“People learn differently. Success comes from wanting to win. We just all tend to educate ourselves differently..”     VBA's Positive News US: From recession's wake, education innovation blooms Major innovations -- forged by the struggles of the Great Recession and fostered by technology -- are coming to higher education. Investment dollars are flooding in - a record-smashing 168 venture capital deals in the United States alone last year. The computing power of 'the cloud' and 'big data' are unleashing new software. Public officials, desperate to cut costs and measure results, are open to change. And everyone, it seems, is talking about MOOCs, the 'Massive Open Online Courses' offered by elite universities and enrolling millions worldwide. White House: US willing to engage with Iran on nuclear concerns The United States said on Sunday it is prepared to work with the new government of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to address concerns about Iran's nuclear programme if Iran will engage seriously on the issue. 'Should this new government choose to engage substantively and seriously to meet its international obligations and find a peaceful solution to this issue, it will find a willing partner in the United States,' White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement..     Canada: Totem pole marks return of ancient tradition to Haida Gwaii - with modern twists For the first time in 130 years, a monumental totem pole carved by aboriginal artists is set to rise within Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve on British Columbia's Haida Gwaii islands. It's an event that's not only reviving a deeply rooted cultural tradition but also one that's preserving knowledge of happenings from within living memory -- including an October 2012 earthquake that shook a site sacred to the Haida Nation, and the landmark 1985 logging blockade that ultimately gave birth to the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve in the south half of the former Queen Charlotte Islands. Israel: Mid-August release of 26 Palestinians - negotiator The chief Palestinian negotiator says Israel will release the first of four groups of long-held Palestinian prisoners next week. Israel has agreed in principle to release 104 veteran prisoners in a US-brokered deal that cleared the way toward resuming peace talks with the Palestinians after a five-year freeze. Negotiations began in Washington last week, and are to continue in Jerusalem next week.          Video of the Day:

World Round-Up

Political + PM breaks silence on Durga Shakti Nagpal, says rules will be followed       As the UP government charge sheeted IAS officer Durga Sakhti Nagpal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the Centre is in touch with the state authorities on the issue and that laid down rules will be followed. "We are in touch with the state government to find out the full details of the issue," he told reporters outside Parliament House ahead of the start of the Monsoon Session. He also said the the laid down rules to deal with such cases will be followed. "There are rules laid down and the rules will be followed," he said. The Centre had on Sunday asked the UP government to immediately give a report on the suspension of Nagpal, who had cracked down on sand mafia in Gautam Budh Nagar area. Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy said this is the third such letter sent to the state government so far after the 2010-batch IAS officer was suspended on July 27. The Centre's fresh reminder came in the backdrop of Sonia Gandhi, who is Chairperson of National Advisory Council (NAC), writing a letter to the Prime Minister, saying that Nagpal should not be "unfairly treated". "We must ensure that the officer is not unfairly treated," Gandhi had said in her letter to Singh, who holds the charge of Personnel Ministry. The UP government on Sunday served a charge sheet to the IAS officer. Nagpal, the 28-year-old SDM of Gautam Budh Nagar, who led the crackdown on sand mining mafia in her district, was suspended on July 27 ostensibly for ordering demolition of a wall of a under-construction mosque allegedly without following the due process. Nagpal belonged to the UP cadre. Sources said that the charge sheet, which is believed to be running into 10 pages, was prepared based on a report of Commissioner(Meerut Division). It is being reported that the officer has got 15 days to respond to the charge sheet. PM appeals to Oppn to ensure smooth Parliament Session Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also appealed to the Opposition to cooperate in smooth functioning of Parliament and said government is willing to discuss all issues during the Monsoon Session. "We have wasted a lot of time in the last two-three sessions and hope this is not repeated in this session," Singh told reporters outside Parliament. "Government is willing to discuss all issues on the floor of the House", he said while urging the Opposition to ensure that the session is "truly productive and constructive with solid results". Astrology   Aries March 21 to April 19 If you're single, romance may be on the horizon. A glorious new moon in your true love sector will be at a gorgeous angle to Uranus - now in Aries. A sudden encounter with someone special who makes your heart skip a beat is likely. In addition, any original, creative endeavor you begin now or in the next ten days is sure to meet with incredible success. You'll be on fire!                                       Taurus April 20 to May 20 A joy-filled new moon in your family sector will likely offer a positive surprise when it comes to domestic happenings. Someone in your clan may have news that's cause for celebration, such as the announcement of an engagement, incredible career milestone, or even a baby on the way. You'll be thrilled for your clan and might even decide to throw a party in this person's honor. Either way, family time will surely leave you feeling blessed.                                   