“Life itself was only futility, vain words, a squabble of cap and bells. ”     VBA's Positive News China data shows economic recovery gaining pace China's economy strode further along the road of recovery from its slowest growth in three years, data for October showed on Friday, as infrastructure investment accelerated and output from the country's factories ran at its fastest in five months. Commerce Minister Chen Deming fuelled expectations of a strengthening cyclical rebound when he revealed that October exports had expanded by more than 11 per cent year-on-year, well above consensus forecasts of economists polled by Reuters who expected official data on Saturday to show a 9.0 per cent rise.      Croatia: two decades on reveals a very different country Croatia has changed dramatically for the better since the Homeland War of the early 1990s. Writer Robin McKelvie compares his experiences from visiting the country then -- rocket attacks, sirens, and khaki-clad troops -- to now -- tourists flocking to see Croatia's environmental beauty and culture. At journey's end he states, 'I leave Croatia's continent behind with memories of gunfire and grenades replaced by whooping rafters and goggle-eyed tourists appreciating one of the most scenic corners of Europe.'      .     Filipino invention to help Mongolians breathe free Mongolia is adopting Filipino technology to help improve the health of people in its urban centres. Eco-G NanoTechnology (Philippines) and Erdene and Gochioco LLC Company (Mongolia) signed a memorandum of agreement to avert the life-threatening conditions due to fuel emissions. 'Test results from Land Transportation Office-accredited testing centres have shown that Eco-G3000 can reduce toxic emissions up to 80 per cent,' said Eco-G president Alexander Cayaba. The system has been installed in tricycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, and buses in Metro Manila. India: Chief Minister Chavan sends Diwali greetings on cellphones Millions of mobile users in Maharashtra were surprised to hear Diwali greetings on their mobile phones from Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Sunday. On answering their mobiles, the subscribers got a crisp and friendly recorded message on behalf of Chavan, wishing them all the best for Diwali. Chavan, who completed two years in office Sunday, urged people to light Diwali lamps instead of bursting fire crackers to prevent pollution. 'It was a nice gesture to get Diwali greetings from the chief minister. It has never happened before,' said housewife Minakshi S K of Borivli suburb.      Video of the Day:

World Round-Up

Political + 2G spectrum auction begins        The much-awaited auction for 2G spectrum that was freed following the cancellation of 122 telecom licences started at 0900 hrs on Monday. The government expects to raise around Rs 40,000 crore through the auction. Telecom Secretary R.Chandrashekhar replied in the affirmative when asked if the auction started on time. The auction has started for 1800 megahertz spectrum band - currently being used for offering 2G GSM telecom services. Five telecom operators - Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Telenor-promoted Telewings, Videocon and Idea Cellular - had applied for participating in the auctions. “As per schedule, auction time is from 0900 hrs to 1930 hrs. Participating firms have been given an option to seek extension of auction rounds,” consulting firm for auction, E-Procurement Technologies’ Vice President Suraj Radhakrishnan said. Bidders will have a total of 240 minutes of extension time to be used in the entire auction process, he added. Mr. Radhakrishnan said there should be around six to seven rounds of auctions per day. “First round time is from 9 AM to 10 AM but completion of round will depend on participating firm as they have option to extend time for rounds. Details will made public after auction time ends,” he added. The government is auctioning spectrum in 11 blocks having 1.25 Mhz frequency in all the circles, except in Delhi and Mumbai where there are only 8 blocks. Out of 11 blocks in each circle, three blocks are reserved for new telecom players or operators whose 122 licences were quashed by the Supreme Court on February 2 in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case. New players and telecom companies affected by the verdict will have to win at least 4 blocks to start or continue their operations. Existing players whose licences were not affected by the Supreme Court order can bid for only two blocks. This applies to Airtel, Vodafone, and partially to Idea Cellular. Astrology Aries March 21 to April 19 If a financial opportunity didn't arrive with yesterday's eclipse, today might be the day something crops up. Eclipses often bring news within days. Since Mercury will retrograde into the same area of your chart that the eclipse fell, it's possible that a joint finance opportunity with roots in the past will now resurface. You'll have an ideal time to consider how you can bring this back to life and make the most out of its investment potential.                                            