“If I told you I’ve worked hard to get where I’m at, I’d be lying, because I have no idea where I am right now.”     VBA's Positive News The Balkans IT sector is booming There is a deep well of talent in Romania and Bulgaria. They may be the European Union's two poorest members, but their low labour costs, skilled workers, and strategic location are underpinning a technology boom. Multinational companies are using their expertise for customer support, software development, and business process outsourcing. Oracle, SAP, IBM, Hewlett Packard, and Siemens all have business centres or operations in the region.    Australia: Government extends Reef Rescue programme Queensland farmers have welcomed the Federal Government's announcement it will commit $200 million to continue the Reef Rescue programme for another five years. Since it began in 2008, the programme has proved successful at reducing soil and chemical runoff into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.      .     US: Minnesota's proposed bans on BPA, formaldehyde raise case for federal action Minnesota will add two more chemicals to a list of items kept out of children's personal care products and food containers. Bills passed by the Minnesota House on Friday would ban Bisphenol-A and formaldehyde in children's products and the debate raised demand from some legislators to approach chemical bans uniformly at the federal level. Beekeepers create buzz with UK Parliament protest Scores of worried beekeepers -- and a brace of fashionistas -- have gathered outside Britain's Parliament in a bid to convince the government to back a ban on pesticides that have been blamed for a worrying drop in bee populations. The demonstrators say they hope to influence Britain's vote next week on a proposed European Union ban on some pesticides.      Video of the Day:

World Round-Up

Political + Samajwadi Party minister Azam Khan returns to India after his controversial US visit     New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan, who was briefly detained on Wednesday at a US airport, returned to India on Monday morning. Khan has accused External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid of hatching a "conspiracy" to defame him outside India. Miffed with Khan's detention at the airport, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who was scheduled to give a lecture in the Harvard University on April 27, boycotted it. Yadav also cancelled a reception that was to be hosted in his honour by New York Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay on Saturday. Attacking Khurshid over his detention at the Boston airport, Khan said a call on continuation of Samajwadi Party's support to the UPA government will be taken by party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav after hearing his version and that of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on their return to India. "Our leader knows exactly what had happened and who is behind this and he will take a decision soon on the continuation of support to the UPA government," he said. "My detention at the Boston Logan International can't be treated on par with insults heaped on either former President APJ Abdul Kalam or actor Shah Rukh Khan as I was targeted by Khurshid and his coterie who had no guts to oppose me on Indian soil," he added. "When I was in detention inside the airport, the Consulate General of India's protocol officers who had come to receive us acted like total strangers and silent spectators. I guess they must have got some instructions from their superiors to stay away," Khan alleged. Maintaining that during the 45 minutes of his detention the protocol officials could have contacted the New York Consul General and the Consul General could have contacted Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao in Washington, Khan claimed, "Nobody spoke a single word to get me out of trouble and I had to fend for myself." "How can you expect the Government of India to protest when Khurshid is holding the foreign ministry portfolio? If you do not know who Khurshid is, then I am very sorry... He tried to defame me in my state and failed miserably. He is unfit to be Indian Foreign Minister," he alleged. "Except the spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry who issued a routine matter-of-fact statement, did anybody holding responsible position in the central government condemn the incident? Does this sound weird? I am an Indian citizen first and a politician next. Will any other country keep quiet and act like this if their citizen or someone holding high office were insulted and humiliated," Khan asked. Giving a ball-by-ball account of the incident, he said after he checked in at one of the immigration counters, the officer who was attending to visitors took his diplomatic passport and ushered him into an ante room. The minister said he was made to sit alone on a bench for 45 minutes in the room. "I asked why was I being singled out in the team of 12 from India but got no answer." "I asked them are you suspecting me because I am a Muslim. I was taken to the room while all others were cleared and I felt ashamed and humiliated. Only 24 hours before my departure for this country, the US Consulate issued me a multiple-entry visa for 10 years. Wouldn't have they made the necessary background checks whether I am a terrorist or not before issuing the visa? They also gave a 10-year multiple-entry visas to my wife and children," he said. "After 45 minutes, the officers came to me and said, 'here is your passport and you can go'. I told them I won't leave the airport unless they tell me why they had detained me. Until you tell why you harassed me and caused mental agony, I won't leave the airport at any cost. They ill-treated and insulted me. If you do not know who I am you should have checked in India. I also told them that I refuse to enter the US and want to return to my motherland." Astrology   Aries March 21 to April 19 Has a financial arrangement you've made with another party delayed your other endeavors? Consider whether your agreements empower your pursuits or entangle you in tasks that leave you little time to spread your wings. If the latter, you may wish to renegotiate the terms so you may focus more of your time investing in things that support you. You may also receive news today that will give you a new idea or perspective on the matter.   