The Indian Panorama

Year: 2014

  • Satya Nadella likely to be next Microsoft CEO: Report

    Satya Nadella likely to be next Microsoft CEO: Report

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Senior Microsoft executive Satya Nadella would replace Steve Ballmer as Microsoft CEO, two media reports said today, citing sources familiar with the processes of selecting the new leader at the Redmond-based company.

    Bloomberg reported that the Microsoft board was set to name Nadella, an Indian who was born in Hyderabad and who completed his engineering from Manipal University before heading to the US for higher studies, as the company’s next CEO. The report also said that the board was discussing replacing Bill Gates as chairman.

    The Bloomberg report came several hours after Kara Swisher, who has a fairly reliable record of breaking stories, wrote on technology website Re/code that Microsoft has apparently finalized Nadella as the next CEO of the company. Swisher wrote that a formal announcement was expected within a week. While Bloomberg report indicated that Nadella was certain to be the next CEO, Re/code report hinted that he was among the three insiders shortlisted for the job and was the strongest candidate.

    “And, at this moment, those who have watched the process think that insider Satya Nadella, who is currently leading its enterprise effort, is the likeliest internal candidate to prevail. That’s due to a number of reasons, including his familiarity with the company, where he has spent much of his career, as well as a strong technical background and a varied work history at Microsoft,” noted the report. “The two other insiders — strategy head Tony Bates and Nokia leader and former Microsoft exec Stephen Elop — seem further behind.” Currently, Nadella is the president of server & tools business at Microsoft.

    He landed his current assignment in 2011. Before that he was senior vice-president of R&D for the online services division and vicepresident of the Microsoft business division. In total he has been with Microsoft for nearly 23 years and is considered a person who is familiar with the internal culture within the company, which has an incredibly complex corporate structure. Nadella’s appointment as CEO is likely to have mixed reactions.

    He is considered a person who is familiar with the Microsoft’s enterprise-focussed products like MS Office, online services like Bing and cloud services like Azure. In the last few years, Microsoft has seen good adoption of products like Office 365, Azure and Windows Servers and many industry insiders believe that for the company, enterprise services and the products are the future. If that is the same consensus Microsoft board has reached, Nadella seems like an obvious and good choice as the next CEO of the company.

    But at the same time Microsoft has found going a little difficult in the consumer space. Windows 8 has been considered a flop and the company is trying to fix the OS by dialling down on the Metro user interface. Also, Windows Phone has so far failed to take off even as Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS continue to woo consumers. In the smartphone and tablet market Microsoft has negligible share.

  • It was a superb win against the world champions: Kyle Mills

    It was a superb win against the world champions: Kyle Mills

    WELLINGTON (TIP): New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Mills said it was a superb effort from the Kiwis to clinch the five-match ODI series against India on a track which was similar to a subcontinent wicket. “These guys (India) are a very good unit, world champions and Champions Trophy holders.

    To have a series win against them, and to do it in Hamilton which is as close as a subcontinent wicket that you’ll get … to win twice against them here was superb,” Mills was quoted as saying in a website. The 34-year-old veteran said he had to rely on his experience against the world champions who possess a great batting unit.

    “I often wish I was the bowler I was five years ago. I have to really call on my experience and that helps in certain situations where I know where I should be bowling at certain times and what fields we can set. I’ve got to have faith and trust myself and that I can deliver in those situations,” Mills said. “I’ve always been confident in myself because my stats suggest that I should be in there. I’ve always felt I’ve bowled well and contributed to the team performance.” New Zealand have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series with one match to go. The fifth and final ODI will be played here on January 31.

  • Federer returns to Davis Cup action this week

    Federer returns to Davis Cup action this week

    NOVI SAD (TIP): Roger Federer will return to the Davis Cup this week in Switzerland’s first-round match in Serbia. The Swiss tennis federation confirmed Federer’s participation Wednesday after it was first announced on the tournament’s official Twitter account.

    Federer teams up with new Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka, now the Swiss No. 1, against a Serbian side missing second-ranked Novak Djokovic. The winner plays Belgium or Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals in April. Federer has played only one first-round match since 2004. He last represented Switzerland in September 2012, helping win a relegation playoff against the Netherlands.

    Serbia, the 2010 champion, is hosting the match without any top-100 players after Djokovic pulled out. Dujan Lajovic at No. 102 is the highest ranked team member. The series opens Friday on indoor hardcourt at Novi Sad.

  • I want to win titles and focus on my performance: Saina

    I want to win titles and focus on my performance: Saina

    Saina Nehwal, ace shuttler, won the Syed Modi International India Grand Prix Gold badminton crown, against PV Sindhu, on January 26. The shuttler, who broke a 15- month title drought, feels that the victory was much needed.

    “I think my victory was much needed as I won something after a very long time. Last year was not that good for me and winning this title has helped me,” said the shuttler, adding, “The title has been a confidence booster for me as I wanted to do really well and this has helped me get my position back.”

    This was Saina’s 22nd final match and the win has helped her earn 7000 points and she has also climbed up the ranking ladder. “If you perform, the ranking automatically goes up. But I am not focussed on rankings right now. I want to win titles and focus on my performance,” she added.

  • Simon Doull questions India’s selection policy

    Simon Doull questions India’s selection policy

    WELLINGTON (TIP): Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull has questioned Indian team’s selection policy in the ongoing five-match ODI series, which the visitors have already lost, and said he was surprised by the side’s reluctance to change things around them.

    The Men in Blue haven’t won a game in the ongoing tour so far, losing three of the four ODIs (one in Napier and twice in Hamilton), while tying one match at Auckland. The visitors also lost their hard-earned number one ODI ranking. “I am surprised by the reluctance shown by the Indian team to change things around in this series,” said Doull, after India lost the fourth ODI in Hamilton by seven wickets. “They bowled first throughout the series and then batted in a must-win game.

    Before that they selected two new players in the eleven and made a whole lot of changes in their batting line-up. They changed too much at one go and usually it doesn’t work like that,” he insisted. “After the first two ODIs, it was clear that the New Zealand batsmen had found out a weakness in their spin bowling, particularly during the middle overs. But they still persisted with Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin. Don’t get me wrong, they are both fantastic cricketers, but why not try Amit Mishra once? He is a leg spinner and could have used the bounce better, and more than anything else, it would have been a change when the series was still there to play for.

    “It is just one of many things that have gone wrong for India, but they didn’t react to it quickly enough,” he added. The Indian bowling has also come under heavy criticism from skipper MS Dhoni, who expressed his dissatisfaction time and again during the series, and most lately after the loss in Hamilton. Doull felt the Indian team were trying too many things. “They are trying too many things,” he said, talking about the young Indian pace contingent. “They have played too much ODI and T20 cricket, or they have played too little. There is no experience in this bowling line-up and they are getting easily carried away.

    They have bowled really short throughout the series, instead of cutting off runs on atleast one side of the ground,” Doull explained. “That is how you bowl overseas and build pressure. They haven’t stuck to the basics. Someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is otherwise a very good swing bowler, I haven’t seen much swing coming from him in this series. But he has definitely bowled short and wide to the batsmen. Why are they not sticking to the basics and getting carried away so easily? Inexperience cannot be an excuse for too long,” added the former Black Caps’ international with 98 Test and 36 ODI wickets. Asked if the Indian batsmen should also take some of the blame, Doull replied, “For sure.

    They haven’t come in with a game plan against the New Zealand bowling line-up. They must have known that they would be facing a lot of short stuff from the bowlers here, yet their application has been lacking. And their main batsmen aren’t in form, or willing to apply themselves. Their game plan against this bowling has been lacking and New Zealand isn’t even the quickest bowling attack in the world. “Shikhar Dhawan is out of touch and Rohit Sharma has been tied down at the starts. There are not major runs coming from lower down either. You cannot expect Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni to score runs every time.

