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A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
| VBA's Positive News |
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India: Dreamers work to create huge new park in Delhi
In a tangle of forgotten, overgrown brush in the heart of India's capital, a quiet plan has been hatched to change the landscape of one of the world's most populous cities. An intricate Mughal garden is being created. Crumbling sandstone tombs nearly lost to history are being rebuilt. An artificial lake is being carved out. The renovation of Sunder Nursery is intended to serve as the catalyst for an even more ambitious project: the creation of a mammoth, iconic park that would rival New York's Central Park as a refuge from urban chaos. 'It would be the place where the city descends. It would be an oasis,' said Ratish Nanda, project director for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and the driving force behind the dream of a mega-park.
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Switzerland: Electric-mobility: Turn up, plug in, join motoring's social revolution
As recently as five years ago, electric cars seemed like an eco pipe dream. They arrived promising a green revolution, but were expensive and flimsy, and looked unlikely to replace the combustion-engined car. But, as thousands of enthusiasts gathered Saturday in Switzerland for 'smart times 13', the world's biggest micro-car convention, industry experts now say that electro-mobility is becoming the norm, not the exception.
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Afghanistan's circus gives children fun with a future
Afghanistan's Mobile Mini Circus for Children would have been heretical under the Taliban, when music was banned by the Islamic fundamentalist movement and girls were forbidden from performing in public and going to school. But today the circus, founded by Danish dance instructor David Mason to teach cooperation and creativity to children scarred by years of war, is one of few projects expanding despite a drop in international aid to Afghanistan.
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Australia: Libraries use novel approach to ensure digital future
Libraries in Canberra are embracing the world of technology, proving they have more to offer than hard copy books. Hundreds of Canberrans are immersing themselves in the digital world through new programmes at the Gungahlin Public Library's digital hub.
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Video of the Day:
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World Round-Up
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Modi too self-obsessed, intoxicated with PM dream: Pilot
New Delhi: Slamming Narendra Modi for making rhetorical speeches on every given occasion, Union Minister Sachin Pilot said that the Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP poll panel chief was intoxicated with Prime Ministerial ambitions and is too self-obsessed to see "right from wrong".
The Corporate Affairs Minister also accused the BJP leader of creating a facade of development and governance, while his core objective remained a Hindutva agenda "to inflame passions and create divisions".
"However, people of India have moved beyond these issues and they have become much smarter today. India is a new country with a much more robust youth population and, middle class who want more colleges than some mandir or masjid," the young Congress leader said.
"I think Modi is self obsessed to such a point where he is not been able to see right from wrong and that often happens when a person is intoxicated with the obsession of becoming a potential Prime Ministerial candidate," Pilot said.
Modi is being seen as a strong contender to be the party's prime ministerial candidate during the next Lok Sabha polls.
36-year-old Pilot, a Lok Sabha MP from Ajmer in Rajasthan, said that Modi's acceptability is questionable even within his own party and among the top leadership of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but he still indulges in his rhetoric on every given opportunity, including on an occasion like the Independence Day.
Referring to Modi's criticism of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Independence Day speech, Pilot said that such an important day should not be used for doing narrow politics.
"Prime minister was not making a speech for one party... He was speaking as leader of this country. Still, Modi decided to do is politics on that day in his almost blatant and abundant desire to be projected as a potential prime ministerial candidate... This criticism and timing was most unfortunate," Pilot said.
On August 15, Modi had launched a blistering attack on Manmohan Singh for his "weak and feeble" response to provocations from Pakistan and China and attacked him over a variety of other issues. Modi also challenged Singh for a public debate on governance and said that the nation was "restless for change".
"I am glad that at least some leaders in the BJP had the dignity and respect for the occasion when they were critical of Modi trying to do his politics on Independence Day," Pilot said.
"... a leader of the stature of L K Advani criticised him. It shows that at least a few people in the BJP, who still believe that nation is above all else, are not thinking of Modi despite his rhetorical speeches," the minister said.
