Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
GURU SHIKHAR
It's a nice feeling when you gone in this kind of place. So relaxing. You can do yur soul searching here. So peaceful, so silent, almost near to God when you want to talk to him. It's a very nice experience for me
GURU SHIKHAR-On covering a distance of 3 miles Delwara Achagarh road, a hilly coal-tarred road of nearly 7 kms. leads to highest peak of Mount Abu - popularly known as Guru-Shikhar. It is the highest peak of Mt. Abu, at the height of 5650 ft/1722mts. On the peak is the temple of Guru Dattatreya, who is supposed to be ab incarnation of God Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Close to it, there was an old bell with inscription of 1468 V.S. (1411 A.D.) which has been replaced by new one. A little to the north-west of it is another peak on which stands the shrine of Ahilya, the mother of Dattatreya. The landscape of surrounding plains from the high peaks is simply enchanting.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Guru Shikhar-Top most mount at Mt.Abu
I took this picture when we get there. And i have a lot of picture taken in that place. It's my chance because i know that we can come here again for a long time. It's a nice feeling when you gone in this kind of place. So relaxing. You can do yur soul searching here. So peaceful, so silent, almost near to God when you want to talk to him. It's a very nice experience for me
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Preparing for X-mas in the advent season - 1
Good morning friends. The whole world is will be celebrating Christmas day. Maybe some were not celebrating it in a very special way. Maybe some are only praying, some celebrated in their most gorgeous way. But the importance is the spirit of it.
Ashankur or Seed of Hope, a women's empowerment centre at Bhokar, a village in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra was home for me for the past two months. The experience prepared me to embrace the spirit of Christmas.
I woke up every morning to the pungent yet soothing smell of fresh earth, with a view from my room of shimmering green fields. Mynahs flew in and out of the room. I could see the Seven Sisters, parakeets and kingfishers twittering in the branches of trees, koels calling out to each other in song and wasps grubbing on insects, while squirrels darted from tree to tree. All these sights and sounds of nature were like balm, soothing and healing the wounds of hurt.
Nature at Ashankur was at its beautiful best with lilies, roses, gerberas and other flowers, with Gulmohur trees arching over. Cool breeze accompanied by sudden cloud burst and rain would sometimes cover the village in darkness. Living close to nature, and away from the noise and bustle of the city, i could not but take a second look at my life. The question before me this Christmas was: How to commit myself to the reconstruction and recreation of my own life and that of the earth?
Having come to the village in inner turmoil, i kept hearing a voice within that said: "Be still and know that I am God". The hushed silence at Ashankur helped me come into the presence of God on tip-toe, to experience a deep peace that is a divine gift. I stood free of everything that had enveloped me in personal darkness, and found myself in the presence of an all-pervading light, which could only be a sign from God.
ref: thetimesofindia
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
More volunteers ready to enter classrooms
A few weeks ago, many slum children came to classes which had no teachers. Cops were busy managing the city, homemakers had no time to work outside, college students were preparing for exams and doctors attending to patients. That is not the way it is today. All of them have come together for Teach India. On Thursday morning, another batch of well-meaning volunteers reached St Xavier's Social Service Society in Memnagar to fill the gaps for the unmanned classrooms.
Now, doctors look forward to providing hygiene tips, homemakers have geared up to give math lessons, cops are planning excursions to local police stations and college students have made up their mind to teach English language skills. All these and many more ideas came forth during a discussion between a motley group of over 80 volunteers and NGO co-ordinators about how different people can contribute to teaching India.
"I have no experience of working with the underprivileged and that used to deter me from coming forward for such causes earlier. This is the right platform. I am excited to teach science and basic English to kids," said Jue Shah, 20, a college student.
Mita Shah, a homemaker, began her day at 5 am to reach the venue well before time. "This is a chance to do something for myself and I want to leave no stone unturned in my endeavour. I always wanted to be a teacher but family responsibilities were more important. Now that my children have grown up, I have free time to utilise for this purpose," said the 40-year-old homemaker. As these volunteers get ready to reach their destination slum, ranging from Gomtipur to Odhav and Naroda, it's time for others who are waiting in the wings to come forward and sign up. So, what are you waiting for?
Ref: thetimesofindia
Ref: thetimesofindia
Monday, December 15, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
A treat for book lovers
Good Morning friends. I have good news for you. Those who loves to read books like me, there are treat for you. This has reference to The Times of India. And i’m happy to share this with you.