    Again, they should have realised it earlier than the fourth ODI and adapted to it more quickly, but that didn’t happen and that is why India have lost the series,” he added. This series was billed as preparation for the 2015 ODI World Cup to be hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand, but the embarrassing loss has raised question marks over India’s title defence, while forwarding the case for the Kiwis in a tournament that they will be playing at home. “This series has thrown up two angles. One, New Zealand have played some good cricket and their plans with respect to stopping a very talented Indian team have worked perfectly, be it in terms of batting, bowling or fielding.

  • BASANT PANCHAMI

    BASANT PANCHAMI

    BIRTHDAY OF GODDESS SARASWATI

    Basant Panchami is also denoted as Saraswati Puja by the Hindus in India. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of art, crafts and knowledge was born. She conferred upon humanity the greatest wealth that a human being can ever ask for, the gift of Knowledge. The Hindu mythology popularizes Goddess Saraswati as the immaculate power who bestows upon the worthy with the wealth of knowledge. The color white is associated with the goddess of knowledge as it is the symbol of peace and serenity.

    Images of goddess Saraswati with white adornments, sitting on a white lotus flower which blooms in a wide stretch of water are quite commonly seen on this day. Goddess Saraswati or Maa Saraswati, as called by the people of West Bengal, is worshipped on this auspicious day by the worshippers who are themselves clad in the color yellow, the color of spring. Prasad is offered to the goddess and later the same is distributed among the worshippers. The popular festival is related to the goddess of knowledge; hence, children are initiated towards learning and gaining knowledge.

    This is significant because it is the birth day of goddess Saraswati. As the river Saraswati is associated with the goddess, rituals are performed on the banks of this holy river. Offerings are made but no sacrifices are conducted. Vegetarian food is cooked and had on this day and people abstain from non-vegetarian food. Goddess Saraswati is supposed to be the goddess of art, literature and speech too; hence, hymns are written and sung in praise of the goddess on Basant Panchami. Whenever a new teaching institution is started, goddess Saraswati is worshipped.

    A school is considered to be the temple of learning and hence, a temple of the goddess itself. Schools and colleges organize special functions and cultural activities on this particular day and devote these to goddess Saraswati. Students offer a lot of flowers to the image of Saraswati. They keep all their study materials like books, articles, instruments of music and arts, earthen inkpots and bamboo quills in front of the deity. No one reads anything on this day; it is a way to show their reverence to the deity of knowledge. Most Hindu communities celebrate this festival with great pomp and show as this is the time of the year when goddess Saraswati is remembered by its followers.

    Significance
    This day falls on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magh, which is also the first day of spring. Goddess Saraswati denotes serenity and calmness. She is generally shown seated on a white lotus, wearing a pure white silk sari and holding a book in her lower left hand.

    The eyes of the goddess are full of compassion. Her four hands denote four facets of human personality namely mind, intellect, alertness and ego. The lotus on her hand symbolizes true knowledge. Her ride is a white swan which is known for its peculiar capability of separating water from the milk. The swan indicates that we should have the ability to discriminate the bad from the good.


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    Basant Panchami, also known as the Saraswati Day, is celebrated by the Hindus across the world with great enthusiasm and festivities. The devotees visit temples which are filled with various types of religious activities. Yellow color is given prominence on this day and people dress up in yellow garments and perform rituals. Yellow represents spiritual knowledge, increasing the significance of the festival. People eat yellow sweets and distribute the same among friends and relatives. People feed Brahmans on this occasion and also perform Pitra- Tarpan, the traditional ancestral worship.

    Basant Panchami is the day when children are taught their first words, making it an auspicious occasion which marks the beginning of their learning process. On this day, schools and colleges organize special worships for goddess Saraswati. Traditionally children place their books on the altar, at the goddess’s feet. No one is allowed to touch the books during this period as they believe that goddess Saraswati is blessing the books. Devotees believe that worshipping of goddess Saraswati will lead to spiritual enlightenment. It is generally said that there is no comparison between a king and a learned person as the king is honored only in his land but a learned person is respected everywhere.

    Saintly and learned people who are inclined towards spirituality know the importance of worshipping goddess Saraswati. Other activities performed on this day include worshipping of Kamadeva, the God of Love. On this occasion, people offers prayers to the Sun God and the deities associated with Ganges. The festivities of Basant Panchami include kite flying and a kite festival is observed in Ferozepur, Punjab. Basant Panchami marks the arrival of spring and can be noted from the colored blooms in trees and crops. This is the period when mango flowers start blossoming on trees, representing the beginning of a new life. Basant Panchami spiritually signifies that the days of ignorance and gloom are over and the period of joy and spiritual awakening has begun.

    Kite Festival
    The festival of Basant Panchami is celebrated to welcome the season of spring, a season when the earth replenishes itself. Spring also denotes pleasant weather, during which calm wind whistles in your ear and caresses your face with its light cool touch. It is the season when the weather is neither hot nor cold, when the wind has a cooling effect but not the kind to chill your bones. This kind of weather reminds you of a number of things including Basant Panchami, the primary festival of this season. It is one of the most colorful and wonderful festivals of this effervescent nation and is celebrated on the fifth day of the Indian month of Magh. The festival brings in a number of colors in the form of colorful attires.


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    Being the color of spring, yellow gets into vogue as it also denotes prosperity, happiness, intellect and energy. Flying kites is a sport much popular in India. In a clear and pleasant weather, you will see plenty of kites in the sky. Being a part of Basant Panchami, kite flying competitions take place during this festival. Fighter kites were designed in India and Pakistan for decades. Ferozepur, a small town in Punjab, is famous for this sport and a number of children including both girls and boys purchase kites and fly them. Popular among adults too, they get on to their building’s terrace along with the children, play songs at high volume and dance with the rhythm while flying kites.

  • HIDDEN SIGNS OF DEPRESSION

    HIDDEN SIGNS OF DEPRESSION

    Unless you’re aware of the hidden signs of depression, you might just consider yourself a victim of circumstance and suffering and easily overlook the very obvious signs of depression.

    Here are a few indicators:
    LOW IMMUNITY: An obvious sign of depression is low immunity. Low moods can lead to lower physical activity which can greatly weaken one’s immunity. If you find yourself falling sick often, don’t ignore it. TIRED AND FATIGUED: Do you find yourself wanting to sleep all the time. Does a few hours of work make you tired and lethargic? It might be a hidden sign of depression. If you find yourself tired often, don’t succumb to it because physical inactivity can only worsen the condition.

    LOW MOTIVATION: This is a very obvious indicator towards depression. Not wanting to go to work, not wanting to interact with people, finding yourself in a miserable state of mind, are all clear signs of depression. EATING HABITS: If you skip meals through the day and find yourself hogging at night, be careful. Unhealthy eating habits can give rise to a number of eating disorders or even weight issues which can contribute immensely to your low state of mind.

  • BALDING, AN INDICATOR OF HEART DISEASE?

    BALDING, AN INDICATOR OF HEART DISEASE?

    Check for these physical characteristics that could be indicators of future health problems

    Balding
    Heart disease
    As if losing your hair wasn’t bad enough, follicle-challenged men are now said to be at significantly greater risk of heart disease. Men with baldness at the crown of their heads are a third more likely to develop coronary artery disease, with Japanese researchers suggesting that men who lost their hair earlier in life are at especially high risk. Research published in the British Medical Journal had a look at six studies involving 37,000 men to report these startling findings. How to prevent it: The good news is risks of heart disease can be greatly reduced. Simple measures like making sure you get enough exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet will keep your heart in check. Avoid drinking and smoking, which are the key causes of heart disease.

    Skinny thighs
    Coronary problems
    However desirable, tiny thighs could raise your risk of coronary problems. Women whose upper legs are less than 23.6 inches in circumference have a higher risk of coronary disease and early death, says a Danish study. It is due to the fact that too little muscle mass can lead to type 2 diabetes and heart failure. How to prevent it: A healthy diet with oily fish and regular exercise can help to keep your heart healthy.

