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“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.”
| VBA's Positive News |
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Upbeat data brighten US economic outlook
The US economy appears to be gaining momentum with data showing strong gains in business spending plans last month and the largest annual rise in house prices in seven years in April. Other reports on Tuesday showed new single-family home sales near a five-year high in May and consumer confidence at its highest level in more than five years this month.
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Bike sharing offers big fitness benefits for the little commute
With bike sharing plans rolling on asphalt from New York City to Budapest, experts say city streets are becoming as fitness-friendly as country trails. Even short cycling jaunts can make a difference in the health of city dwellers.
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Square roots? Scientists say plants are good at maths
Plants do complex arithmetic calculations to make sure they have enough food to get them through the night, new research published in journal eLife shows. During the night, mechanisms inside the leaf measure the size of the starch store and estimate the length of time until dawn. Information about time comes from an internal clock, similar to the human body clock.
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UNESCO's World Heritage list adds 19 sites
Nineteen sites that have been added to UNESCO's World Heritage list of places of 'outstanding universal value'. The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Committee, meeting in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh for its 37th annual session, added five natural sites and 14 cultural ones on Sunday to its list of global treasures.
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Video of the Day:
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World Round-Up
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J&K: PM Manmohan Singh to inaugurate Pir Panjal rail tunnel today
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday will inaugurate the 11-km Pir Panjal rail tunnel in Banihal.
The tunnel has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,300 crore and taken almost seven years to complete. It will reduce the distance between the Banihal-Qazigund section from 35 km (by road) to 18 km.
It is believed to be India's longest and Asia's second longest tunnel. The 8-coach train will be flagged of later on Wednesday.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will attend the event.
This rail section is very significant as it will provide an all-weather link to Kashmir Valley which often gets cut off from the rest of the country due to snowfall during winters.
Currently, problems are being faced by passengers travelling between Banihal and Qazigund due to closure of Jawahar Tunnel in winter due to heavy snowfall.
Last winter, only one-way vehicular movement was allowed between Jammu and Srinagar on national highway.
There were sudden closures for almost four months from December 2012 to March this year due to heavy snowfall and slippery conditions.
The tunnel has been constructed using New Austrian Tunnelling Method, which has been used for the first time on such a large scale in India.
This method optimises the tunnel design by mobilising the inherent ground strength in adopting a curved section, providing primary support system immediately after excavation and monitoring the ground behaviour while permitting it to develop its inherent strength.
A three-meter wide road has been provided inside the tunnel for maintenance and emergency rescue and relief operations.
The tunnel has been made water-proof by providing continuous PVC membrane between primary and secondary lining.
It has also been equipped with the state-of-the-art air quality monitoring system, ventilation system, communication system, fire fighting system and emergency rescue system.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
If you've been feeling inclined to retreat from the world lately, you can thank the ongoing grand trine in the imaginative water signs. Although you like to live an active and high-energy life, even you need down time. Take the cue and spend time alone doing your own thing, away from the tyranny of rules and a schedule. You don't have to embrace enforced inactivity or laziness; just have fun off the clock.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
The sentiment to stop and smell the roses must have been coined by a fellow Taurus, and it couldn't be a more apt suggestion as Venus enters your home sector. Create a haven for yourself by indulging in something decadent and pleasurable that nourishes you on many levels. Use your creativity in your home over the next few weeks, and make it the sanctuary that welcomes and replenishes you..
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 The ongoing favorable grand trine in your financial and work sectors makes this an ideal time to plan for your future. Make goals that combine what you want in your heart with a practical focus with regard to the time and commitment in reaching your goal as well as financial security. However, with Mercury in retrograde motion, hold off putting any major changes in place until July 20, as you might change your mind a few times between now and then.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Jupiter's recent entry into Cancer means the world is your oyster. Jupiter is the universe's cheerleader, encouraging you to go for whatever you want, even if - or especially if - you aren't sure you can get it. If there are things you've wanted to do for yourself or changes you've wanted to make, don't over think it or play it too safe. Do be careful, however, about signing on any dotted lines until Mercury goes direct on July 20.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 Love is in the air for you, as Venus enters Leo. Spend quality time with a favorite someone to deepen the connection between you. If you want to meet someone new, all you need to do is be yourself today and you'll charm that person. The day also will be ideal for focusing your attention on yourself. Do something that makes you feel attractive, such as clothes shopping or a new haircut. Investing in yourself will remind your spirit just how much you are worth.
