Lord Jeffrey Archer’s Kane and Abel

The book Kane and Abel is first published in 1979 sold over 33 million copies worldwide and now in 84^th print. Jeffrey Archer has re-crafted his 1979 bestseller. The book is out now in the UK in paperback and a special commemorative hardback edition, and it will be released as a paperback in the US on 3 November 2009.

About the book Kane and Abel

Born on the same day near the turn of the century on opposite sides of the world, both men Kane and Abel are brought together by fate and the quest of a dream. These two men -- ambitious, powerful, ruthless -- are locked in a relentless struggle to build an empire, fuelled by their all-consuming hatred. Over 60 years and three generations, through war, marriage, fortune, and disaster, Kane and Abel battle for the success and triumph that only one man can have.

For the first time in Hyderabad, Lord Jeffrey Archer introduces the 30^th anniversary edition of his classic master piece Kane and Abel to appear in Hyderabad this weekend. He will be taking part in a reading and signing event on Sunday 8 November at 6.30pm at Landmark’s new flagship bookstore in Banjara Hills. Then, on Monday 9 November at 5.30pm, Jeffrey will be signing copies of the book at Landmark, Somajiguda.

With the publication of his first novel in 1976, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, Jeffrey Archer established himself as a consummate storyteller. He has produced over 25 published titles and sold more than 130 million copies around the world.

The Washington Post hailed him as "A storyteller in the class of Alexandre Dumas".

The Mail on Sunday acclaimed him as "probably the greatest storyteller of our age".

It is great opportunity for people of Hyderabad and book lovers of Jeffrey Archer to meet the master story teller and share the experiences of Jeffrey Archer

The Landmark-Tata, Hyderabad and the British Library, Hyderabad are organising the event.

Kalam asks youth to plant trees to check pollution

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam asked the youth of the country to contribute in checking pollution by planting trees.

"The nation has 300 million youth. If each one could plant five saplings, the country can easily have 1.5 billion trees. Assuming that about half-a-billion saplings goes, still we can have one million trees. A great achievement," he said while interacting with students of Mount Carmel College,Bangalore.

WATER WATER EVERY WHERE……

Water, water, every where,
but not a drop to drink.

The quote is from the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner traveling in sea. Basically the men on a ship would start to run out of water during their long sea voyages. Yet they would be surrounded by sea water.

Water constitutes about three fourths of the earth’s surface, but only less than one percent of it can be used by its inhabitants. Most of it is salt water oceans (about 97%) and 2% of it is contained in glaciers. With every country seeking to satisfy its ever increasing water needs from shrinking and limited water resources, there could be a future of conflict. As the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon remarked recently that “water scarcity is the potential fuel for wars and conflict. But cooperation, not conflict should guide us in our quest for a solution to this crisis.” In 1992, the UN General Assembly designated March 22, as the World Water Day (WWD) to draw international attention to the critical lack of clean, safe drinking water worldwide.

Ground water depletion is a major environmental concern in our country and calls for an immediate and effective agenda in ground water management.Unsustainable use of water in India's northern states threatens farm output and can fuel the spectre of a major water crisis, distressing 114 million people living there, warns a new study. Human activity like irrigation has pushed groundwater levels in India's north down by as much as one foot per year over the past seven years, says the study by scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Changes in underground water mass affect gravity enough to provide a signal that can be measured by the Grace spacecraft. After accounting for other variations, such changes in gravity are translated into an equivalent change in water.

More than 26 cubic miles of groundwater vanished from aquifers in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and the National Capital Territory of Delhi since 2002, says the study that has used NASA's satellite data. The team of hydrologists found that the underground water supply was being pumped and consumed by human activities such as irrigating cropland and was draining the aquifers faster than natural processes can replenish them.

The finding is based on data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (Grace) twin satellites, which sense changes in the distribution of Earth's mass and gravity field distribution, including water masses stored above or below the surface. The region has become dependent on irrigation to maximize farm output. If measures are not taken to ensure sustainable groundwater usage, the consequences for the 114 million residents of the region may include a collapse of agricultural output and severe shortages of potable water.

What are solutions?

• If farmers could shift away from water-intensive crops, such as rice, and implement more efficient irrigation methods, that would help
• In India, much of the rain water is not tapped. Rain water is flooded into seas. Rain water harvesting is one solution for replenishing the ground water.
• There was a proposal for linking of all major rivers of the country, “garland canal” connecting all parts of India, east, west, north and south. This will help to use rain water properly.
• With climate change fast approaching there is change in rain fall pattern in the country, which will further increase water crisis in the country, for mitigating climate change awareness programmes like plantation programmes, energy savings, using of alternative energies etc is essential.

NATURAL HERB TULSI TO FIGHT SWINE FLU

Most Hindu homes have a Tulsi plant in the courtyard of their homes, and it’s venerated in the morning and at night. There are 2 typesof tulsi the light-leaved one called the Rama Tulsi and the dark-leaved type known as the Krishna or Shyama Tulsi. It’s the second type that’s mostly used in medicines. The Queen of Herbs" - is the most sacred herb of India.

