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"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions."
| VBA's Positive News |
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Australia plans world's biggest marine park, bans drilling
Australia will create the largest network of marine parks in the world, protecting waters covering an area as large as India while banning oil and gas exploration and limiting commercial fishing in some of the most sensitive areas. The 'jewel in the crown' of the new reserves will the protection of the Coral Sea area which surrounds the Great Barrier Reef in the northeast, Environment Minister Tony Burke said.
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Sweden: Saab to make electric cars
A Chinese-born Swedish investor with Japanese support has agreed to buy bankrupt automaker Saab Automobile and plans to bring it back to life as a maker of electric cars, with an initial focus on the Chinese market. 'Through the purchase of Saab we begin a new era in the auto industry,' National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB chief executive and main owner Kai Johan Jiang told a news conference.
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The Mother of the Land Fund Village in celebration of Her Majesty the Queen's 80th birthday
The government of Thailand has launched the project 'The Mother of the Land Fund Village in Celebration of Her Majesty the Queen's 80th Birthday' in an effort to stem the tide of narcotic drugs. The objective is to provide villages and communities nationwide with funds under the Mother of the Land Fund Village Project, which would empower them to ease the drug situation. Her Majesty has donated her personal funds to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board to support the operations of anti-drug volunteers.
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US: Rhode Island passes bill to guarantee rights of homeless people
Rhode Island's governor is expected to sign into law the first 'Homeless Bill of Rights' in the United States as early as next week, formally banning discrimination against homeless people and affirming their equal access to jobs, housing, and services. It guarantees a 'reasonable expectation of privacy' with respect to personal belongings similar to that of people who have homes.
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World Round-Up
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Mulayam is with TMC on President poll: Mamata
New Delhi: Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed on Friday that the Samajwadi Party was with her on President poll. Reiterating her stand that her party would support former president APJ Abdul Kalam she added that there should be no politics over President's post.
“Mulayam and I are still together. Kalam will contest. I congratulate Kalamji in advance. There should not be any politics over President’s post. I call upon all political parties to support Kalam,” she said.
Samajwadi party’s Rajya Sabha MP Kiranmoy Nanda said that the decision taken in consultation with Mamata on Wednesday of proposing the names of Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee still stands.
“We are together,” said Nanda after meeting Mamata.
Earlier, the Samajwadi Party on Friday said that the party neither wanted early Lok Sabha elections nor wanted to topple the government on the question of President poll.
Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav also said that the party would not join the UPA government and added said that former president APJ Abdul Kalam was only Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's choice.
On being asked if Kalam was the joint candidate of the two parties, Ram Gopal said, "'Hamara' could also mean 'mera'," indicating only Mamata was committing on Kalam till now.
When asked about whether the party will support Pranab Mukherjee's candidature, he said, "Mulayam Singh Yadav will decide whether SP will back Pranab."
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
A weekend getaway will be especially enjoyable since it looks like wherever you happen to be will feel like home. In addition to relishing the pleasure of comfortable companions, you should be able to find a lively conversation and may even discover that a different point of view can offer you a fresh perspective. If you don't leave town, you might hear from a special someone with whom you may have lost contact, and will delight in a happy catch-up chat!
Taurus April 20 to May 20
Much to your surprise, a financial matter that you thought was settled may call for your attention and you'll possibly have to review documents relating to this transaction. Although this unexpected situation might shake up your sense of security, in the long run you'll likely be grateful for a second chance to catch a potentially costly error. This glitch should be fairly easy for you to resolve, and if you have party plans tonight, you'll be able to dance your former frustration out the door!
Gemini May 21 to June 20
You may brim with optimistic enthusiasm and you'll be able to see the silver lining in any dark cloud that happens to float your way! The satisfactory completion of a project might reinforce your positive attitude, as you can look forward to the next chapter in your life's story. In addition, you may get a reassuring message in regard to your finances. It appears that an investment will not only show promise of being a secure one, but can provide a way of growing your personal fortune!
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Although you'll probably prefer to stay behind the scenes, there might be moments when you'll be so turned on by an inspirational thought that you'll feel compelled to shout your ideas from the rooftops! During this peek-a-boo period, you may be torn between your need for privacy and an urge to make a big public splash. You'll be able to make constructive use of this potentially contemplative time, especially if you can find an outlet for your compassionate nature and volunteer your time to a worthy cause.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
The time you might have put into a community service project will be well-spent hours, particularly as you appear close to completing one stage of an ambitious endeavor. It'll be possible you'll learn that an anonymous benefactor will make a contribution to your cause - a generous check that could fund the next phase of this ongoing effort. You and your fellow volunteers will probably decide that this wonderful news will be a valid reason for a celebration and may pull together a memorable impromptu party!
