The Indian Panorama

Year: 2017

  • ‘Modi sir, please help’: Jet Airways passenger’s tweet triggers hijacking scare

    ‘Modi sir, please help’: Jet Airways passenger’s tweet triggers hijacking scare

    JAIPUR (TIP): A Jet Airways passenger tweeted on April 27 that he suspected a Mumbai-Delhi flight had been hijacked, sending security agencies into a tizzy at the Jaipur airport.

    The Delhi-bound flight 9W355 — carrying 176 people on board, including 8 crew members — was diverted to Jaipur due to bad weather in Delhi.

    Soon after the aircraft landed in Jaipur, security agencies carried out a thorough check and the passenger who tweeted the message was offloaded.

    The passenger, who was travelling from Mumbai, tweeted in the morning saying, “@narendramodi sir we have been in jet airways flight for past 3 hrs, looks like hijacked, pl help 9W355”.

    In a statement, a Jet Airways spokesperson said a passenger tweeted a message involving a security threat necessitating activation of the security protocol.

    “The information was promptly shared with the concerned authorities including the CISF, and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and local law enforcement agencies in line with Standard Operating Procedures,” he said.

    According to the spokesperson, the concerned guest was subsequently offloaded for questioning by security agencies at Jaipur, owing to diversion of the flight.

    It could not immediately be ascertained what further action was taken against the passenger.

    Acting JIA director MP Bansal told PTI that five Jet Airways and one Oman Air flight coming from different locations which were supposed to land in New Delhi were diverted to Jaipur airport due to bad weather conditions.

  • A Fund Raiser for Health and Education

    A Fund Raiser for Health and Education

    Gift of Life USA Involves Community in the gigantic task

    NEW YORK (TIP): Gift of Life USA Inc., a 501 (c) (3) Non-profit organization, for health and education was launched with a Grand Gala Dinner Night at Leonard’s Palazzo, on April 23, 2017. The organization aims at supporting the specially-abled, creating awareness – health and education and encouraging talent of the specially-abled followed by specially-abled services and much more in the long run.

    A kick start of the event, celebrating month of autism, included attendees, key supporters and leaders from the South Asian & American community. Hosted by Harshil Parekh, the event brought together the resources available and need under the same umbrella to raise the awareness of its vision, mission and goals.

    Founders, Paresh & Flora Parekh, presented a detailed overview of the inspiration, mission and vision of the organization.

    “At Gift of Life USA, we aim at working in support of the ones with special needs, creating awareness, encouraging talent of the specially-abled, providing and assisting with needed resources, to help them be better, socially acceptable, self-respectable, self-supporting individuals and generating services in the long term. This is just the beginning…” Say Founders Flora & Paresh Parekh.

    Our goal is to have a better, healthier and happier world for children and adults everywhere – especially for the specially-abled” – says Treasurer & Host Harshil Parekh.

    Front row- L to R:Mr. Swaminathan, Pam Kwatra, Flora Parekh, Malti Shah, Manjari Bhatt, Dr. Hetal Gor, Madhu Parekh, Neela Pandya, Rupal Sehgal Second row- (L to R): Paresh Parekh, Eric Kumar, Lal Kwatra, H.K. Shah, Kamlesh Parekh, Dr. Harshad Bhatt, Bakul Matalia, Mom Speaker Kimberly Gilgeours, Harshil Parekh
    Front row- L to R:Mr. Swaminathan, Pam Kwatra, Flora Parekh, Malti Shah, Manjari Bhatt, Dr. Hetal Gor, Madhu Parekh, Neela Pandya, Rupal Sehgal Second row- (L to R): Paresh Parekh, Eric Kumar, Lal Kwatra, H.K. Shah, Kamlesh Parekh, Dr. Harshad Bhatt, Bakul Matalia, Mom Speaker Kimberly Gilgeours, Harshil Parekh

    The event was inaugurated with a special and traditional lamp lighting by key founders, committee, volunteers, supporters and community leaders. National Speaker Kerry Magro, (a young adult, diagnosed with a type of autism at the age of 4) who has talked at over 700 events an award-winning disability advocate, best-selling author of 3 books, movie consultant of 2 autism films, TV hosting his own local cable show) was the keynote speaker for the evening and shared his experiences. Mesmerizing performances by blind performers (singers, dancers, musicians), rocked the evening. The event also awarded children essay competition winners with cash prizes and Gift certificates. These kids participated in Essay Competition “I love someone with autism” in the beginning of the year and have been show casing their talent and support for the specially-abled at this very young tender age.

    Several distinguished individuals, dignitaries and community leaders joined hands to whole heartedly support this noble cause.

    Inspired by her mom, the event recognized the tireless efforts of 3 of the founders God mothers namely Manjari Bhatt, Malti Shah & Pam Kwatra; who have nourished several children with their dedicated love, care and support. Special experiences from Kimberly, mom of especially abed kid; spell bounded the audience. A special souvenir, portraying key business, facilitated by Eric Kumar, was launched at the event. Special raffles gave away exciting prizes like diamond ring by Paresh Parekh of Harshil Creations; a gold chain by East West Jewelers, Free Liposuction consulting and treatment by Dr. Hetal Gor, Gorgeous outfit by Wardrobe. The Gala Was the hard, tireless and dedicated work of several dedicated volunteers and committee members – Rupal Sehgal, Eric Kumar, Bakul Matalia, Kamlesh & Madhu Parekh, Kiran Mehta, Dr. Hetal Gor, Shashi Malik, Neela Pandya, Sanjay Sura, Aryan Sharma, Harshil Parekh, Dr. Sheetal Sheth, Aditi Patil and several others along with the support of donors, supporters and well wishers.

    Further information and donation opportunities visit website at www.giftoflifeus.org
    (Based on a press release by Neela Pandya)

  • Angelina Jolie planning to retire?

    Angelina Jolie planning to retire?

    Actress-filmmaker Angelina Jolie is planning to retire from Hollywood amid her ongoing divorce and custody battle against actor Brad Pitt, says a source.

    The ‘Maleficent’ actress is done making movies and wants to focus on her six children, reports aceshowbiz.com.

    “Angie is over starring in films. She wants to write and direct but as far as acting is concerned, she has retired. The next chapter of her life will focus on her children and all the important causes she supports. She finds acting shallow and wants to focus on the stuff in life that really matters,” the source told Naughty Gossip magazine.

  • 913 gold coins found in a piano in UK, declared a treasure

    913 gold coins found in a piano in UK, declared a treasure

    LONDON (TIP): A total of 913 gold coins dating back to the 18th century, the largest hoard of gold sovereigns in Britain, found hidden in an old piano, has been declared treasure by a court.

    The discovery was made in Shropshire in December last year when the piano’s new owners had it re-tuned and repaired.

    Shrewsbury Coroner’s Court decided the find qualified as treasure, which means ownership now lies with the Crown. It will be offered for sale to museums, the BBC reported.

    The tuner who found the hoard and Bishops Castle Community College, which owns the piano, will share a reward.

    There are 913 gold sovereigns and half sovereigns dating from 1847 to 1915, from the reigns of Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George V.

    The gold coins have a face value of over 770 pounds – the equivalent of roughly 500,000 pounds.

    The gold coins were found under the keyboard of the piano, carefully stitched into seven cloth-bound packets and a single leather drawstring purse, and amount to more than 6kg of gold bullion. The inquest revealed the original owner and their heirs remain unknown.