    Short index finger
    Osteoarthritis
    Strange as it may seem — and also bad news for women — if your index finger is shorter than your ring finger you could be twice as likely to develop osteoarthritis in the knees. According to a 2008 study in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, such people tend to have lower levels of oestrogen, which could contribute to the onslaught of osteoarthritis. How to prevent it: There is a lot of speculation regarding links between hormones and osteoarthritis, however most doctors would advise that risk can be minimised by avoiding injury and staying as healthy as possible. Eat a balanced diet, look after your joints and maintain a healthy weight.

    Short legs
    Liver disease
    A 2008 study by Bristol University indicated that women with legs between 20 and 29 inches in length tended to have higher levels of four enzymes, which indicated liver disease. How to prevent it: Research suggests that there is a connection between fat distribution and liver function. The liver is a vital organ. A healthy diet and a low alcohol intake will help keep your liver working to its full potential.

    Short arms
    Alzheimer’s
    Women with shorter arm spans are 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study in Neurology. Experts believe women who measure less than 60 inches fingertip to fingertip may have had nutritional deficits in childhood, predisposing them to cognitive decline. How to prevent it: Keeping your brain active is key. Brain food includes oily fish and folic acid.

    Big bust
    Breast cancer
    It seems buxom ladies could have received a genetic booby prize. Women with a large bust may be more likely to develop breast cancer, according to scientists. A study of 16,000 women found that genetic mutations, which are involved in regulating the female sex hormone oestrogen, can trigger the growth of both breasts and tumours. How toprevent it: This is yet to be proved. Further, thanks to scientific advances breast cancer has become one of the most treatable cancers. Again, lifestyle is key. It has also been suggested that breast feeding can help reduce the risk of cancer. If breast cancer runs in your family, take tests to see if you carry the gene as there are several preventative procedures you can undertake.

  • EYE PROBLEMS YOU MUST NOT IGNORE

    EYE PROBLEMS YOU MUST NOT IGNORE

    When studying science, most of us have learnt that the human eye functions like a camera and the retina acts like a film. The retina is a light sensitive tissue, which reacts to incoming light and sends the image to the brain through the optic nerve. Needless to say, any problem in the retina disrupts the picture and makes it harder for the brain to interpret it.

    Therefore, it is advisable to get a retinal examination in case you experience black spots, flashes of light or distorted or blurred vision. As this could be a symptom of diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment or a torn retina. Furthermore, a retina consultation with an ophthalmologist can help you determine the root cause of the problem.

    Diabetes and the retina
    Diabetes can affect sight by causing cataracts, glaucoma, and most importantly damage the blood vessels inside the eye, a condition known as “diabetic retinopathy”. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. When blood vessels in the retina are damaged they may leak blood and grow fragile, brush-like branches and scar the tissue. This can blur or distort the vision. Diabetic eye diseases are a leading cause of blindness worldwide. People with untreated diabetes are said to be 25 times more likely to suffer from blindness than the general population. The longer a person has diabetes, the higher the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

    Retinal detachment
    Known as a medical emergency, retinal detachment is separation of the retinal tissue (neural layer) from the layer of blood vessels (that provide it nutrients and oxygen). When the cells are deprived of oxygen, they are unable to compose a clear picture. While the initial detachment could be restricted, if left untreated for a long time, it can cause blindness in the affected eye. Posterior vitreous detachment causes a tear in the retina and allows the fluid or water of the eye to seep under it, which detaches the retina from its supporting layer. Myopia, better known as short sightedness is a very strong risk factor for retinal detachment. Retinal detachments are also caused by trauma to the head or eye. According to the statistics, these are frequent in the elderly and middle aged people.

    Retinoblastoma
    Retinoblastoma is retina cancer which rapidly develops in the retina cells. Generally, it affects kids below 6 and could be heritable or nonheritable. In some cases it occurs in only one eye and is referred to as unilateral retinoblastoma; if both the eyes are affected, it is called bilateral retinoblastoma and in several cases when it affects the pineal gland as well, it is called trilateral retinoblastoma. Retinoblastoma is the most common type of cancer, which affects kids. But it also responds to timely treatment and has one of the best cure rates. Doctors warn the parents to look for signs like white spots on the pupil, redness and pain. Parents with cross eyed kids, should get regular check-ups. A delay in treatment could lead to blindness, tumours that could spread to the lungs, brains and bones. If the tumour spreads outside the eye, then finding a cure might prove to be difficult.

  • HOW TO STOP BABIES FROM WAILING

    HOW TO STOP BABIES FROM WAILING

    Here’s how to stop colicky babies from wailing and going utterly red in the face If your baby is younger than four months old and cries for more than three hours in a row on three or more days a week for at least three weeks, chances are he is colicky.

    Colic, as applied to a baby under four months of age, describes a crying spell when your baby’s face becomes very red and both legs are drawn up to their stomach as if they’re in great pain. This crying spell usually comes in the early evening, can reach screaming pitch and last from one to three hours. It doesn’t usually respond to soothing techniques that work at other times and for parents it can be difficult to endure.

    The cause of this spasmodic crying isn’t known. It is at its worst up to three months of age but disappears by four months. Recent research has failed to confirm that colic is caused by pain, even though it looks as if your baby is in pain. As your baby is contented during the rest of the day, it means that this crying bout isn’t related to a serious physical problem. Colicky babies are usually healthy and thriving.

    Watch the signs
    While babies normally cry when they’re wet or hungry or frightened or tired, a baby with colic cries inconsolably and excessively, often at the same time of the day, frequently in the late afternoon or early evening. If your baby has colic, his belly may look enlarged. You may notice that he alternately extends or pulls up his legs and passes gas as he cries. Your baby cries no matter what you do to calm them, becoming redfaced and drawing their legs up. Other symptoms include frowning, grimacing, long screaming fits, and loud tummy rumblings, while passing wind or faeces (poo) around the time the crying stops.

    See the doc
    It is recommended to see your doctor as soon as possible if you find you cannot cope with the nightly crying sessions. Colic tends to peak around six weeks, improves significantly between three and four months. By five months, your baby should be over it. Your doctor will also advise you on how to tackle the problem.

  • THINGS TODAY’S WOMEN WANT FROM MEN

    THINGS TODAY’S WOMEN WANT FROM MEN

    As most matrimonial ads typically go by the, “fair, slim and homely girl needed for a wellsettled boy” phrase, women’s demands have undergone a drastic change.

    “Tall, dark and handsome” has now been replaced by “broadminded, understanding and a good cook.” While both men and women are known to fantasise about their prospective spouses, what makes it more exciting are the expectations they have. Women, in recent times, are known to outnumber men in listing out modern expectations from their prospective spouse, cooking being one of them.

    In a recent survey conducted by a matrimonial website, a whopping 51.9 per cent women said that they want their prospective spouses to help in household chores. While, 39.5 per cent want a spouse with culinary skills. Marriage counsellor Vedika Shreshtha, says, “The modern woman is independent, smart and speaks her heart, that makes her demands different from the stereotypes. Hence, if she thinks her prospective spouse should fulfill certain criteria, why not?” She also adds, “Remember those days when prospective grooms would come to the bride’s home to see her walk and talk.

    Modern-age women are not just rendering this trend as passe but are paving a new path to have a stronger wedlock with better transparency.” Both men and women discover different things about themselves after marriage. It is often observed that these things are mostly shocks and not surprises. A guy who seemed open-minded when you met during courtship, suddenly seems an alien after staying together for a few days. Hence, these criteria when laid out before marriage can clear the air between the couple. “We, too, have long working hours, in fact, sometimes even longer than men, and our jobs are as stressful.

    Hence, if I expect my husband to help me with the household chores, what’s so annoying about it? If he can expect me to be by his side during highs and lows, can’t I expect such a small thing from him,” says Bijalpita Dasgupta, an engineer by profession. Many feel that men who know cooking can be great companions for life, as they believe in sharing the simple joys in life like giving your better half a deserving break from the kitchen.