Tulsi (scientific name: Ocimum sanctum), although also known as Holy Basil, is a different plant from the pesto variety of Basil (scientific name: Ocimum basilicum) Tulsi has been revered in India for over five thousand years, as a healing balm for body, mind and spirit, and is known to bestow an amazing num. Considered as an 'Elixir of Life', this wonder herb has now been claimed to keep the deadly swine flu at bay and help fast recovery in afflicted persons.

The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Ayurveda, the traditional 'science of life', has a remedy for diseases when every other stream of medicine fails. Now, at a time when swine flu is spreading like wildfire across the world, Ayurveda has the remedy in the form of the miraculous herb, the basil leaves commonly known as Tulsi. The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi improves the body's overall defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu. Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of swine flu, Tulsi can help the patient recover faster.

According to Ayurvedic doctors Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach. This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu.

YOUTH CAN MAKE STRONG INDIA

India is celebrating its 63 rd independence day on 15th August 2009. As a citizen we have to review what we have achieved, what we have not achieved for the past 63 years, what to be done to the great nation, world largest democracy, so that every citizen of the country can live happily.

Youth is strength to our country. They can make tremendous change in all spheres political, economical and social fields. Youth as a force can build strong India. We have to take the youth force to build this nation. Our fathers of the nation have struggled and sacrificed their life to get freedom and it is our duty to participate in the nation building process to make strong India for which participation of youth is essential.

Dr. Kalam former President of India says

“Nations are built by the imagination and untiring enthusiastic efforts of generations. One generation transfers the fruits of its toil to another. Coming generations also add their positive dreams and aspirations and make national vision and strive hard to achieve. This process goes on and the Nation reaches heights of glory and gains the mightiest strength.”

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

YOUR MOBILE, YOUR HEALTH

Communication among people is most important. With the invention of telephone, people used to talk and communicate to long distances. With advent of mobile phone the entire concept of communication is completely changed. The world became one. Earlier mobile phone was luxury and now it is necessity. Apart from basic needs like roti kapada and makaan, mobile became essential and basic need in every once life. Every one from house maid, rickshaw puller, taxi drivers, office boys etc, from common man to elite people are using mobile phone for communication.

At preset, India has 391 million cell phone users. By the end of 2010, India is estimated to have 500 million cell phone users The largest mobile users in the world is China, next comes to India.

Talking for too long on a cell Phone could be seriously affecting your health. PGI Chandigarh study, sensorineural deafness could occur in 30% of people using mobile phones for more than two hours a day over a two-year period. "In a research study done in PGI, excessive use of mobile phones was found to cause deficient hearing and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)," Azad said.

Indian scientists had found during animal studies that radiation emitted from mobile phones caused DNA damage, low sperm count leading to infertility and reduction in testis size in rats. The effect of radio frequency radiation (RFD) has on neurological disorders like cognitive function and cognitive impairment, depression and sleep related disorders. Excessive mobile phone use changes the white matter of the brain and causes physiological abnormalities. Its also effect on reproductive health like menstrual cycle, hormonal changes in women. its effect on male reproductive functions and causes abnormalities in the male reproductive tract.

What solutions???

· People should not talk on their mobile phone continuously for more than one hour a day.

· The use of hands free technology could reduce the side effects of excessive use of mobile phone on users, including hearing defects.

· There should be ban on use of mobile phones in public places.

· Parents should also control children in use of the mobile phones

Too much of any thing is not good and spoil the life style of the people. This is the case with Mobile Phones

Nano likely to worsen the traffic problem

The much-acclaimed low-cost car Nano, which recently hit the roads, could worsen road traffic by adding to the growth of private vehicles in the coming days, a Delhi High Court Judge said."All Indian cities are already struggling with traffic flow problem due to various types of vehicles on the road, lack of need-based road and traffic design and engineering and the unchecked growth of private vehicles and with the entry of the new cheap car Nano on the road, the situation is likely to get worsen," Justice Kailash Gambir said.

The Court made the remarks while delivering its verdict in the BMW hit-and-run case involving Sanjeev Nanda in which his sentence was reduced to two years from five years for mowing down six persons 10 years ago.

The Court also pulled up the Centre for its "apathy" towards public safety on roads and made a slew of recommendations for road safety."There are no stop signs, no speed limits and as heavy vehicles go zig-zak on the roads, it is hard to ignore the disturbing reality that many commercial and private drivers are drunk and no one checks them," the court said.

While referring to a report, the court pointed out that India road mishaps account for ten percent of the toll, which is three times higher than that prevailing in developed countries despite having less that one percent of the world vehicle population."The statistics clearly denote that government has not taken road safety very seriously so far and does not have a comprehensive policy on road safety. Public safety is the last in the list of the priorities of the governmenmt," the court said.

It said road accidents cause an annual loss of Rs 55,000 crore to the country, which is three percent of GDP."Slayer BRT corridors, Killer blueline buses and slaughterer Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway and very recently unfortunately Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, for which every citizen is most proud of, has joined the list of state apathy towards the citizens," the court said.The court passed a slew recommendations to the government to ensure proper road safety which included installation of CCTVs cameras on major roads.

