This Monkey is the best example for the title that I've given for this video on top. Its playing with two tiger cubs, annoying them to the max in all possible ways.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Ocean Dome in Japan
Here's another nice piece of engineering and construction. This time the locale is JAPAN. Here's the exterior shot of the building. Note the surrounding area.... Mountains, Sea Shore, Golf Course, Residential Area.
Imagine a beach where the sky is always blue, it's never too hot or cold, the water isn't filled with salt and pollution, and the surf is always perfect - welcome to Ocean Dome, the world's only indoor beach.
Ocean Dome has its own flame-spitting volcano, crushed white marble "sand", and it also boasts the world's largest retractable roof, providing a permanently blue sky. Temperature, wind and humidity are closely controlled to provide an ultra-safe "sea-side" experience.
Every hour, the volcano erupts and the hi-tech wave machines start up, starting a few minutes of sanitized surfing.
Entrance cost is US $50 per person, which seems especially expensive given that there is a free, natural beach only 300 meters away.
What do you think is inside this building?
It's the O C E A N D O M E
The roof is retractable
The SURF'S UP . . .rain or shine!
When the roof is closed, you still get blue sky and puffy white clouds ....
Imagine a beach where the sky is always blue, it's never too hot or cold, the water isn't filled with salt and pollution, and the surf is always perfect - welcome to Ocean Dome, the world's only indoor beach.
Ocean Dome has its own flame-spitting volcano, crushed white marble "sand", and it also boasts the world's largest retractable roof, providing a permanently blue sky. Temperature, wind and humidity are closely controlled to provide an ultra-safe "sea-side" experience.
Every hour, the volcano erupts and the hi-tech wave machines start up, starting a few minutes of sanitized surfing.
Entrance cost is US $50 per person, which seems especially expensive given that there is a free, natural beach only 300 meters away.
Paper-based storage device
The speed at which the Technology grows in current world is really faster than the speed of light travels (I remember a statement Thought at the speed of Light). Here is an addition to the emerging technologies...
Did anyone ever think about making the Paper as a storage medium? This student made a break through with that thought and now is proven that it is possible to store and retrieve data easier than CD media. Click on the image at the left side to read the full news. Its quite interesting know that this is an Environmental friendly storage device. Invention like this could really make lots of difference to fight against the War of Global Warming.
Did anyone ever think about making the Paper as a storage medium? This student made a break through with that thought and now is proven that it is possible to store and retrieve data easier than CD media. Click on the image at the left side to read the full news. Its quite interesting know that this is an Environmental friendly storage device. Invention like this could really make lots of difference to fight against the War of Global Warming.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Change Changes Everything
How many of us knows and understood this fact truly in its own essence? Yes, Its a fact that is properly understood only by few. Everything is changed by the Change. What we see today is not may not be what we have yesterday. It is applicable to even our own day to day situations that we face. But are ready to accept such change? Its again another big question mark, because most of the time many of us don't like the change that happens surrounded by us.
I remember little bit about a small story in this context long time I heard in Radio during my childhood. This story goes like this, Once there was a King living a happy life in his Kingdom. He made an announcement saying he needs something that should be suitable at all the times. Then there was one intelligent old person came up with a Ring and presented to king and asked him to wear it. He also said it there is something inside this Ring and should be opened and seen only in a very difficult situation of life. After a while the nearby king came with a big war plan and conquered this King's Kingdom. This King had to run for his life and he was totally down with the situation. Then the King suddenly thought about the ring and what the old person said. He was pushed to the situation of life or death in his life, so he decided to open that ring and find out what was inside for him. There was nothing but a small statement reads “This Will Change”. Suddenly it gave a real boost to the king as he was ready to face any kind of challenge and he survived. Again formed his own army and captured his kingdom back. There was a big reception held on that day evening, the King was welcomed back with Red Carpet and was rounding the city in a Cart and getting greetings from his people. Suddenly there was a sunlight passed on the stones in the ring that he was wearing and reflected back on his eves. He then remembered about the statement inside “This Will Change”. He then realized that the fact of life is nothing lasts for ever in this world.
In my personal opinion, Everything is subject to change. Only thing that doesn’t change is Eternity. We have to change ourselves in order to adopt ourselves to the changes that happens in our day to day life. Then life is surely going to be easy. I realized this fact even in one of my very personal experience too. All I can tell is Do your duty and wait for Change to happen.
I remember little bit about a small story in this context long time I heard in Radio during my childhood. This story goes like this, Once there was a King living a happy life in his Kingdom. He made an announcement saying he needs something that should be suitable at all the times. Then there was one intelligent old person came up with a Ring and presented to king and asked him to wear it. He also said it there is something inside this Ring and should be opened and seen only in a very difficult situation of life. After a while the nearby king came with a big war plan and conquered this King's Kingdom. This King had to run for his life and he was totally down with the situation. Then the King suddenly thought about the ring and what the old person said. He was pushed to the situation of life or death in his life, so he decided to open that ring and find out what was inside for him. There was nothing but a small statement reads “This Will Change”. Suddenly it gave a real boost to the king as he was ready to face any kind of challenge and he survived. Again formed his own army and captured his kingdom back. There was a big reception held on that day evening, the King was welcomed back with Red Carpet and was rounding the city in a Cart and getting greetings from his people. Suddenly there was a sunlight passed on the stones in the ring that he was wearing and reflected back on his eves. He then remembered about the statement inside “This Will Change”. He then realized that the fact of life is nothing lasts for ever in this world.
In my personal opinion, Everything is subject to change. Only thing that doesn’t change is Eternity. We have to change ourselves in order to adopt ourselves to the changes that happens in our day to day life. Then life is surely going to be easy. I realized this fact even in one of my very personal experience too. All I can tell is Do your duty and wait for Change to happen.
Liver Damage
Good rest and sound sleep is very important. If u don't sleep well, The toxic in your body will accumulate affecting your health and your mood...
The main causes of liver damage are:
1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are the main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil.
Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.
8. Consuming overly done foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.
We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits.
Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our body to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to "schedule."
Know your Body De-Toxification Cycle:
Evening at 9 - 11pm :
Is the time for eliminating unnecessary/toxic chemicals (de-toxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes).
This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music.
If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on her health.
Evening at 11pm - 1am :
The de-toxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.
Early morning at 1 - 3am :
De-toxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.
Early morning at 3 - 5am :
De-toxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time.
Since the de-toxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.
Morning at 5 - 7am :
De-toxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.
Morning at 7 - 9am :
Absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick.
Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 -10am rather than no meal at all. Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals.
Aside from that, midnight to 4am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood.
Therefore,have a good sleep and don't sleep late.
The main causes of liver damage are:1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are the main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil.
Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.
8. Consuming overly done foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.
We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits.
Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our body to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to "schedule."
Know your Body De-Toxification Cycle:
Evening at 9 - 11pm :
Is the time for eliminating unnecessary/toxic chemicals (de-toxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes).
This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music.
If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on her health.
Evening at 11pm - 1am :
The de-toxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.
Early morning at 1 - 3am :
De-toxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.
Early morning at 3 - 5am :
De-toxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time.
Since the de-toxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.
Morning at 5 - 7am :
De-toxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.
Morning at 7 - 9am :
Absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick.
Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 -10am rather than no meal at all. Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals.
Aside from that, midnight to 4am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood.
Therefore,have a good sleep and don't sleep late.
Car turns into Gas Chamber
New Delhi : A freak incident in the rain on Saturday has now created new fears of what might happen. A car air conditioner turned into an instrument of death and killed a family of four.
The family was trapped inside a Santro in Faridabad's sector 16. The AC was on and the windows were rolled up. The four died due to suffocation.
During rains if the car AC is left on and there is no ventilation, the car could turn into a gas chamber.
Rain water partially chokes the exhaust pipe and denies a smooth exit for the exhaust fumes. Since the AC had been left on, the exhaust fumes mixed with the air and formed carbon monoxide causing suffocation.
Carbon monoxide is said to be a silent killer as it induces a sleep like state not allowing the person to feel any pain. There were no signs of the occupants frantically trying to open the car doors or windows. The car was still running, when the four were found. The exhaust pipe had submerged leaving no outlet for exhaust fumes.
Auto experts say that the accident was a freak accident and that this is not very common. However, they advise drivers to drive with their windows down during monsoons and without the air conditioner.
Source : CNN-IBN Posted Monday , September 04, 2006 at 22:54
Few months back, I had also read about similar type of incident happened in a car park in Singapore. This incident resulted in death of two, who were inside the car due to the same reason. So this is something that everybody should be aware of. Please forward this message to all your known people.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Interview with President of India
"If we compromise on competitiveness, we can't be a developed nation"
PresidentA.P.J. Abdul Kalam remains conscious that he is also a teacher and a scientist. Above all, he is a person who loves to make others happy.
There are many more things to be learnt from him. As we all know that he believes that Youths are the Key for successful of future India, which is why he makes trips to as many schools as possible (Even taking classes). That is something that really attracted me. The followings are the Excerpts from an interview he gave to The Hindu:
Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: "The school should be made enjoyable for children." — Photo: S. James
What do you feel about the innumerable interactions you have had with students all over the country?
Well, I have met children and youth throughout the country from all walks of life. I have seen students in islands, north-eastern States and tribal areas. One thing I find uniformly among 150-170 million students of 17 years age is that they want to perform. Their enthusiasm is very high and they want to live in a competitive India. No one can beat the youth power of our country, which is the most powerful resource. But, it is understood very little in the mechanism of our political and bureaucratic system. So whenever I spoke in Parliament, I have brought to focus that youth power is a very important capital for the nation that will expedite its development. If they [the youth] dream, definitely it will get realised. The youth can think big.
Is the education system, as it exists today, equipped to generate the kind of talent the country requires?