Taurus April 20 to May 20 A close partnership will continue to be the focus. Yesterday, a solar eclipse fell in the area of your chart that rules business and personal relationships. While it suggests a fresh start in an alliance, you may first need to discuss a vital matter that remains unresolved. You can reach an agreement about this challenge, however now might not be the best time to try. If possible wait until after November 26 when Mercury turns direct. You'll have a stronger edge in negotiation.                                    Gemini May 21 to June 20 A significant assignment or freelance opportunity will be on the horizon, thanks to the solar eclipse that occurred yesterday in your workaday sector. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that a project once put on the shelf is now back on your radar. Today might be a good time to revise your outlook on this endeavor to see if and how you can breathe new energy into it. There's a good chance you can.                             Cancer June 21 to July 22  If you're single, you might be close to finding the love of your life. Not only do you have the potent aftereffects of yesterday's solar eclipse in your romance sector, but you also have Saturn, the planet of commitment, in the same part of your chart. You'll be serious and thoughtful about matters of the heart and won't waste time on anyone who doesn't fit your standards. This time, when you fall for someone, the union is likely to have staying power.                                                     Leo July 23 to Aug. 22  Your focus is likely to remain on a domestic matter. Yesterday's solar eclipse might have brought news from a relative. While it was almost certainly a positive development, it appears there will be plenty of details to sort out and you might be busy speaking to several members of your family about this situation. In fact, today you might hear from a relative you have not spoken to in quite some time. You'll enjoy reconnecting.                                BUSINESS+VE                                                                              United Spirits shares soar 25% to two-year high on Diageo deal         United Spirits shares surged as much as 25 per cent to a two-year high on Monday after several brokerages upgraded the stock post the $2.1 billion deal with U.K. based Diageo plc. Diageo agreed on Friday to buy a 53.4 per cent stake in United Spirits controlled by Vijay Mallya by first acquiring 27.4 per cent from its founders at Rs. 1,440 per share, and then launching a mandatory offer for the remainder. At 11.30 a.m., United Spirits shares traded 25 per cent higher at Rs. 1,698.85 on the BSE, while the broader Sensex traded 0.2 per cent lower at 18,645. JPMorgan upgraded the stock to "overweight" with a target of Rs. 1,645 saying Diageo’s move to acquire controlling interest in United Spirits (USL) is a significant positive. Morgan Stanley also raised its rating on United Spirits to "overweight" from "equal-weight", saying the $2.1 billion deal priced the company "significantly higher" than its base case value. "USL is now a stock for every portfolio, we believe," Morgan Stanley analysts wrote in a note on Monday, while also raising its price target to Rs. 1,905 from Rs. 1,000. CLSA said the downside in USL is Rs. 1,440, and investors have nothing to lose. United Spirits can now become a part of most India portfolios, it added. Domestic brokerage Religare has a "buy" rating on United Spirits with a target of Rs. 2,100. "Diageo PLC taking stake is a significant positive for minority shareholders... Upgrade FY14/FY15 earnings by ~50 per cent each and revised Septeber’13 target price of Rs. 2,100 per share," Religare said.   IDFC said USL is set to start a new phase of re-rating with Diageo’s acquisition. Nomura has a "neutral" call on the stock with a target of Rs.675. Debt will come down substantially and that will lead to significant reduction in interest costs, Nomura said. HEALTH+VE                                                              'Eating wisely calls for self-control'       People who successfully control their diet eat fewer unhealthy foods because they are satisfied sooner, a study shows.   Some people can exercise real self-control when it comes to eating while others overindulge on unhealthy cookies and candies.     Do the former have more willpower? Or are they simply satisfied more quickly? In a series of experiments, researchers from Texas A&M University found that people with poor self-control were able to establish greater control when they paid close attention to the quantities of unhealthy foods they consumed because simply paying attention made them more quickly satisfied, the Journal of Consumer Research reported.     In one interesting study, a group of people were asked to eat either a healthy or an unhealthy snack. Some of them were asked to count how many times they swallowed while eating the snack, according to a Texas A&M statement.   People who counted the number of times they swallowed were satisfied more quickly even if they otherwise had a low level of self-control.     