It said there should be proper and strict implementation of laws for minimum age of consumption of liquor and proper light on the streets and better maintenance of roads to reduce accidents on roads.The court also said there was a need for introspection for the judicial system so that the justice delivery system was not interrupted by people with doubtful integrity.
link MSN

Hillary Clinton has sent strong message to Terrorists

Hillary Rodham Clinton has created a history by visiting straight to financial capital of India, Mumbai and showing the solidarity with India to combat terrorism. US Secretary of State stayed in Hotel Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, one of the targets of the 26/11 terror attacks last year. She wanted to send a powerful message to Pakistan-based terrorists by choosing to stay in the Hotel as a mark of solidarity with the victims of terror. Some 183 people were killed and many more wounded when 10 terrorists sneaked into Mumbai by the sea after sailing from Pakistan. The terror strikes had left 183 people dead. Among those killed were 22 foreigners, including five Americans.

Clinton is put up in the Tower wing on the 11th floor. The 10th and 11th floors have been cordoned off for security reasons. The Palace wing, although non-functional at the moment for the guests, has specially been opened for Clinton and a suite renovated and redone especially for her.

Visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote a touching message in the tribute book for 26/11 terror attack victims at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel

"Americans share solidarity with this city and nation," she wrote.
"Both our people have experienced the senseless and searing effects of violent extremism. And both can be grateful and proud of the heroism of brave men and women whose courage saved lives and prevented greater harm on 26/11 and 9/11.

"Now it is up to all nations and people who seek peace and progress to work together. Let us rid the world of hatred and extremism that produces such nihilistic violence. Our future deserves no less.

"With profound sympathy and resolve."

…………………………Hillary Rodham Clinton

We are once again reminded chilling attack of Terrorist in Mumbai when US Secretary of State stayed in Hotel Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, one of the targets of the 26/11 terror attacks last year. We have lost brave people and innocent people. USA should see that terrorist camps in Pakistan should be destroyed. Terrorism is a Problem of every one. Unitedly all countries have to fight terrorism.

There is life in India and India will flourish and face any challenges when we have bold people like Sri Uniikrishnan, SriHemant Karkare are with us. Many Unnikrishnans and Heamnt Karkares will born to protect this great country India. This country is believed in Dharma (morality). Dharmo Rakshita Rakshita Ha (when you protect morality, morality will protect). That morality will protect this country. We are stronger nation with millions are raising their voice, the word is ACTION on immorality (terrorism)

SC okays govt’s big-ticket afforestation plan
Unlocks Rs 11,000 Cr From Fund; Rs 1,000 Cr To Be Released Every Year To States

The Supreme Court on Friday gave the greenlight to the environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh’s big ticket proposal to unlock Rs 11,000 crore lying idle in the Compulsory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) and ordered that tranches of Rs 1,000 crore be released every year to the states on pro-rata basis.

This is a huge disbursement since the cumulative budgeted allocation for forest and environment by all states for this year is around Rs 800 crore. The states would utilise the money for compensatory afforestation, catchment area treatment plan and the works undertaken with this fund would employ the rural unemployed following the NREGA model, the SC directed.

For the last seven years, both public and private companies were depositing large amounts in CAMPA for setting up projects on forest land as the SC had asked them to do so in a 2002 judgment, which mandated that the money be used for afforestation. The accumulated fund was lying unutilised because ofdifferences between the Centre and the SC-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) over the mode and manner of its usage.

The green Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices S H Kapadia and Aftab Alam expressed satisfaction over the quick resolution of a vexed issue and thanked amicus curiae and senior advocate Harish Salve and Attorney General G E Vahanvati. Narrating the sequence of the deadlock for the last five years over the utilisation of funds, the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) in its affidavit through Harish Beeran said the monies would be allowed to be spent only on the approved schemes and annual plans relating to compulsory afforestation and specific site plans already submitted by the states and approved by the authorities.

The Bench asked the CEC to monitor the spendings and give a six-monthly status report to the SC. More the diversion of forest land in a state for projects, more the money received from that state to CAMPA and logically, that state would get a larger share of the Rs 1,000 crore to be released every year for afforestation activities. The Rs 11,000 crores accumulated in CAMPA over the years include an interest of Rs 1,300 cr earned on the principal amount.

As per the data submitted in the court, the highest diversion of forest land appears to be in Nagaland, where project owners have together contributed Rs 1,310 crore to CAMPA. Nagaland is followed by Chhattisgarh which pitched in with Rs 1,232 crore. Other big contributing states, include Jharkhand Rs 950 crore, Maharashtra Rs 893 crore, Andhra Pradesh Rs 897 crore, Uttarakhand Rs 816 crore, Karnataka Rs 585 crore and Madhya Pradesh Rs 530 crore.

Link TOI

HAPPINESS IS WITH IN YOU

Happiness depends upon ourselves.

Aristotle
Greek critic, philosopher, physicist, & zoologist (384 BC - 322 BC)

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

MahatmaGandhi
Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 - 1948)

Happiness is not a feeling. It is a choice, a mindset and a way of thinking. By changing your way of thinking, you can change your actions and how you feel. Greater happiness can be yours! This is not some fluffy, pie in the sky promise. The power and choice starts with you! It is a simple and plain fact.

