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All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
| VBA's Positive News |
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Australia: Community gives hope to people with disabilities
Technically known as Intentional Community housing, a new estate with some social engineering is allowing people with disabilities to live more independently. Dozens of the homes will provide an opportunity for people with a severe disability to live independently, with help only as far away as next door. The Intentional Community at Phillip in Canberra's inner-south was opened by Chief Minister Katy Gallagher and Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce.
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Canada: 'We seem to have entered a utopia for investors'
As Chris Beauchamp put it this week, it's not that investors 'never had it so good,' but it is 'a pleasant atmosphere' in the markets. The analyst at IG in London was referring Friday to the ongoing gains on global exchanges, as Standard and Poor's 500 pushed higher by a further 2 per cent on the week. 'We seem to have entered a utopia for investors; just enough good economic data to encourage nervous investors, but also sufficient bad data to keep banks actively engaged in providing fresh liquidity,' he said.
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In Kabul, UNESCO chief spotlights Afghanistan's educational and cultural gains
Education is not against any religion, the head of the United Nations educational and cultural agency told Afghan authorities and families during a visit to the country to promote learning for women and girls, and to highlight the importance of Afghan cultural heritage as a vital economic asset. In the capital, Kabul, Director General of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, visited the Ayesha-e-Durrani High School, named after the first Afghan women to open a school for local girls. Shuttered and damaged just a decade ago, today 1,600 students are enrolled in the school which includes computer and science laboratories.
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Thailand and Laos agree on the development of transport connectivity
Thailand and Laos have agreed to jointly develop transport connectivity, linking various countries in the region and between Thailand, Laos, and China. The issue was among major topics of discussion during the second Thai-Lao Joint Cabinet Retreat, held in Chiang Mai province on 19 May 2013. Among the transport connectivity projects discussed at the meeting was the construction of a railway, linking Nong Khai in northeastern Thailand and Thanaleng in Laos. The railway will serve as a linkage with the Chinese high-speed train system along the North-South Economic Corridor. Both Thailand and Laos agreed to promote regional tourism and shared the view that the ACMECS Single Visa would be a scheme to help boost tourism in the ASEAN region as a whole. Laos has shown intention to prepare for the adoption of the single visa.
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World Round-Up
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SP chief Mulayam may skip UPA dinner to be hosted by Manmohan Singh tonight
New Delhi: Distancing himself from the UPA's falling fortunes, Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav may skip the dinner which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will host on Wednesday for its allies and supporting parties, according to sources.
An invite has also gone to the BSP's Maywawati.
However, sources say she may skip the dinner too, but the key aide Satish Mishra will be attending.
Both SP and BSP support the UPA from the outside. The government's run in office has been marked by several scams, political drama and hectic parlays with allies.
Manmohan Singh will present the last Report Card of UPA-II in which he is expected to list the positives such as Direct Benefit Transfer and FDI in retail in a bid to boost the sagging morale of Congressmen with elections less than a year away.
Battered by series of scams and the recent sacking of Cabinet Ministers PK Bansal and Ashwani Kumar, the Prime Minister's task to present a positive picture is not easy.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi and leaders of UPA constituents will be present at a dinner in which Singh will present the Report Card on the fourth anniversary of UPA-II.
Sonia is expected to showcase her backing for the Prime Minister in the backdrop of reports that the two had sharp differences, which has been denied by the party.
The Prime Minister is expected to unveil plans on the occasion on the way ahead for the much-talked about National Food Security Bill and the Land Acquisition Bill, seen by the party as game changers in the next Lok Sabha elections.
Representatives of Trinamool Congress and DMK will not be at the dinner as the two key allies have left the UPA.
Despite the challenges ahead, Congress leaders like Mani Shankar Aiyar are unfazed.
The anniversary is being held close on the heels of the just concluded Budget session of Parliament, whose second phase was a washout over BJP demands for the resignation of the Prime Minister over the Coalgate issue.