    The hoard’s market value will be decided by an independent Treasure Valuation Committee at the British Museum.

    The upright piano was made by Broadwood and Sons of London and sold to two music teachers in Saffron Waldon, Essex in 1906.

    After that, the piano’s history is unknown, until 1983 when it was purchased by the Hemming family in the Saffron Walden area. They moved to Shropshire in the 1990s and donated the piano to the college to help its students learn to play music.(PTI)

  • China renames towns in Arunachal Pradesh to support its claim

    China renames towns in Arunachal Pradesh to support its claim

    BEIJING (TIP): China has released “standardised” names of six towns of Arunachal Pradesh in Mandarin Chinese and Tibetan languages to buttress its claim over what it regards as “South Tibet”.

    The ministry tried to explain that it was a routine administrative work and part of an ongoing census on names of localities. But a Chinese expert, Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic studies at the Minzu University of China in Beijing, contradicted the foreign ministry saying that the renaming exercise was aimed to “reaffirm Chinese sovereignty” over the area that belongs to India.

    The ministry of civil affairs in Beijing issued an order on April 14 saying that, “The official names of the six places using the Roman alphabet are Wo’gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoidengarbo Ri, Mainquka, Bumo La and Namkapub Ri”. It did not give the existing names of the six towns in Arunachal Pradesh.

    China had used a similar ploy naming islands in South China Sea or pulling out ancient records showing old Chinese names of islands to support its claims over the sea areas, and fight back similar claims from other countries including Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines. China also began announcing weather forecasts of the disputed area to prove that they are part of Chinese territory.

    The new names will be shown in the international diplomatic arena as proof of China’s claims, informed sources said. China might even pull out old maps and records to show that these names existed for hundreds of years. At present, it has scant historical record to support its claims besides the fact that the 6th Dalai Lama was born in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, and the Tawang monastery was linked to monasteries in China in the past.

    “The standardization came amid China’s growing understanding and recognition of the geography in South Tibet. Naming the places is a step to reaffirm China’s territorial sovereignty to South Tibet,” the state backed Global Times quoted Xiong in an article on April 20, 2017.(PTI)

  • Cut down on trans fats in daily diet to reduce heart attack risk

    Cut down on trans fats in daily diet to reduce heart attack risk

    Hospitalisation for heart attacks and strokes is less common among people living in areas that restrict trans fats in foods compared to residents in areas without restrictions, new research has found.

    “Our study highlights the power of public policy to impact the cardiovascular health of a population,” said lead author Eric Brandt from Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, US.

    Trans fatty acids, or trans fats, are commonly found in fried foods, chips, crackers and baked goods. Eating even minimal amounts is linked to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Some communities in the US — most notably New York City — have eliminated the use of trans fats in restaurants and eateries in recent years.

    To study the impact of restricting trans fats, researchers compared outcomes for people living in New York counties with and without the restrictions.

    Using data from the state department of health and census estimates between 2002 and 2013, the researchers focused on hospital admissions for heart attack and stroke.

    They found that three or more years after the restrictions were implemented, people living in areas with the bans had significantly fewer hospitalisations for heart attack and stroke when compared to similar urban areas where no limits existed.

    SALTY SNACKS REDUCE THIRST, INCREASE HUNGER: STUDY

    Ever wondered, why you love those French fries with sprinkled salt and cannot keep your hands off ?

    In first of its kind, a study finds that salty food diminishes thirst and increases hunger, due to a higher need for energy.

    The results, published in the journal of Clinical Investigation, showed something different: salt stayed in the urine, while water moved back into the kidney and body.

    “It’s not solely a waste product, as has been assumed,” said one of the researcher Friedrich C Luft from Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Germany.

    “Instead, it turns out to be a very important osmolyte — a compound that binds to water and helps transport it. Its function is to keep water in when our bodies get rid of salt. Nature has apparently found a way to conserve water that would otherwise be carried away into the urine by salt,” Luft added.

    The team carried out a simulated mission to Mars and an international group of scientists found exactly the opposite to be true, where Cosmonauts who ate more salt retained more water, weren’t as thirsty, and needed more energy.

    They divided participants in two groups of 10 male volunteers sealed into a mock spaceship for two simulated flights to Mars and were examined for 105 days.

    The second group was sent for over 205 days.

    Both the groups had identical diets and later they were given three different levels of salt in their food.

    The results confirmed that eating more salt led to a higher salt content in urine — no surprise there. Nor was there any surprise in a correlation between amounts of salt and overall quantity of urine.

    The findings suggest that the increase was not due to more drinking — in fact, a salty diet caused the participants to drink less. Salt was triggering a mechanism to conserve water in the kidneys.

  • Limit smartphone use to avoid personal, social problems

    Limit smartphone use to avoid personal, social problems

    People who use smartphones in excess may experience personal, social and workplace problems, warns new research.

    In the study, participants who identified themselves as “addicts” and “fanatics” exhibited signs that could indicate depression, social isolation, social anxiety, shyness, impulsivity and low self-esteem.

    “Our smartphones have turned into a tool that provides short, quick, immediate satisfaction, which is very triggering,” said Isaac Vaghefi, Assistant Professor at Binghamton University-State University of New York.

    “Our neurons get fired and dopamine is being released, and over time this makes us acquire a desire for quick feedback and immediate satisfaction. This process also has contributed to developing shorter attention spans and being more and more prone to boredom,” Vaghefi said.

    The umbrella term “technology addiction” refers to addictive behaviour related to social media, excessive texting, information overload, online shopping, gambling, video gaming, online pornography and overall smartphone usage.

    For the study, the researchers surveyed 182 college students and asked them to report their daily routine of smartphone usage. Based on the analysis of the responses, they classified the user as one of the following types —thoughtful, regular, highly engaged, fanatic and addict. 7%identified as “addicts” and 12% identified as “fanatics.”

    Both groups experience personal, social and workplace problems due to a compulsive need to be on their smartphones, according to the study published in the Information Systems Journal. Females were most likely to exhibit susceptibility to addiction, the study said.

    “While self-identified ‘addict’ users were in the minority, I predict technology addiction will increase as technology continues to advance and application, game and gadget developers find new ways to ensure users’ long term engagement with technology,” Vaghefi said.

    The researchers said that if you constantly check your smartphone, even when it does not ring or vibrate, or you get paranoid when the smartphone is not with you, seeking professional help might be a good idea.

    Moreover, if you use technology as a way of escaping problems or relieving feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression, or you ignore what is happening in real time in favour of what is happening virtually, you might then be a right candidate to seek professional help, the researchers said.

  • IS YOUR SOCIAL DRINKING HURTING YOUR LIVER?

    IS YOUR SOCIAL DRINKING HURTING YOUR LIVER?

    Liver is the second largest human organ. It removes toxins in your body, controls cholesterol levels, fight infections, aids digestion among other key functions. Sadly, liver diseases don’t show any signs or symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage.

    Magnitude of Problem

    • ? Alcohol related toxicity is the third most common cause of morbidity and the fifth most common cause of disease burden worldwide.
    • ? It is the leading cause of mortality in people aged 15-49 years, and the total expenditure amounts to billions of dollars.
    • ? WHO estimates that 140 million people worldwide suffer from alcohol dependency, causing damage to lives and economies.
    • ? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends that both males and females should not drink more than 28 g and 14 g per day, respectively.
    • ? In addition, steady daily drinking, as compared with binge drinking, appears to be more harmful
    • ? Persistent and heavy for long period more risky than sporadic heavy drinking.
    • ? In USA, 2nd leading cause for liver transplantation is alcoholic cirrhosis.
    • ? In India alcoholic liver disease occurs a decade early compared to west.
    • ? Women had greater susceptibility to ALD at any given level of intake.