Gemini May 21 to June 20 Are you a writer or in the sales or communications industry? If so, you can expect a brilliant opportunity to arrive. Today a new moon in your message sector might bring with it an offer to teach, speak, or write about a topic you're especially passionate about. If you're already slated to give a speech or presentation, then you can be sure you'll shine. You might also be in the market to purchase a new car. You'll make a great deal!                         Cancer June 21 to July 22  A new income opportunity might be yours for the taking, thanks to a beautiful new moon in your earned income sector today. Since this new moon will be at a fine angle to Uranus in your career sector, you can expect a surprising development that not only adds to your financial prospects but also enhances your status. You might reach a new professional goal that opens up a door you hadn't expected. You'll be thrilled.                                                   Leo July 23 to Aug. 22  Today's new moon in Leo will offer a personal fresh start. Expect a feeling of vibrancy and enhanced optimism. Your confidence will be renewed as you begin an important personal endeavor, knowing that it will be met with success. You might decide to begin a new spiritual or educational pursuit that's personal to you since this new moon will connect perfectly to Uranus - now in the area of your chart ruling mind expansion. This will be the time to broaden your horizons!                           BUSINESS+VE                                                                              Slowdown bites: Tata Motors joins Maruti, M&M league, cuts staff     With car and vehicle sales continuing to reel under a prolonged slump, not only have companies halted fresh hiring, but layoffs have become a reality as they resort to production cutbacks to reduce inventory. After Maruti Udyog and Mahindra & Mahindra laid-off contractual workers, now it is Tata Motors’ turn. According to a report in Economic Times, Tata Motors has cut its workforce at the Pantnagar plant by almost 21 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal. The company was making its best-seller light truck Ace at this plant and employed 5,838 people as of end March 2013. The move indicates that the slowdown has begun to impact even the better performing vehicles. According to the report, between April and June this year, Tata Motors has fired around 1,208 employees at the Pantnagar plant, while other units at Sanand in Gujarat and Hubli in Karnataka have seen a decline in the employee headcount. “Tata Motors has avoided blind replacement of superannuating employees and also done some adjustments in its requirement of temporary resources,” a company spokesperson was quoted as saying. The company’s performance in July too has been dismal.  Tata Motors’ total passenger vehicle sales in the domestic market stood at 10,824 units in July, down 58.75 percent from 26,240 units a year-ago. Last month Maruti sent 200 contractual workers at the Gurgaon plant on an indefinite leave, reducing one shift’s worth of production, while Mahindra  sacked over 500 temporary workers at the Chakan plant in an announcement on July 15. The Hindu Business Line newspaper reported  in June that cost cutting was an ongoing process at  Honda Cars India . In May, Maruti  had even shut its two plants at Gurgaon and Manesar for a day ahead of a six-day scheduled maintenance closure on June 17-22. This cut had a trickle down impact on component makers. For July, Maruti saw compact segment decline by almost 12 percent to 13,882 units (15,759 units) whereas the utility vehicle (UV) segment fell 37.5 percent to 4,562 units (7,294 units). Even the sales of blockbuster models Swift hatchback and Ertiga were down significantly in July . Even M&M undertook production cuts in auto plants in July and announced further production cuts ahead. The company cut prices of the XUV5OO after reducing the ground clearance,thus avoiding the extra 3% excise. According to Antique Broking, M&M is facing issues which aren’t entirely “cyclical”. HEALTH+VE                                                              Boost nutrition intake with salads       Easy-to-prepare summer salads can help you feel cool in the soaring temperatures, suggest chefs, who recommend nutritious and light preparations to beat the heat. Two chefs share recipes of summer salads. "You can put vegetables or meat of your choice (in your salad). A well-constituted salad has Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Vitamin A. All the nutrients help to increase your immunity and fight diseases," executive sous chef Danish Ashraf at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, said. He suggests something as light as a Mixed Leaf Salad. "Wash and clean lettuce and basil and then put them in cold water for five minutes. Drain out the water and reserve them in a bowl. Then take clean cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. Apple also needs to be sliced," he said. For this salad's dressing, Ashraf advised to whisk olive oil, mustard and honey together. "Then add salt and crushed black pepper, and adjust seasoning according to taste," he added. In the end, combine lettuce, cherry tomatoes and apple in a basin, and then add dressing and toss gently. "Add toasted walnut to it and serve cold," he added. Chef Dinesh Kapri, executive assistant manager at Park Plaza in Gurgaon, shares an interesting way to use raw papaya in a salad preparation. For this, you need grated raw papaya, thinly sliced tomato, finely sliced cow pea or lobhia, crushed green chillies, crushed roasted peanuts, sugar, tamarind pulp, chilli powder, soy sauce, lemon juice, chopped coriander and salt to taste. "Toss all ingredients together and make sure you do it at least an hour before serving chilled. This way you can enjoy all the flavours," said Kapri.         Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22  You might feel a stronger need for privacy today and if so, it's not likely to be over any anxiety or sense of tension. Instead, you might feel inspired to work on a creative project and will feel that the time alone will help you be more productive and imaginative. Today will be an ideal time to go with the flow and honor this need. An exceptional work of artistry is likely to be the result..               Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 Today a new moon will fall in your friendship sector. Although it's possible that you'll make a new friend, you may also decide to join a group or organization and attend one of the meetings for the first time. One way or another, your social circle is likely to expand in a beautiful way. In addition, one of your new acquaintances may help you move forward with plans to achieve an aspiration close to your heart.           Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21 Are you looking to make a bold new career move? If so, today's new moon will signal a green light to proceed with any change you've been considering. This can include launching a new business endeavor, reaching for a promotion, or moving in an entirely different direction. You'll feel a strong sense of confidence, and it's also likely that you'll garner the support of your colleagues as you push ahead on a new path of accomplishment.                        Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 An exciting opportunity to travel overseas will now be possible. You and your sweetheart may decide to take a long-awaited romantic getaway together and if so, you're sure to choose an exotic locale. You might also participate in a new spiritual or educational endeavor with your love or with a child in your life. One thing is certain: you're ready to add more zing to your life, and you want to do so with those you love most.                                            Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 You might receive an investment opportunity, and if so, this will be an ideal time to begin any research or legwork connected to it. There's a strong possibility that a financial prospect will present itself that involves real estate or a family member. One of your relatives might have a lead for you, or he or she might introduce you to a financial advisor who helps you turn your opportunity into a positive return. Consider ways to expand your portfolio. You won't regret it.                             Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18  You and your spouse or partner are likely to share an experience that brings the two of you closer. Today a new moon will fall in the area of your chart that rules committed relationships. If you're dating someone, it's possible that the two of you will decide to become exclusive. Also, a positive conversation with a potential business partner or client will allow you to move in a new and exciting direction together. Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20  A new work assignment will likely come your way - one that pays exceptionally well. This project will offer you the opportunity to showcase your creative talents and also allow you the freedom to work according to your standards. If you work in an office setting, a new co-worker might be hired, and if you are a business owner you might be the one doing the hiring. Either way, this person will be a welcome addition to the team.                Moral Story     SMS Umbrella cant Stop d Rain, But Makes us Stand in d Rain. Confidence may Not Bring Success, but Gives Power to Face any Challenge in Life.     LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS Relationship are like birds, If you hold tightly they die, If you hold loosely they fly, but if you hold with care they remain with you forever..!!   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.    Promise me we are true friends I am lamp you are light I am Coke you are Sprite I am Sawan you are badal I am Normal you are Pagal I am Water you are Tanki I am Tarzan you are Monkey.

EDUCATION +VE JNU scholars plea for a counselling centre on campus         JAIPUR: Rajasthan University is likely to kick start its admission process for the undergraduate programmes from June 10. The university officials said that the admission forms will also be available online. The first cut-off list is expected to be out by June 20 and is likely to be followed by the second and third cut-off lists before June 30. The academic session 2013-14 will begin from July 6. Owing to improved performances by students in Class 12 CBSE and RBSE results, the cut-off is set to soar by at least 2-3%. The university is expecting to receive 60,000 application forms against 9,000 seats. Anticipating a rise in applications, the university has already announced a 20% increase in the number of seats in its constituent colleges- Maharaja's College, Maharani's College, Commerce College, Rajasthan College, Law College I and Law College II. Commerce is emerging as the most popular subject among students as it promises lucrative career prospects in finance and management. For admission into any commerce course in any college, the aggregate marks need to be at least 70%, said experts. At Maharani's College, the cut-off for its popular B.Com course was 91.3% last year. Demand for pure sciences has been on a wane, and educationists don't expect any miracle this time too. "Graduation in science has lost sheen owing to the increased number of engineering seats in the state," said Vidhya Jain, principal, Maharani's College. Humanities stream too is not finding takers and according to colleges it's difficult to get even 100 seats filled. Several colleges, therefore, are offering short-term courses from this session to give arts students an advantage in the competitive world. RU has made special arrangements for admission seekers from other parts of the state. Complete information related to admissions will be available on the website before June 10. Students also have the option of filling up their admission forms online. "RU will set up admission counters to give information on various courses and the fee structure at counselling sessions," said the RU admission committee.     SPORTS +VE Why this hullabaloo about Parvez Rasool?      