You are responsible for your life, your health and your Happiness. No one else can do it for you. You need to find ways to find the happiness you may be missing, or enhance what you already have. This will not only make your life better, but is will also enhance the lives of those who are close to you, your loved ones and friends. When you are Happy, not only do you feel good, but your positivity radiates out to others. By developing the best positive mental health for yourself, your co-workers or your employees, you promote positivity and productivity. Nobody likes to work with or for anegative attitude people. You owe it to yourself, and those that work around you to enhance the level of happiness in the workplace.

You must develop the habit of Happiness so that you can improve your relationships, develop new interests and get out and live. Get involved with the community, share your joy and participate in life!

Some suggestions

• Do your job perfectly. Do not bother when you get negative results, try and try be success, never give up.
• To err is human. Forgive some body who has done bad thing to you, to forgive is a great thing; you get immense happiness when you forgive some one.
• Smile always, it will give immense happiness and happiness to others. Join laughing clubs, you can loose your tensions, stress etc when you laugh loudly.
• Think positively always
• Involve yourself in some activity, philanthropy, helping others, teaching needy, counseling etc.
• You are architect of your life. After all life comes only once, make your life beautiful , bed of roses, not bed of thorns

E-Waste: Environmental Nuisance!!!

With increase of earnings, the consumerism is increased leading to change in life style. One can see television even in slums, mobile telephone with every one including the maid who works in your house, vegetable vendors etc, every one might be having refrigerators, DVD players and computers in their homes. With increase of banks giving personal loans and consumer loans, many people are changing consumer durables frequently to purchase new models. They may not be knowing how much e-waste they are creating.

Then, what will happen to the old electronic good? Which is otherwise called e-waste.

Some facts

•There are 20 million computer in the country, the number is expected to grow 75 million

•Country will have 3000 million mobiles by 2010

•50 % of e waste is not counted, refrigerators, washing machines, electronic toys , ovens, hot water geysers are part of e waste

•Computer monitors, keyboards, speakers, mice, worn-out cables, computer peripherals and consumables all go to make up e-waste in Bangalore, estimated at 5,000 to 8,000 tonnes a year.

•Toxics Link studied the e-waste pattern across the country and found that while Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore top the list of e-waste generators, cities like Kolkata, Chennai and Ahmedabad, have become dumping grounds for e-waste. Ahmedabad had 3,287 tonnes of e-waste during the period 2004-05.

•Each computer contains at least 50 highly toxic metals and compounds.

•E waste contains toxic materials like lead and mercury which causes cancer. Many developed countries are dumping e- waste to developing and under developing countries. Basel convention international convention to reduce movement of hazardous waste between nation especially to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed country to developing country does not address radioactive came into effect may 5, 1992. E-waste became nuisance all over world there is no specific laws in management, disassembling, reuse and disposal of e-waste.

This became big environmental problem.

Some solution

•There should be proper rules to deal with e-waste not clubbing with the recycling of other wastes.

•Individual should also see lesser consumerism to save the environment

•Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) the manufacturing company can take back its product back after its useful life and reuse and recycle to prevent environmental damage. This should be implemented in India.

POP KING MICHAEL JACKSON IS EVER GREEN HERO
The pop king Michael Joseph Jackson is no more. He has made impact with his pop music in all age groups of people all over world. For his legions of fans, he was the peter pan of pop. In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and "Thriller—widely credited with transforming the music video from a promotional tool into an art form—helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist and entertainer. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he made his début onto the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1969, and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. Jackson was referred to as the "King of Pop"in subsequent years; his 1982 album Thriller is the world's best-selling record of all time and four other solo studio albums are also among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and History (1995). Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his foundation, charity singles and support of 39 charities. Other aspects of his personal life, including his changing appearance and behavior, generated significant controversy, damaging his public image. Though he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, the criminal investigation was closed due to lack of evidence and Jackson was not charged.

The singer had experienced health concerns since the early 1990s and conflicting reports regarding the state of his finances since the late 1990s. Jackson married twice and fathered three children, all of which caused further controversy. In 2005, Jackson was tried and acquitted of further sexual abuse allegations and several other charges. One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records—including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career, and the sale of 750 million records worldwide. Jackson's highly publicized personal life, coupled with his successful career, made him a part of popular culture for almost four decades. Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, aged 50. Before his death, Jackson had announced a 50-date sell-out This Is It comeback tour, in London, England.

Even though he is no more, he lives in every heart of his fans. The pop king Michael Joseph Jackson is ever green hero.

