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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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British service sector soars in August - PMI
A rush of new business last month drove Britain's services sector to its fastest growth rate for more than six years, challenging the Bank of England's cautious outlook for the economy a day before a monetary policy meeting on 5 September. Wednesday's Markit/CIPS UK services purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 60.5 in August from 60.2 in July, adding to a run of data suggesting the UK economic recovery is gathering momentum.
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UK car sales rise annual 10.9 per cent in August
Car sales rose by an annual 10.9 per cent in August, the 18th consecutive month of growth, the country's auto industry trade body said on Thursday. 'This is great news for an industry that has been carefully balancing supply with demand, and with the new plate change, growing consumer confidence and attractive packages, I think we'll be in for a good autumn,' said Richard Lowe, head of retail & wholesale banking at Barclays.
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Bike share revolution: US fleet more than doubles in 2013
San Francisco's launch of Bay Area Bike Share has pushed the United States bicycle sharing fleet above 18,000, more than double the number of bikes in service since the beginning of the year. Bay Area Bike Share launched with 700 bikes and 70 stations in San Francisco, Redwood City, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and San Jose with ambitious plans to eventually expand to 10,000 bikes. There are now 34 bike-sharing programmes in the US with the biggest being New York's Citi Bike, which launched earlier this year with 6,000 bicycles at 332 stations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.
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Britain's economy grew at fastest since 2010 in three months to August - NIESR estimate
Britain's economy grew 0.9 per cent in the three months to August, its fastest rate in more than three years, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research said on Friday.
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Video of the Day:
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World Round-Up
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Modi to address supporters from ramparts of 'Lal Qila' in Chhattisgarh
This Saturday, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will address his supporters from the ramparts of 'Lal Qila'.
The event, however, will not be organised in New Delhi but Ambikapur in Surguja district of Chhattisgarh.
The 'Red Fort' that Modi will climb will be a replica of the famous Mughal monument from where the Prime Minister of the country addresses the nation on Independence Day.
The BJP's election campaign chief may claim to not dream of becoming the Prime Minister, but Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh is making special arrangements for his special guest to get a feel of the "Lal Qila address" before he is declared the Prime Ministerial candidate of the BJP.
A massive replica of the Red Fort has been rigged up in Ambikapur, about 320km from Raipur, where the six-phase Vikas Yatra of Raman Singh will conclude on Saturday.
On the guest list for the function is the Gujarat chief minister, who has already attended the Vikas Yatra on May 18 at Rajnandgaon.
Modi is the only senior BJP leader to attend Raman's statewide yatra twice, a development indicating a growing bond between the two BJP chief ministers in recent years.
"Modi is an extraordinary leader who has shown how good governance and development can be achieved and we all look up to him. With progressive vision and inclusive agenda, he can further contribute to nation building," Raman said on Friday.
A senior BJP leader at Ambikapur said: "When Modi can dare Prime Minister Mammohan Singh in his Independence Day speech, it's not far when he will be addressing the nation from the Lal Qila.
The Red Fort replica with Modi addressing from it is just the beginning of that dream that party leaders and workers in Chhattisgarh nurture."
Elaborate arrangements have been made at the PG College ground in Ambikapur for the function to look momentous.
Three huge waterproof aluminum domes have been erected covering an area of around 1.5 lakh sq feet, with large LED screens mounted at different points.
The construction of the Red Fort replica has been going on for the last 10 days and the seating capacity of the area is over 1.25 lakh persons, according to a public relations officer based in Ambikapur.Raman, during the 29 days of his yatra in different phases, has addressed as many 91 public meetings across the state.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
If your romantic interest rejects your advances, try not to let it get to your ego - you could be blindly rushing into a serious commitment. On the other hand, you may realize that you're willing to go the distance. Either way, it would be a good idea to regulate your pulse and consider the long-term potential of the love you may be after. Similar prudence can apply to your financial advisor and your portfolio. If you stop to soak up your advisor's expertise, you're likely to make wise adjustments that can have a long-term impact.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
You may have a family upset that will spur tension with your loved one. It could be he or she feels that this family drama is getting in the way of your relationship duties. You may be frustrated, as it seems your partner will not give in. If you sense they are being manipulative, take the lead in confidence and let them know where you stand. Your emotions could be highly charged, so you'll want to state your case to clear the air and open the door for compromise.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 A health concern may frustrate you because of an important communication block. You may feel it's necessary to put pressure on your doctor, and give him or her a piece of your mind regarding a surgical procedure, specialized test, or medication. You and your doctor may not see eye to eye. If your doctor remains insistent, you can save yourself exhaustion by going along with him or her. By the same token, if you express yourself with assertion, your doctor will know you're no pushover, and he or she will have to give your concerns serious attention.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Your children may test your temper today, likely with regard to money. You may have to put a lavish personal expense on hold so you can pay for your child's special birthday party, for example. It may be best to let them have their way, within reason. You could learn an important lesson about how to be a better parent by responsible budgeting. Alternatively, you may realize you'll have to sacrifice a bit of luxury if you are serious about following through with a creative endeavor that could require your financial investment
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 Your courageous spirit can set your ambition free, now that Mars, the action planet, is in Leo. Today, however, Mars could be stopped in his tracks by the demands of Saturn. If you approach a stumbling block, you may take it in stride. There may be a family commitment that needs your attention, and you'll want to make sure you're doing your fair share. Alternatively, you may have an emotional letdown about a career endeavor reaching its completion. If you pause and reflect on all that you've learned, you'll move forward all the wiser.