    Ranjeeta Kalyanchandmooda, a wedding counsellor, feels that undergoing an HIV test and a fertility test before weddings is not just a criteria, it should be a mandate. “STDs are very common these days, and it could affect anyone anytime. If the person’s medical conditions are prior known to the spouse, the person can be treated accordingly, and a right decision of marrying the person or not, will be solved easily.

    It also relieves women from being in the blame game of being unable to bear a child, etc,” says Ranjeeta. Opening up about your liabilities and investments to your partner will make it simpler. “It will not just make the couple feel secure about each other, but also work in case of emergencies since the other half knows the kind of savings they have,” says Amit Dharia, a financial advisor.

  • WEB GETS NEW DOMAIN ADDRESSES: .GURU, .BIKE

    WEB GETS NEW DOMAIN ADDRESSES: .GURU, .BIKE

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The humble .com is set to receive some competition from a new set of unusual web addresses such as .guru and .singles! Internet users will now be able to register in targeted and specific domains ending in .guru, .bike, .singles, .plumbing and .clothing among others as a US company is offering a wave of new web addresses.

    Donuts Inc will kick off the general availability period for seven new internet domain names, marking the beginning of a new era for the Internet in which users will have unprecedented choice in how they identify and brand themselves online. The new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) – the first of hundreds Donuts will launch this year – are .bike, .clothing, .guru, .holdings, .plumbing, .singles, and .ventures, the company said.

    Anyone can register names in these gTLDs on a first come, firstserved basis from accredited registrars worldwide. According to the company on February 5, .camera, .equipment, .estate, .gallery, .graphics, .lighting and .photography will be open for registration by anyone interested in an online identity connected to these terms. “Starting this week, new, relevant and specific Internet naming options will be available on a scale never before seen,” Donuts co-founder and CEO Paul Stahura said.

    “This is a unique opportunity for businesses, brands, organisations, and individuals to find an online identity that speaks precisely to their products, services and interests,” Stahura said. In addition to this launch, Donuts hit another major milestone when it signed its 105th new gTLD contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ( ICANN).

    “We have ambitious goals as part of our commitment to leading the development and innovation of the new gTLD marketplace,” said company cofounder and Executive Vice President Jonathon Nevett. “Reaching 105 gTLDs under contract is a good landmark, but we won’t be satisfied until all of our remaining contracts are completed and all our gTLDs are fully available to the public ,” said Nevett.

  • Scientists create embryonic-type stem cells without embryos

    Scientists create embryonic-type stem cells without embryos

    LONDON (TIP): In experiments that could open a new era in stem cell biology, scientists have found a cheap and easy way to reprogramme mature cells from mice back into an embryonic-like state that allowed them to generate many types of tissue.

    The research, described as game changer by experts in the field, suggests human cells could in future be reprogrammed by the same technique, offering a simpler way to replace damaged cells or grow new organs for sick and injured people. Chris Mason, chair of regenerative medicine bioprocessing at University College London, who was not involved in the work, said its approach was “the most simple, lowest-cost and quickest method” to generate so-called pluripotent cells — able to develop into many different cell types — from mature cells.

    “If it works in man, this could be the game changer that ultimately makes a wide range of cell therapies available using the patient’s own cells as starting material — the age of personalized medicine would have finally arrived,” he said. The experiments, reported in two papers in the journal Nature on Wednesday, involved scientists from the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology in Japan and Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in the United States.

    Beginning with mature, adult cells, researchers let them multiply and then subjected them to stress “almost to the point of death”, they explained, by exposing them to various events including trauma, low oxygen levels and acidic environments. Within days, the scientists found that the cells survived and recovered from the stressful stimulus by naturally reverting into a state similar to that of an embryonic stem cell.

    These stem cells created by this exposure to stresses — dubbed STAP cells by the researchers — were then able to differentiate and mature into different types of cells and tissue, depending on the environments they were given. “If we can work out the mechanisms by which differentiation states are maintained and lost, it could open up a wide range of possibilities for new research and applications using living cells,” said Haruko Obokata, who lead the work at RIKEN. Stem cells are the body’s master cells and are able to differentiate into all other types of cells.

    Scientists say that, by helping to regenerate tissue, they could offer ways of tackling diseases for which there are currently only limited treatments – including heart disease, Parkinson’s and stroke. There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic ones, harvested from embryos, and adult or iPS cells, which are taken from skin or blood and reprogrammed back into stem cells. Because the harvesting of embryonic stem cells requires the destruction of a human embryo, the technique has been the subject of ethical concerns and protests from pro-life campaigners.

    Dusko Ilic, a reader in stem cell science at Kings College London, said the Nature studies described “a major scientific discovery” and predicted their findings would open “a new era in stem cell biology”. “Whether human cells would respond in a similar way to comparable environmental cues … remains to be shown,” he said in an emailed comment. “I am sure that the group is working on this and I would not be surprised if they succeed even within this calendar year.”

  • WATER TO REPLACE INK IN YOUR PRINTER!

    WATER TO REPLACE INK IN YOUR PRINTER!

    BEIJING (TIP): Imagine a simple printer at your office or home that uses water instead of ink to print reams of papers. Possible, say Chinese researchers.

    But the catch is not in the printer but the paper. According to scientists at Jilin University in Changchun, China, the printed characters last for a day on a special paper that can then be re-used. “Every time you print, it’s fresh,” Sean Zhang, professor of chemistry, was quoted as saying.

    “We are using a commercially available inkjet printer. We just filled the cartridges with water and put it back. It’s like normal printing. The magic is in the paper,” Zhang, a former researcher at Hewlett- Packard Labs in Menlo Park, California, told DiscoveryNews. This method allows the paper to be reused several times and could potentially have cheaper running costs. How did they produce this special paper? The team developed a special coating on the paper that responds to the water.

    They were able to print various Chinese and English characters using blue, magenta gold and purple colours, using water as a key that activates the dye molecule. “The next step is to combine colours to go black,” Zhang added. According to Kira Barton, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan, “going toward more sustainable techniques of printing is helpful and beneficial”.

  • A TOOL TO TELL HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE WASTED ON FB

    A TOOL TO TELL HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE WASTED ON FB

    LONDON (TIP): If you’ve ever had sleepless nights wondering how much of your life has been idled away on Facebook, a tool has at last been developed that means you can stop wasting your time.

    Created to coincide with the social media site’s 10th birthday next week, the calculator estimates to the minute how much of the past decade you have spent posting, liking and poking. While the networking website Facebook itself does not release information on individual user log-in times, by accessing data on when you joined the site and how often you’ve posted things to your feed, the tool is able to guess roughly how many days of your life “you’ve wasted” .

    Developed by Time Magazine, it then gives you the option to “brag about it” via Twitter or, naturally, Facebook itself. Though the results may be depressing, they translate to big profits for the company set up Mark Zuckerberg and a few friends on 4 February 2004. Analysts have said that Facebook may have had its best ever quarter in terms of revenues, which for 2013 are forecast to have risen almost 50 per cent to $7.6 billion, according to the Financial Times.

  • DISCOVERED: A RIVER OF HYDROGEN IN SPACE

    DISCOVERED: A RIVER OF HYDROGEN IN SPACE

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Astronomers have discovered a never-beforeseen river of hydrogen flowing through space into a nearby galaxy around 22 million light years from Earth.

    This very faint, very tenuous filament of gas is streaming into the galaxy NGC 6946 and may help explain how certain spiral galaxies keep up their steady pace of star formation, researchers said. “We knew that the fuel for star formation had to come from somewhere.

    So far, however, we’ve detected only about 10% of what would be necessary to explain what we observe in many galaxies,” astronomer DJ Pisano from West Virginia University said. “A leading theory is that rivers of hydrogen – known as cold flows may be ferrying hydrogen through intergalactic space, fuelling star formation.