The CAG has spoken of a Rs 1.86 lakh crore presumed loss in the 100-odd coal block allocations. The allocations had taken place when Singh was handling the charge of the Coal Ministry.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
If pressure from a boss or an overwhelming pile of obligations is reaching critical mass, you may be tempted to throw it all up in the air in an effort to break free. Think carefully about whether this is a temporary situation that you can ride out or if you've really reached a point of no return in a problematic pattern that's run too long. This weekend's lunar eclipse may further intensify the matter but may not provide any clarity. A small getaway may help to give you perspective.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
Although you typically display a calm exterior, you may have a lot going on under the surface this week, which will culminate with this weekend's lunar eclipse. Acknowledge what you know has come to its natural conclusion and let it go. Resisting changes in their right time will prolong unnecessary tension. On a practical note, the upcoming eclipse may call attention to any financial loose ends that you need to tie up. Don't act rashly; Neptune's involvement with the eclipse may make it unclear what's really going on until the dust has settled.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 You may start to feel a change already beginning to brew in a significant relationship as this weekend's lunar eclipse approaches. Don't leap to conclusions in response to any information you receive from your partner or about your partner, as it might not mean what you think it does. Patient conversations with your partner will eventually help you get to the bottom of things as more information surfaces.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
It may feel as though your professional direction is a little uncertain, whether changes in your situation are prompting you to reconsider your plans or vice versa. This weekend's lunar eclipse may emphasize that you take career matters into your own hands if it's time to let go of something or start something new. The approaching lunar eclipse also makes this an important time to focus on your health. Schedule any overdue doctor appointments and spend extra time and effort simply nourishing yourself to maintain your strength during any potential stress.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 The upcoming lunar eclipse this weekend will bring home a truth of central importance for you, Leo, and showing that creativity and play is a part of you. You are not always happy, boisterous, or on stage; sometimes you need to retreat and relax, just like everyone else. At your core, however, is the need to continually re-create yourself and express it. The eclipse may also bring inspiration about what stands in your way that you may need to let go of, although don't leap into any big, impulsive actions for a few days.
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Export-parity pricing disastrous for refiners
The three crude oil refining and marketing companies might see their gross refining margins (GRMs), which determine their profitability, getting completely wiped off if export-parity pricing (EPP) is implemented for calculating subsidy.
GRM is the difference between the cost of a barrel of crude oil and the selling price of refined products like petrol and diesel. Refiners’ margin is their profit calculated in terms of dollars per barrel.
Indian Oil (IOC), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), the top three government-backed oil marketing companies (OMCs) with a total refining capacity of 110 million metric tonne per annum, report an average GRM of close to $5-6 per barrel every year.
They sell fuels at controlled prices. Hence, their profitability numbers are usually notional unless the OMCs are compensated by the government via subsidy.
This subsidy is calculated in terms of trade parity pricing which involves 80% of import parity price and 20% of export parity price.
However, with the finance ministry now insistent to move to an EPP model, sector experts and company officials say the new regime will reduce their subsidy payout by as much as $5 per barrel. Essentially, their annual average GRMs could shrink to zero.
“There are chances that the EPP model will take away the entire benefits of import duties that these companies get. Their losses on selling diesel at controlled prices will increase further,” said Gagan Dixit, analyst with brokerage Quant.
Dixit said the new model is completely unfair as the price of crude oil imported by refiners, is not calculated in terms of EPP. “It is not only about GRMs, it is about humongous losses that we will make. It will make all refinery projects unviable for HPCL,” said Bhaswar Mukherjee, director-finance, HPCL.
He declined further details on the feared impact, but analysts say HPCL’s GRM will be the worst hit due to the OMC’s low scale and relatively fewer diversifications. “Even with trade-parity pricing, HPCL could struggle to break even on 100% pay. The export-parity pricing math will likely create a large funding gap, which HPCL can’t absorb,” said Sanjay Mookim and Badrinath Srinivasan from brokerage Credit Suisse in a report.
They said the accumulated under-funding of HPCL for the first nine months of last fiscal stood around Rs 5,500 crore.
“Assuming it were paid 100% for the full year (on trade-parity, and it paid no taxes), Q4 core operating profit (Ebitda) would have to be Rs 1,360 crore higher than Q3 for HPCL to have close to zero FY13 PAT. This translates into a $ 6.7/barrel increase in GRM, which is unlikely,” they wrote.
While EPP could wipe out GRMs, OMCs are still not sure whether it will be based on the 100% EPP model or the 50% EPP model, said another analyst with an international brokerage. Under the EPP regime, refiners would stand to lose the benefit of import duties which otherwise gets added to the cost of fuel at their refinery gates, before being sold to marketers at their petrol pumps. This would reduce the price of fuel which the government uses to calculate subsidy.
According to Mookim and Srinivasan, any shift to EPP could save the finance ministry up to Rs 18,000 crore on subsidy.
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Are you getting enough fruits?