Pilot said that the UPA government coming back to power is a "real possibility because of the kind of work the government has done" and the country and its people were more interested in development, rather than in issues like 'Mandir-Masjid'.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
Who says love at first sight doesn't exist? You may find yourself completely swept off your feet in the blink of an eye today as Venus stands in direct opposition to Uranus, the planet known for surprises. With Venus drifting through your relationship sector, you may be in for a surprise romance when you least expect it. Be careful with this one, especially if you are already happily involved. The temptation may be quite strong, but if you are free and single, keep your eyes open.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
You may have seen the writing on the wall, and you may have taken steps to shift your thoughts to a new beginning. Closure may feel inevitable, but you may also be quite excited about the new possibilities coming your way. This may be the perfect time to begin something new, especially a new health habit, for example. With your ruling planet, Venus drifting through your health sector, you may be feeling on top of the world.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 Call up or text your friends and get them together for a fun time. This might be the perfect time to be planning a big event, such as a wedding or other kind of party. When you work with others you may be pleasantly surprised by the flow of energy and the chatter of ideas that may occur effortlessly between you. This can be a fabulously entertaining time, with lots of surprises and chance encounters with new and interesting people in your daily world.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
A surprising and unexpected harmony may enter your day through the benevolent actions of your job. Your boss may give you extra time off for a job well done or you will get a nice bonus that you did not see coming. Either way you may welcome the perk, especially if you can direct it to those you love. If you do get a reward, why not share it with the family and treat the household to a dinner out?
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 The prospect of a new travel opportunity may surface that fits right into your plans. A little research could go a long way toward making your excursion even more beneficial. The idea might be to try accomplishing more than one goal while you are already on the road. A perfect example might be to attend a workshop or other skill-building event that enhances your value while you enjoy this chance to be in a new environment. What a perfect way to maximize your timing.
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Infosys: Narayana Murthy overturns CEO SD Shibulal's move
BANGALORE: Infosys Technologies under chairman NR Narayana Murthy is centralising decision making, several senior executives said, in a development that has implications for the time the company takes to respond to client needs or market changes.
The chairman's office — the new power centre created after the return of retired cofounder Murthy — has to sign off on key decisions related to large technology contracts, such as pricing or the way a deal is structured that might expose Infosys to future risks, at least three senior executives told ET on the condition of anonymity.
"For all practical purposes, Murthy is the chairman, CEO, COO all rolled into one," said one of the executives.
Centralisation drive
Before Murthy's return, chief executive officer SD Shibulal was in the process of decentralising decision-making, especially those related to negotiating and signing contracts.
The intention was to empower client-facing sales executives who are aware of moves by competitors and other considerations critical in negotiating and winning large outsourcing contracts. Under that model, a business unit head would be empowered to close large deals.
For Infosys, which gets the lion's share of its over $7-billion (Rs 42,000 crore) revenues from corporations in the US and Europe, this could mean longer decision cycles when it comes to large contract negotiations.
Industry experts said the Murthy led centralisation could be an interim measure while the 67-year-old puts in place a structure for executing his plan. Murthy has said Infosys will refocus on bread-and-butter business, including managing large computer networks for corporations as well as writing and maintain software applications.
"Maybe Murthy wants to put in place people and processes before he lets go of centralised decisionmaking," said an industry analyst who did not want to be named because his firm's policy does not permit commenting on individual companies.
Murthy was recalled in June as executive chairman by the board of directors after nearly two years of industry underperformance at Infosys. For several years before that, the Bangalore-based company used to set the pace for Indian software exporters both in profitability and pace of growth. Senior executives, especially sales staff, however, are not very sure.
"It is like our hands are tied," said a senior client-facing executive about the ability of sales personnel who must now wait for information to be relayed back to the headquarters and wait for a response before they can take any decision on closing deals. "From where I sit, it looks like NRN is trying to turn the clock back," said another US-based senior executive.
Murthy returned with his son Rohan as his executive assistant and set up the chairman's office. He has been populating it with his trusted executives as he sets in motion a plan he claims will make Infosys "desirable" again.
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Exercises for staying mentally fit
Staying fit mentally is as important as maintaining our physical health. It is vital to exercise our brain regularly just like we exercise the rest of our body.
According to studies, physical activity and brain exercise programs help reduce anxiety and depression in individuals. Moreover, such programs also play a key role in enhancing the plasticity of the brain which is its ability to continue to develop and change throughout your life.
Due to this unique physical process of brain plasticity, people can grow and develop their mental capacities throughout their lifetime. There are various ways by which you can stimulate your brain to strengthen its functioning and remain fit mentally. Read on...
Solving puzzles: Did you know that brain growth in humans is a continuous process? Even in old age, studies have shown that the brain can rewire itself and grow new neurons or brain cells. Whatever, age-related memory loss occurs is due to the lack of adequate mental stimulation. Stimulating your brain with crossword puzzles or Sudoku helps to improve brain function and prevent any form of cognitive decline.
