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“ Whatever may be our condition in life, it is better to lay hold of its advantages than to count its evils.”
| VBA's Positive News |
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EU bans cosmetics with animal-tested ingredients
No new cosmetic product sold in Europe can contain ingredients tested on animals, thanks to a European Union ban introduced Monday. 'This is a great opportunity for Europe to set an example of responsible innovation in cosmetics without any compromise on consumer safety,' said Tonio Borg, the top official on health and consumer issues for the 27-country EU.
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Evidence grows of rainforest resilience to global warming
The world's tropical forests are less likely to lose biomass, or plant material, this century due to the effects of global warming than previously thought, scientists said in a paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience on Sunday. This adds to growing evidence that rainforests might be more resilient to the effects of climate change than feared.
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Public transportation surges as Americans return to work
The number of Americans commuting by public transportation rose to the second highest level on record last year, as more people returned to work, according to an annual survey released by the leading US transit association on Monday. Altogether, US transit ridership rose 1.49 per cent, with passengers taking 10.52 million trips on trains, buses, and commuter rail in 2012. The increase was universal across the different modes of transit.
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German exports start the year strongly
Official figures show that German exports began the year strongly with a 1.4 per cent rise in January over the previous month. Exports rose to €91.9 billion ($120.3 billion) in January from €90.6 billion in December 2012, according to figures Monday from the Federal Statistical Office, which adjusts values for calendar and seasonal effects. Exports to the European Union rose 2.1 per cent over the year, while exports to the other 16 countries that use the euro grew 0.4 per cent.
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World Round-Up
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Akhilesh Yadav launches free laptop scheme for students
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday launched free laptop scheme for intermediate pass students as promised in the manifesto during assembly elections in 2012. "There is no difference in the words and act of Samajwadi Party.
We made efforts to fulfill our promises within a year," Yadav said while launching the scheme at a function here. He said when the project was being prepared, people said it would not take off.
"Nobody expected from SP that it will talk about English and laptop, but the party realised the change and took an initiative," he said. "It is true that a number of people were waiting for the scheme. Opposition parties were waiting for it, but students and youths were waiting for it more eagerly," he said.
Samajwadi Party in its manifesto had promised to distribute free laptops to all intermediate students. "Laptop and internet has changed everything, whether it is government functioning or field of education.
We want that tomorrow the world should not say that we have not done internet-based progressive education," he said. "Through internet, the children will enter a new world and get the benefit of progressive education," Yadav said.
He said more than the beneficiaries, SP government was happy with the implementation of the scheme. The manifesto is the most important document of any party, he said. "One party never prepared the manifesto (for assembly elections). There is one which backtrack from its promises. There is no difference in the words and act of SP," he said.
Yadav said his party had never levelled allegation against anyone in case of mishaps or tragedies and alleged there were people who try to take political advantage of an incident.
"If there was a riot, we made efforts to take action against the people responsible. If there was a stampede, we never level allegation on anyone, but think that how people were taken to a safe place," he said.
He alleged that unemployment had increased due to wrong policies of the previous government and said his government was trying to create new opportunities to increase investment.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
You'll be a dynamo, now that Mars entered Aries. Until April 20, you'll have an incredible, once-in-two-year edge to begin new personal projects or a relationship with total gusto. Now will be a positive time to launch a new fitness program, as your energy level likely will increase, and you'll enjoy challenging yourself more on a physical level. You'll also have an urge to try something new, and you'll move forward in record time to get this endeavor off the ground.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
Your social life likely will pick up speed, thanks to the ongoing effects of Monday's new moon in your friendship sector. Since Mercury is still retrograde in this same part of your chart, you may hear from a pal with whom you lost touch over the years. Before you know it, you likely will pick up right where you left off and a renewed kinship with this person is likely. Cultivate it - you'll be glad you did.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 Your career will continue to light up, thanks to a recent new moon in the area of your chart that rules honors and recognition. You may decide to re-pitch an idea to the boss that previously was ignored. Take a second look at your proposal first and polish up any errors. This time around, your delivery likely will be perfect, and a VIP will want to help you move forward. You will have a chance to expand your professional reach.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
With Mars in your career sector until April 20 you'll be in a fine position to launch a new business or reach for one of your most ambitious professional goals. If this involves publishing or has an international reach, you'll be even more likely to see opportunity in front of you, although you will need to exercise patience until after March 18 when Mercury turns direct. Once this happens, you'll be able to move ahead. Success is near.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 Although a fresh start will be likely for you in a joint financial matter, you'll need to tie up loose ends and carefully review any paperwork associated with a future investment before you move forward. Monday's new moon highlighted resources that come to you from a source other than your income. Until March 18, however, you may need to backtrack. Now, take care of any unfinished business relating to a debt or tax situation.
