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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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US: Some employers see perks of hiring older workers
'There's no experience like experience,' said David Mintz, CEO of dairy-free products maker Tofutti, where about one-third of the workers are over 50. 'I can't put an ad saying, 'Older people wanted,' but there's no comparison.' About 200 employers, from Google to AT&T to MetLife, have signed an AARP pledge recognizing the value of experienced workers and vowing to consider applicants 50 and older. One of them, New York-based KPMG, has found success with a high proportion of older workers, who bring experience that the company says adds credibility. The auditing, tax and advisory firm says older workers also tend to be more dedicated to staying with the company, a plus for clients who like to build a relationship with a consultant they can count on to be around for years.
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Canada: Major Watson to lead largest delegation Ottawa has ever sent to China
Mayor Jim Watson will lead the largest delegation the City of Ottawa has ever sent to China next month. The trip to Beijing and Shanghai, which is to run 12-18 October, will include businessmen and educational leaders. At the same time, the National Arts Centre Orchestra will be in Beijing on a major tour of China and the Canada-China Business Council will have its annual general in the Chinese capital. Both these events are adding lustre to the Ottawa visit.
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New aquifers found in desert-dry region of Kenya
A remote region of Kenya that suffers from frequent droughts may soon be flush with water after the discovery of huge underground aquifers. Two aquifers have been identified in the Turkana region of Kenya by using satellite exploration technology. Three other aquifers have been detected but need to be confirmed through drilling. Judi Wakhungu, the Cabinet secretary for Kenya's Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, said that the 'newly found wealth of water' opens doors to a more prosperous future for the people of Turkana and the nation.
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US businesses boost stockpiles as sales grow
US businesses restocked their shelves and warehouses in July at the fastest pace since January as their sales rose, a hopeful sign for economic growth. Rising stockpiles can be a good sign for the economy because they suggest companies expect greater sales. Greater inventory building also means businesses ordered more goods, boosting factory production and economic growth. And higher sales mean that companies are less likely to be stuck with excess goods.
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World Round-Up
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Gen V K Singh may join BJP on Sunday
NEW DELHI: Retired Army chief General V K Singh is likely to begin his political career by joining BJP soon.
He is scheduled to attend the BJP rally where Gujarat chief minister and the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will be the star of the show at Rewari in Haryana on Sunday.
There is a possibility that Singh will be inducted into the party at the rally.
Singh has been in touch with BJP leaders for a while now. He met party president Rajnath Singh, former party chief Nitin Gadkari and even Modi.
The Rewari rally is being organized by ex-servicemen affiliated to the party and the induction of Gen Singh, who had a controversial tenure as Army chief towards the tail end of his career in the armed forces, at such a venue seems to be an appropriate occasion for both the party and him.
In fact, a BJP rally organized by party general secretary and Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi and in the Agra (rural) constituency of Uttar Pradesh on the same day had to be called off, since L K Advani who was supposed to attend the rally seems to be in no mood to address a public function at a time when he has been overruled by the BJP leadership in deciding the timing of anointing Modi as the PM candidate.
The Agra rally that was scheduled two months ago, much before the Rewari rally was planned, was part of the series of public meetings that Varun Gandhi has been holding across Uttar Pradesh, with each of the top central leaders attending one of them.
There have already been rallies with party chief Rajnath Singh in Bareilly and one with Gadkari in Sultanpur.
The UP government, of course, has also disallowed permission for the Agra rally, in the backdrop of the recent communal tensions in Muzaffarnagar in the state, hence the rally could not have been held even if BJP had stuck to its decision to hold it on the same day as Modi's Rewari rally.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
Today will be a good day to catch up on phone calls or return unanswered emails that may be accumulating in your inbox. An interplay between Mercury, the planet of communication, and Uranus, the planet of surprises, suggests that you might hear from an old friend or receive an unexpected invitation today. Your social calendar may fill up quickly now and you'll likely need to juggle your time to fit last-minute invitations in with your scheduled engagements.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
You might experience some delays today involving your career, especially if you are currently working hard to take projects to the next level. Meetings may be necessary to review where things stand, review budgets, and make a plan to move forward. A connection between Venus and Saturn suggests some uncertainty in what help you can expect from colleagues, however have faith in your collaborations. The process of reassessing the project from a fresh perspective today can be especially beneficial.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 Travel might be on your mind today, so do some planning. Consider an exotic vacation or a simple weekend getaway. Be sure to pay attention to longings for adventure and a change of routine, and then find a new interest or activity that may satisfy a vague restlessness you might be feeling. If you're in the planning stages of a new project, Mercury's placement today may facilitate coming up with new ideas to get the project rolling.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Contracts should be reviewed carefully before signing today and you might feel frustrated if you are trying to wrap up ongoing negotiations. Some necessary information may be missing, and planetary influences suggest a sudden shift in roles may take place within a group of your allies. Meetings might be cancelled or postponed. Today will be a good day to review the progress thus far for any endeavor and make sure everything is in its place.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 You may feel frustrated today if you are waiting for a partner to make an important decision. It might be a better day to review the pros and cons to help your partner determine the best course of action. In fact, new pieces of information can suddenly come into play today, and it will be advisable to take more time to decide. Mars will be positioned to give you energy and enthusiasm to direct toward any endeavor, but have patience.