First and foremost I am concerned about our primary education. We have to bring out the creative talents of children in this age group. The entire syllabus of primary education in the country has to be changed. I am already in touch with the political system and educational experts for a change. The reforms should reduce the load on conventional teaching and bring down the number of books. The school should be enjoyable for children and classrooms have to provide avenues to ventilate their creativity.
In recent months, the IT and ITES sectors have taken away the cream of students around the country. How will the manufacturing and other sectors manage?
We are generating 3 million graduates every year. The migration to IT industry is only 1-1.2 million. Even if the IT industry absorbs one more million, there are graduates for the manufacturing sector. The shortage is imaginary. Like in the IT, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries, challenges have to be created in other areas also. Focus should be on the Small Scale Industry that makes an impact on the nation's economy. The whole IT industry is a result of youth power. Similarly, in the manufacturing, agriculture and other sectors, youth power is required.
When India opens its doors to foreign universities, can our institutions cope up with the competition?
I personally believe that competitiveness indeed leads to growth in every sector of economy. If foreign universities come here, it is a challenge to Indian universities. They must be competitive, go to universities in other countries and market their teaching capabilities. The day we compromise on competitiveness, India cannot be an economically developed nation.
You have addressed Parliament and several legislatures. What do you feel about the quality of debate in the Houses? Do you think live telecast of the proceedings can contribute to a more orderly conduct of the Houses?
No, I don't want to say much about it because everything is beamed (live telecast) directly now. But I have two things to say that will electrify political/Parliament activities and development missions. Politics has two components - political politics and developmental politics. The political politics concerns elections to the Assemblies and Parliament. Developmental politics is about the plan to develop the nation on different fronts. Elected representatives should focus 30 per cent on political politics and 70 per cent on developmental politics. The nation is bigger than political parties.
How should the security agencies equip themselves to face the new generation security challenges?
In my address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day this year, I have discussed in detail on this subject under the topic "National Awakening". The talk focuses on the type of components of national security in a developing nation. (The President said the text was available on the website "www.presidentofindia.nic.in")
You have ignited the minds of millions of youth with your `Vision 2020' concept. They are progressing towards achieving the goal. But will your leadership continue? Would you like to run another term in office?
Definitely no. I will not go for the Presidential election nomination again. I have decided to go back to teaching and research works. I will also be meeting the children and youth. I will continue to spread the concept of a developed nation. Wherever people are working for a developed nation, I will go work with them.
You are a President without any political background. Has that helped you in anyway while discharging your duties?
For any President, the Constitution says that "You should be beyond politics." I tried my best.
In the journey from Rameswaram to Rashtrapati Bhavan, what has been your most memorable moment?
I will say four things. When my team launched Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV)-III in 1980, naturally it was a happy occasion. As the Project Director, I felt very happy for me and for my team. In 1989, when the Agni missile reached 2,000 km range (target to the required specification), it gave me higher happiness. Thirdly, we were all scientists from various departments under hot sun (52 degrees Celsius) on May 11, 1998, at Pokhran. On that day, India became a nuclear weapon state. It gave me multiple happiness. When the India 2020 vision document was prepared and I presented it to the Prime Minister in the Technology Forecasting Council that also gave me higher degree of happiness. Above all, in 1990, an Orthopaedic Surgeon, B.N. Prasad, at Nizams Institute Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, pointed out to me that a few polio-affected children struggle to move around with calipers that weighed 3 kg each. I worked with my team for 10 days to make a caliper that weighed just 300 gms. We fitted it to many children who started running. I happened to see a mother in tears. Her son, whom she was carrying to school, was running without any aid. That tear made me feel what is "anand", which is the highest degree of happiness. As far as Rashtrapathi Bhavan is concerned, I believe it is a "people's bhavan."
You have been flying in helicopters, travelling by road and attending a series of functions during the last three days and there are many more to go. What is the secret of your energy?
It is derived from making others happy. My motivation is to making people happy. It is this drive that keeps me going.
PresidentA.P.J. Abdul Kalam remains conscious that he is also a teacher and a scientist. Above all, he is a person who loves to make others happy.
There are many more things to be learnt from him. As we all know that he believes that Youths are the Key for successful of future India, which is why he makes trips to as many schools as possible (Even taking classes). That is something that really attracted me. The followings are the Excerpts from an interview he gave to The Hindu:
Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: "The school should be made enjoyable for children." — Photo: S. James
What do you feel about the innumerable interactions you have had with students all over the country?
Well, I have met children and youth throughout the country from all walks of life. I have seen students in islands, north-eastern States and tribal areas. One thing I find uniformly among 150-170 million students of 17 years age is that they want to perform. Their enthusiasm is very high and they want to live in a competitive India. No one can beat the youth power of our country, which is the most powerful resource. But, it is understood very little in the mechanism of our political and bureaucratic system. So whenever I spoke in Parliament, I have brought to focus that youth power is a very important capital for the nation that will expedite its development. If they [the youth] dream, definitely it will get realised. The youth can think big.
Is the education system, as it exists today, equipped to generate the kind of talent the country requires?
First and foremost I am concerned about our primary education. We have to bring out the creative talents of children in this age group. The entire syllabus of primary education in the country has to be changed. I am already in touch with the political system and educational experts for a change. The reforms should reduce the load on conventional teaching and bring down the number of books. The school should be enjoyable for children and classrooms have to provide avenues to ventilate their creativity.
In recent months, the IT and ITES sectors have taken away the cream of students around the country. How will the manufacturing and other sectors manage?
We are generating 3 million graduates every year. The migration to IT industry is only 1-1.2 million. Even if the IT industry absorbs one more million, there are graduates for the manufacturing sector. The shortage is imaginary. Like in the IT, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries, challenges have to be created in other areas also. Focus should be on the Small Scale Industry that makes an impact on the nation's economy. The whole IT industry is a result of youth power. Similarly, in the manufacturing, agriculture and other sectors, youth power is required.
When India opens its doors to foreign universities, can our institutions cope up with the competition?
I personally believe that competitiveness indeed leads to growth in every sector of economy. If foreign universities come here, it is a challenge to Indian universities. They must be competitive, go to universities in other countries and market their teaching capabilities. The day we compromise on competitiveness, India cannot be an economically developed nation.
You have addressed Parliament and several legislatures. What do you feel about the quality of debate in the Houses? Do you think live telecast of the proceedings can contribute to a more orderly conduct of the Houses?
No, I don't want to say much about it because everything is beamed (live telecast) directly now. But I have two things to say that will electrify political/Parliament activities and development missions. Politics has two components - political politics and developmental politics. The political politics concerns elections to the Assemblies and Parliament. Developmental politics is about the plan to develop the nation on different fronts. Elected representatives should focus 30 per cent on political politics and 70 per cent on developmental politics. The nation is bigger than political parties.
How should the security agencies equip themselves to face the new generation security challenges?
In my address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day this year, I have discussed in detail on this subject under the topic "National Awakening". The talk focuses on the type of components of national security in a developing nation. (The President said the text was available on the website "www.presidentofindia.nic.in")
You have ignited the minds of millions of youth with your `Vision 2020' concept. They are progressing towards achieving the goal. But will your leadership continue? Would you like to run another term in office?
Definitely no. I will not go for the Presidential election nomination again. I have decided to go back to teaching and research works. I will also be meeting the children and youth. I will continue to spread the concept of a developed nation. Wherever people are working for a developed nation, I will go work with them.
You are a President without any political background. Has that helped you in anyway while discharging your duties?
For any President, the Constitution says that "You should be beyond politics." I tried my best.
In the journey from Rameswaram to Rashtrapati Bhavan, what has been your most memorable moment?
I will say four things. When my team launched Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV)-III in 1980, naturally it was a happy occasion. As the Project Director, I felt very happy for me and for my team. In 1989, when the Agni missile reached 2,000 km range (target to the required specification), it gave me higher happiness. Thirdly, we were all scientists from various departments under hot sun (52 degrees Celsius) on May 11, 1998, at Pokhran. On that day, India became a nuclear weapon state. It gave me multiple happiness. When the India 2020 vision document was prepared and I presented it to the Prime Minister in the Technology Forecasting Council that also gave me higher degree of happiness. Above all, in 1990, an Orthopaedic Surgeon, B.N. Prasad, at Nizams Institute Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, pointed out to me that a few polio-affected children struggle to move around with calipers that weighed 3 kg each. I worked with my team for 10 days to make a caliper that weighed just 300 gms. We fitted it to many children who started running. I happened to see a mother in tears. Her son, whom she was carrying to school, was running without any aid. That tear made me feel what is "anand", which is the highest degree of happiness. As far as Rashtrapathi Bhavan is concerned, I believe it is a "people's bhavan."
You have been flying in helicopters, travelling by road and attending a series of functions during the last three days and there are many more to go. What is the secret of your energy?
It is derived from making others happy. My motivation is to making people happy. It is this drive that keeps me going.
Chennai Police gets Hi-Tech Air-Con Car
Have you heard about this news? Recently Hyundai Company gave 100 free cars to Chennai Police as Patrol Car, Here is the picture of a sincere pooja being performed for the car. That is all fine, hope this is used for right purpose in an efficient way. Let us wait and see
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Caution!!!! Be Aware...
Guess Who is this?
No Doubt Hollywood Actor Arnold...
How about these Poeple??
Simple Guess, They all are doctors
Then this group of People???
From their actions we can say they all are Farmers.
and now here is the best part, what about these group of people?
Professionals those who do nothing to care about their Health.