Monitoring how much they ate made consumers with low self-control behave like those with high self-control.   "One way is to keep better track of the quantity of unhealthy foods they eat," wrote authors Joseph P. Redden ( University of Minnesota) and Kelly L. Haws (Texas A&M University).     "Although self-control is typically viewed as a battle between willpower and desire, consumers can't rely entirely on willpower to control their eating.   They also need to create situations that will make them lose interest in food," they concluded.     Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22  Communications energy may be tricky to navigate. On the one hand, a gorgeous solar eclipse illuminated your message sector yesterday, ushering in positive energy to begin any new project that involves writing, sales, or the negotiation of a contract. On the other hand, Mercury is retrograde and will remain so until November 26. You may be on the verge of starting something new, but first there are loose ends to tie up in a former endeavor. Be patient - the opportunity will arrive.                                    Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 Yesterday, a solar eclipse fell in the area of your chart that rules your earnings, and this energy will help alter the landscape of your financial picture over the coming weeks. Since Saturn is also in the same part of your chart, the decision you make about how to best utilize and market a talent will be likely to stick. Today will be a good time to gather information and consider options. Hold off on a final assessment until after November 26.                               Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21 You might feel as if you're on the precipice of a significant life change. A solar eclipse in Scorpio arrived yesterday and it holds the promise of a major beginning in your world. This might be a personal relationship, a fresh start in career, or perhaps an adjustment in your physical appearance. Any of these changes will likely be positive, but your best time to take advantage of a fresh opportunity will be after November 26. Your patience will be worthwhile.                              Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 If you're involved in a project that will require you to spend scads of time alone, today will be a perfect time to get started. Not only will you feel more of an urge for solitude, but you'll have a stronger ability to revise your approach to this endeavor if you allow yourself quiet time for reflection. Also, if you're involved in any research or investigation, today may reveal a vital clue that was previously out of your reach.                                                 Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 A social media project might be in the works, and if so, you'll be excited and optimistic about its potential. Remember that although a solar eclipse yesterday might have highlighted this opportunity for you, Mercury will remain retrograde until November 26. You'll want to delay your official launch until after this time for your greatest success potential. Now you'll have an edge in revising your plan and combing through ideas and test runs. You'll be ready soon.                             Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18    New career heights may soon be yours - there is every indication that a major professional opportunity is due to arrive. Yesterday, a potent solar eclipse fell in the area of your chart that rules success, honor, and reward. Saturn, the planet of discipline and mastery, is also in the same area of your chart promising success in direct proportion to the work you're willing to do. If you give your best effort, it will pay off!                            Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20  Yesterday a solar eclipse illuminated the part of your chart concerned with your higher mind. Cerebral stimulation that has depth will be quite important for you to pursue. Discern what area of expansion you want to focus on most since whatever you choose, you'll devote concentrated energy on it in order to master. Also, a new development may arrive in a legal case. You may need to revise documents or strategy however overall, it will likely be helpful.                            Moral Story     SMS   “Life has a value only when it has something valuable as its object.”      LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS   "True love doesn't mean being inseparable; it means being separated and nothing changes."   LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS      “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.”      A man was telling his friends, "When my wife is infuriated, she starts shouting at me, my children and even at our dogs and nobody dares answer her." One of his friends asked. "And when you are angry, what do you do?" The man replied, "I also shout angrily at the windows and doors of the house and none of them dare to answer back."

