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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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China unveils restructuring to boost efficiency, fight corruption
China unveiled details of a government restructuring plan on Sunday, which will see the number of cabinet-level entities reduced by two, including the dissolving of the powerful Railways Ministry. The reforms mark the biggest government restructuring since 1998, as China's leaders look to larger but fewer ministries to boost efficiency and address popular concerns about how the bureaucracy works.
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UK: Prince Charles urges 'harmony with nature'
Britons must 'work in harmony with nature' to preserve rural areas for the benefit of 'our successors, particularly grandchildren', the Prince of Wales has told the BBC. The Prince, due to become a grandfather in July, was interviewed for BBC One's Countryfile programme, which he guest-edited. During the programme, Charles -- who set up the Prince's Countryside Fund in 2010 to raise cash to support countryside communities -- is shown visiting some of his rural initiatives as well a south London school which has seen improved exam results after helping pupils to grow their own vegetables.
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Sudan, South Sudan to withdraw forces from buffer zone
Sudan and South Sudan agreed on Friday to order their forces out of a demilitarized border zone within a week, a mediator said, possibly opening the way to the resumption of oil exports from the south. Defence ministers from both sides met on Friday for a new round of talks in Addis Ababa to set up a buffer zone along their frontier. Former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who chairs an African Union mediation panel, said the two had agreed to order their forces out of the demilitarized zone by 14 March.
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UN Secretary-General welcomes new border agreements between Sudan and South Sudan
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed an agreement on signed on 8 March by Sudan and South Sudan which aim to strengthen border security and lead to the permanent resolution of outstanding issues between the two countries. The agreement, according to a statement released by Mr Ban's spokesperson, concerns the establishment of a safe demilitarized border zone, the deployment of a joint border verification, and monitoring mechanism and the activation of agreed security-related mechanisms as of 10 March 2013.
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World Round-Up
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Secularism to me means India first, Modi tells NRIs in US in his address
New Delhi: After the Wharton snub, Gujarat Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in the US via video conference. Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in Edison, New Jersey, Chicago and Illinois on March 9 at 8.00 pm (local time in US).
Modi in his charming manner stated that Gujarat has become a symbol of development. Modi while hinting at his strategy for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections said that elections can be won on development alone and no one can stop India from becoming a world leader. "I don't want to criticise any government. My definition of secularism is simple - India first, " said Modi.
Taking a pot shot at UPA's Budget, Modi said, "This year both Indian government's budget and Gujarat's budget came. Indian government has allotted Rs 1000 crore for skill development. But a small state like Gujarat has allotted Rs 800 crore for skill development."
Modi also put the onus of his successive terms in Gujarat as Chief Minister to development. "My victory in back to back elections belongs to people of Gujarat. This shows development can win elections. People want development. Gujarat is discussed because of its development. I welcome criticism. Every government has its own good and bad things. We had always done things with good intentions."
Modi sounding upbeat about the Indian impact at a global level said, "We can change the world, we can and we will. Have to put right things at the right place. India has got everything. People of Gujarat have always voted for development."
While praising Gujarat Modi said, "Gujarat has become a symbol of development. Even during the worst times of recession, Gujarat was always developing in this competitive world.
Gujarat always been praised for its good governance, efficiency and cheap labour. Our focus is on skill development. Swami Vivekananda has inspired the youth all over the world."
Boosting tourism as an asset for the state of Gujarat, Modi said, "Gujaratis are the best tourists but Gujarat was never a tourist destination. We have worked a lot on tourism from last couple of years. Now Gujarat's tourism has been on boom."
"More and more Non-Resident Indian youth are coming to India for the development of the India, which is a good sign. 19th century belonged to Europe, 20th century belonged to the USA and now 21st century is for Asia. India and China are the main competitors," said Modi.
The event was organised by the Overseas Friends of the BJP. Modi's address at Wharton Business School was cancelled under pressure from the school's management and alumni because of the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat.
After Modi was dropped by Wharton as a keynote speaker at one of it's events, the Adani group and the Gujarat Chief Minister's loyalists pulled out as the main sponsor of the Wharton India Economic Forum.