Yes, the truth is revealed here. Many of us especially those who work in IT industry nowadays seems to be living a life with High Cholesterol Food Intakes(Like Pizzas, Burger, Chicken Gravy) and do only little bit of exercise or zero exercise. In fact I read true stories about many such cases. I got the point even from the English movie CLICK, what will happen if we keep on eating and do nothing to take care of our health. Please spend little bit of time in doing exercise like walking/dancing/jogging/Claiming Stairs for that matter. At least I have taken up Running as my daily exercise scheduled for 20-45 mins. This will surely keep us away from all sorts of health problem.
You got any objection to this? Please feel free to discuss it here...
Lalu to Teach Management @ IIM-A
He may be the quintessentially rustic politician whose 15-year-rule in Bihar as chief minister was dubbed by critics as 'jungle raj,' but India's Railway Minister Lalu Prasad is set for an image makeover when he dons the role of a lecturer at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad next month.
The turnaround in the financial health of the Indian Railways, with Prasad in charge, has been the subject of major discussion at IIMs and he is already being looked upon as a 'management guru.'
On September 18 this year, Prasad, who is also the Rashtriya Janata Dal president, will deliver a lecture to the management students and the faculty at IIM-A, explaining how he turned around the Indian Railways from a loss-making operation to a public sector unit that stunned everyone by earning a profit of Rs 15,000 crore (Rs 150 billion) in 2005-06.
The invitation to deliver a lecture came after IIM-A's Prof G Raghuram conducted a detailed study on the Indian Railways 'turnaround' and decided to introduce the case study as a part of the curriculum.
Ever since Prasad took over as India's Railway Minister, the Railways have become the second-largest PSU profit-earner after the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation. Lalu has surprised many by emerging as one of the top-performing ministers in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Cabinet.
So what has Prasad done to the Indian Railways which his predecessors could not? The answer lies in his own down-to-earth attitude and rustic wisdom.
Prasad puts it in his inimitable style: "My mother always told me not to handle a buffalo by its tail, but always catch it by its horns. And I have used that lesson in everything in my life, including the Railways."
When some of the Railway Board members expressed apprehensions in increasing wagon loads, a decision which alone generated Rs 7,200 crore (Rs 72 billion), Prasad said: "Wagon is the bread-earning horse of the Railways. Load it adequately. Make it run and don't stable it."
Prasad's other management mantra for the Railways has been: "If you do not milk the cow fully, it falls sick," which he is practicing while running the Railways.
When Prasad took over, the Indian Railways was a loss-making organisation. The Rakesh Mohan Committee termed it a 'white elephant' and said it was destined to hit Rs 61,000 crore (Rs 610 billion) in bankruptcy by 2015.
But Lalu Prasad had different ideas. His secret lies in the fact that he did not convert the ministry into a Bihar Bhawan but left the crucial decision to his bureaucrats. He is achieving his targets not by increasing fares or downsizing, but by increasing traffic.
He believes traffic volume will rise significantly as the economy booms, yielding room for further reforms, and is also confident that the Railways will be able to generate revenue to help improve safety, open up container train wagons to private players and air-conditioned 'Garib Raths' with low fares retaining his pro-poor image.
Today it is not only IIM Ahmedabad that wants to fete Prasad for posting a fund balance of Rs 15,000 crore in 2005-06. Even premier international business schools like Harvard and HEC Management School, France, have shown interest in turning Prasad's experiment with the Railways into case studies for aspiring business graduates.
For HEC, France, the crux lies in how a railway system, under the jurisdiction of a coalition government, can be put on the road to success. Karine Lejoly of HEC, France, who met Prasad in New Delhi last month, said: "We are looking at making the Indian Railways a part of our course."
It is not just business schools that are awe-struck. Prasad has also attracted the attention of railways in other nations and global engineering houses, like General Electric of the United States.
GE chairman Jeffery Immelt, sensing large business potential with the Indian Railways, met Prasad in Delhi and without mincing words asked him about the focus areas.
The Indian Railways CEO told the GE chief that the turnaround is "real and long-term. The focus is on cutting unit costs, productivity gains and higher volumes. We want to beat the US and China on unit cost. You are number one. We want to be number one."
IIM-A's Raghuraman, who first introduced Prasad in his curriculum, says, "We are not just working on the facelift that he has given to Indian Railways, but also on his personality, the team he works with and the initiatives he has taken."
"It was not as if Prasad applied some new principles. He was just the guy who said 'let us get down to it.'"
The turnaround in the financial health of the Indian Railways, with Prasad in charge, has been the subject of major discussion at IIMs and he is already being looked upon as a 'management guru.'
On September 18 this year, Prasad, who is also the Rashtriya Janata Dal president, will deliver a lecture to the management students and the faculty at IIM-A, explaining how he turned around the Indian Railways from a loss-making operation to a public sector unit that stunned everyone by earning a profit of Rs 15,000 crore (Rs 150 billion) in 2005-06.
The invitation to deliver a lecture came after IIM-A's Prof G Raghuram conducted a detailed study on the Indian Railways 'turnaround' and decided to introduce the case study as a part of the curriculum.
Ever since Prasad took over as India's Railway Minister, the Railways have become the second-largest PSU profit-earner after the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation. Lalu has surprised many by emerging as one of the top-performing ministers in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Cabinet.
So what has Prasad done to the Indian Railways which his predecessors could not? The answer lies in his own down-to-earth attitude and rustic wisdom.
Prasad puts it in his inimitable style: "My mother always told me not to handle a buffalo by its tail, but always catch it by its horns. And I have used that lesson in everything in my life, including the Railways."
When some of the Railway Board members expressed apprehensions in increasing wagon loads, a decision which alone generated Rs 7,200 crore (Rs 72 billion), Prasad said: "Wagon is the bread-earning horse of the Railways. Load it adequately. Make it run and don't stable it."
Prasad's other management mantra for the Railways has been: "If you do not milk the cow fully, it falls sick," which he is practicing while running the Railways.
When Prasad took over, the Indian Railways was a loss-making organisation. The Rakesh Mohan Committee termed it a 'white elephant' and said it was destined to hit Rs 61,000 crore (Rs 610 billion) in bankruptcy by 2015.
But Lalu Prasad had different ideas. His secret lies in the fact that he did not convert the ministry into a Bihar Bhawan but left the crucial decision to his bureaucrats. He is achieving his targets not by increasing fares or downsizing, but by increasing traffic.
He believes traffic volume will rise significantly as the economy booms, yielding room for further reforms, and is also confident that the Railways will be able to generate revenue to help improve safety, open up container train wagons to private players and air-conditioned 'Garib Raths' with low fares retaining his pro-poor image.
Today it is not only IIM Ahmedabad that wants to fete Prasad for posting a fund balance of Rs 15,000 crore in 2005-06. Even premier international business schools like Harvard and HEC Management School, France, have shown interest in turning Prasad's experiment with the Railways into case studies for aspiring business graduates.
For HEC, France, the crux lies in how a railway system, under the jurisdiction of a coalition government, can be put on the road to success. Karine Lejoly of HEC, France, who met Prasad in New Delhi last month, said: "We are looking at making the Indian Railways a part of our course."
It is not just business schools that are awe-struck. Prasad has also attracted the attention of railways in other nations and global engineering houses, like General Electric of the United States.
GE chairman Jeffery Immelt, sensing large business potential with the Indian Railways, met Prasad in Delhi and without mincing words asked him about the focus areas.
The Indian Railways CEO told the GE chief that the turnaround is "real and long-term. The focus is on cutting unit costs, productivity gains and higher volumes. We want to beat the US and China on unit cost. You are number one. We want to be number one."
IIM-A's Raghuraman, who first introduced Prasad in his curriculum, says, "We are not just working on the facelift that he has given to Indian Railways, but also on his personality, the team he works with and the initiatives he has taken."
"It was not as if Prasad applied some new principles. He was just the guy who said 'let us get down to it.'"
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Office Ergonomics - For Computer Users
When you are typing keep both hands should be kept straight and slightly above keyboard
Elbow should be positioned 90 degree angle while holding the mouse
Should Hold the Mouse straight without twisting the wrist
Keyboard should be positioned at the height of your elbow in seated position
In seated position your eyes should be in straight line with Top of Monitor
Try to place all the Input Devices in the Usual Zone (i.e. with in short distance)
Provide enough lighting for the working area
Adjust your Seat according to your comfortable seating Position
In fact hand rest for your seat is must.
The Legends Of Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the abundance of autumn harvest and is dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The festival also marks an important date in the Indian calendar, as the North Indian kingdom of Avadha has celebrated this as the last day of Lord Rama's long exile of fourteen years. As the citizens of Ayodhya eagerly awaited their beloved prince's return, they lit thousands of lamps to guide his flying vimana to their city. The darkest night of the year gave way to a glorious morning as Rama returned with his wife and brothers to his ancestral kingdom of Avadha.
Diwali also celebrates the gracious nature of the three goddesses, Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. Dhanteras (two days before Diwali) is dedicated to Lakshmi, whose blessings are essential for a prosperous, fruitful and peaceful life. Kali-Chudash (the day before Diwali) is dedicated to Maha Kali whose strength we seek to maintain the wealth we have. Strength, physical, mental and spiritual, is essential for all of us to lead a happy life. Diwali itself is dedicated to goddess Saraswati. Knowledge is the ultimate wealth, for it cannot be stolen from you; it is also the ultimate strength, for it often defeats brute force.
The Legends
Goddess Lakshmi : The Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi was incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan), hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi.
Vishnu Rescued Lakshmi: On this very day, Lord Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as Vaman-avtaara rescued Lakshmi from the prison of King Bali and this is another reason of worshipping Ma Larkshmi on Diwali.
Krishna Killed Narakaasur: On the day preceding Diwali, Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakaasur and rescued 16,000 women from his captivity. The celebration of this freedom went on for two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival.
The Return of the Pandavas: According to the great epic 'Mahabharata', it was 'Kartik Amavashya' when the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling). The subjects who loved the Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps.