Strand Book Stall completed 60 years on Friday and marked the celebration with the launch of its annual book festival. The fest was inaugurated by Infosys Technologies co-chairman Nandan Nilekani at the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium. The book exhibition-cum-sale, on till December 28, boasts of over 40,000 titles in various genres including arts, design, literature, philosophy, cookery, nature and health.
"It's a pleasure to be a part of this event," Nilekani said, congratulating Strand Books owner Vidya Virkar on their 60th anniversary. Visitors on the first day included kids as well as several elders. "It is always nice to come to this festival as there is a wide range of books," said former IAS officer Achala Moulik.
The festival was founded by T N Shanbag in Mumbai, in an effort to make classics more affordable. It is now run by his daughter Vidya in Bangalore. "Books are a record of all that human civilization has discovered -- highs, lows, grandeur, excitement, vision. They are the only enduring source one can always rely on," she said.
Strand Book Stall completed 60 years on Friday and marked the celebration with the launch of its annual book festival. The fest was inaugurated by Infosys Technologies co-chairman Nandan Nilekani at the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium. The book exhibition-cum-sale, on till December 28, boasts of over 40,000 titles in various genres including arts, design, literature, philosophy, cookery, nature and health.
"It's a pleasure to be a part of this event," Nilekani said, congratulating Strand Books owner Vidya Virkar on their 60th anniversary. Visitors on the first day included kids as well as several elders. "It is always nice to come to this festival as there is a wide range of books," said former IAS officer Achala Moulik.
The festival was founded by T N Shanbag in Mumbai, in an effort to make classics more affordable. It is now run by his daughter Vidya in Bangalore. "Books are a record of all that human civilization has discovered -- highs, lows, grandeur, excitement, vision. They are the only enduring source one can always rely on," she said.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Rediscover library reading - 1
Good morning friends. When I’m reading this article with reference to Times of India, I simply thought that it should be really back with the circle of reading some books in the library. Specially those kids and teens. In the library they are force to read the article there and from that, they will know what was that article all about. Not like when you are using internet. I’m not against with the internet. But maybe we should allow our kids to read books in the library. Maybe when they grow up, they can use the internet. Book reading specially in the library is better to the kids.
Class library is a wonderful way of ushering children into reading and writing. Meeta Mohanty provides some innovative tips for teachers that can make class libraries engaging for learners.
Include variety:
A class library needs to be equipped with a variety of children's literature, short stories, poems and reading material. It can include wordless picture books, fantasy stories, humorous stories, mysteries, tall tales, biographies, experiential stories and folk tales among others. Other reading material can range from catalogues, brochures, pamphlets, magazines and newspapers.
Showcase work:
Children's projects, diaries, journals, self made books should be included in a class library. These materials serve as excellent resources and personalise the learning experience. Children should be encouraged to share the books they read at home and place them in the library for others to read. This inculcates the value of sharing in children and enriches libraries.
Class library is a wonderful way of ushering children into reading and writing. Meeta Mohanty provides some innovative tips for teachers that can make class libraries engaging for learners.
Include variety:
A class library needs to be equipped with a variety of children's literature, short stories, poems and reading material. It can include wordless picture books, fantasy stories, humorous stories, mysteries, tall tales, biographies, experiential stories and folk tales among others. Other reading material can range from catalogues, brochures, pamphlets, magazines and newspapers.
Showcase work:
Children's projects, diaries, journals, self made books should be included in a class library. These materials serve as excellent resources and personalise the learning experience. Children should be encouraged to share the books they read at home and place them in the library for others to read. This inculcates the value of sharing in children and enriches libraries.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
India, China to hold joint exercise
Good morning friends. It's good to hear theat India and China will hold their joint exercise. We are sure that it is for the preparation of everything. This has refernece to The Times of India.
As part of the annual defence dialogue between China and India which commenced in 2006, a 137-member contingent of the Chinese army arrived here on Thursday in continuation of the ongoing army-to-army co-operation programme. The contingent arrived in a service aircraft.
After a formal reception by the commander of the Indian contingent at the Pune airfield, the Chinese army personnel and stores were transported by six IAF aircraft to Belgaum, the venue of the Ex Hand-in-Hand 2008'.