    What is the spectrum of alcohol related liver disease?

    There are three main types: alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis.

    Alcoholic cirrhosis leads to complications of ascites, blood in vomitus, liver cancer at advanced stage.

    Alcohol related fatty liver

    Excess alcohol consumption leads to accumulation of excess fat in the liver in 90% of individuals. This is the earliest stage of alcohol-related liver disease and usually there are no symptoms. Although reversible, cirrhosis may develop in 10% of heavy drinkers.

    Patients who drink alcohol and are overweight or have diabetes have a higher risk of progressive liver damage.

    Alcoholic hepatitis

    In Alcoholic hepatitis, there is inflammation and swelling of the liver. It develops in individuals who are heavy drinkers and those who indulge in binge drinking. Symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and jaundice. One out of three heavy drinkers develops alcoholic hepatitis. If it is mild, liver damage may be reversed after stopping alcohol. Some patients of mild alcoholic hepatitis continue to drink alcohol, and they may quickly progress to severe alcoholic hepatitis and develop liver failure. Signs of liver failure are accumulation of fluid in the belly, swelling of feet and mental confusion. Severe alcoholic hepatitis is a very serious condition and fifty percent of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis die within one month.

    Alcoholic cirrhosis

    Alcoholic cirrhosis is scarring of the liver — hard scar tissue replaces soft healthy tissue. It is the most serious type of alcohol-related liver disease. Between 10 and 20 percent of heavy drinkers develop cirrhosis. The damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed and usually leads to development of ascites, mental confusion, and blood in vomitus or passage of blood in stools, frequent infections and ICU admissions.

    In one of the studies done by me in Liver ICU, consisting of 522 cirrhotic patients, majority (>50 per cent) had alcohol related liver disease. The prognosis of these patients was very poor with dismal survival. The cost involved in care of such patients may go upto 1 lakh rupees per day due to multiple organ failure state.

    Most of these patients require liver transplantation after a period of alcohol abstinence.

  • Cannabis may help treat itching and other skin diseases

    Cannabis may help treat itching and other skin diseases

    nti-inflammatory properties in a cannabis compound could help treat itching and a wide-range of other skin diseases, say researchers.

    The new study, published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, summarises the current literature on the subject and concludes that pharmaceuticals containing cannabinoids may be effective against eczema, psoriasis, atopic and contact dermatitis.

    “Perhaps the most promising role for cannabinoids is in the treatment of itch,” said the study’s senior author Robert Dellavalle, Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the US.

    In one study, eight of 21 patients who applied a cannabinoid cream twice a day for three weeks completely eliminated severe itching or pruritus. The drug may have reduced the dry skin that gave rise to the itch, Dellavalle said.

    The primary driver in these cannabinoid treatments could be their anti-inflammatory properties, he added.

    In the studies reviewed, the researchers found that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) the active ingredient in marijuana, reduced swelling and inflammation in mice. At the same time, mice with melanoma saw significant inhibition of tumour growth when injected with THC.

    “These are topical cannabinoid drugs with little or no psychotropic effect that can be used for skin disease,” Dellavalle said.

    Still, Dellavalle cautioned that most of these studies are based on laboratory models and large-scale clinical trials have not been performed.

  • IS YOUR HOUSE ROMANCE READY?

    IS YOUR HOUSE ROMANCE READY?

    ecreate intimate moments in your home and celebrate romance every day! Celebrating the smaller things in life is what adds to your love for each other. So, make each day special by recreating some romantic moments – spending your day together at home.

    MONOGRAMMED MUGS & WINE GLASSES

    Have a little celebration with coffee cups or wine glasses, which have your and your partner’s monogrammed initials. Says Tanya Mehta, interior expert, “Monogrammed gifts and household items work very well on Valentine’s Day, as they add a personal touch.”

    WRITE A PICTURE POEM OR LOVE LETTER

    Love letters are rare things that don’t cost a thing. If you want to be more creative, how about a picture poem? Get a picture from a postcard and then write a love poem based on the picture. Shares Nisha Khanna, family therapist,”Expressing your feelings for each other creates an atmosphere of well-being for the couple and also boosts your love.”

    LOVE PILLOW

    Add the word ‘love’ with paint on your pillow, or just invest in a few heart-shaped pillows. Says Michael, “You can also colour co-ordinate the linen of your bedroom. Play up the sensuality with a red linen bedcover.”

    CHARM WITH CANDLES

    Candles have always been the quintessential ROMANTIC ACCESSORY. They bring warmth to your room. Red candles are for passion, pink for romance and white for comfort. Take your pick and add some magic to your day.

    CREATE A MEMORY BOARD

    How about putting your favourite romantic memories on a memory board?Create a paper decoration with messages for your loved one on a board. Says Gitanjali Sharma, therapist, “You can also frame your favourite ‘love quote’ and put it on the table for your partner to read.”

    EVERLASTING LOVE PAPER BOUQUET

    This bouquet never dies. You can create a flower bouquet with crepe paper in the colours of love like, red and pink.

    Here’s how: Cut a 20-inch strip of crepe paper into rounded petals. Leave about oneinch at the bottom so the strip won’t tear. Roll the crepe paper strip around the stem or wire, fluffing and shaping the petals as you go. Or you could even create a sweet floral arrangement. Simply fill a clear vase with heart candies.

    GIFT A BOOK OF LOVE

    Spend the day together with a love book, solving quizzes or simply cooking something together from a recipe book. Not only will you spend time together but also discover something new about one another. Says Khanna, “This is positive intimacy. Trivia, poems and recipes – sharing these will add to the celebration in a different way.”

    BREAKFAST IN BED

    Get a woven breakfast tray and start your day in style. Dish up a yummy and simple breakfast that the two of you can enjoy in bed. Interior designer and sexologist Dawn Michael says, “It’s these wonderful little things that add a touch of intimacy to your relationship.” How about serving some heartshaped egg fry rings? A perfect way to warm up to your man’s heart through his stomach!

  • SALTY SNACKS REDUCE THIRST, INCREASE HUNGER: STUDY

    SALTY SNACKS REDUCE THIRST, INCREASE HUNGER: STUDY

    Ever wondered, why you love those French fries with sprinkled salt and cannot keep your hands off ?

    In first of its kind, a study finds that salty food diminishes thirst and increases hunger, due to a higher need for energy.

    The results, published in the journal of Clinical Investigation, showed something different: salt stayed in the urine, while water moved back into the kidney and body.

    “It’s not solely a waste product, as has been assumed,” said one of the researcher Friedrich C Luft from Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Germany.

    “Instead, it turns out to be a very important osmolyte — a compound that binds to water and helps transport it. Its function is to keep water in when our bodies get rid of salt. Nature has apparently found a way to conserve water that would otherwise be carried away into the urine by salt,” Luft added.

    The team carried out a simulated mission to Mars and an international group of scientists found exactly the opposite to be true, where Cosmonauts who ate more salt retained more water, weren’t as thirsty, and needed more energy.

    They divided participants in two groups of 10 male volunteers sealed into a mock spaceship for two simulated flights to Mars and were examined for 105 days.