STRESS AND SLOW DOWN

Stress is double edged knife. According to studies if it is with in limits the productivity is increased, if it reaches peak it has negative effect on health and productivity of individual and ultimately the companies will suffer its productivity. If it is taken care of by exercise and meditation stress can be controlled but unfortunately many people resort towards smoking and alcohol and go to pubs and discos. The recent slow down has a ramification on employees stress level because of fear of pink slips, overload of work, financial problems and not coping up with office and house problems.
A national-level Corporate Wellness survey, conducted by the Apollo Hospitals group in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has revealed that the slowdown-induced stress levels have hit 50.52 per cent of the employees. The sample survey is not a small one. As many as 2.29 lakh employees across 581 corporates, spanning both manufacturing and services sectors, in about 32 cities and towns were covered in the survey for 2008-09. Apollo hospital had done a similar study a decade ago, covering 100 corporates and 15,000 executives in the six metros.
While ‘overall stress’ level had gone up to 50.52 per cent from 39 per cent in 1998-99, work stress shot up to 20.19 per cent (3.40 per cent), home stress to 19.33 per cent (1.62 per cent) and daily pressures from 8.84 per cent to 16.71 per cent.
The survey found that 48.46 per cent of all the employees were ‘physically unfit’ (which reflected their inability to carry out certain physical activities they were expected to do in their age group).Though alarming still, the figure marked an improvement over the 54.80 per cent registered in the earlier study. Those in the ‘overweight’ category came down to 32.52 per cent from 70.98 per cent. In 2008-09, about 41 per cent of employees admitted that they did not do any physical exercise

“The good news is that there is a marked increase in physical fitness. But the bad news is that stress levels have gone up to alarming levels,” Prof Adrian Kennedy of Lifetime Wellness Rx International Ltd, an Apollo Hospitals initiative, “The stress levels have gone up as a result of the global slowdown and business competitiveness. The methods of relaxation too are changing more in favor of avenues like pubs,” he said.
The response from the corporate world is lukewarm. About 70 per cent of organisations do not provide for wellness facilities. Only 30 per cent offer medical checks to their staff,” Prof Kennedy

What are answers?
Companies should provide fitness facilities to the staff, so that they can relax, yoga and meditation and physical exercise is most important.
There should be time gap for relaxation.
Companies should not overburden the staff with work.
People should be motivated and counseling should be down.
In the world of competition, people should prepare for “rainy days” so that they can not over stress their financial limitations.
Save money for difficult days.
Listen spiritual discourses.

LALU PRASAD YADAV,CEO,RAILWAYS: MANAGEMENT GURU
Ever one remembers Sri Lalu Prasad Yadav with Fodder scam and poor administered Bihar. He is remembered for his wit and brushing his teeth with “neem stick” and milking the cow on the backyard of his house. But he is one of the ministers every management institute knows all over the world. The CEO of Railways Lalu has done wonders to the railways. The white elephant become profit making golden goose, the railway stations are clean and many amenities were provided to the Passengers. When Yadav took over, the Indian Railways was a loss-making organization. In the 4 years under his leadership, a cumulative total profit of Rs. 25,000 crore (US$ 5.2 billion dollars) has been reported
Ironically, the Rakesh Mohan Committee in 2001 (headed by Rakesh Mohan, secretary, department of economic affairs) had termed The Railways a 'white elephant' and predicted that it would suffer a Rs 61,000 crore (US$15.4 billion dollars) loss possibly ending in bankruptcy by 2015.
Yadav is now credited with engineering the financial turnaround of Indian Railways that was on the verge of bankruptcy before his appointment to the office. He left passenger fares untouched and found several other profitable sources of revenue for the Railways. He also improved on his first year's performance by stating a profit of 14,000 crores with decreased freight and unchanged passenger fares in 2006. Then, in the 2007 budget, he increased the profit level to 20,000 crores with the introduction of cushion seats in all unreserved compartments. In 2008, profits were 25000 crore (equals $ 6.25 billion @ $1~Rs.40). This confidence is not only due to the rising trend of performance, but also due to the significant growth in the past two years. These two years coincided with Mr. Lalu Prasad being at the helm of affairs of the IR, having moved into his position on 23rd May, 2004.
Every one in the world appreciated Lalu and many Management institutions started beeline to hear his management mantra. IIM Ahemadabad has done special study ‘Turnaround’ of Indian Railways: A Critical Appraisal of Strategies and Processes” during 2007 it mentioned in the paper that “The operationalisation of the various strategies over the past two years depended significantly on the leadership style of Mr Lalu Prasad. It was a common sense based approach, showing an astute understanding of the market reality, the asset base of the IR and the expertise and capability of the IR’s management and systems. Consequently, he followed this up with the principles of leveraging the assets (“milk the cow fully”) and empowerment and delegation. With whatever has been achieved in the ‘turnaround,’ Mr Lalu Prasad has demonstrated that good economics is good politics. “Mr Lalu Prasad is a non-interfering, yet aware MR, who sets the goals and expects results.” was stated by most of the ex-Members and the current Members of the Board. “This has given him a position of strength to build organizational alignment to see through fundamental initiatives.”

To build alignment for execution, the Lalu periodically communicated to the GMs, setting and reinforcing Mr Lalu Prasad had a positive approach in dealing with the staff and unions. Given the financial performance of the IR, the unions wanted a doubling of the contribution to the staff welfare fund. He offered them more. When he saw that gangmen who had to walk on the stone ballast were not provided footwear as part of their equipment, he ensured the same.