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New C-class AMG from Mercedes
German luxury carmaker Mercedes Benz, on Thursday, launched here its new C-class AMG performance edition with added sports package.
Priced at Rs.35.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Hyderabad), the new C-class 250 CDI Avant-garde, Mercedes Benz India claimed, was hailed as the most aggressive vehicle in terms of handling and driving dynamics. The luxury carmaker also announced plans to introduce B-Class variant later this year and A-class and E-class variants.
According to Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and CEO Peter Homegg, the C-class variant, redefined the luxury entry level and underwent through a complete make over. The company had so far sold close to 15,000 units since its launch in India in 2001. “We are here for the long-term and we are expanding our territories,” he said.
Mercedes sold 7,430 units in India during the fiscal 2011 against 5,819 in the previous year and it expected a double-digit growth between 15 and 20 per cent during the current year. He said the business had been affected by increase in duties and coupled with this was the petrol price hike. “There is now an unhealthy talk about hike in diesel prices, we are very unhappy with that,” he said.
Though there was a positive element in the form of cut in interest rates by half a percentage point, it was ‘very hard' to be profitable for the company owing to depreciation of the rupee.
“I don't think pushing volumes at cheaper rates will help,” he said in a reply to a query. To another question, he said the company was hopeful of unveiling its full portfolio of vehicles in India by fiscal 2016.
On the new variant, he said the AMG performance edition would set new standards in its segment by offering an aggressive road presence and integrating safety, comfort and agility. It comes with AMG body styling with front and rear apron and side sill panels.
In addition to the 17-inch twin spoke light allow wheels, the interior had 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel with 12 function keys.
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Benefiting from whole grains
If the new buzz word in health corridors is to be believed, then 'brown' is the new 'healthy'. By brown, we mean whole grains.
Health experts recommend whole grains while advising us to stay away from eating white (read: White bread, white pasta, white grits, white couscous, and white rice). But, why whole grains? What is so magical about them? To answer all this and more, today we have with us Dr. Amitabh Pandit, Orthomolecular nutrition expert and author of BJAIN book - Super Foods - Make Your Child a Genius. He gives us his expert insight on how and why one must benefit from whole grains.
Different kinds of whole grains and how they are beneficial. Grains are essential part of a healthy diet. Grains and whole grains come in different shape and sizes. They are good sources of carbohydrates and some key vitamins and minerals. Whole grains are unrefined grains, without bran, whose germs are removed by milling. The refined grains are milled, in which a fine texture is given to extend their shelf life. White rice, white flour, white bread are a few examples. Enriched grains are those grains, which are enriched by vitamins and minerals.
Understanding the concept of refined grains. As refined grains are treated during processing, they lose their nutrients and vitamins. Therefore, whole grains are recommended instead of refined grains, as refined grains have many sub standards like excessive starchiness, use of chemicals to bleach, use of colours for colouring and majorly imbalanced nutritive values.
Is my 100% whole wheat bread whole grain? This purely depends on the manufacturing process of the bread maker. In some countries, definitely yes, it is available and in same cases in India too.
Note that while white whole wheat bread might look and taste like white bread, it has most probably the same nutritional ingredients as in a regular whole grain or whole wheat bread. White whole wheat bread includes albino which is a variety of wheat with a much sweeter and milder flavour. Make sure that when you are buying regular whole wheat bread its label mentions red wheat which is a dark in colour wheat and a slightly sour taste.
How do I know if a product is made with whole grains? First, check the label on the package. Products mentioned as Organic or Multigrain cannot be whole grain. Be aware of what types of whole grains are available in the market. Some whole grains are made of barley while others are made of buckwheat, whole wheat, oatmeal, millet and barley.
Do make sure that you read labels before buying any of the whole grain products. Ideally, whole grain products should have multi grain, rye, whole wheat, pumpernickel. Never believe the fake marketing gimmicks of whole grain products when they say 'made with whole wheat' as these products are often refined. As mentioned above, check for the ingredients and also keep an eye on the percentage of the whole grain in the product.
Top strategies to get whole grain in your daily diet. Switch to brown bread and rice from white bread and rice. Include popcorn, oat meal in your diet. Have whole wheat pasta & pizzas instead of regular ones. No Indian meal is complete without having one or two chappatis. Try and incorporate whole grains in your chappatis. Prepare them from whole wheat, bajra, jowar, and Ragi for maximum health benefits instead of flour.