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PM panel pegs FY14 GDP growth at 5.3%
NEW DELHI: The Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday slashed its growth forecast for 2013-14 but signalled that the economy may pick up pace in the second half on the back of a rebound in the farm sector and impact of reform measures.
The council headed by former RBI governor C Rangarajan said the economy is expected to grow 5.3% in 2013-14, sharply below the previous estimate of 6.4%.
He said the recent expansion of the automobile sector and pick-up in exports would have a positive impact on the manufacturing sector.
"Taking these factors into account, the forecast growth rate appears reasonable," said Rangarajan, adding that the farm sector would post a 4.9% growth, which would aid overall expansion.
The Indian economy, Asia's third-largest, grew 4.4% in the June quarter, prompting several economists and brokerages to downgrade their growth forecast.
Apart from agriculture, the other sectors of the economy would also perform better in the second half of 2013-14 on the back of impact of measures unveiled in the past six months and emphasis on getting infrastructure projects going.
Rangarajan, who released the advisory council's economic outlook for 2013-14, said the robust performance of the farm sector would have a moderating effect on food inflation. He estimated wholesale inflation at 5.5% by March-end 2014.
The veteran policymaker also signalled that the current monetary stance would have to stay due to the sharp fluctuation in the value of the rupee against the dollar.
He expects stability to return to the foreign exchange market once capital inflows return and the current account deficit is contained.
"The current stance of monetary policy has to continue until stability in the rupee is achieved. Thereafter, if the current trend in the moderation of wholesale price inflation continues, which is in fact expected, the monetary authorities can switch to a policy of easing," Rangarajan said.
He said controlling the current account deficit remains the main concern at present and projected the CAD at $70 billion or 3.8% of GDP, lower than the previous year's $88.2 billion or 4.8% of GDP.
The council also said that keeping the fiscal deficit within the budgeted target of 4.8% of GDP could be a challenge and called for compressing discretionary expenditure and for restructuring subsidies in " growth friendly manner to avoid fiscal slippages."
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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.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
Details that demand your attention might cause you to experience some disruptions in your daily schedule today. Take care of outstanding financial obligations and tie up loose ends involving paperwork or errands. If you are preparing to embark on an important project in the coming months, today might be a time to address whatever obstacles you believe may eventually prevent you from taking the initial steps. Make budgets and begin forecasting future expenses.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
You might feel blocked creatively today, and it may well be best to wait until tomorrow if daily life or work demands brainstorming. Today may be a better today to tie up loose ends and complete lingering tasks. You may, however, make unexpected alliances today that will give you support for future projects. Be open to meeting new people and seeing how collaboration might occur. Your talents might nicely complement someone else's, and together you would make a formidable team.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 Details surrounding a home project might need to be addressed today. If you have been moving ahead at a fast pace with plans for a move or for a home renovation project, take time today to make sure you are not overlooking important details. Information might surface today that can alter your course. Take a breather before you react. Tomorrow will be a better day to take your new insights and forge ahead with plans.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
Extra attention to your thoughts and words might be required today to avoid misunderstandings in your communications. Make notes to organize your thoughts if you are making a presentation. If you are anticipating a conversation with a friend to discuss an important matter, extra effort may be needed to make your point, or you may be unable to reach an agreement. Planetary influences make for enjoyable socializing, so get out, but keep the conversation light and friendly.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 Family members may unexpectedly need your help today, and there may be some sudden changes in a family situation that will require your attention. With Jupiter in your partnership sector, you will have energy to work on improving relationships. Today might be the day to talk with family members and determine how certain aspects of your relationships can be improved. You will feel optimistic and appreciate the support you receive from others.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 Today will be a good day to meet with friends or colleagues to review common goals and makes plans for the future. Ideas will flow easily and much can be accomplished as long as you make clear and definite plans for action. Today's planetary influences favor the planning stages of any endeavor. Step back and look at any recently launched plans to see if adjustments need to be made.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
If your life has been particularly hectic lately, use today to slow the pace to relax and recharge. Take some quiet time during your day to get outside in nature. Enjoy a restful period and you will feel re-energized. You may also take an opportunity to clear your desk of some of the things you have been avoiding. Even if you take care of only one item, you will feel a sense of accomplishment.