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Rupee's downslide: Reliance Communications to pass input costs to customers
NEW DELHI: Reliance CommunicationsBSE 2.61 % is likely to pass on any increase in input costs due to the weakening rupee to its customers as the mobile phone operator now has the pricing power due to lesser competition, the president & CEO of RCOM's wireless business said.
"The phase of hyper competitiveness is over.
Further price hikes cannot be ruled out," Gurdeep Singh told ET.
Domestic mobile phone operators import a lot of equipment the costs of which have risen thanks to the sharp fall in the rupee against the dollar.
The cost of diesel has also been on the rise, putting further pressure on the margins of the companies which are huge consumers of the fuel that is used to operate the base stations.
The end of the phase of intense competition meant an improved April-June quarter for pan-India mobile phone operators including RCOM who benefitted from the rise in effective call rates and growth in data revenue.
"The full (positive) impact of the increase in call rates will be felt in this (July-September) quarter," Singh said.
He, however, cautioned that the threemonth period is usually a weak one for the industry due to monsoons.
Despite improving fundamentals, analysts say RCOM's huge debt — which has been a drag on the company's financials for some years now— will continue to be the focus of investors, especially as rupee's over 19% fall against the greenback in the last three months is likely to further increase forex losses.
Singh declined to comment on the efforts by the Anil Ambani owned Reliance Group flagship company to pare its huge debt which stood at Rs 38,400 crore on June 30.
RCOM has been in talks to sell stakes in whollyowned wholesale telecommunications unit Reliance Globalcom BV and in its unit running direct-tohome operations, Reliance Digital TV, but they haven't materialized till now.
The company has previously said that the talks are progressing.
Operationally though, RCOM plans to strengthen its focus on data and GSM voice services for future growth.
It expects to increase its revenue from GSM voice and data services to 80% of total income in a year, from about 67% now, Singh said, underlining its shift away from CDMA voice services.
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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
If you're feeling uneasy about asserting your needs with regard to an important contract, sales transaction, or other negotiation, it may be time to speak up. Even though initially it may feel uncomfortable, in the long run you'll be glad you did. You may be holding back secret information as a way of becoming secure, but today you may have to come clean if you're serious about reaching a final agreement. You'll gain respect by being forthcoming with your most private concerns.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
Your charisma likely will draw the attention of influential players within your social/professional network. You'll want to leverage your position, and you're likely to feel confident as you make the rounds. Despite this upswing, today you may get shaken up by a financial reality check that could put a damper on all that looked so promising. If you can accept the numbers, you likely will be more cautious with how you direct your plans .
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 You may be put off by a career breakthrough that could test your morality. It could be a day when you could style your way to the top but at an expense. While this special success could sky rocket your confidence, instinctively, you'll want to stick to your roots. Since judicious Saturn is in Scorpio, you may feel conflicted about your priorities. You'll release tension by indulging in a small dose of stardom, but your biggest achievement will likely come from honoring your well-being and personal commitments.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
If you are involved in a legal process, you may be challenged by strict guidelines that could hold up proceedings. It could involve evidence, an appeal, or another mitigating factor you had not considered. Your freedom may be an important part of the equation. This may a good time to reconvene and make sure of thorough preparation on your behalf. You likely will feel aggressive about getting your way. If you can trust that you are in good hands, your confidence will be restored.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 A financial venture may come to halt as you realize the full scope of what could be at stake. Although this may shake your confidence, consider setbacks merely as stepping-stones to a secure future. You may have to get more familiar with the politics of what you are venturing into, whether it involves government regulations, corporate policy, or non-profit by-laws. If you commit yourself to understanding the culture surrounding your endeavor, you can learn how to successfully navigate detours, and eventually you'll come out on top.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 Passionate Mars in loving Leo will shine its light on your relationships, and your romantic life may be fired up with excitement. Someone who holds a special place in your heart may feel that your eyes are too fixed on the next rung of your professional ladder. Your loved one may have pure intentions, but what could be more important than your destiny? Re-commit to your professional vision with passion, and let your sweetheart understand your need to be true to yourself.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
You can change direction midway if you have a clear map of your final destination. Pisces energy is highly intuitive and can easily adapt to changing circumstances when needed. With committed effort, you can use your talent for adaptability to remold your workaday life and redirect it to suit your long-term plan for expansion. You may work but never get anywhere. Today, you'll want to learn how you can apply today's work to a higher level of wisdom and success.