    The second group was sent for over 205 days.

    Both the groups had identical diets and later they were given three different levels of salt in their food.

    The results confirmed that eating more salt led to a higher salt content in urine — no surprise there. Nor was there any surprise in a correlation between amounts of salt and overall quantity of urine.

    The findings suggest that the increase was not due to more drinking — in fact, a salty diet caused the participants to drink less. Salt was triggering a mechanism to conserve water in the kidneys.

    Cut down on trans fats in daily diet to reduce heart attack risk

    Hospitalisation for heart attacks and strokes is less common among people living in areas that restrict trans fats in foods compared to residents in areas without restrictions, new research has found.

    “Our study highlights the power of public policy to impact the cardiovascular health of a population,” said lead author Eric Brandt from Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, US.

    Trans fatty acids, or trans fats, are commonly found in fried foods, chips, crackers and baked goods. Eating even minimal amounts is linked to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Some communities in the US — most notably New York City — have eliminated the use of trans fats in restaurants and eateries in recent years.

    To study the impact of restricting trans fats, researchers compared outcomes for people living in New York counties with and without the restrictions.

    Using data from the state department of health and census estimates between 2002 and 2013, the researchers focused on hospital admissions for heart attack and stroke.

    They found that three or more years after the restrictions were implemented, people living in areas with the bans had significantly fewer hospitalisations for heart attack and stroke when compared to similar urban areas where no limits existed.

  • SOON, FACEBOOK TECH WILL LET OUR BRAINS TYPE

    SOON, FACEBOOK TECH WILL LET OUR BRAINS TYPE

    LOS ANGELES (TIP): Facebook is working on a new ‘silent speech’ technology that will allow people to type directly with their brains, drastically reducing the time it takes to convert our thoughts into written words.

    The silent speech system will be capable of typing 100 words per minute straight from the brain – five times faster than one can type on a smartphone today, Facebook said.

    At the annual two-day event F8, where developers come together to explore the future of technology – Facebook announced two projects focused on silent speech communications.

    “We shared a project we’re working on that will one day allow us to choose to share a thought, just like we do with photos and videos,” Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, said in a post.

    “Our brains produce enough data to stream 4 HD movies every second. The problem is that the best way we have to get information out into the world -speech – can only transmit about the same amount of data as a 1980s modem,” Zuckerberg said.

    “We’re working on a system that will let you type straight from your brain about 5x faster than you can type on your phone today,” he said.

    “Eventually, we want to turn it into a wearable technology that can be manufactured at scale. Even a simple yes/no “brain click” would help make things like augmented reality feel much more natural,” he added.

    “This isn’t about decoding your random thoughts. You take many photos and choose to share only some of them. Similarly, you have many thoughts and choose to share only some of them,” said Regina Dugan, head of Building 8.

    “This is about decoding those words you’ve already decided to share by sending them to the speech centre of your brain. It’s a way to communicate with the speed and flexibility of your voice and the privacy of text,” said Dugan.

    “We want to do this with non-invasive, wearable sensors that can be manufactured at scale,” she said.

    Building 8 is the product development and research team at Facebook focused on creating and shipping new, category-defining consumer products that are social first, and that advance Facebook’s mission.

    Products from Building 8 will be powered by a breakthrough innovation engine modelled after DARPA and shipped at scale.

    “We also have a project directed at allowing people to hear with their skin. We are building the hardware and software necessary to deliver language through the skin,” Facebook said.

  • THE SIKH WAY OF LIFE

    THE SIKH WAY OF LIFE

    Sikhs focus their lives around their relationship with God, and being a part of the Sikh community. The Sikh ideal combines action and belief. To live a good life a person should do good deeds as well as meditating on God.

    • There is only one God
    • God is without form, or gender
    • Everyone has direct access to God
    • Everyone is equal before God
    • A good life is lived as part of a community, by living honestly and caring for others
    • Empty religious rituals and superstitions have no value

    God and the cycle of life

    Sikhs believe that human beings spend their time in a cycle of birth, life, and rebirth. They share this belief with followers of other Indian religious traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

    The quality of each particular life depends on the law of Karma. Karma sets the quality of a life according to how well or badly a person behaved in their previous life. The only way out of this cycle, which all faiths regard as painful, is to achieve a total knowledge of and union with God.

    The God of grace

    Sikh spirituality is centred round this need to understand and experience God, and eventually become one with God.

    To do this a person must switch the focus of their attention from themselves to God. They get this state, which is called mukti (liberation), through the grace of God. That means it’s something God does to human beings, and not something that human beings can earn. However, God shows people through holy books, and by the examples of saints, the best ways to get close to him.

    Sikhs believe that God can’t be understood properly by human beings, but he can be experienced through love, worship, and contemplation.

    Sikhs look for God both inside themselves and in the world around them. They do this to help themselves achieve liberation and union with God.

    Getting close to God

    When a Sikh wants to see God, they look both at the created world and into their own heart and soul.

    Their aim is to see the divine order that God has given to everything, and through it to understand the nature of God.

    Most human beings can’t see the true reality of God because they are blinded by their own self-centred pride (Sikhs call it haumain) and concern for physical things.

    God inside us

    Sikhs believe that God is inside every person, no matter how wicked they appear, and so everyone is capable of change.

    God beyond ourselves

    Sikhs believe that God’s message can be found in several ways outside ourselves.

    The message is written in the whole of creation; look at it with open eyes and see the truth of God, for creation is the visible message of God

    Sikhs believe that most of us misunderstand the universe. We think that it exists on its own, when it really exists because God wills it to exist, and is a portrait of God’s own nature

    The message has been shown to us by the Gurus in their lives and in their words.

    The message is set down in the teachings of scripture

    Living a good life in this world

    Sikhs don’t think it pleases God if people pay no attention to others and simply devote themselves slavishly to religion.

    Sikhism doesn’t ask people to turn away from ordinary life to get closer to God. In fact it demands that they use ordinary life as a way to get closer to God.

    A Sikh serves God by serving (seva) other people every day. By devoting their lives to service they get rid of their own ego and pride. Many Sikhs carry out chores in the Gurdwara as their service to the community. These range from working in the kitchen to cleaning the floor. The Langar, or free food kitchen, is a community act of service.

    Sikhs also regard caring for the poor or sick as an important duty of service.

    The three duties

    The three duties that a Sikh must carry out can be summed up in three words; Pray, Work, Give.

    Nam japna Keeping God in mind at all times.

    Kirt Karna Earning an honest living. Since God is truth, a Sikh seeks to live honestly. This doesn’t just mean avoiding crime; Sikhs avoid gambling, begging, or working in the alcohol or tobacco industries.

    Vand Chhakna (Literally, sharing one’s earnings with others) Giving to charity and caring for others.

    The five vices Sikhs try to avoid the five vices that make people self-centred, and build barriers against God in their lives.

    • Lust
    • Covetousness and greed
    • Attachment to things of this world
    • Anger
    • Pride

    If a person can overcome these vices they are on the road to liberation.

    Five Sikh Symbols

    The Five Ks are the five items of dress and physical appearance given to Sikhs by Guru Gobind Singh when he gathered together the first members of the Khalsa on Vaisakhi day in 1699. These symbols give Sikhs a unique identity signifying discipline and spirituality. However, these items cannot be reduced to just symbols and must be worn in their full form.

    Kesh

    • Uncut hair, which is kept covered by a turban, or dastaar.
    • Kesh are a traditional symbol of holiness in India, and the turban is a symbol of leadership.
    • The dastaar is worn by men and some women to cover their long hair.

