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"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions."
| VBA's Positive News |
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India: Meditation enters classrooms
The Maharashtra State Council of Research and Technology (MSCERT) has introduced meditation sessions in the morning, for school teachers, headmistress, and students between classes V to X. MSCERT director Shridhar Salunke says the council has initiated the move to help students relieve stress, boost self-confidence, improve grades, and cut down on bad behaviour.
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Scotland: Barley crops planted by Orkney's Vikings 'the healthiest in UK'
Scottish researchers are embarking on a groundbreaking study to test the theory that ancient varieties of oats and barley, still being grown in the Northern Isles, have more nutritional value than commercial crops on the British mainland. The research will mainly focus on ancient crops grown in Orkney. Dr Karen Scott from Aberdeen University said. 'We will looking at old ''land race'' varieties of oats and barley, the types of crops that would have traditionally been grown hundreds of years ago.'
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US: Stock market posts best week of 2012
Stocks rose for the fourth day in a row on Friday, capping their best week so far this year. The Commerce Department said US wholesale stockpiles grew 0.6 per cent in April. That's twice as fast as they grew in March and a sign that businesses are ordering enough goods to lead to increased factory production and sales. Investors had been braced for more sluggish growth.
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China May car sales up 22.6 per cent year-on-year: official data
Car sales in China rose 22.6 per cent in May from a year earlier, according to data released on Saturday, extending the double-digit gain made in the previous month, as new models premiered at April's Beijing autoshow started to hit the showrooms. The strong rebound by Toyota Motor and Honda Motor, which both suffered severe shortages of parts a year ago after northern Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, helped push up the monthly tally.
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World Round-Up
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PMO takes on Team Anna
Team Anna has failed to substantiate the allegations of irregularities it has levelled against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in allocation of coal blocks when he held the Coal Ministry, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has said in a sharply worded letter to social activist Anna Hazare.
In the five-page letter, Minister of State in the PMO V. Narayanasamy, while listing the steps taken to check corruption, rejected Team Anna's demand for a special investigation team to probe the issue.
With Mr. Hazare threatening to go on fast once again from July 25 and Baba Ramdev — against whom several cases of corruption are pending — making the rounds of ministerial homes pleading that action be taken against black money, the government — as also the Congress — has decided to resume its battle for the air waves.
The allegations against the Prime Minister, the letter said, were based “on a leaked draft of the CAG … and on media stories,” with no evidence to back them up.
Pointing out that all details of the policy and procedures followed for coal block allocations were placed in the public domain by the Coal Ministry, the letter said, “All decisions were taken in public interest on the basis of legal provisions and relevant policy in force.”
Rejecting the demand for a special investigation team, it said, “… the existing legal and statutory framework has adequate and sufficient provisions for addressing the issues raised by you.”
The Minister described Team Anna's assertion that topmost institutions of the country such as the Supreme Court, the High Courts and the CAG had levelled allegations against Ministers from time to time, as “not only vague but [also] unacceptable.”
The letter comes in the wake of Mr Hazare's associates Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan writing to the Prime Minister, demanding the setting up of a special investigation team to probe corruption charges against 15 Ministers, including the Prime Minister, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.
Team Anna members had selected portions of a CAG draft report to question the Prime Minister's role in the allocation of coal blocks.
Not content with shooting off the letter, Mr. Narayanasamy lambasted Team Anna in Chennai on Saturday.
Shortly after landing in the city, he told journalists: “Anna is a simple man, but he is surrounded by anti-national elements and people who have been supported by foreign forces.”
Attacking Mr. Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, he asked: “What happened to the huge sums of money collected during last year's [anti-corruption] agitation?” He also recalled that Ms. Bedi herself faced allegations of bloated travel receipts last year, while describing Team Anna members as a set of “self-proclaimed” leaders, who had not faced elections and yet wanted to destabilise the government.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
You may feel like you put in extra effort with your creative output. You may have done the hard work and actually feel quite good about it. Can you bring it to the next level and get the right exposure? Carefully chosen words, spoken with restraint, likely will work wonders for determining your new direction. Choose your words with the best intentions and see what doors open. You should take opportunities to place yourself in different scenarios. .