The Victory of Rama: According to the epic 'Ramayana', it was the new moon day of Kartik when Lord Ram, Ma Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana and conquering Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with the earthen lamps and illuminated it like never before.
Coronation of Vikramaditya: One of the greatest Hindu King Vikramaditya was coronated on the Diwali day, hence Diwali became a historical event as well.
Diwali also celebrates the gracious nature of the three goddesses, Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. Dhanteras (two days before Diwali) is dedicated to Lakshmi, whose blessings are essential for a prosperous, fruitful and peaceful life. Kali-Chudash (the day before Diwali) is dedicated to Maha Kali whose strength we seek to maintain the wealth we have. Strength, physical, mental and spiritual, is essential for all of us to lead a happy life. Diwali itself is dedicated to goddess Saraswati. Knowledge is the ultimate wealth, for it cannot be stolen from you; it is also the ultimate strength, for it often defeats brute force.
The Legends
Goddess Lakshmi : The Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi was incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan), hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi.
Vishnu Rescued Lakshmi: On this very day, Lord Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as Vaman-avtaara rescued Lakshmi from the prison of King Bali and this is another reason of worshipping Ma Larkshmi on Diwali.
Krishna Killed Narakaasur: On the day preceding Diwali, Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakaasur and rescued 16,000 women from his captivity. The celebration of this freedom went on for two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival.
The Return of the Pandavas: According to the great epic 'Mahabharata', it was 'Kartik Amavashya' when the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling). The subjects who loved the Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps.
The Victory of Rama: According to the epic 'Ramayana', it was the new moon day of Kartik when Lord Ram, Ma Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana and conquering Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with the earthen lamps and illuminated it like never before.
Coronation of Vikramaditya: One of the greatest Hindu King Vikramaditya was coronated on the Diwali day, hence Diwali became a historical event as well.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
The significance of Diwali
The significance of Diwali cannot be explained in a few words as the charisma of this great festival is so much that you need to feel it from the deepest chords of your heart. No words or Diwali pictures can explain to you the real significance of Diwali in the lives of hundreds and thousands of people residing all over the world, who celebrate this festival with much fervor and enthusiasm. Also known by the names of 'Deepavali' and 'Festival of Lights', the festival of Diwali is celebrated not only in India but also in other parts of the world like Singapore, Thailand and many more places, which celebrate it according to their traditions and customs. The last day of the last month of lunar calendar is reserved for the auspicious day of Diwali. Mainly the celebrations of Diwali go on for five days, and each day holds its own importance, with many legends associated with each day. The five days of Diwali celebrations are Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Diwali, Padwa and Govardhan Puja and Bhaiya Dooj.
Send Diwali Gifts and Sweets to Your Loved Ones
There are many legends associated with Diwali as mentioned in the books talking about the history of Diwali but the most famous of them is the legend of Lord Ram. This legend revolves around Lord Ram who was sent to exile for fourteen years by his stepmother. Lord Ram was not alone in this exile as he was accompanied by his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshman. During the exile Sita was kidnapped by the demon Ravan who forcibly took Sita to his kingdom in Sri Lanka. Lord Ram fought a fierce war with Ravan in which he took the help of monkey king Sugvir and the monkey God Hanuman and many other monkeys. Lord Ram was victorious in the war and he freed his wife Sita from Ravan's captivity. After winning the war Lord Ram came back to his kingdom in Ayodhya along with Sita and Lakshman and since then the day of his come back came to be celebrated as the day of Diwali in India in order to commemorate Lord Ram.
Another legend associated with celebrations of Diwali in India and more famous in Maharashtra and Mysore is of the legendary king Bali who was immensely popular for his generosity. However the success of king Bali became an issue of fear for the gods who prayed to Lord Vishnu for destroying king Bali. Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of a dwarf Brahmin and asked king Bali for as much land as he would be able to cover with his three steps. Looking at the stature of the Brahmin the king Bali readily agreed. At this Lord Vishnu took the form of a large giant and covered the whole of earth and heaven with his two foot steps. On asking for the place of keeping his third step, king Bali happily placed his head under the footstep of the Lord who pushed him into the underworld. But being pleased with his generosity Lord Vishnu granted him a boon of being able to visit his kingdom once a year. According to a common belief it is during the celebrations of Diwali only when king Bali comes on earth to visit his kingdom.
Courtesy : Diwali Mela
Want to know more about Deepavali? Click Here
Now Our Topic is about What exactly do we do on Deepavali?
How do we celeberate Deepavali?
Do you remember how we used to celebrate Deepavali? If not let me recap it for you. For Most of us Deepavali always gets started well in advance a week before the actual day of the Deepavali by doing firecracking all the time the whole month of October. Family members at home will go for Shopping to buy clothes (for some they like to buy items like TVs/Mixi/Two Wheelers/Grinders/Fridge only during festival times of Deepavali) and giving it for stitching and Ladies generally will be busy in preparing Murukku, Athirasam, Lavva Laddu, Globe Jaamun, Samosa and What not... When I was young I used to always silently open out all the Items that were prepared and kept ready for Pooja during Deepavali. Before hand try to eat one by one and get a tap on my back and pinch on my thigh from my mom for doing so too ;)
Then the night before Deepavali we all go either to local shop or to the very famous firecracker manufacturing city Sivakasi (Known as Little Japan) and buy Fire Crackers (Vaedi) with in the allocated budget for each person at home (my brother always like to steal some from my parcel and add up to his collections). Some of the Fire Crackers to name is, for small kids (not 4 me ok?) they all start with Toy Pistol with Cap Roll (Pottu Vaedi). Then Seeni Vaedi, Vari Vedi, Chara Vedi like 1000 wala or 5000 wala...Also Big sound producing items like Elephant Vaedi, Lakshmi Vaedi, Kuruvi Vaedi, Whisle Vaedi, Atom Bomb, Bullet Bomb, Double Shot, 7 Shots. Buss Out, Vengaya Vaedi...These items are used during the day times to burst. For Night times we have Mathaapu(Sparkles), Mercury, Changu Chakaram, Paambu Maathirai (Snake Capsules), Bussvanam (Flower Pots), Rocket, Parachute Rocket.
In the night we also apply Henna (Marudhaani) in our both hands. Probably this is done to stop kids from eating the sweets while mom is preparing in the nights. Later during mid-night we get our share of Goat Meat(Sharing is like we will join with few of our relatives and buy one or two Goat a week in advance. On the Eve of Deepavali share the meat with number of people joined in the group). By the time we bring back the meat to home it would have been around 4-5am and the early morning of Deepavali is welcomed with fire cracking sounds more and more everywhere. We all will run to either Pump Set (athaanga namma Motor Thanni thotti kuliyal), those who like to take bathe in the chill water or heat up water at home as well. We will first apply Oil (Normally Gingelly Oil [Nallennai]) in the whole body and we will wait for a while for body to absorb it. Later after 15-30 mins we will mix the shikaka (Seeyakai) mixed water to get the paste for taking oil bath. Then Before taking bath we face towards the East direction and pour the water then apply shikaka mix and wash off fully. After taking bathe temporarily wear some dress and wait for Mom to finish cooking her morning Tiffin Items like Medu Vada, Idly, Dosa and many other Items. Meanwhile we will take out all our new clothes and apply Turmeric Powder on both shirt Collar and at the inside hip of Trouser clothes and kept in the plate and place before the God inside Pooja Room. Once all ready everything set, Dad will break the coconut and performs Pooja and offer the food and sweets prepared to God and he will take and distribute the clothes to everybody in the family. Then we all happily wear the new shirts and trousers then assemble back in the hall for breakfast. Together all will have breakfast meanwhile my brother silently will go and do bit of fire cracking activities even before eating and get hurt too.
So, once the breakfast is over then comes the fun part of starting the fun act of the day fire cracking… We will be able to proceed with bursting all type of firecrackers that we bought for many hours. Meanwhile mom will call me and send me to distribute the sweets and other items to our neighbours. Normally this is the best time to thank our other religion neighbours of Christian and Muslim community to improve the brotherhood. Then we will have nice lunch prepared at home with lots of Veg & Non-veg item, that time I was forced to eat non-veg :( Also during this lunch time is the time where many drinkers lose their control out of getting kick in over drinking and cannot even take proper lunch and can see so many comedy scenes on streets too.
Once the sun is set we are also set to start having fun in the night Deepa Light. We carry out with sparkling, rocketing and much other stuff. The atmosphere will be filled with full of colors everywhere.
That’s how we end our day. Now tell its your turn to tell me more, Don’t you miss your childhood Deepavali? Our Home Town and People around our Home in India, if you are an NRI like me? All I carry with me nowadays is those sweet memories.
My Dear Friends, Celebrate Deepavali in a safe way. My Hearty wishes to everybody for a Colorful Deepavali
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Confusing English???
This might sound whacky, But Have Fun reading this....
1. If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP?
2. Do Lipton Tea employees take coffee breaks?
3. If olive oil comes from olives, where does baby oil come from?
4. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes?
5. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
6. Why the man who invests all your money called a broker?
7. If horrific means to make horrible, does terrific mean to make terrible?
8. Why is it called building when it is already built?
9. If a book about failures doesn't sell, is it a success?
10. If you're not supposed to drink and drive, then why do bars have parking lots?
11. If you take an Oriental person and spin him around several times, does he become disoriented?
12. If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?? Humans ???
13. If working hours are me! ant for working, then why are you reading this???
1. If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP?
2. Do Lipton Tea employees take coffee breaks?
3. If olive oil comes from olives, where does baby oil come from?
4. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes?
5. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
6. Why the man who invests all your money called a broker?
7. If horrific means to make horrible, does terrific mean to make terrible?
8. Why is it called building when it is already built?
9. If a book about failures doesn't sell, is it a success?
10. If you're not supposed to drink and drive, then why do bars have parking lots?
11. If you take an Oriental person and spin him around several times, does he become disoriented?
12. If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?? Humans ???
13. If working hours are me! ant for working, then why are you reading this???
Quotable Quotes
"Everyone has a talent, what is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads." (Erica Jong)
"The most instructive experiences are those of everyday life." (Friedrich Nietzsche)
"I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers." (Kahlil Gibran)
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life." (Chinese Proverb)
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear." (Ambrose Redmoon)
"I not only use all the brains I have but all that I can borrow." (W. Wilson)
"If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else." (Chinese Proverb)
"Education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern, but impossible to enslave." (Henry Peter Broughan)
"A gifted teacher is as rare as a gifted doctor, and makes far less money" (Anonymous)
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined" (Henry David Thoreau)
"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you'll never cease to grow" (Anthony J. D'Angelo)
" It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question" (Eugene Ionesco Decouvertes)
"A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary" (Thomas Carruthers)
Why is it that the teaching is the last thing I have time for?" (Judy Domeny Bowen)
"Successful teachers are effective in spite of the psychological theories they suffer under." (Educational Proverb)
"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love" (Hamilton Wright Mabi)
"Never regard study as a duty, but as the enviable opportunity to learn to know the liberating influence of beauty in the realm of the spirit for your own personal joy and to the profit of the community to which your later work belongs." (Einstein)
"When teaching, light a fire, don't fill a bucket." (Dan Snow)
"To teach well, we need not say all that we know, only what is useful for the pupil to hear" (Anon.)
"To waken interest and kindle enthusiasm is the sure way to teach easily and successfully"(Tyron Edwards)
"He who dares to teach must never cease to learn" (Anonymous)
"I am almost overwhelmed by the courage and dedication of teachers" (Sylvia Solomon)
"The most instructive experiences are those of everyday life." (Friedrich Nietzsche)
"I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers." (Kahlil Gibran)
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life." (Chinese Proverb)
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear." (Ambrose Redmoon)
"I not only use all the brains I have but all that I can borrow." (W. Wilson)
"If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else." (Chinese Proverb)
"Education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern, but impossible to enslave." (Henry Peter Broughan)
"A gifted teacher is as rare as a gifted doctor, and makes far less money" (Anonymous)
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined" (Henry David Thoreau)
"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you'll never cease to grow" (Anthony J. D'Angelo)
" It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question" (Eugene Ionesco Decouvertes)
"A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary" (Thomas Carruthers)
Why is it that the teaching is the last thing I have time for?" (Judy Domeny Bowen)
"Successful teachers are effective in spite of the psychological theories they suffer under." (Educational Proverb)
"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love" (Hamilton Wright Mabi)
"Never regard study as a duty, but as the enviable opportunity to learn to know the liberating influence of beauty in the realm of the spirit for your own personal joy and to the profit of the community to which your later work belongs." (Einstein)
"When teaching, light a fire, don't fill a bucket." (Dan Snow)
"To teach well, we need not say all that we know, only what is useful for the pupil to hear" (Anon.)
"To waken interest and kindle enthusiasm is the sure way to teach easily and successfully"(Tyron Edwards)
"He who dares to teach must never cease to learn" (Anonymous)
"I am almost overwhelmed by the courage and dedication of teachers" (Sylvia Solomon)
Don't be Nakeeran - Fault Finding
Avoid Fault finding
As people of Faith, we have the duty of commanding good and forbidding evil. We thus engage ourselves, as social beings, in improving ourselves and working towards being instruments in improving the world we live in. Our Faith behooves us not to search for faults in others and we would do well to heed the advice of our Beloved Prophet : "Part of being a good person is minding your own business."
While the purpose of commanding good and forbidding evil is to correct and restore; fault-finding inevitably leads to undermining the character of people and sometimes to destroying relationships. Prophet Muhammad said: "The worst of people are those engaged in slandering others, those who ruin relationships between dear ones who try to find fault with innocent people."
The Prophet also admonished us that "when you pursue the faults of others, you corrupt them" and warned that "those who unduly pursue the shortcomings of others will have their own faults exposed."
Fault-finding is the habit of the miserable
Confucius said: "The great person calls to attention the good points in others while the miserable person calls to attention the defects in others." (Analects 12:16). That is perhaps why losers can easily say, "something is wrong" and winners usually say, "how can I correct it". Why losers say, "why don't you do this?" and winners usually say, "Here is something I can do."
Fault-finders normally tell others about someone's faults and rarely have the guts to face people; fitting the description of dhul-wajhayn (two-faced) which the Prophet Muhammad assigned to troublemakers and hypocrites. Fault-finders also tend to be miserable themselves, lacking self-esteem; and since they focus so much on blaming others, they become resentful; and rather than cherish people, tend to develop a desire to undermine and discredit people.
Negativity consumes a person
The negative feelings that a fault-finder harbors regarding others eventually consumes the person and this negativity eventually becomes part of the fault-finder's character. Prophet Muhammad therefore advised us "Refrain from holding bad opinions of people."
Deflecting one's own shortcomings
One of the common ways through which people deflect their own shortcomings and do not face up to their own faults is to blame others. The faults we see may well not be in what we are looking at, but rather in our looking. Prophet 'Isa/Jesus is reported to have said; "why do you look at the little speck in your brother's eye and forget the plank in your own eye". Hadrat 'Ali said: "The worst of people is the person who searches for faults in others while being blind to his own faults". Martin Luther King rightly said: "the highest form of maturity is self inquiry".
Watch your Heart, your Emotions and your Tongue
Speech is projection of thoughts and emotions; the content of speech reflects the culture of the heart, so consider carefully how you feel about others, why you feel the way you feel and what you say about people. Prophet Muhammad said: "None of your faith is correct unless your heart is upright and your heart will not be rectified until your tongue is in order". That is why Allah states in the Quran "speak what is correct, your actions will be rectified and your sins will be forgiven". Since virtually all fault-finding is conveyed verbally, we must be careful of the power of the tongue since wise people caution the fact that affliction caused by the tongue is more severe than the harm caused by the sword. The Prophet also provided a basic rule of good character when he responded to a question regarding salvation. He replied: "It is necessary for you to control your tongue and weep for your own faults".
The prayer of the Prophet is the most appropriate expression for one who introspects and genuinely wishes to be a catalyst for a better world: "O Allah, forgive that which I did secretly and what I did publicly; What I did inadvertently and what I did deliberately; What I did knowingly and what I did out of ignorance".
Always reflect on this advice of the Prophet : "glad tidings to the person more concerned about his own faults than bothering about the faults of others".
As people of Faith, we have the duty of commanding good and forbidding evil. We thus engage ourselves, as social beings, in improving ourselves and working towards being instruments in improving the world we live in. Our Faith behooves us not to search for faults in others and we would do well to heed the advice of our Beloved Prophet : "Part of being a good person is minding your own business."
While the purpose of commanding good and forbidding evil is to correct and restore; fault-finding inevitably leads to undermining the character of people and sometimes to destroying relationships. Prophet Muhammad said: "The worst of people are those engaged in slandering others, those who ruin relationships between dear ones who try to find fault with innocent people."
The Prophet also admonished us that "when you pursue the faults of others, you corrupt them" and warned that "those who unduly pursue the shortcomings of others will have their own faults exposed."
Fault-finding is the habit of the miserable
Confucius said: "The great person calls to attention the good points in others while the miserable person calls to attention the defects in others." (Analects 12:16). That is perhaps why losers can easily say, "something is wrong" and winners usually say, "how can I correct it". Why losers say, "why don't you do this?" and winners usually say, "Here is something I can do."
Fault-finders normally tell others about someone's faults and rarely have the guts to face people; fitting the description of dhul-wajhayn (two-faced) which the Prophet Muhammad assigned to troublemakers and hypocrites. Fault-finders also tend to be miserable themselves, lacking self-esteem; and since they focus so much on blaming others, they become resentful; and rather than cherish people, tend to develop a desire to undermine and discredit people.
Negativity consumes a person
The negative feelings that a fault-finder harbors regarding others eventually consumes the person and this negativity eventually becomes part of the fault-finder's character. Prophet Muhammad therefore advised us "Refrain from holding bad opinions of people."
Deflecting one's own shortcomings
One of the common ways through which people deflect their own shortcomings and do not face up to their own faults is to blame others. The faults we see may well not be in what we are looking at, but rather in our looking. Prophet 'Isa/Jesus is reported to have said; "why do you look at the little speck in your brother's eye and forget the plank in your own eye". Hadrat 'Ali said: "The worst of people is the person who searches for faults in others while being blind to his own faults". Martin Luther King rightly said: "the highest form of maturity is self inquiry".
Watch your Heart, your Emotions and your Tongue
Speech is projection of thoughts and emotions; the content of speech reflects the culture of the heart, so consider carefully how you feel about others, why you feel the way you feel and what you say about people. Prophet Muhammad said: "None of your faith is correct unless your heart is upright and your heart will not be rectified until your tongue is in order". That is why Allah states in the Quran "speak what is correct, your actions will be rectified and your sins will be forgiven". Since virtually all fault-finding is conveyed verbally, we must be careful of the power of the tongue since wise people caution the fact that affliction caused by the tongue is more severe than the harm caused by the sword. The Prophet also provided a basic rule of good character when he responded to a question regarding salvation. He replied: "It is necessary for you to control your tongue and weep for your own faults".
The prayer of the Prophet is the most appropriate expression for one who introspects and genuinely wishes to be a catalyst for a better world: "O Allah, forgive that which I did secretly and what I did publicly; What I did inadvertently and what I did deliberately; What I did knowingly and what I did out of ignorance".