Parvez Ghulam Rasool Zargar, to give his full name, is a decent offspinner and handy batsman to be considered a bowling all-rounder. It is immaterial whether he came from Kashmir or Kerala, he will play for India if he is good enough to earn his cap. A cap can't be handed out for sentimental reasons. Parvez not being handed his India cap on the Zimbabwe tour of one-dayers, which ended on Saturday, has unnecessarily become the talking point, thanks to his state chief minister Omar Abdullah going to town criticising his non-selection even when his father Farooq Abdullah, who is the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, did not react so vehemently. When has Omar Abdullah started taking such keen interest in cricket and what is this specious argument that if 14 players got to play why not the 15th. If only he had shown the same alacrity in unravelling the mystery of over Rs. 50 crores vanishing from the books of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, the state's cricketers like Parvez would have benefited more. His pleading tweets, "Come on BCCI give the young man a chance to prove himself", and "Did you have to take him all the way to Zim to demoralise him? Wouldn't it have been cheaper to do it at home?" may have given him politically a kick, but it is in poor taste, unless he wants to take credit for the young man's exploits on cricket field. Omar should have also taken to task some people in the valley who make no secret of their dislike of Parvez playing for India and their statements that they would support their cricketer but not India. Worse, they said they would not even support the lad from Bijbehara, a small town in Anantnag district, if he plays a key role in India beating Pakistan! Not to be left behind, Union minister Shashi Tharoor joined with his percussion: "Bizarre selection. Could easily have rested Jadeja & Raina for Rasool & Rahane," he tweeted. "What's the point leading 4-0 if you can't give every member of the touring team a chance to play at least once now by reshuffling the deck?" Not taking away their right to express their views, do they at least concede that the national selectors, coach and captain are competent enough to pick the squad and the playing eleven? Whatever may be their compulsions, political or otherwise, they have trod a dangerous path, though they are not the pioneers of the indiscretion. There have been instances where politicians jumped in to back players from their states and luckily they confined themselves to making only puerile statements. What is more bizarre in this case is that captain Virat Kohli chose to defend the selection when there was no need for him to do so and saying that he was not bothered by the criticism. Kohli tried to justify Parvez sitting out, saying Amit Mishra was cooling his heels for the last two months and he had to be played and that the Kashmiri young man will get his opportunity when he goes with the India A team to South Africa from Zimbabwe.       Chennai Express Chennai Express Movie Name :   Chennai Express  Release Date :   August 9, 2013 Genre : Comedy Producer : Gauri Khan Director :   Rohit Shetty Music Director : Vishal-Shekhar Cast : Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Sathyaraj, Manorama   Synopsis: The filming began at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai on 5th October 2012 . The lead actor was dressed in black casuals and the actress in a South Indian attire, wearing Kanjeevaram saree. Filming was done at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station with minimum crew members. These working stills of the lead actor were unofficially released in mid-October 2012. In November 2012, the cast and crew was off to Goa for the first filming schedule. The railway station of Vasco da Gama was used as a double up, portraying Kalyan. A romantic scene on board a train passing next to Dudhsagar Falls was also shot. In December 2012, the team was off to Jakarta for some scenes. By early January 2013, the next schedule was supposed to happen in Ooty but Khan opined that the opted place would be too far from commercial venue, Mumbai. Hence, recreation of the lanes of Ooty along with some of its tourist spots, was constructed as a set on the outskirts of Panchgani in Wai by art director Narendra Ruharikar. It took over 40 days to make the set at an estimated cost of INR1.5 crore (US$260,000). The Wai schedule of filming ran for entire month of March 2013. A 10-day shooting schedule began in Munnar, Kerala from mid of April 2013, scenes were canned at Devikulam Lake, Meesapulimala, Wagavara and Kannimala. The shoot had to be stopped for a few days due to the heavy rainfall and the schedule was slightly extended until end of the same month. A press conference was also held in the town Munnar. In May 2013, certain scenes were canned in North Goa The lead actress wrapped up all her portions of shoot on 25th May 2013. Khan flew to Hyderabad by end of May 2013 for remaining filming.   lemons contain more sugar than strawberries. " INSPIRING STORY "     TBe Happy With What You Have     There is a little girl who lived in a city. She lived i a very luxurious live. anything she wants,she'll get. But she wasn't happy with her life because she always wanted to be a princess. Her friends didn't like her because shes was very arrogant and stingy.   She only cares for herself and doesn't care about others. One day,her parents were injured badly in a car accident.   They were fired out of their jobs because they looked horrible as their faces were badly torn. Since the girl's father had alot of debts, their house was taken away and the family can only afford was just a 2 room HDB flat in a very cheap estate.   The girl was very shameful of herself. Day by day the girl was being nicer. Even a little piece of bread she had,she would share it with her friends.She had learned her lesson not to be greedy ever again. Moral:Be happy with what you have.Don't ask for something you don't have.Don't be greedy.

“Success goes to those, whose dreams are always alive. Nothing happens with only wings, it also further requires courage to fly. ”