EDUCATION +VE Classroom teaching to go hi-tech at Berhampur University             BERHAMPUR: Blackboards, chalks and dusters will soon be things of the past at Berhampur University with the introduction of e-classrooms. Vice-chancellor J K Mohapatra said in the first phase, five selected departments would have at least one e-classroom each. The e-classrooms will include an interactive board, overhead projector and audio-visual gadgets. The five departments chosen for the programme are business administration, electronics, computer science, industrial relations and personal management (IR&PM) and journalism and mass communication (J&MC). "We expect to hold classes at the e-classrooms from the beginning of the next academic year," the VC added. A senior professor said e-classrooms would undoubtedly facilitate the learning process. The interactive board could be connected to internet, if needed, he said. Several private universities and a few Kendriya Vidyalays in the state have already set up state-of-the-art smart classrooms on their campus. "Once the system becomes functional, our university will be on a par with any modern private institute in terms of academic infrastructure," the VC added. An estimated Rs 5 lakh will be spent for each of these advanced classrooms. "The university recently received Rs 2.40 crore from the University Grants Commission as ad-hoc grant for general development assistance under the 12 th five year plan (2012-17). This fund will be used for the project," Mohapatra said, adding the varsity might ask for more funds from the UGC when e-classrooms are set up for other departments. The university also plans to buy books and laboratory equipment, besides expanding its guest house and building boundary wall for the girls' hostel, using the UGC grant. SPORTS +VE Maria Sharapova drops in, floors Delhi          NEW DELHI: The wait for a glimpse of international sporting royalty can be long, and often never-ending, in India. Sunday, though, was different. The alluring presence of Maria Sharapova left fans here touched and awed as the reigning deity of tennis landed in India for the first time.   Not surprisingly, the small conference room where Sharapova was making her first appearance was packed to capacity and there was a frenzied rush to catch a glimpse of one of the most recognizable faces in tennis.   Amid it all was the cool and glamorous figure of the 6-foot-2-inch tall Sharapova, who soaked in all the attention without batting an eyelid. Her blonde locks flowing, Sharapova looked stunning in a short black skirt and a pristine white designer jacket. No wonder the infrastucture company that brought her to the country was pushed to the background.   "I am amazed that it has taken me such a long time to get to India. I know I have a tremendous number of fans in this country. One day, hopefully, we will get to play live in front of them," she said, greeting everyone with a big smile. Her first taste of the country was, well, food. "I arrived in India late last night and I am here only for a day. I had some dosa for breakfast after asking the chef what I should have. I am trying to sample all this great Indian food, being a big fan of Indian culture," she said. After a fruitful year in which she completed a career Grand Slam by winning the French Open crown and also won a silver medal at the London Olympics, Sharapova was enjoying a well-deserved break in the quaint Moyo Island in Indonesia before her short stopover here. She found Delhi a "pleasant change" from the exotic island where she has been enjoying a holiday. "There is so much energy in this city. I have been in really quiet areas of the world resting but it's great to come to a city with so much energy," the 25-year-old said. It was only a matter of time before someone commented, "You always look so beautiful!" The world No. 2 modestly replied, "I don't always look like this. It is the make-up and the hair. You should see me in the morning after I wake up." With hardly any time at hand to savour India, Sharapova was in a hurry to get some shopping done by the end of the day. "I'll love to go around the markets, get some souvenirs for my friends since it's going to be Christmas soon. I will also like to look at some Indian dresses, but there is no time for a visit to Taj Mahal," she added. Here's hoping that the lure of the Taj brings Sharapova back to India sooner than later.     Talaash Talaash  Movie Name :   Talaash   Release Date :   November 30, 2012 Genre :  Suspense, Drama Producer : Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, Aamir Khan Director :   Reema Kagti Music Director :  Ram Sampat Cast : Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherji, Kareena Kapoor, Shernaz Patel, Raj Kumar Yadav, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vivek Madan.   