Explaining the calorie-controlled benefits of whole grains. Whole grains are very useful in losing weight, as the foods that are high in carbohydrates are lower in calories. The fiber and protein in whole grains helps to regulate blood sugar, which increase satiety and delay the return of hunger. You won't need to worry about calories in your diet, when consuming whole grains, as whole grain products are always efficient in calorie control. All health experts suggest brown rice, brown bread and other whole grain products for controlling weight.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
A lucky break might make a tremendous difference in your professional life, putting you on center stage as you could revel in a positive career-related reward! A promotion will be possible, and as is often the case with a step up, your new position will probably come with greater responsibility. You'll be able to recognize that your success will be thanks to the help of a skillful team of colleagues and can show them that support is a two-way street by sharing the spotlight!
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
You and your partner may have a disagreement about a household situation and there will be a chance that you'll have a hard time understanding another's point of view. Compromise will usually be your best option, but in this case you'll be able to step back and figure out whether or not this issue really matters to you. You could choose to defer making a decision, especially as you might be more focused on an upcoming travel opportunity. A change in locale can give you a whole new perspective!
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
Whether applying for a loan or buying a raffle ticket, your ability to attract other people's resources will be strong and you'll be able to expand your personal finances as a result! There appears be a link between your access to this money and higher education, so if you have a wish to return to school, you'll have an excellent chance of covering your tuition fees. Although you may not plan to travel, it'll also be possible that a trip to a faraway country will be your ticket to obtaining your heart's desire!
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
There could be a twinkle in your eye today and your sweet significant other might be the one who puts it there! Your partnership will probably be your main focus, and even if you two have gone through a recent rough patch, you'll have a golden opportunity to wipe the slate clean and move forward with a renewed purpose. If you're not already committed, a romantic relationship will possibly take you by surprise as it'll catch fire and you may go public as a loving couple!
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
Your path to professional advancement may seem blocked by an aggravating obstacle, but you'll likely be beautifully positioned to overcome what should merely be a temporary setback. Luck will be on your side, possibly in the form of a colleague at your company, someone who could become an invaluable collaborator! A high-profile assignment might drop on your desk, and you'll be able to roll up your sleeves and score a crowd-pleasing home run with the able assistance of your new working partner.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
Your creative juices will flow like sweet honey and you'll be eager to express yourself with a highly original endeavor. Your natural ability to put an innovative spin on almost everything you do will encourage inspirational ideas to virtually jump into your lap! Your enthusiasm for a personal artistic project might leapfrog into your workplace and you'll be able to use your fresh approach to breathe life into a stale job-related assignment. If you need to put in overtime, it'll probably feel as if you're being paid to play!
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
You might discover that a home improvement project will run over budget, possibly because someone made an upgrade to your plans and neglected to consult you! As it appears that your cash flow may be unpredictable, you will be concerned about the impact this additional expense could have on your personal finances. If you're working with a contractor, you'll probably want to discuss this matter quickly and may learn that you'll be able to afford this change and will actually be more satisfied with the final result!
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Moral Story
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SMS
We don’t see things the way they are. We see them the way WE are.
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Love consists in this, that two solitudes protect and border and salute each other.
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
“A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn’t like the tune.”
Santa and Banta Singh were both in a mental hospital. Once they were walking past a swimming pool, Santa suddenly jumped into the deep end.
He sunk to the bottom and stayed there.
Banta promptly jumped in to save him. He swam to the bottom and pulled Santa out.
When the medical director became aware of Banta's heroic act, he immediately ordered him to be discharged from the hospital, as he now considered him to be mentally stable.
When he went to tell Banta the news, he said,' Banta, I have good news and bad news.
The good news is you're being discharged because since you were able to jump in and save the life of another patient, I think you've regained your senses.
The bad news is Santa, the patient you saved, hung himself with his bathrobe belt in the bathroom. I am so sorry, but he's dead.'
Banta replied, 'He didn't hang himself. I put him there to dry.'
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BBMP goes back to the blackboard
Civic body scouts for those who can adopt its 146 educational institutions
If there's one thread running through the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)-run education institutions, it is lack of adequate facilities. The 146 institutions, including primary schools and pre-university colleges, are now being offered up for adoption.
B. Govindaraju, chairperson of Standing Committee for Education and Sports, told The Hindu the civic authority was already in talks with various organisations and several philanthropists. “We have initiated talks, but nothing has been finalised.”
Though these institutions have good student strength and secure good results, they are still looked down upon, he lamented.
“We hit upon the idea as the BBMP was finding it difficult to maintain them. If the schools and colleges are adopted, they will be better maintained and this will also help remove the bias in citizens' minds,” he said.
Rainwater harvesting
The Standing Committee proposes to install rainwater harvesting system in all BBMP's education institutions. Mr. Govindaraju said this would also help BBMP persuade citizens to install it in their homes.
He also said that the committee had discussed painting all the BBMP institutions a uniform colour. On Thursday, the committee inspected three schools in Puttanna Garden, Cleveland Town and Cox Town and found that they faced the common problem of inadequate infrastructure. “There were a few other minor problems, which were sorted out locally.”
