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“Brief and powerless is man's life; on him and all his race the slow, sure doom falls pitiless and dark.”
| VBA's Positive News |
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India: Millions bathe in Ganges on third of six auspicious bathing days during the Kumbh Mela
Sunday was the third of six auspicious bathing days during the Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, which lasts 55 days and is one of the world's largest religious gatherings. By the end of the day, as many as 30 million devotees were expected to have taken a dip at the Sangam, the confluence of three rivers -- the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, at the edge of Allahabad in northern India.
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Chinese New Year: London parade welcomes Year of the Snake
Thousands of people have turned out in the rain to celebrate the Chinese New Year in central London, England. A parade, starting at Trafalgar Square, saw floats and beating drums head through the city towards Chinatown. About 100 world-renowned acts, including singers, dancers, and musicians, performed in the square to welcome in the Year of the Snake.
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Top 10 reasons Chicago Tribune loves Canada
The Chicago Tribune has written a love letter to Canada, suggesting that Canada has taken that US city by storm. In calling Canada a 'rising star' among nations, the editorial says that 'the tail is wagging the dog in North America' in economic activity, although it is good for both countries. From the banking system to Canadian politics to the health-care system, the Tribune counted the ways that Canada is bigger than moose and maple leaves.
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Solar streetlights light the way toward green energy in Caribbean
The tiny federation of St. Kitts-Nevis and its larger neighbour to the north, Jamaica, are leading the Caribbean's search for new ways to become more energy efficient by installing new solar streetlights, a green alternative to traditional ones. In St. Kitts, the project is a collaborative effort between the government of Denzil Douglas and Taiwan, which have had diplomatic relations for the past 28 years. The Federation of St. Kitts-Nevis is one of a handful of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, as most of the others have diplomatic relations with mainland China.
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World Round-Up
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Would've preferred it if Afzal Guru's execution didn't happen: Omar Abdullah
Srinagar: An angry Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that the UPA government will have to prove to Kashmiris and to the wider world that the execution of Afzal Guru was not a "selective one". Speaking to CNN-IBN a day after the Parliament attack convict was hanged inside Tihar jail almost 11 years after the dastardly attack, Omar said, "I had a premonition that Afzal Guru's execution would follow Ajmal Kasab's execution.
"I had a sense that Afzal Guru would be executed sooner rather than later. Generations of Kashmiris will identify with Afzal Guru. You will have to prove to the world that the death penalty is not used selectively. The onus rests on the judiciary and the political leadership to show that this wasn't a selective execution."
Lashing out at the Opposition, Omar questioned the silence maintained by the BJP on the death sentence given to killers of Rajiv Gandhi and Beant Singh. "Why don't we see the BJP clamouring for execution of Beant Singh's killers or Rajiv Gandhi's killers? If that (Afzal Guru's execution) was to be the last execution on people who attacked Indian democracy, I would call it a political decision," he added.
Omar further said that Afzal's hanging "didn't come as a complete surprise to us", adding, "We would have preferred if he wasn't hanged."
The J&K CM also expressed concerns about his government having been informed about the execution just 12 hours in advance and said he was hurt that the family of Afzal Guru had not been informed in due time. "I wish we were the ones authorised to give the news to the family. I will talk to the government about the issue of bringing Afzal Guru's remains here to the Valley," he said. Questioning the need to inform Afzal's family through Speed Post, the young CM said, "There is something wrong in the system if we are sending information through Speed Post in this era. We could have easily got the family to meet him in Delhi and kept it a secret."
Omar further warned that Afzal's execution will breed alienation amongst Kashmiris. "A lot of what happens in the Valley simmers under the surface. There are a few things I need to discuss with the government over the larger implications," he said.
Speaking on the security situation in the state, Omar said that the curfew will remain in place for the next two days. "The situation is tense but calm. The curfew will remain in place for the next two days or so. Things could have been a lot worse." He added that decision to shut down cable TV after Afzal Guru's hanging was taken by the forces on the ground.
