Tuesday, February 28, 2006

God's forgetfulness

A Pious Old Man

A pious man, who had reached the age of 105, suddenly stopped going to synagogue.

Alarmed by the old fellow's absence after so many years of faithful attendance, the Rabbi went to see him. He found him in excellent health, so the Rabbi asked, "How come after all these years we don't see you at services anymore?"The old man lowered his voice. "I'll tell you, Rabbi," he whispered. "When I got to be 90, I expected God to take me any day. But then I got to be 95, then 100, then 105. So, I figured that God is very busy and must've forgotten about me, and I don't want to remind Him!"

FATIGUE

Fatigue can also be removed by oxygenation. When you are tired, instead of heading for the kitchen for a snack, go out in the fresh air for ten to fifteen minutes and exhale and inhale deeply, off and on, several times. Don’t breathe hurriedly, or with force, but in a relaxed way, very slowly and deeply. After this time spent in fresh air, your fatigue will be gone.



—Paramahansa Yogananda, “How to Work Without Fatigue,” from The Divine Romance.

DO YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE TOWN WHERE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE BEGAN IN INDIA IN 1857

HindustanTimes.com » Editorial » Platform » Story
Stars in my eyes

With malice towards one and all... | Khushwant Singh

February 24, 2006







Advertisement

Bored to death by politics, cricket, news of accidents, murders, rapes and speeches of netas, the nation woke up to the rumours of a romance possibly leading to a matrimonial alliance between Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan. She is as beautiful as beauty can be. He is an up-and-coming actor, His father, Amitabh Bachchan, is a phenomenon of our times. Besides being a most versatile actor, he is a good man. In my chauvinistic mood I attribute this goodness and humility to his Sikh mother. Jaya’s father was my friend and drinking companion. My joy on hearing the rumour is understandable.

However, one aspect of the story as it broke bothered me. It was reported that Amitabh’s younger brother Ajitabh flew from London, where he is based, to Bangalore armed with horoscopes of Abhishek and Aishwarya to consult an astrologer on the prospects of such an alliance. Ajitabh’s avuncular concern for Abhishek’s future came as a pleasant surprise. Not so pleasant was to hear that all these well-educated people should set store by what an astrologer’s predictions. He assured them that all will be well, sooner the better. For good measure, he added a few words in Sanskrit to lend sanctity to his prophecy. No one in his right mind lends ears to soothsayers. Not one of them was able to forecast calamities like the Partition (10 million uprooted, 100,000 dead), assassination of the Bapu, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, earthquakes or the tsunami — the list of disasters unpredicted is endless. All that the fraternity of astrologers did was to later claim that they had forecast these events, which is totally false.

Murli Manohar Joshi, chief patron of this hoax of a so-called science, could not forecast his own defeat at the polls. I had a young lady in my staff when I was editor of the Hindustan Times, whose father was an astrologer. Like others of his fraternity, he boasted of being consulted by ministers and millionaires. But his daughter’s marriage, arranged as per astrological readings, did not last beyond a year.

I have no doubt Aishwarya will look as beautiful a bride as anyone has ever seen. Whether or not she will make a dutiful, understanding wife, mother, or an ill-tempered, shrewish nagger — no one knows. Nor does anyone know what kind of husband Abhishek will turn out to be: overbearing, possessive, jealous, harsh or kindly and understanding. Marriage is chancey business. As soon as the knot is tied, romance goes out. Then love fades out and is replaced by either understanding and companionship or by bickering and erosion of personalities.

In most cases it becomes a humdrum existence which becomes difficult to come to terms with particularly for those who are used to being in the limelight. With this warning, I send my blessings to Aishwarya and Abhishek: may your union be long, happy and fruitful.

Soured fragrance

I am still unable to understand why so much brouhaha was created over actor Khushboo’s remarks about pre-marital sex. It takes place in every country all over the world. There was nothing in what she said to offend self-styled guardians of Tamil culture. It is the same kind of culture which pervades lower-middle, narrow-minded societies in the rest of India. I remain 100 per cent behind Khushboo’s right to speak her mind.

However, Khushboo has gone a bit too far in venting her anger. A newsmagazine Maxim, edited by Sunil Mehra and his assistant Anup Kutty, was indiscreet enough to publish a photograph of a girl in her bikini, barely covering her ample derrière. It was meant to be a take-off of Khushboo looking into a life-size mirror. The face reflected was replaced by Khushboo’s photograph. It was done without her permission. What was more offensive was a two-line caption underneath. It was in utterly bad taste and lewd.

The editor tendered an abject apology which should have been accepted. Instead Khushboo had unbailable arrest warrants issued against Mehra and Kutty. Chennai police slapped a criminal case against the publishers and issued orders of arrest. To force two men to travel across the country, have lawyers and apply for bail is more than enough punishment and unwarranted. Khushboo has filed another criminal libel case asking for Rs 3 crore as damages. The case should, in all fairness, have been referred to the Press Council for a possible reprimand.


Uniformed brutality

Love is an instinct, noble and sublime

In the eyes of many, it is a fad

Some think, love is sheer madness

They call all lovers majnu or mad.

Ours is a pseudo-modern country

Can we deny this patent fact?

Here even slightest display of love

Is regarded as an obscene act!

Meerut police raided a public garden

To put a few majnus on the mat

They thrashed every boy and every girl

Who went there to sit and chat!

The town where war of Independence began

That liberated us from foreign yoke

In that very town, the brutal cops

Throttled the liberty of innocent folk.

(Courtesy: G.C. Bhandari, Meerut)

SPECTULAR JAIN FESTIVAL IN SOUTH INDIA - SLIDE SHOW

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/4736362.stm

SPECTULAR JAIN FESTIVAL IN SOUTH INDIA - SLIDE SHOW

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/4736362.stm

Monday, February 27, 2006

COMPUTER SHAIYRI

Computer shayari



Ghar se jab tum nikale,
>pehen ke reshmi gown;
>Jaane kitne dilon ka,
>ho gaya server down...
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Jabse meri zindagi mein,
>aayi hai ek female;
>Bhool gaya hai sab kuchh,
>kya mailbox, kya e-mail...
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Dil se, ek ishq ka
>application create kar raha
hoon;
>Pyaar se debug karna,
>main breakpoint pe wait kar raha hoon...
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Tumhaare intezaar mein
>Neend aayee so gaya;
>Yeh dekho mera connection
>time out ho gaya...
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Kal jab mile thhey
>to dil mein hua ek sound;
>Aur a! aj mile to kehte hain
>Your file not found!
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Jo muddat se hota aaya hai,
>woh repeat kar doonga...
>Tu naa mili toh,
>Apni zindagi Ctrl+Alt+Delete kar doonga...
>-----------------------------------------------------

>Shayad mere pyar ko
>taste karna bhool gaye...
>Dil sey aisa cut kiya
>ke paste karna bhool gaye..
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Laakhon honge nigaah mein
>kabhi mujhe bhi pick karo..
>Mere pyaar ke icon pe
>kabhi to double-click karo..
>---------------------------------------------------
>Roz subha hum karte hain
>pyar se unhe good morning..
>Woh aise ghoor ke dekhte hain
>jaise 0 errors and 100 warnings...
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Nazar mein to kai hain
>aur shaayad lonely bhi hain...
>Problem yehi hai
>ki voh ab Read-Only
hain..

COMPUTER SHAIYRI

Computer shayari



Ghar se jab tum nikale,
>pehen ke reshmi gown;
>Jaane kitne dilon ka,
>ho gaya server down...
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Jabse meri zindagi mein,
>aayi hai ek female;
>Bhool gaya hai sab kuchh,
>kya mailbox, kya e-mail...
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Dil se, ek ishq ka
>application create kar raha
hoon;
>Pyaar se debug karna,
>main breakpoint pe wait kar raha hoon...
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Tumhaare intezaar mein
>Neend aayee so gaya;
>Yeh dekho mera connection
>time out ho gaya...
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Kal jab mile thhey
>to dil mein hua ek sound;
>Aur a! aj mile to kehte hain
>Your file not found!
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Jo muddat se hota aaya hai,
>woh repeat kar doonga...
>Tu naa mili toh,
>Apni zindagi Ctrl+Alt+Delete kar doonga...
>-----------------------------------------------------

>Shayad mere pyar ko
>taste karna bhool gaye...
>Dil sey aisa cut kiya
>ke paste karna bhool gaye..
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Laakhon honge nigaah mein
>kabhi mujhe bhi pick karo..
>Mere pyaar ke icon pe
>kabhi to double-click karo..
>---------------------------------------------------
>Roz subha hum karte hain
>pyar se unhe good morning..
>Woh aise ghoor ke dekhte hain
>jaise 0 errors and 100 warnings...
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Nazar mein to kai hain
>aur shaayad lonely bhi hain...
>Problem yehi hai
>ki voh ab Read-Only
hain..

A son to be proud of...

Gathering Chickens

The farmer's son was returning from the market with the crate of chicken's his father had entrusted to him, when all of a sudden the box fell and broke open.

Chickens scurried off in different directions, but the determined boy walked all over the neighborhood scooping up the wayward birds and returning them to the repaired crate.

Hoping he had found them all, the boy reluctantly returned home, expecting the worst.

"Pa, the chickens got loose," the boy confessed sadly, "but I managed to find all twelve of them."

"Well, you did real good, son," the farmer beamed. "You left with seven."

WHAT WOMEN WANT

What every woman wants.