Taurus April 20 to May 20
You may spend time trying to enhance your financial wealth. You may have been slow to move in this area of your life and that may have been wise. Financial planning does require patience. You might be a cautious player, which should serve you well. The better informed you can become, the better you will be able to make important decisions. It might be wise to seek training. Unusual investments may come your way, and you will want to be prepared.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
Carry a pad of paper to capture your ideas. You would hate to have a brilliant flash of insight and not be able to record it. It would be wise to pay special attention to conversations with friends and business associates, as the discourse might hold great potential. If you record your thoughts, the answer may come at a later date. What might be most important may be the germ of an idea. Once the idea has been placed, the concept can build and grow. .
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Are you preparing for a transition to another lifestyle? This might be a fabulous time for wrapping up the old and diving into the new. You might expect some help from a significant new partner who has innovative ideas. These are likely to be long-term plans so make your choices judiciously and with an eye for permanence. This should feel exciting for you. It will be a welcome end and an intriguing beginning.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
Alliances between friends and groups of like-minded people may inspire you. This might be especially true if you feel particularly expressive. This might be an ideal time to spill your thoughts out in a presentation or email. As long as you communicate with a degree of authority and truth, you should leave quite an impression. It might feel right to be open to helping others right now.
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Low growth not just due to high interest rate: RBI
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor K. C. Chakrabarty, on Friday, sought to stave off criticism that the nine-year low GDP (gross domestic product) growth was primarily due to high interest rate regime, saying it was driven by a host of other factors. “I don't think that the interest rates are that high, or our policy rates are that high that should significantly affect growth. Growth is being affected for a variety of reasons. We are overplaying the interest rate aspect (for low growth). It may be one of the reasons,” Mr. Chakrabarty told the SKOCH summit here.
Buttressing his point further, he said, “I don't know how much growth sacrifice is due to lack of productivity, lack of efficiency, and how much is it due to inflation.”
At 6.5 per cent, the economy slumped to the lowest rate in the past nine years in 2011-12, and many have blamed the Reserve Bank's tight monetary policy, coupled with perceived policy paralysis.
Between March 2010 and October 2011, the RBI ramped up its key lending rates by a steep 375 basis points in a 13 uninterrupted rate hike cycle to batten down inflation which was near double-digits. But ironically, price index still hovers near 8 per cent, while growth has plunged, inviting criticism from many quarters, especially the industry.
However, Mr. Chakrabarty admitted that interest rates do affect growth, saying “what we are saying why interest rates affect growth is because inflation affects growth. If inflation comes down, interest rate will also come down. But to say that growth is only going (down) because of high interest rates is a little bit exaggeration and we must look into that.”
“If inflation comes down, definitely monetary policy rate will come down,” he said, adding that “for the Reserve Bank, the first priority is inflation. It is not only growth, we have a multiple indicator approach. But, inflation is definitely the major concern.”
Arguing that even a 2 per cent drop in interest rates by the RBI would not majorly help bring down cost for corporates, he said, “6-7 per cent of overall cost for any company is the interest cost. Even by reducing interest by 2 per cent, their cost is not going to be impacted.” Countering the view that low GDP growth was driven by low investment growth, he said the GDP growth, in fact, came off the 2002-08 highs due to poor manufacturing growth.
“Our manufacturing growth used to be at one stage 8-9 per cent. That means we have a capacity of 8-9 per cent. Now it is only 2-3 per cent. If so, where is the question of additional investment? Immediately you can ramp up manufacturing growth, as there is an output gap,” Mr. Chakrabarty said.
The RBI and the Government has contingency plans to deal with the situation if Greece exits the Eurozone, Mr. Chakrabarty said. “It (Greece exiting the Eurozone) will have some impact, adverse impact that is all I can say,” he said, adding that if there was any problem arising from this, the government and the RBI would switch to their contingency plans. However, he did not disclose the details of any such plan.
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Top 5 superfoods for instant energy
Load up on energy with these low cal boosters.
Ginseng tea
Known for centuries as an antioxidant cure-all, ginseng is also a stimulant which provides increased energy and concentration. It's difficult to find dried ginseng, never mind fresh, so we recommend getting your fill of this ancient root through a cup of ginseng tea. Its warmth will have a calming effect on your nerves while simultaneously giving you the energy to power through any late-night task.
