Humour in Uniform*

1.

Following an overnight flight to meet my father at his latest military assignment, my mother, eight noisy and shoving siblings, and I arrived in Germany. "Do you have any weapons or illegal drugs on you?" the customs agent asked my weary mother. "Sir," she said while separating my brother and me, "if I had either of those items, I would have used them by now."__JIM RISDAL

2.

A sign posted on the wall of an Army mess hall read: "Don't Waste Food-- Food will Win the War."

Beneath these words some one had scrawled: "That's fine, but how do we get the enemy to eat here?"

3.

Today, Gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news," said our platoon sergeant during our morning lineup. "First, the good news. Private tomkins will be setting the pace on our run." The platoon began to hoot and holler, since the overweight tomkins was the slowest guy in the group.

"Now the bad news. Private Tomkins will be driving a truck."__ Rick Stover

4.

I was in the perfume

aisle of our base exchange and noticed an airman pick up a bottle and sniff it contents. I told her that I linked her selection. "Oh, I'm not buying any perfume," she responded. "When I get homesick for my mom, I always come here to smell her brand of cologne."

5.

Shortly after joining the army, I was in line with some other inductees when the sergeant stepped forward with that day's assignments. After handing over various tasks, he asked, "Does anyone here have experience with radio communications?"

A longtime ham operator, I shouted, "Ido!"

"Good,"

Think

Think once before reading, think twice before talking,, think thrice before writing,,, Think wise before acting.

Cowards

Cowards

Cowards die many times before their death, the valiant never taste death but once._______Shakespeare

Facts///1

1. Fifteen of the worlds major automobile manufactures are now obtaining components from Indian firms.

2. Trade of Indian medicinal plants has crossed Rs. 4000 crore.

3. Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to humans. Caraka, the father of medicine, made Ayurveda strong and firm.

4. The first scheduled airline in the world to enroll a woman Pilot, was Indian Airlines in 1966.

5. The earliest reservoir and dam for irrigation was built in Saurashtra in Gujarat, Western India.

6. Asian paints is the market leader in 11 of 22 countries of five continents in which it is present including India.

7. Indian scientist M.S. Swaminathan has been greeted by America's 'Time' magazine as one of the twenty most influential Asians of the 20th century. He has been described by the United Nations Environment Programme as father of Eco-Economics.

8. Worlds highest astronomical observatory is situated in India at 4517 metres above means sea level at Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir State.

9. Sanskrit is the mos suitable language for speech recognition in computer. Principles of Sanskrit grammar given by Panini las down the writing code for use in software in modern times.

10. India has the longest postal network in the world.

11. India is the largest producer of milk in the world. National Dairy Development Board handles more than 10,900 tons of milk daily. This operation has created 6 million rural enterpreneurs. It has generated rural income of over one billion (1000 million) dollars.

12. Hero cycles Ltd is the largest producer of bicycles in the world since 1986.

13. Indian Railways is the largest employer of man-power in the world. It carries more than a million passengers everyday. It has the longest railway platform at Kharagpur and the largest railway station at Howrah, both in West Bengal.

14. Mumbai's (Bombay) suburban railway system carries 59 lakh passengers a day-the highest in the world.

15. Bajaj Auto Ltd., Pune (Maharashtra State), manufactured 'Legend, the world's first four stroke geared scooter on 25 July, 1998.

16. 'Jeevan Rekha Express' set on rails on 16 January 1991 is the world's first hospital on the wheels with free medical and surgical facilities.

17. The special word 'Jaipur foot' in medical language all over the world is contributed by manufacturers of artificial limbs of Jaipur in Rajastan (northwestern India).

*****

Let not your faith make you proud

There was a sincere devotee. For everything he used to say "God will Save Me".

Once there was a great flood. Everywere there was water and water. Not only house but even tall trees were under water. The devotee was living into a two floor house. When the water started rising, he shifted to first floor. A rescue boat reached him and requested him to come along to a safer place. He refused saying "God will save me".

The water reached the first floor and he shifted to second floor. Again the rescue boat reached him but he refused proudly saying "God will save me".

There was no let up in rains and the water level flooded his terrace. For the third time, the rescue boat reached him and again he turned down their request.

There was lightning wich struck him and he died instantly.

When he reached heaven he askede: "God all through my life I have been your sincere devotee but in my calamity you never came to my help. Why did you not save me from the freat floods that overflowed my house?"

God smile and said, "I came to you thrice but you were too proud of your faith to recognise me"..

-------Courtesy: "Manav Dharam"

Laugh-3

Nobler man__

"You should be very, very happy, madam", the fortune teller murmured. "A nobler man than your husband you have yet to meet".

"How exciting! But when?" was the response.

*****

Boy or Girl'

"In today's society, we cannot fing out who is a boy and who is a girl. Se that boy there".

"She is a girl and she is my daughter".

"I am sorry. I did not know that you are her father".

"No, I am her mother".

*****

In what suit

Magistrate to the witness: "Have you ever appeared as a witness before?

Witness: "Yes, my Lord".

Magistrate: "In what suit?"

Witness : "A dark brown suit, my lord".

*****

Arithmetic is bad too

Your history exercise was bad, Ramu, I told you to write it down twenty times, but you have only done it ten times".

"Sorry, madam, but my arithmetic is bad too".

Good Sayings - 24

461. Start the day with love, fill the day with love, end the day with love.

462. Duty without love is deplorable, duty with love is desirable.

463. Hands that help are better than lips that pray.__ Mother Theresa.

464. A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman, of the next generation.

465. When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.__ John Ruskin

466. To find flaws in others is as easy as finding shells on the seashore.

467. To be poor and independent is very nearly an impossibility.__William Cobbett

468. The worst of disease is envy, the best of medicine is health.

469. Help ever - Hurt never.__Baba

470. You may judge a flower or a butterfly by its looks, but not a human being.
--------------------------------------__ Rabindranath Tagore.

471. People generally quarrel because they cannot argue.

472. Fight against ignorance, destitution, disease, and vice. It is sheer madness for man to fight against man.__Zarathushtra

473. When God measures man, He puts the tape around the heart, not the head.__Paul Gold

474. As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.__Seneca

475. He has the right to criticise who has the heart to help.

476. What light is to the eyes, what air is to the lungs, what love is to the heart, liberty is to the soul of man.__R.G. Ingersoll

477. My present is the outcome of my past; and my future would be the outcome of my present.

478. Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.__Benjamin Franklin

479. Discipline is learnt in the school of adversity.

480. It is true with cheerfulness or good temper the more it is spent, the more it remains.

The Acid Rain__

What is acid rain?

Acid rain is the name given to rain, snow or sleet contaminated with acid substances so that its acidity is greater than the limit expected by normal concentrations of carbon dioxide dissolving in the rain to give carbonic acid. The increased acidity is caused by larger concentrations of a number of contaminants, principally the strong acids, nitric and sulphuric, which arise from industrial effluents containing oxides of nitrogen and sulphur.

It can mark fruit and leaves, and adversely affect soil but its main effect is on acquatic ecosystems especially in regions which cannot naturally buffer acidic inputs such as those with thin soils and granite rocks. Disappearance of fish from many scandinavian lakes is largely a result of pollution by acid rain.

Significance of the Satellite ARYABHATTA

When was Aryabhatta launched and what was its overall significance?

Aryabhatta is the name of the first Indian satellite launched on April 19, 1975. The 360-Kg satellite was fabricated wholly by Indian scientists at Peenya, Bengaluru, in 26 months at a cost of Rs. 50 Million.

The satellite was designated Aryabhatta after the fifth century astronomer and mathematician Aryabhatta of Kusumapura near Patliputra, now Patna, who laid the foundation of modern algebra, determined the parameters of the movements of various celestial bodies, calculated the diameters of the Earth and the Moon, and the importance of their movements around the sun.

Hampi__ THE PLACE(of India)

What is Hampi known for?

Hampi in Karnataka has been the seat of the grandeur of the great Vijayanagar Empire and the magnificent ruins one can see today remind us of the glory of Vijayanagar. Early in the fourteenth century this part of the country saw some of the bloody conflicts when the Mughal emperors sent their commanders down South to establish their ascendancy and the systematic resistance offered led to the rise of the Vijayanagar Empire__a citadel of resistance against the political aggrandizement of the Mughals.