Talk to me (now)
Snoring (off)
Take out Trash
Walk Dog
Mow Lawn
Ask for directions
Buy me jwellery, Dinner, Flowers, Chocolates, Perfume or all above
Romance (+) or (-)

NEWLY DISCOVERED EVIDENCE

A Fresh Appeal

Lawyer: "Judge, I wish to appeal my client's case on the basis of newly discovered evidence."

Judge: "And what is the nature of the new evidence?"

Lawyer: "Judge, I discovered that my client still has $500 left."

O.B.L.

"In a newly released tape, Osama bin Laden says he won't be captured alive and he's not afraid of President Bush. He's terrified of Dick Cheney he's just not afraid of Bush." --Jay Leno

GO BANANAS

Bananas

Bananas, contains three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose
combined with fiber, giving an instant, sustained and substantial
boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough
energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder banana is the
number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the
only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or
prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must
to add to our daily diet. *

Depression:*
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering
from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is

because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body
converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and
generally make you feel happier.

*PMS:*
Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood
glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

*Anemia*:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the
blood and so helps in cases of anemia. *

Blood Pressure:*
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt,
making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food
and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make
official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure
and stroke. *

Brain Power:*
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their
exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid
to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed
fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert. *

Constipation:*
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel
action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives. *

Hangovers:*
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana
milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the
help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk
soothes and re-hydrates your system. *

Heartburn:*
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from
heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

*Morning Sickness:*
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and
avoid morning sickness. *

Mosquito bites:*
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area
with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful

at reducing swelling and irritation.

*Nerves:*
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

*Overweight and at work?*
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work
leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at
5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more
likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid
panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by
snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

*Ulcers:*
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because
of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be

eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes
over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. *

Temperature control:*
Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both
the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand,
for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with
a cool temperature.

*Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):*
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood
enhancer tryptophan. *

Smoking:*
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they
contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the
body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. *

Stress:*
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends
oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are
stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels.
These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack. *

Strokes:*
According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating
bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by
as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it
to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three
times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other
vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best
value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so
that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Sunday, February 26, 2006

hymns, hymns

Hymns for All Professions

Dentist's Hymn: Crown Him with Many Crowns
Weatherman's Hymn: There Shall Be Showers of Blessings
Contractor's Hymn: The Church's One Foundation
Tailor's Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy
Golfer's Hymn: There's a Green Hill Far Away
Politician's Hymn: Standing on the Promises
Optometrist's Hymn: Open My Eyes That I Might See
IRS Agent's Hymn: I Surrender All
Gossip's Hymn: Pass It On
Electrician's Hymn: Send The Light
Shopper's Hymn: Sweet By and By
Realtor's Hymn: I've Got a Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop
Massage Therapist's Hymn: He Touched Me
Doctor's Hymn: The Great Physician

MOSLEM QUOTA

Muslim quota 'a must' in all jobs, schools

Kanchan Gupta/ New Delhi

Sachar Committee note lists demands, says have a Muslim on SSB ---- Muslim "intellectuals, NGOs, activists and academicians" with whom the 'Prime Minister's High Level Committee For Preparation of Report on Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim Community of India' has interacted so far have demanded that "there should be at least one Muslim on each selection board, including the SSB (Services Selection Board)" that conducts recruitment tests for the Defence forces.

The committee, headed by retired Justice Rajinder Sachar, is in the eye of a raging storm over its audacious attempt to gather information about the number and ranks of Muslims in the defence forces by writing directly to the service chiefs.

Muslims have also petitioned the Sachar committee to recommend that "affirmative action should be taken for bringing the representation of Muslims in the police force at par with their population in every State." In other words, they have demanded proportionate representation in the police through the quota route.

These and other demands are listed in a note on "Issues raised at meetings with, intellectuals, NGOs, activists, academicians and district representatives, business community, youth and later discussed with Chief Ministers, Chief Secretaries and other state level civil and police officers" prepared by the Sachar committee.

"Whenever recruitment is going to be made the intention of the Government should be widely publicised through print and electronic media in the local language in the areas of substantial Muslim population," the note says, adding, "The district Superintendents of Police may have meetings with the officers of Employment Exchange and public and service commissions; the latter may organise special registration camps in areas of substantial Muslim presence. The actual process of recruitment should begin after all this exercise is in place."

The committee has also listed the demand that "there should be Minority Cells in UPSC, AICT, CBSE, IITs, etc." At another place, the note says, "Reservation (for Muslims) in jobs and educational institutions is a must."

But, if and when Muslim quota is institutionalised, "In Government employment Muslims who qualify on merit should not be counted against their quota of reservation (general or OBC, as the case may be)," the note says. It asserts, "Clear instruction should be given by the Governments to Public Service Commissions and all others. Rules of procedure should not preempt the policy of reservation given to Muslims."

The note lists several demands for proportionate representation of Muslims in politics through either the reservation route or nominations: "Muslims should be nominated, like Anglo-Indians, to Parliament, Assemblies and municipal bodies, wherever their representation falls short of their population percentage... Autonomous Councils should have Muslim nominees."

There is also a demand to fix a "quota for Muslim beneficiaries of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan." The committee has been asked to recommend generous funding for madarsas and their registration without following established procedures. "There is a strong case for relaxation of norms of recognition of educational institutions established by Muslims," according to the note.

While "Muslim history has been tarnished in many text books and should be corrected," Muslim NGOs "should be allotted land for building schools" and "those who are in the process of establishing schools for Muslims should be helped out by way of having a soft corner."

Government should "happily and quickly accord minority status to those institutions who apply for it," the note says. As for Aligarh Muslim University, "Central HRD Ministry's order for 50 % reservation for Muslims in AMU is laudable," the committee has been told.

But "the recent Allahabad High Court order nullifying it as well as the minority character of AMU should be undone through parliamentary legislation."

Muslims have demanded, according to this note, that the Union Government should create a corpus fund of Rs 100 crores to be used for giving "loans to Muslims without charging interest".

They want that the "Central Government should pay interest from the education budget."

Moreover, "banks should be advised to simplify the loan disbursement process" for Muslims.

Significantly, these and scores of other demands are likely to form the bulk of the Sachar committee's recommendations to the UPA Government for planning. As well as formulating and implementing specific interventions, policies and programmes for Muslim welfare.

If the note listing the demands is any indication, communal quota could soon be a reality in every sphere of national life in India.

Adding insult to injury - THIS IS OUR GREAT INDIA

APPEAL TO HON PRESIDENT TO STOP PROMOTION OF JESSICA_JUDGE



It refers to disgusting news of promotion of District Judge Sunder Lal Bhayana as Judge in Delhi High Court. Role of the district-judge in infamous Jessica Lal murder case has also been under controversy when many legal luminaries pointed that he wrongly ignored circumstantial evidences as also did not accept phone-calls made between DP Yadav’s residence to main accused Manu Sharma’s residence soon after the murder as important evidence to prove conspiracy between Vikas Yadav and Manu Yadav. Unfortunately amongst the three wings of governance, legislature and bureaucracy are always under the scanner and not the third one judiciary which also has judges from same society which has both corrupt and honest people. As a mark of respect and concern to strong public sentiments, President of India should stop elevation of Sunder Lal Bhayana as High Court Judge before he gets covered under immunity available to judges of higher courts.



Role of High Court judge granting easy bail to Manu Sharma should also be scanned. It may be recalled that in the recent case of Bihar- assembly dissolution the Apex Court held that the President should not have signed wrong recommendation of Union Cabinet merely as formality. In the same context, Honourable President of India can undo the wrong done by intervening to stop elevation of Sunder Lal Bhayana as High Court judge.



SUBHASH C. AGRAWAL

Saturday, February 25, 2006

FUNDAMENTALISTS DO NOT SAY A WORD WHEN OTHER RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS ARE HURT

Hindu Law Board offers Rs 51 cr for killing M F Hussain

February 23, 2006 01:05 IST

The Hindu Personal Law Board on Wednesday announced a Rs 51 crore reward for eliminating artist M F Hussain. Meanwhile, a Congress minority cell leader offered Rs 11 lakh to any 'patriot' to chop off the painter's hands for hurting Hindu sentiments.

"Anyone who kills Hussain for making obscene paintings of goddess Sarswati and Bharat Mata, the Danish cartoonist, those in the German company printing pictures of Ram and Krishna on tissue paper and the French filmmaker desecrating Lord Shiva will be given Rs 51 crore in cash," Ashok Pandey, board president, said in a statement in Lucknow.

"Peace will not prevail on earth unless such people are eliminated," he added.

Madhya Pradesh Congress committee minority cell vice-chairman Akthar Baig, in a statement in Indore, said the painter had 'played with the sentiments of the people and tried to disrupt communal harmony in the past by painting nude pictures of Hindu gods and goddess and now of Bharat Mata'.

It would be in the 'interest of the nation if a patriot will chop off his hands. I will give that person Rs 11 lakh', he said.

Baig asked the government to take back all the honours bestowed on the noted painter and declare him a 'traitor'. In an Indore court, Baig had earlier filed a petition against Bollywood actor Dharmendra's purported second marriage to Hema Malini.

KEEP GROWING OR BUST

You've got to continue to grow, or you're just like last night's cornbread--stale and dry.

HAVE YOU EVER WITNESSED AN ANIMAL DOING AN UNUSUAL ACT OF KINDNESS?

bequeen
2/20/2006 10:05 AM

I once saw one squirrel carry another squirrel that had been hit by a car accross a busy intersection to get to the other side. I don't know what he did with the squirrel when he got him where he going because I had to move on, but I will never forget that enlightening experience.



omahamad
2/20/2006 1:56 PM

I witnessed my dog jump up from her sleep, and frantically poke and wake up my girlfriend, who had fallen asleep on the couch.

It seems her blood sugar had fallen so low, and my dog seemed to sense she needed to be roused awake.

SELF REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP - TALK BY SW. NITYANANDJI

Talk By Sw. Nityanandji 16/02/06

I am feeling very happy about seeing you all. I earlier came to Mumbai in 1993. After that again I have come only now. I am very happy to see the vast family of Guruji. Whenever I see the vast family of Guruji it gives me great joy. Guruji spoke just before the Mahasamadhi saying – I am sending loving thoughts to kriya yogis scattered like jewels all over the world. So I am happy to see the jewels of Guruji. Guruji had said – Lord, you have given this monk a large family. I am proud of this large family of Guruji’s.

One out of 1000’s seeks God. So everyone of you here is that one out of thousands. Wherever we go we find Yogoda people are special compared to people of other paths. This is because our goal is just union with God. – God Realization. Our goal is right – we do not seek powers and miracles – only God, hence it is the highest path. To know God and to become one with Him is the biggest achievement you can achieve. You have taken the right decision in selecting this goal. The world is not your home. It is your school. Our lesson is to only realize you are not this body, but a spark of the Infinite. We have often heard this statement, but it sounds shallow without any realization. Knowing that as a reality is our goal. After knowing this there is nothing needed to be known. Guruji never read more than 20 books in his life. Yet he could vanquish great intellectuals in discussions. Knowledge comes not from books but from the soul. Some one realizes the knowledge through his soul and then puts it in the books. The knowledge does not come from books to soul. Hence knowing the soul is supreme knowledge. Because of that Guruji could face great Vedapathis and vanquish them in Shastrarth. That is how he acquired the land of Ranchi.

In those early days Maharaja of Kasimbazar used to hold Shastrarth. He invited Guruji for a Shastrarth. Guruji said, ‘I have not read the Vedas, how can I answer.’ The Maharaja invited him just the same and allowed him to speak from his inner realization. The answers given by the Vedapathis did not impress the King, but Guruji’s answers based on inner Self-realization greatly impressed the King. The one who makes halwa by reading from a recipe is not the one who knows how to make a halwa but the one who makes it as a daily way of life. The knowledge of our path is a proven one. Guruji has taken many along this path, and many such souls are living. We are very fortunate we have found such a path.

Keep only one Guru. So often we become disciples of many Gurus. Guruji used to say about such persons “He who follows many Gurus, follows no Guru.” Such a person follows his ego, not the Guru. His ego says, this is easy, take it, this is more applicable to me, take it and he cannot reach anywhere. Don’t mix any other teaching in the selected teachings that Guruji has given us. Yogoda teachings are complete. No supplementary teaching is required. Mixing other techniques and teachings will dilute your search. When you read from here and there and add then you do not get the same fruits. All you have to do is walk along the path Guruji has given. You can add nothing more to the steps given by Yogoda. You will only spoil it. Guruji has in fact written down the steps to be followed systematically in the form of lessons. If you do 100% as Guru suggests your salvation is guranteed. Then and only then Guruji will say “I take the full responsibility for your progress and for your flaws.” When often drawn to other Guru’s see if the other person’s Guru has achieved God. A true disciple is the disciple of a Sat Guru. One doesn’t just take diksha and becomes a disciple. A true disciple first gets diksha, then by total surrrunder (samarpan) he pleases his Guru, then he achieves God and even then he doesn’t become a Guru. All the presidents of our path are God realized. Daya Ma is God realized. But she has not been selected as a Guru. Just as if you have the required qualifications you do not become a professor in the University. You have to be appointed.
If a disciple could be made to achieve God such a Guru would be considered great. Those who are not Bhagwat prapt (God realized) they cannot do that. Yogoda path Gurus are rishis of this age. Our line of Gurus are all God realized rishis. They were required to bring the ancient science of kriya in this ascending Dwapar Yuga and so our Gurus were appointed.

In 1861 Babaji gave kriya to Lahiri Mahasaya. He said to him, only meditate, do not lecture, or write books, or conduct tours. Lahiri Mahasaya did just that. He wrote no books, did not lecture or conduct tours. He and his disciples created a spiritual vibration in the ether to prepare the background for the next step. Babaji did not give authority to Lahiri Mahasaya to make anyone the Guru. He told him He himself selected Yukteshwarji in the kumbh mela and told him – “Some years hence I shall send you a disciple whom you can train for yoga dissemination in the West.” (Autobiography of a Yogi – Chp.36) Yukteshwarji’s work was to train Guruji. When Guruji was to set out for the west and when doubts assailed him, Yukteshwarji told him that Babaji himself had sent him to be trained and sent to the west and hence he need not worry. He would be successful.

In 1920 the world conditions were such that no one could understand the science of kriya. Guruji used to say – material prosperity must precede spiritual prosperity as ‘bhuke bhajan na hoi gopala’ . America had achieved the material prosperity and so Guruji could convince the topmost authorities of America about the science of kriya. The makers of super computers in ISRO are on this path. Guruji has said it is the highest science known to mankind.
Guruji realized people imitate the Americans as they had greater prosperity, greater success. People therefore imitated the American life style. Hence taking into consideration their busy life styles he formulated the lessons giving the techniques of meditation – something which could be followed by people with busy modern life styles. He did not advocate that we have to leave the world, or go to a jungle or seek seclusion. He taught us to meditate by living in the world and fulfilling our responsibilities at home.

He mentioned all spiritual techniques in the lessons. However most only read the lessons. Hong sau, kriya, om technique has also been mentioned in the Bhagwad Gita. Patanjali has also mentioned kriya. But the technique is mentioned nowhere. If you have to learn something you must normally first find a God realized Guru, then you have to serve him and please him, question him, then request him to give you a technique and if he is a God realized Guru he will be able to give you God. If you just do Gita path you cannot find God. Thus Guruji compiled the kriya technique and gave it in ten lessons. Do not twist the lessons and spoil them. If he said do ‘Hong sau’, don’t do ‘so hum’. Guru’s like our Guru’s are living scriptures, follow them blindly. If they read the Shastras they do it to correct the shastras. If they visit a teerth, it is to purify the teerth.
E.g. “Fix one’s vision on the end of the nose.” This inaccurate interpretation of a Bhagwad Gita stanza ---The true meaning of nasikagram is origin of nose, not end of nose. The nose begins at the point between the two eyebrows, the seat of spiritual vision.” - kutastha. (Autobiography of a Yogi – Chp. 16)

A true Guru is the speaking voice of silent God. He is just an instrument of God. Guruji would often to give lectures. The exhibitions, posters, announcements on radio would have been made stating the topic on which he was to speak and yet when Guruji would go up on stage he would speak on a totally different topic. He would say –“ I do not speak from learning; I have not spoken anything on my own but only from God.” And the talks would be totally appreciated. The voice of YSS is the voice of God. The lessons are with us – they are full of pure knowledge. There is no room for doubt. Hence what is the point in going and attending pravachans of different people. If after practicing the techniques you meditate, you will not only acquire God but also be able to do your duties well. Your will power, intuition will develop. You will get divine guidance, health, peace of mind, intuition.
“Deeply meditating disciples should concentrate on their Guru, or meditate with him if possible. Those who are spiritually advanced do in fact meditate with the guru by visualizing him in the spiritual eye and tuning in with him, whether or not they are in his physical presence. During meditation the spiritual vibration of a great master silently works on lesser yogis who may be meditating with him or who are in tune with him, regardless of distance. It is sufficient for a disciple to think strongly of his guru before meditation. He will then find his meditation on God to be reinforced by the Lord’s power flowing through the direct tangible channel of the guru.” Pg. 603, Chp. 6, Vs. 10.

A yogi does not leave work but takes on more work. Your efficiency increases. He does his meditation early in the morning. He makes work service to God. He doesn’t work for self but for God. He tells God, “you have given me some duties according to my sanskaras. Help me God to perform those duties. God is the doer and master of creation. He runs the whole universe. He tells the devotee “you are made in my image, now you run the little job I have given you.” In the evening place all the work you have done back at his feet. Then go to sleep, why worry about the fruits – it is neither punya, nor papa. We are doing work just to please God. So we are freed. A yogi does his work and gets freed while the others do their work and get tied. Punya is the golden chain and papa is the iron chain. The yogi is freed from both because otherwise you have to come back to earth to receive the fruits of both. Yogi asks for neither fruits. We are depressed when we are worried about the fruits. Be in the world but not of it. Hence do not work for the ego, but for God. The yogi lives like others, works like others, yet doesn’t get attached. God has been maintaining his creation, we have to only do our little given duties with sincerity, with meditation. We are not working for our ego. Thus we get freed from work. This is a simple task. Guruji has given us the path to mukti, but we have to walk on it.