Synopsis: It is after Sarfarosh (1999) that Aamir gets to don the khaki again and looks like he isn’t playing the goody-two-shoes cop this time. Complete with a roguish stubble, Aamir will take on the bad guys as a Crime Branch officer in Reema Kagti’s film. Shooting for ‘Talaash’, also starring Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor, has already begun. In fact, Aamir, Rani and Kareena have already started attending workshops as part of their preparation for their roles. In an interview with The Indian Express, Kagti revealed that a few months before casting Khan in the film, she had approached him with another project. Later, Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor were signed on to star opposite Khan. Prior to the start of principal photography, the actors attended acting workshops and signed a non-disclosure agreement. The principal photography for the film started in March 2011 with Khan and Mukerji in Mumbai. For a scene involving Khan and Kapoor, it was reported that both the actors would shoot in a red-light district. However, Kagti dismissed it and explained that it wouldn't be safe to do so. The scene was later shot at the Leopold Cafe on Colaba Causeway. The film's second phase continued with the entire cast in Pondicherry and was completed by the end of August. The final phase was expected to commence the following month in Khopoli with an underwater shot. Due to visibility problems, it was cancelled and later filmed at an undisclosed water studio in London. The filming was completed by November 2011 after some of the remaining shots were executed at the Bandstand Promenade.           the names of all continents both start and end with the same letter. " INSPIRING STORY "   The story of Rantideva  A hand is odorned with daanam rather than with kankanaas. Daanam must be done expecting absolutely nothing in return, admiring the greatness of the dana-grahita, for giving the daata an opportunity to help the grahita. Stories of great Daatas are huge in number in our Indian history, who gave away everything they had. King Rantideva is well known not only in Bhuloka, but also in the urdhva lokas for his daana gunam. Rantideva never endeavored to earn anything for himself. He would enjoy whatever he got by vidhi and when atithis came he would give them what they needed. He gave away everything he had to the poor and underwent considerable suffering, along with the members of his family. Finally, he and his family members did not even get food and water, yet Rantideva always was always satisfied — a sthita pragnya. One morning, after fasting for forty-eight days, Rantideva received some water and some paramaannam (paayasam with rice, milk and ghee). Just when about to eat them, a brahmana atithi arrived. Because Rantideva perceived the presence of the Paramaatma everywhere, and in every living entity, he received the atithi with faith and respect and gave him a share of the paramaannam. The brahmana ate his share and left the place satisfied. Thereafter, having divided the remaining paramaannam with his family, Rantideva was just about to eat his own share when another atithi, a shudra arrived. Seeing the shudra in relationship with the Purushottama, King Rantideva gave him also a share of the paramaannam. When the shudra went away, another atithi arrived, surrounded by dogs, and said, “O King, I and my company of dogs are very hungry. Please give us something to eat.” With great respect, King Rantideva offered the balance of the paramaannam to the dogs and the master of the dogs, who had come as atithis. Thereafter, only the drinking water remained, and there was only enough to satisfy one person, but when the King was just about to drink it, a chandaala appeared and said, “O King, although I am lowborn, kindly give me some drinking water.” Aggrieved at hearing the pitiable words of the poor fatigued chandaala, Rantideva spoke the following madhura vaakyas. “I do not pray to the Lord for the ashta siddhis, nor for vimukti from samsaara saagaram. I want to stay among all the living entities and suffer all distresses on their behalf, so that they may be freed from suffering. By offering my water to maintain the life of this poor chandaala, who is struggling to live, I have been freed from all hunger, thirst, fatigue, trembling of the body, moroseness, distress, lamentation and illusion”. Having spoken thus, King Rantideva, although on the verge of death because of thirst, gave his own portion of water to the chandaala without hesitation, for he was naturally very kind. The trimurtis appeared before Rantideva, satisfied by his daatrutvam and bless him. They revealed that they had come in the forms of the brahmana, shudra and chandaala in order to test his karuna, daya and daatrutvam. Because Rantideva was a pure devotee, always thinking about Krishna and free from all material desires, the maaya could not exhibit herself before him. On the contrary, for him maaya entirely vanished, exactly like a dream. All those who followed the principles of King Rantideva were the favorites of Lord Krishna and became pure devotees, attached to the Purushottama. Thus they all became the best of the yogis.

“Never tell your problems to anyone...20% don't care and the other 80% are glad you have them.”