Showers send Amdavadis into raptures

Good morning friends. Most people were enjoying with the rain. Different people, young and old were enjoying their time with the rain.

As the city sky roared with thunder and it poured cats and dogs on the parched earth, Amdavadis rushed to the roads to celebrate the much-awaited rains. "As soon as it started raining, my friend and I went to the Shivranjani flyover and sat on the footpath, drenching in the shower. We then grabbed hot pizzas from Paldi Bhattha and thoroughly enjoyed the first rain of the season," said Vandit Modi, a 20-year-old student.

Young and old alike, people rushed to the streets, especially near IIM and Vastrapur. Families were seen singing on the roads and having a good time - despite the water-logged streets. "Last night, my family and I took advantage of the rain god's blessings and hit the roads. We enjoyed ourselves, especially my seven-year-old daughter," said businessman Rishit Sheth, 36.

Law Garden emerged to be the most-sought-after destination for those looking for culinary delights. "My friends and I had hot dalwadas and chai at a kitli in Law Garden. It was the perfect way to spend such a beautiful night," said an elated Archita Bhalotia, 17.

As the roads were flooded with water, commuting got difficult for many. But all you had to do was look around and somebody was sure to extend a helping hand! "Due to the heavy rains, cars got stuck in the mud. My friends and I helped people push the vehicles. We also played games in the rain and ran about splashing water on each other," said Dilip Rathod, 10, a resident of Gulbai Tekra, showing off his muddy pants from last night. – The Times of India

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Native seeds may feed future human colonies in space

Good morning friends. There are seeds that are being germinated. Native seeds may feed future human colonies in space.

An Australian experiment with native plant seeds has raised hopes for self-sustaining human colonies in space, with the seeds, taken into space last year, showing no signs of "fatigue" or damage after surviving more than 28,000 orbits of the earth.

According to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald, the seedlings of the golden wattle, waratah, flannel flower and wollemi pine accompanied NASA astronaut Dr Gregory Chamitoff on his six-month space odyssey. At the request of NSW's (New South Wales') Botanic Gardens Trust, Dr Chamitoff took the seeds on the Space Shuttle Discovery mission to the International Space Station in May 2008.

While tests are still being conducted on the seedlings, which returned to earth in November last year, conservationists are encouraged by preliminary findings. The seeds are being germinated and "fast-track" aged at the Trust's NSW Seedbank at Mount Annan Botanic Garden in Sydney's southwest. "With habitats under increasing threat, seedbanking on earth, and perhaps in space, will be part of an integrated conservation program for species threatened by extinction due to global warming or other sudden changes to their habitat," said Trust executive director Dr Tim Entwisle.

"As a species (humans) have an impact upon the other species of the world and we have the possibility of damaging the environment where we lose the biodiversity because of our actions," said Entwisle. "We also are a species that understands these things and, therefore, I think we have a moral imperative to do these kinds of things and protect the environment." he added.

For NASA, the findings also present the opportunity to plan for possible space colonies.

"As soon as we get back to the moon and even before we reach Mars, we're going to have to figure out how to recycle as much as we can and provide as much food sources as we can in space," Dr Chamitoff said.

"From NASA's perspective, we are interested in seeds that might be hardy enough to survive long duration exposure to the space environment and then germinate in greenhouses in Space or on other planets," he added. "Ultimately, this will be essential to support self-sustaining outposts or colonies in Space with food and oxygen," he explained.The NSW Seedbank tests on the seedlings will monitor their growth, vigour and life span compared to control seeds. (ANI)

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City joins in the yatra of faith

Good morning friends. Different people in the city of Ahmedabad joins the procession in the yatra of faith. They were all cheerful.

A sea of humanity immersed in religious fervor descended on the streets of the city to greet the Jagannath Rath Yatra on Wednesday.

People from different walks of life thronged the rath yatra route to watch the chariots roll by and get the Lord's blessings. A heavy police deployment and religious bonhomie ensured that there was no untoward incident on the auspicious day.

The 132nd rath yatra ended up on a high note. While it saw more participants compared to last year, people flocked the entire route to catch a glimpse of the Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra. Devotees colored the routes pink with shouts of Jai Ranchhod Makhan Chor'.

In the morning, the yatra started on time from the Jagannath temple in Jamalpur after Gujarat Chief Minister swept the initial rath yatra route with a golden broom, clearing the way for the Lord.

After mangala aarti in the morning, the chariots started rolling at 7 am. According to organizers and police officials, while the yatra started on time and went on at a good pace initially, it reached around an hour late at Nij Mandir' One's own temple'.
The procession was greeted by AMC officials, including mayor Kanaji Thakor, at Danapith office around 9.30 am after which the yatra proceeded towards the traditional route. Amid the heavy security, devotees were treated to a variety of delicacies and fruits. Local residents also set up stalls for prasad and water for the devotees.

The yatra had a smooth sail through minority-dominated areas Dariapur and Shahpur. As there was no janta curfew, even Muslims poured out to greet the procession with cheers and joy wherever the juggernaut passed by.

The cops, too, breathed easy. Earlier, they created a cacophony by blowing whistles at minority-dominated areas to drown mischievous slogans and to keep the rath rolling. However, this time the spontaneous bonhomie between the Hindus and Muslims removed the need for loud whistling. Instead devotional songs and loud chants of devotees resounded the ambience. – IST,TNN

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