We may have all the techniques but we have excuses. Guruji says God doesn’t listen to excuses. We get a human life with such difficulty. We can do sadhana in only with a human body. We have a human body which even the devtas yearn for. If we don’t do the sadhana after getting a body and after being guided to a great guru we will later repent. Now when man can meditate, he goes around blaming everyone. He says no time. If you are so busy that you have no time for your soul then re-evaluate your busy-ness. Make God important. We do everything food, sleep everything is important. Then we don’t complain. But we complain about no time for meditation. This is because we do not consider it to be so important. Give him importance because He is the King of the universe and in His own creation, man gives him no place, not even for a few minutes. Our work takes us either towards freedom or towards bondage. Guruji says – salvation is in your hands. The decision is in your hands. If we want we can free ourselves. Some complain about karma – how can I do it, my karma is such, I am not spiritually ready as yet. He has the lessons, techniques, diksha, kriya etc. How did he get all this if he did not have enough good karma, if he was not spiritually ready. If he cannot get anyone else to blame, he blames God. I don’t have God’s grace and so I can’t do it. Tulsidasji says such a person is lying. Guruji says – you have all this and yet you don’t meditate. As a result several incarnations will pass away in sorrow and then we may again get another such opportunity of being under the protection of a great God realized Guru. This is because when we were given the chance we did not use the opportunity, then why should we be given such a chance? So don’t wait for that sorrow which will make you meditate. Start now so that sorrow doesn’t come at all. If you seek God, prosperity will seek you. The sea has so much water, and yet the rivers daily pour water into it. Similarly prosperity will walk towards you. It is a good business to go searching for God. If not for your mukti do it as a business. We have everything so do it and if we do God will help us. “God helps those who help themselves.” We were capable of doing this spiritual practice, Guruji found us worthy only then He gave His grace and the techniques. 99% loyalty won’t do. We always say a true guru is required. So also a 100 % true disciple is required. If he has 100% loyalty then salvation is guranteed. One percent less loyalty will not do.
When Guruji first met his Guru, Sri Yukteshwar, Sri Yukteshwarji promised him – “I will give you my hermitages and all I possess.”
Guruji replied
“Sir, I come for wisdom and God-contact. These are your treasure –troves I am after!”
Then Sri Yukteshwarji said, “ I give you my unconditional love.--- Will you give me the same unconditional love?” and Guruji said, “ I will love you eternally.” (AY – Chp 10)

When we know this path is 100% pure and Guruji has taken the responsiblility and Babaji has promised that he will ever be with those who practice kriya.
“Inherent in the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India/ SRF teachings and spiritual techniques are the help and blessings of the YSS line of Gurus. Devotees who conduct their lives according to YSS principles will be blessed with the hidden and open direction of the YSS Gurus.” Paramhansa Yogananda – YSS lessons.
Even after these promises you do not believe and go to someone or the other, who promises shaktipath etc. One cannot just transfer one’s spiritual prowess by shaktipath etc. When Guruji went to the Himalayas in search of God, Sri Yukteshwarji told him – “Many hillmen live in the Himalayas, yet possess no God perception.” ---“Wisdom is sought from a man of realization than from an inert mountain.”
Guruji went to meet Ram Gopal Mazumdar and requested him to grant him Samadhi and Ram Gopal Mazumdar told him, ---“If I gave you the infinite ecstasy right now, you would burn as if every cell were on fire.” If you are not meditating, all your excuses are maya, and maya is nothing but a test of God. We have to show Guruji we will follow him 100%. When Guruji returned to Sri Yukteshwar after a time, and said to him,
“Master, I am here to follow you.” --- Sri Yukteshwarji said, “How can that be? You ignore my wishes.”
”No longer Guruji! Your wish shall be my law!”
“That is better! Now I can assume responsibility for your life.”
“I willingly transfer the burden, Master.” (AY – Chp 12)
So you need to be obedient to the Guru.

Listen to Guruji 100%. We can take time off now, then why not do so. We have intuition, greater efficiency, so now intelligence lies in following Guruji. No one has ever been unsuccessful on this path. Even if you were to die, you would carry with you what you have acquired in this life spiritually. Such a disciple goes to Swarga loka after death through even a little practice of yoga, then he takes birth in a good family, prosperous family or a yogi family – a meditating family. Now he is pulled back on the path of yoga. It is better to practice unsuccessfully than not to practice at all. This is one of those wealth’s which we can carry with us at death. Other material wealth’s we cannot carry, we have to leave behind. Then how is it that we do not have time for the soul – if that is the only thing that goes with us after death and nothing else. Guruji is not even asking you to give up work, family etc. He says anywhere you find time meditate. Remember you have made a pledge before taking the kriya of performing the kriya twice daily. So at least meditate twice. Our moksha is thus not in anyone else’s hand but our own. We have everything with us – Now work - Guruji is with us. I am grateful to you for your patient hearing.

Friday, February 24, 2006

WHO ARE THE SINDHIS

In 1947 before the creation of Pakistan, Sindhi Hindus were a
>>minority community in their own province of Sindh, having no rights
>>or privileges, unlike their Muslim neighbours who were a majority
>>community. Sindhi Hindus and Muslims had lived side by side for
>>hundreds of years with hardly any animosity between them, with the
>>honouring of each other's religions. Most mosques were decorated
>>during Diwali (a Hindu festival) in Sindh. This harmony between
>>Muslims and Hindus came to an end a few months before the
>>Partition, during which the "Muhajirs", who were a politically
>>extreme Muslim organization, migrated from India and forcibly took
>>over the properties of Sindhi Hindus. So began a long and bitter
>>process in history.
>>
>>It was declared by the Government of Sindh, that any land owned by
>>Muslims before 1907 would be given back to them, regardless of
>>Hindu ownership. Sindhis were aware of the potential violence after
>>1947. Places of Hindu worship would be destroyed, and so they
>>wanted to flee before the violence began.>
>>
>>MASS MIGRATION OF SINDHIS TO INDIA
>>
>>On December 21st, 1947, a raid took place in the houses of Hindus
>>starting with Hyderabad. People were thrown into camps awaiting
>>deportation to India. Similar action was organized by Muslims on
>>January 6th 1948 in Karachi and all the Hindus were gathered at the
>>exit camps, for the forced migration to India by road, rail and
>>sea. Hindu Sindhis did not show resistance for their extradition.
>>The eruption of riots and violence in Sind was started by the
>>Muhajirs and encouraged by Punjabi Muslims. Hindu Sindhis were
>>forced to flee with just the clothes that they were wearing and a
>>few personal belongings, often tied up in a bed sheet. Some were
>>fortunate to have the opportunity to sell their belongings on the
>>street. The Sindh government ordered them not to lock their
>>properties before leaving, there was little point in doing so, as
>>the Muslims
>>forced their way in and took possession as ordered by their
>>government. Sindhis fled for their lives to the borders of India to
>>escape get away from the mass killings by the Muslims who were now
>>entering Sind. Some reports even mentioned that women who were at
>>that time in hospital delivering their babies were murdered in cold
>>blood along with their innocent newborns.>
>>
>>REFUGEE IN AN INDIAN CAMP HAVING
>>ARRIVED FROM SINDH.
>>
>>India was now their only hope: A land of freedom and opportunity.
>>On arrival, they found themselves hungry, homeless and unemployed.
>>Employment and food were hard to find and so voluntary support was
>>a necessary part of survival. 11 lakhs (1.1 million) Sindhis
>>migrated to India, aiming to settle down. The government of India
>>set up refugee camps to provide shelter, schooling, medical care,
>>markets, hospitals and other amenities. Some were relieved to be
>>reunited with their families who had been separated in the struggle
>>to leave Sind. It was only despair and bewilderment for those who
>>never found their loved ones. They were unaware of what happened to
>>them and did not know if they were alive or had been killed in
>>Sind. Many refugee families shared the same military camps. In the
>>evening they put up sheets to partition the room into family
>>sections,
>>but for the majority of the day they would cook, eat and wash
>>communally. The conditions were appalling and were unhygienic. Many
>>died of tuberculosis, cholera, and of snake and scorpion bites/poisoning.
>>
>>
>>HEADLINES - HINDUSTAN TIMES
>>SUNDAY, 28 MARCH 1948
>>
>>
>>Those who survived managed to find their own way of feeding their
>>families. They attempted to be employed in any area possible. Soon
>>they started their own businesses and became highly successful
>>business people. Sewing and cooking were the main occupations of
>>Sindhi women in order to earn a living. Food stalls were set up and
>>run by Sindhis. Nevertheless, begging was not considered by Sindhis
>>as a method of making ends meet and they relied on making and
>>selling food and other articles of use. The survival skills they
>>learned made them into one of India's shrewdest business
>>communities. This tradition still continues. In India, the
>>accommodation was too expensive for the common refugee of Sind to
>>buy or rent, so they remained in their military camps for many
>>years. Some time later Bombay housing commissions were set up and
>>run by Sindhis in order
>>to provide affordable accommodation for them to settle down in.
>>Today this community has made the world their home. They have
>>managed to survive the partition and have settled all over the
>>world.
>>
>>Sind, once the home to Hindu Sindhis, no longer exists, except in
>>their memories - hearts and history books of those who left Sind
>>under desperate circumstances. Sindhis were forced to give up their
>>homeland, where their forefathers lived, for the betterment of the
>>whole nation of India. The people of Sind who survived the trauma
>>of partition, have been scattered all over the world. Many lives
>>were lost and many families were split in two. The devastation of
>>the partition was so great that up until now, some of those who had
>>lost touch are still without their loved ones today. It should be
>>remembered that the older members of the Sindhi community, who have
>>witnessed Partition, and who safely and lovingly brought their
>>children through this difficult and dangerous period in history,
>>have learned much from it. There is much to learn from them about
>>how to survive and stay strong.

COMMENT:
>>
>>My Thanks to Sapna Ramnani (UK) for publishing the article and
>>for her excellent Research
>>
>>
>>
>
>

fORTHCOMING VISIT OF MR. BUSH TO INDIA

FOLLOWING LETTER PUBLISHED ON MRS. SONIA GANDHI'S WEB SITE:-

Posted By : SHER SINGH AGRAWAL on Feb 23, 2006 *
Comments :
Dear Madam,
Respected sir,

Referring to the forthcoming visit to India of Mr. Bush, President of USA, I would suggest the following:-

1. Since India is lacking in good universities, kindly include in your agenda for your meeting with Mr. Bush that America make about ten full fledged universities in various parts of India.

This will give the necessary boost in education in India producing well-trained graduates who will be able to work in India, US or anywhere in the world with a good education, good English and progressive outlook to life.

Thank you and with my best wishes,

Yours truly,

SHER SINGH AGRAWAL
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, USA

IDIOTS AND KINGS

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

All men are idiots....I married their king.

IRS: We've got what it takes to take what you've got.

Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off now.

Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs.

Out of my mind...Back in five minutes.

I took an IQ test and the results were negative.

A PIG IS A PIG, A PIG

A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes.
(In my next life, I want to be a pig.)
>>
>>
>>A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves
>>to death! (Creepy)
>>
>>(I'm still not over the pig.)

>>The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached
>>to its body . The female initiates sex by ripping the male's head
>>off.
>>
>>("Honey, I'm home. What the....?!")
The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds.
>>
>>(What could be so tasty on the bottom of a pond?)

>>Some lions mate over 50 times a day.
>>
>>(I still want to be a pig in my next life...quality over quantity)
Butterflies taste with their feet.
>>
>>(Something I always wanted to know.)
The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.

>>(Hmmmmmm......)

>>Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than
>>left-handed people.
>>
>>(If you're ambidextrous, do you split the difference?)
Elephants are the only animals that cannot jump.
>>
>>(okay, so that would be a good thing)
A cat's urine glows under a black light.
>>
>>(I wonder who was paid to figure that out?)
An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
(I know some people like that.)
Starfish have no brains.
(I know some people like that too )
Polar bears are left-handed.
(If they switch, they'll live a lot longer)

Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for
>>pleasure.
>>
>>(What about that pig??)

Thursday, February 23, 2006

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH

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Want to speak good English?

Rukmini Iyer | February 16, 2006

We generally associate language with communication. However, the repercussions of having language skills, or lacking them, go way beyond communication. Our command over the language we communicate in everyday determines how confident we are about presenting ourselves. It even reflects in our body language and self esteem.

Being fluent in English is important, considering it is the universal language of business communication. For those looking to improve their skills, here are a few tips.

*
6 'soft' skills you need for success

Listen

As a baby, you began learning your mother tongue simply by listening and observing. This is the most natural method of learning a language. If you think grammar and rules of syntax bog you down, go back to the primal mode of learning -- listen and observe.

Be alert when you listen to someone speaking English, be it at your workplace, at a party or on television. Watch out for common expressions and usages. If you are able to grasp regularly used ways of greeting and small talk, you will be able to initiate speaking more confidently. Start noting simple things: If you meet someone at a party, do you always end up saying, 'Hi! Nice meeting you...'?

How about introducing variations here? Observe how others talk and try varying your greeting. Why not try saying 'How do you do?' or 'How are you doing?' Greetings and introduction lines may seem trivial, but if you are not fluent in a language, you often tend to avoid even these, thus ending all prospects of communication. If you can break this barrier, you can take your first step into the realm of English speaking.

*
How to improve your listening skills

Read

While listening to English speakers definitely helps, it is important to read if you wish to expedite the process of improving. Most people are put off by this because they associate reading with big, literary books. However, what we are talking about is reading anything and everything written in correct English. Therefore, your range of choices could extend from comic strips to newspaper articles, gadget manuals to movie reviews.

While reading, try and get a feel of the language and usage of words. More importantly, note the use of articles (a, an, the) and prepositions (in, on, at, from, into, over, under, etc) as these are areas where the most common errors are committed.

*
3 golden rules of communication

Improve your vocabulary

We are not asking you to learn the dictionary by rote! Can you commit yourself to learning two new words a day? You could come across these anywhere -- while reading, on a news channel, on a sign at the shopping mall, on a billboard, etc. Make the effort to look up the exact meaning of the word in the dictionary, instead of adopting the easier route of understanding the meaning from the context.

If possible, maintain a book where you can note down the new words everyday, along with the context, so you remember them better. Write down the dictionary meaning and also frame a sentence using the word, so it is now registered in your memory. Go through this book periodically to refresh your memory and use the words in your conversations, emails and letters. A few minutes each way, coupled with an eye for observation and an ear for new words is all it takes to improve your vocabulary.

You could also subscribe to services like dictionary.com that will e-mail a new word every day; this mail will include both the dictionary meanings and usage in sentences.

*
10 tips to improve spoken English

Prepare for small talk

Speaking English fluently is not just about making corporate presentations and giving long speeches. It is about expressing your views on the most mundane of things. How often do you meet a new person and face an awkward silence after the initial greeting because you don't know what to talk about? Worse, you may wish to initiate a conversation but may not be confident of putting something across correctly.

The ability to make small talk is very important in business and social conversations. Topics for casual conversation could include the weather, sports, current affairs, arts, hobbies, travel, etc. Read up on your area of interest and try framing sentences expressing your opinions. Talk about it with someone close to you so you can check for grammatical accuracy.

Then, gradually build up on your repertoire of conversational topics and start using them whenever you get a chance. Of course, when you talk, do not make it sound like a speech you have learnt by heart. Induce a casual tone and adapt to the occasion.

*
Party networking etiquette

Make mistakes

Can you learn swimming by standing at the edge of the pool? You have to take the plunge, right? It is the same with language. Unless you use the language, you will never know how good you are at it.

Ask a few people close to you who are good at English to help. Make them interrupt you whenever you make a mistake and ask them to correct you. Be open to feedback. Do not be embarrassed to make mistakes, for that is the only way you will learn. That is how the process of acquiring fluency a language occurs. As a child, you may have made a lot of mistakes before getting a good grasp of your mother tongue. The only difference now is that you are conscious of the mistakes.

Books on grammar are a good supplement to strengthen your command over the language. The good old Wren and Martin for grammar and Word Power by Norman Louis for vocabulary should also help. A lot of web sites including EnglishPage, Grammar Book, Better-English, etc will help you augment your skills.

Finally, all you need is a will to learn and the initiative to begin. That done, it is simply a matter of time and effort!

Rukmini Iyer is a corporate trainer and instructional designer. She writes regularly on business etiquette, communication, language enhancement and grooming.

DON'T MISS!

Encouragement

Eleanor Porter said, "Instead of always harping on a man's faults, tell him of his virtues. Try to pull him out of his rut of bad habits. Hold up to him his better self, his real self that can dare and do and win out."
If it works for children I am sure it works just the same for adults. Try it out on your husband, your wife, and in your workplace. There is immense power in encouragement -- power to make a real difference..!

It is He who does it all, anyway

My suffering comes when I see those who blindly cling to their faults and weaknesses, and do not let go and let God take charge of their lives. That you must do, if you would achieve Self-Realization. Trust more in God, believe more in God, accept God; believe in Him who can right every wrong that has been done to you. You don’t have to defend yourself; let God be your defender.



—Sri Daya Mata, “The Secret of Forgiving,” from Self-Realization magazine, spring 1973.

Ethnicity of Indians in the USA

1. Mixed Ethnicity Growing Common Among the Indian Community

www.littleindia.com

USA, January 15, 2006: (HPI note: This long and informative article by Lavina Melwani is subtitled "One in nine Indian-Americans is biracial.")

Genetics is their football and they are out to smash all stereotypes. Races meet and merge in their faces. Long Indian eyelashes cover eyes of pristine blue; glowing ebony skin mixes with Caucasian features. Think Halle Berry, think Tiger Woods, think Saira Mohan, think Lisa Ray, Sarita Chowdhury. These are the faces of the future, faces where cultures and races blend, where different essences combine to create a new fragrance haunting but you're never quite sure of what it is. Musk? Attar? Tuberoses? Or a mix of all? Welcome to the brave new world of children of intercultural unions, families that defy the old rules -- hopscotching over national borders, crisscrossing cultures and a babble of languages to create a new race, a new reality. It's almost as if the great showman in the sky, sitting in his dir ector's chair and bored with the same old, same old, is experimenting and bringing some pizzazz to the leela or celestial play. Biracial marriages, barred by law in 16 states just 40 years ago, are now commonplace in America, and the 2000 Census recorded more than 6.8 million multiracial Americans. What will surprise Indian Americans, however, is that they at the front of the ranks. According to the 2000 US census, 220,000 Indians -- almost 12 percent of the total Indian population of 1.9 million -- identified themselves as multiracial, i.e. they listed themselves as Indian and one other racial group, which is five times the national average of 2.4 percent. Nationwide, almost 2.5 percent of all Whites, 4.8 percent of Blacks and 14 percent of Asians identified themselves as multiracial.

For the complete article with many interviews, click "source" above.

3. Seeing God in Everyone: A Practical Application

www.hinduvoice.co.uk

LONDON, ENGLAND, February 19, 2006: HPI note: The second issue of the on-line magazine Hindu Voice carried this inspiring story titled, "Hinduism on the London Underground" by Ritesh Jigani:

Standing on a packed train on the way home from university, I was feeling terrible. It had been a hard week, I was annoyed with several colleagues, the train had been delayed and everybody nearby seemed to be coughing and sneezing on me! In the rush to get onto the train people were barging each other and getting into heated arguments. I was feeling erratic, as if I would hit someone at the slightest provocation. As all this frustration and anger was swirling around in my head, I started thinking about what advice Hinduism could give me in a situation like this. I started contemplating advice that I had heard during lectures, or read from books. Recalling some helpful anecdotes from a talk I'd attended in the past, I felt better. It quickly occurred to me tha t it wasn't justifiable for me to be so angry and frustrated. People die of starvation or lose their loved ones to terrorism, on an almost daily basis. By comparison, I had little to complain about. Then I thought about the concept of indwelling God, the idea that every person has a portion of the divine residing within him or her. Up until then I'd been growing increasingly annoyed at the people standing around me. But now I tried to think of God's presence in all of these people. Slowly my anger began to subside. Already I had come a long way towards restored sanity, the result of a few minutes of positive thinkin

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Preacher and the taxi driver

A preacher and a taxi driver arrived at the pearly gate. After some time someone appeared and took the taxi driver in heaven. The preacher waited for a while and then knocked at the door. Someone opened the door and told him to wait. Again after a long wait the preacher knocked at the gate and the Dharmraj came out. The preacher by now was very mad and said to Dharamraj that I have been preaching all my life giving people good messages about God and religion. How come you allowed the taxi driver in Heaven and would not allow me in.

The Dharmraj explained that while you were preaching people were sleeping but when the taxi driver drove everyone was praying.

ZERO TO TWO HUNDRED

Zero to 200

A couple had been debating the purchase of a new auto for weeks. He wanted a new truck. She wanted a fast little sports-like car so she could zip through traffic around town. He would probably have settled on any beat up old truck, but everything she seemed to like was way out of their price range.

"Look!" she said. "I want something that goes from 0 to 200 in 4 seconds or less. And my birthday is coming up. You could surprise me."

So, for her birthday, he bought her a brand new bathroom scale.

Services will be at Downing Funeral Home on Monday the 12th. Due to the condition of the body, this will be a closed casket service. Please send your donations to the "Think Before You Say Things To Your Wife Foundation," Dallas, Texas.

Non-veggies, come back to reality!

New Vegetarians..!

With the bird flu causing a mighty scare throughout the country, my neighbor Susan yelled across the fence she would like to go veggy shopping with me, “Sure,” I said thrilled she had chosen me and not others in the neighborhood who would have been more than happy to have escorted her. We entered the vegetarian store and I saw Susan looking a little out of sorts. “What’s wrong?” I asked anxiously.

“They know I don’t belong here,” she whispered, “it shows all over me!”

“Nonsense,” I said, “you look quite a veg to me, as genuine as a cauliflower!”

“You sure?”

“Never more right,” I said cheerfully, “doesn’t the lady look as cool as a cucumber?” I asked the storekeeper.

“You guys don’t belong here,” said a pimply looking fellow who was carrying a pumpkin in his cart.

“Don’t belong here?” I laughed, “Why? Do I need to have a club membership to shop veg?”

“These are non- vegetarians!” shouted the pimply-faced fellow.

“Look,” I whispered, “maybe there’s no need to make it too obvious.”

“Non-vegetarians!” shouted a crowd running towards us.

“Why you come here?” asked a woman with a foreign accent.

“The same reason as you came here,” I said politely.

“I like to eat veg!”

“Good for you,” I said and looked at Susan, “she says she likes to eat veg!”
”What you eat?” asked the same lady.

“Any thing,” I said, “I’m not too particular you know.”

“You are non- vegetarian,” said the pimply fellow.

“Lets get out of here,” whispered Susan holding my arm.

“Look,” I said looking at the crowd, “Maybe we can shop, and you can leave us alone?”

“No!”

“Lets get out of here,” said Susan and I felt her fingernails dig into me.

“No,” I said, “nobody has a right to bully us like this. Get out of our way,” I told the crowd.

“No,” said the pimply fellow.

“No,” said the lady with a foreign accent.

“No,” roared the crowd.

“So what do you want to do?” I asked.

“Shop with you!” roared the pimply fellow and the foreign lady and the rest of the crowd.

“Why?” I whispered.

“Because, we are all non vegetarians and we don’t know what to buy!”

“Aha!” I said as I felt Susan’s hand relax, “that there is a tomato!”

“That is an orange sir,” said the storekeeper.

“And those are carrots!”

“Ladies finger sir!” said the storekeeper, and I watched aghast as Susan slipped away with the rest of the crowd. I buried my face in a basket of garlic.

“Not garlic, onions sir..!” said the storekeeper and watched me cry.

Something, something

Today's Quote

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

-Jose Addison

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT INDIA?

INDIA FACTS :

The official Sanskrit name for India is Bharat.

INDIA has been called Bharat even in Satya yuga ( Golden Age )

Â

More INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT India

The name `India’ is derived from the River Indus, the valleys around which were the home of the early settlers. The Aryan worshippers referred to the river Indus as the Sindhu.

 The Persian invaders converted it into Hindu. The name `Hindustan’ combines Sindhu and Hindu and thus refers to the land of the Hindus.

Â

The number system was invented by India. Aryabhatta was the scientist who invented the digit zero.
Â


Sanskrit is considered as the mother of all higher languages. This is because it is the most precise, and therefore suitable language for computer software. ( a report in Forbes magazine, July 1987 ).


Chess was invented in India.

Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus are studies which originated in India.

The' place value system' and the 'decimal system' were developed in 100 BC in India.

The first six Mogul Emperor's of India ruled in an unbroken succession from father to son for two hundred years, from 1526 to 1707.

The World's First Granite Temple is the Brihadeswara temple at Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu. The shikhara is made from a single ' 80-tonne ' piece of granite. Also, this magnificient temple was built in just five years, (between 1004 AD and 1009 AD)Â during the reign of Rajaraja Chola

India is.......the Largest democracy in the world, the 6th largest country in the world AND one of the most ancient and living civilizations (at least 10, 000 years old).Â

The game of snakes & ladders was created by the 13th century poet saint Gyandev. It was originally called 'Mokshapat.' The ladders in the game represented virtues and the snakes indicated vices. The game was played with cowrie shells and dices. Later through time, the game underwent several modifications but the meaning is the same i.e good deeds take us to heaven and evil to a cycle of re-births.

The world's highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh.
Built in 1893 after levelling a hilltop, this cricket pitch is 2444 meters above sea level.
Â

India has the most post offices in the world !

The largest employer in the world is the Indian railway system, employing over a million people !. Â Â

The World's first university was established in Takshila in 700 BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.

Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. The father of medicine, Charaka, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.

Although modern images & descriptions of India often show poverty, India was one of the richest countries till the time of British in the early 17th Century. Christopher Columbus was attracted by India's wealth and was looking for route to India when he discovered America by mistake.

The art of Navigation & Navigating was born in the river Sindh 6000 over years ago. The very word 'Navigation' is derived from the Sanskrit word NAVGATIH. The word navy is also derived from the Sanskrit word 'Nou'.

Bhaskaracharya rightly calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. His calculations was - Time taken by earth to orbit the sun: ( 5th century ) 365.258756484 days.

The value of "pi" was first calculated by the Indian Mathematician Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century, which was long before the European mathematicians.

Algebra, trigonometry and calculus also orignated from India. Quadratic equations were used by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 106 whereas Hindus used numbers as big as 10*53 ( i.e 10 to the power of 53 ) with specific names as early as 5000 B.C. during the Vedic period. Even today, the largest used number is Tera: 10*12( 10 to the power of 12 ).

 Until 1896, India was the only source for diamonds to the world. ( Source . Gemological Institute of America )

The Baily Bridge is the highest bridge in the world. It is located in the Ladakh valley between the Dras and Suru rivers in the Himalayan mountains. It was built by the Indian Army in August 1982.

Sushruta is regarded as the father of surgery. Over 2600 years ago Sushrata & his team conducted complicated surgeries like cataract, artificial limbs, cesareans, fractures, urinary stones and also plastic surgery and brain surgeries.

Â

Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India medicine. Detailed knowledge of anatomy, embryology, digestion, metabolism, physiology, etiology, genetics and immunity is also found in many ancient Indian texts.

Build me a bridge, oh Lord!

Build Me a Bridge

A man walking along a California beach was deep in prayer. Suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, "Because you have TRIED to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."

The man said, "Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can drive over anytime I want."The Lord said, "Your request is very materialistic. Think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking. The supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific! The concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that would honor and glorify me."

The man thought about it for a long time. Finally he said, "Lord, I wish that I could understand my wife. I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says ‘nothing's wrong,’ and how I can make a woman truly happy."

The Lord replied, "You want two lanes or four on that bridge?"

Saturday, February 18, 2006

More badly needed houses/residential quarters

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Delhi: HC orders closure of banquet halls

February 17, 2006 18:59 IST

The Delhi High Court Friday ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to close down all banquet halls functioning in the capital's residential areas. "Running of banquet halls are a perennial source of nuisance for residents, besides causing traffic congestion in the city, and they should go forthwith," a Division Bench of Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma ruled.

The court clarified that Thursday's Supreme Court order on dismantling commercial structures in residential areas would apply to banquet halls as well.

The directions were given while dealing with a public interest litigation complaining about the functioning of commercial farmhouses in the city. The Bench observed that it was not only farmhouses but scores of banquet halls which have surfaced in residential areas illegally, causing severe hardships to the general public.
Hence, it asked the MCD to take immediate steps to close down such halls. Earlier, the court reiterated that no farmhouses would be allowed to organise commercial activities if the approach road was less that 60 feet wide. Justice Jain refused to buy the argument of the MCD and some farmhouse-owners that the 60-feet width should be computed between two buildings.
7333: The Latest News on Your Mobile!

BADLY NEEDED RESIDENTIAL QUARTERS/BUILDINGS

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Home > News > PTI



Delhi: HC orders closure of banquet halls

February 17, 2006 18:59 IST

The Delhi High Court Friday ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to close down all banquet halls functioning in the capital's residential areas. "Running of banquet halls are a perennial source of nuisance for residents, besides causing traffic congestion in the city, and they should go forthwith," a Division Bench of Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma ruled.

The court clarified that Thursday's Supreme Court order on dismantling commercial structures in residential areas would apply to banquet halls as well.

The directions were given while dealing with a public interest litigation complaining about the functioning of commercial farmhouses in the city. The Bench observed that it was not only farmhouses but scores of banquet halls which have surfaced in residential areas illegally, causing severe hardships to the general public.
Hence, it asked the MCD to take immediate steps to close down such halls. Earlier, the court reiterated that no farmhouses would be allowed to organise commercial activities if the approach road was less that 60 feet wide. Justice Jain refused to buy the argument of the MCD and some farmhouse-owners that the 60-feet width should be computed between two buildings.

BADLY NEEDED RESIDENTIAL QUARTERS/BUILDINGS

Latest News on mobile: sms NEWS to 7333

Home > News > PTI



Delhi: HC orders closure of banquet halls

February 17, 2006 18:59 IST

The Delhi High Court Friday ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to close down all banquet halls functioning in the capital's residential areas. "Running of banquet halls are a perennial source of nuisance for residents, besides causing traffic congestion in the city, and they should go forthwith," a Division Bench of Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma ruled.

The court clarified that Thursday's Supreme Court order on dismantling commercial structures in residential areas would apply to banquet halls as well.

The directions were given while dealing with a public interest litigation complaining about the functioning of commercial farmhouses in the city. The Bench observed that it was not only farmhouses but scores of banquet halls which have surfaced in residential areas illegally, causing severe hardships to the general public.
Hence, it asked the MCD to take immediate steps to close down such halls. Earlier, the court reiterated that no farmhouses would be allowed to organise commercial activities if the approach road was less that 60 feet wide. Justice Jain refused to buy the argument of the MCD and some farmhouse-owners that the 60-feet width should be computed between two buildings.

Why God never....

Why God Never Received Tenure at Any University

1. He only had one major publication.
2. It was in Hebrew.
3. It had no references.
4. It wasn't published in a referred journal.
5. Some even doubt He wrote it Himself.
6. It may be true that He created the world, but what has He done since then?
7. His cooperative efforts have been quite limited.
8. The scientific community has had a hard time replicating His results.
9. He never applied to the Ethics Board for permission to use human subjects.
10. When one experiment went awry, He tried to cover it up by drowning the subjects.
11. When subjects didn't behave as predicted, He deleted them from the sample.
12. He rarely came to class, just told students to read the book.
13. Some say He had His son teach the class.
14. He expelled His first two students for learning.
15. Although there were only ten requirements, most students failed His tests.
16. His office hours were infrequent and usually held on a mountaintop.

God's Dance!

......
Really frustrated now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato chips.

Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn't open. I tried again. Nothing happened. I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty.

It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help. Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage: an opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the
process!

I stared. I fumed. Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile.

Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced. Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.

Has God ever stomped on your chips? I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up and clean up the mess.

What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all. Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all.

Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer the way he did. Do I trust Him? Even when he's answering my prayers in a way that is completely different from my expectations? Even when he's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping:?

How true isn’t it? God’s answers to our prayers could be a dance to bring a smile back to our faces..!

Friday, February 17, 2006

WHO SHOULD MAKE THE COFFEE

Who Should Make the Coffee?

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning.

The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee."

The husband said, "You are in charge of the cooking around here so you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides it says in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."

Husband replies, "I can't believe that! Show me."

So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says, "HEBREWS."

BENEFITS OF TITHING

Shipwrecked

There were two men shipwrecked on this island. The minute they got on to the island one of them started screaming and yelling, "We're going to die! We're going to die! There's no food! No water! We're going to die!"

The second man was propped up against a palm tree and acting so calmly it drove the first man crazy. "Don't you understand?!? We're going to die!!"

The second man replied, "You don't understand, I make $100,000 a week."

The first man looked at him quite dumbfounded and asked, "What difference does that make?!? We're on an island with no food and no water! We're going to DIE!!!"

The second man answered, "You just don't get it. I make $100,000 a week and I tithe ten percent on that $100,000 a week. My pastor will find me!"
This news arrived on: 02/07/2006

Donald Trump sayeth...

Today's Quote

As long as you’re going to be thinking anyway, THINK BIG.

-Donald Trump

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Courage and its forms

“Courage comes in many forms, but to turn ones enemies into friends is one of the greatest!”

RAHIMAN YA MAN KI VYATHA MAN HI RAAKHO GOY...

RAHIM

Of all the stories I have heard, read or seen on TV etc. whether imagined or from history, the one which has impressed me most is the one about Rahim. Many of you, Indians, must have read Rahim's dohe, in your school books. Anyhow first the story:

King Akbar became the king at the young age of 14 years and since a 14 year old boy could not handle the kingdom, his guru and mentor Bairam Khan,looked after the throne. He also trained the young man the art of fighting, politics and everything whatever he will need in his future life as a King.

When Akbar reached maturity, i.e. he was 18 he became the full fledged king. After some time Bairam Khan felt that the new king, whom he trained, did not always treat him so well. So he felt slighted on many occasions. He therefore started complaing to other courtiers that 'look at this boy, I trained him, etc. and how he is treating me now.

The courtiers sympathized with Bairam Khan; however, they were no friend of him and had their own grudges against the latter when he was the acting king. So, they told him: well, what is that boy; he is nothing; you trained him and you can revolt and become the king yourself. This has always happened in history.

So, Bairam Khan revolted and lost. He was caught and as in cases of revolt against the king, he was sentenced to death by the military court. However, the final verdict and seal of approval had to be given by King Akbar.

When Bairam Khan was brought in front of Akbar, Akbar never forgot how Bairam Khan had trained him and looked after his kingdom and all he had done for Akbar when he was only a boy. So, king Akbar told Bairam Khan that I set you free which stunned all the courtiers who were very disappointed that he was not going to be hanged in order for them to settle the old score in their hearts.

Akbar then asked him what he wanted to do. Bairam Khan said that he wanted to go to Haj. Akbar immediately ordered that he be given large sum of money, ordered horses, camels and soldiers to go with him, to safeguard him.

While en route, in Afghanistan the caravan was attacked by the Afghan wayfarers and in the ensuing fight, Bairam Khan was killed. So the caravan returned back to Agra with the wife of Bairam Khan who was pregnant at that time.

When Akbar heard the news, he felt very disappointed. He immediately had a palace built for his guru and mentor's wife. When a son was born, the celebrations took place as for a prince and he was named ABDUR RAHIM KHAN KHANA.

When the boy attained maturity, he was made a courtier with high salary. However, Rahim was a Krishn Devotee and he was a contempoorary of Tulsi Dasji whom he met on several occasions and saved many cows from being slaughtered.

Whatever salary he got as a Minister, he used to distribute it to whoever came to his door. There were some people who will first take the donation from one door and then go to the next door and again take the money.

One of his colleagues once remarked:

Raj Kumarji, what is this ada of you that jyon jyon kar oonche karo tyon tyon neeche nain. (Prince, what is this style of yours that as your hands go up, your eyes go down).

RAHIM replied: DEWAN HARO AUR HAI DEWAT HAI DIN RAIN; LOG NA BHRAM HAM PAR KAREIN, TATE NEECHE NAIN. (Somebody else is the giver and he gives day and nite; by mistake people may not think that I am the giver, that's why my eyes are lowered).

Another instance in Rahim's life. He was sent to suppress some small nawab who had revolted against the King. Rahimji went there with the army but then he got a message from the nawab that he wanted to make a settlement and not fight anymore. But this was only a ploy and he wanted to kill Rahimji when he came to meet him.

As Rahimji proceeded, on the gates he saw Krishna Bhagwan blocking his way who told him to go back and he returned back and he fought and won; thus his life was saved.

Another story about a young man who approached Rahimji and told him that he was deeply in love with a beautiful girl. But that girl wanted one lakh rupees before she will marry him. Rahimji gave him two lakhs and told him that if she had a lakh, and if you will not have a lakh or more, she will not respect you.

Rahim had many good days and also some bad days, especially because of jealous courtiers who were always talking against him to the king.

At last he reached his final destination of this life and a big mausoleum was made in his honour as was the case for the important people in the king's court.

After several years another courtier died and they started to build a mausoleum for him. A kind of red stone which was used in these tombs and which came from Jaipur was not available at that time. So, one of the courtiers suggested to the other that why not take the stone from Rahim's tomb and use it in the tomb for the newly deceased.

This idea was accepted and they removed the stones from Rahim's tomb and started to use it for the new one. Then one day a courtier said to others, my God, this fellow Rahim is donating even after he is dead.

Some dohe of RFAHIMJI:

RAHIMAN DHAGA PREM KA MAT TODO CHATKAY; TOOTE SE FIR NAA JUDAI, JUDAI GHANTH PAD JAAY.

(Do not break the thread of love very hard; if broken, then it cannot be joined; and if joined there is a knot in it.)

