reveal statistics. And with cancer being increasingly diagnosed in the age group of 30-45 years, smoking and drinking are cited to be the biggest factors.

Mallya the most colourful of Indian businessmen

• An island in Europe, ostensibly off the coast of Monte Carlo, though the exact location for between $100 million and $150 million (Rs 500 crore to Rs 750 crore).
• A string of islands north of the Maldives years ago and now runs resorts in these islands.
• a stake in an aircraft company that offered hopping flights to these islands.
• The island of Thinnakkara off the cost of Lakshwadeep .
• Mabula Game Lodge, close to Johannesburg in South Africa. Spread over 12,000 hectares it is said to be one of South Africa’s finest private game reserves.
• 1,000 acres of land in the Himalayas to promote high end tourist Properties
• He has houses around the globe;
• Castles in Scotland,
• Town houses in London, Monte Carlo, Manhattan (Trump Towers), Sausalito and innumerable properties in India.
• ‘Niladri’ in Mumbai
• ‘Kingfisher Villa’ in Goa
• he has hidden gems like the heritage, colonial bunglow with the best garden in Ooty, besides houses in Delhi and his home town Bangalore.
• Three yachts: Indian Empress, Indian Princess and Kalizma
• Four private jets,
• 240-strong vintage car collection
• Force India Formula 1 team
• The Porsches, Bentleys, Maserattis and Ferraris make Mallya the most colourful of Indian businessmen.
  
  ref: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4020162.cms

Tightening Belts

"Families are tightening their belts," Obama said, "and so should Washington."

Personality profiling

Personality :

When we discuss personality we must remember that it is not a single independent mechanism but closely related to other human cognitive and emotional systems.

Personality is not the same thing as motivation

Personality is not the same thing as culture which is the values, attitudes and beliefs we share with others about the nature of the world.

Personality is not the same thing as ability (usually held to be synonymous with intelligence) which is the ability to identify, understand and absorb the different components of a problem.

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning."

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning."