Wednesday, January 31, 2007

LAHORE - CITY FOUNDED BY LUV, SON OF LORD RAM

TAMPERING WITH RAMAR PALAM



Religious sentiments of majority Hindus should not be crushed by trying to crack ancient ‘Ramar Palam’, the bridge said to have been established by Lord Ram. Presence of many old structures throughout Indian sub-continent proves existence of what is stated in epic Ramayana. It is certain that Union government would not have allowed any tampering of a religious structure if it would have been related to some minority religion.



Even Pakistan government has acknowledged existence of Ramayana in tourist-booklet issued by Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) where a mention has been made that its city Lahore was named after its founder Luv, the son of Lord Ram.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

WHAT'S IN A NAME, OR THE SECRET OF NAMES

The Secret of Surnames...from a village near Patna

A guy from Bihar was away from his family for about 4 years
while his wife was in a village near Patna. At the end of 4 years he distributed
sweets to his colleagues in office stating that his wife had delivered a
son............
His colleagues were quite shocked and they asked how this "happy event"
happened when he had not seen his wife for four years... The man said it is
common in Bihar that neighbors take care of the wife (good Samaritans) when men
are away.The colleagues asked him," What name will you give to the son?
"The man explained, " If its the second neighbor who has taken care, then
the name would be DWIVEDI;
If it is the third neighbor then it would be TRIVEDI,
If it is the fourth neighbor then it would be CHATURVEDI;
If it's the fifth neighbor then it would be PANDEY...
After listening to this, questions followed. What if it is a mixture of
neighbors? "Then the boy would be named MISHRA"...
And what if the wife is too shy to tell the name of the neighbor? "Then it
would be SHARMA"...
But what if she refuses to divulge the name of the neighbor? "Then the name
of the child would be GUPT-A"...
If she does not remember the name then? "It is YAAD-AV..."
But who knows whether the child resulted from a rape? "Then it will be named
DOSHI"...
Finally, if the child happened because of wife's burning desire for sex?
"Then he will be named JOSHI...

INTREPID FOUNDATION DID IT; with the help of private donations

IF YOU WISH TO, SEND DONATIONS TO INTREPID FOUNDATION....

High-tech rehab center for injured vets opens
Army’s new $50 million facility in Texas to treat amputees and burn victims

Software developers demonstrate the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment simulator, designed to help patients use atrophied muscles and relearn skills necessary in daily life, at the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio, Texas, over the weekend.


• Center for the Intrepid
Jan. 29: A high-tech military rehabilitation center was dedicated Monday in San Antonio. NBC's Don Teague reports.


SAN ANTONIO - Of the roughly 20,000 soldiers injured since the start of the Iraq war, more than 500 have lost a limb — many of them in roadside bombings.

On Monday, a $50 million high-tech rehabilitation center opened that is designed to serve the growing number of soldiers who return from war as amputees or with severe burns.

The 60,000-square-foot Center for the Intrepid will allow the Army to move its rehabilitation program out of the Brooke Army Medical Center and into a separate facility.
Story continues below ↓ advertisement

“The Center for the Intrepid is going to let us keep advancing what we’ve been doing,” said Maj. Stewart Campbell, the officer-in-charge of rehabilitation at Brooke.

'As long as you need us'
The facility tells soldiers “we’re going to take care of you for as long as you need us, to get you back to where you want to be,” he said.

At Brooke, amputees were being treated in offices and facilities carved out of the larger hospital. The new facility includes a rock-climbing wall, wave pool and a 360-degree virtual reality sphere to help soldiers recover their balance and other basic skills.

The center was officially dedicated at a ceremony Monday. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., both 2008 presidential hopefuls, attended.

Brooke’s amputee program started two years ago and has about 50 patients, but the new center will allow it to expand and offer more advanced rehabilitation, Campbell said.

Prior to the Iraq war, amputees were generally given acute care by the military and then turned over the Department of Veterans Affairs, said retired Col. Rebecca Hooper, program manager for the Center for the Intrepid. But since 2003, the military has kept those patients and made rehabilitation part of its mission.

Amputee rehab programs are now being run at Brooke, Walter Reed Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Medical Center.

Because the new Center for the Intrepid offers high-tech equipment and better facilities for severely injured soldiers, Hooper expects it to become a magnet for advanced amputee rehabilitation.

Private donations
The center was funded by private donations to the Intrepid Foundation, a charity that has built dozens of houses to shelter families of wounded soldiers while they undergo treatment.

As part of the construction at Fort Sam Houston, two new houses have been added to two already there so that additional families could be housed near the center.

Staff Sgt. Jon Arnold-Garcia, who lost part of a leg in a grenade attack, got his first look at the rehab center on Sunday.

“This place is amazing, that the American people donated the money for this,” said the 28-year-old from Sacramento, Calif.

Arnold-Garcia has been in rehabilitation at Brooke since May, but he was anxious to get to work at the Center for the Intrepid, a four-story glass building decorated with art and modern decor.

Arnold-Garcia and other amputees have been eyeing the rock climbing wall, visible through the glass. They have also heard about the wave pool, in which they can use wake boards to strengthen their back and stomach muscles.

“It doesn’t look like a hospital,” Arnold-Garcia said, sitting in the center’s cafe. “It’s a place I can see myself getting up and being motivated instead of walking hospital hallways with doctors.”

MILITARY JARGON

Words of war: Understanding military jargon
A quick guide to ground force terminology
MSNBC

Military coverage is filled with jargon that sometimes obscures the story. Here is a quick guide to U.S. Army formations and select equipment — what they consist of, how large they are and what they do.

Battalion: A battalion, usually about 400-strong, is comprised of three rifle companies, a combat support company and a headquarters company. Battalions often blend companies with different fighting specialties to take on tasks that no existing unit is properly configured to tackle. Battalions normally fight enemy forces they can see and engage. This is defined as an area extending from less than 100 yards in forests, urban areas and other close terrain out to about two to three miles from the battalion’s direct and indirect weapons-fire.

Brigade: The brigade provides mobility, counter-mobility and survivability, topographic engineering and general engineering support to the largest unit - the corps — and augments the corps’ various divisions. The brigade may contain combat engineer battalions, separate engineer companies, assault float bridges, and topographic and tactical bridge companies. It contains around 2,500 people commanded by a colonel.

Bunker buster: A bomb designed to destroy hardened targets deep under ground. The American GBU-28 bunker buster bomb is guided by laser and can break through 100 feet of earth or 20 feet of concrete before exploding. The GBU-28 was initially developed in 1991 for penetrating hardened Iraqi command centers.

Constant Phoenix: A modified C-135B transport aircraft equipped with devices to detect radioactive “clouds” from nuclear weapons detonations. It is controlled by the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) and operated by the 45th Reconnaissance Wing at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. The interior seats 33 people.

Company: Company-sized units, 130 to 150 soldiers, are normally commanded by captains. They consist of two or more platoons, usually of the same type, a headquarters unit and some logistical capabilities. Companies are the basic elements of all battalions.

Corps: The corps is the largest tactical unit in the U.S. Army. The Corps is responsible for translating strategic objectives into tactical orders. It synchronizes tactical operations including maneuvering, the firing of organic artillery, naval firing, supporting tactical air operations, and actions of their combat support, bringing together these operations on the battlefield. Each corps will have between two and five divisions, depending on the mission.

Division: Divisions perform major tactical operations for the corps and can conduct sustained battles and engagements. One division is made up of at least three brigades with between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. Divisions are normally commanded by major generals. Types of divisions include light infantry, armored and mechanized infantry, airborne and air assault.

IED: An IED, or Improvised Explosive Device, is a “homemade” device that is designed to cause death or injury by using explosives alone or in combination with toxic chemicals, biological agents, or radiological material. IEDs may be detonated by a suicide bomber or remotely detonated. They may utilize commercial or military explosives, homemade explosives, or military ordnance and ordnance components.

Platoon: A platoon is four squads - generally three rifle squads and one weapons squad, normally armed with machine guns and anti-tank weapons. Lieutenants lead most platoons, and the second-in-command is generally a sergeant first class.

Squad: A small military unit consisting of 10 to 11 soldiers.

Stryker: The U.S. Army’s newest armored vehicle. The 19-ton, eight-wheeled Stryker can be configured for use in infantry, reconnaissance, fire support or medical evacuation missions. It can operate at 60 mph and has a range of 312 miles. The vehicle may be transported by C-130 aircraft.

Monday, January 29, 2007

UPPER BERTH

Sardar : Yesterday I didn't sleep a wink for the whole night in the upper berth.

Friend: Why? You could have exchanged it with the passenger in the lower berth.

Sardar: Yeh, but there was nobody in the lower berth to exchange.

TITANIC - HOW FAR IS THE LAND!...

Titanic was about to sink. People on the ship were shouting, crying, running and praying to God - just then a passenger had the following conversation with the captain.

Passenger: How far is land, from here?

Captain: Two miles....

Passenger: Only two miles, then why these fools are making noise. I have the experience of swimming even more.

Captain: .....????

Passenger: Just tell me in which direction, land is two miles from here?

Captain: Downward...

HINDU WISDOM

But he who is truly wise
Always sees the absolute Self.

Celebrated, he is not delighted.
Spurned, he is not angry.
Pure of heart,
He watches his own actions
As if they were another's.

How can praise or blame disturb him?

-Ashtavakra Gita 3:9-10

SRI AURVINDO - SAVITRI A LEGEND AND A SYMBOL CONTD...

"O mortal who complainst of death and fate,
Accuse none of the harms thyself hast called;
This troubled world thou hast chosen for thy home,
Thou art thyself the author of thy pain.

Once in the immortal boundlessness of Self,
In a vast of Truth and Consciousness and Light
The soul looked out from its felicity.
It felt the Spirit's interminable bliss,
It knew itself deathless, timeless, spaceless, one,
It saw the Eternal, lived in the Infinite.
Then, curious of a shadow thrown by Truth,
It strained towards some otherness of self,
It was drawn to an unknown Face peering through night.

It sensed a negative infinity,
A void supernal whose immense excess
Imitating God and everlasting Time
Offered a ground for Nature's adverse birth
And Matter's rigid hard unconsciousness
Harbouring the Brilliance of a transient soul
That lights up birth and death and ignorant life.

contd....

SRI AURVINDO - SAVITRI A LEGEND AND A SYMBOL CONTD...

A POWER IS IN THEE THAT THOU KNOWLEST NOT;
THOU ART A VESSEL OF THE IMPRISONED SPARK.
IT SEEKS RELIEF FROM TIME'S ENVELOPMENT,
AND WHILE THOU SHUTST IT IN, THE SEAL IS PAIN:
BLISS IS THE GODHEAD'S CROWN, ETERNAL, FREE,
UNBURDENED BY LIFE'S BLIND MYSTERY OF PAIN:
PAIN IS THE SIGNATURE OF THE IGNORANCE
ATTESTING THE SECRET GOD DENIED BY LIFE:
UNTIL LIFE FINDS HIM PAIN CAN NEVER END.
CALM IS SELF'S VICTORY OVERCOMING FATE.
BEAR; THOU SHALT FIND AT LAST THY ROAD TO BLISS.

BLISS IS THE SECRET STUFF OF ALL THAT LIVES.
EVEN PAIN AND GRIEF ARE GARBS OF WORLD-DELIGHT,
IT HIDES BEHIND THY SORROW AND THY CRY,
BECAUSETHY STRENGTH IS A PART AND NOT GOD'S WHOLE,
BECAUSE AFFLICTED BY THE LITTLE SELF
THY CONSCIOUSNESS FORGETS TO BE DIVINE
AS IT WALKS IN THE VAGUE PENUMBRA OF THE FLESH
AND CANNOT BEAR THE WORLD'S TREMENDOUS TOUCH,
THOU CRIEST OUT AND SAYST THAT THERE IS PAIN.
INDIFFERENCE, PAIN AND JOY, A TRIPLE DISGUISE,
ATTIRE OF THE RAPTUROUS DANCER IN THE WAYS,
WITHHOLD FROM THEE THE BODY OF GOD'S BLESS.
THY SPIRIT'S STRENGTH SHALL MAKE THEE ONE WITH GOD,
THY AGONY SHALL CHANGE TO ECTASY,
INDIFFERENCE DEEPEN INTO INFINITY'S CALM
AND JOY LAUGH NUDE ON THE PEAKS OF THE ABSOLUTE.

CONTD.......

SRI AURVINDO - SAVITRI A LEGEND AND A SYMBOL

SOME EXTRACTS: canto II THE WAY OF FATE AND THE PROBLEM OF PAIN

HE WOULD STAMP HIS SINGLE FIGURE ON THE WORLD;
OBSESS THE WORLD'S RUMOURS WITH HIS SINGLE NAME;
HIS MOMENTS CENTRE THE VAST UNIVERSE.
HE SEES HIS LITTL3 SELF AS VERY GOD.
HIS LITTLE 'I' HAS SWALLOWED THE WHOLE WORLD,
HIS EGO HAS STRETCHED INTO INFINITY.
HIS MIND, A BEAT IN ORIGINAL NOTHINGNESS,
CIPHERS HIS THOUGHT ON A SLATE OF HOURLESS TIME.
HE BUILDS ON A MIGHT6Y VACANCY OF SOUL
A HUGE PHILOSOPHY OF NOTHINGNESS.

IN HIM NIRVANA LIVES AND SPEAKS AND ACTS
IMPOSSIBLY CREATING A UNIVERSE.
AN ETERNAL ZERO IS HIS FORMLESS SELF,
HIS SPIRIT THE VOID IMPERSONAL ABSOLUTE.
TAKE NOT THAT STRIDE, O GROWING SOUL OF MAN;
CAST NOT THY SELF INTO THAT NIGHT OF GOD.
THE SOUL SUFFERING IS NOT ETERNITY'S KEY, OR RANSOM BY SORROW HEAVEN'S DEMAND ON LIFE.
O MORAL, BEAR, BUT ASK NOT FOR THE STROKE,
TOO SOON WILL GRIEF AND ANGUISH FIND THEE OUT.

TOO ENORMOUS IS THAT VENTURE FOR THY WILL;
ONLY IN LIMITS CAN MAN'S STRENGTH BE SAFE;
YET IS INFINITY THY SPIRIT'S GOAL;
ITS BLISS IS THERE BEHIND THE WORLD'S FACE OF TEARS.
......

SUNNIS AND SHIAS

What are the differences between Sunnis and Shias?

Muslims are split into two main branches, the Sunnis and Shias. The split originates in a dispute soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad over who should lead the Muslims.

The great majority of Muslims are Sunnis - estimates suggest the figure is somewhere between 85% and 90%.

The two communities share fundamental beliefs - the "oneness" of Allah, that Muhammad was the last prophet, prayer, fasting and the pilgrimage to Mecca for example. But there are differences in doctrine, ritual, law, theology and religious organisation.


WHAT IS A QUICK GUIDE?
Quick guides are concise explanations of topics or issues in the news.

They also often seem to be in competition.

The Iranian revolution of 1979 launched a radical Shia Islamist agenda that laid down a theological and ideological challenge to conservative Sunni regimes, particularly in the Gulf.

In countries with large Shia communities, Shias often make up the poorest sections of society and see themselves as oppressed and discriminated against.

In many countries the two communities live separate lives. However, in Iraq intermarriage between Sunnis and Shia was common until recently.

In Lebanon, Shias have gained widespread respect and a strong political voice due to the political and military activities of Hezbollah.

Some conservative Sunni doctrines preach hatred of Shias.

Pakistan has a history of Shia-Sunni bloodshed dating back to the 1980s.

Who are the Sunnis?

Sunni Muslims regard themselves as the orthodox and traditionalist branch of Islam.

The word Sunni comes from "Ahl al-Sunna", the people of the tradition. The tradition in this case refers to practices based on precedent or reports of the actions of the Prophet Muhammad and those close to him.

Sunnis venerate all the prophets mentioned in the Koran, but particularly Muhammad as the final prophet. All subsequent Muslim leaders are seen as temporal figures.

In contrast to Shias, Sunni religious teachers and leaders have historically come under state control.

The Sunni tradition also emphasises a codified system of Islamic law and adherence to four schools of law.

Who are the Shias?

In early Islamic history the Shia were a political faction - literally "Shiat Ali" or the party of Ali. The Shia claimed the right of Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, and his descendants to lead the Islamic community.


WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Have we missed anything out? Do you want to suggest a subject for a Quick Guide?

Ali was killed in a power struggle over who should be caliph, leader of the Muslims. His sons also struggled to capture the caliphate - Hussein died on the battlefield opposing a subsequent caliph and Hassan is believed to have been poisoned.

These events gave rise to the Shia cult of martyrdom and the rituals of grieving.

There is a distinctive messianic element to the faith and Shias have a hierarchy of clerics who practise independent and ongoing interpretation of Islamic texts.

Estimates of the number of Shia range from 120 to 170 million, roughly one-tenth of all Muslims.

Shia Muslims are in the majority in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain and, according to some estimates, Yemen. There are large Shia communities in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

UNITED NATIONS PLEDGES 1.2 B TO HELP AMERICANS IN INDIGESTION RELIEF

United Nations Pledges $1.2 Billion In Indigestion Relief For U.S.

August 7, 1996 | Issue 30•01

In what has been called the largest gastrointestinal rescue effort in history, the United Nations allocated $1.2 billion in antacid relief yesterday for the indigestion-wracked nation of America.

United Nations Pledges $1.2 Billion In Indigestion Relief For U.S.

Operation Soothe and Coat

"There is great suffering in America, where every day people face the terrible pain of stomach upset, heartburn, and problem gas," a statement released by the General Assembly read. "Most members of the global community, who do not have to live with the constant threat of massive overeating as Americans do, cannot even imagine what it is like. We can turn a blind eye no longer."

Dubbed "Operation Soothe and Coat," the massive C-130 airlift is expected to provide millions of American indigestion sufferers with cartons of precious, life-giving antacids by week's end. Much of the $1.2 billion will also go toward emergency helicopter and truck mobilization, distributing alkalides to a network of temporary stomach trouble "crisis centers" set up across the American countryside.

"Help is on the way," said Colonel Obiabwe Buna*!dab, wing commander of the Kenyan delegation to the international airlift operation. He said that although he had never been to America, he had seen much U.S. television and understood how much pain indigestion was causing the nation. "All men are brothers," Buna*!dab added.

U.N. officials say the decision is a response to a recent study ranking the U.S. first in bloating and excess gas build-up, and fourth and second, respectively, in lower abdominal pain and diarrhea.

"Statistics show many Americans 'pay for it later' after a hot, spicy meal. It is shameful that in this day and age the Americans must go without the gas-absorbing medications they need," one volunteer remarked. "We just want to do whatever we can to help them get better—one fizzy little pellet at a time."

The organizational tasks facing the U.N. relief task force are daunting. Workers from every corner of the globe have been called in for special duty, mobilizing the relief effort and distributing the antacids as efficiently as possible.

"The key here is speed," said Chile's Salvador Aguilera, co-chair of the operation. "These people don't just need relief, they need quick relief. They need relief with a capital 'R.' They need to ease the pain caused by heartburn and stomach upset immediately. Otherwise, they may have trouble sleeping. This can lead to additional problems, particularly if they have a big presentation at the office the next day."

According to experts, it is not known how many people in America suffer from indigestion, partly because the number of unreported cases far outweighs the number that receive medical care.

"The actual number of Americans with digestion-related discomfort—particularly among the millions whose dietary staples include donuts, canned meat products and microwaveables—is staggering, probably higher than in all other industrialized nations combined," said Mtume Mofeisi, president of AfriCares, a Rwanda-based organization dedicated to helping the overfed throughout the First World.

"Thank God for the U.N.," said indigestion sufferer Bob Halloran, of Des Moines, IA. "I was terrified that no one would hear my cries. But at last, the pain is gone. Now I have no need to fear that my illness may result in decreased productivity at work."

Halloran received a case of Mylanta Extra-Strength through Operation Soothe and Coat. "My doctor said Mylanta," he added.

Despite the success of the relief effort thus far, U.N. task force workers stress that indigestion is only one of many problems facing America.

"Many of the Americans we've been trying to help are badly undersupplied with convenient snack food options," said Carlos Santiago of Honduras, speaking from the U.N. relief camp based near Rochester, NY. "Lower back pain also continues to be a problem. And every day, we see thousands who have kitchen remodeling and television repair needs we are simply not equipped to address."

DO NOT USE ANTIBACTERIAL SOAPS!

Hi Bill,

There are so many antibacterial items on the shelves these days, I'm not sure what to choose. Should I even use antibacterial anything?

--Sanitary Sarah

Dear Sarah,

No. Well, mostly no. Almost always no. Most of us should avoid antibacterial products. People in health care may be the only exception. For the rest of us, antibacterial soap started out as a pretty good idea, but it could be turning into a big mistake. Antibacterial soaps and ointments, for example, may be unintentionally creating germs that are resistant to antibiotics. Eventually, our antibiotics may not do much of anything to slow the spread of these types of germs and the diseases they cause.

The miracle of antibiotics
For many years, antibiotic drugs worked so quickly and so effectively that they seemed like magic. In magic, they say, it's all done with mirrors. Well, in biochemistry, it's all done with molecules. Antibacterial molecules inhibit or disrupt the action of enzymes in an unwanted germ's fatty outer layer or in the layer itself--the germ's cell wall. The wall is a polymer, and without the enzyme working properly, the wall molecules cannot "cross-link" (so the germ can't cause us harm). Instead, the walls fill with water and burst. Our own cells are unaffected by any of these antibiotic compounds. We don't have cell walls like these; we use different enzymes, probably because our cell membranes came to be somewhat later in history than bacteria. (Some people are allergic to antibiotics, but that's different chemistry and a different problem.)
Anatomy of a Simple Bacterium (Image credit: Microsoft Corporation)
Anatomy of a Simple Bacterium

Antibiotics are like a bit of chemical genius, but we didn't invent these molecules; we discovered them. Fungi and bacteria came up with them. Alexander Fleming is generally credited for realizing that Penicillium notatum fungus was inhibiting or controlling the growth of bacteria in his lab in 1928. He published his landmark paper in 1929. There must be an evolutionary advantage for fungal organisms that can produce chemicals to inhibit the growth of bacteria that might cause them trouble. And bacteria, like all the rest of us living things, are always fighting off other bacteria. They make their own antibiotic compounds often called bacteriocins.

After discovering the antibiotic properties of Penicillium fungi, for example, we found ways to brew up these compounds by the vat-full. This is a modern way of destroying germ cells.
Discovery of Penicillin (Image credit: St. Mary's Hospital Medical School/Science Source/Photo Researchers, Inc.)
Discovery of Penicillin

The old-fashioned way
Another somewhat older-fashioned way of chemically tearing germ cells apart involves alcohol. When applied topically--directly on the skin--alcohol kills nearly everything, germ-wise, by destroying the cell walls of typical germs.

Try this: Put a drop of water on wax paper. Dip the tip of a toothpick in rubbing alcohol. Touch the tip to the edge of the water drop. In a moment, the water drop will lose its shape. Its surface tension will be greatly weakened and it will fall apart. So it goes with germs on your skin. Their cell walls are destroyed by the strong pull of alcohol's chemistry. Alcohol hand sanitizers are very effective for this reason. Most of them are alcohol mixed with hand lotion. Not bad, antiseptic rather than antibiotic. But once a germ is inside you, infecting you, you can't possibly get the concentration of alcohol in your system high enough to kill germs without killing yourself.

Another old-fashioned alternative to antibiotics is good old soap. Soap works by washing germs and dirt and all kinds of other things away, and it's very effective. Soap has molecules that are like long chains (well, long by atomic standards, maybe a nanometer, 0.000001 millimeters, 0.00000004 inches). One end of the soap molecule is polar, like the poles of a magnet (or the planet Earth). The polar end associates with and dissolves in water. The other end is nonpolar. It associates well with grease and the oils on your skin. To achieve this remarkable effect, most soap recipes include sodium, which makes that water-loving (hydrophilic) end of the molecule essentially dissolve in the nearby water molecules. Consider how well sodium-chloride salt dissolves in water; the surface of our world is almost all sodium salt--ocean.
Alignment of Polar Molecules (Image credit: Microsoft Corporation)
Alignment of Polar Molecules

When soap is mixed with water, the soap molecules get between the water molecules, driving them apart. The slightly more distant water molecules don't pull on each other as strongly. This action is a bit like a bunch of atomic-scale refrigerator magnets. When a magnet is holding a recipe printed on a thin piece of notepaper, it has a tighter grip than a magnet pulling through a thick piece of a cereal box. The farther a magnet is from the surface, the weaker the pull--and the same is true with water and soap molecules.

Soap lowers the surface tension of water. So, the surfaces that the soapy water comes into contact with get especially wet. When the water molecules flow, the germs flow away with them. For most activities, that's all we need. The only exception might be when medical teams put their hands inside you. In that case, germs on their skin could get under your skin, if you get my drift.
Action of Soap on Dirt (Image credit: Microsoft Corporation)
Action of Soap on Dirt

Tougher germs
Antibiotics changed the world. People in the developed world just don't die of diseases the way they used to. For example, if you take a walk around an old cemetery, note all the people who died before they were 10 or 12 years old. Germs got most of 'em. Antibiotic compounds cured so many people so quickly that for many decades the term "miracle drug" seemed to be the least we could say about their wonderful properties.

We've produced antibiotic compounds for over 60 years. But, here's the thing: This antibacterial chemical enzyme-attack scheme is not perfect. Why is that? Some germs, by the random chances of genetic mutations, happen to have lipid membranes with enzymes that aren't inhibited, disrupted, or driven apart as readily by the antibacterial compounds. So, they survive. Then, like any successful living thing, they reproduce. Those offspring, the next-generation germs, get the resistance genes and are themselves resistant to the antibacterial agent.

We have been living and dying with germs for millions of years, but antibiotics were discovered less than a hundred years ago. These drugs and chemicals have been very effective in knocking germs apart or disrupting their various internal chemical activities. But because germs reproduce so fast, we will never wipe them out.

This process of germs mutating in such a way that our antibacterial chemicals don't affect them anymore is a classic example of evolution and natural selection. So you could say that our fancy soap is selecting the toughest, most resistant germs for reproduction.
Charles Darwin (Image credit: Culver Pictures)
Charles Darwin
Another way of looking at this is that germs are continually redesigning themselves, from the bottom up, if you will. By designing or synthesizing antibiotic compounds, we are trying to stop the germs from the top down. We'll probably never win that way. We have our own bottom-up-designed antibacterial arrangement--our immune system. Of course, maybe one day we will come up with antibacterial compounds that change with time the way germs do as they reproduce. In the meantime, let's save the antibiotics for jobs where they're really needed--that is, when we're really sick. The more we can rely on ordinary soap, solvents, and our own immune systems, the less we'll have to rely on lucky finds in nature to beat the germs.
See more of Bill Nye's answers to questions about science.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

EXISTENCE

"I DON'T QUESTION YOUR EXISTENCE."

GOD

PERFECTION.

NEXT TIME YOU THINK YOU ARE PERFECT,

TRY WALKING ON WATER!

REPUBLIC DAY AND OTHER URLS

Reader's Choice at http://www.iVarta.com
----------------------

Following are the recent stories that got the maximum visitor clicks at
http://www.iVarta.com (IndiaCause)
--------------------------------------------


In Praise of India: Top 10 Famous Quotes
http://hinduism.about.com/od/history/p/indiaquotes.htm

Images: Republic Day
http://specials.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/26sld1.htm

More pictures BBC: India's Republic Day
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6301183.stm

Video: Republic day
http://www.indiaabroad.com/video/player.php?url=http://video.tv18onlinecom/cnnibn/flvstore/01_2007/rday2601_pcr2.flv

Bush calls smart Indians to US
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/get-smarter-indians-to-us-bush/top/32119-2.html?xml

We paid Rs 1 lakh for Afzal's release: Wife
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=80335

Terror bombing at Indian Commission Republic Day Party
http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/26pak.htm

Are we celebrating a failed Republic?
http://www.newstodaynet.com/2007sud/jan07/260107.htm

Statistics: Minority Victimisation in Islamic Pak
http://in.news.yahoo.com/070126/139/6biy2.html

Minister apologise for bursting crackers at mosque
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article§id=2&contentid=20070125040038781973911ae

Anti-Brahmin, Anti-Hindu DMK"S return to divinity
http://dailypioneer.com/columnist1.asp?main_variable=Columnist&file_name=punj%2Fpunj100%2Etxt&writer=punj

Jesus in "yogic posture" to adorn church hall
http://www.newkerala.com/news4.php?action=fullnews&id=85384

WATCH YOUR BREATHING:

You cannot find Buddha nature by vivisection. Reality cannot be caught by thinking or feeling mind. Moment after moment to watch your breathing, to watch your posture, is true nature. There is no secret beyond this point.

-Shunryu Suzuki, "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind"

AN OBJECT HAS A.....

An object has a reflection: When looking we see two images, yet there is only one thing. Likewise, this world is a reflection of the Supreme Lord. We may see two, yet only One exists…

-Jnaneshwar

VANILA ICE CREAM AND GENERAL MOTROS

Vanilla Ice Cream that puzzled General motors!!!!

An Interesting Story

Never underestimate your Clients' Complaint, no matter how funny it might seem!

This is a real story that happened between the customer of General Motors and its Customer-Care Executive. Pls read on.....



A complaint was received by the Pontiac Division of General Motors:

'This is the second time I have written to you, and I don't blame you for not answering me, because I sounded crazy, but it is a fact that we have a tradition in our family of Ice-Cream for dessert after dinner each night, but the kind of ice cream varies so, every night, after we've eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it. It's also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem.....

You see, every time I buy a vanilla ice-cream, when I start back from the store my car won't start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just fine. I want you to know I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds "What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?" The Pontiac President was understandably skeptical about the letter, but sent an Engineer to check it out anyway.

The latter was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well educated man in a fine neighborhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn't start.

The Engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, they got chocolate. The car started. The second night, he got strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start.

Now the engineer, being a logical man, refused to believe that this man's car was allergic to vanilla ice cream. He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem. And toward this end he began to take notes: He jotted down all sorts of data: time of day, type of gas uses, time to drive back and forth etc.

In a short time, he had a clue: the man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavor. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to check out the flavor.

Now, the question for the Engineer was why the car wouldn't start when it took less time. Eureka - Time was now the problem - not the vanilla ice cream!!!! The engineer quickly came up with the answer: "vapor lock".

It was happening every night; but the extra time taken to get the other flavors allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the vapor lock to dissipate.



Even crazy looking problems are sometimes real and all problems seem to be simple only when we find the solution, with cool thinking.

Don't just say it is " IMPOSSIBLE" without putting a sincere effort.... Observe the word "IMPOSSIBLE" carefully... .

Looking closer you will see, "I'M POSSIBLE"...



What really matters is your attitude and your perception.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE OR IGNORE ANY PROBLEM

Vanilla Ice Cream that puzzled General motors!!!!

An Interesting Story

Never underestimate your Clients' Complaint, no matter how funny it might seem!

This is a real story that happened between the customer of General Motors and its Customer-Care Executive. Pls read on.....



A complaint was received by the Pontiac Division of General Motors:

'This is the second time I have written to you, and I don't blame you for not answering me, because I sounded crazy, but it is a fact that we have a tradition in our family of Ice-Cream for dessert after dinner each night, but the kind of ice cream varies so, every night, after we've eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it. It's also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem.....

You see, every time I buy a vanilla ice-cream, when I start back from the store my car won't start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just fine. I want you to know I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds "What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?" The Pontiac President was understandably skeptical about the letter, but sent an Engineer to check it out anyway.

The latter was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well educated man in a fine neighborhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn't start.

The Engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, they got chocolate. The car started. The second night, he got strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start.

Now the engineer, being a logical man, refused to believe that this man's car was allergic to vanilla ice cream. He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem. And toward this end he began to take notes: He jotted down all sorts of data: time of day, type of gas uses, time to drive back and forth etc.

In a short time, he had a clue: the man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavor. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to check out the flavor.

Now, the question for the Engineer was why the car wouldn't start when it took less time. Eureka - Time was now the problem - not the vanilla ice cream!!!! The engineer quickly came up with the answer: "vapor lock".

It was happening every night; but the extra time taken to get the other flavors allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the vapor lock to dissipate.



Even crazy looking problems are sometimes real and all problems seem to be simple only when we find the solution, with cool thinking.

Don't just say it is " IMPOSSIBLE" without putting a sincere effort.... Observe the word "IMPOSSIBLE" carefully... .

Looking closer you will see, "I'M POSSIBLE"...



What really matters is your attitude and your perception.

SERVE OTHERS in need...

>If we are living a spiritual life, we will feel that we are here to serve
>others. We don't have to radically change our lifestyle to do so. There are
>individuals who come our way every day whom we can serve: persons in need.
>It may be someone who is ill, or a senior citizen who needs some one to
>shop for him or her. There are people who have no one to talk with-you can
>serve just by sympathetically listening to them for awhile. Prayer is
>another form of service: Pray for someone who is ill, or for anyone who is
>unhappy or depressed. There are always people around us in need, and when
>it is within our reach we should do what we can to serve them.
>
>- Bro. Bhaktananda, in "Living the Spiritual Life Every Day"

TEMPER and PRIDE

Temper takes you to trouble, pride keeps you there. Ma Yogashakti Saraswati

MAKE ROOM FOR NEW

Today's Quote

Life is overflowing with the new. But it is necessary to empty out the old to make room for the new to enter.

-Eileen Caddy

Saturday, January 27, 2007

UNITED NATIONS - SINDHIS AND PAKISTANI KASHMIRIS LOOKING FOR STATUS

UN refuses to grant consultative status to anti-Indian body

United Nations, Jan. 28 (PTI): A Kashmiri-American Council advocating self-determination for the Kashmiri people has failed to get a consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Before the UN committee on non-governmental organisations took the unanimous decision to postpone the consideration of the application of the Kashmiri American Council, the Indian and Pakistan delegates had a mild exchange over the issue.

Supporting the application of the Kashmiri American Council, the Pakistani delegate, Bilal Hayee, said self-determination for Jammu and Kashmir was a valid topic for discussion here as the UN resolutions calls for settlement of the dispute.

The Indian delegate, B N Reddy, rejected the contention of the Pakistani delegate, pointing out that Jammu and Kashmir is an inalienable part of India.

The panel also rejected the application of the World Sindhi Institute for a simmilar consultative status. The Institute advocates self-determination for the people of Sindh province in Pakistan.

The Kashmiri American Council has been attempting for several years to get a consultative status with the UN, but has been unsuccessful because of strong objections raised by India.

The 19-member Standing Committee of ECOSOC uses various criteria including the applicants mandate, governance and financial regime to recommend general, special or roster status.

French Muslim attacks....

French Muslim jailed for attacking gynaecologist

PARIS: A French Muslim who attacked a male gynaecologist for examining his wife just after she had given birth, saying it was against Islam, has been jailed for six months by a Paris court.

Fouad ben Moussa burst into the delivery room at a Paris hospital last November and shoved, slapped and insulted Dr Jean-Francois Oury as he examined the woman after a complicated birth, the prosecution said in court on Wednesday.

Police had to intervene to remove him.

Ben Moussa, a 23-year-old lorry driver, apologised for the attack and said he had requested a female doctor. French state hospitals comply with such requests when staffing permits but say patients must accept treatment from the doctors on duty.

"This is a public and secular place," prosecution lawyer Georges Holleaux said of the state hospital where the attack occurred. "This is not the place where one can invoke religion to get different treatment."

French media have reported cases in recent years of Muslim men barring male doctors from treating their wives, sometimes resorting to violence, but legal cases against them are rare.

France's five million Muslims make up eight per cent of the French population, Europe's largest Islamic minority.

aadmi aadmi ko kya....

ग़ज़ल
आदमी आदमी को क्‍या देगा
जो भी देगा वही ख़ुदा देगा

मेरा कातिल ही मेरा मुनिसफ़ है
क्‍या मेरे हक में फ़ैसला देगा

ज़िंदगी को करीब से देखो
इसका चेहरा तुम्‍हें रुला देगा

हमसे पूछो ना दोस्‍ती का सिला
दुश्‍मनों का भी दिल हिला देगा

-सुदर्शन फ़ाकिर

THREE DESIRES

Three desires

I have only three desires to lie: Firstly, to be as handsome and intelligent as my mother thinks I am. Secondly, to have as much money as my children think I have. And thirdly, to have as many girl-friends as my wife thinks I have.”

ALL EYE NEED IS A MIRACLE

All I Need is a Miracle

A woman was walking along the beach when she stumbled upon a genie's lamp. She picked it up and rubbed it. Lo-and-behold a genie appeared. The amazed woman asked if she got three wishes.

The Genie said, "Nope. Due to inflation, constant downsizing, low wages in third-world countries and fierce global competition, I can only grant you one wish. So, what'll it be?"

The woman didn't hesitate. She said, "I want peace in the Middle East. See this map? I want these countries to stop fighting with each other."

The Genie looked at the map and exclaimed, "Gadzooks, lady! These countries have been at war for thousands of years. I'm good, but not THAT good! I don't think it can be done. Make another wish."

The woman thought for a minute. She said, "Well, I've been trying to find the right husband. You know, one that's considerate and fun, likes to cook and helps with the housecleaning, has a great sense of humor and gets along with my family, doesn't watch sports all the time and is faithful. That's what I wish for. A good mate."

The Genie let out a long sigh and said, "Let me see that map again."


BAD JOKE DISCLAIMER: We recogni

TAJO MAHALAYA or TAJ MAHAL

No one has ever challenged it except Prof. P. N. Oak, who believes the
whole world has been duped. In his book Taj Mahal: The True Story, Oak says
the
Taj Mahal is not Queen Mumtaz's tomb but an ancient Hindu temple palace of
Lord Shiva (then known as Tejo Mahalaya ) . In the course of his research O
ak discovered that the Shiva temple palace was usurped by Shah Jahan from
then Maharaja of Jaipur, Jai Singh. In his own court ch ronicle,
Badshahnama,
Shah Jahan admits that an exceptionally beautiful grand mansion in Agra
was taken from Jai SIngh for Mumtaz's burial . The ex-Maharaja of Jaipur
still
retains in his secret collection two orders from Shah Jahan for
surrendering the Taj building. Using captured temples and mansions, as a
burial place for
dead courtiers and royalty was a common practice among Muslim rulers.

For example, Humayun,Akbar, Etmud-ud-Daula and Safdarjung are all buried
in such mansions. Oak's inquiries began with the name of Taj Mahal. He says

the term " Mahal " has never been used for a building in any Muslim countries
from Afghanisthan to Algeria . "The unusual explanation that the term Taj
Mahal derives from Mumtaz Mahal was illogical in atleast two respects.

Firstly, her name was never Mumtaz Mahal but Mumtaz-ul-Zamani," he writes.
Secondly, one cannot omit the first three letters 'Mum' from a woman's
name to derive the remainder as the name for the building."Taj Mahal, he
claims, is a corrupt version of Tejo Mahalaya, or Lord Shiva's Palace . Oak
also says the love story of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan is a fairy tale cre ated
by
court sycophants, blundering historians and sloppy archaeologists Not a
single royal chronicle of Shah Jahan's time corroborates the love story.

Furthermore, Oak cites several documents suggesting the Taj Mahal predates
Shah Jahan's era, and was a temple dedicated to Shiva, worshipped by
Rajputs of Agra city. For example, Prof. Marvin Miller of New York took a
few
samples from the riverside doorway of the Taj. Carbon dating tests revealed
that the door was 300 years older than Shah Jahan. European traveler Johan
Albert Mandelslo,who visited Agra in 1638 (only seven years after Mumtaz's
death), describes the life of the cit y in his memoirs. But he makes no
reference to the Taj Mahal being built. The writings of Peter Mundy, an
English visitor to Agra within a year of Mumtaz's death, also suggest the
Taj was a noteworthy building well before Shah Jahan's time.

Prof. Oak points out a number of design and architectural inconsistencies
that support the belief of the Taj Mahal being a typical Hindu temple
rather
than a mausoleum. Many rooms in the Taj ! Mahal have remained sealed
since Shah Jahan's time and are still inaccessible to the public . Oak
asserts they contain a headless statue of Lord Shiva and other objects
commonly used for worship rituals in Hindu temples Fearing political
backlash, Indira Gandhi's government t ried to have Prof. Oak's book
withdrawn from the bookstores, and threatened the Indian publisher of the
first edition dire consequences . There is only one way to discredit or
validate Oak's research.

The current government should open the sealed rooms of the Taj Ma hal under
U.N. supervision, and let international experts investigate.

Friday, January 26, 2007

THE LORD OF IMMORTALITY

He is the inner Self of all,
Hidden like a little flame in the heart.
Only by the stilled mind can he be known.
Those who realize him become immortal.
He has thousands of heads, thousands of eyes,
Thousands of feet; he surrounds the cosmos
On every side. This infinite being
Is ever present in the hearts of all.
He has become the cosmos. He is what was
And what will be. Yet he is unchanging,
The lord of immortality.

-Shvetashvatara Upanishad

Thursday, January 25, 2007

RAHIMAN DHAGA PREM KAA.....

An intimate of any strength will never listen to faults said of friends;
and on the day a friend offends, he is content to keep silent.

The world cherishes faithful men who never forsake
old friendships, worn by time but unbroken.


-Tirukkural 81: 808-8

RAHIMAN DHAGA PREM KA

MAT TODO CHATKAYE

TOOTE TE FIR NA JUDE

JUDIE GANTH PARH JAAYE

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

MERI ROOH WICH...

“Meri Rooh Vich”, Mera Yaar Wasda”,

Meri Akh Vich Uska, Deedar Wasda,

Sanu Apne Dard Di, Parwa Nahi,

Par Rab Kare Har Waqt Rahe Mera Yaar Hasda! ...

BHEEG JATI HEIN PALKE...

Bheeg jati hain palke tanhai me,

Darte hain koi jan na le,

Tabhi to ham chalte hain barish me,

Taki rote hue hame koi pahechan na le ...

WOH DHUNDTE RAHE........

Woh dhundte rahe hame dagar dagar,

Unhe hamari Taalash thi,

Par afsos jis mitti pe thay kadam unke,

Usi mein rakh humari thi...............

STRONG MEDICINE FOR THE NUN

Strong Medicine for the Nun

Pat is not feeling very well and he decides to go to a doctor.

While he is waiting in the doctor's reception room, a nun comes out of the doctor's office. She looks very ashen, drawn and haggard.

Pat goes into the doctor's office and says to the doctor: "I just saw a nun leaving who looked absolutely terrible. I have never seen a woman look worse."
The doctor says: "I just told her that she is pregnant."

Pat exclaims: "Oh my, is she?"

The doctor responds: "No, but it sure cured her hiccups."

A LITTLE GIRL AND THE LORD

Lord, Don't Let Me Be Late!

A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class.

As she ran she prayed, "Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!"As she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off,and started running again.

As she ran she once again began to pray, "Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!...But don't shove me either."

UPA GOVERNMENT OF INDIA - DIVIDE AND RULE

nnaswami narayanaswami wrote:

Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:55:20 -0800 (PST)
From: annaswami narayanaswami
Subject: UPA government is no less racist!
To: F-VijayAsharDr

UPA government is no less racist!
V SUNDARAM 22nd Jan07 Newstoday
If the British government can be viewed as racist in the light of the culturally cosmetic, socially trivial and politically insignificant Shilpa Shetty affair, I can assert that the UPA government in New Delhi today is no less 'racist' towards the Hindu majority in India. I was amused by the world-shaking statement of Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma to this effect: 'Government of India have taken note of the alleged racist attacks on Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty on a popular UK reality TV show. We are seized of the matter. We are looking into all the aspects. We will take appropriate action as required. The world knows that India has throughout firmly rejected all forms of discrimination and racism.'
In retrospect, this so-called principled stand of the Minister of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma, now looks infantile and stupid in the light of Shilpa Shetty's subsequent withdrawal of the original allegations of racism which she had made against her co-actors in the TV serial. Like a typical UPA Congress Minister, totally devoid of intellectual integrity or any sense of honour or public purpose, Shilpa Shetty has declared: 'You know, when I actually thought about it, I know it is not a racist thing. I thought about it for a long time. It is not racist. I take that back. You know people say things in a fit of anger. I stand corrected. I don't want people to think and feel that way. So, even if I said it, I would like you to please clarify and put this as a statement from my side if you can: That I don't feel there was any racial discrimination happening from Jade's end.'
I was looking into the internationally accepted definitions of 'Racism.' All of them uniformly point out that any form of discrimination against any particular religion within a country or a State is a definite form of condemnable and reprehensible 'Racism'. Even the United Nations has adopted this approach. In Turkey, the Kurds have been the victims of 'Racism'. In Iraq, the Shia Muslims have been the victims of social and political 'Racism.' In Bosnia, we have the disgraceful phenomenon of racial discrimination against the Muslims. Despite the fact of barbarous racism, the saving grace in Turkey and Iraq is that Kurds and Shia Muslims respectively are in minority.
In the light of this definition, I can adduce irrefutable documentary evidence to show that the surrogate UPA government in New Delhi (under the power without responsibility stranglehold of an Italian woman) is a government which actively practices undeclared, unstated, undefined but definitely politically promoted 'Racism' against the peace-loving HINDUS in majority in India. According to this nation-dividing and nation-destroying racist philosophy of the Congress party, every Hindu in India is a Landlord and every Muslim/Christian is a serf. Every Hindu is a Guild-Master and every Muslim/Christian is a Journeyman. Every Hindu is an oppressor and every Muslim/Christian is the oppressed. All this is done not for social justice for anyone but for the electoral gains of the Congress Party and the private fortunes of the Nehru clan. The degenerate Congress Party today - a private limited company inherited by the Nehru clan - often claims that it is promoting social justice and social engineering by announcing newer and newer programmes from time to time for the benefit of the so-called minorities, ignoring the fundamental rights of the poor, lowly, lowliest and lost amongst the Hindus in majority in India.
Nowhere in the world can we see the national disaster of a duly elected government officially announcing and promoting a pernicious policy of 'Racism,' particularly against the majority. Every Hindu in India knows today that Manmohan Singh's or Sonia Gandhi's heartless heart would be gladdened or quickened by the phenomenon of their coming to face to face with a devout Muslim or a devout Christian and totally disgusted by the tragedy of their having to face a devout Hindu, regardless of region or language or caste. Is this not political 'Racism'? Is this not religious 'Racism'? Is this not 'Racism' against the majority? I would be dismissed as rabidly 'Communal', 'Saffronized', 'Non-secular', 'Obscurantist', 'Superstitious', 'Half-savage Hindu' by the Congress Party and its spineless and supine leaders.
Let me give some concrete instances to substantiate my major charge of 'Racism against the majority' which I am raising against the UPA government.
1. In the dastardly name of 'Minorityism' on paper and petty vote bank politics in practice, that sworn enemy of Hinduism juvenile Jawaharlal Nehru surreptitiously slipped in Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution in order to convert the Hindus in majority in India into serfs of the 'minority' in perpetuity.
2. After declaring India as a secular State, Pandit Nehru introduced Haj subsidies for the Muslims in 1959. We do not have Haj subsidies in any other Islamic or non-Islamic country in the world. Every self-respecting Muslim in those countries, would deem it as a loss of honour and dignity to accept any financial assistance from their governments for this kind of religious pilgrimage. For the Muslims of India, it is a matter of privilege and special favour or at any rate minority rights. What is more, there is no distinction between the rich and the poor among the Muslims, insofar as the grant of this subsidy is concerned. In this context, the poor Hindus of India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Rann of Kutch to the Bay of Bengal, would like to pose some simple and straight questions to the UPA government in general and Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi in particular: 'What crimes or sins we have committed as Hindus not to qualify for subsidies to visit places of pilgrimage like Kasi, Manasarover, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Dwaraka, Puri, Kancheepuram, Madurai, Srirangam, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, etc.? Are we in minority in India? Are we not discriminated against on the ground of the religion of our forefathers from times immemorial? Are you suggesting that we would instantaneously qualify for these subsidies only by converting ourselves voluntarily and cheerfully to Islam? If your answer is yes, are you working for the Islamisation of India? Are you being guided by the Mullahs of Deoband or the Imam of Jumma Masjid? Or by Their Majesties and Graciousness, Their Serenities, Royal Highnesses and the like in the Middle East or like the displaced or deposed Nawabs and others of their ilk in different parts of India?'
3. Was it not an announcement of religious discrimination against the Hindus in majority - the recent policy pronouncement of Manmohan Singh that government of India will always follow the philosophy of 'Muslims First' in the matter of apportionment of development funds? As a responsible Prime Minister, is he not taking India on the treacherous path of fragmenting the country on communal lines just in order to corner some Muslim votes in different parts of India?
4. Is the Union Finance Minister, trying to introduce the new phenomenon of 'COMMUNAL LOANS' by asking the Banks to refashion and restructure their lending policy by earmarking 15 per cent of the priority sector loans exclusively for the minorities? Will it not throw open the gates of all the Banks in India to the Mullahs and the Moulvis to bring to bear their religious influence even on routine technical and financial matters relating to loans and advances in the banking sector?
5. Having declared India a 'secular' country under the Indian Constitution, will it not be illegal on the part of government of India to talk of religious minorities? Will it not amount to official acceptance of a policy of 'Racism' based on religious discrimination against the Hindus in India -like the kind of State-sponsored discrimination against the Kurds in Turkey and the Shias in Iraq?
6. Was not Sonia Gandhi practicing 'Racism' against the Hindus in majority in India when she described the RSS as a rightist organisation with a long track record of stoking the religious prejudices, inflaming the religious passions and polarizing the Indian society? Was she not aware of the Supreme Court verdict to the effect that the RSS is a purely socio-cultural organisation meant for the promotion of Hindu unity and Hindu solidarity? Does she not have contempt for this considered verdict of the Supreme Court?
7. Soon after the Mumbai train blasts, Sonia Gandhi visited Mumbai and declared that 'the feelings of the minority Muslims should not be hurt,' in spite of being fully aware of the fact that these acts of terror were perpetrated by the Muslims with the full backing of ISI in Pakistan. Has she ever spoken once about the hurt feelings of the Hindus in India? Was she ever worried about the innocent Hindu men, women and children who were burnt alive in a Railway Carriage at Godhra in Gujarat? Is not the UPA government treating the peaceful and law abiding Hindus of India as the Jews in Nazi Germany?
When Shilpa Shetty was subjected to imaginary racism in England recently, the government of India at least posed in such a manner as to show that they were concerned about it. When the silent Hindus of India are subjected to the State-sponsored tyranny of undeclared 'racism,' where are they to go for succour and relief? To the International Court of Justice? To the United Nations? Or to the nearest Church? Or to the nearest Mosque? These are the relevant questions for all the Hindus in India today.
(The writer is a retired IAS officer)
e-mail the writer at vsundaram@newstodaynet.com0

UPA THE DE FACTO MUSLIM LEAGUE OF TODAY

'UPA working with the mindset of Muslim League'
1/23/2007 12:37:07 AM

Courtesy:dailypioneer.com

Thiruvananthapuram:Rajnath Singh criticised the UPA Government's proposal to Indian Banks Association (IBA) that special loan provisions should be made for minorities. "Poverty has no religion. The UPA Government has identified it with Muslims," he said. There were no reports of any discrimination in the banking sector while allocating loans, he added.

DREAMS for the future OR THE PAST

Today's Quote

I like the dreams for the future better than the history of the past.

-Thomas Jefferson

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

GO AHEAD - CHECK YOUR BIRTHDATE AND SEE WHAT YOU'RE ALL ABOUT

Mine is DOVE characteristic, which is almost right, so please check with yours-

Go ahead - check out your birth date and see what you're all about, you'll be amazed at how true the description is...

Birthdays: (Look below for your characteristics)

January 01 - 09 ~ Dog
January 10 - 24 ~ Mouse
January 25 - 31 ~ Lion

February 01 - 05 ~ Cat
February 06 - 14 ~ Dove
February 15 - 21 ~ Turtle
February 22 - 28 ~ Panther

March 01 - 12 ~ Monkey
March 13 - 15 ~ Lion
March 16 - 23 ~ Mouse
March 24 - 31 ~ Cat

April 01 - 03 ~ Dog
April 04 - 14 ~ Panther
April 15 - 26 ~ Mouse
April 27 - 30 ~ Turtle

May 01 - 13 ~ Monkey
May 14 - 21 ~ Dove
May 22 - 31 ~ Lion

June 01 - 03 ~ Mouse
June 04 - 14 ~ Turtle
June 15 - 20 ~ Dog
June 21 - 24 ~ Monkey
June 25 - 30 ~ Cat

July 01 - 09 ~ Mouse
July 10 - 15 ~ Dog
July 16 - 26 ~ Dove
July 27 - 31 ~ Cat

August 01 - 15 ~ Monkey
August 16 - 25 ~ Mouse
August 26 - 31 ~ Turtle



September 01 - 14 ~ Dove
September 15 - 27 ~ Cat
September 28 - 30 ~ Dog

October 01 - 15 ~ Monkey
October 16 - 27 ~ Panther
October 28 - 31 ~ Turtle

November 01 - 16 ~ Lion
November 17 - 30 ~ Cat

December 01 - 16 ~ Dog
December 17 - 25 ~ Monkey
December 26 - 31 ~ Dove


If you are a Dog: A very loyal and sweet person. Your loyalty can never be doubted. You are quite honest and sincere when it comes to your attitude towards working. You are a very simple person, indeed. Absolutely hassle free, humble and down-to-earth!! That explains the reason why your friends cling on to you! You have a good taste for clothes. If your wardrobe is not
updated with what is trendy, you sure are depressed. Popular and easy-going.
You have a little group of dignified friends, all of them being quality-personified.

If you are a Mouse: Always up to some sort of a mischief! The mischievous gleam in your eyes is what makes you so cute and attractive to everyone. You are an extremely fun-to-be-with kind of person. No wonder, people seek for your company and look forward to include you for all get-togethers. However, you are sensitive, which is a drawback. People need to select their words
while talking to you. If someone tries to fiddle around and play with words while dealing with you, it is enough to invite your wrath. God bless the person then!

If you are a Lion: Quite contradictory to your name, you are a peace loving person. You best try to avoid a situation wherein you are required to fight. An outdoor person, you dislike sitting at one place for a long duration. You are a born leader, and have it in you how to tactfully derive work from people. You love being loved, and when you receive your share of limelight from someone, you are all theirs!!!! Well, well... hence some people could even take an advantage, flatter you to the maximum and get their work done. So be careful.....

If you are a Cat: An extremely lovable, adorable person, sometimes shy, with a passion for quick wit. At times, you prefer quietness. You love exploring various things and going into depth of each thing. Under normal circumstances you're cool, when given a reason to, you are like a volcano
waiting to erupt. You're a fashion bird. People look forward to you as an icon associated with fashion. Basically, you mingle along freely but don't like talking much to strangers. People feel very easy in your company. You observe care in choosing your friends.

If you are a Turtle: You are near to perfect and nice at heart. The examples of your kindness are always circulated in groups of people. You too, love peace. You wouldn't like to retaliate even to a person who is in the wrong. You are loved due to this. You do not wish to talk behind one's back. People love the way you always treat them. You can give, give and give love, and the best part is that you do not expect it back in return. You are generous enough. Seeing things in a practical light is what remains the best trait of you guys.

If you are a Dove: You symbolize a very happy-go-lucky approach in life. Whatever the surroundings may be, grim or cheerful, you remain unaffected. In fact, you spread cheer wherever you go. You are the leader of your group of friends and good at consoling people in their times of need. You dislike hypocrisy and tend to shirk away from hypocrites. They can never be in your
good books, no matter what. You are very methodical and organized in your work. No amount of mess, hence, can ever encompass you. Beware; it is easy for you to fall in love....

If you are a Panther: You are mysterious. You are someone who can handle pressure with ease, and can handle any atmosphere without going berserk. You can be mean at times, and love to gossip with your selected group. Very prim and proper. You like all situations and things to be in the way you desire, which, sometimes is not possible. As a result, you may lose out in some
relationships. But otherwise, you love to help people out from difficult and tight spots when they really need you.

If you are a Monkey: Very impatient and hyper!!! You want things to be done as quickly as possible. At heart, you are quite simple and love if you are the center of attraction. That way, you people are unique. You would like to keep yourself safe from all the angles. Shall your name be dragged or featured in any sort of a controversy, you then go all panicky. Therefore, you take your precautions from the very beginning. When you foresee anything wrong, your sixth sense is what saves you from falling in traps. Quite a money minded bunch you people are!!

TRUE MOTHER IN LAW

True Mother-in-Law

Two women came before wise King Solomon, dragging between them a young man in a three-piece suit. "This young lawyer agreed to marry my daughter," said one.

"No! He agreed to marry MY daughter," said the other.

And so they argued before the King until he called for silence.

"Bring me my biggest sword," said Solomon, "and I shall cut the young attorney in half. Each of you shall receive a half.""Sounds good to me," said the first lady.

But the other woman said, "Oh Sire, do not spill innocent blood. Let the other woman's daughter marry him."

The wise king did not hesitate a moment. "The attorney must marry the first lady's daughter," he proclaimed.

"But she was willing to cut him in two!" exclaimed the king's advisor.

"Indeed," said wise King Solomon. "That shows she is the TRUE mother-in-law."

INDIAN CHRISTIANS OBJECT TO SURYA NAMASKAR IN SCHOOLS

3. Indian Christians Protest Yoga in Schools

www.catholic.org

BHOPAL, INDIA, January 16, 2007: (HPI note: This report is from a Catholic on-line news service) The practices of a majority religion should not be imposed on other minority religions, said an Indian archbishop, reacting sharply to a decision of an Indian state government. In a January 15 interview with the Indian Catholic, the Internet news service of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, Archbishop Pascal Topno of Bhopal said that he had nothing against "Surya Namaskar" or other Hindu rituals, but questioned the Madhya Pradesh government's decision to make the practice compulsory in all government schools and colleges. "People from other communities should be given the freedom and the choice to say 'no' to it," said Archbishop Topno, acknowledging that the Catholic Church had not received any direct orders from the government mandating the practice.

"Surya Namaskar" or sun salutation or prayer, comprising of "pranayam," the control of brea th and several main yoga asanas, is a main component of yoga. Reports said that the government announced it will hold mass surya namaskar recitations in institutions across the state on January 25 as a precursor to a new yoga policy. The government has made it clear that it would encourage private schools and colleges to participate in the program. "But we have not yet received any such notice," Archbishop Topno said. Muslim organizations in the Indian state are reportedly critical of the state government's decision, threatening a boycott of student school attendance on January 25 as Islam does not allow Muslims to bow in front of anyone but Allah. Echoing those views, Archbishop Topno said that "similarly, one of our commandments also means that we should not bow down in front of any idol or any other god." The Madhya Pradesh government has defended the measure as an innocuous step to promote the healthy practice of yoga in the state.

TODAY'S HARVEST

Today's Quote

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.

-Robert Louis Stevenson

Monday, January 22, 2007

KASHMIR

http://www.newindpress.com/column/News.asp?Topic=389&Title=&ID=IE620070118103117&nDate=&Sub=&Cat=&
Army fears Govt may fall for Pakistan sweet talk
Kamlendra Kanwar - January 19 2007

Some recent statements by the Army Chief, General J J Singh, and a Defence spokesman, Lt Col S D Goswami, reflect the apprehensions in the armed forces that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his government may give in too much on Kashmir and Siachen in negotiations with Pakistan.

The Indian Army is avowedly apolitical and not known to comment on political and foreign policy issues. That it has cautioned against the demilitarisation moves in Kashmir and against any withdrawal of troops from Siachen without Pakistan authenticating the maps on troop positions is an indication that fears of the Government succumbing to Pakistani sweet talk run deep.

Shrewd as President Musharraf is, he realizes that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is obsessed with making his mark in history. A deal with Pakistan, Dr Singh reckons, would get him into the history books and is worth the risk it involves. That is indeed dangerous when he is dealing with a leader who was the mastermind of the Kargil invasion and whose guile keeps even the Americans befuddled.

Significantly, Goswami’s articulation of Army concern was contained in an article that he released to the media. It came on the heels of Dr Manmohan Singh’s statement welcoming President Musharraf’s four-point proposal on Kashmir, which, among other things, moots Pakistan’s abandonment of claim to Jammu and Kashmir if India agrees to give the territory autonomy under joint supervision by both countries and to demilitarisation in the territory.

Goswami cautioned: "Pakistan’s proposal of demilitarization of Kashmir means complete withdrawal of troops not only from the borders but also from such urban centres as Kupwara, Baramulla and Srinagar."

Ruling out this possibility, he said: "There is a distinction between troops returning to the barracks on completion of internal security tasks assigned to them and troops being completely moved out of the area including from border defence duties.

"Kashmir touches the borders of Pakistan and China. It has suffered four invasions from the western neighbours and one from the northern. Besides, there is cross-border terrorism in which 30,000 people have lost their lives. In such a situation, withdrawal of defence forces would be fatal," Goswami maintained.

"Even if normalcy is restored and peace returns within the state, troops can go back to the barracks but demilitarisation as such cannot be considered as the requirement of defending the country’s borders still remains paramount, in fact non-negotiable," he added.

Strong words these considering that no less a person than the Prime Minister had, in principle, welcomed the proposal of President Musharraf. Surely, Goswami could not have written the article and circulated it to the media without the knowledge and sanction of his superiors.

Back in April last, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan had revealed the Government’s mood when he declared that India and Pakistan were ‘closer’ to a ‘final point’ on resolving the Siachen issue. Pakistan Prime Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri spoke in the same vein when he said that a Siachen ‘solution’ was days away.

It was then that Army chief J J Singh swung into action. He had a one-on-one meeting with the Prime Minister at which he is believed to have told him that the Indian Army would be highly demoralized if it was ordered to vacate Siachen. The Army chief, who must be commended for his bold approach, is reported to have told Dr Manmohan Singh that he was sure Pakistan would not authenticate maps giving the present troops’ position since the intentions of the Pakistan establishment were to re-capture the commanding heights of Siachen.

According to the authoritative web journal ‘News Insight’, the Army chief further told him that even if the Indian Army withdrew, it must move back only in such a way that it could re-take the positions if Pakistan moved hostilely.

It was this meeting that apparently led Dr Manmohan Singh to re-think and to announce publicly that a deal on Siachen was not on the cards.

Mercifully, Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee asserted in Islamabad earlier this week that India would not acquiesce to any redrawing of borders. More crucial, however, was Mukherjee’s emphatic "no" to President Pervez Musharraf’s feverish advocacy for "joint management" of J&K. This was the first instance when India had clearly rebuffed Musharraf’s alleged peace promotion measure.

For now, the danger of any major ‘deal’ with Pakistan on Kashmir and Siachen seems to have receded. But the country will have to be on guard lest we be pushed again into what may potentially prove to be a disaster.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

BUDDHIST WISDOM

As rain seeps into
an ill-thatched hut,
so passion,
the undeveloped mind.

As rain doesn't seep into
a well-thatched hut,
so passion does not,
the well-developed mind.

-Dhammapada, 1, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

MISERABLE WITHOUT YOU...

I'm so miserable without you...


(Inside card) - It's almost like you're still here.

FOODS THAT FIGHT DISEASE

GUIDE Foods that fight disease
• Apples

• Broccoli

• Carrots
• Fish

• Garlic and onions

• Kale
• Legumes

• Multi-grain breads

• Raspberries
• Red wine

• Soy beans

• Tomatoes
Research is showing that many of our favorite foods contain compounds that help our bodies fight infection, heart disease and even cancer. Click on the foods to the left to find out what helpful substances they offer.
© 2007 MSNBC Interactive
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MORE FROM NUTRITION NOTES


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WANT TO LIVE LONGER AND LONGER, EAT APPLES AND APPLES

If you look only at lists of fruits highest in vitamin C or read about the super health-promoting powers of the latest popular fruit, you might wonder if Grandma’s advice “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” still merits consideration.

Yet as research moves further into the study of the thousands of natural compounds we get from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other plant foods, apples do shine.

Antioxidants are well-established as an important part of how healthful eating can lower our risk of heart disease and cancer, and possibly other conditions that can develop as we age. They're also frequently discussed in relation to vitamins C and E, and perhaps other plant compounds such as beta-carotene. However, fruits and vegetables also provide flavonoids, a large group of compounds that are all antioxidants.

The antioxidant power of flavonoids is one reason that apples are again in the spotlight. Apples contain only modest amounts of vitamin C. A medium apple averages about 6 milligrams of vitamin C, not much compared to the recommended daily intake of 75 to 90 milligrams for adults. But scientists have now calculated the antioxidant power of that apple is equal to more than 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C. The vast majority of its antioxidants come from flavonoids.

A weapon against cancer and cholesterol
Antioxidants are key elements in preventing cancer, because they stabilize highly reactive free radicals that can otherwise damage our DNA and begin the process of cancer development. Antioxidants are also considered a key step in heart health because they protect blood vessels. They also keep LDL cholesterol in a less damaging form.

Along with antioxidant protection, apples contain pectin, a soluble fiber that helps lower blood cholesterol. Higher blood cholesterol is associated with a greater incidence of heart disease. In the Women’s Health Study of about 40,000 U.S. women, researchers analyzed apple consumption and heart health. After controlling for other fruits along with vegetables, fiber and other nutrients, the study found that women who ate at least one apple a day developed 22 percent less heart disease than women who ate no apples.

Cancer prevention benefits appear to stem from more than antioxidants, too. Laboratory studies show that apple extracts concentrated apple compounds can reduce growth and reproduction of colon and lung cancer cells. Among more than 77,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study, daily apple consumption was linked to 37 percent lower risk of lung cancer, after controlling for smoking and other risk factors. Results of a study from Finland showed that highest flavonoid consumption, of which apples were an important part, was linked with a 20 percent lower risk of cancer overall and a 46 percent lower risk of lung cancer.

Fill up on apples
Many studies have found that increased fruit consumption is linked with lower weight. Studies show that people are most successful at limiting calories when they include foods that contain relatively few calories in relation to their portions. Apples are high in a type of fiber that creates a “full” sensation. The calories from one medium apple are about equal to one-and-a-half Oreo cookies and are far more filling. (It’s important to remember that for overall health, a variety of fruit is a smarter move than sticking with multiple daily servings of apples or any fruit.)