According to Cognitive Rx, such exercises particularly help to improve your left brain function which uses logic, knows facts and is detail oriented. You can even add complexity to such exercises by choosing puzzles with hidden themes.
Strategy games: Games of strategy like card games or board games are regarded as great brain stimulators. This is because they enable a person to think in logical patterns. With advancement of technology, computer or gaming systems also offer a great opportunity to challenge one's cognitive functions. However, it is imperative to avoid playing the same games at all times. Strategy games should be subjected to frequent alterations in terms of nature of the games and complexity.
Cardiovascular fitness: An effective way to boost your mental fitness is by indulging in cardio trainings. Besides improving your mental health, such form of exercises also prevents the fall of brain cells with age. Hence, cardio workouts are regarded as a great way to prevent age-related memory loss like Alzheimer's disease.
Neurobic exercises: These exercises involve intentional stimulation of the brain for increased mental fitness and flexibility. Wondering what is so specific about these exercises? For an exercise to be regarded as neurobic, it involves using more than one of your senses at a time for performing an ordinary work. Taking a shower with your eyes closed or using only visual cues while eating are all examples of neurobic training. This also involves breaking routine habits in an unexpected, novel way like taking a new route to work.
Relaxation techniques: The beneficial effects of relaxation techniques for stree relief have been known since a long time. Merely grabbing a few extra hours of sleep is not sufficient to combat stress. You need to activate the natural relaxation process of your body with the help of specific techniques.
This involves practicing deep breathing techniques, meditation, visualization, rhythmic exercises and yoga postures.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
This may be a particularly auspicious time for your long-term investments. You may receive news that shows gains in areas where you least expect them. You may also receive news of an outside interest in your career or financial portfolio. Any number of things could unfold that bear this out - increased earnings, corporate mergers, stock-splits and other such financial events. You could also receive some news regarding an inheritance, estate payment, or tax rebate as well. Since this activity occurs in your financial sector, you would do well to stay focused there. .
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
You may draw the attention of a new romantic interest and not even know it. While you are out and about, you may turn heads and catch the eyes of new people. This wonderful glow may find you tingling with anticipation since you may be able to actually feel the attention. This type of cosmic energy may be perfect for chance encounters and unexpected pleasures. Perhaps you bump into an old friend who offers to take you out to lunch, or you receive a surprise text out of the blue from an old lover who is missing you.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 You may decide to put some effort into a charity or other altruistic opportunity. If an organization comes to you for advice or a helping hand, you may be quite surprised by the outreach. Your skills may be in demand without your even being aware of it. This may be a direct result of your previous work and a highly regarded reputation. You may want to accept the chance with dignity and humility since it may be a great honor.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
This should be an outstanding time to get together with friends and have fun. This is an especially good time for collaborations, such as working in a band or playing on a sports team. This current theme is all about working together, so be sure to take up any offer that may come along and enjoy the kinship and fun that may come with it. Group activities of any sort are highly favored so seek out those types of connections.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 Career opportunities may be at an all-time peak for you as Venus lingers in your employment sector. One of the nicer qualities of this is the presence of Uranus in a direct opposition to Venus. This may bode well for work that benefits your home and family life. Uranus typically delivers unexpected news, so keep on your toes and get ready to respond if opportunity knocks. Look for unexpected linkages between home and work. Maybe your proposal to work at home finally will get approved.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 You may get good news in the mail, so be on the lookout. This may be information about schooling or other positive and fulfilling ventures. Notices about grants or scholarships might be what you'd expect as Uranus moves through your adventure sector. A surprise trip may also suddenly appear, especially if travel and education are combined. This may be just the right time to get out to see what the world has to offer, as your chances for making significant connections are quite likely.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
Keep your eyes on your bank accounts and watch for surprises. Of course, surprises could go either way, but with Venus in your income sector you are likely to land on your feet. Take the time and watch out for unexpected shifts in your income. While they may be positive, surprises can still throw you off balance a bit, so simply be prepared. If you seek outsider advice you may be able to reap the rewards of any windfall that comes your way.
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Moral Story
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SMS
“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
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LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
"True love doesn't mean being inseparable; it means being separated and nothing changes."
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
“The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.”
Some scientists decided to do the following experiments on a dog.
For the first experiment, they cut one of the dog's legs off, then they told the dog to walk. The dog got up and walked, so they they learned that a dog could walk with just three legs.
For the second experiment, they cut off a second leg from the dog, then they told the dog once more to walk. The dog was still able to walk with only two legs.
