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“Discussion is an exchange of knowledge, argument is an exchange of ignorance....!.”
| VBA's Positive News |
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China pledges $56 billion to cut air pollution
China will spend 350 billion yuan ($56 billion) by 2015 to curb air pollution in major cities, the environmental watchdog said on Wednesday. Local governments will fund most of the programmes aimed at cutting the level of harmful particles in the air in 117 cities by at least 5 per cent between 2011 and 2015, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said in a statement on its website.
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Middle East beginning to embrace solar energy
Covering nearly 300 football fields in a remote patch of desert, the Shams 1 solar project carries off plenty of symbolic significance for the United Arab Emirates. It will be the first, large-scale solar project in the oil-rich country when it is completed at the end of the year, and the largest of its kind in the Middle East. At full capacity, the 100-megawatt, concentrated solar project will be able to power 20,000 homes. For those behind the project, it's the surest sign yet that solar is coming to the region in a big way.
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Canada preparing to drop visa rule for Mexican visitors
The end of a much-maligned visa for Mexican travellers to Canada would be a good thing for both North American countries, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has affirmed. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Centre for International Governance Innovation argued in favour of the visa's removal in a joint paper prior to Mexicon President Enrique Pena Nieto's arrival in Ottawa.
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US factory orders up 0.8 per cent in October
Orders to US factories rose modestly in October, helped by a big gain in demand for equipment that reflects business investment plans. Orders for core capital goods, a category viewed as a good proxy for business investment plans, increased 2.9 per cent in October, the biggest increase in eight months. Orders for durable goods rose 0.5 per cent in October, up from a preliminary estimate of no gain.
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Video of the Day:
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World Round-Up
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Discussed FDI issue with 14 CMs: Anand Sharma
Opposition NDA and estranged UPA ally Trinamool Congress on Friday criticised the decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail, saying government has surrendered to crony capitalism and feared that the policy will spell doom for farmers and small traders.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari dispensed with Question Hour “as a rarest of rare cases” to resume discussion on the motion moved by V Maitreyan (AIADMK) rejecting the government’s decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail.
In the FDI debate on Friday, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said that he “discussed the FDI issue with Chief Ministers of 14 States including Punjab, West Bengal and Bihar.” 11 States, farmers' organisations and consumer bodies demanded allowing FDI in multi-brand retailing, he added.
Earlier, leaders of political parties and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath requested for doing away with the Question Hour to resume discussion on the issue.
Shivanand Tiwari (JD-U) said some top economists in the government were associated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the two multi-lateral agencies propagating the cause of foreign investment.
“IMF, World Bank, WTO, Asian Development Bank (ADB) run economic policy of the world,” Mr Tiwari said adding the nation’s future was being impacted by their policies.
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (TMC) said FDI was “foreign direct intrusion” and accused Commerce Minister Anand Sharma of “deliberately” misleading the House and the country on the issue. “FDI may be starting in only 53 cities but it will spread all over the country and traders will be finished,” he said, adding, “This government has totally surrendered to crony capitalism” and the country was run to “please White House.”
Shanta Kumar (BJP) said foreign investment cannot be ignored and multi-nation trade was essential. “But how FDI is allowed should be decided keeping the country’s interest in mind,” he said.
Balwinder Singh Bhunder (SAD) said FDI is not a charitable trust and will spell doom for the farmers. FDI will not save the country but mortgage the nation. “Neither farmers nor traders will be saved... desh ko bachao, FDI to bhagao (save the country by banishing FDI),” he said. “If farmers have to be saved, inputs like seed, fertiliser and diesel have to be made cheaper,” he said.
D Raja (CPI) said his party disapproved the decision on FDI in multi-brand retail and maintained that the “sense of the House is against the FDI in retail.” He said the government has completely failed to mobilise its indigenous resources, unlike China, and it was trying to create “myths” of employment generation and benefit to farmers and consumers.
Kumar Deepak Das (AGP) voiced his party’s reservation on the issue as, he said, FDI in multi-brand retail would neither benefit farmers nor traders. “We are not against economic reforms. We know the country needs more reforms, but not at the cost of the farmers, not at the cost of poor traders and not at the cost of unemployed youth,” he said.