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Anil Ambani's Reliance Capital partners Japan's Sumitomo, Nippon for bank foray
Readying itself for a bank licence, Anil Ambani-led group's Reliance Capital today said Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Bank and Nippon Life would become its strategic partners in the proposed banking venture, with each having 4-5 per cent stake.
Reliance Capital, which is present in a host of non- banking financial services businesses, would be the main promoter of the proposed bank, the application for which would be soon submitted to RBI, the company said in a statement.
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank is one of the largest banks in Japan, while Nippon Life Insurance is among Asia's largest financial services company and already has strategic stakes in Reliance Capital's life insurance and mutual fund units.
With the latest move, Reliance Capital joins a host of other entities having firmed up their plans to seek a banking licence, for which applications need to be submitted by July 1 with the RBI.
Religare Enterprises has already announced plans to dilute promoter stake to 49 per cent to meet the eligibility criteria, while Aditya Birla group, JM Financial Srei, TFCI
and a host of others have also lined up their plans.
There are reports that Tatas are also among the interested candidates, while Mahindras have dropped their plans to seek a bank licence.
Reliance Capital said that both Sumitomo and Nippon would have 4-5 per cent stake each in the proposed bank, subject to regulatory approvals, while agreements to this effect have been signed with them.
Meanwhile, shares of the company zoomed over six per cent to Rs 332 in early trade at the BSE.
"Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank is amongst the largest banks in Japan and the largest institutional investor in the country,
" Reliance Capital CEO Sam Ghosh said, while adding that it would bring in vast experience in retail and institutional banking to the new venture.
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Tips to cure baldness, dandruff
Recently, Lady Gaga joined the list of other celebrities to use anti-baldness cream as she feared she was losing more hair.
It's not just who are possessive about their mane beauty. All of us fuss about hairstyle which is what makes one stand out.
Here are a few common hair-related problems we encounter and some tips to overcome them
Dandruff: Soak a few fenugreek (methi) seeds overnight in water and grind it to a fine paste in the morning.
Apply the paste on the head for 30mins and wash off. This not just has cooling effect, but also keeps your hair dandruff-free.
Hair fall: Mix cocnut and gingelly (sesame) oil. Add an amla (gooseberry), a few leaves of white hibiscus and boil for 20mins.
the mixture cool and apply this oil on your head and wash off after 20 mins. This will help prevent hair fall.
Grey hair: Soak henna in an iron vessel for at least 3 hours.
Add sour curd and squeeze half a lemon to the paste and apply on the hair. Wash off after 2-3 hours. This will also keep the head cool.
Lack-luster hair: Take egg white and apply on the hair.
Leave it for 30 mins and rinse with shampoo. Egg gives shine to the dull hair.
Brittle hair: If your hair is brittle due to over use of henna.
Give your head an oil massage the day you wash the hair. This will not only enhance the hair colour, but also makes the hair smooth.
Split ends: Get an oil massage done on your head.
Dip the ends of your hair in hot coconut oil and wrap a tower dipped in hot water around the head.
After sometime, wash off with cold water.
After shampooing your hair, just wash your hair with cold water.
This closes any open pores on the head and ensures the hair strands are sealed.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
As your ruler gains momentum in a backward direction, you may want to review your relationships. For the most part, the ongoing grand trine of planets has emphasized the enjoyable stuff in your life, including the people. However, the time might be right for reestablishing or strengthening connections with certain people. Now is not the time to make ruthless cuts of those connections that are not so important. Just test the waters; your most important relationships will rise to the top.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
Venus, your planetary ruler, enters Leo today, encouraging you to reach out to others more often over the next few weeks. Whether in business or friendship, your interpersonal connections will be more fruitful, so take the time to offer a smile or a listening ear. Jupiter will shower you with professional opportunities throughout the rest of the year, so let others get to know you and take notice of what you can do to get those doors open.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 Venus will enter your professional sector today, so prepare to kick up the creativity over the next few weeks. Although you tend to play it cool and private, take a risk by showing more of your personality in your public persona and the work you do. There's no need to be too open, however. Keep it professional but express your originality through your work. Get noticed for your creative work, and people will ask for more.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
If you don't have a vacation planned, rectify that immediately. With Venus moving through your travel sector over the next three weeks, the time will be ideal for getting out of town with a special someone or a few friends. You also might meet someone while traveling, or meet up with a long-distance friend who you haven't seen for a while or have never met in person. Don't travel for efficiency or for business; make it somewhere that opens your heart..
