“Life itself was only futility, vain words, a squabble of cap and bells. ”     VBA's Positive News Australia consumer confidence index jumps to highest level in almost three years A closely watched survey shows consumer confidence has jumped to an almost three-year high. The latest Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment rose by 4.7 per cent to a reading of 110.6 for September. The result is well above the 100-point level that suggests there are more optimists than pessimists in the Australian economy.    US: Walmart announces phase-out of hazardous chemicals Prodded by health and environmental advocates, Walmart Stores announced Thursday that it will require suppliers to disclose and eventually phase out nearly 10 hazardous chemicals from the fragrances, cosmetics, household cleaners, and personal care products at its stores. The nation's largest retailer said that, beginning in January, it would begin to monitor progress on reducing these chemicals and apply to its own brand of cleaning products the Environmental Protection Agency's Design for the Environment label, which identifies eco-friendly goods.   Reopening of Surin Airport to cope with tourism growth in northeastern Thailand Surin Pakdi Airport in the northeastern province of Surin has been further developed and will reopen for commercial use in November 2013 to cope tourism growth. About 450 kilometers from Bangkok and 50 kilometers from the Cambodian border, Surin is an ancient historical province from the Khmer period. This province is regarded as the land of elephants, with around 300-500 elephants. The 53rd Elephant Round-up in Surin is scheduled for 8-19 November 2013 at the Si Narong Stadium in Mueang district. It is aimed at promoting tourism and conserving elephants, which form an important part of Thai culture.  NASA: Voyager 1 probe has left the solar system NASA's Voyager 1 probe has left the solar system, boldly going where no machine has gone before. Thirty-six years after it rocketed away from Earth, the plutonium-powered spacecraft has escaped the sun's influence and is now cruising 11 1/2 billion miles away in interstellar space, or the vast, cold emptiness between the stars, NASA said Thursday. Never before has a man-made object left the solar system as it is commonly understood. NASA celebrated by playing the 'Star Trek' theme at a news conference in Washington.     Video of the Day:

World Round-Up

Political + Narendra Modi eclipses man who made him CM, saved his job       AHMEDABAD: In most photographs taken of L K Advani and Narendra Modi in the 1980s, the Gujarat chief minister is seen respectfully walking one step behind his mentor. In those days, Modi was an obedient RSS pracharak on loan to the BJP. When he was appointed chief minister in 2001, Modi took his first tentative steps out of Advani's shadow and walked alongside him. Today, the 'shishya' has stolen a march ahead of his guru to the extent that Advani may now have to walk in Modi's shadow. Flashback to 1975. At the height of the Emergency, when the RSS was opposing Indira Gandhi's dictatorial ways, top Jan Sangh leader L K Advani first met Modi, a go-getter pracharak with exceptional organizational skills. For the next 30 years, the two would be inseparable, watching each other's back within and outside the party. Modi displayed his political acumen by orchestrating the BJP's first-ever victory in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in 1987. From choice of candidates to booth management, he oversaw it all, rising further in Advani's eyes. As a result, when Modi suggested that Advani contest Lok Sabha elections from Gandhinagar instead of Delhi, the mentor readily agreed. Advani's presence energized BJP's grassroots workers, but also led to the sidelining of the other power centre of the BJP in Gujarat - Shankersinh Vaghela. Modi, along with Pramod Mahajan, was also involved in planning the Gujarat leg of Advani's history-defining rathyatra from Somnath in 1990, which led to a saffron upsurge across the country and catapulted the BJP into a national force. The party gained the maximum in the political upheaval and came to power in Gujarat with two-thirds majority for the first time in 1995. Keshubhai Patel was made chief minister, but Advani ensured that his man - Modi - was appointed general secretary in charge of organization. Six years later, in October 2001, Advani helped Modi become chief minister for the first time. The kingmaker had become king for the first time without winning a single election. When Modi was accused of mishandling the 2002 post-Godhra riots and clamour for his ouster grew, Advani, then Union home minister, stood by Modi like a rock. During BJP's national executive in Goa in 2002, Vajpayee was keen to remove Modi but Advani, working along with young leaders, helped save Modi's job. The Modi-Advani partnership ended in 2005 when Advani came under attack from the Sangh for praising Mohammed Ali Jinnah during