“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there..”     VBA's Positive News US economy growing throughout country Strong auto sales, better hiring, and a continued housing recovery helped the US economy grow in January and February throughout the country, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve. The survey noted that 10 of the Fed's 12 banking districts reported moderate or modest growth. Consumer spending increased in most regions. Housing markets showed more strength in nearly all parts of the country. Manufacturing grew modestly in most regions after struggling in through most of 2012. And many districts reported improvement in individual jobs markets.    US: The Dow pushed further into record territory Thursday The Dow pushed further into record territory Thursday, having surpassed its previous all-time high two days ago. The catalyst was the latest evidence that hiring is picking up. Stocks started higher after the Labor Department reported that the number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell by 7,000 last week, driving the four-week average to its lowest in five years. The drop is a positive sign ahead of Friday's employment report.      Catholic church opens up to yoga and meditation A key Italian bishop and doctrinal expert has given his green light to integrating yoga and meditation into Roman Catholic spiritual practices. Monsignor Raffaello Martinelli, the bishop of the city of Frascati, near Rome, said that he is 'open' to forms of eastern meditation previously rejected by the Vatican, as long as they are used in conjunction with the framework of Christian spirituality, writes La Stampa.  Scotland: Electric cars becoming a realistic option When you champion electric vehicles (EVs), three main criticisms are thrown at you: they are expensive, risky (because you might run out of charge), and they are for the future, not now. But things are changing. transport minister Keith Brown climbed into an electric sports car this month to promise that EV drivers on trunk roads will never be more than 50 miles from a public charging point. This helps to tackle the 'range anxiety' of a breakdown, as most EVs can go 80 miles-plus on a single charge. Mr Brown also offered free charging points at home, while Nissan has announced plans to mass-produce Leaf EVs at its plant near Sunderland as battery technology improves and brings down costs.   Video of the Day:

World Round-Up

Political + Cabinet meet on anti-rape Bill planned        The United Progressive Alliance government is likely to convene a special Cabinet meeting in the next few days to clear the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013 that imposes tougher sentences for crimes against women than those currently on the statute book. The government is keen to pass the Bill in the first half of the current budget session so that the ordinance promulgated three weeks ahead of it does not lapse. It wants to underscore its sincerity in improving the security of women. On Friday, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, underplaying reported differences in the government over certain provisions in the anti-rape law, told journalists: “The Law Ministry has given its views. The Ministry of Home Affairs is putting together the Bill. It will come to the Cabinet. May be there will be a special Cabinet meeting early. There are no differences in the government.” Of course, there were those, he said, who endorsed the expression “sexual assault” that has been used in the ordinance, but others wanted the word “rape” to be retained. The question of whether the age of consent should be 18 or 16 is also yet to be addressed, he added, but the Cabinet would sort that out. The government, he stressed, had “every intention of passing the Bill before the deadline which is March 22 [the day the first half of the session concludes]. Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar too ruled out any delay in the passage of the Bill. The government, he said, would make a law “that would be credible, purposive, efficient, efficacious and [able to] withstand the scrutiny of the courts and the test of time.” The new law will not just replace the ordinance — it will also replace the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012, introduced in the Lok Sabha in December last. A key provision in the ordinance is that if an incident of rape leads to the death of the victim or leaves her in a vegetative state, it can attract the death penalty: the Bill retains this. It also enhances the seven-year sentence for those convicted of rape to 20 years, criminalises public sexual harassment ranging from cat calls to groping, and provides more stringent punishment in specific cases of stalking and acid attacks. Mr. Chidambaram’s statement was a reiteration of what Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said on Thursday: he had also said that the UPA government was committed to seeking parliamentary approval for the anti-rape law in the first half of the current session, and had added that a special Cabinet meeting would be held for it shortly. Clearly, the government’s parliamentary managers have been hard at work. For, on the eve of the budget session, senior ministerial sources expressed concern about the possibility of the ordinance lapsing as sections of the Opposition had been pressing for the Bill that will replace it to be sent to a Standing Committee of Parliament for another look at its provisions. The government notified the ordinance with much fanfare as evidence of its sincerity to deal with crimes against women — an issue that had seen social protests across the country following the horrendous sexual assault of a 23-year-old paramedical student in Delhi last December. Politically, its passage — as also of the Lokpal Bill — is very important for the UPA government, with a string of Assembly elections scheduled for this year and the general elections in 2014. It would help it send a message that it means business, especially to the urban electorate.  