Mr. Govindaraju claimed that staff shortage was not an issue. “We have outsourced teachers in some schools. However, principals and headmasters in a few schools have urged the BBMP to appoint permanent teachers for languages, mathematics and science.” The major shortage is in Group D employees, he added. Keywords: BBMP, educational institutions, Standing Committee for Education and Sports, rainwater harvesting system, infrastructure.
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Ready for all forms of the game for Windies: Gayle
Stating that he is available for all three formats of the game, Chris Gayle has said that all differences with the WICB have been resolved and he is now looking forward to contributing to West Indies cricket.
“Everything has been rectified,” said Gayle, who played for the first time for the West Indies since the 2011 World Cup against Middlesex on Wednesday.
“The main objective is to contribute to West Indies cricket and its uplift. I'm available for all formats of the game. Hopefully, I can get some runs in whites and in coloured clothes,” he said.
Gayle had not donned the West Indies colours after the 2011 World Cup, following a breakdown in relationship between him and the WICB.
But recently, Gayle had discussions with the WICB, after which he pulled out of a contract with Somerset to play for his national team once again. He was eventually picked in the West Indies squad for the limited-over series against England.
Gayle, who, in his comeback match, scored 34 off 30 balls in West Indies' win over Middlesex in a tour game here at Lord's on Wednesday, said he was happy to be back.
“It is good to be back in my No. 45 jersey. I represented West Indies once. I started out a bit nervous, I am human, but things came along well after that. Unfortunately I got out. I am looking forward to the first ODI and should be in a better state of mind,” he said.
Comfort zone
Gayle added that his aim now was to fit into the squad quickly.
“Once you get settled in, everything will come back to normal. You get that feel again in any environment which you have been out of for a year. Once you get back that feeling, once you get back into your comfort zone, things will be much easier,” said the explosive batsman.
“I want to contribute more. Hopefully get a few more centuries for West Indies. The most important thing is to try and get a couple of series wins, because the pressure has been there. Even when I wasn't playing, the pressure was still there. I am still a part of it whichever way you look at it,” he said.
Speaking about the upcoming ODI and T20 series against England, Gayle said even though West Indies had a number of power-hitters in its side, it would “still need to play smart cricket by rotating the strike, picking up the singles, etc”.
England and West Indies are all set to play three ODIs, starting on Saturday, followed by a one-off Twenty20 International.
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Teri Meri Kahaani
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Teri Meri Kahaani
Movie Name : Teri Meri Kahaani
Release Date : June 22, 2012
Genre : Romance
Producer : Kunal Kohli, Sunil A Lulla, Vicky Bahri
Director : Kunal Kohli
Music Director : Sajid-Wajid
Cast : Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Neha Sharma.
Synopsis:
Teri Meri Kahaani is an upcoming Hindi romance drama film, produced by Sunil Lulla, Vicky Bahri and Kunal Kohli and directed by Kunal Kohli. The film stars Shahid Kapoor opposite Priyanka Chopra in the lead roles, paired together for the second time after Kaminey. It is known as "thrice upon a love story", as the premise is set between 1910, 1960, and 2012. Each character plays a different role in each time period. Expected to release sometime in June 2012, the theatrical trailer was revealed on 6 April 2012, along with Housefull 2 in cinemas.
The filming started in May 2011. A sequence in England has already been shot. In March 2012, it was announced that in the 1960s segment of the film, Shahid Kapoor would play a struggling musician, whilst Priyanka Chopra plays an actress. It was also announced that in the 1910s segment of the film, Shahid Kapoor plays a Muslim poet. Some of the parts of the film has been shot in Aurangabad City (Maharashtra) & Deogiri Fort.
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A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves to
death.
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" INSPIRING STORY "
The Mouse Trap
A mouse looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package; what food might it contain?
He was aghast to discover that it was a mousetrap!
Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning, "There is a mouse trap in the house, there is a mouse trap in the house."
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell you this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me; I cannot be bothered by it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mouse trap in the house."
"I am so very sorry Mr. Mouse," sympathized the pig, "but there is nothing I can do about it but pray; be assured that you are in my prayers."
The mouse turned to the cow, who replied, "Like wow, Mr. Mouse, a mouse trap; am I in grave danger, Duh?"
So the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected to face the farmer's mousetrap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught.
In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital.
She returned home with a fever. Now everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.
His wife's sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.
The farmer's wife did not get well, in fact, she died, and so many people came for her funeral the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all of them to eat.
So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when the least of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
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“The pleasures of the senses pass quickly; those of the heart become sorrows,but those of the mind are ever with us, even to the end of our journey.”
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