Taurus April 20 to May 20 Heightened activity in your career sector over the past weeks may have had you working extra hours to make a splash. Though a partner may not have always been supportive of your goals or your long days, you may soon see a change of heart. If you've been waiting for improvements in your financial sector, today you might see your effort begin to bear fruit. The positive financial news might just be what's needed to put things in perspective for all parties.                                         Gemini May 21 to June 20 You may see green lights today, especially if you've had travel or educational plans in limbo for the past few months. Fortunately an optimistic outlook will likely help you get back on track quickly, as will another piece of good news on February 1. Even if travel or school isn’t on your agenda, you may still harness your positive attitude to energize your professional drive over the next six weeks.                        Cancer June 21 to July 22  Investments or other fiscal arrangements you’ve made with partners or corporations may be on your mind. A conservative approach might be best. You may discover something hidden or unexpected that causes you to reevaluate your position. If you have credit cards or other debt, there may be a chance for you to improve your payment terms. Or your research may put you in an ideal position to capitalize on a financial opportunity that might arrive as soon as February 1.                                                       Leo July 23 to Aug. 22  Responsibilities involving a home or other real estate may cause friction between you and a personal or a business partner. Information that proves useful to resolving the situation may arrive by way of a friend or colleague. Nevertheless, you may want to refrain from making a final decision today. Events on February 1 may change your financial equation and make a resolution easier to find.                                BUSINESS+VE                                                                              IMF expects Indian economy to grow 5.7% in 2013       New Delhi: India, along with the Philippines and Thailand, is exposed to larger risk of growth slowdown in emerging Asia, stemming from poor infrastructure and inefficient economic institutions, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said in its outlook for the Asia-Pacific region.   If these are not addressed, they could put the countries in the middle-income trap, added IMF.     The middle-income trap is the phenomenon of so-far rapidly growing economies stagnating at middle-income levels and failing to rise to the high-income levels of advanced economies.   This has often happened as a result of a sharp and persistent slowdown after a period of relatively strong growth.     IMF expects India’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow 5.7% in calendar year 2013 and 6.2% in 2014, while China is seen growing 8% in 2013 and 8.2% in 2014. IMF pegs overall Asian economic growth at 5.7% in 2013.   In its outlook released on Monday, IMF said analysis suggests that India’s trend growth peaked just before the global financial crisis at about 8% and has recently declined to about 6-7%, while for China, trend growth has declined from more than 10% before 2008 to less than 8% after the crisis.   “For China and India, the slowdown appears to have been driven largely by a decline in trend total factor productivity (TFP) growth, a crude measure of technological progress,” IMF said.     Even though physical capital, human capital, and employment are key drivers of economic growth, they matter less for sustained slowdowns in growth, which seem to coincide primarily with lower TFP growth, IMF said.   IMF warned that in South Asia, not withstanding modest growth recovery in India on a more favourable external demand environment, deep-rooted structural challenges are expected to exert a substantial drag on potential growth while keeping inflation at elevated levels by regional standards.   Ahead of the monetary policy review this week by the Reserve Bank of India, IMF said for countries like India, where inflationary pressures have been elevated, vigilance on inflation will pay dividends in terms of long-term growth.   “In India, monetary policy can best support growth by putting inflation on a clear downward trend,” it added. HEALTH+VE                                                              Health benefits of Amla (Indian Gooseberry)       Everyone is familiar with amla or the Indian gooseberry, it is used in a variety of products like sweets, jams, powder, pickles, while some simply like to pluck and eat them. But are the health benefits of amla overrated? Along with Dr. Jaishree Bhattacharjee, Ayurvedic consultant with Satvikshop, we explore this popular Indian fruit. Amla is known as a good source of vitamin C, but is that all? What are the other health benefits of the Indian gooseberry? Dr. Jaishree gives us a detailed list, "Amla has loads of benefits. It is a super food of Ayurveda due to its antioxidant property. It has beneficial effects on almost all the systems and organs of body." She explains: -It controls blood sugar in diabetes -Lowers cholesterol level -It is a natural anti ageing agent for skin; nourishes scalp and hair roots and encourages hair growth -It improves digestion and alleviates constipation -It improves blood circulation -It ensures proper functioning of liver. -It is a strong immunomodulator and protects from the onset of many diseases if taken regularly -Amla is a good hematinic as it raises hemoglobin level She also goes on to list out other sources of vitamin C, "There are many good sources of vitamin C beside amla: -All leafy vegetables like palak, bathua etc. -All kind of peppers have loads of vit-c -Fruits like mangoes, pine apple, oranges, kiwi, strawberry, berries, papaya, -Vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, red cabbage, etc -Herbs like basil, mint, coriander, rosemary" You can get these health benefits by including amla and the other vitamin C rich foods in your diet. On the other hand, if fresh produce is a problem, you can invest in some organic amla products.         Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22  Career recognition might give you a surge of optimism for your professional prospects. You may receive an unexpected green light on a project that stalled last year, or a boss or mentor may single you out for praise for a job well done. A heavy workload will likely keep you busy, especially if your career involves writing or a great deal of routine travel. You may need to delegate tasks to an assistant or to other employees so you can stay focused on the most essential things.                                    Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 While you might feel the urge to splurge on something fun or frivolous, caution regarding financial matters could be your best course of action. Last October you entered a 2-1/2 year period in which Saturn challenges you to conserve resources and spend wisely. If you have big dreams, consider cutting back now as a strategy to help you reach your long-term goals more quickly. You may use your creativity to find ways to live abundantly without spending lavishly. In these economic times, saving is chic.                               Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21 You may need to make a decision regarding your home or other property. Though you may have faced delays in such matters, slow and steady remains the best way to make progress. You may consider updating your will or other estate plans or assisting your parents to do the same. If you are in the market or in the process of refinancing, you may receive good news from your mortgage company. Perseverance is your ally in your negotiations.                               Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 Though you may have delayed having a conversation on important matters regarding a personal or business union, you might find the atmosphere has changed. Still, you may want to have patience and see how things develop over the next few days. On February 1 Venus' entry into your communication sector will add her grace and tact to your words for the coming weeks. With a softer tone, it's more likely your sincerity will shine through and your point of view be well received.                                                   Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 You may find yourself becoming busier over the next few weeks. Staying on target may mean streamlining your activities to those that help you achieve your long-term goals. If you are involved in a number of associations or volunteer projects, it may be wise to take a step back for a few weeks and focus on that which earns you income. A friend or college may also offer you sober advice on your earning power; consider the observation carefully and you may benefit.                              Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18  For example, you may find yourself on the ground floor of an exciting new venture in which your creativity sparkles. But it also may require a significant time commitment from you to make it happen. If you are willing to put in some long hours, you may even see your career move to a whole new level. Consider carefully before making a decision.                            Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20  Personal or family matters may be on your mind today. If you have big dreams, you may be working behind the scenes to lay the groundwork to achieve them. Your family could be a great source of support for you - consider asking them for their assistance. You may feel your motivation to get started increase dramatically on February 1. With a plan in hand and your family behind you, you may be in excellent shape to launch your ship.                        Moral Story     SMS   “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”      LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS   Love will not serve those who do not live for her, and in her, and to whom she is not the breath of life.   LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS      Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.     Wife comes home late at night and quietly opens the door to her bedroom. From under the blanket she sees four legs instead of two! She reaches for a baseball bat and starts hitting the blanket as hard as she can. Once she's done, she goes to the kitchen to have a drink. As she enters, she sees her husband there, reading a magazine. :s "hi darling", he says, "your parents have come to visit us, so I let them stay in our bedroom. Hope you have said hello to them.

EDUCATION +VE ​Focus on time management       With the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG ) 2013 (MBBS/BDS) to be held on May 5, KN Bhat, principal, Kendriya Vidyalaya Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, talks to Poonam Jain on how to prepare for the test. With less than a week to NEET-UG for MBBS/BDS, what are your preparation tips for students? Taking into account the fact that NEET is an exam conducted by CBSE for admission to MBBS and BDS course, candidates should be thorough with the portions of CBSE. Since the NCERT textbooks are based on this board, studying the textbooks for physics, chemistry and biology (including practical syllabus ) should equip students sufficiently enough for the medical entrance exam. You must solve previous years' papers of AIPMT, CET and AIEEE (physics and chemistry sections) and take care of HOT (the higher order thinking) questions and those might be outside (borderline questions) the NCERT textbook. Six to eight hours of studying and solving in-text questions that will give you an in-depth idea of the chapter should suffice. Also, dedicate quality time for rest and recreation. What is the question pattern of NEET exam? The NEET Paper consists of 180 questions to be attempted in three hours. Thus, on an average, it is one-question-aminute-examination . It comprises four sections — physics, chemistry, botany and zoology — 45 questions of the MCQ type in each section. Medium: both English and Hindi. Students should focus on time-management by taking mock tests and practising 10-15 full-length tests before taking the actual exam. SPORTS +VE Nadal beats Almagro for