AAWAT HI HARSHE NAHIN PAAS LEY BAITHAY, RAHIMAN TEHAN NA JAAIYE, KANCHAN BARSAY MAAHEI. (If the person doesn't become happy to see you and ask you to sit near him, do not go to that person, even though the diamonds are raining there).

RAHIMAN YA MAN KI VYATHA, MAN HI RAAKHO GOY; SUN ITHLAIYEIN LOG SAB BAANT NA LAIYE KOY. (Rahimji says that the sorrow which you have in your heart, keep it in your heart only; do not tell people, because when they will hear it, they will be very happy in their hearts to see you in trouble, and they won't share your suffering anyways.)

RAHIMAN YA SANSAR MEIN KAR LEEJE DO KAAM; DENE KO TUKDA BHALA, LENE KO HARI NAAM.

(Rahimji says that in this world, do two things: to give, give a piece (of whatever you have), to take, take God's name).

HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME?

Too Much is Too Much

A fellow was very much in love with a beautiful girl. One day she told him that the next day was her birthday. He told her he would send her a bouquet of roses... one for each year of her life.

That evening he called the local florist and ordered twenty-one roses with instructions that they be delivered first thing the next morning.

As the florist was preparing the order, he decided that since the young man was such a good customer, he would put an extra dozen roses in the bouquet.

The fellow never did find out what made the young girl so angry with him.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

STATISTICIAN'S ANSWERING MACHINE

Answering Machine

Hello, this is probably 438-9012, yes, the house of the famous statistician. I'm probably not at home, or not wanting to answer the phone, most probably the latter, according to my latest calculations. Supposing that the universe doesn't end in the next 30 seconds, the odds of which I'm still trying to calculate, you can leave your name, phone number, and message, and I'll probably phone you back. So far the probability of that is about 0.645. Have a nice day.

SOME ONE LINERS

I believe in life before death.

God, protect me from your followers.

If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

The Lord giveth.....the IRS taketh away.

God loves you whether you like it or not.

God give me patience and make it quick.

God is dead. - Neitze. "nEITZE IS DEAD" - GOD

Witches parking only. All others will be toad.

Jesus loves you but I am his favorite.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

MOTHER TERESA IN HEAVEN WITH GOD

The first day of Mother Teresa in heaven she and God had tinned tuna fish sandwich for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mother Teresa looked down at hell where they were all feasting and eating and drinking to their heart's content and having a great time.

But every day she shared the same meal with God, tuna fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Finally, she asked God why she had made so many sacrifices to get to heaven when down below they were having a great variety of food and drink. God replied: "Well, for just two people, it's hardly worthwhile going to all the trouble of cooking a real meal, is it?"



(The above is an input from one of my close friends! From the above story, it appears to me that only Mother Teresa went to heaven; the rest of us didn't deserve to be there.!)

Wife to husband

Have I ever told you how intelligent you are when you agree with me?

HOW TO DEAL WITH A LAWYER

Dealing With a Lawyer

A new York Divorce Lawyer died and arrived at the pearly gates. Saint Peter asks him "What have you done to merit entrance into Heaven?" The Lawyer thought a moment, then said, "A week ago, I gave a quarter to a homeless person on the street." Saint Peter asked Gabriel to check this out in the record, and after a moment Gabriel affirmed that this was true.

Saint Peter said, "Well , that's fine, but it's not really quite enough to get you into Heaven." The Lawyer said, "Wait Wait! There's more! Three years ago I also gave a homeless person a quarter." Saint Peter nodded to Gabriel, who after a moment nodded back, affirming this, too, had been verified.

Saint Peter then whispered to Gabriel, "Well, what do you suggest we do with this fellow?"

Gabriel gave the Lawyer a sidelong glance, then said to Saint Peter,

"Let's give him back his 50 cents and tell him to go to Hell."
This news arrived on: 02/09/2006

HH SRI S RAVI SHANKAR SAYETH

Srinivasarao : Guruji, Why do I do those things I do not want to? Where from these impulses are coming from? How to handle this conflict?

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Conflict arises in mind, do meditation. that will resolve the answer

NEWS FROM CHANDIGARH!

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Chandigarh has over 4000 millionaires

Onkar Singh in Chandigarh | February 13, 2006 19:00 IST
Last Updated: February 13, 2006 20:20 IST

The little sleepy beautiful city of Chandigarh, once known for its Rock Garden and retired citizens, has traveled a long-way to emerge as one of India's richest cities.

With multi-national companies setting shop, the very contours of the city have gone through sea change. So much so that out of a population of over 900,000 Chandigarh boasts of having more than 4000 crorepatis (millionaires).

"The number has doubled in the last five years and it is still growing. In the next five years we would have approximately 30 per cent of the total population in this category," A C Zulka, a professor of the Punjab University, who has conducted several surveys on this matter, told rediff.com.

According to him out of every ten thousand households 700 have an average income of Rs 50 lakhs (Rs 5 million) and above. The per capita income of a Chandigarh resident ranges between Rs 20,000 and 25,000." The figures could be astonishing but they are true," he said.

"There are more than five hundred Mercedes cars in the city. Some of the households have as many as four to five cars. You name a flashy and swanky car that is in the market and you would find them in good numbers in the city," said Rakesh Talwar owner of the Talwar Jewellers.

What happened in the last five years that the city managed to churn out so many multi-millionaires?

"Majority of them have come from places like Ludhiana, Jallandhar, Himachal Pradesh and Harayana and settled down here as they find it easy to operate from here and live in a stylish manner," explained Pramod Kumar, director of the Institute for Development and Communication.

The growth of the information technology sector has brought about a drastic change in the over all development of the city, said Kumar.

"A Dubai based company has been given the contract for developing other cities around Chandigarh and hence the property prices have shot up many folds in places like Mohali and Zeerakhpur.

"The farmers who have sold their lands for whooping sums are loaded with money. They show off by throwing dance and dinner parties for the elite class in order to build up their contacts. Sale of expensive liquor has increased substantially," said Talwar.

The number of jewellers in the city has multiplied many folds in last ten years. "(Earlier) people hardly cared to buy something expensive like jewellery. But that has changed as well and the people are coming to buy gold and jewelleries.

With retail food chains like Nath's and Halidram's opening joints in the city, the culture of eating out is growing as well.

"People like to spend thousands of rupees on buying a pair of good shoes or clothes of their choices. Jewellers are real crorepatis of the city," said Zulka.

Mother Teresa sayeth

Today's Quote

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

-Mother Teresa

Monday, February 13, 2006

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Seven Quotes by Abe
===================

Today is Abraham Lincoln's birthday.
Below are seven of his quotes.

If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?

No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's
consent.

Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?

You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your
grandfather was.

Whatever you are, be a good one.

Nearly all men can stand adversity,
but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery,
I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

~Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)~

Sunday, February 12, 2006

ASH-ABHISHEK JODI NO. 1

ASH-ABHISHEK JODI NO. 1



It refers to media-reports speculating on a possible marriage-alliance of Aishwarya Roy and Abhishek Bachchan! An opinion-poll if conducted on the news-item will definitely reveal it to be a perfect match made for each other! Not only as husband-wife couple, one and only one Aishwarya Roy will be the most suited daughter-in-law to millennium’s super-star Big B Amitabh Bachchan and his great wife Jaya Bachchan!

Saturday, February 11, 2006

LAST AND FIRST STEP

The Last Step
=============

The last step out of here

...is the first step into there.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

DYING STARS - INDIAN SCIENTISTS TRIO

Home > National Network
Indian physics trio rewrites singularity, death of stars
Stars don’t die the way Einstein said they do
RESHMA PATIL
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Posted online: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 at 0214 hours IST

MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 7: From Room A-255 at Mumbai’s Land’s End, a bold new idea that questions the fundamental physics of a dying star four to five times the mass of our sun—as Albert Einstein knew it—has come to international notice. The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), located at Land’s End, terms the idea ‘‘an achievement that proved to be an elusive dream for Einstein’’— to unify the forces of gravity and quantum mechanics. And, on January 27, the work made it to the international journal, Physical Review Letters.

The trio of cosmologists who think Einstein would be ‘‘amused’’ are Pankaj Joshi, a physics professor who has studied dying stars for two decades at TIFR; Rituparno Goswami, a 30-yr-old TIFR doctoral student who got past his PhD viva last week; and Parampreet Singh (30) of the University of Pennsylvania.

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A year after they bonded over physics at a Jaipur conference, the trio has proposed that the dramatic end of such a dying star is explosively different from theories that classical physics has stood by since Einstein.

‘‘It’s an exciting development at the very foundation of all of black hole physics,’’ says Joshi. ‘‘Our test predicts that a dying, shrinking star of a mass four or five times more than the Sun, goes dim. In its last microseconds, it throws away all its matter in an explosive burst that can be observed like a flash or fireball.’’

That’s not how Einstein’s classical theories described it. Rather, the general theory of relativity predicts that these stars, instead of exploding, would turn into a naked singularity—a very dense region where a spoonful of matter weighs infinitely heavy.

But when the team applied laws of quantum gravity to Einstein’s model, there was no naked singularity. ‘‘We had not anticipated a star burst of radiation,’’ says Joshi. ‘‘We have not solved the problem or got details of the emissions, which could be super-energy cosmic rays or gamma rays. But what we predict can be a good test for quantum gravity.’’ This proposed experimental test for quantum gravity is the first step to unify the forces of gravity that rule the universe and the quantum forces that govern the atomic world.

‘‘The team claims the phenomenon will be observable, that makes it exciting,’’ says TIFR Director Shobo Bhattacharya. ‘‘Understanding collapsing stars is part of frontier physics."