The CM further accused social media and the Internet of "fanning the flames with irresponsible statements" after Afzal Guru's hanging.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
You may consider your options in a matter that requires confidentiality, and others might sense that you are quieter than usual. Events will continue to develop behind the scenes, but your access to additional information might be delayed for a few days. This will involve a delicate situation that requires tact and diplomacy on your part. If you need to talk it over with someone, choose a person that is detached from the others involved and who can be objective.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
Today the stars will focus on your astrological sector of employee benefits. Changes will take place in this area that are confusing and challenging to sort out. However, you have more than one source of these kinds of benefits to draw on and your overall coverage should be adequate. Mardi Gras begins today and there are cosmic hints that some of you good friends will want you to celebrate with them tonight. You'll have the most fun in a large and lively public setting that features music and dancing.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 IYou may or may not be in a festive mood today as you join crowds in a public place for a Mardi Gras party or other public event. You could feel a bit out of your element and let those around you set the overall tone of the gathering. However, you will be surrounded by talented and inspiring people with high ideals like your own, and you'll eventually relax and enjoy your time with them. If you happen to work with the public today, it won't take long to connect with your customers or clients.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
You're likely to spend your day traveling or in contact with professionals in your field that are far from your home base. Your moon ruler will help you process and organize the new information you gathered during the past few days in ways that will benefit your career. The moon will enter dynamic Aries for a two-day transit through your sector of work and public activities. This will lend energy to the new projects you launch now.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 Your persuasive charms can be irresistible to your business and personal partners today. They will be aware that you have their best interests in mind and will do everything possible to be helpful to them. You may lend them a hand and help bring special projects to successful close at work Your true love will also appreciate your talents even more when you help finish a home-based project. Celebrate these successes tonight with close friends.
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India is a second home market for us: Grundfos CEO
The Euro 2,841 million Danish pump maker Grundfos is betting big on India, where it has had a presence for the last 15 years. Recently, the company classified India as its second home market and will invest significantly to expand its operations here. Carsten Bjerg, Group President and CEO, Grundfos Holding A/S, was in Chennai recently and spoke to N. Madhavan about his India plans and the challenges the company faces. Edited excerpts:
Q. You refer to China as the second home market. Where does India stand in Grundfos's global scheme of things?
A. We have just decided that India will also be our second home market. We now have two second home markets, China and India, apart from our historical home market, which is Europe. We classify a particular market as our second home market if we understand the market and know what it takes to be successful there as much as in our historical home market.
Q. How big is your India business compared to China?
A. In terms of turnover, China's is about four times India's. China accounts for a bit less than 10 per cent of our Rs 25,000 crore global turnover. Our India turnover is currently Rs 380 crore and we plan to triple this in the next five years.
Q. What India-specific challenges do you need to overcome to achieve this?
A. India is a price-sensitive market and our biggest challenge is to educate consumers here not to look at just the purchase price but the total cost of ownership. Our products may be priced higher but offer immense benefits in terms of quality, power consumption, less service and overall efficiency. We need to convince consumers to look at the full picture and that the initial purchase price is not everything they should look for.
Q. What sort of investments are you looking at in India?
A. We are planning to invest Euro 30 million in the next three years, including in a new factory. This is much higher than the Euro 8 million that we have invested in India so far.
Q. What about intellectual property rights? Are you willing to launch high-tech products?
A. We take patents to protect our technology and solutions. We are copied a lot. Our best defence is to continuously develop innovative solutions. We have some products that are so advanced that imitators give up trying to copy them.
Q. What lessons has India taught you over the last 15 years?
A. I am a great believer in competition. Though we firmly believe in offering value rather than low-priced products to customers, the price at which our competitors offer their products continuously challenges us to look for other solutions. We are also beginning to use India as a source for our global business. We are looking at areas where we can have a production base for our global products, taking advantage of costs levels, competencies and the supplier base.
Q. India is both water stressed and power starved. That should be an opportunity for a company like yours...
A. We have been selling solar pumps in the global market for quite some time. India seems to be the first place where the solution will really take off. It is not a cheap solution but a high-value solution. We will invest whatever it takes to ramp up our output. We want to make a difference when it comes to delivering sustainable products.
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Grapes good for men's heart health
Consuming grapes may help protect heart health in people with metabolic syndrome, a new study has revealed.
Researchers observed a reduction in key risk factors for heart disease in men with metabolic syndrome: reduced blood pressure, improved blood flow and reduced inflammation. Natural components found in grapes, known as polyphenols, are thought to be responsible for these beneficial effects.
The randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, led by principal investigator Dr. Maria Luz Fernandez and Jacqueline Barona, a PhD student in Dr. Fernandez' lab at the Department of Nutritional Sciences of the University of Connecticut, recruited men between 30 and 70 years of age with metabolic syndrome.
The study is believed to be the first to look at the impact of grapes on metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together - increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist or low HDL (the good cholesterol) and increased blood triglycerides - significantly increasing the risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome is a major public health concern, and is on the rise in the U.S.
In this study, participants were randomly assigned to consume grapes, in the form of a freeze-dried whole grape powder, or a placebo powder, for four weeks.
Then, following a 3-week "washout" period where neither grapes nor placebo were consumed, individuals were allocated to the alternate treatment.
This powerful study design allowed investigators to compare the response of each individual to consumption of both the placebo and grapes.
The study results showed that for each of the study's subjects, grape consumption resulted in significant decreases in blood pressure, improved blood flow (greater vasodilation), and decreases in a compound associated with inflammation.
"These results suggest that consuming grapes can improve important risk factors associated with heart disease, in a population that is already at higher risk," Fernandez said.
"This further supports the accumulating evidence that grapes can positively influence heart health, and extends it to men with metabolic syndrome," Fernandez added.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
Today you are likely to field numerous communications from your business associates. Some can have legitimate concerns and others will need TLC and reassurance. Their contacts with you will be a result of confusing circumstances that will be clarified later this month. Health care benefits may be one matter that prompts others to call or email you now. The stars reveal that it has been some time since you have enjoyed your favorite leisure time pursuits and that tonight would be a good one to begin again.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
Today you'll divide your time between creative group projects at work and equally original endeavors in your personal time. You have a unique and youthful perspective on the tasks you hope to accomplish now. Each one depends upon building consensus and promoting cooperation that is your Libra specialty. You are aware of the politics of your workplace and able to function well within it. Keep good notes so you can pass on your successful tactics to others in the future.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 Your personal responsibilities can increase along with your cash flow today. You will also enjoy a lively social life with your colleagues and friends during and after work hours. However, you will continue to weigh the advantages and downside of these new developments and decide whether they are in your best interests or not. Another person closely involved with you may miss the attention you offered before you became so busy and your former easy communications with him or her changed.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
Your ability to see the points of views of your partners will be excellent today. You'll have a fair change of viewpoints on both sides of discussions with business associates at work or your sweetie at home. Misunderstandings can be easily set aside along with former disputes. However, no matter how much you welcome these developments, agreeing to every condition offered you now may not be in your own best interests in the long run. Request a few days to collect more information to be sure you're on the right track.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 Today the universe has arranged for you to receive well deserved recognition for your work on behalf of your employer or community. You might receive a bonus, a raise, or public appreciation through the media. Your hands-on style of management has provided you with unique insights that benefit you in significant ways. Connections with other professionals in your occupation will be strong now, and you'll soon have opportunities to expand your influence with them.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 The presence of sociable Venus in Aquarius today will enhance your social life. Solidify relationships with bankers, loan officers, accountants, and insurance providers as well as your own customers and clients. The stars suggest that a lunch date and other gatherings will be fine networking opportunities for you. Keep a close eye on your joint finances today. You may notice positive changes that reflect you wise choices in the recent past.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
Your timing could be a bit different from others in your working group today. You might choose to put finishing touches on an existing project after others involved have moved on to the next assignment. You could also accept an assignment close to home and miss out on a more lucrative one that involves traveling. Weigh the options offered you now carefully because there is a possibility you will act against your own best long term interests. Ask others in your profession for advice before giving your final answer.
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Moral Story
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SMS
“Life is all memory except for the one present moment that goes by so quick you can hardly catch it going.”
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
"Distance means so little when someone means so much."
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.”
Santa: Why Americans stop printing stamps with photo of Pamela Anderson?
Banta: Coz people started licking the wrong side of it for pasting them on the envelopes.
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Govt to launch Community Colleges
India has one of the youngest populations in the world. The biggest challenge that the country is facing today is how to bridge the gap between education and employability. In order to tackle this challenge, the government has decided to launch Community Colleges from the next academic session 2013-2014 to facilitate mobility of learners into the employment sector.