For the third experiment, they cut off yet another leg from the dog and once more they told the dog to walk. However, the dog wasn't able to walk with only one leg.
As a result of these three experiments, the scientists wrote in their final report that the dog had lost it's hearing after having three legs cut off.
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CBSE makes 25% marks in summative assessment mandatory to qualify for exam
NEW DELHI: Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) is not going to be a cakewalk any longer.
From the current academic session class IX and X students of the Central Board of Secondary Education will not only have to appear for both the summative assessments (SA), but also score a minimum of 25% taken together to qualify for the examination.
Earlier students were graduated to the subsequent class if he/ she scores 33% in the complete assessment which includes four formative assessments and two SAs.
There was no minimum pass marks for the SAs, which is the written examination conducted at the end of the two semesters.
The executive committee of the Board earlier this year has decided it would be mandatory for a student to appear in both the SAs in both classes IX and X.
In case of non-appearance in SA1 due to illness the students will get an additional chance to appear by October 31 and in case of missing SA2 the student need to appear within a period of one month from the date of declaration of the results for class IX students.
Similarly class X students too need to appear again for the exams in case they miss out.
But what is significant here is that students cannot pass an exam by simply grossing 33% any longer.
They have score a minimum 25% in SA1 and 2 combined, which is 15 marks out of a total of 60 marks and a total of at least 33% in each of the five subjects of scholastic area.
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Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer launch US Open title bids
NEW YORK: Top-seeded Serena Williams starts defending her US Open crown on Monday while Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer join her in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the year's final Grand Slam event.
Williams, seeking her 17th Grand Slam singles crown and her fifth US Open title, faces Italy's 54th-ranked Francesca Schiavone in the opening night match on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts.
"It will be a good match," Williams said. "She's a really good player. She's a big fighter and she's dangerous."
Williams, 31, is 5-2 all-time against Schiavone, including a second-round victory earlier this month at Toronto on her way to her eighth title of the season, including a Grand Slam crown at the French Open, and the 54th of her career.
But she says she doesn't need another Slam to make this a special year.
"That's the beauty of my career. I don't need to do anything at all," Williams said. "Everything I do from this day forward is a bonus. Everything for me is just extra."
Second seed Nadal, also a reigning French Open champion, launches his quest for a 13th career Grand Slam title against US wildcard Ryan Harrison.
The Spaniard defeated Harrison in their only prior meeting, which came in Nadal's first hardcourt match of the year in March at Indian Wells after a seven-month knee injury layoff.
Nadal went on to win at Indian Wells as well as this month at Montreal and Cincinnati and enters this US Open with a 15-0 hardcourt record this season.
"It has been great," Nadal said. "But there's no time to think about what happened. It's only time to think about what's going on. What's important is (to) try to be ready for the first round of the US Open.
"I have a tough opponent in front of me, Ryan Harrison, and I am focused on that.
I hope to be ready to play well. I hope to be very competitive for the first match."
Nadal, who would take home $3.6 million by winning the title, would also end Novak Djokovic's reign as world number one, if the Serb star also fails to reach the final for a fourth year in a row.
Federer, who at seventh is seeded in his lowest position at the US Open since 2002, suffered his earliest Grand Slam exit since winning his first Grand Slam title a decade ago with a second-round loss at Wimbledon.
The Swiss star, with a men's record 17 Grand Slam crowns but no US Open title since his fifth in a row in 2008, opens in a night match against Slovenia's Grega Zemlja, who has not taken a set off Federer in two prior meetings, most recently at Rotterdam in February.
Federer will match a record by making his 56th consecutive Grand Slam appearance, a remarkable run that began at the 2000 Australian Open. Wayne Ferreira set the mark with a run that ended at the 2004 US Open.
"I've put in the hard work for so many years.
That keeps my base at a very high level," Federer said. "It's actually more comfortable with my body today than it has been in the past."
Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion who has been nagged by back pain and last reached a Slam semifinal at the 2010 US Open, has a tough first-round match with Belgian 12th seed Kirsten Flipkens, who beat Serena's older sister 0-6, 6-4, 6-2 at Toronto earlier this month.
"She is getting better and better," Serena Williams said of Venus. "She had a really good shot at Flipkens last time. I think she has a good chance."
US 15th seed Sloane Stephens, a possible fourth-round foe for Serena Williams, opens against Luxembourg's Mandy Minella.