Few can afford to forget the name of the great Krishna Devaraya (1509-29 AD), the greatest of the Vijayanagar ruler who brought glory to Hampi and symbolised its golden age. His army defeated the Bahamani Sultans, conquered Telengana and maintained diplomatic relations with the Portuguese. With his death faded the splendour of both Vijayanagar and Hampi which was virtually desecrated by the Mughal invasion. Western historians described Hampi "as large as Rome" and "the best provided city in the world". Some of the landmarks of Hampi can be seen along the banks of the Tungabhadra and the hills nearby. There are famous temples in the vicinity like the Virupaksha Temple dedicated to Lord Siva and the Vitthala Temple.

Stethoscope='='='='='='

Who invented the stethoscope?

In 1816, the French physician Rene Theoplhie Hyacinthe Laennec (1781-1826) introduced a performated wooden cylinder which concentrated the sounds of air flowing in and out of the lungs, and described the sound which it revealed. The modern form of stethoscope, with flexible tubes connection the earpieces to a circular piece placed against the chest, was developed later in the nineteenth century.

Birth details of ____TAOISM

Who was the founder of Taoism and what were the principles Taoism was based upon?

Two great philosophers who influenced the Chinese thought were confucius and Lao-tzu, the latter founding Taoism. Lao-tzu, said to have lived between 604 and 531 practice of thrift, humility and compassion. Form and ceremony held no place in his religion. Some of the other principles preached by Taoism are simplicity, patience, contentment and harmony. Taoism began its decline about AD 906, especially after the T'ang Dynasty, and today its followers number fewer than 52 million, many abandoning it and embracing Buddhism. In 2005, altogether, there were said to be 27,34,000 Taoists worldwide.

According to Taoism, the universe is believed to be kept in balance by the opposing forces of Yin and Yang that operate in dynamic tension between themselves. Yin is female and watery; the force in the moon and rain which reach its peak in the winter; Yang is masculine and solid; the force in the sun and earth which reaches its peak in the summer. The interaction of Yin and Yand is believed to shape all life.

From the fourth century, rivalry between Taoists and Mahayana Buddhists was strong in China, leading to persecution of one religion by the other. This was resolved by mutual assimilation, and Taoism developed monastic communities similar to those of the Buddhists.

Sand /////// Glasssssssss

How is sand turned into glass?

The raw material from which glass is made is silica, the most abundant of all the earth's minerals. Milky white in colour, it is found in beach in the world has been formed by water pounding rocks into tiny particles, sand is the major source of silica. Sand also contains other minerals, but silica is the main component because it is hard, insoluble and does not decompose, as it outlasts the others.

Pure silica has such a higher melting point that no ordinary fire would convert it into glass. It is said that the first glass-makers had lit their fire on sand which was impregnated with soda(compounds of sodium) left behind by evaporated water from a lake of sea. The soda reduces silica's melting point. Today, lime and soda are combined bottles, window panes and cheap drinking glasses. When glass cools, its structure does not return to the crystalline structure of silica, which is opaque. Instead, it forms a disordered structure rather than a frozen liquid, which is transparent. Other metas may be added to provide colour or to improve the quality of finished glass.

Ice Ice __ baby

How can ice float on water?

Ice floats on water because a piece of ice is lighter than the same amount of water. The ice is not very much lighter than the water, so it floats low in the water.

When water freezes to ice, the water molecules line up in rows. But as they do so, the molecules move apart slightly. The ice increases in size as it forms and this gives ice a lower density than water, making it float in water.

The force between the molecules is very strong, and nothing can resist the expansion that occurs as the ice forms. This is why water pipes sometimes bursts when the weather gets warmer, the ice melts and water pours from the cracked pipe. It is unusual for a liquid to expand on freezing, but it is a good thing that water does so. The layer of ice that may form over lakes and the sea in winter prevents the water beneath from freezing.

Feel of Metal

Why does metal feel cold?

When you touch something made of metal, it feels cold. The reason for this is that some heat flows from your fingers into the surface of the metal. Because the skin on your fingers loses heat, it gets cold and the metal feels cold.

Metal objects feel cold in a cool climate because metal is a good conductor of heat. This means that heat flows through metal easily. Heat, therefore, leaves the skin of your fingers and flows into the metal. It does this because your fingers are warmed than the metal. The heat moves on through the metal, so that the surface of the metal does not get as warm as the skin on your fingers. Heat continues to flow from your fingers into the metal, and it feels cold.

Wood or cloth are poor conductors of heat. The surface of an object made of wood or cloth quickly warms up as you touch it, and it does not feel cold.

CLOVE__India

Where in India is clove mostly grown and what are its uses?

Clove is used as an antiseptic, in culinary preparations, in pharmaceuticals manufacture, as an ingredient in cogarattes and even in the manufacture of toothpaste. Its multifarious use has given it a prominent place among spices.

The East India company brought clove from its native home in Indonesia to the company's of spices gardens at Courtallam in Tamil Nadu around 1800 AD. Four of these trees have survived to this day, bringing enormous profits to their present owner.

Induced by the success, clove cultivation was extended after 1850 to the Nilgiris (Burliar), the slopes of the Western Ghats and in the then Travancore state. Now, clove is being cultivated in Nilgiris, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu, thiruvananthapuran, Kollam, Kottayam and Kozhikode districts of Kerala and Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.

Appearance of Swimmiting Pool

Why does a swimming pool appear less deep than it really is?

This is due to the phenomenon of refraction of light. The rays of light coming from the bottom of the pool (or from the coil lying at the bottom of the can) travel from water to air. As the rays pass from denser (water) to rarer (air) medium they bend away from the normal. When the rays are produced back they form an image of the coil (bottom of the poor) are a point which is a little above the real position. Hence the coil appears to be slightly raised and the pool appears to be less deep than it really is.

Jaya Stambh & Kirti Stambh

Where are Jaya Stambh and Kirti Stambh located?

These are located in Chittorgarh (Rajasthan). Rana Kumbha defeated Mahmud Khilji and to commemorate the victory he constructed a mighty tower, Jaya Stambh, adorned with Hindu scriptures. An older and smaller tower, Kirti Stambh, dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain tirthankar, is also in this town.

Ministry of Food Processing__

When was the Ministry of Food Processing established?

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries was set up in July 1988 to give fillip to the fast growing food processing industries. In the wake of globalisation, the Ministry acts as a catalyst for promoting greater investment in this sector, boosting up exports and creating the right environment for the growth of the sector.

pRECIOUS wORDS fOR hAPPY lIVING...,,,

Faith: =-=-=- Faith is an extraordinary power which mover the wheels making life joyful, successful and peaceful.

Prayer: =-=-= Prayer is a conversation between man and God. Prayers brights in humility, nobility and removes pride, anger and remove paride, anger and other harmful quantities.

"It is better in prayer to have heart without words than words without heart."

Meditation: Meditation is one pointed thinking. When you meditate on your chosen subject, the mind is focussed on one point. Meditation promotes concentration and makes your mind healthy and happy. Meditation helps avoid medication.

Laugh: "Laugh and live long". The day is a waste when you did not laugh. Laughter assures good health, happiness and relaxes body and mind.

Positive thinking: Life is what you make it by your thoughts. Always be optimistic and entertain positive thoughts which propel the mind to achieve your chosen goal.

Good Books: Select good books as you select your friends. A good book helps and a bad book harms. Read the best books are early as possible. Otherwise, you may not have an opportunity to read them at all.

Good friends: Your company shapes your character. "Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are". The influence of good friends is great in shaping your life.

Family: Make it a habit that all the members of your family meet once everyday and discuss freely on subjects of common interest.

Time: Time is precious. The entire riches of the world cannot buy back a minute lost. Do not waste time.

Success: Success is a way of life. Success means different things to different people. But in general success is fulfilment of your burning desire. Make everyday "a day of success".

Imagination: Train your mind to imagine beautiful, graceful and enliving scenes like a great honour to be conferred on you, your near and dear congratulating you on your grand success etc.,

Hard Work: Never postpone your work. Complete your work on time. Hard work gives solace and peace.

Fear: Statistics prove that more people die out of fear than disease. Fear kills, faith saves.

Mind: The most difficult thing in life is to control your mind. If you achieve control of your mind, you can achieve anything in life. When you remember what you want to remember and forget what you want to forget, you have absolute control of your mind. Never be idle. "An idel mind is a devil's workshop".

Exercise: Health is wealth. Exercise keeps you trim, promotes sound health and keeps you free from disease. It can be walking, yoga, jogging or any other aerobic exercise.

Smile: When you wear a smile, there is no need for any ornament. Everyone likes a person with a beaming smile. Smile makes friends. A smile is a passport for good relations.

Simple things: Enjoy simple things like a beautiful rose, a child's smile, sunrise, borderless sea, flying bird, flowing river, a handshake, a hug etc.,

Keep learning: Keep learning. It is an endless process from birth to death. You are in dark, the moment you stop learning.

Food: Eat only when you are hungry and stop eating while you are not hungery. Eat more vegetables and seasonal fruits and Sprouts.

Wit 'n' Wisdom

1. Marry the One___ Don't marry the person you want to live with. Marry the one you cannot live without.

2. Forgiveness__ Forgiveness is giving up my right to hate you for hurting me.

3. Agrees with me__ My wife and I always compromise. I admit I am wrong and she agrees with me.

4. Saving__ Saving is the best thing especially when your parents have done it for you.

5. who do not vote__ Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.

6. Mother tongue__ They call our language the mother tongue because the father seldom gets a chance to speak.

7. Laziness__ Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.

8. Wise Men__Wise man talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.

__"Padham Health News."

Good Sayings-23

441. Kindness is an attitude of sympathy along with love and understanding.

442. Man is never punished for his sins but by his sins.

443. Prayer without faith is like flower without fragrance.

444. Better lean peace than fat victory.

445. No bees, no honey; No work, no money.

446. To prevent worry and fatigue, put enthusiasm into your work.

447. The seed grows into the tree patiently and gently.

448. Peace rules the day, whereas reason rules the mind.__ William Collins

449. Deciding what you want most in life is the first step towards achieving it.

450. Riches serve a wise man but cammand fool.

451. Not he who has little, but he who wishes more, is poor.__Seneca

452. He has not learned the lesson of life who does not everyday surmount a fear.__Emerson

453. Study serves for delight, ornament and ability.__Francis Bacon

454. After supper sleep a while, after dinner walk a mile.

455. The wisest man may always learn something from the humblest peasant.__Senn

456. Words cut more than swords; through the wound be healed, yet a scar remains.

457. The most wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed.__Chamfort

458. Have a purpose in life, and having it, throw into your work such strength of mind --------------and muscle as God has given you.

459. Self is lovelessness, love is selflessness.

460. Money comes and goes. Morality comes and grows.

Love Vs Arrange Marriage

A Good Lesson – Love Vs Arrange Marriage

A student asks a teacher, "What is love?"

The teacher said, "in order to answer your question, go to the wheat field and choose the biggest wheat and come back.

But the rule is: you can go through them only once and cannot turn back to pick."

The student went to the field, go thru first row, he saw one big wheat, but he wonders....may be there is a bigger one later.

Then he saw another bigger one... but may be there is an even bigger one waiting for him.

Later, when he finished more than half of the wheat field, he start to realise that the wheat is not as big as the previous one he saw, he know he has missed the biggest one, and he regretted.

So, he ended up went back to the teacher with empty hand. The teacher told him, "...this is love... you keep looking for a better one, but when later you realise, you have already miss the person...."*

============================================

*"What is marriage then?" the student asked.

The teacher said, "in order to answer your question, go to the corn field and choose the biggest corn and come back. But the rule is: you can go through them only once and cannot turn back to pick."

The student went to the corn field, this time he is careful not to repeat the previous mistake, when he reach the middle of the field, he has picked one medium corn that he feel satisfy, and come back to the teacher.

The teacher told him, "this time you bring back a corn..... you look for one that is just nice, and you have faith and believe this is the best one you get.... this is marriage."

Confidence,Trust, Hope-----------

CONFIDENCE:

1 Day all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer all people gathered & only one boy come with umbrella. THATS CONFIDENCE.

TRUST:

Trust should be like feeling of a 1 year old baby, when you throw him in the air, he laughs....
Because he know you will catch him...

HOPE:

Every night we go to bed, have no assurance to get up alive in the nextmorning
But still we have many plans for coming day...

KEEP CONFIDENCE, TRUST IN GOD AND NEVER LOSE HOPE...

Our Character___Swami Vivekananda

You have to make the character of

Mahavira (Hanuman/Anjaneya) your ideal.

He was a perfect master of his

senses and wonderfully sagacious.

Obedience to the Guru without questioning,

and strict observance of Brahmacharya--

this is the secret of success.

___________________________Swami Vivekananda

Good Sayings-22

421. The best motorist drives with imagination: he imagines that his family is in the car.

422. The one who pursues a goal of evenmindedness is neither happy with gain nor sorry by loss.

423. Wisdom grows in silence and also by listening more than one speaks.

424. A man decides his own fate through the types of thoughts he entertains.

425. Not admitting what you don't know can lead to suspicion about what you do know.

426. The virtuous man who is happy in this life is sure to be still happier in his next.

427. Whatever your powerful mind believes very intensely would instantly come to pass.

428. Make the best use of what is in your power and take the rest as it happens.__Epictetus

429. Tell me what you are busy about and I will tell you what you are.__Goethe

430. Love never asks; but gives.__Gandhiji

431. Faith, a happy home, and challenging work are the motivating factors for a happy life.__Matthew E. Welsh

432. Being assertive, is protecting your interests without harming other people's rights.

433. A contented man even though poor is happy; a discontented man though rich is unhappy.

434. Like a miser that longeth after gold, let thy heart pant after God.__Sri Rama Krishna

435. Straw eaten by cows turns into milk, while milk drunk by serpents turns into poison.

436. Wealth may decrease, if donated, but knowledge will never if it is imparted.

437. Any story sounds true until someone tells the other side and sets the record straight.

438. The wise approve, anything after scrutiny, whereas fools are led by other's opinions.

439. Untrained intelligence is as much of use as a bottle without an opener.__Duke of Edinburgh

440. No one can worship God nor love his neighbour on an empty stomach.__ Woodrow Wilson

Good Sayings-21

401. Work is the grand cure of all the maladies and miseries that ever worry mankind.__Thomas Carlyle

402. The trouble with the future is that it usually arrives before we are ready for it.__Arnold Glasow.

403. Suffering brings wisdom, pleasure takes it away.__Paramahansa Satyananda

404. A thing of beauty is a joay for ever.__John Keats.

405. Prosperity makes friends and adversity tries them.

406. Anyone can be polite to a king, but it takes a gentlemen to be polite to a beggar.

407. Excellence is the result of always striving to do better.__Pat Riley

408. That man is great, who can use the brains of others to carry on his work.__Donn Piatt

409. A great man is made of qualities that make great occassions.__J.R.Lowell

410. Two things are bad for the heart -- running upstrains and running down people.

411. Be honest and hard working. Hard work is equal tro prayer.__Lal Bahadur Sastri.

412. Hatred does not cease by hatred but only by love; this is the eternal rule__Budda.

413. Learning from the experience of the elders is the greatest homage paid to them.

414. When there is no peril in the fight there is no glory in the triumph.__Corneille

415. Good health and good sense are two of life's greatest blessings.

416. To be proud of learning is the greatest ignorance.

417. All the treasures of earth cannot bring back one lost moment!

418. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

419. Everything in the modern home is controlled by switches except the children.

420. Silence is the ornament of the illiterate especially in the assembly of learned men.

Websites on Glaucoma Decease

1. http://www.preventblindness.org/

2. http://www.glaucoma.org/

3. www.glaucoma.org/learn

4. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/glacoma

5. www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/glaucoma.htm:

6. www.stlukeseye.com/conditions/glaucoma.asp

7. www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts.asp

8. www.nlm.nih.gov/medineplus/glaucoma.html

9. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001629.htm

10. http://www.glaucomafoundation.org/

11. www.ahaf.org/glaucoma/about/.glabout.htm

12. http://www.drpattnaikretina.com/

13. http://www.healthline.com/

14. http://www.afb.org/

15. http://www.globalaigs.org/

16. http://www.glaucoma.net/

17. www.medicinet.com/glaucoma/article.htm

18. www.nihseniorhealth.gov/glaucoma/toc.html

19. www.glaucoma.association.com/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=176

20. www.glaucoma.org.au/whatis.htm

21. news.bbc.co.u./1/hi/health/medical_notes/3420853.stm

22. http://www.glaucoma.org.au/

23. www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/glaucoma.htm

24. www.intelihealth.com/H/WSIMW000/8779/8779.html

25. www.drmalpani.com/health_videos/glaucoma.htm

26. www.paperpen.com/glaucoma

27. http://www.glaucomaweb.org/

28. www.navh.org/glaucoma.htm

29. http://www.glaucoma.org.nz/

Ansal Institute of Higher Education (AIHE)

Ansal Institute of Higher Education (AIHE), a premier institute in international Collaborative. Education (under transfer of credits system), now gives access to over a million dollars in scholarships for UG and PG degrees from reputed universities in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

Ansal Insitute breaks through the present day academic clutter to provide a realistic roadmap for a successful professional career comprising of a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree and an appropriate paid internship.

Situated in Gurgaon__a hot spot of global MNCs, Ansal Institute offers affordable and world-class professional education. Students who successfully complete Ansal Institute's broad-based 6-semester Advanced Diploma course work (similar to that followed in the IITs) are eligible to transfer their credits into fulltime degree programs of reputed and accredited US universities (that have scrutinized and approved Ansal Institute's syllabi for equivalence), which include:

Clemson University, USA__ Ranked 35th by US News and World Report and mentions it as the "Top Public University"

North Dakota State University, USA__Ranked 4th among the US public colleges and universities by US Consumer Digest, for offering most academic value per dollar

Tarleton State University, USA__Member of the prestigious Texas A & M University System

Coastal Carolina University, USA__an accredited US university

At the undergraduate level, for a 8-semester coveted US degree, Ansal Institute's Advanced Diploma covers 6-semesters (under transfer of credits arrangement) which is completed in 2 years by doing additonal two summer terms; only the final year is required to be done in the US university campus for their coveted 4-year degree, with the provision of substantial scholarships awarded by the US University for meritorious students from Ansal Institute. After the degree completion, students are legally allowed to work full time in the US for one year.

During the past three years, over 150 students have taken transfer to reputed foreign universities through Ansal Institute's unique programs. While some of these students are working, others are pursuing higher studies with scholarships/assistantships in the top institutions like John Hopkins, Keck Graduate Institute, Vanderbilt University, University of Illionois, Asian Institute of Technology, Australian National University and Embry Riddle University.

Ansal Institute's alumni in the US have won 25 President's honor awards and 35 Dean's honor awards for their excellent academic performance. Ansal Institute is offering Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs and the disciplines covered include Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Science and Business Management.

The extraordinary track record of Ansal Institute's alumni in the US has stimulated extension of this transfer of credits arrangement with some leading overseas universities, which include San Jose State University, USA (ranked 15th in Engineering by US News and World Report), North Carolina State University, USA, University of Western Australia, Australia (belonging to the prestigious Group of 8 Australian Universities__after Ansal Institute's 2-year Diploma, students can earn dual degree UG and PG in Information and Communication Technology in 3 years in Australia as transfer students with potential of permanent residency in Australia), McMaster University (called MIT of Canada; considered No.1 in Canada), University of New Brunswick, Canada (among the Top 10 Canadian Universities), University fo Windsor and St. Mary's University, Canada, Deakin University, Australia, University of Plymouth, UK, University of Science and Technology at Lille, France.

Highlights of Ansal Institute's Internationa Program

* Exemption from SAT

* Accredited degree from universities in the US, Canada, Australia and UK

* 4-year overseas Undergraduate degree in 2 years and 9 months through Accelerated Progression

* Expenses reduced to about 1/5 for the coveted degree.

Ansal Institute's 14 acre campus provides state-of-the-art computer and other lab, modern networked library, internationa standard on-campus hostel separately for boys and girls, on-campus lockers, bookstore and other allied facilities for sports and transport facilities from major parts of Delhi and Gurgaon. The Institute has highly qualified and internationally acclaimed faculty with several senior members holding Ph.D. from premier institutes in India and overseas universities.

Over the years, Ansal Institute has made several innovations to improve and refine the methodology of delivery of education. Some of such improvements include: Helpdesks and Remedial courses, Regular Technology Workshops by industry experts, Centre of Excellence for hands-on experience on live projects and a strong Industry Interface with companies like Cisco, Microsoft, IBM & HP.

Ansal Institute also has an efficient training and placement cell. Its students have been successfully placed in organizations such as Wipro, Hughes Systems, Sapient, Mahindra British Telecom, IDBI, ICICI Infotech and Sahara India.

For more information ont he acamdemic programs and related topics, visit http://www.aihe.in/ or write to The Counselor, Ansal Institute of Higher Education, SEctor 55, Gurgaon, Haryana-122003. Tel: (0124) 4116414, 9871592061, 9818588029, 9810109430

Email: admissions@aitgurgaon.org, admissions@aihe.in

Pathbreaking Researches on Saturn And Its Moon, Titan

According to an international team of researchers, Saturn, the giant gas planet encircled with yellow and gold bands, is spinning slower than expected.

***

Instead of a day on Saturn lasting roughly 11 hours, the researchers have calculated the rotation period is 10 hours and 47 minutes__ eight minutes slower than estimates from the NASA voyager results during the early 1980s.

***

It has been further stated by researchers that it could affect the size of the planet's rock and ice core and provide more insights into how it formed.

***

As scientista believe, the measurement of Saturn's period of rotation may prove to be pathbreaking for future research on planetary characteristics. It is after an effort of almost two years that scientists have succeded in getting fascinating insights into Saturn.

***

In another improtant research on the topography of the Saturnian moon Titan, an international team of space scientists led by Prof. Ralph Lorenz of the University of Arizona (USA) has found that Titan has huge regions covered with dunes. The findings of this research, published in Science in the first week of May 2006, reveal that these dunes might be made up of ice crystals, sand or some other unknown material. According to the researchers, Titan's atmosphere is thicker than Earth's, its gravity is lower and its sand has a completely different composition. Thus, it is only due to the physical process, which could have taken place there, to which the formation of dunes can be attributed. The existence of dunes, piled over other geographical features probably suggests that wind recently blew fine grains of some material (sand, ice or something else) around, which might have resulted in their formation.

Why is it harmful to see solar eclipse with naked eye?

Why is it harmful to see solar eclipse with naked eye?

Doctors always warn people, especially children, against watching the solar eclipse, either directly or through smoking glasses or even in shallow water as in a utensil. The harmful rays in the sunlight (infrared rays) are at the maximum during the eclipse, which might burn the most sensitive part of retina, forea and macula, leading to irreversible loss of eyesight.

The surface of the sun is about four times as hot as a furnace. The lens or cornea in our eyes acts like a burning-glass. If one looks straight at the Sun, the lens will be destroyed for life. Even if we look at the Sun through smoked glass, the Sun may look dim, but the dangerous heat rays can still pass through. Whenever there is an eclipse of the Sun, some people are blinded because they take foolish risks of this sort.

Insulin 'n' Blood Sugar

Who invented insulin and how does it regulate blood sugar?

Insulin is a very useful drug for diabetes and was discovered by the Canadian Physician and Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Frederick Grant Banting in 1921. It is a product of unknown nature derived from the pancreas of animals. It regulates the percentage of sugar in blood. If the percentage is too high, it converts the excess into starch and stores the starch in liver, muscles and skin. With the help of insulin, a diabetic patient leads a normal healthy life. It is generally injected into the patient.

Which is the smallest sovereign state in the world?

Which is the smallest sovereign state in the world?

Vatican or the Holy See is the smallest sovereign state in the world both in size and population. The total land area of the Vatican is 0.17 sq. miles or 0.44 sq. km and its population is just 932. The Pope possesses full executive, legislative and judicial powers. Vatican is situated within the city of Rome. Vatican issues its own coinage called Vatican lira, which is interchangeable with Italian lira.

Vatican is a remnant of the "Patrimony of St. Peter", the secular state donated to the Popes in the eighth century by Pepin the Short, father of Charlemagne. In 1929, Mussolini's government made peace with the Papacy in the Lateran Treaty, which recognised the Holy See as an independent state. The treaty was incorporated into the Italian constitution of 1947. Under the terms of the treaty, the Pope is pledged to perpetual neutrality and may intervene in international affairs as a mediator only upon request.

As sovereign of the Holy See, the Pope is an elected absolute monarch who appoints a Pontifical Council to govern the city on his behalf.

Where did hieroglyphics originate?

Where did hieroglyphics originate?

Hieroglyphic writing is part of the ancient Egyptian civilisation traceable to the end of the fourth millennium BC, appearing as annotations to scenes cut in relief on slabs of slate in tombs and chapels. The earliest hieroglyphics represent lines of hymns and prayers, and the names and titles of individuals and deities. This distinctive style of writing was probably born out of the desire to annotate carved pictures of religious offerings, hunts and battles, it lent distinction to people and places and provided a telltale record for future generations. As hieroglyphics further evolved, it began to appear without pictures, i.e., just pure text on clay tablets and cylindrical stones. This led to labelling of numerous, everyday items. For instance, a jar of wine might bear the name of the vineyard, of the shipping merchant or of the reigning king.

Hieroglyphic writing vanished after the Muslim conquest of Egypt in AD 639. Neither the army of Napoleon that conquered Egypt nor the French archaeologists that followed them could decipher the hieroglyphics. It was the discovery of the Rosetta stone, an inscribed basalt slab, in 1799 that provided the clue to the deciphering of hieroglyphics. And the job of decipherment was begun by Thomas Young (c-1818) and completed by Jean-Francois Champollion (c 1821-22). Found near Rosetta, Egypt, the stone is now being preserved in the British Museum.

Biggest river island...,,,,

Which is the biggest river island in the world?

Majuli happens to be the biggest river island in the world. It is situated in the middle of the Brahmaputra, and is easily approachable by ferry from jorhat in Assam. Spreading over an area of 460 sq. km., is island has a population of 1,50,000. A predominant community in the island is the Mising tribals.

Brahmaputra river

Where does the Brahmaputra river originate from?

The Brahmaputra is a major stream of Central and South Asia, having a total length of about 2,900 km (1,800 miles), and is called Tsang-po in Tibetan, Ya-Lu-Tsang-Pu Chiang in Chinese and Jamuna in Bengali. From its headstream in the Himalayas of Tibet, it flows castward for nearly 1,130 km (700 miles) across south-western China, then turns south through the eastern Himalayas and enters the States of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam (north-east India). The Brahmaputra takes a south-westely course for about 725 km (450 miles) through the Assam Valley, then turns south again, passing through Bangladesh to Bay of Bengal, where it forms with The Ganga and Meghna rivers, a vast delta.

Railway Service In India

When did the first railway service start in India?

The first train in India was flagged off an April 16, 1853 at Bori Bunder (V.T.). A wooden structure once acted as a terminus for the Great Indian Peninsular Railway (now Central Railway). In this place today stands one of the most magnificent railway stations in the world-Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (former Victoria Terminus or V.T.). The modern terminus, built over a ten-year period from 1878-88 at a cost of Rs. 16,35,562/-, is on the UNSECO's World Heritage List.

ISRO

When was the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) founded and who was its first Chief ?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was founded in 1969 with Dr. Vikram Sarabhai as its founder-Chairman. But India's bold venture in space research began much before, beginning with the work on establishing the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in 1962 with the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) under the Department of Atomic Energy. The first sounding rocket was launched from Thumba, near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, on November 21, 1963. In 1967, a Satellite Communication Earth Station was set up at Ahmedabad.

What are the Upanishads?

What are the Upanishads and how many of them are available now?

The word Upanishad literally means 'sitting near devotedly', and brings the picture of a sincere devotee learning from his guru- or spiritual master. The great Sankaracharya would, however, describe the Upanishad as simply knowledge of God.
There are , in all, 108 Upanishads ranging in length from a few hundred to many thousands of words, some in prose and some in verse. Of these, sixteen Upanishads were recognised by Shankaracharya as authentic and authoritative. In his commentary on Vedanta Aphorisms, he included quotations from six Upanishads. On the other ten Upanishads, he wrote elaborate commentaries. It is these ten Upanishads which, partly on account of their intrinsic importance but mailnly, no doubt, because of Shankara's commentaries, have come to be regarded as principal Upanishads. These ten Upanishads that form one of the vital bases of Hinduism are Isa, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka, Aitareya and Taittiriya.

What is synthetic rubber ?

What is synthetic rubber ?

Synthetic rubber is made of certain kinds of hydrocrabons. Of these, butadine is the most important. These hydrocarbons are obtained from coal, crude petroleum and alcohol. By the end of the Second World War, the combined production of synthetic rubber by USA and Germany alone was almost equal to that of natural rubber. Synthetic rubber is more oil-resistant than natural rubber. In the international market, natural rubber is facing severe competition from synthetic rubber.

Why do leaves fall in autumn?

Why do leaves fall in autumn?

The green colour in the leaves is due to a pigment, chlorophyll, in the plant. In autumn, the leaves stop making this pigment, thus the leaves turn yellow. Every leaf has a large vein underneath which carries water for nourishing it. This soon becomes dry in a yellow leaf so that water no longer flows through it. Thus the leaf dies and its grip on the branches loosens. When a strong wind blows, it breaks the leaf's grip and thus the leaves fall off in autumn.

Why do bees buzz?

Why do bees buzz?

The buzzing, sound is only caused by rapid fluttering of the bees'wings. The wings of the bees work like that of an electric fan. In hot weather, bees even carry water drops and spray droplets on their hives with their wings to cool it.

Why a pin-prick hurts?

Why a pin-prick hurts?

Human body is covered with skin. This skin is made up of several layers. Beneath the outermost layer are found millions of very small points. These are connected to a number of little threads called nerves. When the skin is pressed upon or touched, the nerves communicate the sensation to the brain. Thus the skin with the little nerves provides us with one of the five senses - "touch". If a pin goes into the outer layer and touches one of these little points, the touch becomes "pain"

World Languages

Language-----------------------------Principal
---------------------------------------Areas

Chinese, Mandarin--------------------China, Taiwan

Hindi----------------------------------North India

English--------------------------------UK, USA, Canada,
---------------------------------------Ireland, Australia, Newzeland

Spanish-------------------------------Spain, Latin America

Bengali--------------------------------India, Bangladesh

Portuguese----------------------------Portugal, Brazil

Russian--------------------------------Russia, The CIS

Japanese-------------------------------Japan

German, standard----------------------Germany, Austria, Switzerland

Korean---------------------------------North & South Korea,
----------------------------------------China, Japan

French---------------------------------France, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland

Chinese, Wu----------------------------China

Javanese-------------------------------Java (Indonesia)

Chinese, Yue---------------------------China

Telugu---------------------------------Andhra (India)

Marathi--------------------------------Maharashtra (India)

Vietnamese----------------------------Viatnam

Tamil-----------------------------------Tamilnadu (India), Srilanka, Malaysia

Turkish---------------------------------Turkey

Urdu------------------------------------Pakistan, India

Ukrainian-------------------------------Ukraine, Russia, Poland

Gujarati---------------------------------Gujarat (India)

Chinese, Jinyu---------------------------China

Chinese, Min Nan------------------------China

Polish------------------------------------Poland

Chinese, Xiang---------------------------China

Malayalam-------------------------------Kerala (India)

Kannada---------------------------------Karnataka(India)

Chinese, Hakka--------------------------China

Oriya------------------------------------Orissa (India)

Burmese---------------------------------Burma (Myanmar)

Punjabi, Western-------------------------Pakistan

Romanian--------------------------------Romania

Bhojpuri----------------------------------India

Azerbaijani, South------------------------Iran

Farsi, Western---------------------------Iran

Hausa-----------------------------------Nigeria, Cameroon

Maithili----------------------------------India

Serbo-Croatian--------------------------Croatia, Serbia

Thai-------------------------------------Thailand

Yoruba----------------------------------Nigeria

Dutch------------------------------------Netherlands

Awadhi----------------------------------India

Chinese, Gan----------------------------China

Sindhi-----------------------------------Pakistan, India

Igbo-------------------------------------Nigeria

Uzbek, Northern-------------------------Uzbekistan

Malay------------------------------------Malaysia

Indonesian-------------------------------Indonesian

Tagalog----------------------------------Philippines

Amharic---------------------------------Ethiopia

Nepali-----------------------------------Nepal, NE India, Bhutan

Saraiki-----------------------------------Pakistan

Cebuano---------------------------------Bohol Sea, Phillippines

Assamese--------------------------------Assam (India), Bangladesh

Thai, Northeastern-----------------------Thailand

Hungarian--------------------------------Hungary

Chittagonian------------------------------Bangladesh

Haryanvi---------------------------------India

Sinhala-----------------------------------Srilanka

Madura----------------------------------Madura, Indonesia

Greek------------------------------------Greece

Marwari----------------------------------India

Magahi-----------------------------------India

Chattisgarhi------------------------------India

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: The World Almanac

** Arabic is spoke in N.Africa and West Asia.

Do Not Criticise___

A leader, to be successful, has to motivate and influence others. He has to get genuinely interested in others and learn to give lavish appreciation. Now we shall consider another important factor, which is avoiding criticism.

All of us know that no one likes criticism. In fact, no one admits that he has made a mistake. No one ever blames himself, although the whole world may condemn him as the guilty one. Let us take the case of Adolf Hitler who is regarded as primarily responsible for World War II. The Allies condemned Hitler and his associates as the worst offenders against humanity and greatest of war criminals. But Hitler or, for that matter, those of his lieuthenants who survived him never admitted that they were wrong. They defended themselves stoutly saying they did everything for the sake of their German fatherland and that the Allies were to blame themselves for all the happened.

The thinking process of notorious criminals, and dacoits is no different. All of them regard themselves as champions of the poor. They feel that they are being punished, or put behind the prison bars for no faults of theirs. In the same way, when confronted with criticism, each individual tries to justify himself or herself. Whether young or old, friends or foes, known ones or strangers, nobody relishes criticism. A leader should, therefore, pause before criticising anyone and always try to avoid it.

Anyway, what is the object of criticising one or finding fault with another individual? What do we hope to accomplish by criticisng another individual? Every time we get the urge to criticise, we should ask this question to ourselves: is it intention to correct and improve the other person? Do you really feel that, with your criticism, the other person will mend his ways? Since everybody resents criticism, the question of changing and improving will not arise. On the other hand he will defend, justify and persist with greater vigour and determination. Thus, criticism, instead of motivating one to act the way you want, will induce him to do just the opposite.

If criticism cannot bring about improvements on the part of others, why then do many indulge in it? Perhaps, some get a feeling of importance by resorting to running down others. They try to show themselves off by finding fault with others. In the process, they not only expose themselves but also earn the enmity and hatred of others. What is more, as we have seen, the craving to feel important is universal. The person who is being criticised has his own ego and self-esteem. He will not accept the criticism meekly. He will react violently and indulge in scathing counter-criticism. The net result would be nothing but washing the dirty linen in public. As everybody knows, the split in the Indian National Congress developed becaue of stringent and biting public criticism of one another among its top leaders.

There is another important reason why criticism should be avoided. Criticism and condemnation kill the initiative. It often makes people abandon their efforts. It breeds inferiority complex and there are instances where uncharitable criticism has driven people to go mad or even commit suicide. Fully realising the illeffects of criticism, Dr. Samuel Johnson observed: "God Himself, Sir, does not propose to judge man until the end of his days." It is, therefore, foolhardy on our part to rush and criticise others. According to Charles Shwab,"There is nothing else that so kills the ambitions of a man as criticism from his superiors.: He declared, " I never criticise anyone. I believe in giving a man, incentive to work. So, I am anxious to praise but loath to find fault. If I like anything I am hearty in my approbation and lavish in my praise."

Often we should refrain from criticism when we try to understand others. If we put ourselves in the shoes of the other individual and look at the things from his point of view, we will at once realise why and how he acted the way he had acted. What is more, each individual is conditioned by his environmental factor. He is often a helpless victim of circumstances. You and I know very well that all our actions are not strictly rational and logical. We act on impulse, swayed by emotion and influenced by likes, dislike and others such prejudices. The leader must, therefore, understand others, look at the matter from the others' point of view, give appreciation and avoid criticism.

No one can claim to be perfect and beyond improvement. There is room for improvement even among the best of us. We should, itherefore, correct ourselves, clear our own doorsteps and not point out the snow on the roof of other's house.

The success of Mahatma Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln can be traced to this great quality on their part to avoid criticising others. Gandhiji blamed himself and tried to purify himself by resorting to fasts but never uttered a word of criticism either on the British or on other Indian political leaders. Lincoln scrupulously avoided rash and hasty criticism. He did not mail his letters with adverse comments immediately. He held them back and generally they were destroyed and never found their way to the intended addresses. A leader can try to be wiser than others but he should never tell others so. Vilhjalmur Stefansson, a famous explorer and scientist, observed that "A scientist never tries to prove anything; he attempts only to find the facts." The same rule applies to a leader. He should first find the facts. He should avoid criticism. Instead, he must understand and appreciate the good points in his followers.

You will naturally ask how a leader can improve his followers and bring out the best in them, if he decides to close his eyes to their shortcomings. A leader, where he considers it essential, has to draw the attention of the individual concerned to his limitations, errors, omissions and commissions. But this has to be done tactfully. It should be done after understanding the situation and with due appreciation. It should be converted to helpful suggestions instead of harsh criticism. Instead of downright condemnation, a leader should ask questions. He should gently point out, in an objective manner, where things have gone wrong. Often practical demonstration, instead of mere words, will produce the desired results. A leader should listen more and encourage the other party to talk. He should give an opportunity to the other to save his face. He should make the other person realise his mistake and should not force him to admit or own it.

As we said the aim is not simply to find fault but to bring about improvements. One important factor we should bear in mind is not to criticise anyone in public, that is, in the presence of others. The ego and self-esteem will drive people to defend themselves and justify their actions when they are criticised in public. We should, therefore, avoid criticism and if at all we have to say something unpalatable, we must give it a sugar coating, make it appear as a suggestion and administer it in strict privacy. Before pointing out the mistakes, we must generously give honest appreciation and sincere praise to theri good points. We must approach the individual in a friendly way and get him or her into a receptive mood Whatever possible, we must draw their attention to their blunders in an indirect manner. It would be extremely helpful to talk about our own mistakes before pointing out the mistakes of the other individual. The mistake should not be unduly magnified out of all proportions. It must be made to appear as easy one capable of correction. If he tries to save his face, we must accept his explanations at face value. In fact, we can give the other person a grand reputation to live up to.

A leader, who has to influence and motivate others, should, therefore, avoid criticise others if he takes genuine interest in the ohter individual, look at the things from the other's viewpoint and give sincere and honest appreciation for which the other has a gnawing craving and insatiable hunger. Proper understanding and appreciation will eliminate the need for bringing about improvements in the future, it has to be done ina friendly and tactfull manner to produce the desired results. A leader who avoids criticism as a rule will be favoured with phenomenal success.

________

Making of Anglo-Indian Mutton Stew Curry

Ingredients:

Mutton: 1kg
Onions, big: 2
Cubed carrot: One cup
Green Peas, shelled : 1/2 cup
Potatoes, cut into 4 pieces: 3
French beans: One cup
Cauliflower florets: One cup or a little more than one cup
Radish, Cubed: 1 cup
Turnips, cubed: 1 cup
Green Chillies, slit: 4
Tomatoes: 2 or 3
Peppercorns: 10-12
Pepper powder: a pinch
Bay leaves : 2
Cloves: 4 or 5
Cardamom, split: 6
Cinnamon stick, small pieces : 6 or 7
Ginger : 1 whole
Oil: 3 tbsps
Salt to taste
Wheat flour for thickening the gravy (handful)
Vinegar: 2-3 tsp
Ginger-garlic paste (optional)
Coiander leaves: 1 bunch
Mint leaves: 1 bunch

METHOD: Heat three tablespoons of oil in an empty open cooker vessel. Add all the spices (cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, peppercorns and the bay leaves) and fry till slightly brown. Then to the fried spices, add the grated ginger or the ginger garlic paste. Now, add the chopped onions and the green chillies. Keep frying till the onions become translucent or turn into a golden brown (without allowing them to char).

Once the onions are fried, add the chopped coriander and mint leaves and pepper powder.

Then add the mutton and fry for a few minutes. Add salt to taste. Pour some water which is sufficient enough to cook the meat and the vegetables. But, try not to overcook the vegetables, as they should be a bit crunchy (first mutton can be put on pressure to cook and then add the vegetables and pressure cook again till done).

Just before removing the dish from the stove, add wheat flour and vinegar and cook for a while till the gravy thickens a little.

This mutton and vegetable stew can be eaten either with bread or with hot rice.

_______MELANIE BENEDICT, SOUTH LALLAGUDA>>>>>>

Time Capsule

Which is the oldest time capsule in terms of flowering plants?