    But this was too diffused to detect, until now,” he said. Spiral galaxies, like our own Milky Way, typically maintain a rather tranquil but steady pace of star formation. Others, like NGC 6946, which is located approximately 22 million light years from Earth on the border of the constellations Cepheus and Cygnus, are much more active, though less-so than more extreme starburst galaxies. This raises the question of what is fuelling the sustained star formation in this and similar spiral galaxies.

  • GOOGLE SELLING MOTOROLA PHONE BUSINESS TO LENOVO FOR $2.9 BILLION

    GOOGLE SELLING MOTOROLA PHONE BUSINESS TO LENOVO FOR $2.9 BILLION

    SAN FRANCISCO (TIP): Google is selling Motorola’s smartphone business to Lenovo for $2.9 billion, a price that makes Google’s biggest acquisition look like its most expensive mistake.

    The deal announced on January 29 will rid Google Inc. of a financial headache that has plagued the internet company since buying Motorola Mobility for $12.4 billion in 2012. Motorola has lost nearly $2 billion since Google took over, while trimming its workforce from 20,000 to 3,800. Google had previously recovered some of the money that it spent on Motorola by selling the company’s set-top operations last year to Arris Group Inc. for $2.35 billion.

    Google is also keeping most of the patents that came with the Motorola purchase. It’s unclear if Google will have to absorb a charge to account for the difference between what it paid for Motorola Mobility and what it is getting back. The Mountain View, California, company may address the issue Thursday when it announces its fourth-quarter earnings after the market closes. Most investors viewed Motorola as an unnecessary drain on Google’s profit, a perspective that was reflected by Wall Street’s reaction to the sale.

    Google’s stock gained $28.08, or 2.5%, to $1,135 in extended trading. While Google is backpedaling, Lenovo Group Ltd. is gearing up for a major expansion. Already the world’s largest maker of personal computers, Lenovo now appears determined to become a bigger player in smartphones as more people rely on them instead of laptop and desktop computers to go online.

    Lenovo already is among the smartphone leaders in its home country of China, but it has been looking for ways to expand its presence in other markets, especially the US and Latin America. The company had been rumored to be among the prospective buyers for BlackBerry Ltd. when that troubled smartphone maker was mulling a sale last year. This marks Lenovo’s second highprofile deal this month. The company announced plans last week to buy a major piece of IBM Corp.’s computer server business for $2.3 billion.

    Buying Motorola will enable Lenovo to join Apple Inc. as the only major technology companies with global product lines in PCs, smartphones and tablets, putting Lenovo in a better position to become a one-stop shop for companies to buy all their devices from the same vendor, said Forrester Research analyst Frank Gillett. “This makes Lenovo a company to watch,” Gillett said in an email. “The personal device manufacturer business is consolidating, and manufacturers must compete in all three device markets, plus emerging wearable categories, or get left out of the next market shift.” After it takes over, Lenovo plans to retain a Motorola management team led by Dennis Woodside.

    Google had reassigned Woodside, one of its top executive, to run Motorola Mobility in hopes he could engineer a turnaround. Under Woodside, Motorola released two new smartphones last year, the Moto X and Moto G. The phones attracted lots of headlines, but didn’t sell as well as anticipated, analysts say. Lenovo executives also said they aren’t planning to lay off any more Motorola employees and that the subsidiary would remain based in its current headquarters in Libertyville, Illinois. “We buy this business, we buy this team as our treasure,” Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing said during a Wednesday conference call.

    Google is retaining most of Motorola’s portfolio of mobile patents, providing the company with legal protection for its widely used Android software for smartphones and tablet computers. Gaining control of Motorola’s patents was the main reason Google CEO Larry Page decided to pay so much for Motorola Mobility at a time the smartphone maker was already losing money and market share. Most analysts thought Page had paid too much money for Motorola and questioned why Google wanted to own a smartphone maker at the risk of alienating other mobile device makers that rely on Android. Selling Motorola’s smartphone operations will “enable Google to devote our energy to driving innovation across the Android ecosystem,” Page said in a statement. Lenovo is picking up about 2,000 Motorola patents in addition to the phone manufacturing operations.

  • BANKS CAUTIOUS AFTER RBI FOREX DIRECTIVE

    BANKS CAUTIOUS AFTER RBI FOREX DIRECTIVE

    CHENNAI (TIP): With the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently banning the use of remittance funds in any form towards overseas foreign exchange trading, banks have swung into action.

    The ban also includes trading over electronic/internet portals or by use of credit/debit cards. A recent mailer by HDFC Bank to its customers stated that “the bank would be constrained to take necessary action by closing credit/debit cards in case of any overseas forex trading transactions observed on your card account and report the same to the regulator.”

    “On our part, we have resorted to disabling functionalities on such world wide web platforms that are used for such currency trading,” Praveen Kutty, head, retail and SME banking, DCB Bank said. Bankers said the move was due to a security clampdown to prevent money laundering among others.

    “Sometimes, using of international credit card or debit card may also result in trading in certain futures contract which maybe currently outside the regulator’s purview,” said a banker who did not want to be identified. In its notification the RBI had said that it has been observed that some “banking customers continue to undertake online trading in foreign exchange on portals or websites offering such schemes wherein they initially remit funds from Indian bank accounts using credit cards or other electronic channels to overseas websites or entities and subsequently receive cash refunds from the same overseas entities into their credit card or bank accounts.”

    This is in violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. The circular further added that any person indulging in such activities would make themselves liable to be proceeded against with for contravention of FEMA, besides being liable for violation of regulations relating to know your customer (KYC) norms or anti money laundering (AML) standards. “Kotak Mahindra Bank is fully compliant with RBI rules and regulations including this and the same has been communicated to our credit and debit card customers,” a spokesperson of the bank said.

  • AIRTEL 3G SUBSCRIBER BASE UP 18%

    AIRTEL 3G SUBSCRIBER BASE UP 18%

    NEW DELHI (TIP): India’s leading GSM service provider Bharti Airtel has posted an increase in its data ARPU (Average Revenue per Unit) at Rs 75 in the third quarter of 2014, against Rs 70 in the previous quarter.

    Bharti Airtel’s blended ARPU has also reached Rs 195 during the quarter, up from Rs 192 in the previous quarter. Interestingly, the company’s voice ARPU grew just 1 percent to Rs 161 in the quarter. The telco’s non-voice mobile revenues have been growing at a steady pace.

    Airtel’s non-voice mobile revenues now contribute 17.2% to the total revenues, wherein data service’s share stands at 10.3%. The contribution of messaging and VAS segments to the total mobile revenues plunged at 6.1%, as compared to 6.7% in the second quarter of 2014. The telco has posted a strong growth in its data subscribe base. Bharti Airtel witnessed addition of 3.8 million data subscribers, leading to overall data customer base to 54.4 million.

    During the third quarter, Bharti Airtel’s 3G customer base increased by 18% sequentially to 9.5 million with data usage per customer increasing by 8% q-o-q. The company had 8 million 3G subscribers in the second quarter of 2014. Data usage per user also increased to 249 MB in the third quarter, against 231 MB in the previous quarter. Due to reduction in data tariffs, Data realization rate per MB declined marginally to 30.1 paise.

    Airtel also increased the number of 3G sites in the country during the quarter. It now operates 28,179 3G sites in the country, up from 26,616 3G sites in the previous quarter. Idea Cellular, which recently posted its quarterly results, also showed a strong growth in the data segment with 2.5 million new 3G subscribers. The company’s total 3G subscriber base stood at 8.7 million in the third quarter. Idea Cellular’s blended ARPU also reached Rs 169, while blended data ARPU (2G+3G) jumped significantly during the quarter to reach Rs 91, up from Rs 55 in the previous quarter

  • Tata leads race to sell mini UAVs to Army

    Tata leads race to sell mini UAVs to Army

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Tata Group is set to ink an agreement with the government to sell 1,200 trucks to the defence forces in a deal valued at close to Rs 1,000 crore.