Always reflect on this advice of the Prophet : "glad tidings to the person more concerned about his own faults than bothering about the faults of others".
Friday, October 13, 2006
Time Never Goes Back
Once upon a time, there was a teacher and his student lying down under a big tree near a big grass area. Then, suddenly, the student asked the teacher,
Student: Teacher, I'm confused, how can we find our soul-mate? Can you please help me?
Teacher: (Silent for few second, than he answer) Well, it's a pretty hard and easy question.
Student: (Thinking hard) Huh?
Teacher: Look on that way, there are a lot of grass there, why don't you walk there but please never walk backward, just walk straight ahead. On your way, try to find a beautiful grass and pick it up then give it to me. But just one.
Student: Well, ok then, wait for me. (Walked straight ahead to the grass field)
A few minutes later
Student: I'm back.
Teacher: Well I don't see any beautiful grass on your hand.
Student: On my journey, I found few beautiful grasses, but I thought that I would find a better one, so I didn't pick it up. But I didn't realize that I'm at the end of the field, and I hadn't picked up any. Because you told me not to go back, so I didn't go back.
Teacher: That's what happens in real life.
What is the message of this story?
* Grass - is people around you
* Beautiful Grass - is people that attract you
* Grass Field - is time
* In looking for your soul mate, don't always compare and hope that there will be a better one. By doing that, you'll waste your lifetime, cause, .......................................remember...................................
"Time Never Goes Back."
Student: Teacher, I'm confused, how can we find our soul-mate? Can you please help me?
Teacher: (Silent for few second, than he answer) Well, it's a pretty hard and easy question.
Student: (Thinking hard) Huh?
Teacher: Look on that way, there are a lot of grass there, why don't you walk there but please never walk backward, just walk straight ahead. On your way, try to find a beautiful grass and pick it up then give it to me. But just one.
Student: Well, ok then, wait for me. (Walked straight ahead to the grass field)
A few minutes later
Student: I'm back.
Teacher: Well I don't see any beautiful grass on your hand.
Student: On my journey, I found few beautiful grasses, but I thought that I would find a better one, so I didn't pick it up. But I didn't realize that I'm at the end of the field, and I hadn't picked up any. Because you told me not to go back, so I didn't go back.
Teacher: That's what happens in real life.
What is the message of this story?
* Grass - is people around you
* Beautiful Grass - is people that attract you
* Grass Field - is time
* In looking for your soul mate, don't always compare and hope that there will be a better one. By doing that, you'll waste your lifetime, cause, .......................................remember...................................
"Time Never Goes Back."
About Professionals Health
Six software professionals under the age of 33 have died and 2 top executives from renowned software companies have become paralyzed because of stress-related heart ailments in the last six months in Chennai, says a study by Mitran Foundation, a Bangalore-based voluntary association of practicing doctors. "All the six who died, and the two who became invalid, had no family history of heart attacks or any pre-history of heart ailments or paralysis. They were all in their prime, between 27 and 33 years, and handled challenging projects at work in their respective companies.They worked long and continuous hours. The end struck them very suddenly, and it looked as if their hearts refused to take any more stress," said Dr Dwarakanath, director of Mitran Foundation, who has studied stress components in 40 software companies in Chennai during the last six months.
The study, conducted at a cost of Rs 45 lakhs, covered more than 4,000 software professionals from 80 companies who were in service for a minimum of three years. The email responses were scientifically tabulated and the findings were ready in 2002. Dr Dwarakanath, who was the late Dhirubhai Ambani's personal stress management consultant, said questionnaires extracting every minute detail were sent to the respondents. The personal background, family history and personal characteristics of these individuals were assessed and it was found that the stress in these professionals was only due to work pressure. All other factors were eliminated. "Our study confirmed that the number of suicides, divorces, heart ailments, BP and diabetes patients and mental depression are the highest in the software industry. The fancy salaries of software professionals are no longer something to rejoice about," DrDwarakanath said.
"We found that the software industry has simply no routine. Deadlines hang before them and every day they chase new problems. During weekends more than 60 per cent of the vehicles are found parked in the office complexes. There is no physical exercise and new food habits favoured by pizza culture fuel the problem. Cervical spondilitis and wrist problems due to uncomfortable handling of the computer mouse, eye problems and discomfort in bowel movements are common. The stress for couples where both are employed in the IT industry is the worst. The simple step of taking time off from work for three months allowed an IT couple wanting a child for years to conceive one," Dr Dwarakanath said.
M.T.R. Venukopalan, senior training coordinator, Covansys India, acknowledged that IT professionals were the most stressed individuals."Even if the company sponsors a movie or self-care lecture, not many attend them," he said. Jyothsana, a travel coordinator for TemenosIndia Pvt Ltd, expressed concern for the young employees who complain of back and knee pains. She acknowledged that IT professionals require a specific eating and physical exercise routine to ease their stress."Our lives are becoming mechanical, guided only by deadlines,"she said.
So think again if you are staying late in the office regularly. Think again about your family. Think again about your social life and health.
Work is essential. Your contribution to the goal should be great.But, please don't make it a habit to stay late.
Don't skip your Break Fast/Lunch/Dinner. None of these are equated by Pizza, BREADS / Biscuits / Wafers / Chat items
This will save your life, as life is not worth living without the eyes. During a recent visit to an optician, one of my friends was told of an exercise for the eyes by a specialist doctor in the US that he termed as 20-20-20." It is apt for all of us and also for people who spend long hours in front of the computer for various activities.
Thought I'd share it with you. 20-20-20
Step I: After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away.This changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes.
Step II: Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.
Step III: Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood Circulation for the entire body.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH FIRST, PLEASE !!!!!!!!
This is a must for all of us... Please forward this to your friends too...
The study, conducted at a cost of Rs 45 lakhs, covered more than 4,000 software professionals from 80 companies who were in service for a minimum of three years. The email responses were scientifically tabulated and the findings were ready in 2002. Dr Dwarakanath, who was the late Dhirubhai Ambani's personal stress management consultant, said questionnaires extracting every minute detail were sent to the respondents. The personal background, family history and personal characteristics of these individuals were assessed and it was found that the stress in these professionals was only due to work pressure. All other factors were eliminated. "Our study confirmed that the number of suicides, divorces, heart ailments, BP and diabetes patients and mental depression are the highest in the software industry. The fancy salaries of software professionals are no longer something to rejoice about," DrDwarakanath said.
"We found that the software industry has simply no routine. Deadlines hang before them and every day they chase new problems. During weekends more than 60 per cent of the vehicles are found parked in the office complexes. There is no physical exercise and new food habits favoured by pizza culture fuel the problem. Cervical spondilitis and wrist problems due to uncomfortable handling of the computer mouse, eye problems and discomfort in bowel movements are common. The stress for couples where both are employed in the IT industry is the worst. The simple step of taking time off from work for three months allowed an IT couple wanting a child for years to conceive one," Dr Dwarakanath said.
M.T.R. Venukopalan, senior training coordinator, Covansys India, acknowledged that IT professionals were the most stressed individuals."Even if the company sponsors a movie or self-care lecture, not many attend them," he said. Jyothsana, a travel coordinator for TemenosIndia Pvt Ltd, expressed concern for the young employees who complain of back and knee pains. She acknowledged that IT professionals require a specific eating and physical exercise routine to ease their stress."Our lives are becoming mechanical, guided only by deadlines,"she said.
So think again if you are staying late in the office regularly. Think again about your family. Think again about your social life and health.
Work is essential. Your contribution to the goal should be great.But, please don't make it a habit to stay late.
Don't skip your Break Fast/Lunch/Dinner. None of these are equated by Pizza, BREADS / Biscuits / Wafers / Chat items
This will save your life, as life is not worth living without the eyes. During a recent visit to an optician, one of my friends was told of an exercise for the eyes by a specialist doctor in the US that he termed as 20-20-20." It is apt for all of us and also for people who spend long hours in front of the computer for various activities.
Thought I'd share it with you. 20-20-20
Step I: After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away.This changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes.
Step II: Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.
Step III: Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood Circulation for the entire body.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH FIRST, PLEASE !!!!!!!!
This is a must for all of us... Please forward this to your friends too...
Thursday, October 12, 2006
ATM Warning
Please give wide publicity !
Recently when I went to withdraw Money in ATM machine, I noticed some kind of alert message in the ATM Machine on the warning before I keyed in my PIN about any noticeable suspicious device attached to ATM Card Slot. I was wondering how the thief can misuse our account in this fashion. Here is the answer to it. In fact I heard about this kind of forgeries in many countries few years back also. Please read the below message and act accordingly.
Bank ATM's Converted to Steal IDs of Bank Customers
A team of organized criminals are installing equipment on legitimate bank ATM's in at least 2 regions to steal both the ATM card number and the PIN. The team sits nearby in a car receiving the information transmitted wirelessly over weekends and evenings from equipment they install on the front of the ATM (see photos). If you see an attachment like this (I noticed a genuine green color attachment installed by bank also hope you can differentiate it), do not use the ATM and report it immediately to the bank using the phone on the front of the ATM.
The equipment used to capture your ATM card number and PIN are cleverly disguised to look like normal ATM equipment. A "skimmer" is mounted to the front of the normal ATM card slot that reads the ATM card number and transmits it to the criminals sitting in a nearby car.
At the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view ATM PIN entries.
The thieves copy the cards and use the PIN numbers to withdraw thousands from many accounts in a very short time directly from the bank ATM.
Recently when I went to withdraw Money in ATM machine, I noticed some kind of alert message in the ATM Machine on the warning before I keyed in my PIN about any noticeable suspicious device attached to ATM Card Slot. I was wondering how the thief can misuse our account in this fashion. Here is the answer to it. In fact I heard about this kind of forgeries in many countries few years back also. Please read the below message and act accordingly.