Fruits are delicious, juicy, fun to eat and healthy ingredients for great desserts; but are you getting enough fruits in your daily diet?
We use a lot of skin care products that boast of properties and vitamins from fruits, but why do we still select creams over natural fruits? Let's take a look at how many fruits you need to eat every day before you can say that you are getting enough fruits in your daily diet.
Based on a study in 2010 reported by the Dietary Guidelines of America, you need 1.5 - 2 cups of fruits daily, but 'the amount depends on the number of calories per day recommended for your healthy weight.'
(Via) Also, it is recommended that you eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day, but it depends on your age and gender: Women between the ages of 19-50 should eat 7-8 servings, while men should eat 8-10 servings.
And for those above 50, men and women should consume seven servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
All this preaching is in good spirit. Fruits help fight cancer, obesity and heart disease. Fruits provide nutritional vitamins. Certain fruits contain a good amount of natural sugar and fluids, which also keep us hydrated.
Fruits are rich in fiber, and are great for bowel movement and weight loss. It is also advised that you consume fruits whole, instead of skinned or juiced.
Tips on how to make fruits a part of your daily diet:
Since two cups of fruits are the norm, you can break this down into four servings a day; for instance, breakfast, mid day, mid evening and after dinner.
Avoid fruits from cans that mention preservatives like artificial sugar or high levels of salt, or processed fruits in the form of juices. Opt for fresh fruits as their nutritional value is higher. Try different seasonal fruits from time to time.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
Home matters may arise now or at this weekend's lunar eclipse that require your time and attention, and if you let yourself focus fully on them, you may realize how fulfilling and inspiring it is to invest in your home base, as well as be reminded of what you need to give more attention to. Be cautious about investing any significant resources in solving home problems until you're sure of the solution. Neptune's involvement with the eclipse may cloud the real problem temporarily.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
Keep your ears and eyes open today. With this weekend's lunar eclipse approaching fast, you may already have surprising news on the way that has the potential to change your entire perspective about something. However, it may be difficult to determine just what it means or what, if anything, to do about it, with Neptune clouding the facts. You may not have the whole story yet, so stay open as new information surfaces, even if it's just from your mulling things over and changing your mind.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 The ongoing tension between Pluto, your planetary ruler, and unpredictable Uranus may have been making things feel unsettled in your world lately, and Saturn's long sojourn in Scorpio has been taxing, even with your strength and tenacity. However, this weekend's lunar eclipse will remind you of your bottomless resources, possibly by revealing one or two resources to you that you'd forgotten you had. You will continue to find you have what it takes and more.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
With this weekend's lunar eclipse in Sagittarius approaching, you may already be feeling like things are moving rapidly around you. Keep your famous flexibility and go-with-the-flow attitude, but avoid making snap decisions based on any information you receive over the next week. Wait until you've had a chance to think things through. You may feel like you are getting ready to close one door and open another, but you may regret impulsive actions if you act too soon.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 Change is in the air for you, with Pluto and Uranus still in their tense angle and this weekend's lunar eclipse just around the corner. You tend to have a practical handle on things and can usually see where the road ahead will lead, but the lunar eclipse may bring a sharp bend in the road that you can't predict. Don't let yourself be tempted to cut your losses too quickly if things seem like they may turn out unfavorably; let the dust settle first to see how things are working out.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 You may feel a change already brewing, but this weekend's lunar eclipse may open your eyes to just how important (or unimportant) your participation in society at large is to you. Opportunities to engage in your community may present themselves, whether on a small scale in your neighborhood or in a big way in the world. The eclipse will get you in touch with your humanitarian urges. Neptune will add its two cents to the mix, offering big inspiration, but sit with the feeling a while before springing impulsively into big actions or decisions.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
The May 20 Pluto and Uranus square off may have pushed you to confront any instability that exists in your financial life. Financial needs and career aspirations don't always align, and if they are at odds for you, you may be questioning your direction. This weekend's lunar eclipse in your career sector may bring an event or news that will strike at the heart of the matter, but wait until the smoke clears before you interpret the signs you're getting, or you may find that they dissipate when you try to act on them.
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Moral Story
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SMS
“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
"True love doesn't mean being inseparable; it means being separated and nothing changes."
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
“Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail..”
A Scotsman who was driving home one night, ran into a car driven by an Englishman.
The Scotsman got out of the car to apologize and offered the Englishman a drink from a bottle of whisky.
The Englishman was glad to have a drink.