    In addition, it has emerged as the lowest bidder for a contract for mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from the Indian Army’s Northern Command, although the terms of the deal are yet to be finalized. The twin deals come at a time when the group is looking to ramp up its presence in the defence segment through several of its group companies and has managed to generate an order book of close to Rs 8,000 crore.

    The salt to software conglomerate saw revenues of close to Rs 1,700 crore during the last financial year and is expecting a growth of around 40% during the current financial year, Mukund Rajan, member – group executive council and brand custodian, Tata Sons told reporters.

    While Tata Motors is expected to sign the deal for the 6×6 trucks after Tatra was blacklisted over its alleged involvement in the irregularities, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) is the top contender for the mini-UAV contract. TASL vice-president Sukaran Singh said that the company has been approached by several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) work related to aircraft components.

  • THE BHAGAVAD GITA

    THE BHAGAVAD GITA

    CONTINUED FROM Vol 2 ISSUE 3

    Destination of unsuccessful yogi

    Arjun said: The faithful who deviates from the path of meditation and fails to attain yogic perfection due to unsubdued mind — what is the destination of such a person, O Krishn? (6.37) Do they not perish like a dispersing cloud, O Krishn, having lost both (yog and Bhog, the heavenly and worldly pleasures), supportless and bewildered on the path of Self-realization? (6.38) O Krishn, only You are able to completely dispel this doubt of mine. Because there is none, other than You, who can dispel this doubt. (See also 15.15) (6.39) The Supreme Lord said: There is no destruction, O Arjun, for a yogi either here or hereafter.

    A transcendentalist is never put to grief, My dear friend. (6.40) The unsuccessful yogi is reborn in the house of the pious and prosperous after attaining heaven and living there for many years, or such a yogi is born in a family of enlightened yogis. A birth like this is very difficult, indeed, to obtain in this world. (6.41-42) There he or she regains the knowledge acquired in the previous life, and strives again to achieve perfection, O Arjun. (6.43) The unsuccessful yogi is instinctively carried towards the Eternal Being (Brahm) by virtue of the impressions (Samskaar) of yogic practices of previous lives. Even the inquirer of yog — the union with God — surpasses those who perform Vedic rituals. (6.44) The yogi who diligently strives, becomes completely free from all sins (or imperfections) after gradually perfecting through many incarnations, and reaches the Supreme Abode. (6.45)

    Who is the best yogi?
    The yogi is superior to the ascetics. The yogi is superior to the (Vedic) scholars. The yogi is superior to the ritualists. Therefore, O Arjun, be a yogi. (6.46) I consider the yogi-devotee — who lovingly contemplates on Me with supreme faith, and whose mind is ever absorbed in Me — to be the best of all the yogis. (See also 12.02 and 18.66) (6.47)

    7. SELF-KNOWLEDGE AND ENLIGHTENMENT

    The Supreme Lord said: O Arjun, listen how you shall know Me fully without any doubt, with your mind absorbed in Me, taking refuge in Me, and performing yogic practices. (7.01) I shall impart you Self-knowledge (Jnaan) together with enlightenment (Vijnaan), after comprehending that nothing more remains to be known in this world. (7.02) Scarcely one out of thousands of persons strives for perfection of Selfrealization. Scarcely one among those successful strivers truly understands Me. (7.03)

    Definitions of matter, consciousness, and spirit
    The mind, intellect, ego, ether, air, fire, water, and earth are the eightfold transformation (or division) of My material energy (Prakriti). (See also 13.05) (7.04) The material energy is My lower Nature (Aparaa-shakti, Prakriti, matter). Know My other higher Nature (Paraa-shakti, Cetanaa, Purush, Spirit) by which this entire universe is sustained, O Arjun. (7.05) Know that all creatures have evolved from this twofold energy; and I – — the Supreme Being (ParBrahm, Krishn) — am the source of origin as well as dissolution of the entire universe. (See also 13.26) (7.06)

    The Supreme spirit is the basis of everything
    There is nothing higher than Me, O Arjun. Everything in the universe is strung on Me, the Supreme Being (ParBrahm Paramaatma), like jewels are strung on the thread (of a necklace). (7.07) O Arjun, I am the sapidity in the water, I am the radiance in the sun and the moon, the sacred syllable AUM in all the Vedas, the sound in the ether, and potency in human beings. I am the sweet fragrance in the earth. I am the heat in the fire, the life in all living beings, and the austerity in the ascetics.

    (7.08-09) O Arjun, know Me to be the eternal seed of all creatures. I am the intelligence of the intelligent, and the brilliance of the brilliant. (See also 9.18 and 10.39). I am the strength of the strong who is devoid of lust and selfish attachment. I am lust (Kaamadev, Cupid) in human beings that is in accord with righteousness (Dharm) (for the sacred and sole purpose of procreation after marriage), O Arjun. (7.10-11) Know that three modes (Gunas) of material Nature — goodness, passion, and ignorance — also emanate from Me. I am not dependent on, or affected by the Gunas, but the Gunas are dependent on Me. (See also 9.04 and 9.05) (7.12) Human beings are deluded by the various aspects of these three modes (Gunas) of material Nature; therefore, they do not know Me who is eternal and above these Gunas. (7.13)

    Who seeks God?
    This divine power (Maya) of Mine, consisting of three states (Gunas) of mind, is very difficult to overcome. Only those who surrender unto Me easily cross over this Maya. (See also 14.26, 15.19, and 18.66) (7.14) The evil doers, the ignorant, the lowest persons who are attached to demonic nature, and whose power of discrimination has been taken away by divine illusive power (Maya) do not worship or seek Me. (7.15) Four types of virtuous ones worship or seek Me, O Arjun. They are: The distressed, the seeker of Self-knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the enlightened one who has experienced the Supreme. (7.16)

    Among them the enlightened devotee (Jnaani-bhakt),who is ever united with Me and whose devotion is single-minded, is the best. Because I am very dear to the enlightened, and the enlightened is very dear to Me. (7.17) All these seekers are indeed noble; but, I regard the enlightened devotee as My very Self. One who is steadfast becomes one with Me and abides in My supreme abode. (See also 9.29) (7.18) After many births the enlightened one resorts to Me by realizing that everything is, indeed, My (or Supreme Being’s) manifestation. Such a great soul is very rare. (7.19) Persons whose discernment has been carried away by various desires impelled by their Karmic impression (Samskaar), resort to celestial controllers (Devas) and practice various religious rites. (7.20)

    God can be seen in an image of any desired form of worship
    Whosoever desires to worship whatever deity (using any name, form, and method) with faith, I make their faith steady in that very deity. Endowed with steady faith they worship that deity, and obtain their wishes through that deity. Those wishes are, indeed, granted only by Me. (7.21-22) Such material gains of these less intelligent human beings are temporary. The worshipers of celestial controllers (Devas) go to Devas, but My devotees certainly come to Me. (7.23)

    The ignorant ones — unable to understand My immutable, incomparable, incompre-hensible, and transcendental form (or existence) — assume that I, the Supreme Being (ParBrahm), am formless and take forms or incarnate. (7.24) Concealed by My divine power (Maya), I do not reveal Myself to the ignorant ones who do not know and understand My unborn, eternal, and transcendental form and personality (and consider Me formless). (7.25) I know, O Arjun, the beings of the past, of the present, and those of the future, but no one really knows Me. (7.26) All beings in this world are in utter ignorance due to delusion of pairs of opposites born of likes and dislikes, O Arjun.

    But persons of unselfish deeds, whose Karm or sin has come to an end, become free from the delusion of pairs of opposites and worship Me with firm resolve. (7.27-28) Those who strive for freedom from the cycles of birth, old age, and death by taking refuge in Me fully comprehend Brahm (Eternal Being); the nature of Brahm; and Karm, the power of Brahm. (7.29) The steadfast persons who know Me alone as the mortal beings (Adhibhut), temporal Divine Beings (Adhidaiv), and the Supersoul (Adhiyajn) even at the time of death, attain Me.