In a Wall Street Journal poll on the Wharton snub issue, 92.5 per cent of nearly 5000 votes cast from around the world said the university had made a mistake in Modi's case.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
When the moon meets your sign ruler Mars in Aries today, it can launch a new period of enhanced relationships with family members. Since property and farming is also highlighted through this aspect, there's cosmic potential for you to benefit from financial exchanges connected with commodities and real estate. You may work behind the scenes with influential business partners in order to realize your goals now. Some of this will take place during social events.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
You'll realize the benefits of your ability to play well with others today. The stars will highlight good teamwork so you and your co-workers will be able to reach new levels of cooperation. You'll combine efforts with volunteers to accomplish other goals where you will also be successful. Public performances involving the arts can result in rave reviews. More fun awaits you at day's end when you will enjoy a gathering of close friends and favorite companions.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 This will be a good day to stay in touch with tech support personnel. You may need their services to correct glitches in a piece of equipment that you depend upon to do your job - particularly if that will take place in a public setting today. Your public life will be busy: You may be surrounded by upper level management while at work or represent them at an industry convention, job fair, or other special events. The stars hint that you will spend personal funds to prepare for today's activities.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Your moon ruler will have a dynamic meet-up with feisty Mars in a public place today. While on the job or in social situations with other employees, you will enjoy the benefit of having upper management's full attention. More than other signs of the zodiac, you are acutely aware of the needs of the public, especially those that are your customers and clients. Today you will have opportunities to display this valuable talent in fresh ways that others will appreciate.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 Today will be a positive one for long distance travel, study, or training in new and unfamiliar locations. The knowledge you collect now will be valuable to your career in the near future, but perhaps that will not be so evident initially. You are likely to feel outside of your comfort zone and may lack enthusiasm for the tasks ahead of you now. You are used to a leadership role but could be asked to follow the lead of others who don't have your experience or credentials for a short period of time.
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Beware loan defaulters! Banks to publish photos in newspapers
To instil fear among loan defaulters , the banks have decided to publish in newspapers photographs and details like names and addresses of the borrowers to make them pay their dues.
Following State Bank of India (SBI), which has already taken the lead in doing so, the banks have adopted a name and shame policy to make borrowers pay their dues.
Besides, banks would also publish photographs, names and addresses of guarantors of such defaulters in newspapers if the dues are not cleared within 15 days of the notice containing particulars of the original borrowers.
Some banks have also decided to prominently display the photographs and other details of the wilful loan defaulters at branches in the locality of such borrowers, a senior executive with a leading bank said.
Taking the lead, State Bank of India has begun publishing photographs and other particulars of such defaulters and has published one such public notice in newspapers for five defaulters in the national capital.
These persons had taken export credit loans of Rs three lakh each and their outstanding amounts were in the range of Rs 2.6 lakh to Rs 2.93 lakh.
Executives at many other banks said that they would also publish the photographs and other details of their wilful defaulters in local newspapers circulated in areas of residence of such persons.
As per RBI's regulations, wilful defaulters are mostly those who are found to be engaged in deliberate non-payment of dues despite adequate cash flow and good networth.
Besides, banks can also classify defaulters as 'wilful' if the loans are utilised for purposes other than those previously stated, funds are siphoned off from the bank-financed activity, records are falsified, securities are disposed of without bank's knowledge and the borrower indulges in fraudulent transactions.
RBI has already put in place a system to disseminate credit information pertaining to wilful defaulters for cautioning banks and financial institutions, so that any further bank finance is not made available to such borrowers.
Now, banks have decided to make public the photographs and other details of wilful loan defaulters through newspaper notices, so that such borrowers clear their dues. Besides, banks also expect such notices to act as a deterrent for others against any loan defaults.
In one such notice, SBI said that names and photographs of the guarantors of those defaulters would be published in newspapers if these borrowers do not clear their dues within 15 days of the publication of notice.
The bank also warned other defaulters that "their photograph may be the next to be published after completion of necessary formalities, if the dues are not cleared immediately".
RBI has also asked Credit Information Bureau India Ltd (CIBIL) to publish a list of wilful defaulters involving defaults of Rs 25 lakh and above.