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 The opportunity to network with others in a mutually beneficial way is ripe, with the grand trine occurring between the Sun, Neptune, and Saturn just yesterday. This potential will continue to hang around through mid-July, as Jupiter joins the mix, so take the time to establish and nurture connections with people with the right stuff. Although you are always strategic, be sincere and friendly in your efforts. Too much formality will be off-putting to those with whom you are trying to connect..
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 Someone important to you may need attention and love as Venus enters Leo, your opposite sign. Generously making time for this person will go a long way today and benefit you both. With Mercury jogging backward for the next few weeks, you may find yourself putting out little fires at work due to misunderstandings or assumptions. You have a unique way of thinking, which is an asset, but don't assume others are following your train of thought. Take the time to clarify, even if you feel you're stating the obvious.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
If you have the opportunity, spend time with the children in your life. Jupiter's entry into Cancer will remind you of the positive and playful outlook that is part of the essence of being you. Having fun with a child will revitalize you and get you into the right frame of mind. If you don't have a child in your life, do something fun and spontaneous that will get you in touch with the child in you.
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Moral Story
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SMS
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.
In an interview, Interviewer: How does an electric motor run?
Sardar: Dhhuuuurrrrrrrrrr. .....
Inteviewer shouts: Stop it.
Sardar: Dhhuurrrr dhup dhup dhup...
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IIM-Kozhikode admits close to 200 women, about 50% in 2013-15 batch
KOCHI: In an attempt in gender diversity, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode, has admitted close to 200 women, about 50 per cent, in its post graduate programme of the 2013-15 batch, some of whom are national talents in various fields.
IIM-K's PGP 17 batch has inducted 361 students of whom 165 are men and 196 are women, an IIM-K press release said.
The institute has admitted a diverse talent profile such as Priya Chandak, who represented India in the world Skating Championships, Prakriti Sharma, a national level swimmer and basketball player and V Lekshmi,All India CBSE Topper in 2007.
The batch has 85 per cent students with bachelors degree in Engineering and Technology, 11 per cent from Commerce and Economics and four per cent from Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Agriculture.
Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM-K said the aim was to create a unique academic space that would challenge convention.
"This year we have not only led in ensuring gender diversity but also admitted national talent from the field of sports, music, martial arts and the social sector," he said.
He said 'Our goal is to churn out not just a competent manager but a well rounded and a compassionate human being. In this endeavour, the current batch of students will be our pathfinders."
This is another unique milestone wherein 54.29 per cent women students are in the batch.
IIM-K's intake of women started back in 2010 with 100 students of a batch of 371 which rose to 121 women in 2011 of a batch of 341.
There has been a steady rise of this number from 31.5 per cent in 2010 to 35.48 per cent in 2011.
The 17th Batch of PGP comprises students with 0-24 months' work experience and from all over the country - about 27 per cent from South India, 26 per cent from West, 19 per cent from North India and 12 per cent from Eastern India.
Priya Nair of IIM-K said: "IIM-K is leading the way by creating classrooms with equal representation of young women and men thereby enriching their learning through multiple and diverse points of view that will help them shape a balanced society.
Organizations that thrive on diversity of thought will certainly see value in our offering."
IIM-K in 2011 slashed tuition fee by Rs 30,000 for its PGP - among the older IIMs, IIM-K charges the lowest fees of Rs 9.7 lakh for two years PGP.
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Selectors' bold decisions have helped Team India excel
MUMBAI: There was a time when Sachin Tendulkar had virtually cut out all his big shots, becoming more of a grafter and accumulator. Like most things attached to the batting icon, his new style too had become a national issue.
There weren't many who tried to understand why he had changed his game so dramatically though.
As former players weighed their words carefully to describe Tendulkar's curious approach, there was one man who refused to mince words when asked to react.
"If Sachin wants to bat like this (defensively), then he should quit. But if he wants to bat like the Sachin of old, then he should keep playing.
And please put this on record," Sandeep Patil, the current chief selector, had told this correspondent well before he took up this job.
It highlighted Patil's no-nonsense attitude. Like his batting which was never conservative, his approach to selection has also been adventurous and bold.
Patil's plan has been simple: reward consistent performers at the domestic level and remove the deadweight from the team.
It worked at two levels: one, it helped India get out of the rut following the calamitous tours of England and Australia in 2011; two, it has given fans plenty of reason to be optimistic about the future.