"Go on," said the Scot, "have another drink."
The Englishman drank gratefully.
"But don't you want one, too?" he asked the Scotsman.
"Perhaps," replied the Scotsman, "after the police have gone."
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Calicut Universit to tap private donations for infrastructure development
KOZHIKODE: Calicut University is testing the waters in an attempt for a radical overhaul of its existing funding pattern by tapping private donations and endowments to build varsity infrastructure.
Marking a fundamental shift from its existing funding mechanism, where the government remains the principle provider of funds, the university intends to open up new funding channels.
The varsity has come up with three mega projects worth more than Rs 23 crore for attracting funding from corporates and philanthropists. The projects include construction of a new block for the school of management studies.
Signaling the first success in its strategy, the varsity has secured donation commitments running over Rs 1 crore from a leading gulf-based corporate house.
Varsity syndicate member T P Ahmed told TOI that a leading gulf based group has expressed readiness to sponsor one of the three projects prepared by the varsity in a meeting held recently. The university intends to pursue private donations and endowments for projects including setting up a new building for commerce and management studies at a cost of Rs 15 crore, sports hostel at a cost of Rs 5 crore and renovation of existing sports facilities at Rs 3 crore.
"The corporate house expressed its willingness to participate in the development of a project during a meeting between top varsity officials and the corporate firm. Alumni donations and endowments from philanthropists and corporates are areas uncharted for universities in the state.
Calicut university will be the first such varsity to take steps to raise funds for development programmes through donations, the detailed framework of which will be finalized by the syndicate," syndicate member T P Ahmed said.
Member of the syndicate R S Panikkar said the varsity should take care to see that the funding comes with no strings attached and that it adopts a high level of transparency in the process.
"There is nothing wrong if the varsity accepts donations which are made as a noble gesture to a public cause without any profit motive," he said.
Prof K P Muraleedharan of the department of commerce and management studies said though private donations can be an alternate funding source for the varsity, the provisions of CU statutes and the overall political climate in the state make it nearly impossible for the varsity to reciprocate to the donor with any benefits.
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Chennai Super Kings beat Mumbai Indians to reach IPL 6 final
NEW DELHI: If it's the playoffs, it's got to be CSK!
Scorecard | Match in Pics | Watch IPL Videos
With so many dreary off-the-field happenings and the most expensive franchise deciding to pull out, the only good news for the BCCI on Tuesday was the on-field entertainment dished out by two CSK batsmen in the first qualifier between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
CSK made their fourth consecutive final in the bargain, their fifth in six years of the tournament, with a resounding 48-run win in what was supposed to be a contest of equals but turned out to be anything but as Mumbai's formidable bowling unit came a cropper. Their in-form batsmen too faltered under pressure of a huge 193-run target, sinking to 144 all out with eight balls to spare.
CSK owed the target to a spectacular 140-run stand from 12.4 overs by the dependable power duo of Michael Hussey (86 not out; 58b, 10x4, 2x6) and Suresh Raina (an unbeaten 82; 42b, 5x4, 5x6), whose free-flowing blades ensured much cheer around the Ferozeshah Kotla as Chennai motored to 192 for the loss of only one wicket batting first.
In contrast to the sombre mood which has enveloped the league, the thousands who congregated at the Kotla didn't seem to mind the fireworks, the blaring music, the swaying cheerleaders or the emcees. They came looking for a good time and even the absence of hosts Delhi Daredevils went unnoticed. MI now get a second chance to redeem themselves with another crack at a final berth in the second qualifier in Kolkata on Friday.
Only MI opener Dwayne Smith (68 off 28 balls; 6x4, 5x6), who connected with some mighty heaves but pushed his luck too far, managed to temporarily upset CSK's composure. Dinesh Karthik fell to a debatable LBW decision and Rohit Sharma, for once, failed to get going, ensuring half the job done for CSK.
Kieron Pollard's dismissal just when he seemed to be getting into the groove, having carted game-changer Ravindra Jadeja (3/31 off his four) for two consecutive sixes in the 15th over before being undone by MS Dhoni's clever field placements, sealed the deal for CSK.
Two spectacular catches, one from Suresh Raina to dismiss Mitchell Johnson and the other by Dwayne Bravo to get rid of Pragyan Ojha and finish off things, provided the icing on the cake.