Biswajit Daimary (BPF) said India should not have any reservation on the issue as many other countries have already allowed FDI in retail. Citing the example of the telecom sector, he said when foreign players came in the area, all were very apprehensive.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
You may want to pack your suitcase, as this week a long-distance trip might be in the works. If you don't have the ability to travel, Thursday's new moon might offer you an incredible opportunity in an international project. You might also decide to crack the books and enroll in a new certification program or even consider going back to a university for an advanced degree.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
While you might begin the week navigating a tricky conversation with a friend, after Thursday your attention will be on a brilliant joint financial opportunity. You might, for example, need to secure venture capital for a business venture. If so, be sure to ask later in the week. You may also see a significant increase in dividends from an investment, receive a royalty payment owed to you, or even discover news about a possible inheritance.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 Early this week you'll want to avoid signing contracts, especially if they relate to your career. A thorny aspect between Mercury and Neptune will make communication fuzzy for everyone, but in your case there might be extra confusion with an authority figure or business partner. By Thursday, however, you'll be in a strong position to move forward in any new business or personal alliance. A glorious new moon in your partnership sector, followed by Venus a few days later, will promise relationship harmony.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
If you're looking for extra assignments, Thursday's new moon in your workaday sector might bring something your way. Be sure to circulate your resume if you're looking to make a job change. In fact, it's possible that you'll hear positive news from someone in your industry as early as Friday, either about a freelance project or a new job prospect. In other news, on Monday and Tuesday be sure not to engage in any office gossip. You'll be better off.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 Romantic prospects will sparkle this week, so if you're single and looking for love you must make it a point to be out and about all weekend. In fact, as early as Thursday you might have an opportunity to meet someone new, so if a group at the office suggests meeting up for cocktails after work, be sure to attend. Early in the week, be wary of any investment opportunity that arises - it might not be legitimate.
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Cars to be more expensive in 2013
It will be an expensive start to the year for car buyers in 2013 with automobile companies led by Maruti Suzuki India deciding to hike prices of their vehicles, and others also considering a similar move.
While Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said it will increase prices of its products by up to Rs. 20,000, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said it will also hike prices by 1-2 per cent across all models.
Other companies, Honda Cars India and Volkswagen India, said they are also contemplating such a move, but finer details are still being worked out.
The companies said increasing pressure on their margins due to currency fluctuation necessitated the move.
“There will be a hike in the prices of our products. Quantum will vary depending on models, but it can be up to Rs. 20,000,” Maruti Suzuki India Chief Operating Officer (Marketing & Sales) Mayank Pareek told PTI.
He said the price hike has been necessitated due to increasing pressure on the margins due to the currency fluctuation.
The company currently sells a variety of models from the M800 to imported Kizashi at a price range starting at Rs. 2.09 lakh to Rs. 17.52 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) also said it would increase prices across its models from January 1. The range will be 1-2 per cent across all models, a TKM spokesperson said.
TKM sells a range of vehicles from hatchback Etios Liva, with price starting at Rs. 4.44 lakh to the imported sports utility vehicle Land Cruiser tagged at Rs. 99.27 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Honda Cars India also said it is considering price hikes but details are yet to be finalised.
Similarly, a spokesperson for Volkswagen Group Sales India said: “With increasing pressure on input costs and exchange rates, Volkswagen is considering a price hike.”
General Motors India also said it was considering increasing prices of its vehicles across all models from January onwards.
“Depending on the models, the increase could be between 1-3 per cent. The rising input costs and currency fluctuation is a strain on us,” General Motors India vice-president P. Balendran said.
The company sells a range of models such as small car Spark with a starting price of Rs. 3.32 lakh to sports utility vehicle Captiva, which is priced up to Rs. 24.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
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Two slices of cheese a day keep diabetes away
Eating just two slices of cheese a day can cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 12 per cent, researchers say.
The findings go against current health guidelines, which advise cutting back on dairy products and other high-fat foods to help prevent the illness.
British and Dutch researchers looked at the diets of 16,800 healthy adults and 12,400 patients with type 2 diabetes from eight European countries, including the UK.
The study found that those who ate at least 55g of cheese a day - around two slices - were 12 per cent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The risk fell by the same amount for those who ate 55g of yoghurt a day.
But despite the latest findings, campaigners warned against gorging on cheese and other dairy products in the hope of warding off diabetes.
"It is too simplistic to concentrate on individual foods," the Daily Mail quoted Dr Iain Frame, director of research at the charity Diabetes UK, as saying.
"We recommend a healthy balanced diet, rich in fruit and vegetables and low in salt and fat.