    Kirpan

    • A ceremonial sword, symbolizing readiness to protect the weak, and defend against injustice and persecution.
    • The kirpan is normally worn with a cloth shoulder strap called a gatra.
    • The kirpan exemplifies the warrior character of a Sikh.

    Kara

    • A steel bracelet, symbolizing strength and integrity.
    • Steel is symbolic of strength yet resilient under stress. In the same way, the human soul must become as strong and unbreakable as steel which has been tempered in the furnace.

    Kangha

    • A small wooden comb, symbolizing cleanliness and order.
    • The kangha is used to keep the hair clean and is normally tucked neatly in one’s uncut hair.
    • As a Sikh combs their hair daily, he or she should also comb their mind with the Guru’s wisdom.

    Kachhera

    • Cotton boxer shorts, symbolizing self-control and chastity; prohibition of adultery.
    Article Sponsored by Indo-US Foundation, Inc
    Article Sponsored by Indo-US Foundation, Inc
  • First detailed global Internet atlas developed

    First detailed global Internet atlas developed

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Scientists have developed the first global Internet Atlas — including a detailed map of the internet’s physical structure in India —an advance that could help guard the infrastucture from terrorism or extreme weather events.

    Despite the internet-dependent nature of our world, a thorough understanding of the internet’s physical makeup has only recently emerged through Internet Atlas developed by researchers from University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US and their collaborators.

    “Internet is in a constant state of flux and mapping is really important to understand the evolution of the Internet,” Ramakrishnan Durairajan, a PhD candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said.

    “No single service provider can offer an authoritative perspective on the structure of the Internet,” Durairajan said. While average users rarely think of these elements, things like submarine cables – buried below the ocean floor —run between continents to enable communication. Data centres in buildings all over the world are packed with servers storing many types of data. Traffic exchange occurs between different service providers at internet exchange points.

    Though these and other elements may be out of sight for the average user, they are crucial pieces of the physical infrastructure that billions of people rely on.

    “We have over 1,200 maps worldwide including India. All the data are connected using web search,” said Durairajan.

    “From maps that we have in our repository I’d say we have fibre running across almost all the states in India. However, connectivity could be improved in the north-western and north-eastern regions,” he added.

    Mapping the physical internet helps stakeholders boost performance and guard against a number of threats, from terrorism to extreme weather events like hurricanes. Source: PTI

  • GEN-NEXT CARDS TO REPLACE ATM PINS WITH FINGERPRINTS

    GEN-NEXT CARDS TO REPLACE ATM PINS WITH FINGERPRINTS

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Forgot your ATM pin? A next-generation biometric card that lets you authenticate your payments with your fingerprints could soon come to your aid.

    US-based company Mastercard today unveiled the new biometric card that combines chip technology with fingerprints to conveniently and safely verify the cardholder’s identity for in-store purchases.

    The technology was recently tested in South Africa in two separate trials.

    The card builds on fingerprint scanning technology used for mobile payments today and can be employed at EMV terminals worldwide.

    “Consumers are increasingly experiencing the convenience and security of biometrics,” said Ajay Bhalla, President of enterprise risk and security at Mastercard.

    “Whether unlocking a smartphone or shopping online, the fingerprint is helping to deliver additional convenience and security,” said Bhalla, an Indian-origin senior executive of the company.

    “It’s not something that can be taken or replicated and will help our cardholders get on with their lives knowing their payments are protected,” he said.

    A cardholder enrolls their card by simply registering with their financial institution. Upon registration, their fingerprint is converted into an encrypted digital template that is stored on the card. The card is now ready to be used at any EMV card terminal globally.

    When shopping and paying in-store, the biometric card works like any other chip card. The cardholder dips the card into a retailer’s terminal while placing their finger on the embedded sensor.

    The fingerprint is verified against the template and – if the biometrics match – the cardholder is successfully authenticated and the transaction can then be approved with the card never leaving the consumer’s hand.

    Authenticating a payment transaction biometrically – in this instance via a fingerprint – confirms that the person using the card is the genuine cardholder.

    The card works with existing EMV card terminal infrastructure and does not require any new hardware or software upgrades.

    It can detect and prevent fraud, increase approval rates and reduce operational costs.

    The recent South African trials tested the potential ways convenience and security could contribute to the checkout process.

    Over the next few months, additional trials will be conducted with the biometric card. A full roll out is expected later this year, the company said.

    Additional trials are being planned in Europe and Asia Pacific in the coming months. Source: PTI

  • New ultrasonic clothes dryer to halve drying time

    New ultrasonic clothes dryer to halve drying time

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Scientists have developed a new tumbler dryer that can dry clothes twice as fast, while consuming 70 per cent less energy than conventional dryers.

    Researchers, including those from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the US, used high-frequency sound waves instead of heat to dry laundry.

    They have developed the prototype model which is expected to use up to 70 per cent less energy than conventional dryers.

    The inner lining of the drum of the machine is fitted with small sheets that convert an electric signal into vibrations, researchers said.

    These are at a high enough frequency that they can shake the water out of clothes, in the form of a cold mist. The water is driven into the outer part of the drum, where it flows down to a collection tank, ‘BBC News’ reported.

    The prototype will take about 20 minutes to dry a medium-sized load that would take a standard clothes dryers an average of 50 minutes, according to the US Department of Energy.

    Another advantage of the ultrasonic technology is that it appears to generate far less lint, researchers said.

    Most of the lint created in conventional tumble dryers is the result of tiny fibres being dislodged from clothes by the hot air stream, they said.

    Source: PTI

  • TATAS, ITC TO BATTLE IT OUT FOR DELHI’S TAJ MANSINGH

    TATAS, ITC TO BATTLE IT OUT FOR DELHI’S TAJ MANSINGH

    MUMBAI/KOLKATA (TIP): The Supreme Court’s order allowing e-auction of Taj Mansingh has paved the way for a fierce takeover battle between the house of Tatas, the country’s largest conglomerate, and ITC, the tobacco-to-hotels group, for the iconic property near India Gate in the capital.

    Y C Deveshwar-led ITC will make an aggressive bid for Taj Mansingh when its licensor New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) opens the bidding process for the five-star hotel in a few weeks. Tatas, too, will make a competitive offer for the long-term lease of the property, which has been a big revenue contributor to its hospitality arm, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL). IHCL has been managing the property since its opening in October 1978. The contract ended in October 2011 and thereafter several extensions were given by NDMC.

    The apex court has said that if Tatas lose out in the e-auction, then it would have to vacate the property within six months. If ITC wins the bid for the 292-room hotel, it will be the group’s fourth property in Delhi. IHCL confirmed that it will participate in the e-auction, while ITC declined to comment.

    Currently, the Tatas have five hotels in Delhi which includes Taj Mansingh, Taj Palace and three Vivanta properties -Ambassador, Dwarka and Surajkund.

    ITC runs ITC Maurya, Sheraton Delhi and Welcomhotel Dwarka.

    The five-star category in Delhi, comprising 2,700 rooms, saw an occupancy level of 70% and an average room rate of Rs 10,000 in fiscal 2017. ITC’s proposed move comes on the heels of two top officials of Tata Trusts, along with five other people, filing a public interest litigation in the Bombay high court for its direction to the central government to divest its stake in ITC. Currently, through five insurance companies and Special Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India (SUUTI), the government holds nearly a third of ITC’s equity, worth over Rs 1 lakh crore. The court will take up the case for admission on April 27.