Astrology Aries March 21 to April 19 For many reasons, you will feel confident and ambitious today. With five planets touring your professional sector, you may hear of exciting new career developments unfolding for you as well. While you will find it easy to focus on important work-related projects, you may also benefit from gaining support from your peers. Therefore this would be an ideal day to call a meeting or make a presentation, which will likely result in you making a good impression.                                                 Taurus April 20 to May 20 This will be a perfect day to sign up for a study workshop or book travel plans. If you feel ready, take a certification course that will help you qualify for a better position in your future. You might also find opportunities to travel for business or pleasure. Or if you are a teacher or writer, you may suddenly feel inspired to create a unique offering to others.                                     Gemini May 21 to June 20 Today will be a very powerful day for you, as you may feel ready to make improvements in multiple areas of your life. If you have wanted to create changes, but have felt blocked, you will now be able to make progress. You don't have to walk over fire coals to unleash your potential. But you do have to try something new to break out of your current limitations.                             Cancer June 21 to July 22  It's rare to have five planets in Capricorn in your partnership sector. With the new moon soon taking place there as well, you will want to make the most of things by having crystal clear communication with your loved ones, clients, and business partners now. Take advantage of today by arranging time for important meetings and discussions with others. You will benefit in the future by coming to mutual conclusions today. Don't hesitate to share your concerns now.                                                            Leo July 23 to Aug. 22  They say that health is wealth and today you likely will discover ways to improve yours. Focus on how you can eliminate stress and create more ease in to your day-to-day life. You might find a co-worker or friend who shares your enthusiasm and offers to become accountable as a workout buddy. If you feel you ready to begin a new health protocol, tomorrow's new moon in your wellness sector would be a perfect day to begin.                                 BUSINESS+VE                                                                              World Bank bars L&T for six months over forgery       Washington: World Bank has barred Larsen & Toubro (L&T) from doing any business with it or the projects funded by it for six months, after finding that a senior executive of the Indian conglomerate has indulged in fraud. The debarment will continue till 6 September, making L&T ineligible for being awarded contracts for any World Bank- funded projects, from receiving any loan proceeds made by the Bank or participating in any Bank-financed project. The sanction order, dated 7 March, said that L&T’s ineligibility would continue across the entire World Bank group and has been imposed on L&T “for fraudulent practices” as per the bank’s Procurement Guidelines against Fraud and Corruption. During the debarment period, L&T as well as any of the entities controlled directly or indirectly by it can’t be nominated even subcontractor, consultant, manufacturer, supplier or even service provider to an otherwise eligible firm being awarded a World Bank-financed project. The matter pertains to a bid submitted by L&T through Regional Business Head of its Medical Equipment and Systems unit to a World Bank-financed project in Tamil Nadu. In January 2005, the World Bank Group had entered into a Development Credit Agreement with the Indian government to provide $110.83 million of International Development Association credit for the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project. It was set up to improve the effectiveness of health systems in the state by increasing access to critical health services for poor, disadvantaged and tribal groups. In July 2008, bidding documents were issued by Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation for a contract to supply 130 ultrasound scanners under the Project, following which L&T submitted a bid on 3 September 2008 through the said Regional Business Head. Upon technical and financial evaluation, L&T’s bid was found to be the lowest-priced, but a complaint was received later that some of the certificates submitted with the bid might have been forged. The bid contained a total 115 performance certificates purportedly issued by medical facilities stating that the ultrasound scanners supplied by L&T were working well. After the company was asked to explain, the Regional Business Head said that some medical facilities may have mistakenly denied issuing the certificates and requested that L&T “not be viewed as (having) indulged in fraudulent practice”. In December 2008, L&T was informed that the tender has been cancelled and the contract was awarded to another firm through a new bidding process. After looking into the matter, the World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency (INT) alleged that L&T “engaged in fraudulent practices by submitting forged performance certificates with its bid”. In its 24-page order, the World Bank Sanctions Board said that L&T was given an opportunity to present its case, wherein the company said that it should not be held liable for the fraudulent act of the Regional Business Head. The company argued that the said employee had acted on his own and “without management’s awareness, approval or instructions”. HEALTH+VE                                                              Study says BP drugs may lower Alzheimer’s risk       Common blood pressure drugs may cut the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study. U.S. researchers found beta blockers — prescribed since the 1960s to lower blood pressure — may protect against changes in the