"This study gives us no reason to believe that people should change their dairy intake in an attempt to avoid the condition," he added.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
If you're considering putting your home on the market, or if you're interested in purchasing one, the two weeks following Thursday's new moon will be a spectacular assist to help you achieve this goal. You may also hear positive news from a family member thanks to this energy or have some relatives visiting from out of town. On Monday and Tuesday, however, you and your partner might have trouble agreeing on domestic decisions. Put them off until later in the week.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
A local trip may be on the agenda this weekend. On Thursday, a new moon falls in the area of your chart that has to do with siblings, communication, and travel, so if you're not on a car drive to somewhere special, you may hear news from a brother or sister. You'll also have exceptionally positive energy around all contracts and negotiations. Avoid signing, however, early in the week. Wait for the new moon - it's on your side.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 Your finances are about to change for the better. This week's new moon on Thursday will light up your earned income sector and since Venus will enter the same area of your chart late Saturday night, you'll have a double dose of opportunity and enhancement potential when it comes to cash flow. You'll have a favorable time to showcase one of your talents and market it. Ask for what you're worth later this week - you just might get it.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
This week the focus will be on exciting new possibilities that might set the stage for a fresh start in your life. On Thursday, a new moon in Sagittarius may open the door to a new relationship or decision to begin a personal endeavor. If you've wanted to make a change to your physical appearance, you'll have the assistance of Venus after late Saturday night in Sagittarius as well. You'll exude greater powers of attraction thanks to your unmistakable glowing confidence.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 You might get incredible assistance this week from a source that prefers to remain anonymous and if so, you'll feel as if you've received a very special gift. Thursday's new moon might also prompt you to offer help to someone else in need since your compassionate nature will open up. Early in the week, avoid signing contracts or any verbal commitment. There might be a piece of information missing that would make all the difference in your decision.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 Expect your social circle to widen. On Thursday a new moon will illuminate the area of your chart that has to do with groups and networking. You'll have an opportunity to mingle with acquaintances that can help you further a personal aspiration. You may also forge a friendship with someone who inspires you. Early in the week, however, you might feel confused about your role in a group. Avoid decisions that will affect your social life until after the new moon.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
 A career breakthrough is possible this week and a professional endeavor may fall into place after Thursday's new moon. For two weeks following this event, whatever you begin related to your career will have a strong likelihood for success. Early in the week, however, hold off on communicating your ideas to a VIP as they may have less clarity than you'd hope. Wait until after Thursday to make all of your vital professional moves. Your patience will pay off.
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Moral Story
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SMS
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Having someone wonder where you are when you don't come home at night is a very old human need.
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
One of the more fascinating topics of life is the leaders of history and how they shaped the world. .
A man was pulled over for driving too fast, even though he thought he was driving just fine.
Officer: You were speeding.
Man: No, I wasn't.
Officer: Yes, you were. I'm giving you a ticket.
Man: But I wasn't speeding.
Officer: Tell that to the judge! (The officer gives man the ticket.)
Man: Would I get another ticket if I called you a jerk?
Officer: Yes, you would.
Man: What if I just thought that you were?
Officer: I can't give you a ticket for what you think.
Man: Fine, I think you're a jerk!
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Chair on Diaspora Studies at Goa University at Faleiro's instance
PANAJI: A Chair on Diaspora Studies has been established at Goa University at the instance of former union minister Eduardo Faleiro who requested former human resources minister Kapil Sibal for the same, Faleiro told the media on Thursday.
Faleiro said, "A Chair on diaspora studies has now been established at Goa University, fully funded by the University Grants Commission."
Faleiro said that a course on Diaspora Studies will be available from the next academic year 2013-14. The Chair will deal with issues concerning the Indian Diaspora in general and the Goan Diaspora in particular along with the study of migration in other countries.
It will also undertake research studies pertaining to migration of Goans to the neighbouring areas of North Karnataka and South Maharashtra in the 16th and 17th century due to religious, cultural and economic reasons.
Subsequently, the Chair will conduct PHD programmes and short term courses by inviting scholars from India and abroad.
Faleiro said that Sibal has also agreed to his request to institute an annual lecture in memory of Goan freedom fighter the late Purushottam Kakodkar.
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Indian team needs Sachin Tendulkar for another year: Waqar
NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis feels that form of the Indian team is such that they require the services of Sachin Tendulkar for another year, a feeling that was also echoed by his new ball colleague and another former skipper Wasim Akram.