a trip to Pakistan. Modi chose to remain quiet. The chasm had grown considerably by 2009 when many in the party felt the Gujarat CM would make a better PM candidate. But the last straw was Modi's decision to prioritize his Sadbhavana fast at a time when Advani was planning to launch a nationwide yatra against UPA corruption. Instead of kicking off the yatra from Porbandar, Gandhi's birthplace in Gujarat, Advani decided to roll it out from Sitab Diara in Bihar, a state ruled by Modi's arch rival Nitish Kumar. Astrology   Aries March 21 to April 19 At the start of the week, Uranus will harshly aspect Mercury, and that could spell difficulties with your sweetheart or spouse. If you should quarrel, watch the words you use, for words said in haste that you regret later may be impossible to undo. When Mercury moves on to a send a friendly beam to Mars, Mercury may open a path to a warm interchange. If the relationship means something to you, continue to try to improve communication, and don't give up. The full moon September 19 will be very favorable and will sharpen your intuition in an uncanny way. You may also hear of a secret or share one.                                    Taurus April 20 to May 20 You seem to have a beautiful social event on your agenda this week, most likely to occur just after the full moon of September 19, between Friday and Sunday, September 20-22. It is sure to be an enchanting and luxurious evening that you won't want to miss, and many friendly faces will surround you. It seems you may have to drive or take a train to a nearby city so that you can attend. Start to decide early in the week about what you will wear on this special day, for you will want to put your very best foot forward.                      Gemini May 21 to June 20 Something extremely important to your career is about to come to culmination, thanks to the full moon, September 19. Many signs from Neptune, Saturn, Mars, and Uranus point to a celebratory moment about to occur for you, so move confidently forward. Be ready if the press calls you for a comment. Mercury, your ruler, will be busy interacting with several planets this week but has the best aspects on Tuesday. September 17, when Mars will spark all kinds of new ideas in you and help you with any writing/speaking projects you may have on your agenda. If you need to travel for work, leave Monday, September 16, so that you are fresh and ready to go on the following day. Pluto will move direct on September 20, so watch one financial deal take a big upturn for the better.                Cancer June 21 to July 22  You have been consumed with work in previous months, but now, this week, you will likely have a chance to take a vacation. This won't be a business trip but a highly romantic one, complete with magic and moonlight. With Pisces prominent, go to a sumptuous natural setting near water. Venus, now in your house of true love, will send shimmering beams directly to the full moon, September 19, a sign of how special this full moon could turn out to be for you. Your trip may start early in the week or not until Friday, September 20, but it seems you will return by Sunday or no later than Monday, September 23. Enjoy!                                        Leo July 23 to Aug. 22  A financial matter will come to fullness later this week, due to the full moon September 19. With the full moon falling in Pisces, something about the transaction or the paperwork may be either confusing or worded in a needlessly complicated way. Ask questions and enlist the aid of an expert, if necessary. There is one way this full moon might work strongly to your favor, however, and that's if you acquire or sell a piece of art, a screenplay, piece of music, or other creative expression. Neptune protects all the arts, and so in this case, this full moon could bring excellent financial news.                            BUSINESS+VE                                                                              Ashok Leyland introduces intermediate commercial vehicle Boss     CHENNAI: Hinduja group flagship Ashok Leyland has commercially launched the Boss, an intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV), that combines the ruggedness of a truck with the comfort of a car. Manufactured at the company's largest plant in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, the Boss is available in LE and LX variants.     It is being launched in the haulage segment with 9.6 tonne, 11.9 tonne and 12.9 tonne GVW. "Manufactured on a modern and efficient chassis line and a state-of-the-art cab line using robotic processes and with unmatched comfort-features, we have made every investment to ensure that the Boss delivers on quality, durability and reliability.     We are confident of making significant headway in the fast-growing ICV market with the new Boss," said Vinod K Dasari, MD, Ashok Leyland.     "Specifically engineered to meet evolving customer expectations in the areas of performance, comfort and reliability, the Boss promises to make our customers more profitable by offering them a tailor-made product solution to meet their needs and certainly will be a game-changer for them," he said. The Boss comes with a service interval of 40,000 km, hydraulic power steering system, a turning radius of 15.3 metre, a three-year anti-perforation warranty for the cabin and a five-year replacement guarantee on the rear LED lights.   It has undergone 9,20,000 km on road trials and 24,00,000 km of endurance testing. The Boss LE is fitted with a 120 HP H-series BS3 engine with an in-line fuel injection pump and a 6-speed overdrive gearbox that delivers superior mileage. The LX has an automated manual transmission that eliminates the need for clutch operation and gear-shifting.   Equipped with a 130 HP common rail engine, the LX comes with factory-fitted air-conditioning.   The Company will deliver the vehicles to its customers with 'Zero' Km reading through the truck-on-truck transportation mode.   Ashok Leyland has tied-up with leading financial institutions and insurance companies for financing and insurance. The company has set up new cab repair facilities at select authorised dealer and service outlets to allow customers to get their cabs repaired quickly and cost efficiently.   Dealers can order spare parts online through an electronic parts catalogue so that the parts reach customers faster and more efficiently.   Ashok Leyland offers 3-year full vehicle warranty and an additional 2-year warranty for driveline on the Boss, the company said in a statement. HEALTH+VE                                                              How to use meditation for pain relief?     With its origins in ancient religious and spiritual traditions, meditation is a widely used mind-body practice used even today, to complement medical procedures and treatments. Although, used mostly for relaxation and stress reduction, meditation-based therapy is increasingly offered in medical centers and clinics today to manage pain and reduce anxiety prior to surgeries. Surprised? Recent studies have shown that frequent practice of meditation can lead to significant control of pain. Read on to know how meditation alters your pain perception and quells pain even better than some of the most powerful drugs. Meditation and common forms The term meditation refers to a set of techniques wherein a person minimizes the activity of the mind without altering the level of alertness. Broadly, the technique has been categorized under five basic categories: Mantra meditation This comprises the Transcendental Meditation techniques, Clinically Standardized Meditation and Relaxation Response. In this process, by repeatedly using a sound or phrase, a person focuses to achieve a state of perfect consciousness. Mindfulness meditation This form of meditation involves focusing on what you experience while performing the technique like the very flow of your breath. Yoga Here, a person attempts to achieve a state of calmness by combining bodily postures with controlled breathing. Tai-Chi - A form of Chinese martial arts, the technique is performed using self-paced series of movements in a slow-graceful manner along with deep breathing. Qi gong - This involves a combination of meditation, breathing exercise, relaxation and physical movements. Meditation and pain management: In the past, meditation has been explored extensively for its effects on stress reduction and other similar clinical functions. However, researchers have now identified another significant health benefit of the technique that suggests that it is actually possible to overcome debilitating pain with the help of meditation. What's more, some of these studies have also suggested that the pain-relieving effects of meditation might be even more effective than morphine. Back in April, 2011, a study by the researchers at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center indicated that a person can attain at least 40 per ent decrease in pain intensity and 57 per cent in pain unpleasantness merely by practicing these techniques regularly. This decrease in pain was found to be much higher than with morphine or other pain-relieving drugs. With the help of magnetic resonance imaging, the brain activity of study participants after meditation demonstrated how the technique increased the activity of certain areas which are responsible for pain perception. Despite such findings, scientists were unable to ascertain the actual mechanism of this phenomenon until now. According to a recent research published at the Brain Research Bulletin, investigators from Harvard, MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a possible answer. They suggested that the explanation probably lies in alpha waves manipulation in the brain.     Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22  The full moon in Pisces later this week, on September 19, may bring a beautiful meeting of two hearts, yours and your sweetheart's. You may get engaged or married, or you may make a heartfelt promise to the person who is dearest to you romantically. In term of your career, Mercury, your ruler, will have a decisive conversation with Mars, earlier on Tuesday, September 17, suggesting a confidential talk you have with an influential person on the job may result in a generous check for you.                                Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 A work project is nearing completion this week, within days of the full moon, September 19, and it appears you will be proud of what you achieved. As you get closer to the deadline, keep attending to your health. Pace yourself and keep eating sensibly, as you may have some long nights as you wrap up your project. In terms of your home, other property, or a parent you may have been concerned about, Pluto's turn direct from having been retrograde for months will bring noticeable progress from now on. Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21 This will be an exciting week. The full moon Thursday, September 19, operative for four days before or after this date, will mark one of the most tender and romantic moments of the year. If you are dating, this full moon may bring your relationship to a new stage. If are not dating and wish you were, you may meet someone new and intriguing near the full moon. Alternately, you may see a creative project reach its final stage, and if so, you'll earn kudos for the extra sparkle you gave it. On top of all this, Pluto, your guardian planet, will go direct on Friday, September 20, and shortly thereafter, one key plan will likely get a big push forward. In your career, you are golden, so keep the focus on that this week and next.   Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 A home or real estate matter is about to be concluded this week. You may be buying, selling, or leasing a space, changing roommates, renovating, or moving to a new address. Or you may be ready to buy new furniture - this week's full moon in Pisces in your home sector would be an ideal time to show off your artistic flair for home decorating. If you are buying or leasing a residential or vacation country house, be sure your space is not prone to floods or has had (or will have) problems with water. With a full moon in Pisces, and with Neptune in your home sector until 2026, you can't be too careful.                                            Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 The season is about to change, so take a moment to celebrate the beauty of nature by taking a quick weekend trip into the country. The full moon September 19 (plus or minus four days) will coax you to take in fresh air and sunshine. You are an earth sign, and this bewitching full moon will be in water-sign Pisces, so merge the two and choose a beautiful location in a richly verdant, wooded area that is near water. On another note, Pluto in Capricorn will turn from retrograde to direct on Friday, September 20, helping you clarify feelings and allowing you to regain your balance.                                Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18  This week, your finances need tending. You may end a long negotiation or write checks to people you owe, and this comes as a result of the full moon September 19. If you asked for a raise - a good time to do so - you will likely get the final answer on Thursday or Friday this week (September 19 or 20). If you are artistic or literary, the full moon may culminate an agreement over a creative project you devised and proposed several weeks ago or bring you a final payment for your finished version. Venus entered your career reputation sector last week for a month-long stay, so you have an outstanding chance to wow VIPs at the top.                            Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20  This will be a pivotal week, more important than most. Travel may be on your list, as Mars and Mercury will be beautifully oriented on Tuesday and may send you off to get work done in another city. You'll find the change refreshing, and because you will have financial luck on your side, you likely will come home with the order or a contract that pleases you. On Thursday, September 19, the friendly full moon in Pisces will arrive, bringing something dearly important to culmination within four days of this date.                              Moral Story     SMS     “Life has a value only when it has something valuable as its object.”      LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS     "True love doesn't mean being inseparable; it means being separated and nothing changes."       LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS        “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.”              A Funny husband was returning home after cremating his wife. He sees heavy lightning and thunderstorm in the sky. Funny Husband thinks: She must have reached there.