eighth Barcelona Open title          BARCELONA: Rafael Nadal extended his record number of Barcelona titles to eight as he brushed off a slow start to beat Spanish compatriot Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday. Last weekend's Monte Carlo runner-up regained his accustomed position on an ATP winner's podium with his fourth title of 2013 and his third on clay for the year. He rallied from two breaks down on a day of drizzle and heavy conditions, beating Almagro for the tenth time without defeat. "It was a fantastic match for me," Nadal told a crowd which had huddled under umbrellas for the duration of the contest. "Thanks to the people who watched us." The world number five has made a storming comeback to tennis after missing seven months from last summer with knee injuries. Since his February return, he has played finals in all six events he has entered. Nadal went into recovery mode after trailing Almagro 0-3 in less than a quarter hour on the heavy court. But as quickly as he had temporarily let his guard down, Nadal was able to muster his resources to fight back. He claimed an epic ninth game for a 5-4 lead before serving out the opening set a game later as Almagro couldn't reach a forehand to the corner. The second seed sped away with the second set in the testing conditions and finished off the victory with an overhead smash. "I'm used to losing to Rafa," said Almagro. "But matches like this are what makes you a better player. "I started well but after it really started to rain the balls got heavy and Rafa found his game in the conditions." Nadal becomes the first man this season to win four ATP titles, adding Barcelona to those he lifted in Brazil, Mexico and California. The 26-year-old who is rediscovering the form that habitually makes him the favourite when the French Open comes around in May. This victory took his Barcelona win streak to 39 matches. In clay finals, the impeccable Spaniard has lost only to Djokovic (three times), Roger Federer (twice) and Horacio Zeballos (once). He now stands 40-1 in Barcelona. The win was the second of the season for Nadal over Almagro after beating his countryman in the Acapulco semifinal. Nadal will now prepare for another home event, the Madrid Masters, beginning next weekend.      Bombay Talkies    Movie Name :   Bombay Talkies  Release Date :   May 3, 2013 Genre :  Anthology Producer : Viacom 18 Motion Pictures & Ashi Dua Director :  Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar Music Director : Amit Trivedi Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Randeep Hooda, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Saqib Saleem, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor.   Synopsis: Bombay Talkies is a 2013 Indian anthology film consisting of four short films, directed by Anurag Kashyap, Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar and Dibakar Banerjee. The film will release on May 3, 2013, to mark the centenary year of Indian cinema. Dream Desire Thought Joy Pain Want Love Sorrow - Four story tellers come together to celebrate the emotion of cinema.The film's story revolves around the lives and problems of common people of our society while all the actors who played their roles looks much perfect and real. The Statue of Liberty's tablet is two feet thick. " INSPIRING STORY "   Keep your dream   I have a friend named Monty Roberts who owns a horse ranch in San Ysidro. He has let me use his house to put on fund-raising events to raise money for youth at risk programs. The last time I was there he introduced me by saying, “I want to tell you why I let Jack use my horse. It all goes back to a story about a young man who was the son of an itinerant horse trainer who would go from stable to stable, race track to race track, farm to farm and ranch to ranch, training horses. As a result, the boy’s high school career was continually interrupted. When he was a senior, he was asked to write a paper about what he wanted to be and do when he grew up. “That night he wrote a seven-page paper describing his goal of someday owning a horse ranch. He wrote about his dream in great detail and he even drew a diagram of a 200-acre ranch, showing the location of all the buildings, the stables and the track. Then he drew a detailed floor plan for a 4,000-square-foot house that would sit on a 200-acre dream ranch. He put a great deal of his heart into the project and the next day he handed it in to his teacher. Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red F with a note that read, `See me after class.’ “The boy with the dream went to see the teacher after class and asked, `Why did I receive an F?’ “The teacher said, `This is an unrealistic dream for a young boy like you. You have no money. You come from an itinerant family. You have no resources.Owning a horse ranch requires a lot of money. You have to buy the land. You have to pay for the original breeding stock and later you’ll have to pay large stud fees. There’s no way you could ever do it.’ Then the teacher added, `If you will rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal, I will reconsider your grade.’ “The boy went home and thought about it long and hard. He asked his father what he should do. His father said, `Look, son, you have to make up your own mind on this. However, I think it is a very important decision for you.’ “Finally, after sitting with it for a week, the boy turned in the same paper, making no changes at all. He stated, “You can keep the F and I’ll keep my dream.”   Monty then turned to the assembled group and said, “I tell you this story because you are sitting in my 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of my 200-acre horse ranch. I still have that school paper framed over the fireplace.” He added, “The best part of the story is that two summers ago that same schoolteacher brought 30 kids to camp out on my ranch for a week.” When the teacher was leaving, he said, “Look, Monty, I can tell you this now. When I was your teacher, I was something of a dream stealer. During those years I stole a lot of kids’ dreams. Fortunately you had enough gumption not to give up on yours.” “Don’t let anyone steal your dreams. Follow your heart, no matter what.”

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. ”