Stephens ousted Serena Williams in the Australian Open quarterfinals and reached the last eight at Wimbledon as well.
"Sloane has had such a good year," Serena Williams said. "She's such a good player and she is so smooth.
She just has this game and this confidence that's not easy to get. It's so good to see her doing well."
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Zanjeer
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Zanjeer
Movie Name : Zanjeer
Release Date : September 6, 2013
Genre : Action, Thriller
Producer : Reliance Entertainment, Puneet Prakash Mehra (Hindi) ,Sumeet Prakash Mehra (Hindi), Amit Mehra (Telugu), Flying Turtle Films
Director : Apoorva Lakhia
Music Director : Anand Raj Anand, Meet Bros Anjjan, Chirantan Bhatt
Cast : Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra, Sanjay Dutt (Hindi), Srihari (Telugu), Prakash Raj, Mahi Gill, Ankur Bhatia, Atul Kulkarni , Tanikella Bharani (Telugu)
Synopsis:
Zanjeer (English: Shackles; titled Toofan in Telugu) is an upcoming Indian action film directed by Apoorva Lakhia, shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu. The film marks the Bollywood debut of popular Tollywood actor Ram Charan in the lead role along with Priyanka Chopra. Prakash Raj joins the cast after success in Hindi films, like Wanted, Singham, and Dabangg 2. It is a remake of the 1973 Hindi film of the same name. The Hindi version of the film is to be dubbed in Chinese as Chialo Kaxlaug. The Telugu version of the film is to be dubbed in Tamil and Malayalam. The release date is scheduled for September 6, 2013
Zanjeer in USA by BlueSky. The first look and official theatrical trailer of Toofan (Telugu version) have been launched by Reliance Entertainment on its YouTube Official Channel on 25 March 2013 to rave public response, featuring Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra, Prakash Raj and Srihari. Ram Charan's Toofan First Look Trailers and Wallpapers have been released on March 25, 2013
The First look and theatrical trailer of Zanjeer (Hindi version) was released on 4 July 2013. The dubbing process started from 26 March 2013, where Sanjay Dutt plays the role essayed by Srihari. Sanjay Dutt finishes Zanjeer filming - with only a few days left at his disposal before he returns to jail.
The Telugu version of the film is titled Toofan and is in Post Production stage. The director planned in for a 25-day schedule in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh from November 14 to December 5, 2012. Priyanka Chopra joined the shooting, her first schedule for this film. It was reported that Ram Charan has done some risky stunts for Zanjeer.
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the names of all continents both start and end with the same letter.
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" INSPIRING STORY "
Great people are always humble
Lord Raama, the paramaathma, was ofcourse the greatest warrior ever. Lord Krishna in Bhagavadgita remarks “I am Raama among warriors”.
He learnt all the Shastras and unparalled Dhanurvidya under the guidance of the great Vasishtha.
He was also given super-human powers like bala, ati bala by the great Vishwamithra, the Rishi of Gayathri manthra.
Vishwamithra maharshi also taught him all the secret astras that ever existed, which only he in this whole universe knew (he originally learnt it from Lord Shiva).
In addition to these, Agasthya mahamuni gave him many additional powers.A few glimpses of Lord Raama’s valour:
With one arrow Raama kills taataki, the mighty raakshasi.
With two simultaneous arrows he kills subaahu and throws Maaricha seven seas away.
Effortlessly lifts the Shiva dhanush, which was pulled to the court by around 50000 well built people.
Raama kills Khara, Dhushana, their 1000 brothers and their army in 14 minutes single handed.
Despite being such a great warrior, he never displayed in strength on his own to show others. The anger on the samudra stands as a good example for this quality of Raama:
Raavana gives 30 days time to sita maata to decide if she will marry him, else will kill her. Bharata took word from Raama saying that if he does’nt return on the next moment of 14 yrs of aranyavaas, then he will sacrifice himself.
Raama and his army reaches the shores of ocean with barely 30 days in hand.
They have to cross the ocean, defeat Ravana & his army, take sita back to ayodhya in around 30 days time.
With such a press for time and given the strength of Raama, Lakshmana suggests Raama not to spend time asking ocean God for way, but to order him.
What Raama does is unbelievable. Though he had the strength and power to control the ocean God, he did not do it.
He did penance on the shores of the ocean for 3 long days to give them a way.
Finally after 3 days Raama gets angry on the ocean and to make remember his duty, aims an astra at him and immediately ocean God appears and suggests a way of crossing him…
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"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better."
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