    8. THE ETERNAL BEING
    Arjun said: O Krishn, who is the Eternal Being (Brahm)? What is Adhyaatm, or the nature of the Eternal Being? What is Karm? Who are the mortal beings (Adhibhut)? And who are Divine Beings (Adhidaiv)? Who is the Supersoul (Adhiyajn), and how does He dwell in the body? How can You be remembered at the time of death by those who have control over their minds, O Krishn? (8.01-02)

    Definition of supreme spirit, spirit, individual soul, and Karma
    The Supreme Lord said: The immutable Atma (Spirit) is called Brahm (Eternal Being). The nature (including the inherent power of cognition and desire) of Brahm is called Adhyaatm. The creative power of Brahm that causes manifestation of the living entity (Jeev) is called Karm. (8.03) Mortal beings are called Adhibhut. The expansions of Divine Personality —such as Naaraayan, Mahaa-vishnu, Ishvar, etc. — are called Divine Beings (Adhidaiv). I am the Supersoul (Adhiyajn) residing inside the body as the supreme controller (Ishvar), O Arjun. (8.04)

    Theory of reincarnation and Karma
    The one who remembers Me exclusively even while leaving the body at the time of death, attains Me; there is no doubt about it. (8.05) Remembering whatever object one leaves the body at the end of life, one attains that object, O Arjun, because of the constant thought of that object (one remembers that object at the end of life and achieves it). (8.06)

    A simple method of God-realization
    Therefore, always remember Me and do your duty. You shall certainly attain Me if your mind and intellect are ever focused on Me. (8.07) By contemplating on Me with an unwavering mind that is disciplined by the practice of meditation, one attains the Supreme Being, O Arjun. (8.08) One who meditates on the Supreme Being (ParBrahm) — as the omniscient, the oldest, the controller, smaller than the smallest (and bigger than the biggest), the sustainer of everything, the inconceivable, the self-luminous like the sun, and as transcendental or beyond the material reality — at the time of death with steadfast mind and devotion; making the flow of bioimpulses (life forces, Praan) rise up to the middle of two eye brows (or the sixth Chakr) by the power of yog and holding there; attains Krishn, the Supreme Divine Person. (See also 4.29, 5.27, 6.13) (8.09-10)

  • SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB

    SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB

    CONTINUED FROM VOL 2 ISSUE 3

    The Sikh Gurus never believed in the exclusivity of their teachings. The Gurus undertook travels to spread their message to peoples of different cultures in their own native languages. The Gurus did not believe in the ideas of any language being ‘sacred’ or ‘special’. It is in this spirit that various Sikh scholars have undertaken efforts to translate Sri Guru Granth Sahib into a number of languages in order to spread the teachings of the Gurus and to bring the Sikh religion to the people of the world as Guru Nanak wished.

    O Nanak, their faces are radiant; the Music of the Shabad, the Word of God, wells up within them. || 4 || 22 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL: Make your deals, dealers, and take care of your merchandise. Buy that object which will go along with you. In the next world, the All-knowing Merchant will take this object and care for it.

    || 1 || O Siblings of Destiny, chant the Lord’s Name, and focus your consciousness on Him. Take the Merchandise of the Lord’s Praises with you. Your Husband Lord shall see this and approve. || 1 || Pause || Those who do not have the Assets of Truth – how can they find peace? By dealing their deals of falsehood, their minds and bodies become false. Like the deer caught in the trap, they suffer in terrible agony; they continually cry out in pain.

    || 2 || The counterfeit coins are not put into the Treasury; they do not obtain the Blessed Vision of the Lord-Guru. The false ones have no social status or honor. No one succeeds through falsehood. Practicing falsehood again and again, people come and go in reincarnation, and forfeit their honor.

    || 3 || O Nanak, instruct your mind through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, and praise the Lord. Those who are imbued with the love of the Name of the Lord are not loaded down by doubt. Those who chant the Name of the Lord earn great profits; the Fearless Lord abides within their minds. || 4 || 23 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL, SECOND HOUSE: Wealth, the beauty of youth and flowers are guests for only a few days. Like the leaves of the water-lily, they wither and fade and finally die.

    || 1 || Be happy, dear beloved, as long as your youth is fresh and delightful. But your days are few – you have grown weary, and now your body has grown old. || 1 || Pause || My playful friends have gone to sleep in the graveyard. In my doublemindedness, I shall have to go as well. I cry in a feeble voice. || 2 || Haven’t you heard the call from beyond, O beautiful soul-bride? You must go to your in-laws; you cannot stay with your parents forever. || 3 || O Nanak, know that she who sleeps in her parents’ home is plundered in broad daylight. She has lost her bouquet of merits; gathering one of demerits, she departs.

    || 4 || 24 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL, SECOND HOUSE: He Himself is the Enjoyer, and He Himself is the Enjoyment. He Himself is the Ravisher of all. He Himself is the Bride in her dress, He Himself is the Bridegroom on the bed. || 1 || My Lord and Master is imbued with love; He is totally permeating and pervading all. || 1 || Pause || He Himself is the fisherman and the fish; He Himself is the water and the net. He Himself is the sinker, and He Himself is the bait. || 2 || He Himself loves in so many ways. O sister soul-brides, He is my Beloved. He continually ravishes and enjoys the happy soul-brides; just look at the plight I am in without Him!

    || 3 || Prays Nanak, please hear my prayer: You are the pool, and You are the soul-swan. You are the lotus flower of the day and You are the water-lily of the night. You Yourself behold them, and blossom forth in bliss. || 4 || 25 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL, THIRD HOUSE: Make this body the field, and plant the seed of good actions. Water it with the Name of the Lord, who holds all the world in His Hands. Let your mind be the farmer; the Lord shall sprout in your heart, and you shall attain the state of Nirvaanaa. || 1 || You fool! Why are you so proud of Maya? Father, children, spouse, mother and all relatives – they shall not be your helpers in the end.

    || Pause || So weed out evil, wickedness and corruption; leave these behind, and let your soul meditate on God. When chanting, austere meditation and self-discipline become your protectors, then the lotus blossoms forth, and the honey trickles out. || 2 || Bring the twenty-seven elements of the body under your control, and throughout the three stages of life, remember death. See the Infinite Lord in the ten directions, and in all the variety of nature. Says Nanak, in this way, the One Lord shall carry you across. || 3 || 26 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL, THIRD HOUSE: Make good deeds the soil, and let the Word of the Shabad be the seed; irrigate it continually with the water of Truth. Become such a farmer, and faith will sprout.

    This brings knowledge of heaven and hell, you fool! || 1 || Do not think that your Husband Lord can be obtained by mere words. You are wasting this life in the pride of wealth and the splendor of beauty. || 1 || Pause || The defect of the body which leads to sin is the mud puddle, and this mind is the frog, which does not appreciate the lotus flower at all. The bumble bee is the teacher who continually teaches the lesson. But how can one understand, unless one is made to understand? || 2 || This speaking and listening is like the song of the wind, for those whose minds are colored by the love of Maya. The Grace of the Master is bestowed upon those who meditate on Him alone. They are pleasing to His Heart.

    || 3 || You may observe the thirty fasts, and say the five prayers each day, but ‘Satan’ can undo them. Says Nanak, you will have to walk on the Path of Death, so why do you bother to collect wealth and property? || 4 || 27 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE: He is the Master who has made the world bloom; He makes the Universe blossom forth, fresh and green. He holds the water and the land in bondage. Hail to the Creator Lord! || 1 || Death, O Mullah – death will come, so live in the Fear of God the Creator. || 1 || Pause || You are a Mullah, and you are a Qazi, only when you know the Naam, the Name of God. You may be very educated, but no one can remain when the measure of life is full. || 2 || He alone is a Qazi, who renounces selfishness and conceit, and makes the One Name his Support. The True Creator Lord is, and shall always be. He was not born; He shall not die.

    || 3 || You may chant your prayers five times each day; you may read the Bible and the Koran. Says Nanak, the grave is calling you, and now your food and drink are finished. || 4 || 28 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE: The dogs of greed are with me. In the early morning, they continually bark at the wind. Falsehood is my dagger; through deception, I eat the carcasses of the dead. I live as a wild hunter, O Creator! || 1 || I have not followed good advice, nor have I done good deeds. I am deformed and horribly disfigured. Your Name alone, Lord, saves the world. This is my hope; this is my support. || 1 || Pause || With my mouth I speak slander, day and night. I spy on the houses of others – I am such a wretched low-life! Unfulfilled sexual desire and unresolved anger dwell in my body, like the outcasts who cremate the dead. I live as a wild hunter, O Creator! || 2 || I make plans to trap others, although I appear gentle.