Rohit Sharma will feel let down by his bowlers, who were left groping for answers as Chennai opted to bat first. The move to hold back Lasith Malinga for the death overs came a cropper as 123 runs were scored off the last 10 and the decision to replace Dhawal Kulkarni with Munaf Patel didn't really pay off either. Only Harbhajan, who gave away only 26 off his four, came away with reputation unscathed.
Mumbai could never really put the brakes on the scoring. Vijay's was the only wicket to fall in the eighth over but by the end of over 15, Hussey and Raina had taken the score to 125/1. From the 10th to the 15th they went at 11.20 an over, and then the slogging really began, with runs coming at an incredible rate of 13.40 off the next five!
CSK's tried and tested method of steady if unspectacular starts and explosive endings came off in splendid fashion, and MS Dhoni wasn't even required to bat!
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I Love New Year
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I Love New Year
Movie Name : I Love New Year
Release Date : May 24, 2013
Genre : Rom Com
Producer : Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar
Director : Radhika Rao, Vinay Sapru
Music Director : Pritam
Cast : Sunny Deol, Kangana Ranaut, Navin Choudhary, Tannishta Chatterjee, Prem Chopra, Reema Lagoo, Maya Alagh, Manoj Joshi, Jiten Mukhi, Virag Mishra, Arbaaz Khan
Synopsis:
I Love New Year is an upcoming romantic comedy film starring Sunny Deol and Kangana Ranaut in the lead. It's a story on what happens between two people in a span of two days over the New Year's Eve.
The movie follows two strangers, a beautiful musician (Kangana Ranaut) and a serious Wall Street banker (Sunny Deol), that have a chance encounter on New Year's Eve that the banker can't seem to remember and the events that come about as a result of the two meeting.
In 2011 directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru announced their intent to begin work on I Love New Year.
The film originally had the working title of Happy New Year, but had to change the title due to Shahrukh Khan who also was using the title for a film he was working on during the same time period.
Actors Sunny Deol and Kangana Ranaut are starring in the film, with Ranaut stating that she trained over a month in order to gain the correct expressions and body language of a musician.
Filming commenced in summer of 2011 at Filmalaya Studios in Mumbai, with the final scenes having to be filmed in New York City.
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the names of all continents both start and end with the same letter.
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" INSPIRING STORY "
Cleanliness is next to Godliness
Shuchi and Shubhrata were given utmost importance in our Indian culture, since ever. Right from small things like brushing teeth etc. fixed rules and regulations have been placed, such that utmost cleanliness prevails in the society. The following story portrays the obsession of Indian culture for cleanliness.
Long ago there used to live an obedient shishya of the great Paila maharshi. His name was Udanka. Udanka, due to his obedience, learnt quickly his lessons. After completing his Vidyaabhyaasam, before leaving the Guru-aashramam, Udanka requested his Guru to take Guru-dakshina. Paila maharshi replied “you being a shishya of me is itself enough. It is difficult to get good shishyas like you. Please go on”. Upon many times being requested by Udanka, finally Paila maharshi said “do the work that your Guru-patni tells you and then leave”.
He approached Guru-patni, did Yathaa-vidhi namaskaaram, with Vinayam, asked her to give him some work. She asked him to get the kundalas of the country’s Mahaaraani for a Vratam. Udanka immediately set out for it. On the way he sees a radiant brightly glowing God coming on a huge Vrushabham.
He does the required namaskars to him and the God gives him goomayam. He eats the goomayam, takes leave from the God and continues his journey to meet Poushya, the king of the country. Poushya was a very great king, ruled his subjects as his own kids and made dharma walk on its four legs.
Poushya welcomed Udanka and offered him a warm welcome when he arrived at his courtyard. Udanka tells the reason for his arrival and immediately the kings granted him permission to collect the kundalas. He asked udanka to go to the queen’s palace and collect them from her personally.
Udanka went into the palace and searched for the queen everywhere. Failing to find her returns to poushya informing that he could not find the queen. Poushya hesitantly says “O great Brahmana! How can I say that you are not clean? My queen is a Pativrata and hence only people who are clean can see her”.
Udanka recalls why he was not in a clean state and realizes that in the hurry to finish gurupatni’s task, he forgot to wash his hands, feet and mouth and do aachamanam, after eating the gomayam. He immediately washes and does aachamanam and goes back to see the queen and sees her in her palace.
Story will be continued later in some other contexts. So will Udanka be able to complete his gurupatni’s task? who was the God? Keep reading for answers …. :)
Morals in the Story:
It is very basic and important to always be clean.
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A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
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