"In the United States, we have seen how a promising start began with Community Colleges. We found this out in the 1930s — when our country was reeling under the worst depression in our history. We knew we needed to build a pipeline between young people out of work and companies who needed skilled workers. It was a simple equation of need and necessity, of supply and demand," shared Tara Sonenshine, US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.
Further adding, "Today, we have more than 1,100 community colleges, and they are educating almost half of our undergraduates. As President Obama said, community colleges have become — quote — 'the unsung heroes of America's education system. They provide a gateway [for] millions of Americans to good jobs and a better life."
In the US, Community Colleges are primarily two-year institutions providing skill education. On completion, students have the option to transfer their credit to a university or join the workforce. On whether the US model of Community Colleges would work in India, Sonenshine asserted that countries need to move towards a blended definition of education that includes not simply knowledge but also life skills. "America is keen to work closely with India on the Community College model. Together we need to find new approaches and solutions to the challenges in higher education in the 21st century. We have to change traditional mindsets to adopt a more open approach to education," she added.
The biggest challenge in skill education, according to Sonenshine, is how to empower people who come from all levels of society, with different ambitions. "Besides professions such as doctors and lawyers, we have to also focus on skill training for mechanics, craftsmen, etc. India needs to create new job opportunities for a young demography , who may not necessarily opt for the traditional route of higher education to build their skills. I do not consider these challenges but opportunities," she added. Sonenshine was in New Delhi to attend the MHRD conference on Community Colleges held last week.
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United sink Everton to open up 12-point lead
MANCHESTER: Ryan Giggs and Robin van Persie scored the goals as Manchester United opened up a commanding 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League after a 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday.
Schedule & Results | Points Table
With Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho watching from the directors' box at Old Trafford ahead of his team's Champions League tie against Alex Ferguson's side at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, United took full advantage of second placed Manchester City's surprise defeat at Southampton on Saturday.
Giggs opened the scoring early on with his first league goal of the season, maintaining his astonishing record of having scored a league goal in each of his 23 seasons as a United player, a sequence which now covers every year in Premier League history.
Van Persie got the second just before the break and, with City stumbling of late, the destiny of the title is firmly in United's hands once again.
United should have taken the lead after 10 minutes and would have done so but for an uncharacteristic error by the prolific van Persie, who collected Wayne Rooney's through ball and rounded goalkeeper Tim Howard only to hit the outside of the post as he attempted to convert.
It was a rare slip by a forward just two goals shy of the 20-league goal barrier, but it did not take the Dutchman long to make amends as he set up Giggs for a 13th minute opening goal.
Antonio Valencia out-jumped Leighton Baines to head on a long ball from Jonny Evans which van Persie collected. His pass was perfect for Giggs, who had the time to steady himself before clinically placing the ball past Howard.
In response, until Leon Osman's weak, off-balance shot dribbled into David de Gea's grasp after 24 minutes, Everton generated little to worry the home defence.
De Gea was required to be far more alert just before the half hour, however, when he dived acrobatically to his left to keep out an Osman volley from the edge of the area which appeared destined for the corner of the United goal.
Buoyed by their best passage of the game, Everton also asked questions of the United defence when Rafael da Silva was forced into a goal-saving challenge on Victor Anichebe, who looked poised to covert a Kevin Mirallas cross and, again, when Osman flashed a hopeful volley wide after a poor punch from de Gea.
But, on the stroke of half-time, Everton's tactic of playing a high defensive line to try and catch van Persie offside failed as Rafael played through a perfectly-weighted pass and the Dutchman timed his run superbly.
With Phil Neville playing him onside, van Persie sped away from Heitinga and rounded Howard, this time succeeding where he had failed earlier and converting despite the defender's attempt to clear off the line.
The timing of that second goal proved significant and took away the momentum Everton had been building prior to half-time.
United easily negotiated the opening 20 minutes of the second half without allowing Everton any foothold in the game and should, in fact, have extended their lead after 66 minutes.
Van Persie's right-wing corner was flicked on at the near post by Giggs and, having seen his initial header blocked by Howard, Evans had two more unsuccessful attempts to force the ball over the line.