Bank ATM's Converted to Steal IDs of Bank Customers
A team of organized criminals are installing equipment on legitimate bank ATM's in at least 2 regions to steal both the ATM card number and the PIN. The team sits nearby in a car receiving the information transmitted wirelessly over weekends and evenings from equipment they install on the front of the ATM (see photos). If you see an attachment like this (I noticed a genuine green color attachment installed by bank also hope you can differentiate it), do not use the ATM and report it immediately to the bank using the phone on the front of the ATM.
The equipment used to capture your ATM card number and PIN are cleverly disguised to look like normal ATM equipment. A "skimmer" is mounted to the front of the normal ATM card slot that reads the ATM card number and transmits it to the criminals sitting in a nearby car.
At the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view ATM PIN entries.
The thieves copy the cards and use the PIN numbers to withdraw thousands from many accounts in a very short time directly from the bank ATM.
Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot. 
The equipment as it appears installed over the normal ATM bank slot. 
The PIN reading camera being installed on the ATM is housed in an innocent looking leaflet enclosure.
The camera shown installed and ready to capture PIN's by looking down on the keypad as you enter your PIN
Please forward this news to all people that you care to create awareness.
Old Madras Memories
Here are the Golden Memories of so called Madras (now renamed as Chennai). I am not sure even our Father came into earth during this period. Just Cool Pictures. Enjoy Viewing...
Maourbray's Road - 1885 
First Line Beach - 1915
Esplanade - 1910
Central Railway Station - 1925
Marina Beach - 1890
Mount Road - 1905
Mylapore - 1906
Nepier Bridge - 1895
Parrys Corner - 1890
Pycrofts Road - 1890
Do you find any similarities to the current Chennai with those old Madras Places? Waiting to see your comments.
Money Can't Buy Health - Is it True?
What do you think frens? Can money really buy health in this Haze situation?
I have frens who insist of not eating outside the office or only eats in air cond restaurants, not minding to pay the extra buck just to be in the 'safe' environment...
Carol's View "Most people say "money can't buy health..."..it is true? But not in the case of Haze episode...If you have money, You can run away from the country until the haze is gone then come back!
for those who still think money cant buy health...they live in denial..."
How about u? How important is ur health to you?
What is your View on this about this Smoky situation???
I have frens who insist of not eating outside the office or only eats in air cond restaurants, not minding to pay the extra buck just to be in the 'safe' environment... Carol's View "Most people say "money can't buy health..."..it is true? But not in the case of Haze episode...If you have money, You can run away from the country until the haze is gone then come back!
for those who still think money cant buy health...they live in denial..."
How about u? How important is ur health to you?
What is your View on this about this Smoky situation???
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Sivaji - Punch Dialogue
Rajini's movie without Punch Dialogue? It will never be out so. Here are some probable Punch Dialogues that you may expect to see in the upcoming movie Sivaji. I'm not sure if this dialogues are Authentic as the Source is Unknown but this is for your info to read...
Do you have any more punch lines? Please add it here...
Do you have any more punch lines? Please add it here...
Blu-Ray Disk
SONY'S DISK drive division is working hard to introduce Blu-Ray.
It merged with NEC in April and will try to take as much market as possible. But despite the fact that some Blu-Ray consumer recorders are out and about, there won't be any computer drives on the shelves before August.
While Sony can't say much about the pricing of such drives, it can say one thing: they will be expensive. Its Blu-ray drives will be able to read and write DVDs, CDs as well as Blu-Ray disks.
In fact the disks are already available and they should cost between Rs 500 and Rs 750 for a single-layer 25GB disk and much more for 50GB dual-layer platter.
Sony brands its upcoming drive the BRU 100 A and it comes in rather interesting black and white design. Here's a picture of a picture of it.
What is a Blu-ray Disc?
A current, single-sided, standard DVD can hold 4.7GB (gigabytes) of information. That's about the size of an average two-hour, standard-definition movie with a few extra features. But a high-definition movie, which has a much clearer image (see How Digital Television Works), takes up about five times more bandwidth and therefore requires a disc with about five times more storage. As TV sets and movie studios make the move to high definition, consumers are going to need playback systems with a lot more storage capacity.
Blu-ray is the next-generation digital video disc. It can record, store and play back high-definition video and digital audio, as well as computer data. The advantage to Blu-ray is the sheer amount of information it can hold:
Source: White Paper: Blu-ray Disc Format
Blu-ray discs not only have more storage capacity than traditional DVDs, but they also offer a new level of interactivity. Users will be able to connect to the Internet and instantly download subtitles and other interactive movie features.
Blu-ray Advantages
Discs store digitally encoded video and audio information in pits -- spiral grooves that run from the center of the disc to its edges. A laser reads the other side of these pits -- the bumps -- to play the movie or program that is stored on the DVD. The more data that is contained on a disc, the smaller and more closely packed the pits must be. The smaller the pits (and therefore the bumps), the more precise the reading laser must be.
Unlike current DVDs, which use a red laser to read and write data, Blu-ray uses a blue laser (which is where the format gets its name). A blue laser has a shorter wavelength (405 nanometers) than a red laser (650 nanometers). The smaller beam focuses more precisely, enabling it to read information recorded in pits that are only 0.15 microns (µm) (1 micron = 10-6 meters) long -- this is more than twice as small as the pits on a DVD. Plus, Blu-ray has reduced the track pitch from 0.74 microns to 0.32 microns. The smaller pits, smaller beam and shorter track pitch together enable a single-layer Blu-ray disc to hold more than 25 GB of information -- about five times the amount of information that can be stored on a DVD.
Each Blu-ray disc is about the same thickness (1.2 millimeters) as a DVD. But the two types of discs store data differently. In a DVD, the data is sandwiched between two polycarbonate layers, each 0.6-mm thick. Having a polycarbonate layer on top of the data can cause a problem called birefringence, in which the substrate layer refracts the laser light into two separate beams. If the beam is split too widely, the disc cannot be read. Also, if the DVD surface is not exactly flat, and is therefore not exactly perpendicular to the beam, it can lead to a problem known as disc tilt, in which the laser beam is distorted. All of these issues lead to a very involved manufacturing process.
The Blu-ray disc overcomes DVD-reading issues by placing the data on top of a 1.1-mm-thick polycarbonate layer. Having the data on top prevents birefringence and therefore prevents readability problems. And, with the recording layer sitting closer to the objective lens of the reading mechanism, the problem of disc tilt is virtually eliminated. Because the data is closer to the surface, a hard coating is placed on the outside of the disc to protect it from scratches and fingerprints.
The design of the Blu-ray discs saves on manufacturing costs. Traditional DVDs are built by injection molding the two 0.6-mm discs between which the recording layer is sandwiched. The process must be done very carefully to prevent birefringence.
Blu-ray has a higher data transfer rate -- 36 Mbps (megabits per second) -- than today's DVDs, which transfer at 10 Mbps. A Blu-ray disc can record 25 GB of material in just over an hour and a half.
Blu-ray vs. Other New Disc Formats
Unlike DVDs and CDs, which started with read-only formats and only later added recordable and re-writable formats, Blu-ray is initially designed in several different formats:
BD-ROM (read-only) - for pre-recorded content
BD-R (recordable) - for PC data storage
BD-RW (rewritable) - for PC data storage
BD-RE (rewritable) - for HDTV recording
Will Blu-ray replace previous DVDs? Its manufacturers hope so. In the meantime, JVC has developed a Blu-ray/DVD combo disc with an approximate 33.5-GB capacity, allowing for the release of video in both formats on a single disc. But Blu-ray is not alone in the marketplace. A few other formats are competing for a share of the DVD market.
HD-DVD
The other big player is HD-DVD, also called AOD (Advanced Optical Disc), which was developed by electronics giants Toshiba and NEC. HD-DVD was actually in the works before regular DVD, but it didn't begin real development until 2003.
The advantage to HD-DVD is that it uses the same basic format as the traditional DVD and can therefore be manufactured with the same equipment, saving on costs. The disadvantage is that it can't match the storage capacity of Blu-ray. A rewritable, single-layer HD-DVD can hold 15 GB of data; a double-layer disc can hold 30 GB (that's compared to 27 GB and 50 GB for Blu-ray). The read-only versions hold slightly less data. Also, HD-DVD doesn't offer the interactive capabilities of Blu-ray, although it will probably be less expensive than its competitor. For more information on HD-DVD, check out How HD-DVD Works.
It merged with NEC in April and will try to take as much market as possible. But despite the fact that some Blu-Ray consumer recorders are out and about, there won't be any computer drives on the shelves before August.
While Sony can't say much about the pricing of such drives, it can say one thing: they will be expensive. Its Blu-ray drives will be able to read and write DVDs, CDs as well as Blu-Ray disks.
In fact the disks are already available and they should cost between Rs 500 and Rs 750 for a single-layer 25GB disk and much more for 50GB dual-layer platter.
Sony brands its upcoming drive the BRU 100 A and it comes in rather interesting black and white design. Here's a picture of a picture of it.
What is a Blu-ray Disc?
A current, single-sided, standard DVD can hold 4.7GB (gigabytes) of information. That's about the size of an average two-hour, standard-definition movie with a few extra features. But a high-definition movie, which has a much clearer image (see How Digital Television Works), takes up about five times more bandwidth and therefore requires a disc with about five times more storage. As TV sets and movie studios make the move to high definition, consumers are going to need playback systems with a lot more storage capacity.
Photo courtesy Blu-ray Disc Association
BD-ROM disc researcher
BD-ROM disc researcher
Blu-ray is the next-generation digital video disc. It can record, store and play back high-definition video and digital audio, as well as computer data. The advantage to Blu-ray is the sheer amount of information it can hold:
- A single-layer Blu-ray disc, which is roughly the same size as a DVD, can hold up to 27 GB of data-- that's more than two hours of high-definition video or about 13 hours of standard video.