Bananas
Boasting three naturally-occurring sugars - sucrose, fructose, and glucose - bananas are an obvious choice for a quick energy boost. But don't let all that sugar fool you into thinking the fix is only temporary. Bananas also contain fibre, which will help sustain the glucose levels in your blood, thus giving you a steady source of energy over a longer period of time.
Aged cheese
Unlike their soft, younger counterparts, aged cheeses contain high levels of the amino acid tyramine - known for its ability to encourage the secretion of stimulant hormones in the body. So, the next time you need a boost, try a piece of Parmesan, Stilton, or any other hard cheese. Beware of eating them in excess, though.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a great, low-cal addition to a healthy lifestyle, packing enough vitamin C, manganese, and fibre for a 'berry' nutritional punch. One serving of strawberries - about eight medium strawberries - is high in fibre and an excellent source of vitamin C. The star player in strawberries is vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps repair the body's tissues, boosts immunity, and fights excess free radical damage.
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is chock full of nutrients. In fact, it contains 25 times the nutrients of vegetables. Many people drink shots of wheatgrass juice as a general health booster. Wheatgrass juice which contains chlorophyll, minerals, and vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, and K, protein and 17 amino acids is easily absorbed in human blood.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
This might be an excellent time to tighten your budget. If not, at least take a cautionary glance in that direction. You may need to make sure you finish your project on time. You might discover creative alliances that provide the right amount of restraint without limiting your wonderful progress. If you can pay attention to conversations, you might glean information to move forward with accountability.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
You might be on your way to the airport for a quick getaway. You may have been on a bit of a roller coaster lately with your partner, and a change would work wonders for both of you. It might be even better if you plan the trip as a surprise. If you have been extremely preoccupied lately, the break with your partner likely will be just what you both need.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
A keen eye for details has always been one of your admirable traits. Your ability to get to the heart of legal matters has probably served you well. You may find yourself immersed in similar activities that require your diligent eye and attention. It might be that you are working your way through the final stages of an insurance settlement or other legal transactions. This may be a time when your past research will pay off, so be sure to present the facts.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
Conversations with a significant partner might yield some interesting results. Your main relationship may be foremost on your agenda and yet you may have obligations that test your ability to accommodate. Legal matters may surface and distract you with details. Your ability to communicate effectively on these topics may influence your outcome in financial arenas. Friendships and business acquaintances may be the most helpful, as their advice may shed some insight into your own situation.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
Words of love may feel especially moving and profound as you come to terms with the most important people in your life. You may have commitments that draw your focus away for the time being, but if you persevere with your tenacity and work ethic, you should do fine. It likely will be an excellent time to seek advice from practitioners and health advisors. You might decide to enroll in a new program that will get you in shape.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
You may be diligent in your pursuit of a creative adventure. You might explore all forms of expression to find just the right angle that delivers the best result. Ideas may fly through your head so fast that your best method might be to keep a pad of paper handy. If you apply your humanitarian view to your decisions, you might find the ideal outlet.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
Family matters may be your focus, with lots of activity and conversation. Your insights may be quite accurate in dealing with others, most especially your significant partner. If you can find a clever way to dance around your differences, you likely will do much better. You may find that legal topics require your attention as financial plans fall into place. It might be that your role requires more background information before you can move forward.
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Moral Story
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SMS
Silence & smile are two powerful tools.
Smile is the way to solve many problems.
&
Silence is the way to avoid many problems.
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Love is the ability and willingness to allow those that you care for to be what they choose for themselves, without any insistence that they satisfy you.
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
“Be known for pleasing others, espcecially if you govern them...Ruling other has one advantage: you can do more good than anyone else.”
Two Tigers were resting under a tree..
Suddenly a RABBIT passed very fast
Tiger could not make out & asked
"What was that?"
2nd Tiger smiled and said:
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Fast Food..xP :P
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Teachers battle student stress
How do you handle an adolescent who refuses to speak, even about his project, or a student who is very attentive in class but fails to perform in examinations? If stress levels among engineering students are a cause of concern, it is the same among their teachers who are often unaware of methods to help such students.
Two months before a new batch of students enters engineering colleges, lecturers and professors of Anna University are being counselled on how to handle students and help them handle stress better.
In a series of workshops organised by the Centre for Empowerment of Women, Anna University, the lecturers are trained in specific ways to help students understand personal and academic stress.