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Montek hopes AirAsia venture will take off
Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Monday expressed hope that ministerial differences would be sorted out paving the way for Tatas to set up airline company in collaboration with Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia.
“I don’t know what the detailed differences are. I am sure they will be sorted out. If Tatas and an international airline want to set up an Indian airlines as long as the international fellows (hold up to) 49 per cent, they should be allowed to do so,” Mr. Ahluwalia told reporters here. “In my view, if Tatas want to set up a company to run an airline within that 49 per cent limit, the intention of policy as far as I know, is quite clearly that they should be allowed to do it,” he added.
The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) on March 6 cleared the Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia’s bid to launch an airline in India by joining hands with Tata Sons.
However, soon after the FIPB nod to the proposal, the Civil Aviation Ministry sought further clarity on the FDI policy in aviation, particularly on whether a foreign airline could invest in a new venture.
“There are some procedural problems... The notification says (investment by a foreign airline in) an Indian carrier. So they (investor) have to follow the procedure because the Cabinet took a decision, following which the Commerce Ministry issued the notification,” Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh had said.
AirAsia has announced it would set up a 49:30:21 joint venture with the Tata Sons and Telestra Tradeplace of Indian investor Arun Bhatia to launch a new Indian airline. The initial investment by the AirAsia-led joint venture would be Rs 80 crore. An official has said the FIPB clearance was granted in accordance with the policy which allows up to 49 per cent FDI by a foreign carrier in an Indian airline company.
With the FIPB clearance, the AirAsia joint venture would now have to approach aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for further clearances and a scheduled air operator’s permit which allows an airline to undertake flying operations.
On the controversies over PPPs, Mr. Ahluwalia said, “this is unfortunate. We are a very participative democracy. People have questions. I think those questions should be asked and those should be answered. Sensible questions should be answered and if there are flaws, those should be corrected.”
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Fitness benefits of Bollywood latka-jhatkas
Blame it on 'Jai Ho' from Slumdog Millionaire or 'Shaava-Shaava' from Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham, Bollywood moves are famous all around the world.
Bollywood dance is a mixture of all dance forms - from Latin American to Funk and Jazz. This dance form is rhythmic, fast and vivacious, plus you can never run out of hip-shake inducing songs, because every Bollywood film has at least 2-4 up-tempo songs designed to make your foot tap.
Over the last decade, a number of Bollywood dance 'fitness' classes have emerged across the world. Interestingly, these are choreographed as per popular films' dance moves and find favour with Indians, NRIs, expats, even foreigners. But how good are these dance moves in improving fitness? Let's take a look:
Boosts co-ordination
The Bollywood dance form requires movement according to the musical beats. When you first try it, it will be a little difficult, but as you practice it daily, your body will develop its natural rhythm. This improves the body's ability to balance and co-ordinate. The fast, upbeat movements help to kick calories and also shed extra kilos.
Oxygen supply
The Bollywood dance form is a great form of aerobic exercise, as it involves lots of active and energetic movements. This helps in boosting oxygen supply, throughout the body. In fact, back in the 90s, the dance moves were usually modelled on aerobic movements like jumping jacks, toe touches, side to side lunging and so on.
Stress buster
Bollywood music is upbeat and jovial. This dance form leaves you exhausted but happy as well. The music and dance moves allow you to forget all your worries and problems, which helps to prevent stress.
Joint lubrication
The rigorous movements involved in this dance form help limber up the whole body. It also helps to keep joints well lubricated, which prevents arthritis.