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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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JNU to have separate hostel for northeast students soon
ITANGAR: Clearing all hurdles for the construction of a 500-bed for northeast students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, the varsity authorities have finally identified land for the long awaited hostel.
The Northeast MPs Forum (NEMPF) has been urging the Centre for construction of the proposed hostel in order to cater to the needs of the rising number of students from this region pursuing career in the national capital.
JNU vice-chancellor Sudhir Kumar Sopory and other officials of the university accompanied by NEMPF secretary general Takam Sanjoy and Delhi Police joint commissioner Robin Hibu visited the varsity campus on Wednesday for demarcating the land for the ambitious project, official sources informed here on Thursday.
The project would serve as a panacea for NE students pursuing higher education in New Delhi.
Union DoNER ministry would provide Rs 95 crore for the hostel which will have 50 per cent reservation for the NE girl students.
In a representation to the VC, NEPMF chairman Mukut Mithi said the hostel should be named 'Subansiri Hostel' after the river in Arunachal Pradesh, and suggested co-opting JNU deputy registrar Anthony as liaison officer between the JNU and the NEMPF.
Delhi chief minister Shiela Dixit had given her consent to allot land for the hostel at a high-level meeting in All India Congress Committee (AICC) held under the chairmanship of Union minister Oscar Fernandez on July 16 last. The meeting was attended by DoNER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki, his Meghalaya counterpart Mukul Sangma, Mukut Mithi and a host of AICC leaders and MPs form NE, including Sanjoy.
Dixit took up the matter with JNU vice-chancellor after Sanjoy wrote her a letter on July 27, following which the VC had consented to identify land for the purpose within the university campus.
With the allocation of land, it would now be the responsibility of the DoNER ministry to finalize the design and earmark fund to give the go-ahead signal, sources added.
It may be mentioned here that this was one of the commitments given by the Congress Party during the 2009 Delhi University Students' Union election.
"Most of the NE Students' Unions had extended their support to DUSU with this demand," Sanjoy added.
The Delhi-Arunachal Forum (DelAru), a voluntary organization of Arunachalees living in Delhi, had also placed the same demand with the state's MPs.
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Present era spinners don't attempt to take wickets: Prasanna
MMUMBAI: Not too impressed with the current lot of spinners in international cricket, the legendary Erapalli Prasanna said not a single tweaker of the present era attempts to take wickets.
"Honestly tell me, which bowler is attempting to take a wicket. I have never seen an individual bowler, especially an off-spinner in the present era attempting to take a wicket. Instead, he is attempting to hit the pad to get a leg before decision," Prasanna said.
"When a bowler is attempting to do that (get LBW), he is sacrificing his talent. If a bowler is not attempting to take a wicket, who will give you a wicket," he added.
Prasanna recalled his playing days as he highlighted the significance of aiming for wickets.
"When we were playing Test match, we believed in bowling to the field. Bishen (Singh Bedi) and Chandrasekhar were at mid-on and mid-off and within a matter of six strides, I had to think, how least the ball would go to them. What actually happened was that it developed my bowling skills.
"I had to bowl in such a way that the ball would go to the close fielders like Ajit Wadekar, Eknath Solkar. The true cricket follower appreciated the contest between the bat and the ball, which was very very important, which is not there now," he added.
Prasanna further said he and Bedi would have been successful in the shorter format of the game.
"We would have been successful, there is no doubt on that issue because we had deception on us, we had the flight. These days even when they try to flight the ball and the commentators say they toss the ball. When a ball is tossed up, you get hit. If there is deception and spin, you will win," he said.
Bedi said he did not understand the bowlers' need to experiment with the doosra and teesra.
"Cricket has a lot of social connotations. What would you call the other man in a woman's life, a doosra. If it is not acceptable socially, then why is it acceptable in the cricket field? Forget doosra and teesra, try bowling the first one properly," he said.
Talking about the current Indian team, former left-arm spinner said J&K off-spinner Parvez Rasool would get the impetus to catch up with mainstay R Ashwin after being drafted in the squad for the last tour.
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Grand Masti
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Grand Masti
Movie Name : Grand Masti
Release Date : 13 September 2013
Genre : Bollywood adult comedy
Producer : Ashok Thakeria,Indra Kumar
Director : Indra Kumar
Music Director : Anand Raj Anand,Sanjeev Darshan
Cast : Vivek Oberoi,Ritesh Deshmukh,Aftab Shivdasani,Sonalee Kulkarni,Bruna Abdullah,Karishma Tanna,Kainaat Arora,Maryam Zakaria,Manjari Fadnis
Synopsis:
Three married guys Vivek Oberoi as Meet,Aftab Shivdasani as Prem and Riteish Deshmukh as Amar go out on fun experience in their college reunion in Shree Lalchand University of Technology and Science(SLUTS),finally to be trapped in a danger.
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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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