    Tata Trusts and its arms, including its main holding company Tata Sons, control 39% of IHCL. Interestingly, construction major Shapoorji Pallonji Group, whose scion Cyrus Mistry is in a legal battle with the Tatas, is building two of ITC’s luxury hotels -ITC Kohinoor in Hyderabad and ITC Narmada in Ahmedabad.

    Source: TOI

  • Future Group to sell its private labels through e-tail rivals

    Future Group to sell its private labels through e-tail rivals

    MUMBAI (TIP): Future Group will sell its labels on rival online platforms Amazon and Big Basket as part of its strategy to generate Rs 20,000 crore in sales from in-house brands by 2021 and establish itself as a standalone consumer-goods company. Future Consumer (FCL) has 28 brands under 65 categories and sells them mostly at its Big Bazaar and Easy Day stores.

    “Our brands will be where the consumers are — modern trade, general trade or ecommerce — and we have got traction in a few channels already,” said Devendra Chawla, chief executive at Future Consumer, which has listed its juice and spreads brands on Amazon. It is also in talks to sell its products at Big Basket and plans to add to its portfolio on both online portals.

    FCL, which counts Arisaig Partners and Verlinvest as its investors, has a distribution network of 22,000 stores. It recently partnered Indo-Nissin to use the Japanese company’s retail network and sell products at kirana stores. While Future Group operates about 13 million square feet of retail space with an annual customer footfall of 295 million, over the past year the group has added partners such as Tata StarBazaar, Metro and Spar, besides 5,000 Rajasthan fair price shops.

    Future Group plans to launch a new brand, category or product every two weeks in an effort to generate sales of its own labels, which earn higher margins. The company has a host of global tie-ups including Hain Celestial to manufacture and sell food products in the health and wellness space and Mibelle AG, a division of Migros Group, Switzerland, to make a range of personal-care products under the brand Swiss Tempelle. The company recently introduced Kosh, an oats brand that is produced at a manufacturing unit set up in Sri Lanka through a joint venture with SVA India.

    In India, food and grocery account for almost 50% of the retail basket and online penetration is still less than 1%, suggesting the infancy of the category and its potential opportunity. Morgan Stanley expects the grocery and food delivery market to reach an online penetration of 4% by 2020, touching a gross merchandise value of $19 billion and making it the largest category after electronics and apparel. Also, traditional trade including kirana stores still account for about 85% of sales for most consumer product companies while modern trade has a share of 10-12% after a presence of more than a decade.

    Source: TOI

     

  • House panel summons RBI’s Urjit Patel over note ban after Manmohan’s prod

    House panel summons RBI’s Urjit Patel over note ban after Manmohan’s prod

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Urjit Patel has been asked by a parliamentary panel to appear before it again on May 25 over the demonetization issue after former prime minister Manmohan Singh prevailed over BJP MPs in the panel to call him.

    Sources said the decision to summon Patel was made at the insistence of Singh, a former RBI governor himself, who had earlier come to Patel’s rescue in the last meeting in January. When Patel was confronted with tough questions from parliamentarians – including queries on the exact amount of demonetized currencies deposited during the 50-day window and the time by when normalcy would return to the banking system – Singh had intervened, saying that the governor’s institution should be respected. The former PM said that Patel didn’t have to answer all questions.

    Singh is one of the members of the panel, headed by Congress leader Veerappa Moily.

    At the last meeting in January, Patel failed to provide any figure for how many banned notes had been deposited into the banking system and he did not provide clarity on when the cash situation would become normal.

  • IT firms may face layoffs due to US visa curbs: Report

    IT firms may face layoffs due to US visa curbs: Report

    NEW DELHI (TIP): With the US tightening the norms for H-1B visas under the President Donald Trump’s ‘Buy American, Hire American’ campaign, the Indian IT companies are bound to face disruptions by way of higher costs and even some laying off work force back home, and the rising rupee is aggravating the situation further for the technology export firms, an Assocham paper said.

    Nearly 86% of the H-1B visas issued for workers in the computer space go to Indians and this figure is now sure to be scaled down to about 60% or even less, it said.

    Remittances from the US would decline, hurting the balance of payment. World Bank data showed the US was the second largest source of remittance for India in 2015, behind Saudi Arabia, and about $10.96 billion, nearly 16% of the total inflows, were sent to India.

    As the cost pressure would increase, aggravated by rising rupee leading to lower realisations, the Indian IT firms may be forced to displace work force. “In that case, the chances of layoffs are real,” said Assocham secretary general DS Rawat.

    He said the IT industry apex organisations and the government need to work out a joint strategy to deal with the unfolding situation.

    Source: IANS

  • Wipro sacks at least 600 employees after performance appraisal

    Wipro sacks at least 600 employees after performance appraisal

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The country’s third largest software services firm Wipro is learnt to have fired hundreds of employees as part of its annual “performance appraisal”.

    According to sources, Wipro has shown the door to about 600 employees, while speculation was rife that the number could go as high as 2,000.

    At the end of December 2016, the Bengaluru-based company had over 1.79 lakh employees.

    When contacted, Wipro said it undertakes a “rigorous performance appraisal process” on a regular basis to align its workforce with business objectives, strategic priorities of the company, and client requirements.

    “The performance appraisal may also lead to the separation of some employees from the company and these numbers vary from year to year,” it added.

    The company, however, did not comment on the number of employees that have been asked to leave.

    Wipro said its comprehensive performance evaluation process includes mentoring, re-training and upskilling of employees. The company is scheduled to report its fourth quarter and full-year numbers on April 25.

    The development comes at a time when Indian IT companies are facing an uncertain environment given the curbs being proposed on worker visa norms by various countries like the US, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

    These companies use temporary work visas to send employees to work on client sites.

    With visa programmes in these countries becoming more rigorous, Indian IT companies are likely to face challenges in movement of labour as well as a spike in operational costs.

    Indian IT companies get over 60% of their revenues from the North American market, about 20 per cent from Europe and the remaining from other economies.

    Source: PTI

  • WORSHIP GOD AS PER YOUR SUN SIGN

    WORSHIP GOD AS PER YOUR SUN SIGN

    According to Hindu sacred scripture, Agni Purana, “Astrology is not a belief but a well defined science”, and using it one have deep knowledge about any individual’s character traits.

    Hinduism

    Hinduism is a dominant religion of the Indian subcontinent, and has three major traditions, Shaivism (Shiva), Vaishnavism (Vishnu) and Shaktism (Shakti).

    With references to Hindu scriptures, it is believed that there are 33 Crore or 330 million Indian gods and goddesses.

    Universal truth

    All these gods and goddesses are the avatars of Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti, in which each one of us finds solace; we worship the ones we feel connected to.

    Significance

    Have you ever wondered, as to why you felt that intangible pull for a specific Indian god or goddess?

    Agni Purana

    According to Agni Purana, one should worship god and goddess as per their sun sign, which further boosts their cosmic energy and impresses them to calm planetary motions.

    Scriptures

    It says, “Those who know their janma raashi may offer their prayers to their ruling planet and the ruling God of their raashi.”

    The Agni Purana further says, “…and if you know your date of birth and your janma raashi thoroughly well, then you can quickly achieve what you rightfully deserve in life by offering your prayers to that particular form of God who is assigned by His supreme commander to take care of all your needs in life.”