- A double-layer Blu-ray disc can store up to 50 GB, enough to hold about 4.5 hours of high-definition video or more than 20 hours of standard video. And there are even plans in the works to develop a disc with twice that amount of storage.
Source: White Paper: Blu-ray Disc Format
Blu-ray discs not only have more storage capacity than traditional DVDs, but they also offer a new level of interactivity. Users will be able to connect to the Internet and instantly download subtitles and other interactive movie features.
Blu-ray Advantages
- Record high-definition television (HDTV) without any quality loss
- Instantly skip to any spot on the disc
- Record one program while watching another on the disc
- Create playlists
- Edit or reorder programs recorded on the disc
- Automatically search for an empty space on the disc to avoid recording over a program
- Access the Web to download subtitles and other extra features
Discs store digitally encoded video and audio information in pits -- spiral grooves that run from the center of the disc to its edges. A laser reads the other side of these pits -- the bumps -- to play the movie or program that is stored on the DVD. The more data that is contained on a disc, the smaller and more closely packed the pits must be. The smaller the pits (and therefore the bumps), the more precise the reading laser must be.
Unlike current DVDs, which use a red laser to read and write data, Blu-ray uses a blue laser (which is where the format gets its name). A blue laser has a shorter wavelength (405 nanometers) than a red laser (650 nanometers). The smaller beam focuses more precisely, enabling it to read information recorded in pits that are only 0.15 microns (µm) (1 micron = 10-6 meters) long -- this is more than twice as small as the pits on a DVD. Plus, Blu-ray has reduced the track pitch from 0.74 microns to 0.32 microns. The smaller pits, smaller beam and shorter track pitch together enable a single-layer Blu-ray disc to hold more than 25 GB of information -- about five times the amount of information that can be stored on a DVD.
Source: Blu-ray Disc Association
Each Blu-ray disc is about the same thickness (1.2 millimeters) as a DVD. But the two types of discs store data differently. In a DVD, the data is sandwiched between two polycarbonate layers, each 0.6-mm thick. Having a polycarbonate layer on top of the data can cause a problem called birefringence, in which the substrate layer refracts the laser light into two separate beams. If the beam is split too widely, the disc cannot be read. Also, if the DVD surface is not exactly flat, and is therefore not exactly perpendicular to the beam, it can lead to a problem known as disc tilt, in which the laser beam is distorted. All of these issues lead to a very involved manufacturing process.
The Blu-ray disc overcomes DVD-reading issues by placing the data on top of a 1.1-mm-thick polycarbonate layer. Having the data on top prevents birefringence and therefore prevents readability problems. And, with the recording layer sitting closer to the objective lens of the reading mechanism, the problem of disc tilt is virtually eliminated. Because the data is closer to the surface, a hard coating is placed on the outside of the disc to protect it from scratches and fingerprints.
Source: Blu-ray Disc Association
The design of the Blu-ray discs saves on manufacturing costs. Traditional DVDs are built by injection molding the two 0.6-mm discs between which the recording layer is sandwiched. The process must be done very carefully to prevent birefringence.
- The two discs are molded.
- The recording layer is added to one of the discs.
- The two discs are glued together.
Blu-ray has a higher data transfer rate -- 36 Mbps (megabits per second) -- than today's DVDs, which transfer at 10 Mbps. A Blu-ray disc can record 25 GB of material in just over an hour and a half.
Blu-ray vs. Other New Disc Formats
Unlike DVDs and CDs, which started with read-only formats and only later added recordable and re-writable formats, Blu-ray is initially designed in several different formats:
BD-ROM (read-only) - for pre-recorded content
BD-R (recordable) - for PC data storage
BD-RW (rewritable) - for PC data storage
BD-RE (rewritable) - for HDTV recording
Will Blu-ray replace previous DVDs? Its manufacturers hope so. In the meantime, JVC has developed a Blu-ray/DVD combo disc with an approximate 33.5-GB capacity, allowing for the release of video in both formats on a single disc. But Blu-ray is not alone in the marketplace. A few other formats are competing for a share of the DVD market.
HD-DVD
The other big player is HD-DVD, also called AOD (Advanced Optical Disc), which was developed by electronics giants Toshiba and NEC. HD-DVD was actually in the works before regular DVD, but it didn't begin real development until 2003.
The advantage to HD-DVD is that it uses the same basic format as the traditional DVD and can therefore be manufactured with the same equipment, saving on costs. The disadvantage is that it can't match the storage capacity of Blu-ray. A rewritable, single-layer HD-DVD can hold 15 GB of data; a double-layer disc can hold 30 GB (that's compared to 27 GB and 50 GB for Blu-ray). The read-only versions hold slightly less data. Also, HD-DVD doesn't offer the interactive capabilities of Blu-ray, although it will probably be less expensive than its competitor. For more information on HD-DVD, check out How HD-DVD Works.
Monday, October 09, 2006
The Guna Cave - Devils Kitchen
Enter at your own risk... Surprised to hear this statement? Yes, Looks like Beauty comes with Lots of Risks involved. There is no doubt that this place is very interesting to visit at the same time its bit dangerous to visit too. Once There were troup of 12 got deeper into the cave and never turned back it seems.
Just now during my reading I found that there is a Lucky person survived after he fell inside the very same Guna Cave. Here is the News
Here are some sharings from few blogs for I brought it down together especially for those who search this terms in GOOGLE.
If you look a little lost around Kodai Lake, you’ll have at least four people walking up to you chanting names of ‘points’, ‘sights’ and ‘treks’. I say I don’t want to see touristy places, only directions to a certain Guna Cave. Shock, awe, disappointment: It’s a place that’s fenced with barbwire ever since 12 boys decided to go too deep into the caves five years ago, and didn’t come back. The crowd disperses, except one man. Selvam is a driver-cum-guide, and once I’m in his Ambassador, he fishes out a little book of 28 must-see sights. Published in 1975.
Guna Caves is the local name for Devil’s Kitchen, a deep bat-infested chamber between three naturally arranged imposing boulders (Pillar Rocks), a sight that is listed in Selvam’s book. It’s now called Guna Caves after it was turned into a romantic kidnapper’s lair for a Tamil movie. Loud teenagers stand just outside the fencing around the cave, screaming angstful “Abiramiiiii!”s (name of kidnapped in said movie). Selvam and I go around the base of the pillar rock. Me, petrified about being the potential thirteenth ghost in the cave, and Selvam, looking for a certain hallucinogenic ‘magic mushroom’ that gets him a good price from “Keralites and foreigners”.
We find an entry, veiled by bramble. “It’s a path only some of us know about,” says Selvam. The rocks are loose and wobbly, the fluorescent green moss making everything slippery. Bats are shrieking from somewhere really south, and we, errr… are heading in the same direction. Someone is haggling for a kilo of carrots somewhere far above and it sounds warm and safe there. Inside Devil’s Kitchen, however, the air’s muggy, the walls smooth, with little shelves that look perfect for a perch. Selvam chucks a pebble that’s instantly swallowed by the darkness. We hear the plonk only after about 10 seconds, and a crash of wing flapping (of bats we jolted awake). We’d discovered fresh country by simply stumbling on it. This is the kind of place that teaches you to how important it is to have a firm footing.
Above experience is shared by Blogger RO
Just now during my reading I found that there is a Lucky person survived after he fell inside the very same Guna Cave. Here is the News
Here are some sharings from few blogs for I brought it down together especially for those who search this terms in GOOGLE.
If you look a little lost around Kodai Lake, you’ll have at least four people walking up to you chanting names of ‘points’, ‘sights’ and ‘treks’. I say I don’t want to see touristy places, only directions to a certain Guna Cave. Shock, awe, disappointment: It’s a place that’s fenced with barbwire ever since 12 boys decided to go too deep into the caves five years ago, and didn’t come back. The crowd disperses, except one man. Selvam is a driver-cum-guide, and once I’m in his Ambassador, he fishes out a little book of 28 must-see sights. Published in 1975.
Guna Caves is the local name for Devil’s Kitchen, a deep bat-infested chamber between three naturally arranged imposing boulders (Pillar Rocks), a sight that is listed in Selvam’s book. It’s now called Guna Caves after it was turned into a romantic kidnapper’s lair for a Tamil movie. Loud teenagers stand just outside the fencing around the cave, screaming angstful “Abiramiiiii!”s (name of kidnapped in said movie). Selvam and I go around the base of the pillar rock. Me, petrified about being the potential thirteenth ghost in the cave, and Selvam, looking for a certain hallucinogenic ‘magic mushroom’ that gets him a good price from “Keralites and foreigners”.
We find an entry, veiled by bramble. “It’s a path only some of us know about,” says Selvam. The rocks are loose and wobbly, the fluorescent green moss making everything slippery. Bats are shrieking from somewhere really south, and we, errr… are heading in the same direction. Someone is haggling for a kilo of carrots somewhere far above and it sounds warm and safe there. Inside Devil’s Kitchen, however, the air’s muggy, the walls smooth, with little shelves that look perfect for a perch. Selvam chucks a pebble that’s instantly swallowed by the darkness. We hear the plonk only after about 10 seconds, and a crash of wing flapping (of bats we jolted awake). We’d discovered fresh country by simply stumbling on it. This is the kind of place that teaches you to how important it is to have a firm footing.
Above experience is shared by Blogger RO
Photos of The Guna Cave
Courtesy : Traveller Prabodhan Potdar
Another Closer view of the Cave - Courtesy: Ajay
Warning Given to Tourist at the Guna Cave (Courtesy: http://peakday.blogspot.com)
Top View of the Cave
Want to know more places to see in Kodaikanal? Click Here
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