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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
You will need to make a special effort to act in your own best interests today. You could be tempted to join your talents with groups that have different goals or methods of conducting business than your own. These include business associates and partners. If you feel at all confused about any developing arrangements, wait several weeks before signing contracts or making long term commitments. That will give you more time to do gather more information about key people and organizations involved.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
You'll feel rightly proud of your accomplishments today and perhaps gain the notice of an individual with influence in your area of expertise. It's a fine day to review and revise the goals you set at the beginning of this year. Your significant other or business partner may display an unexpected degree of independence that will surprise you. There will be room for compromise so make your needs known and be willing to negotiate changes acceptable to both of you.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 Your personal responsibilities at work and home will increase today but continue to be manageable. You can take necessary timeouts to enjoy your day and week even if you have to juggle time and appointments to find the free time. The major changes taking place in your daily environment may bring transportation and communication delays now, but you'll find alternatives when needed. You are likely to have your choice of social activities with friends and your significant other tonight.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
There's cosmic potential for you and your true love to come to important agreements and lasting understandings soon and the initial process can begin today. You are highly aware of your partner's needs and wishes and the feeling is mutual. The impediments to a more satisfying relationship could be lack of time and opportunities to be together. Busy schedules can be cleared now to make that possible. Both of you may need to cut back on other commitments first.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 Your Saturn sign ruler will connect with transforming Pluto today. That aspect can produce major changes in several life areas. It's an easy connection, so changes will fall into place without much effort or evident disturbance. You may first notice those that originate with your employer and impact you and your co-workers through employee benefits. You might also discover new limits to the resources available to you at work. The aspect could also manifest through one or more of your close friends as the universe will hand them more responsibilities and they'll seek your support and advice.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 The majority of cosmic activity today will take place in your astrological sector of money and other resources. It will generate a mixed bag of incoming funds as well as talents and services of family members and friends. These will become available to you to help accomplish a special goal. It might include a large remodeling project at work or home, a fundraiser for one of your favorite non-profits, or a group of like minded volunteers devoted to accomplishing a special community wide goal.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
The Sun and three planets will light up your life as a Pisces today. This heavenly combo will encourage you to set the agenda for business and personal partners, your assistants, and contractors. Idealistic Neptune in the mix will confirm that you can inspire others to meet your high standards. If property is involved, you may need to supervise the others in multiple locations. Funding for your project may be available from a risky investment that unexpectedly resulted in excellent returns.
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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.”
A husband visited a marriage counsellor and said, "When we were first married,
I would come home from the office, my wife would bring my
slippers and our cute little dog would run around barking. Now after ten years
it's all different, I come home, the dog brings the slippers and my
wife runs around barking."
"Why complain?" said the counsellor. "You're still getting the same service!"
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St Joseph College offers certificate courses classes to students and outsiders
At St Joseph's College in Bangalore, classes for certificate courses are conducted on weekends, public holidays and even on weekdays once the regular classes are dispersed.
"At St Joseph's the courses are not open just to students but also to outsiders who wish to benefit from the programme," says Dr Fr Daniel Fernandes SJ, principal.
Commonly, certificate courses are started as an integral part of the academic autonomy. At Chennai's Madras Christian College, the School of Continuing Education has been offering short-term job-oriented courses since 1983.
Says RW Alexander Jesudasan, principal, "So far, our courses have benefited a multitude of students.
The MCC Association has recently started a MCC Community College, which will offer diplomas in computer hardware service and in health assistant programmes.
Alexander is of the opinion that such courses go a long way in bridging the divide in student backgrounds as they are relevant to both urban and rural youth.
On a stand-alone basis, certificate courses provide employment opportunities to students who are not equipped with degrees as they carry sufficient merit of their own.
"Students who are unable to pursue regular degree programmes due to financial or other difficulties will be able to take up these courses, which would provide them scope for employment in a shorter span of time," says Alexander.
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Barcelona look to Messi to inspire European fightback
MADRID: Lionel Messi has often said personal accolades are secondary to the fortunes of the team and Barcelona's Argentina forward would probably swap all four of his World Player of the Year awards for a comeback success against AC Milan on Tuesday.