What is the management mantra of Lalu? He has not gone to any premier management institute and born to poor family in village. His management mantra is “common sense and human approach to the problem” which made wonders to Indian Railways
He has plugged the loop holes where revenue is leaking.
Decentralization of administration and non interference.
Human touch to the problems of staff and rewarding the staff who has done good work to railways.
Providing amenities to passengers and decreasing freight charges
Speech of Shri Lalu Prasad, introducing the Railway Budget 2008-2009, on 26 February 2008
“I present the Railway Budget for the year 2008-09 with a sense of deep pride and satisfaction. Each year we have progressively raised the bar based on our own successes. The cash surplus of the Railways rose steadily from Rs 9000 cr in 2005 to Rs 14000 cr in 2006 to Rs 20000 cr in 2007. The august House would be happy to know that in 2007-08, we will create history once again by turning in a cash surplus before Dividend of Rs. 25000 cr. Our operating ratio has also improved to 76%. Indian Railways is a Government Department. However, we take pride in the fact that our achievement, on the benchmark of net surplus before Dividend, makes us better than most of the Fortune 500 companies in the world...”

Ever one should learn the example of Lalu for better management of public sector undertaking and other government institutions

ATTACK ON CRICKETERS!!!COWARD ACT

Attack on cricketers A shootout that took place near the Gaddafi cricket ground in Lahore as the Sri Lankan cricket team was passing by. Terrorists attacked the touring Sri Lankan team in Lahore, leaving five policemen dead and injuring six players

Condemning the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan, I am of the opinion that it is high time that the world recognises the concerns raised by India all along. The incident will force the global community to declare Pakistan as a terrorist state. The world will be compelled to recognise Pakistan as a terrorist state after this attack. every one condemn the attack. It is not only an attack on cricket but also on the peace loving world fraternity. The incident signifies the urgency for the world community to recognise the concerns which India has always been raising.

Now Pakistan is under the control of terrorists and Taliban, until and unless some drastic action is taken by world leaders Pakistan become head ache to all nations. Sport persons are brand ambassadors of different countries.

BAN PLASTIC BAGS FOR PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT

In olden days people use to carry cloth bags or jute bags to the shop to purchase grocery or other things but when plastic is discovered it became part and parcel of our lives, whatever we do we use plastic in day to life, whether it is a plastic mug, plastic bucket or plastic containers we use in kitchen. The biggest problem with the plastic bags which are used for packing of milk, oil, salt etc they become big environmental problem. when we go for shopping the shop owners give, shopping plastic bag which is handy but which is destroying the environment. Plastic bags are light, sturdy and easy to carry. They are cheaper than paper. Plastics are reuse in the home. We see so many beautiful and fashionable and colorful bags but how much these bags will harm environment
Many people do not know the problem with plastic bags is
· Plastic is not biodegradable
· When buried plastic will choke the drainages
· When burnt plastics will emit poisonous gases
To make plastic one has to use the petroleum products, plastic production and processing require the use of toxic chemicals. Many manufacturing plants that produce these chemicals also produce hazardous waste and pollute the air. Five of the top six were chemicals commonly used by the plastic industry [propylene, phenol, ethylene, polystyrene, and benzene]. Platics which are substitute to traditional storage materials become problem to the environment.
A small town Tadipatri in Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh has set a example for plastic ban. Citizens of this industrial town in the district are setting an example to the entire State by strictly adhering to the ban on use of plastic (polythene) carry bags and tea cups and drinking water tumblers imposed by the municipal council. The ban has been practically in force from January 26. Cooperation from traders, fruit vendors, street vendors and roadside tea stalls after the initial reluctance has made the ban a successful exercise. And, citizens are also getting used to alternative methods like carrying handbags for shopping and using paper tumblers, if necessary. Doubts persisted among citizens when the civic body announced its decision to ban plastic use. The resolve of the civic body to improve sanitation and to prevent health hazards with the use of plastic carry bags has gone down well with the public.
"It was difficult initially to make a changeover from plastic carry bags to paper. But both customers and vendors are getting accustomed to the situation now," says a fruit vendor on the busy Kadapa-Bellary road in the town. Instead of packing the fruits in polythene carry bags, fruit vendors are wrapping up the fruits in old newspapers now.
To make the ban work, municipal staff conducted raids on shops initially and seized about 120 kg of plastic carry bags, tea cups and tumblers. It was announced that a penalty of Rs. 2,500 would be imposed if one were found either selling or using the plastic carry bags or tea cups. Three traders were booked for violation of the ban and penalty was collected so far. Roadside tea stalls have also stopped using plastic teacups and instead, they have turned to the old system of glass or stainless steel tumblers for serving tea and coffee.
This is a good example for others in the country when we are taking about environment, one should follow example set by this small town.
Carrying Plastic should be banned by law and the people were asked to carry the cloth bags while shopping whether it is for grocery or other shopping
Anything can be achieved one people determined and authorities impose ban on use of plastic bags.
Let ever one pledge to carry jute or cloth bag for shopping
Make India as green India.

Is America dream over????

America has much dependent on Indian techies for its IT industry. With recession many Banks became bankrupt and many companies asked US government bail out plan. When President Obama took over charge of reins of America, he has promised American people that he will restore jobs to Americans. With thousands of jobs being cut by US companies almost daily over the past few months, there have been widespread apprehensions that these positions could go to low-cost foreign workers or might be outsourced to places like India.