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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.”
Santa was weeping at a grave, "Why did you die? Why did you die? Your death ruined my life."
Banta: For whom do you mourn so deeply? A child? A parent? Wife? or Girlfriend ?
Santa: My wife’s first husband.
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Visvesvaraya Technological University on a mission to make students industry-ready
BELGAUM: The Visvesvaraya Technological university (VTU) is embarking on 'Mission VTU - Empower 10000' programme with an objective of empowering 10,000 engineering graduates of 2012 and 2013 batches for a successful professional career.
In this context, a meeting of Training and Placement Officers (TPOs) of engineering colleges affiliated to VTU was held recently. According to vice-chancellor H Maheshappa, the mission has an ambitious plan of embedding industry-relevant skills into VTU's young engineers and enabling them in their pursuit of professional careers. Also, the programme has a lofty agenda of creating 100 next generation academic leaders who can inspire future engineers.
On the occasion, Maheshappa announced the introduction of an internship programme for engineering students so that students will be immensely benefitted by way of hands-on experience and skill enhancement opportunities in the industry.
He also said an online web portal will be developed where unemployed graduates of 2012 and 2013 batches can upload their details. The details in turn can be used in competency mapping of domain knowledge, soft skills and technical skills so that they augment the industry needs. The graduates will in turn be trained by professional trainers to make them industry-ready, he said.
Maheshappa added that U Chandrashekhar, additional director, DRDO, has outlined the 'Mission VTU - Empower 10000' programme. D H Rao, dean, faculty of engineering in VTU, executive council member D M Kiran, placement officer Geo D'Silva, registrar K E Prakash and registrar (evaluation) H G Shekharappa were present.
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All eyes on Yuvraj Singh as India A take on West Indies A
BANGALORE: Yuvraj Singh would be the cynosure of all eyes when he captains India A, a team on a roll after the clean sweep against New Zealand A, in an ODI series against the West Indies A starting on Sunday.
The glory of thrashing New Zealand A 3-0 was achieved under the captaincy of Unmukt Chand, who perfectly marshalled his team to victory.
All eyes, however, will be trained on how Yuvraj, who has been out of favour in the recent times, handles the team as a captain against the West Indians. The left-hander, who battled and won over cancer, would be aiming to get back into the reckoning.
Yuvraj is more often seen as a brutal force in limited overs cricket than in Tests with his ability to hit the ball clean and long.
Yuvraj aside, India A has its share of stars. Unmukt has scored 164 runs at an average of 48 with 94 being his highest in the three ODIs against New Zealand A, while Robin Uthappa has also scored a century in the lung-opener.
The Under-19 World Cup-winning captain would look for another good show from his bat to help his team get a good start.
Uthappa, who is in ODI exile, would be hoping to produce another sparkling show after the opening ODI ton to catch the eyes of national selectors given that a limited overs series against West Indies and South Africa is in sight.
Yuvraj will be hoping for Uthappa and Chand to dazzle in the opening ODI to give a boost to the middle-order, which came good in the last two ODIs against New Zealand A with the likes of Kedar Jadhav and Mandeep Singh rising to the occasion.
Jadhav has delivered consistently, making unbeaten 30, 37 and 57, respectively in the last series. The Maharashtra batsman will be hoping to get a chance to go up the order to showcase his talent.
Yusuf Pathan, who has been provided another lifeline by selectors, will hope to recover from his steep fall since the 2011 World Cup. He is a powerful and aggressive right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler.
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Phata Poster Nikhla Hero
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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.
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85% of plant life is found in the ocean.
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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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