Barca's hopes of a third Champions League crown in five years are hanging by a thread after Milan surprised them 2-0 at the San Siro in last month's last-16, first leg.
If the pre-tournament favourites are to get past the Serie A side into the quarterfinals, Messi will surely have to be on song.
He and his team mates will also need to reverse a slump in key games after they were beaten twice in five days by arch rivals Real Madrid following the reverse in Italy.
Messi, well shackled by Milan in the first leg, claimed another record on Saturday when he came off the bench and scored for a 17th consecutive La Liga game in a 2-0 victory for the leaders at home to bottom side Deportivo La Coruna.
Barca said he had set a new world best by surpassing Polish forward Teodor Pewterek, scorer of 22 goals in 16 straight outings for Ruch Chorzow at the end of the 1930s.
Messi has netted 27 on his prolific run.
Some have questioned his form of late but it was his 40th goal of the La Liga campaign and his 51st in 41 appearances in all competitions, including five in the Champions League.
He is the top scorer in Europe's elite club competition the past four seasons.
Producing the goods on the biggest occasions is what counts, though, and the 25-year-old has been overshadowed in recent weeks by Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese scored the goal against his former club Manchester United on Tuesday that sent Real through to the Champions League last eight and netted twice to help eliminate Barca from the King's Cup at the end of last month.
CLEAN SHEET
A significant positive from Barca's La Liga win on Saturday was that they kept a clean sheet for the first time in 14 outings and a repeat performance will likely be crucial on Tuesday at the Nou Camp.
Barca also rested a slew of key players to keep them fresh for the Milan showdown.
Assistant coach Jordi Roura, standing in for Tito Vilanova while he undergoes cancer treatment in New York, deployed Messi only for the final half hour.
He gave Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets a run out in the second half but centre back Gerard Pique, fullback Jordi Alba and forward Pedro did not feature.
Barca are also expecting to have playmaker Xavi available after he returned to training this week following a minor muscle strain.
However, Vilanova will again be absent from the bench and it is hard not to attribute at least part of Barca's recent dip in form to their coach's enforced exile.
"We really miss him," Pique was quoted as saying on the club's website on Sunday.
"It's a difficult situation to be in, without the boss - it's like a company without its chairman, but we will come through this," added the Spain international.
"Tito is helping us from New York and the most important thing is his health. We're not putting any pressure on him and we'll be waiting for him till he gets better.
"We'll attack from the off - which is our way of doing things - and we hope to win 3-0."
Milan warmed up for the trip to Spain with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Serie A rivals Genoa on Friday.
Victory came at a cost, however, and the club said on Sunday goal scorer Giampaolo Pazzini had sustained a micro-fracture in his right fibula and was out of the Barca game.
Fullback Kevin Constant, who was sent off against Genoa for lashing out at an opponent, said he expected Barca to come at Milan hard from the start. "We know that Tuesday's match will be different to the first leg," he said on the club's website.
"We are starting with a 2-0 lead and we are not going there to defend but to try to win this game," the Guinean added. "They will have a lot of ball possession but when it is our turn we have to be the ones to circulate it and try to score. We cannot underestimate the best team in the world."
Barcelona have not lost a European tie at home for more than three years and knocked Milan out in last season's quarterfinals, their 16th meeting, and in the 2005-06 semifinals.
History is against them, however, as no team has ever overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit without the benefit of an away goal. Barca will hope to emulate Depor, who lost 4-1 at Milan in the 2003-04 quarterfinals but beat them 4-0 in the return leg, the biggest first-leg victory overturned in Champions League history.
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Mere Dad Ki Maruti
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Mere Dad Ki Maruti
Movie Name : Mere Dad Ki Maruti
Release Date : 15 March 2013
Genre : 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.
I was immediately excited from the initial trailer to hear the full, Punjabiyan Di Battery, and it’s a funky track that launches you on the dance floor from the opening tumbhi strands. Honey Singh chimes in with his safer rap verses, and then the real star of the show emerges – Mika. This is a much better song where Mika can show off his vocal prowess and some of the usual swagger. It’s a real feat to have Singh and Mika on the same track and they don’t sound like they are trying to outdo each other too much.
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the names of all continents both start and end with the same letter.
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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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