To revive economy Obama has introduced $ 787 billion stimulus bill to revive economy. The US Congress has barred firms receiving government bailout from hiring Indians and other foreign workers through the skilled worker visa (H1-B) programme, if they are replacing American workers. A dozen banks which are getting over USD 150 billion as the bailout money have sought visas for over 21,800 foreign workers in past six years to replace sacked Americans. These banks have announced at least one lakh job cuts in the recent months

Indians account for a majority of those with H1-B visa, issued to non-immigrant skilled workers for up to six years. Restricting hiring of H1-B visa holders forms part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, (the stimulus bill), that was passed by the Congress.

The government data for 2008 shows that about 5.7 lakh Indians were issued H1-B and other non-immigrant visas. About two years ago, the US had cut down the H1-B visa limit to 65,000, from 1,95,000 a year previously

Congress' move would certainly impact hiring of H1-B visa holders, thus affecting in a big way the engagement of Indian techies in the US, but might not affect outsourcing of jobs to places like India. It is believed that the provision in stimulus bill to restrict hiring of H1-B visa holders would deprive the US of the best global talent which comes in the form of highly trained and talented people.

There is wide spread job cuts in IT,BPO, Gems, Textiles, Real estate, infrastructure industry in India and many companies have freezed recruitments and cutting the salaries to cut the expenditure. The service industry depends on IT and infrastructure also badly affected. America is biggest consumer in the world and every country economy is linked with American economy. I feel countries should reduce dependency on USA and there should be reasonable salary structures in private sector, so that the companies also can pay salaries to employees with out job cuts.

Because of high salary structures in private industry, many companies are unable to pay employees salaries during recession hence pink slips. It is also believed that with high salaries there is wide gap in the society, where lot of money flow into the system and raising the prices of real estate, commodities etc. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan sigh has appealed to the private industry to have reasonable salary structure to the private sector employees. President Obama is appealing the private banks and Wall Street companies to have a reasonable salary structure.

With emerging economy, 7-8% annual growth, India is a land of opportunities. The honey in USA is over, many Indians are returning to India.

East or West , India is best

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VALENTINE DAY: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine. The lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, one of the customs of the young people was name drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball. Many view this day as harmless fun, an opportunity to show love and affections towards spouses and partners by exchanging cards, giving flowers and having candle lit dinners etc.

The old tradition of love on Valentine ’s Day became multibillion dollar business. With modernity young people celebrate this festival. The greeting shops like Archies will make big business. The tradition of valentine day which symbolises love became controversy in India and abroad. Some Hindu and some Muslim religious groups openly opposing the valentine day saying that this not the culture of the country. I feel that, with change of time there will changes in culture of any country.

Modern days one has to accept things as long as valentine day is celebrated with dignity and decent way of showing love towards partner. These things should not be treated by religious groups as bad things. Every religion has taught love towards partner. How can one say that celebrating festival of love is uncultured? If anyone shows the vulgarity it should be questionable!!!! By any one.

Link MSN

A.R.REHMAN DESERVES OSCAR AWARD

Since Roja hit movie screens in South India in 1992, A.R. Rahman has been redefining the country's widely popular film music. Generally regarded as the finest Indian film composer of his time (and certainly the most commercially successful), Rahman produced music for nearly 35 wide-screen releases during his first five years in the industry. He has worked with many of his country's brightest music stars. As for Rahman, this year's Golden Globes (best original score for Slumdog Millionaire).featured his first nomination and win. He's known as a leading Bollywood artist back home, however, and has nabbed nine Filmfare Awards and four Silver Lotus Awards in India.

Born A.S. Dileep Kumar on January 6th, 1966, in Madras, India, Allah Rakha Rahman was exposed to music from the time he was a child, entered in classical piano studies by his parents at the age of four. At 16, he quit school and was following in his father's footsteps (K.A. Sekhar was a successful film musician, arranger, and conductor himself), working full-time as a session musician on soundtracks under the popular South Indian composer Illaiyaraja. The following awards were won by A.R.Rehaman , there are many other awards like MTV awards which were not listed below and he has been nominated for Oscar awards and others internationally.

National Civilian honors

•1995 - Kalaimamani oGiven by the Government of Tamil Nadu for contributions to music

•2000 - Padma Shri (India)

•2004 - National Lata Mangeshkar Award

•2005 - Mahavir-Mahatma Award Annual film awards

•Bollywood Movie Awards (India)

o2002 - Best Music Direction - Lagaan

o2003 - Best Music Direction - Saathiya

•Dinakaran Cine Awards

o1998 – Minsara Kanavu

o1999 - Jeans

o2000 – Kadhalar Dhinam / Mudhalvan

•Filmfare Awards South (India)