brain, which could be signs of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Having high blood pressure in middle age puts patients more at risk of developing these conditions, as well as heart and circulatory disorders, the Daily Mail reported. In a study, researchers examined the brains of 774 elderly Japanese-American men after death. They had all taken part in the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Of the men, 610 had high blood pressure or were being treated for high blood pressure. Among the 350 who had been treated, 15 per cent had received beta blockers alone, 18 per cent had been given beta blockers plus another high blood pressure medication and the rest had received other blood pressure drugs. The study found that all types of high blood pressure treatments were clearly better at protecting the brain than no treatment, according to preliminary data presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting in San Diego. But men who had been given beta blockers as their only blood pressure medication had fewer brain abnormalities compared with those who had not been treated for hypertension, or those who had received other high blood pressure drugs. The brains of men who had received beta blockers along with other high blood pressure medication showed an intermediate reduction in brain abnormalities. “These results are exciting, especially since beta blockers are a common treatment for high blood pressure,” study author Dr. Lon White, of the Pacific Health Research and Education Institute in Honolulu, said.          Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22  Today you will likely find perfect conditions to tap into your creativity. In work, in love, or in your close personal relationships you will find opportunities to express yourself or your heartfelt gratitude. With five planets in your true romance and pleasure house, if single, you may be able to meet someone who shares your passion. This will be an ideal day to connect with others on a deep level. If you already have a partner, you may find that your relationship takes on a positive spin by tomorrow's new moon.                                  Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 You will likely be able to make changes in your personal life today. With your planetary patron, Venus, igniting five planets in Capricorn it's likely that you'll begin to improve your living space or enhance your relations with family members. If you have been thinking of redecorating to make your home more comfortable, or if you would like to plan a family get-together, this would be an ideal day to get a final approval from others. Tomorrow's new moon will help you move forward with your new plans.                                   Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21 You will be able to win friends and influence people today. Because of a rare mutual exchange between communicative Mercury and your ruler Mars, it's likely that you will find yourself in a coveted position that allows you to persuade others. If you are a teacher or writer, you will find that your words have a powerful impact now. Or, if you are in business for yourself, you may be convincing enough to close a major deal. Whatever the case, you will find rewards today.                                Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 It isn't every day that you will have five planets in Capricorn in your financial sector. But today you will, and this may be a time when you begin to feel more confident about your financial future. If you have wanted to increase your income by starting a business, you may find inspiration from an entrepreneur's story you read in the news. Or possibly a friend will share his or he success secret with you, and that will encourage you to try something similar.                                                   Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 This will no doubt be a very encouraging day for you. You may hear of a new professional opportunity coming up or be able to attract fortunate encounters now. With five planets in Capricorn and a new moon taking place in Capricorn tomorrow, the stage will be set for you to make a major impression or present a powerful offering to others. Over the next few days you will find your life takes on a positive spin in business and in love.                                 Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18    This would be an ideal day to interview for a professional position or make a presentation. With Mars in Aquarius, you will stand out and be able to outshine most competitors. Because of a rare reception between Mercury, the planet of communication and work-planet Mars, you may find yourself in a power position. If you have been working on a project that consumed a great deal of your time, you will now be able to reap your rewards.                            Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20  If you want to spend time with your friends or work on a joint project together, today will be the perfect time. Because creative Venus will make contact with your ruler Neptune in Pisces, today might also be rewarding for romance. Within a current relationship, you will be able to reach new heights that bring greater understanding. Or if you are single, this might be a time when you will meet a compatible someone who shares your interests.                                      Moral Story     SMS   “Success is sweet: the sweeter if long delayed and attained through manifold struggles and defeats. ”      LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS   Good relationships are like trees They demand attention & care in the beginning but once they blossoms they provide U shade in all situations of life .   LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS      “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”      Patient: Doctor, I have a pain in my eye whenever I drink tea. Doctor: Take the spoon out of the mug before you drink.