An official statement by the defence spokesperson said the joint training and exercise marks the growing military co-operation between the two countries. India and China held the first joint naval exercise in November 2003 off Shanghai. Subsequently, two ships of the Indian Navy also made port calls at Qingdao and participated in a joint exercise with the Chinese navy in 2007.
The Ex Hand-in-Hand 2008' is aimed at expanding and strengthening military-to-military ties between the two forces. During the event, the Chinese troops from the 1st Company of Infantry Battalion of Chengdu Military Area Command and the Indian troops from the 8 Maratha Light Infantry Battalion are expected to undergo joint tactical manoeuvres and drills, interoperability training and joint command post procedures, finally culminating in a counter-terrorist operational exercise with simulated enemy. The exercise is planned at mixed company group level with command and control elements from the respective battalions' headquarters. The training and manoeuvres are to be supervised by a joint directing panel comprising of officials of both the armies. Helicopters of the Indian Air Force will also be incorporated for conducting special manoeuvres and assault operations.
ref: thetimesofindia
As part of the annual defence dialogue between China and India which commenced in 2006, a 137-member contingent of the Chinese army arrived here on Thursday in continuation of the ongoing army-to-army co-operation programme. The contingent arrived in a service aircraft.
After a formal reception by the commander of the Indian contingent at the Pune airfield, the Chinese army personnel and stores were transported by six IAF aircraft to Belgaum, the venue of the Ex Hand-in-Hand 2008'.
An official statement by the defence spokesperson said the joint training and exercise marks the growing military co-operation between the two countries. India and China held the first joint naval exercise in November 2003 off Shanghai. Subsequently, two ships of the Indian Navy also made port calls at Qingdao and participated in a joint exercise with the Chinese navy in 2007.
The Ex Hand-in-Hand 2008' is aimed at expanding and strengthening military-to-military ties between the two forces. During the event, the Chinese troops from the 1st Company of Infantry Battalion of Chengdu Military Area Command and the Indian troops from the 8 Maratha Light Infantry Battalion are expected to undergo joint tactical manoeuvres and drills, interoperability training and joint command post procedures, finally culminating in a counter-terrorist operational exercise with simulated enemy. The exercise is planned at mixed company group level with command and control elements from the respective battalions' headquarters. The training and manoeuvres are to be supervised by a joint directing panel comprising of officials of both the armies. Helicopters of the Indian Air Force will also be incorporated for conducting special manoeuvres and assault operations.
ref: thetimesofindia
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Kids use technology to spread awareness
Good morning friends. I may say that our children are really the hope of the future. Education is very important, that's why all parents should not take for granted the studies of their children.
Anusha B Hegde and Ashwini M of Government Junior College have bagged a prize for their project, `Eradication of Illiteracy'. They were among 14 winners awarded on Wednesday by Intel and the department of state education research and training. Seven schools, 14 teachers and 14 student groups were honoured for effective integration of technology in the teaching-learning process.
Anusha and Ashwini told TOI they were inspired by the movie, `Taare Zameen Par'. Along with classmates, they also started a club, `Akshara Akshaya', in June 2007. "The objective of this club is to spread awareness among students as well as parents about the importance of education." Anusha said.
Swarnakanthi, Kasturi Prabhu and Ramayashree B of Dr K Shivaram Karantha Government School, Putur Nagar, won the award for highlighting issues related to AIDS, like causes, symptoms and preventive measures.
Primary and secondary education minister Visveshwara Hegde Kageri commended the students for doing projects on social issues. He stressed on the need for students to show social responsibility. He said under the 11th Five-Year Plan, `Mahiti Sindhu', a free computer-based education programme, will be implemented in all government schools by next year. "The government will take the help of IT companies for this," he said. However, he also observed that while technology has been beneficial, there have been instances of its misuse.
Anusha B Hegde and Ashwini M of Government Junior College have bagged a prize for their project, `Eradication of Illiteracy'. They were among 14 winners awarded on Wednesday by Intel and the department of state education research and training. Seven schools, 14 teachers and 14 student groups were honoured for effective integration of technology in the teaching-learning process.
Anusha and Ashwini told TOI they were inspired by the movie, `Taare Zameen Par'. Along with classmates, they also started a club, `Akshara Akshaya', in June 2007. "The objective of this club is to spread awareness among students as well as parents about the importance of education." Anusha said.