The league leaders maintained the pressure seconds later when Tom Cleverley met a half-cleared corner and saw his 20-yard volley tipped over the bar expertly by Howard and van Persie rolled a shot wide after being set up by Giggs.
Osman looked Everton's best hope of getting off the mark with some creative midfield play but it was a mistake by United substitute Chris Smalling that let in Nikica Jelavic for an 82nd minute shot which was well saved by de Gea.
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Murder 3
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Murder 3
Movie Name : Murder 3
Release Date : February 15, 2013
Genre : Suspense, Thriller
Producer : Vishesh Films, Fox Star Studios
Director : Vishesh Bhatt
Music Director : Pritam
Cast : Randeep Hooda, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sara Loren.
Synopsis:
A hot-shot fashion and wildlife photographer Vikram (Randeep Hooda) gets into a relationship with a waitress from a lounge, Nisha (Sara Loren). She moves in with him in his palatial house outside of the city. The old world house, made decades ago is as beautiful as scary it is. It holds many secrets which Nisha is soon to unearth; of the life of the man who made it and of Vikram, who is dealing with the mysterious disappearance of his former girlfriend Roshni (Aditi Rao Hydari).Roshni is actually hiding in a secret room meant originally to protect Vikram.
However , she forgets the Key to the room which is locked and the Key is picked up by Vikram's new Girlfriend,Nisha. Nisha embarks on a Trail to find the Secret Room. She accidentally opens the Secret room and finds Roshni in a zombie like state inside. Roshni ,who now knows of Nisha's affair with her exboyfriend stabs her to death. She then goes to a lonely place to find new love and contemplate upon what's happened until the Police arrives and drives Roshni to Jail.
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It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
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" INSPIRING STORY "
Importance of keeping one’s word
We all know that the pandavas left their kingdom for 13 long years for keeping up their word! Well, for Arjuna going away from the bhogas of a king, for the sake of truth, was not new. He did it once well before the aranyavaas. The story goes like this:
The kalyaanam of pandavas with Draupadi was an unusual one. However, it was perfectly according to dharma shastras. Infact Draupadi is one of the greatest pativratas and praised even by Lord Krishna for her Dharma vartana. A few reasons to justify the kalyaanam:
Kunti Devi, the mother of pandavas, who never knew what a lie was, gave her will.
Vyaasa Maharshi, one of the avataar of Lord Vishnu, ordered the kalyaanam to be done.
Lord Shiva, pleased with her tapas, gave a boon to Draupadi to marry the pandavas.
Pandavas, though were five physically, were all amshas of Indra, the King of the Gods. Hence, pandavas were actually one. Naarada, again an avataar of Lord Vishnu, suggested some rules to be followed by pandavas and Draupadi for living together.This is because, though they were amshas of Gods and Godesses, since they had a human form some addition rules according to dharma shastras needed to be followed.
One of the rules was that: Draupadi should spend one year with each of the pandavas and while she was with one of them, no other pandavas should visit the palace where they might be. In case of any breach of their rule, one-year pilgrimage was prescribed by way of penance leaving the kingdom.
The pandavas and Draupadi were living happily until one day: a brahmana came running to Arjuna saying that the thieves had stolen his cows.
Arjuna wanted to rush with him to catch the thieves but he realised that his bow and arrows were kept in Yudhisthira's palace and he was there in the company of Draupadi.
He hesitated for a while, then seeing brahmana's plight he rushed in to Yudhisthira 's palace took his bow and arrows and ran to catch the thieves. After he caught the thieves and punished them, after restoring the cows of the brahmana, Arjuna came back to Yudhisthira and told him about his transgression of the rule.
Yudhisthira, knowing the reason of the breach of their rule, said their is no need for Arjuna to take the pilgrimage. Since it is a mistake committed towards him, and that too for a good reason, he will pardon arjuna .However, Arjuna would never break his word. He immediately set out for a one-year pilgrimage. May be this is why Arjuna is such a favourite sakha of Lord Krishna.
Morals in the Story:
The story shows how important it is to keep up ones word, whether it is of any consequence or not, how much ever difficult it is.
Arjuna, knowing that he will be punished for breaching the rule, did not stop doing his duty as a king to protect his people and punish the theif. Thus, one must always perform his duty without any laziness or any kind of fear.
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“When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile. ”
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