EDUCATION +VE Exclude English marks from UPSC exams, Shivraj Singh Chouhan urges PM          BHOPAL: Opposing the practice of adding marks obtained in English to grand total of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam results, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged to remove unnecessary and anti-people practices in the prelims and main exam of UPSC. In his letter to prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh in this context, Chouhan said the practice of adding marks obtained in English to grand total of UPSC exam results is an attack on morale and future of not only rural and tribal youths, but also on possibilities of youths living in urban slums, urban poor and middle class youths. Chouhan said that a number of youths belonging to these sections have made it to the Indian Administrative Service, Police Service, Forest Service, Revenue and other services due to their extraordinary talents during last few decades.   Chouhan said in his letter that due to administrative weakness, high-level English-medium could not be established in rural and urban areas of India.   But innocent youths are being punished for this incapability even when these youths are not responsible for this. Rather, they are the victims.   He said that it is meaningless to hope that such students will be able to compete with foreign-return students. SPORTS +VE Transformation of MS Dhoni from Captain Cool to Captain Committed          NEW DELHI: The old order is giving way, and MS Dhoni doesn't want to be on the side of the fallen. The Captain Cool image seems to have run its course. Enter Captain Committed, a visibly pro-active, attacking and more involved Test skipper who seems to be reinventing himself at every turn. The ultra-defensive leader who hid behind the shades and let things drift, or dismayed at his lack of resources, has suddenly done a vanishing act. With only Sachin Tendulkar remaining from the old guard and a host of names having retired or lost form, circumstances have forced Dhoni to discover a more urgent, inspiring manner in which to lead this young and vulnerable Indian cricket team. Having been extremely lucky to survive eight consecutive away Test defeats and a home series loss to England, Dhoni seems to have finally taken Michael Jordan's adage to heart: "Earn your leadership every day." The results appear to be going his way too, as the first two Tests against Australia have shown. The awe-inspiring, game-changing double century in Chennai was another indication. These days, Dhoni will berate a Murali Vijay for taking extra time to turn around and throw a ball from the outfield, instead of flicking it to the fielder behind him and saving an extra run. He will tell Ravindra Jadeja which line to bowl, and jump high in the air with uncharacteristic excitement if his plan comes off. He will openly express his displeasure at Harbhajan Singh for playing an indiscreet shot or being hesitant while taking a run. With the bat, he seems to have taken a leaf out of the Michael Clarke book. It's all a far cry from the Dhoni who copped criticism just months back from experts and the public. Dhoni appeared jaded and uninterested as Team India crumbled around him. His body language came across as too nonchalant, as Shane Warne said. Dhoni's tactics were derided for being stale. His batting technique was dismissed as inadequate. His lack of ideas seemed to be hurting the team. It didn't help that the other big names in the team were in decline, injured or retired. Always a defensive Test skipper, in April 2010 Dhoni had suggested he made a conscious effort to appear calm. "It doesn't help if I go and yell at the players," he had said, "So I try and keep my emotions under check." Is he now making a conscious effort to appear animated, to project a more positive body language? Social scientist and cricket buff Shiv Visvanathan says, "Dhoni appears systematic only in hindsight. It's a fascinating study in leadership image. The only way Dhoni could survive in these changing times was by changing himself, or he would become a part of the old order. He appears a different man from the laidback skipper who led a team of stalwarts. 'Captain Cool' ended with India's World Cup triumph. Now he is projecting a more committed self. He is a more pro-active batsman and leader. The likes of Ashwin and Pujara are performing well for him too. It has helped that Australia aren't a good side in these conditions." As Sunil Gavaskar recently pointed out, "Dhoni has changed positively as captain. Now, if a player is not attentive or up to the mark, he is letting him know. Dhoni has recharged and is in great batting form." Former India opener Aakash Chopra says, "No Indian captain has survived the kind of failures Dhoni has. He now realizes that perception is more powerful than truth. 'Captain Cool' doesn't work anymore. His laidback attitude attracted a lot of criticism. People would think he is being casual. We have seen the change since the Nagpur Test against England. "Dhoni realized his job was on the line. Having a young team necessitates more involvement. That said, his real test will come abroad and one shouldn't over-hype the wins against this Australian team. But it's a good start for Dhoni." Of course, a change in attitude alone cannot win Test matches. Dhoni has to keep rallying his troops through tough sessions in a game and keep performing with the bat. More of an instinctive leader than a shrewd or tactical one, Dhoni must play to his strengths. Bigger tests lie in wait.       Mere Dad Ki Maruti Mere Dad Ki Maruti  Movie Name :   Mere Dad Ki Maruti   Release Date :   15 March 2013 Genre :  Comedy, Drama Producer : Ashish Patil Director :   Ashima Chibber Music Director :  Sachin Gupta Cast : Saqib Saleem, Rhea Chakraborty, Ram Kapoor, Prabal Panjabi, Ravi Kishan.   Synopsis:      Y-Films are ready with their latest release Mere Dad Ki Maruti, which stars Saqib Saleem and Rhea Chakraborthy, with Ram Kapoor as the Dad. It looks to be a fun caper during the wedding season in Chandigarh where the Maruti goes missing and it is up to Saleem to get it back. The album is expected to be the baap of all music albums, with Sachin Gupta at the helm and Panjabi MC making a guest appearance with his song ‘Haay’. The album is unabashedly entertaining and there’s not a dull moment throughout these tracks. Sachin Gupta has created an album that works with the young-theme and managed to do something new with the stock Bhangra numbers that we often here.       the names of all continents both start and end with the same letter. " INSPIRING STORY "   Life   Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.   You never know who these people may be – a roommate, a neighbor, a professor, a friend, a lover, or even a complete stranger – but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.   Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.   Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.   Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are sometimes the most important ones. If someone loves you, give love back to them in whatever way you can, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.    If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart. Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again.   Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and listen to what they have to say. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.   Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.   You can make anything you wish of your life. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets. And if you love someone tell them, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. Learn a lesson in life each day that you live! Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday.

“I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone. ”