“Students come here from varied backgrounds and the biggest challenge is to get them to open up and speak boldly. Many talk in mono syllables,” said Hema Achyuthan, director, Centre for Empowerment of Women, and a professor in the geology department.
The workshop on Friday was handled by counsellor Prabha Arun who said that students tend to approach only those teachers who make them feel relaxed. Lecturers assume that college students are more responsible but the transition from school often takes time, she said.
Observing student behaviour helps a lot, said teachers. Y. Vidhya Lakshmi, a physics lecturer said, “We might observe a student behaving differently but only when we talk to hostel wardens do we get a better picture of his recent activities. Also, the fact that teachers keep changing every semester does not allow students to foster longer relationships with them,” she said.
Teachers say that the 45 minutes allotted every week for counselling students is hardly sufficient to understand their problems. Also, teachers are expected to shoulder more responsibilities, such as handling additional programmes and submitting research papers. This leaves them with very little time to interact with students, a lecturer said.
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Gomez scores to give Germany 1-0 win over Portugal
Mario Gomez made a surprise start and headed in the lone goal for Germany on Saturday in a 1-0 victory over Portugal in Group B of the European Championship.
Gomez was moments away from being substituted, with Miroslav Klose already waiting on the touchline, when he rose to knock in a deflected cross from Sami Khedira in the 72nd minute.
Germany coach Joachim Loew delayed the substitution and Gomez nearly got another goal before Klose finally came on in 80th and got to play on his 34th birthday.
Nani hit the crossbar in the 84th, the second time Portugal struck the frame in the match. And Silvestre Varela shot straight at Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from close range in the 89th.
Although Germany nearly monopolized possession and chances, Pepe had the best opportunity of the first half, hitting the underside of the German crossbar late in the half after a Portugal corner. The ball hit the line and bounced out.
Despite indicating before the match that he would start the veteran Klose as striker, Loew went with Gomez.
In another move against expectations, Loew also picked Mats Hummels as his starting center back in place of Per Mertesacker.
Both Mertesacker and Klose came into the tournament after long—term injuries. Mertesacker had only two friendlies after surgery on his right ankle in February and Klose also played little after a thigh injury in March. The striker also had been complaining of back problems ahead of the tournament.
Jerome Boateng played at right back although Loew had been upset about newspaper stories on his night life.
In the end, Loew’s decisions proved right. Hummels had a good game, Boateng dealt reasonably well with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gomez got the decisive goal.
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Ferrari Ki Sawaari
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Ferrari Ki Sawaari
Movie Name : Ferrari Ki Sawaari
Release Date : June 15, 2012
Genre : Sports, Comedy
Producer : Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Director : Rajesh Mapuskar
Music Director : Pritam
Cast : Sharman Joshi , Boman Irani , Vidya Balan (Item Number),
Nilesh Divekar , Deepak Shirke , Satyadeep Mishra.
Synopsis:
Ferrari Ki Sawari is a story about a little boy who thinks of nothing but cricket. His father, Rusy, thinks of nothing but his little boy.
To fulfill his son’s dream of playing at Lord’s cricket ground, the honest and upright Rusy performs the first small act of dishonesty in his life. He borrows a gleaming red Ferrari. Just for one hour. The only trouble — he doesn’t inform its legendary owner.
A wild, breathless, Bumpy ride begins.
A ride that leads to a menagerie of amazing characters: a wedding planner who’ll stop at nothing, a Laurel-and-Hardyesque pair of loyal attendants, a greedy politician and his reckless son, a mechanic who specializes in stolen cars...
As the Ferrari zooms through this chaotic world of street-thugs and mass-weddings, another saga unfolds – a grumpy old man and his secret wounds, and an epic rivalry that goes back fifty years.
A naive Rusy must dodge bullets and bouncers for one unforgettable night, and play the role of a perfect father. Can he do it?
Ferrari Ki Sawari is a heartwarming story of small guys and their big dreams...
And how one night changes their lives forever.
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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 Wooden Bowl
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them
fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit
was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The
two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit
with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop,
that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took
heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down
and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again,
the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He
jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the
other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to
them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the
entire time.
This story teaches two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging
word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it
through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes
to kill them.
Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your
path. The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand
that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak
words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in
difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time
to encourage another.
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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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