Even Michael Vaughan, not exactly known for hyperbole when it comes to praising Indian cricket or its cricketers, doffed his hat to MS Dhoni and his men.
"They are a fearless, aggressive bunch and I have not seen that from India before. This team is better than the World Cup-winning side in 2011," the former Ashes winning captain wrote in a recent column.
Sanjay Jagdale, the former BCCI secretary who has convened many a selection committee meeting with the current panel, credits Patil for scripting India's success story in the Champions Trophy.
"A lot of credit should go to Patil," says Jagdale. "As a chairman he is excellent. His thought process is clear and he has good knowledge about domestic players and believes in rewarding them," he added.
Giving a sense of how the 56-year-old former dasher operates, Jagdale says, "Ever since he took over, he has kept his eye firmly on the future. It is with this view that he picks or drops a player."
Wasim Jaffer's case is a classic example. The Mumbai opener may have got tons of runs but Patil didn't pick him, backing the younger Shikhar Dhawan instead.
It was a decision that saw the mighty Australians getting humbled 4-0 and India winning the Champions Trophy, with the adventurous left-hander emerging as the man-of-the-tournament.
Another facet of Patil's tenure was the axing of senior players. Some would argue that given Yuvraj Singh and Virender Shewag's deteriorating game, it was an easy call to make.
It would be prudent here to remind that the previous committee headed by K Srikkanth chose to drag its feet over phasing out the stars.
Not many selectors would have had the gumption to call up Tendulkar and say that he wasn't guaranteed a place in the playing XI or send Gautam Gambhir back to the grind of domestic cricket.
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Ghanchakkar
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Movie Name : Ghanchakkar
Release Date : June 28, 2013
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Producer : Ronnie Screwvala, Siddharth Roy Kapur
Director : Rajkumar Gupta
Music Director : Amit Trivedi
Cast : Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan, Rajesh Sharma, Namit Das.
Synopsis:
Ghanchakkar movie is a quasi-realistic urban comedy-thriller highlighting the absurdity of certain real human situations.
Emraan plays the title character in Ghanchakkar - a suave, master safe cracker wants to retire from a career in crime, he decides to team up with two dangerous criminals to commit one last heist. A bank robbery that will ensure that he never has to worry about money again! Everything goes according to plan.
Sanju is given the task of hiding the money till things cool down and the booty can be split. Two months later the associates return to collect their share of the loot, but Sanju refuses to even recognize them! What dangerous game is Sanju playing?
Ghanchakkar is a crazy, quirky rollercoaster suspense ride that will surprise, shock and entertain the audience at every turn.
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August has the highest percentage of births.
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" INSPIRING STORY "
A gift of love!
After “Can I see my baby?” the happy new mother asked.
When the bundle was nestled in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, she gasped.
The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall hospital window.
The baby had been born without ears.
Time proved that the baby’s hearing was perfect.
It was only his appearance that was marred.
When he rushed home from school one day and flung himself into his mother’s arms, she sighed, knowing that his life was to be a succession of heartbreaks.
He blurted out the tragedy. “A boy, a big boy … called me a freak.”
He grew up, handsome for his misfortune.
A favorite with his fellow students, he might have been class president, but for that.
He developed a gift, a talent for literature and music.
“But you might mingle with other young people,” his mother reproved him, but felt a kindness in her heart.
The boy’s father had a session with the family physician. Could nothing be done? “I believe I could graft on a pair of outer ears, if they could be procured,” the doctor decided.
Whereupon the search began for a person who would make such a sacrifice for a young man. Two years went by.
Then, “You are going to the hospital, Son. Mother and I have someone who will donate the ears you need.
But it’s a secret,” said the father.
The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person emerged.
His talents blossomed into genius, and school and college became a series of triumphs.
Later he married and entered the diplomatic service. “But I must know!” He urged his father, “Who gave so much for me?
I could never do enough for him.” “I do not believe you could,” said the father, “but the agreement was that you are not to know … not yet.”
The years kept their profound secret, but the day did come … one of the darkest days that a son must endure.
He stood with his father over his mother’s casket.
Slowly, tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to reveal that the mother had no outer ears.
“Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut,” he whispered gently, “and nobody ever thought Mother less beautiful, did they?”
Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart.
Real treasure lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen.
Real love lies not in what is done and known, but in what that is done but not known.
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“Sometimes I can hear my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I'm not living.”
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