The oldest known living seed came from a North American Arctic lupin (a garden plant with long spikes of flowers). It was found in 1954, buried in frozen silt near Miller Creek in central Yukon, Canada, by a mining engineer named Schmidt. It had been there for 10,000 years. Yet, when scientists planned it, a plant grew which was identical to the modern plant. Modern seed banks keep stocks of seeds in similarly cold, dry conditions so that rare plants are assured of a future.

Uncle Sam__

Why US referred to a s Uncle Sam?

Uncle Sam is a nickname for the collective citizens of the US. It arose in the neighbourhood ot Troy, New York, in about 1812, partly from the frequent appearance of the initials US on government supplies to the army and others. A few believe that there was a local resident who had a connection with army supplies and he was actually known as Uncle Sam.

World's Largest Dam

Where is the World's largest dam?

Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze river in China would be the world's largest dam when it is completed in 2009. The cost of the dam is likely to be $ 30 billion, making it the world's largest civil engineering project also. The Three Gorges Dam will be 1.3 miles wide and 610 feet tall, and the resulting lake will be over 400 miles long, stretching from Yichango to Chongging. The dam will have 26 generators producing over 18,000 megawatts of power.

******

Presently, the world's largest dam, the Itaipu on the border of Brazil and paraguay, includes the world's largest hydro of Brazil and Paraguay, includes the world's largest hydroelectric power plant, producing 12, 600 megawatts of power.

Tenth Planet

What is the Tenth Planet discovered recently?

The tenth planet discovered recently is nicknamed as "Xena". The Hubble Telescope found that the new planet is just a little larger than Pluto. Hubble observations taken on December 9, 2005 indicate that the tenth planet has a diameter of 1,490 miles while Pluto, measured by Hubble is 1,422 miles.

Dada Saheb Phalke Award__

What is Dada Saheb Phalke Award?

Dada Saheb Phalke Award, instituted by the Government of India in 1969, is awarded to outstanding actors, playback singers, music composers or directors associated with the world of cinema for their lifetime achievement in their respective fields. The award is named after Dada Saheb Phalke (1870-1944), the first Indian to make silent movies, hailed as the father of Indian Cinema. His silent film Raja Harishchandra was released on May 13, 1913.

*****

The first recipient of Dada Saheb Phalke Award was the veteran actress Devika Rani and the latest awardee was the director of Malayalam cinema, Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Some of the other prominent awardees have been Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Shivaji Ganesan, Satyajit Ray, V. Shanta Ram, Nagi Reddy and Lata Mangeshkar, to mention a few.

World's Fastest Train__

Which is the world's fastest train?

France is the world leader in rail transport technology. The flagship of French rail technology is the TGV or Train a Grande Vitesse ("High Speed Train"), the world's fastest train. TGVs regularly run at 300 km/hr in normal service on some lines. And even this high speed is well below TGV's limits; the TGV holds world record for speed on rails of 515.3 km/hr or roughly half the speed of the sound.

Rann of Kutch__

What is Rann of Kutch?

The Rann of Kutch is a seasonally marshy region located in the Thar Desert in Gujarat, bordering the Sind region in Pakistan. It covers some 10,000 sq.miles between the Gulf of Kutch and the mouth of the River Indus in southern Pakistan. The luni river that originates in Rajasthan empties into the northeast corner of the Rann.

*****

During monsoon the flat desert of salty clay and mudflats averaging 15 metres above the sea level, fill with standing waters, interspersed with sandy islets of thorny scrub. It acts as a breeding ground for some of the largest flocks of Greater and Lesser flamingoes. The Rann is also famous for the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary. The Little Rann of Kutch is home to the last of the three species of Asiatic Wild Ass that can be seen along with wolves, foxes, jackals, chinkara gazelles, nilgai antelope and blackbucks.

Blood Clot?

How does the blood clot?

Clotting is a natural phenomenon tht checks excessive loss of blood in case of injury. Clotting takes place whenever the tissue is injured. There are three types of cells in our blood - red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. It is these platelets that help in forming clots to stop bleeding. The platelets gather at the site of the injured cell and prevent the red blood vessels from flowing out. They form a plug across the opening and release chemicals that convert liquid blood protein fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin. Fibrin forms a mesh of thread like fibres that trap platelets and other blood cells, thereby forming a clot.

Fringe Benefit Tax__

What is Fringe Benefit Tax?

Fringe Benefit Tax is a tax on benefits that the employee receive as a result of their employment, including those benefits provided through someone other than an employer.

Difference between ballistic missile and cruise missle?

What is the difference between ballistic missile and cruise missile?

A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a prescribed course that cannot be significantly altered after the missile has burned its fuel (i.e., its course is governed by the law of ballistics). In order to cover large distances, ballistic missiles are usually launched very high into the air or in space.

*****

A cruise missile is a guided missile which uses a lifting wing and most often a jet propulsion system to allow sustained flight. Cruise missiles are, in essence, unmanned aircraft. They are generally, designed to carry a large conventional or nuclear warhead many hundreds of miles with excellent accuracy. Modern cruise missiles normally travel at subsonic speed, are self-navigating and fly low in order to avoid radar detection.

Who was George Washington Carver?

Who was George Washington Carver?

George Washington Carver (1880-1943) was born into a slave house near Diamond Grove, Missouri (USA); he worked his way through Iowa State college, obtaining an M.A. in Agriculture in 1896. He was then invited by Booker T. Washing ton to become Director of Agricultural Research at Tiskegee Institute in Alabama. Hoping to improve the lives of disadvantaged black farmers and the economy of the Southern US, he promoted peanuts and sweet potatoes as alternatives to soil-depleting cotton and developed numerous products that could be made from each of these crops. He lectured widely on his work and was instrumental in the crop diversification that occurred in the Southern US in the early 20th century.

What is Superfluidity?

What is Superfluidity?

Superfluidity is a phase of matter characterised by the complete absence of viscosity. Thus, superfluids placed in a close loop can flow endlessly without friction. Superfluidity was discovered by Pyotr Leonidvich Kapitsa, John F. Allen and Don Misener in 1937. The study of superfluidity is called quantum hydrodynamics.

Who was Kind Tutankhamun?

Who was Kind Tutankhamun?

Tutankhamun (1340 BC) was the Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. He became king at the age of 12 and died at 18. He abandoned the worship of the sun-god instituted by Akhenaten, reinstating the worship of Amun and made Thebes the capital city. Although not important in the history of Egypt, he became world famous because of the rich and varied contents of his tomb at Thebes in the Valley of the Kings, discovered in 1922 by Lord Caranarvon and Howard Carter.

Night Blindness/Colour Blindness.....

What is the difference between night blindness and colour blindness?

Night blindness refers to the inability of the eye to adapt to reduced illumination, therefore, leading to a complaint of not being able to see in the dark. Individuals complaint of not being able to see in the dark. Individuals suffering from night blindness not only see poorly at night, but also require some time fore their eyes to adjust from brightly lit areas to dim ones.

*******

Colour blindness, on the other hand, refers to the difficulty in seeing differences between some of the colours that other people can easily distinguish. It is most often genetic in nature, but might also occur because of the eye, nerve, or brain damage or due to exposure to certain chemicals.

'When Witches go riding, and black cats are seen'

"Shadows of a thousand years rise unseen,
Voices whisper in the trees,
Tonight is Halloween!"
--------------------------------Dexter Kozen, Professor


"It's Halloween! It's Halloween!
The moon is full and bright
And we shall see what can't be seen
On any other night.
Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,
Grinning goblins fighting duels,
Werewolves rising from their tombs,
Witches on their magic brooms.
In masks and gown we haunt the street
And knock on doors for trick or treat.
Tonight we are the king and queen,
For oh tonight it's Hallowen!"
--------------------------------------Jack Prelutsky, poet


"A grandmother pretends she doesn't
know who you are on Hallowen."

--------------------------------------Erma Bombeck, Humourist

"Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble."
--------------------------------------William Shakespeare, Playwright

"At first cock-crow the ghosts must go
Back to their quiet graves below."
--------------------------------------Theodosia Garrison, Poet

"My candle was nearly burnt out, when,
by the glimmer of the half-extinguished
light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the
creature open."
--------------------------------------Mary Shelley, novelist

"One need not be a chamber to be haunted;
One need not be a house;
The brain has corridors surpassing Material place."
-----------------------------------------------Emily Dickinson, poet

"When witches go riding, and black cats
are seen, the moon laughs and whispers,
'tis near Halloween."
-------------------------------19th century Halloween postcard

"The devil's voice is sweet to hear."
-----------------------------------------Stephen King, novelist

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I
pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of
forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly
there came a tapping...."
------------------------------Edgar Allan Poe, Poet

Constitution of India__Prof.(Dr.) M.V. Pylee

Emergency Provisions

No chapter of the Constitution has been the subject of more acrimonious attack by the critics than those dealing with the emergency provisions. The Constituent Asembly witnessed one of its most agitated scenes during the discussion of these provisions. Many prominent members of the Assembly opposed the inclusion of these provisions in the Constitution as they thought that they were inconsistent with the democratic provisions embodied elsewhere. The majority of the members, however, favoured the inclusion of these provisions, although reluctantly, as a precautionary measure, against possible disruptive forces destroying the newly established Union.

The Constitution provides for three different categories of Emergency and in each case the President is empowered to declare the emergency.

----------War Emergency---------

If the President is satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security of India or any part of its territory is threatened by war, external aggression or armed rebellion, he may proclaim even before the actual occurrence when external aggression is apprehended. But no such proclamation can be made by the President unless the Union Ministers of Cabinet rank, headed by the Prime Minister, recommend to him, in writing, that such a proclmation should be issued. The proclamation may be revoked subsequently; if not, it shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament. If Parliament does not approve of it within one month, it will become ineffective.

As soon as the emergency is proclaimed, the federal provisions of the Constitution cease to function in the area affected by the proclamation. As a result, there is a two-fold expansion of the authority of the Union. First, the executive power of the Union will extend to the giving of any direction to any State executive in the emergency area. Secondly, Parliament's law-making power will extend to the subjects enumerated in the State List. Further, the President is empowered to prohibit by order the distribution of revenues that are normally to be assigned to the States under the financial provisions of the Constitution. However, all such orders have to be placed before each House of Parliament for its approval. The combined effect of the operation of these provisions is the emergence of fullfledged unitary Government.

----------Constitutional Emergency---------

If the President is satisfied on receipt of ta report from the Governer or otherwise that a situation has arisen in which the Government of a State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, he is empowered to proclaim an emergency under Articles 356 and 365. As a result, (i) he may assume to himself all or any of the functions of the State or he may vest all or any of those functions in the Governor or any other executive authority; (ii) he may declare that the powers of the State legislature shall be exercisable by Parliament; and (iii) he may make any other incidental or consequential provisions necessary to give effect to the objects of the Proclamation. The President, however, cannot assume to himself any of the powers vested in a High Court.

The proclamation will have to be approved by both the Houses of Parliament in the same manner in which a war emergency proclamation has to be approved.

Suspension of Fundamental Rights: During the period of emergency, as declared under either of the two categories discussed above, the State is empowered to suspend the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution. The term 'State' is used here in the same sense in which it has been used in the Chapter on Fundamental Rights. It means that the power to suspend the operation of these Fundamental Rights is vested not only in Parliament but also in the Union Executive and even ina subordinate authority. Further, the Constitution empowers the President to suspend the right to move any court of law for the enforcement of any of the Fundamental Rights. It means that virtually the whole Chapter on Fundamental Rights can be suspended during the operation of the emergency. However, such orders are to be placed before Parliament as soons as possible for its approval.

------------Financial Emergency--------------

If the President is satisfied that a situation has arisen whereby the financial stability or credit of India or any part of it is threatened, he may declare a financial emergency under Article 360. The proclamation in this case also should be approved by Parliament as in the other two cases of emergency.

During the financial emergency, "the executive authority of Union shall extend to the giving of directions to any State to observe such canons of financial propriety as may be specified in the direction" or any other directions which the President may deem necessary for the purpose. Such directions may include those requiring the reduction of salaries and allowances of Government servants and even those of the Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court.

------------An Analysis-------------

So far, there have been four occasions when emergency of the first category was proclaimed by the President: 1962 (Chinese aggression), 1965 (Indo-Pakistan war), 1971 (Indo-Pakistan war before the emergence of Bangladesh) and 1975 (internal emergency).

An analysis of these instances would indicate the purpose and the manner in which, in actual practice, a proclamation of emergency in the State will be made by the President. These may be summed up in the following terms:

1) The essential condition for the intervention by the Centre is the political instability of the State, that is, the virtual breakdown of the Parliamentary System of the Government.

2) The Union will watch the situation of instability with utmost caution and provide every opportunity for the formation of an alternative ministry.

3) The proclamation of emergency will only be the last resort when (i) the existing ministry does not have the confidence of the legislature; and (ii) no alternative ministry can be formed.

(4) During the period of emergency, the legislative work of the State will be transferred to Parliament. Delegation of such work to any administrative body will be reduced to the minimum.

(5) As soon as the political situation within the State becomes conducive to a responsible Government, it will be restored.

Generally speaking, in practice, the emergency provisions for Central internvention in case of a breakdown of Constitutional machinery in the States have proved to be not only a protective device for responsible government in politically unstable States but also a blessing to political parties who were unwilling and incapable to shoulder responsibility for a time on account of group rivalries or any other unfavourable circumstances.

During a period of emergency, it is natural that the Executive becomes unusually powerful. This is a tendency of governments all over the world, federal or unitary. The experience of parliamentary democracies indicates that a Parliament is vigilant and through the members of the opposition particularly, it manages to compel the Executive to account for all its actions. Thus, Parliament has the power to check the Executive whenever the latter goes beyond reasonable limits. Emergency provisions do not, in any way, cut Parliament out of the picture and Parliament has always the right to call the Executive to order; and if they find that the Executive has exceeded its powers in regard to the operation of any of the provisions enacted under the emergency laws, they can always pull it up, even dismiss the ministry and replace it.

How effectively Parliament would and could function during a period of national emergency was a subject of speculation until 1962 when the President proclaimed emergency under Article 352. But the manner in which Parliament has dealt with the emergency shows that instead of the Executive arrogating to itself the powers of Parliament in the name of emergency, Parliament has subjected the Executive to greater control and scrutiny in all its actions vitally affecting the nation. In fact, the debates in Parliament demonstrated the eagerness with which the Executive sought the approval of Parliament not only with regard to the action already taken by the Government but also that proposed for the future.

The only exception to this in practice was the internal emergency period of 1975-77. There was widespread abuse of executive power in many parts of the country in many forms during this period. The extent of abuse became clear only after the lifting of emergency in 1977. Naturally the new Parliament, which came into being after the general elections of March 1977, was interested in preventing the repetition of such a situation in future and hence initiated steps to amend the Constitution suitably to limit the powers of the Government to proclaim internal emergency.

The 44th Amendment adopted by Parliament in December 1978 ensures that the proclamation of emergency can be made only on the basis of written advice tendered to the President by the Cabinet. Internal disturbance not amounting to armed rebellion will no longer be a ground for declaration of emergency. Emergency can be proclaimed only when the security of the country is threatened by war, external aggression or armed rebellion. As an additional safeguard, proclamation of emergency will require approval within a month by a resolution of Parliament by a majority of the total membership and not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting.

The provisions for financial emergency, again, show how the framers of the Constitution have drawn upon the experience of the working of federalism elsewhere.

Finally, one may consider the provision for the suspension of Fundamental Rights. Apparently, this is by far the most unwholesome provision in the Constitution.

The provision for the suspension of Constitutional rights does not mean, however, that with the proclamation of emergency, there will be an automatic suspension of Fundamental Rights. It may be quite possible to keep the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights intact and there need not be a universal suspension throughout the country merely by reason of the proclamation. Further, the order of suspension should be placed before Parliament and it will be free to take whatever action it deems fit.

The working of the Constitution, so far, shows that the suspension of Fundamental Rights took place rarely. That happened as a result of the proclamation of national emergency in 1962, 1965, 1971 and 1975.

In contrast to the national emergencies mentioned above, Fundamental Rights were never suspended during any of the emergencies proclaimed in the States. That remains a good precedent. Even during the national emergency, suspension of Fundamental Rights should be restricted to the absolute minimum. There have been only few instances so far of the Union Executive behaving high-handedly towards the States or ignoring Parliament in the name of emergency. The apprehension that the President may act as a dictator is not one of the acute discomforts of our political thinking. On the other hand, the emergency provisions have been, on the whole, justified when viewed from the experiences of the post.

******