    I am a robber – I rob the world. I am very clever – I carry loads of sin. I live as a wild hunter, O Creator! || 3 || I have not appreciated what You have done for me, Lord; I take from others and exploit them. What face shall I show You, Lord? I am a sneak and a thief. Nanak describes the state of the lowly. I live as a wild hunter, O Creator! || 4 || 29 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE: There is one awareness among all created beings. None have been created without this awareness. As is their awareness, so is their way. According to the account of our actions, we come and go in reincarnation.

    || 1 || Why, O soul, do you try such clever tricks? Taking away and giving back, God does not delay. || 1 || Pause || All beings belong to You; all beings are Yours. O Lord and Master, how can You become angry with them? Even if You, O Lord and Master, become angry with them, still, You are theirs, and they are Yours. || 2 || We are foul-mouthed; we spoil everything with our foul words. You weigh us in the balance of Your Glance of Grace. When one’s actions are right, the understanding is perfect. Without good deeds, it becomes more and more deficient. || 3 || Prays Nanak, what is the nature of the spiritual people? They are self-realized; they understand God. By Guru’s Grace, they contemplate Him; such spiritual people are honored in His Court.

    || 4 || 30 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE: You are the River, All-knowing and All-seeing. I am just a fish – how can I find Your limit? Wherever I look, You are there. Outside of You, I would burst and die. || 1 || I do not know of the fisherman, and I do not know of the net. But when the pain comes, then I call upon You. || 1 || Pause || You are present everywhere. I had thought that You were far away. Whatever I do, I do in Your Presence. You see all my actions, and yet I deny them. I have not worked for You, or Your Name. || 2 || Whatever You give me, that is what I eat. There is no other door – unto which door should I go? Nanak offers this one prayer: this body and soul are totally Yours. || 3 || He Himself is near, and He Himself is far away; He Himself is in-between. He Himself beholds, and He Himself listens.

  • Indian-American student develops 3-D printed loudspeaker

    Indian-American student develops 3-D printed loudspeaker

    NEW YORK (TIP): Led by an Indian- American student Apoorva Kiran, scientists at Cornell University have 3-D printed a working loudspeaker – seamlessly integrating the plastic, conductive and magnetic parts – and ready for use almost as soon as it comes out of the printer.

    The thrilling discovery means that rather than assembling consumer products from parts and components, complete functioning products could be fabricated at once, on demand. Kiran and Robert MacCurdy, graduate students in mechanical engineering, worked with Hod Lipson, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, to develop this unique technique, said a press release by Cornell University.

    “Everything is 3-D printed,” said Kiran, as he launched a demo by connecting the newly-printed mini speaker to amplifier wires. For the demo, the amplifier played a clip from President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech that mentioned 3-D printing. “A loudspeaker is a relatively simple object. It consists of plastic for the housing, a conductive coil and a magnet. The challenge is coming up with a design and the exact materials that can be co-fabricated into a functional shape,” Kiran said.

    Kiran used one of the lab’s Fab@Homes – a customisable research printer that allows scientists to tinker with different cartridges, control software and other parameters. For the conductor, Kiran used a silver ink. For the magnet, he employed the help of Samanvaya Srivastava, a graduate student in chemical and biomolecular engineering, to come up with a viscous blend of strontium ferrite.

    After making a detailed digital model of the telegraph, they printed it on a research fabber. 3-D printing technology could be moving from printing passive parts toward printing active, integrated systems, added the release. But it will be a while before consumers are printing electronics at home. Most printers cannot efficiently handle multiple materials.

    It’s also difficult to find mutually compatible materials – for example, conductive copper and plastic coming out of the same printer require different temperatures and curing times. Creating a market for printed electronic devices could be like introducing color printers after only black and white had existed. “It opens up a whole new space that makes the old look primitive,” the release added.

  • Another Indian-American jumps into combative US House race

    Another Indian-American jumps into combative US House race

    WASHINGTON (TIP): An Indian-American Republican candidate has jumped into an already combative electoral House race in the Silicon Valley featuring a former aide of President Barack Obama challenging the sitting fellow Democrat.

    The new entrant to the race between the seven-term Democrat incumbent Mike Honda of San Jose and his main challenger, former Obama administration trade representative Ro Khanna, is Vanila Singh, a Stanford Medical Centre anaesthesiologist. India-born Singh, 43, who came to the US as a toddler, says she entered the South Bay contest because it is “time to do my civic duty”.

    But her critics, according to SFGate.com, say the man who recruited her to run, Chicago businessman Shalabh ‘Shalli’ Kumar, “has a far more divisive agenda”. Kumar is founder of the Indian Americans for Freedom, a super PAC or an independent-expenditure only Political Action Committee, which can spend unlimited amounts as long as it doesn’t coordinate directly with the candidate.

    Singh acknowledges that after “multiple conversations” with Kumar and other Republican insiders late last year, she filed to run Dec 26 – a day after switching her voter registration from “declined to state” to Republican. In recent weeks, Singh met Kumar, who chairs the Indian American Advisory Council of the House Republican Conference, in Washington, D.C. said SFGate. Kumar told ethnic publication IndiaWest that he approached Singh to be part of a “project” he founded with Republican House member Pete Sessions to build a Republican congressional “team” that supports a “pro-India” agenda.

    However his critics, according to SFGate.com, suggest his agenda includes securing a visa for Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. Modi’s US visa was revoked in 2005 because of his alleged role or inaction during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Singh, according to SFGate, says she has received no money and “no promises” from Kumar or his super PAC. “I’m not part of his project per se,” and Kumar’s agenda “is not mine”, she was quoted as saying.

  • Indian-origin researcher brings new twist to sodiumion battery technology

    Indian-origin researcher brings new twist to sodiumion battery technology

    WASHINGTON (TIP): An Indian-origin researcher Gurpreet Singh, assistant professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering in Kansas State University and his team demonstrated that a composite paper – made of interleaved molybdenum disulfide and graphene nanosheets – can be both an active material to efficiently store sodium atoms and a flexible current collector.

    The newly developed composite paper can be used as a negative electrode in sodium-ion batteries. Singh said that most negative electrodes for sodium-ion batteries use materials that undergo an ‘alloying’ reaction with sodium. He said that these materials can swell as much as 400 to 500 percent as the battery is charged and discharged, which may result in mechanical damage and loss of electrical contact with the current collector.

    Singh said that molybdenum disulfide, the major constituent of the paper electrode, offers a new kind of chemistry with sodium ions, which is a combination of intercalation and a conversion-type reaction, asserting that the paper electrode offers stable charge capacity of 230 mAh.g-1, with respect to total electrode weight. He said that further, the interleaved and porous structure of the paper electrode offers smooth channels for sodium to diffuse in and out as the cell is charged and discharged quickly. This design also eliminates the polymeric binders and copper current collector foil used in a traditional battery electrode. The research has been published in the journal ACSNANO.