EDUCATION +VE IIM-A faculty suggests way out of macroeconomic mess         MUAHMEDABAD: There is possibly a way out of the current economic mess if credit can be expanded to close the differential between the low end government bond yields and the repo, says a working paper by faculty of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. The current situation of a large current account deficit (CAD), low growth, and plunging rupee is a result the combination of early withdrawal from the fiscal stimulus and the RBI's monetary conservatism, the paper says. "Since Raguram Rajan's take over as RBI governor one improvement that has come to the macroeconomic situation is his unwillingness to control both the policy rate and the money supply through credit rationing. Over the last two years or more the low end government bond yields have not been collared by the repo-reverse repo, which negates the loud claims of the RBI that it has always stepped in to provide liquidity. Now under RR with a commitment to liquidity through the repo window or by raising the repo to eliminate the rationing situation, the repo would collar the low end bond yield rates, allowing the repo to be truly policy rates," says the study. According to the working paper 'The way out of the current macroeconomic mess: A note' by Prof Sebastian Morris, the credit expansion should be accompanied by a large push on investments with an appropriately structured investment tax credit valid for the next twenty four months. It could crowd in investments to attract FDI and portfolio investments and if the RBI does not allow the current rupee to appreciate in real terms then the CAD could close, with reasonable growth as well. On the back of a commitment to liquidity, the finance ministry has a very powerful instrument in instituting an investment tax credit (ITC) to bring the economy back in line. The ideal form the ITC should take would be a 50 % tax credit on all investments (most certainly in manufacturing) made from now on over the next 48 months which can be set off against future taxes to the paid. The biggest mistake made by the RBI was during 2007-2008 over the year before the global crisis, when instead of keeping the nominal value of the rupee down it allowed nominal appreciation having lost the ability to carry out sterilisation in the wake of large capital inflows during this period. SPORTS +VE Ankeet Chavan: Promise turned into shame     MUMBAI: As a practitioner of a deceptive craft like spin-bowling, Ankeet Chavan must have deceived many a batsman with his guile. Little did he know that fate would one day tempt him to cross the line. The left-arm spinner who grew around one of Indian cricket's most respected temples — the Shivaji Park — now has to live a life of complete ignominy after being banned for life by the BCCI's disciplinary committee on Friday for his role in the spot-fixing scandal. The 27-year-old was Mumbai's best bowler in the season gone by. He picked up 33 wickets in 10 games at a respectable average of 28.75, playing a significant role in his side's 40th Ranji Trophy triumph. He recorded awe-inspiring figures of 9-23 against Punjab at the Wankhede — a performance that left Harbhajan Singh feeling that Chavan was the best left-arm spinner in the country. "I'm sure he would have been a regular feature in the West Zone side. Things were really looking up for him. He had so much to offer. It's very sad to know he has been banned for life," said Wasim Jaffer, the man under whom Chavan made his Ranji debut in 2008. Things were really shaping up well for the soft-spoken player who had won Rahul Dravid's confidence while playing for the Rajasthan Royals. On the personal front too, he was eagerly waiting to the tie the knot with his girlfriend Neha on June 2 when the lid was blown-off the scandal. He was arrested on May 16 and remained in Tihar jail for close to a month. After his release, Chavan claimed innocence. The writing, however, was on the wall and his body-language was a clear giveaway. Satish Samant, who has known Chavan for "almost 15 years", having coached him at the MIG and then at Karnataka Sporting, believes his student is "innocent".     Phata Poster Nikhla Hero Phata Poster Nikhla Hero  Movie Name :   Phata Poster Nikhla Hero   Release Date :   20 September 2013 Genre :  Action,Comedy Producer : Ramesh Taurani,Ronnie Screwvala,Siddharth Roy Kapur Director :   Rajkumar Santoshi Music Director :  Pritam Cast : Shahid Kapoor,Ileana D'Cruz,Padmini Kolhapure   Synopsis: Phata Poster Nikla Hero movie is a full fledged masala entertainer with elements of romance and action. The film follows the story of Vishwas Rao, an aspiring actor mistaken as a super cop.             Most lipsticks contain fish scales. " INSPIRING STORY "   Five More Minutes            While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground.  “That’s my son over there,” she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.      “He’s a fine looking boy” the man said. “That’s my daughter on the bike in the white dress.”     Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. “What do you say we go, Melissa?”  Melissa pleaded, “Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes.”     The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart’s content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his daughter. “Time to go now?” Again Melissa pleaded, “Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes.”  The man smiled and said, “OK.”  “My, you certainly are a patient father,” the woman responded.   The man smiled and then said, “Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I’d give anything for just five more minutes with him.     I’ve vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa.  She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get Five more minutes to watch her play.”      Moral: Life is all about making priorities, and family is one and only priority on top of all other, so spend all time you can with loved ones.

“Never tell your problems to anyone...20% don't care and the other 80% are glad you have them.”