    Aries, Scorpio, Capricorn and Aquarius

    If you have been born under the above mentioned zodiac, then your ruling planets are Mars (for Aries and Scorpio) and Saturn (for Capricorn and Aquarius); the ruling God for all four of you is Lord Shiva.

    You must worship and offer your first prayers to this deity. And, what better way to impress Lord Shiva, the mighty of all, but his favorite mantra.

    Mantra

    “Yasya:nke cha vibha:ti bhu:dharsuta: devapaga: mastake, Bhale balbidhurgale cha garalam yasyorasi vyalraat Soyam bhumivibhisanah survarah sarvadhipahsarvada: Sharvah sarvgatah shivah shashinibhah shri Shankar patu maam”

    To calm the effect of Mars

    “Aum Angarkaya vidmahe bhoomipalaya dhimahi tanno kujah prachodayat…Aum Chitri Putrayai Vidmahe Loyhe Tangai dhimahi Tanno Bhooma Prachodayat”

    For calming the effects of Saturn “Om Shanno devirabhistdaapo bhavantupitaye Aparadhasahastrani kriyanteharnisam maya Dasoyamiti maa matva kshamasva paramesvara. Gatam papam gatam du Kham gatam daridraya m e v a ch…Agatah Sukhasampatti punyoham tava darsanat”

    Taurus and Libra

    If according to your birth star, you are born in Taurus and Libra zodiacs, then your ruling planet is Venus and the ruling Goddess is Sri Mahalakshmi.

    Offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, will shower upon you good fortune and prosperity. Chanting this mantra would pull much positive energy towards you.

    Mantra

    “Om Sarvabaadhaa Vinirmukto, Dhan Dhaanyah Sutaanvitah… Manushyo Matprasaaden Bhavishyati Na Sanshayah…Om Om Shree Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidraahe Vishnu Patrayai Cha Dheemahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat Om”

    To calm the effects of Venus

    “OM draamg dreeng droung sah shukray namah…Om Rajadabaaya vidmahe, Brigusuthaya dhimahi, tanno sukrah prachodayat”

    Gemini and Virgo

    Those born under signs Gemini and Virgo, have their ruling planet as Mercury and their ruling God is Lord Srimannarayan.

    Lord Srimannarayan is an avatar of Lord Vishnu, and offering your prayers to him would yield quick benefits and attract good fortune into your life.

    Mantra

    All you need is to recite this simple shloka, nine times a day. “Aum Narayanaye Vidmahe Vasudavaye Dhimahi Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat”

    To calm the effect of Mercury

    “Om Aim Bum Budhaya Namaha…Aum budhagrahaya vidmahe, Indu putraya dhimahi, tanno somya prachodayat”

    Cancer

    Those born under the zodiac signs, Cancer, have Moon as their ruling planet, and Goddess Parvati/Gauri as their ruling Lord.

    She’s the epitome of kindness, and calm; hence one must worship her with pure heart and devotion. Chanting this sholka would yield desired results.

    Mantra

    “Maata Cha Paarvati Devi, Pitaa Devo Maheshvara Baandhavah Shiva Bhaktaacha, Svadesho Bhuvanatrayami… Hey Gauri Shankarardhangi Yatha Tvam Shankarpriyaa Tatha Mam Kuru Kalyaani Kaantkatam Sudurlabhaam”

    For the calming effect of Moon God

    “Shwetambarah Shwetavibhushanam Shwetadyutirdandadharih dvibhahrih chandroaumatatma vardah kireeti mayi prasaadam vidadhwata devah”

    Leo

    If your birth star is Leo, then your ruling planet Lord Sun and your ruling God is Lord Siva.

    Lord Shiva is a dear god, who needs no tough worshiping rituals. All one has to do is chant this sacred mantra 21 times a day. It means all those born under this Raashi should offer their prayers to Lord Siva.. Here’s Lord Siva’s most favorite sloka or the sloka that pleases him the most.

    Mantra

    “Nagendraharaya trilacanaya bhasmanga ragaya mahesvaraya nityaya suddhaya digambaraya tasme na karaya nama: shivaya… Mandakini salila candana carcitaya nandisvara pramathanatha mahesvaraya mandarapuspa bahupuspa supujitaya tasme ma karaya namah shivaya” To calm the effects of Sun God “Aum namah suryay shantaya sarva rog vinashane Ayuh arogyam aishwarya dehi deva jagatpate… japa kusum sankash kashyapeyam mahadhytim dhvantari sarva paapdhanam pranatotsim divakaram”

    Sagittarius and Pisces

    Those born under zodiacs, Sagittarius and Pisces, have Jupiter as their ruling planet, and their ruling lord is Sri Dakshina Murthy. Sri Dakshina Murthy is an avatar of Lord Shiva, known to be the teacher of knowledge and wisdom, and offering prayers to him would yield powerful results. This powerful shloka is believed to please him the most.

    Mantra

    “Om Namo Bhagavathe Dakshinaamoorthaye…Mahyam Medhaam Pragnyaam Prayachas Swaha Vrushabath Vajaaya VidhMahe Kruni Hastaaya DheeMahee-Thanno Guru: Prachodayaath…ApraMeyathva ya theedha Nirmala Nyaana Moorthaye…Manogi raam Vidhooraaya Dakshinaa Moorthaye Namaha”

    For the calming effects of Jupiter

    “Gurubrihaspatirjeevah suracharyo vidaanvarah vaagisho dhishadon dirshashamshruh pitambaro yuvaa”

  • UNSPOILED HILL STATIONS OF INDIA

    UNSPOILED HILL STATIONS OF INDIA

    With over 20 mountain ranges in India, there is no dearth of hill stations to visit in the country. But a number of these swarm with crowds, and you might want to stay away from it and be a little with yourself and relax. Though it is sounds impossible to come up with a list that has still not come under the clutches of tourism, we have tried our best to cover some of the less crowded hill stations in India that’d satiate your travel thirst without making you go insane with all the touristy action around.

    Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

    Ziro, arguably one of the most bewitching landscapes of India, is nestled at the highest point of Arunachal Pradesh in the Lower Subansiri district. The destination is home to theancient Apatani tribe, which is known for its unique cultural values, agricultural system and social forestry system. The facial tattoos and nose plugs that the elderly locals sport gives this census town a mystical feel, delineating the rich cultural heritage that it has been carrying till now. In fact, UNESCO has also made a proposal to include this place in the World Heritage Sites. Peppered with beautiful rice fields, this place has a laidback vibe that turns musical and hippy during the month of September when Ziro Music Festival is organised, an event that is attended by thousands of music lovers from around the world.

    Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh

    Mashobra is a quaint little town in Himachal Pradesh, connected to Shimla via Hindustan-Tibet Road, the historic road built by Lord Dalhousie way back in 1850. Not frequented by tourists often, this place is apt for a relaxing holiday. Thickly wooded with oak, rhododendron, Himalayan deodar and cedar trees, Mashobra is ideal for a creative break for artists.

    Munsiyari, Uttarakhand

    Extremely popular among adventure enthusiasts, Munsiyari is a beautiful hill station nestled at an elevation of 2298 m. Deeply forested with rhododendron, cedar and deodar trees, this place offers beautiful views of snow-capped Himalayan ranges. It’s a starting point of many treks, of which, the trek to Namik Glacier Trek is quite popular.

    Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh

    This beautiful valley in the Eastern Ghats is one of the best kept secrets of Andhra Pradesh. Also, known as the ‘Food bowl of South India’, it is noted for coffee plantations, caves and waterfalls. The serpentine hill roads making their way through the mist is a sight to behold as you head to visit nearby attractions like Sangda Waterfalls, Dumbriguda Fall, Katiki Falls, and Borra Caves to mention a few. This place is in full bloom during the months from September to October, and March to May.

    Dharamkot, Himachal Pradesh

    This quaint little hill station rests on the top of the hill above Mcleodganj, neatly away from the hustle and bustle of Dharamshala. Peppered with tiny guesthouses and village homes, this place is widely known for its meditation centres—Vipassana, Tushita and Dhamma Sikhara—and slow-footed life. It is also a jumping-off site for Triund, a popular trek, which has been attracting adventure enthusiasts from far and near. Do visit the cafes here, apparently every café in Dharamkot has aced in pancakes, lasagnas, pastas and hummus. Fruit wines and apple cedar are widely available in grocery shops here; don’t forget to try them.

    Kaza, Himachal Pradesh

    This high-altitude cold desert rests at an altitude of 3650 m above sea level with a similar terrain as that of Tibet or Ladakh. Buddhist culture prevails in the region and the town is accessible from Kinnaur as well as Lahaul Valley. Less frequented by tourists due to rough terrain, this place mainly attracts mountaineers, adventure junkies and trekking enthusiasts. Tangyud Monastery, Kibber Village and Key Gompa are some of the most prominent attractions near Kaza. The town rests on the banks of the Spiti river, with a street market where utilities are available. The market also has a few shops, selling adventure sports equipments, and bakeries that sell amazing lemon tarts.

    Aru Valley, Kashmir

    If you enjoyed the village-like setting of Pahalgam, the sounds of gushing Lidder river and galloping horses, pitching a tent in Aru Valley will certainly amplify your pleasure. Wake up amidst misty mountains every morning and stroll across the valley, click pictures and go for horse riding. Opt for trekking if you wish to, as Aru is the starting point of expeditions to Kolahoi Glacier and Sonamarg. Nearby attractions include Betaab Valley, Baisaran and Chandanwari.

    Kibber, Himachal Pradesh

    Resting at an altitude of 4205 m, Kibber is, supposedly, the highest village in the world, has a difficult terrain and thus witnesses less tourist footfall. The allure of barren and the majestic mountains besides the overwhelming silence of monasteries adds to the charm of this place. It is about 18 km away from Kaza and lies in proximity to villages like Komic, Langshu and Hikkim, which are base camps for many treks. There is a wildlife sanctuary too, home to Himalayan wolf, Tibetan wild ass, snow leopard, Tibetan woolly hare and blue sheep among others.

    Tawang- Arunachal Pradesh

    Tawang, located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, is one of the least populated cities of the country. Resting at an altitude of 3048 m, this place is historically and naturally blessed, and is one of the least frequented hill stations of the country. You are required to get a government-issued special Inner Line Permit to enter the district, available in Tezpur, New Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati.

  • JOS BUTTLER’S BRUTAL 77 NEGATES HASHIM AMLA’S CLASSY CENTURY

    JOS BUTTLER’S BRUTAL 77 NEGATES HASHIM AMLA’S CLASSY CENTURY

    INDORE (TIP): Jos Buttler scored his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) half-century to provide the perfect start to Mumbai Indians’ run chase against Kings XI Punjab at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Thursday.

    The England international reached the milestone in 24 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes. He ultimately stopped at 77 off 37 balls, with the help of three more sixes.

    Buttler’s brutal knock meant that Hashim?Amla’s maiden IPL century for Kings XI Punjab went in vain, as Mumbai Indians won the match by eight wickets. Buttler was involved in a 85-run second wicket stand with Nitish Rana (62*). The latter stayed unbeaten as MI chased won KXIP’s 199-run target in just 15.3 overs.

    Chasing a mammoth total, Mumbai Indians needed a good start and Buttler was well up to the task. He slammed a massive six over mid-wicket in the very first over and then, scored a boundary off a defensive push in the next over.

    The onslaught did not stop as the 26-year-old English player looked extremely comfortable against the Kings XI Punjab pacers and in the third over, he pummeled Sandeep Singh for a four and a six. His innings, however, was not perfect as he miscued a shot in the next over but substitute fielder David Miller was unable to hold on to the catch and the ball went for yet another boundary.

    It proved to be a costly miss for the hosts as Buttler made them pay with three boundaries in the fifth over. He hit the first two balls through the mid-off region and then adjusted brilliantly to a slower delivery from Mohit Sharma to smear it through extra cover.

    Buttler continued to play his natural game even after losing his partner – Parthiv Patel -and he finally brought up his half century with a single off Axar Patel.

  • TOPPLED Steely Juventus shut down Barcelona to hold hosts 0-0 and go through to the semifinals

    TOPPLED Steely Juventus shut down Barcelona to hold hosts 0-0 and go through to the semifinals

    BARCELONA (TIP): Barcelona’s hopes of staging another sensational Champions League comeback fell flat against a hardened Juventus side who held the Catalans to a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp on Wednesday to reach the semifinals 3-0 on aggregate.

    The Italian champions barely gave Barca a glimmer of hope of repeating their historic turnaround against Paris St Germain in the last 16 and protected their healthy advantage from the first leg by starving the hosts of space and clear sights of goal.

    Lionel Messi came closest to giving Barca a route back into the contest with four strikes at goal but failed to hit the target with any of them and frequently came up short against Juve’s intimidating centre-back pairing of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.

    “Juventus are a great team and they were better than us in the tie and overall they deserved to go through. I wish them the best and I think they could win the trophy,” Barca defender Gerard Pique said.

    “It was a very difficult result to come back from although we tried until the end. They’reItalian and they defended very well. They knew how they wanted to play and got their objective. We created chances but little by little we realised we had a mountain to climb.”

    Twice European champions Juve lacked the spark and power of their thrilling first-leg victory in Turin, but there was rarely any doubt they would exact revenge for their defeat by Barca in the 2015 Champions League final by reaching the semis for a 12th time.

    Barca coach Luis Enrique had said before the game that if hia team managed to strike early then the noise of the Nou Camp would suck the other goals in.

    Juventus, however, showed in the opening stages that they are made of sterner stuff than PSG, who gave up a 4-0 first-leg advantage.

    Massimiliano Allegri’s side pressed Barca in their own half and limited the supply to the front three.

    Messi almost managed to pick out Jordi Alba with a hooked pass and later played a one-two with the Spaniard before dragging narrowly wide of the far post.

    Ivan Rakitic and Neymar also missed the target with hopeful efforts but Juventus’ aggressive gameplan limited how much attacking Barca could do without leaving themselves exposed.

    Gonzalo Higuain cracked a shot over the bar before the break while the probing Juan Cuadrado almost picked out the Argentine striker in the middle, but was thwarted by a brilliant block from Pique.

    Barca increased their grip on possession after the break and spent most of the remainder of the game in their opponents’ half trying to carve out chances, but Juve were always ready for them. Messi whipped a free kick on to the roof of the net and slammed another shot wide before spurning his best chance, a volley which fizzed over the bar.

    Barca right back Sergi Roberto attempted a repeat of his heroic strike against PSG, but also missed the target, unable to prevent his side’s second successive elimination at the quarter-final stage, which will provoke much soul-searching at the five-time European champions. Source: Reuters