"The situation in which the Indian team finds itself at the moment...from what we find out from the ongoing England series, I believe that he (Tendulkar) would be needed for another 6-8 months," Waqar said while answering to a query.
Wasim on his part said, "As a cricketer, he is one of the greatest of all times. I don't know what he is feeling at the moment but it's difficult to carry on with the same passion after giving 23 years to the international cricket. If you ask me, he can play for another 6-8 months or a year."
"I have heard some people saying that he is eyeing 200 Test matches. Whether he plays 200 or 250 Test matches, that will hardly make any difference to me because he has shattered all the records in the cricket book," Wasim said.
"What he (Tendulkar) wants to do and how long he wants to play, it's up to him but the age is not on his side. It does affect your game at the international level," he further added.
Waqar feels that ability to shut his critics makes Tendulkar special.
"These talks that Sachin should take retirement from cricket have been going on for past 6-7 years. I have always seen that whenever you have criticised him, he has come up with a performance that everyone starts talking about his batting."
Wasim and Waqar expressed their delight at the resumption of bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan and said the two neighbours should play each other regularly.
"The Indo-Pak cricket match is mother of all games. It's unfortunate that less cricket was played between the two neighbours since 2004. Hopefully, the upcoming series will herald a new era in Indo-Pak ties. You can feel the pressure when the two sides are involved in a contest. There's nothing much entertaining than that. It's same as the Ashes series," said Waqar.
Wasim said, "It's a new beginning and I hope that we play each other on a regular basis. The beauty of Indo-Pak series lies in the pressure we go through. Whenever we had played against India, we were always told back home to go and win."
Also sharing the dias were the former India captains, Kapil Dev, Mohammad Azharuddin and Sourav Ganguly.
Azhar thanked the BCCI and PCB for the efforts they made to resume the bilateral cricket ties and said it will help in bridging the gap between the two countries.
"I am happy with it and hope the upcoming series becomes a regular affair. It's a positive step," he said.
Kapil, while blaming the media for always projecting the Indo-Pak series as "Mahayudh", said that people of both sides want to see the game of cricket and nothing else.
"You (media) have treated it as more than a series which is wrong. There are only five per cent people who don't want to see the neighbours united but there are still 95 per cent people on both sides who want cordial relationship between us," said Kapil.
Ganguly, who led the team to victory against Pakistan in 2004, said it's always special to play them and come out victorious.
When asked about the dearth of fast bowlers in India, Wasim said India always looked up to Sachin or Sunil Gavaskar as their role models while aspiring Pakistani cricketers had Imran Khan's image in mind.
On the Indian Premier League, Wasim said, "I have nothing against the IPL but when you are earning three crore per season, then why would one play Test matches and bowl for 30 overs."
Asked about the favourites for the upcoming series starting December 25 with a T20 in Bangalore, all the former captains unanimously agreed that whoever handles the pressure, will win.
"The pressure is a great equaliser. It's all about handling the pressure," said former Pakistan skipper, Imran Khan, from the audience.
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Dabangg 2
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Dabangg 2
Movie Name : Dabangg 2
Release Date : December 21, 2012
Genre : Action
Producer : Arbaaz Khan, Dhillin Mehta
Director : Arbaaz Khan
Music Director : Sajid - Wajid
Cast : Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Vinod Khanna, Prakash Raj
Synopsis:
Dabangg 2 is an upcoming Bollywood action film directed and produced by Arbaaz Khan under the banner of Arbaaz Khan Productions.It is a sequel to the 2010 film Dabangg and is written by Dilip Shukla. Story is set in the city of Kanpur. The film will feature Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha reprising their roles from the previous film, whilst Prakash Raj plays the main antagonist. Development of the project commenced after the release of Dabangg, which turned out to be a worldwide blockbuster. Filming began on 9 March 2012 in Kamalistan Studio in Mumbai. It is slated for release on 21 December 2012. The first look poster unveiled on 8th November 2012, whilst the theatrical trailer was premiered on 10th November 2012, on Khan's reality show Bigg Boss 6. Its trailer was also released in cinemas on the day of Diwali along with Son of Sardaar.
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The Statue of Liberty's tablet is two feet thick.
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" INSPIRING STORY "
Attitude Is Everything
Jerry was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"
He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, 'Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.'
I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood.
The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life." I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination.
The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.
I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied.
"Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live." "Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jerry continued, "The paramedics were great.
They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man.' "I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry.
"She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breathe and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them.
'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead." Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.
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“Its better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and despair....!”
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