Bollywood dance for fitness is like any other aerobic exercise form that needs commitment, consistency and progression. While it does satisfy your body's cardio needs, it will not help strengthen your muscles for longevity, bone density improvement or long term weight control. For these benefits, which keep you safe from osteoporosis and several other lifestyle diseases, you will still need to add strength training to your fitness routine.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
You and your mate may decide to move forward in your relationship. If things have been serious, you may both find that you want to consider moving in together or even get married. If this idea has come up before, and you both thought it best to put it on the shelf for a better time, now you might feel ready to seriously consider the future of your union. A deeper commitment will be likely.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
A new freelance assignment or job may be on the horizon, but first you'll need to polish up your resume or take care of unfinished business with a current project. In other news, if a partnership becomes testy, do your best to extend an olive branch and be the one willing to move toward a peaceful resolution. Don't give in to the urge to argue when there's a better way to resolve any disagreement.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 Romance may be closer than you think. If single, there may be a glorious opportunity to meet someone new. At the same time, if you still harbor feelings toward an ex, the two of you possibly will decide to give your relationship a second chance. If this is the case, be sure to set boundaries so that any problem you had in the past will not crop up again once the initial sparks have begun to settle.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
Until April 20, you may feel particularly passionate. Mars, the planet of action and assertive drive, will be in your romance sector, offering you a fantastic opportunity to put the spark back into your love life. If you're single, you possibly will have more than one potential suitor interested in you, and you likely will enjoy the chase. If you have a child, he or she might begin to test limits over the coming weeks. Exercise patience.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 You or a relative might feel less cooperative if you need to reach a mutual decision. You may feel more impulsive about taking action with a family matter, as if time is of the essence and if you don't act soon, you'll lose control of the situation entirely. Remember to take a deep breath and think carefully before you proceed. Although this may seem like a good idea now, consider how it might make your family feel.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 Your ability to speak up and take charge in a conversation may now prove to be your greatest asset. Until April 20, you'll have this edge so be sure to pitch a vital idea, schedule an important meeting, or do anything you can to promote yourself to others. Also, a new money-making opportunity likely will be on the horizon, but you'll take best advantage of the extra income if you spend time organizing your finances first.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
A new moon in Pisces earlier this week will continue to benefit you. You may begin a project that will enhance your personal development and if so, it likely will succeed. You might also focus on a relationship and clarify an unfinished conversation or fuzzy communication in order to help your partnership move on to a more positive level. Also, if there's an unexpected, frustrating expense, try not to stress. You'll be able to meet any extra overhead.
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Moral Story
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SMS
“Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.”
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
"Distance is to love like wind is to fire...it extinguishes the small and kindles the great!!
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
“Leaders aren’t born they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.”
One woman told another : "My neighbour is always speaking ill of her husband,
but look at me, my husband is foolish, lazy and a coward;
but have I ever said anything bad about him?"
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UGC retains Academic Performance Index for teachers' promotion
NEW DELHI: Going back on its earlier decision to scrap the Academic Performance Index (API), a mandatory requirement for universities to select and promote faculty members, the University Grants Commission has decided to retain the Performance Based Appraisal System (PBAS) with API.
The decision was taken at the full-Commission meeting on Monday, after the ministry for human resource development intervened and asked the UGC to re-look at the decision to scrap API. The 489th meeting of the UGC in October 2012 took up the matter on the recommendations of the Revisit Committee on granting of exemption to PhD holders from NET and removing the API and PBAS. Subsequently In January 2013, the Commission decided to scrap the PBAS with API.
The argument given for scrapping the API was that the strict but inflexible parameters of the UGC's API were holding up appointments and worsening teacher vacancies scenario across universities. Scrapping of the API apparently gave the universities flexibility to evolve their own mechanisms to screen teacher performance.
However, scrapping the PBAS has evoked much criticism from the academia. But, according to a senior official with MHRD, "The ministry intervened and asked the UGC to take a re-look at the decision and to retain the API and work out necessary modifications to improve the system." Following the intervention and in the Monday meeting, it has been decided that the PBAS with API system will continue for promotion and selection of senior university teachers. UGC has also set up a three-member committee to look into the distorting factors in the API to make it a more workable and academically useful model for the university teachers' promotion. The committee is expected to submit its report in 20 days.
"Instead of scrapping the system, the commission decided to modify the complications in the PBAS and API, do away with the distortions and improve the model. The three-member committee set up will look at improving the PBAS with API system and is expected to submit its report in 15 to 20 days," said a UGC official present in the meeting. The API was introduced as an attempt to link teacher selections and promotions to their academic performance.
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It wasn't about one incident, says Clarke
CHANDIGARH: Is there something more behind the Australian team management's shocking decision to axe four players from the squad ahead of the third Test?