Swarnakanthi, Kasturi Prabhu and Ramayashree B of Dr K Shivaram Karantha Government School, Putur Nagar, won the award for highlighting issues related to AIDS, like causes, symptoms and preventive measures.
Primary and secondary education minister Visveshwara Hegde Kageri commended the students for doing projects on social issues. He stressed on the need for students to show social responsibility. He said under the 11th Five-Year Plan, `Mahiti Sindhu', a free computer-based education programme, will be implemented in all government schools by next year. "The government will take the help of IT companies for this," he said. However, he also observed that while technology has been beneficial, there have been instances of its misuse.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Mumbai martyr's father gives cold-shoulder to Kerala Chief Minister
An angry father of slain National Security Guard (NSG) commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan on Monday refused to accept the condolences of Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan. Directing his anger at the politician, K. Unnikrishnan, Sandeep's father asked Achuthanandan to leave his home immediately.
As commandos gunned down the last of the militants on Saturday, ending the gun battle that started late on Wednesday night, local television channels were divided between covering the operations and an outpouring of venom against both the ruling Congress party-led coalition and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Achuthanandan had been criticized for delaying his visit to the bereaved family, hailing from Kerala, but had to face the outburst of the father when he reached the residence. Reports said the slain commando's father has said that he would not allow any politician to enter his house and would commit suicide if such an attempt is made.
Allegedly, the father also slammed the doors on the face of the security personnel who came with sniffer dogs to 'secure' the place ahead of the chief minister's visit.
A similar incident had surfaced on Saturday when Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi went to visit the family of slain Maharashtra anti-terror squad chief Hemant Karkare. Kakare's wife Kavita allegedly refused to accept the compensation offered to her. There have been growing incidents of anger being directed towards the 'incompetent' politicians not only from the family of those who have died fighting the recent spate of militancy across the country, but also from locals.
The country has seen protests of various kinds in the past few days with locals saying that that the government should use money judiciously for strengthening the country's security instead of wasting it on 'useless things'. Ten gunmen attacked Mumbai's top two luxury hotels, its biggest railway station and several other landmarks with grenades and assault rifles in a rampage that began on Wednesday night.
The Home Ministry said the official toll in Mumbai was 183 killed. Earlier, Mumbai disaster authorities said at least 195 people had been killed and 295 wounded.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said he would boost and overhaul the nation's counter terrorism capabilities, an announcement which came after Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil resigned over the attacks.
Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram is taking charge as the new Home Minister after Patil's resignation. New Delhi said it was raising security to a "war level" and had no doubt of a Pakistani link to the attacks, which unleashed anger at home over the intelligence failure and the delayed response to the violence that paralysed Mumbai. (ANI)
As commandos gunned down the last of the militants on Saturday, ending the gun battle that started late on Wednesday night, local television channels were divided between covering the operations and an outpouring of venom against both the ruling Congress party-led coalition and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Achuthanandan had been criticized for delaying his visit to the bereaved family, hailing from Kerala, but had to face the outburst of the father when he reached the residence. Reports said the slain commando's father has said that he would not allow any politician to enter his house and would commit suicide if such an attempt is made.
Allegedly, the father also slammed the doors on the face of the security personnel who came with sniffer dogs to 'secure' the place ahead of the chief minister's visit.
A similar incident had surfaced on Saturday when Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi went to visit the family of slain Maharashtra anti-terror squad chief Hemant Karkare. Kakare's wife Kavita allegedly refused to accept the compensation offered to her. There have been growing incidents of anger being directed towards the 'incompetent' politicians not only from the family of those who have died fighting the recent spate of militancy across the country, but also from locals.
The country has seen protests of various kinds in the past few days with locals saying that that the government should use money judiciously for strengthening the country's security instead of wasting it on 'useless things'. Ten gunmen attacked Mumbai's top two luxury hotels, its biggest railway station and several other landmarks with grenades and assault rifles in a rampage that began on Wednesday night.
The Home Ministry said the official toll in Mumbai was 183 killed. Earlier, Mumbai disaster authorities said at least 195 people had been killed and 295 wounded.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said he would boost and overhaul the nation's counter terrorism capabilities, an announcement which came after Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil resigned over the attacks.
Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram is taking charge as the new Home Minister after Patil's resignation. New Delhi said it was raising security to a "war level" and had no doubt of a Pakistani link to the attacks, which unleashed anger at home over the intelligence failure and the delayed response to the violence that paralysed Mumbai. (ANI)
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