Filmfare Best Music Direction

o1993 - Roja

o1994 - Gentleman

o1995 -Kadhalan o

1996 -Bombay

o1997 -Kadhal Desam

o1998 -Minsaara Kanavu

o1999 - Jeans

o2000 - Mudhalvan

o2001 - Alaipayuthey

o2002 - Kannathil Muthamittal

o2006 - Sillunu Oru Kadhal

o2007 - Sivaji

•Filmfare Awards (India)

o1996 - Rangeela

o1999 - Dil Se o2000 - Taal

o2002 - Lagaan

o2003 - Saathiya

o2003 - The Legend of Bhagat Singh

o2005 - Swades

o2007 - Rang de Basanti

o2008 - Guru •Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA)

o2007 - GIFA Award for Best Music - Rang De Basanti

o2007 - GIFA Award for Best Background Music - Rang De Basanti

•International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) (India) o

2000 - IIFA Best Music Direction - Taal

o2002 - IIFA Best Music Direction - Lagaan

o2003 - IIFA Best Music Direction - Saathiya

o2007 - IIFA Best Music Direction - Rang De Basanti

o2008 - IIFA Best Music Direction - Guru

o2008 - IIFA Best Background Music - Guru

o2008 - Outstanding contribution by an Indian in International Cinema InternationalFilm awards

•Golden Globe Awards (United States)

o2008 - Best Original Score - Slumdog Millionaire

•British Academy of Film and Television Arts

o2009 - Anthony Asquith Award for Best Film Music - Slumdog Millionaire

•New York Film Critics Online Awards (United States)

o2008 - NYFCO Best Score Award - Slumdog Millionaire

•San Diego Film Critics Society Awards o2008 - Best Score - Slumdog Millionaire

•Satellite Awards (United States)

o2008 - Satellite Award for Best Original Score - Slumdog Millionaire

•Black Reel Awards

o2008 - Best Original Soundtrack - Slumdog Millionaire

•Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards

o2008 - BFCA Critics' Choice Award for Best Composer - Slumdog Millionaire

•Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards (United States)

o2008 - Best Music Score - Slumdog Millionaire

•Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards

o2008 - Best Original Score - Slumdog Millionaire

Other awards

•1995 - Malaysian Award oContributions to music

•1995 - Mauritius National Award oContributions to music Nominations International

•Academy Awards

o2009 - Academy Award for Original Music Score - Slumdog Millionaire

o2009 - Best Original Song - "Jai Ho" - Slumdog Millionaire

o2009 - Best Original Song - " O Saya" - Slumdog Millionaire While accepting the BAFTA award

A.R.Rehman said “It is a great feeling…. It is getting better and better and let us hope for the biggest one…the Oscar. I think it is important to know who the composer is. People started liking the scores of the movie (Slumdog Millionaire)and it is a great feeling. The journey has been unbelievable and thanked my beloved fans all over the world” The music moghal of India should definitely get the Oscar, if one has talent, he can achieve anything without god fathers, A.R.Rehaman has proved that. He deserve Osacr award, Every India should wish him all the best…

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BETTER DAYS TO SENIOR CITIZENS.

The number of senior citizens in India is close to 80 million and is growing by the day. In another two decades, it is expected to touch 137 million, due to rising life expectancy. The burgeoning old age homes is enough indication that all is not well in the Indian family scenario. India is land of traditions, customs and rich culture. We were known for our respect and love for elders. Parent-child relationship bond is considered most sacred in India. When a child enters goes to school, the first thing he is taught is the verse from Taittiriya Upanishad that says, "Matru devo bhava, Pitru devo bhava, Acharya devo bhava, Atithi devo bhava," [Let you be one who worships mother, father, teachers and guests as God.] This is something that everyone knows in India. Parents take lot of pains to grow their children and sacrifice a lot to upkeep their children and to help them to be in better position. In olden days, people used to live together in combined families. As per our culture it is duty of the son to look after his parents. Parents live with any one of their sons in their old age till their last breath.
Now, the Indian society seems changing very fast and so also its moral values. Family structure has seen sea changes. Combined families are getting divided into Nuclear families. Many people are not keeping or looking after their aged parents. Aged parents are either living alone or kept in old age homes.

Seeing the difficulties of old age parents and senior citizens Govt has enacted the act namely
“Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007” to provide for more effective provisions for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens guaranteed and recognized under the Constitution and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. A senior citizen including parent who is unable to maintain himself from his own earning or out of the property owned by him, shall be entitled to make an application under section 5 in case of— (i) parent or grand-parent, against one or more of his children not being a minor; (ii) a childless senior citizen, against such of his relative referred to in clause (g) of section 2.

If children or relatives, as the case may be, neglect or refuse to maintain a senior citizen being unable to maintain himself, the Tribunal may, on being satisfied of such neglect or refusal, order such children or relatives to make a monthly allowance at such monthly rate for the maintenance of such senior citizen, as the Tribunal may deem fit and to pay the same to such senior citizen as the Tribunal may, from time to time, direct. Appellate Tribunal for each district to hear the appeal against the order of the Tribunal. The State Government may establish and maintain such number of old age homes at accessible places, as it may deem necessary, in a phased manner, beginning with at least one in each district to accommodate in such homes a minimum of one hundred fifty senior citizens who are indigent.
Whoever, having the care or protection of senior citizen leaves, such senior citizen in any place with the intention of wholly abandoning such senior citizen, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months or fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both.
Since there is no social security system in India like USA, this is one of the welcome move at least with the act senior citizens will live happily with dignity.