Australian captain Michael Clarke, speaking to the Australian media late on Monday, suggested that the failure to comply with the coach's directive to offer inputs on self-improvement may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the decision to exclude Shane Watson, Pattinson, Khawaja and Johnson.
"No doubt it's been a tough day," Clarke said, before adding, "I want the public and media to understand, don't get me wrong, it's not just about one incident.
"Our performances have been unacceptable and there has been some stuff off the field that has been unacceptable for the standards an Australian cricket team needs to present itself to achieve what we are trying to achieve. I know it is a tough day, a really tough day and it's a tough decision, but at the end of the day if people are not hitting those standards there are going to be consequences," he specified.
The Aussie skipper though did not specify what other standards were not met, but mentioned that a series of minor violations had precipitated the development and an example had to be made.
"We can't accept mediocrity here. This is the Australian cricket team. Maybe I am biased but there is a big difference between this team and other cricket teams. If you play for Australia there is a lot that comes with that and standards, discipline, culture that is all a big part of what we are talking about here."
Clarke, one of the few bright spots in the Australian team, during what has comfortably been a miserable last couple of weeks for the visitors, also stressed what the preparation was for Mohali.
"Our head coach gave us two days off after the second Test. It was about freshening yourself up, getting your rehab done, your recovery, do what you have to do, get everything right for the next two Tests, because the next two Tests are as big as you might have in your career and you have an opportunity to turn this series around.
"We were asked to do one thing from the head coach. It was giving information back about not only improving your game but also how can you help this team turn things around and have success."
Clarke also seemed at pains to understand why the task was perceived to be so difficult or trivial to be ignored by cricketers like Watson and Johnson, both of whom are seniors in the team.
"It was a simple task. Yes, it took a lot of thinking because you had to look at your game and where you thought you could improve, what you had learnt and what you could do to help this team level this series. "In my opinion, for the four players to not do it, not only does it let the team down, it also shows a lack of respect for the head coach and in the Australian cricket team that is unacceptable."
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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. The arrangements are fabulous, and the tempo keeps the party going right until the bridge where it speeds up. Kumaar’s lyrics are quirky and celebrate all that Punjabi spirit which is complemented by Mika and Honey Singh’s vocals. Keep this on your most played list.
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the names of all continents both start and end with the same letter.
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" INSPIRING STORY "
Great people are always humble
Lord Raama, the paramaathma, was ofcourse the greatest warrior ever. Lord Krishna in Bhagavadgita remarks “I am Raama among warriors”.
He learnt all the Shastras and unparalled Dhanurvidya under the guidance of the great Vasishtha. He was also given super-human powers like bala, ati bala by the great Vishwamithra, the Rishi of Gayathri manthra.
Vishwamithra maharshi also taught him all the secret astras that ever existed, which only he in this whole universe knew (he originally learnt it from Lord Shiva).
In addition to these, Agasthya mahamuni gave him many additional powers.A few glimpses of Lord Raama’s valour:
With one arrow Raama kills taataki, the mighty raakshasi.
With two simultaneous arrows he kills subaahu and throws Maaricha seven seas away.
Effortlessly lifts the Shiva dhanush, which was pulled to the court by around 50000 well built people.
Raama kills Khara, Dhushana, their 1000 brothers and their army in 14 minutes single handed.
Despite being such a great warrior, he never displayed in strength on his own to show others. The anger on the samudra stands as a good example for this quality of Raama:
Raavana gives 30 days time to sita maata to decide if she will marry him, else will kill her.
Bharata took word from Raama saying that if he does’nt return on the next moment of 14 yrs of aranyavaas, then he will sacrifice himself. Raama and his army reaches the shores of ocean with barely 30 days in hand.
They have to cross the ocean, defeat Ravana & his army, take sita back to ayodhya in around 30 days time.
With such a press for time and given the strength of Raama, Lakshmana suggests Raama not to spend time asking ocean God for way, but to order him.
What Raama does is unbelievable. Though he had the strength and power to control the ocean God, he did not do it. He did penance on the shores of the ocean for 3 long days to give them a way.
Finally after 3 days Raama gets angry on the ocean and to make remember his duty, aims an astra at him and immediately ocean God appears and suggests a way of crossing him…
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“Like a ghostly roll of drums remorselessly beat the measure of life.”
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