Apples go out of season in the Northern Hemisphere by early winter and are often stored so they can be sold throughout the winter. Prolonged storage of fruits and vegetables often means loss of nutritional value, but apples retain virtually all of their flavonoid content for five to six months in cold storage. Processing, however, does lower the amount of flavonoid, so apples themselves contain more antioxidants than apple juice or applesauce. Besides snacking on apples out of hand, try them in green and fruit salads and cooked with vegetables such as carrots, winter squash and sweet potatoes.

Nutrition Notes is provided by the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

KEEP ENJOYING

Do we decide to live in this Universe between our birth and death ?
No...
When somebody else decides for us to live in this world..
He knows what to give to us in this world..
Keep Enjoying ..
Reminding yourself that "HE" will take care..

AJGAR KARE NA CHAAKRI

PANCHHI KARE NA KAAM

DAS MALUKA KEH GAYE

SABKE DATA RAM.

FAMOUS FATHER IN LAW..

Quite a Son-in-Law

A Jewish girl brings her fiancé home to meet her parents. After dinner, her mother tells her father to find out about the young man. He invites the fiancé to his study for schnapps.

"So what are your plans?" the father asks the fiancé.

"I am a Torah scholar," he replies.

"A Torah scholar," the father says. "Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in, as she's accustomed to?"

"I will study," the young man replies, "and God will provide for us."

"And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she deserves?" asks the father.

"I will concentrate on my studies," the young man replies, "God will provide for us."

"And children?" asks the father. "How will you support children?"

"Don't worry, sir, God will provide," replies the fiancé.

The conversation proceeds like this, and each time the father questions, the fiancé insists that God will provide.

Later, the mother asks, "How did it go?" The father answers, "He has no job and no plans, but the good news is he thinks I'm God."

Friday, January 19, 2007

MINDSET

It's Called Mindset

As I was passing the elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from the ropes they were tied to but for some reason, they did not.

I saw a trainer near by and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.

"Well," he said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free."

I was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn't, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?

HOW WE WOULD LIKE TO BE INCARNATED, IF WE HAD A CHOICE

COMING BACK BLACK

In a round table discussion about whether
reincarnation was really
possible, a financially struggling single woman said,

"I want to come back as a rich white woman's poodle
that's pampered
And rides around all day in her luxury car."

A tired waitress said, "I want to come back rich and
make a lot of Money
and be a mega-super recording star".

The frustrated computer tech said, "If I can come
back, I want to be
The President, so I can change a lot of things about
this world near and
far."

Another woman thought about it and said, "I don't know
if it's possible,
but if I can... God, please let me come back a BLACK
WOMAN.

I want to come back with a mind fierce and sharp,
with a spiritual faith that never waivers or doubts.

With a smile that is warm, and a body divine - with
honey, cinnamon

Or chocolate skin, draped in purple and gold. And,
whether young or
old, always have enough money so the words broke,
layaway, overdue, or
postdated check aren't in MY vocabulary.

I want to be a sister to my sister.

A woman wise when choosing my mate or a date.

I want to be able to cook greens, barbecue chicken,
macaroni and cheese,

cornbread, a peach cobbler and a lemon pound cake all
at
the same time.

I want to come back a BLACK WOMAN with self-esteem,
worthy of being
treated like a QUEEN by my King. A woman with
patience, love, and
wisdom for children.

A BLACK WOMAN with subscriptions to Essence, Jet,
Ebony,
Black Enterprise, and the Wall Street Journal.

I want to come back a BLACK WOMAN with at least one
great diamond from
the Motherland on my finger.

I want to come back with the quiet courage of Rosa
Parks,
the voice of Ella Fitzgerald, the political courage of
Ida B. Wells,
the determination of Harriet Tubman, the spiritual
poise of Susan
L.Taylor, the business savvy of Oprah Winfrey, the
eloquence of Dr. Maya
Angelou, and be the author of bestseller books like
Iyanla Vanzant.

I want to come back as a BLACK WOMAN, who can stay
focused on GOD
regardless of the circumstances. I want to be SAVED
from the penalty
of sin.

I want to never let what a person says or does change
my demeanor
I want to be humble, and to love and be loved
unconditionally.

I want skin that is flawless and soft, eyes of
discernment, and lips
that speak ONLY the truth. I want hands of gentleness
and feet of
prosperity
I want to be a lawyer to enforce the laws which man
has broken.

If reincarnation is real, please let me come back as a
BLACK WOMAN!!!"


I wanted to send this to all my sisters. We sometimes
forget how
GREAT we really are.


Please pass this on to all the Sisters you know.

For the men that receive this, please pass it on to
your wives, mothers,
grandmothers, sisters, aunts, significant others and
any other
Black Sisters you know.




Believe me they'll appreciate receiving these words.


BLACK WOMEN ARE WONDERFUL !!!!




Today is a great day. It is unique because it is like
no other day, and
when it is gone, it will never be back. Make the most
of it and to
everyone you meet today, BE KIND!

AND THAT'S OUR CUSTOM..

A Synagogue's Custom

A young scholar from New York was invited to become Rabbi in a small old community in Chicago. On his very first Shabbat, a hot debate erupted as to whether one should or should not stand during the reading of the Ten Commandments.

The next day, the rabbi visited 98 year-old Mr. Katz in the nursing home. "Mr. Katz, I'm asking you, as the oldest member of the community," said the rabbi, "what is our synagogue's custom during the reading of the Ten Commandments?"

"Why do you ask?" asked Mr. Katz."Yesterday we read the Ten Commandments. Some people stood, some people sat. The ones standing started screaming at the ones sitting, telling them to stand up. The ones sitting started screaming at the ones standing, telling them to sit down... "

"That," said the old man, "is our custom."

CHRISTIANS AND MOSLEMS, ETC.

"christianaggression.org" wrote:



Tom Heneghan
January 18, 2007
SignonSanDiego

PARIS – Christians are told to make disciples of all nations, but some missionaries have done this so aggressively in recent years that churches now want a code of conduct to spread their faith without antagonising any others.
A missionary boom in developing countries, often by United States evangelical and Pentecostal Protestants, has brought Christianity into some local conflicts with majority populations that follow faiths such as Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Overzealous preachers stand accused of linking humanitarian aid with baptism and insulting local faiths. Some local Christian minorities, who lived in peace before the boom, now feel a backlash as suspicion mounts against all Christians.

Representatives from the main families of the world's largest faith met in Geneva last week to discuss guidelines to curb aggressive evangelists and reassure other religions that Christian activists are not simply out to steal their sheep.

'Due to increased proselytism in some parts of the Christian family, the fibre of living together is jeopardised,' said the Rev. Hans Ucko, a Swedish Lutheran in charge of interreligious dialogue at the Geneva-based World Council of Churches (WCC).

Christian leaders at the meeting, part of a three-year effort aiming to produce a code of conduct by 2009, sought a balance that would let them continue spreading their faith without discrediting it and antagonising other religions.

The meeting brought together an unusually broad spectrum of Christianity, from Roman Catholics and the WCC – which groups mainline Protestants, Anglicans and Orthodox – to the World Evangelical Alliance and Pentecostal leaders.


AID EVANGELISATION

Tensions over missionary work have flared up over the past decade or so in several regions, most notably in Africa, South Asia and in the Muslim world, as globalisation opened up new avenues for religions to spread their views.

'India and Sri Lanka are two countries that have become very sensitive to this issue,' said Monsignor Felix Machado, the Vatican's representative in the discussion.

Hindu nationalists in India have passed anti-conversion laws in some states to stop what they say are missionaries bribing poor people to get baptised. In Sri Lanka, Buddhist nationalists have campaigned – so far in vain – for similar laws.

'Aid evangelisation' – helping disaster victims if they become Christian – frayed nerves in post-tsunami Indonesia to the point that Jakarta blocked a U.S. evangelical group from placing orphaned Muslim children into a Christian-run home.

The post-tsunami aid rush to Indonesia showed not only Christians help the poor with a possible double agenda. Radical Islamic groups also turned up in mostly Muslim Aceh province.


FIRE AND BRIMSTONE SERMONS

Catholics and mainline Protestants have long accused well-financed evangelical and Pentecostal missionaries of angering majority faiths in the developing world.

By discussing the issue for the first time, both sides saw this problem was less pressing than the tensions created by fire and brimstone sermons broadcast over satellite television, said Thomas Schirrmacher of the World Evangelical Alliance.

'The main problem is the international, almost exclusively American media,' he said. 'They are not linked to local churches and have no idea what effect their broadcasts have.

'I was in India when Pat Robertson said all Muslims should leave the United States,' he said, referring to a prominent U.S. televangelist. 'The Hindus said they agreed that Muslims should leave India too – and take the Christians with them.'

A spokeswoman for Robertson said 'The 700 Club,' where Robertson has made his most controversial comments about Islam, was only a small part of his satellite broadcasting and most of it was 'both culturally sensitive and

THE MILK OF KINDNESS - A TRUE STORY

True Story
>
> The Milk of Human Kindness!
>
>
> One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way
> through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He
> decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his
> nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.
>
> Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water! . She thought he looked
> hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then
> asked, How much do I owe you?"
>
> You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to
> accept pay for a kindness."
>
> He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."
>
> As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but
> his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and
> quit.
>
> Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local
> doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they
> called in specialists to study her rare disease.
>
> Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name
> of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.
>
> Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.
>
> Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at
> once.
>
> He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her
> life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.
>
> After a long struggle, the battle was won.
>
> Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for
> approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was
> sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the
> rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught
> her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...
>
> "Paid in full with one glass of milk"
>
> (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.
>
> Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God,
> that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."
>
> There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the waters
> comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you
> love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least
> you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that
> what life is all about?

A POEM WRITTEN BY AN AFRICAN KID NOMINATED AS THE BEST POEM OF 2005

When I born, I Black,
> When I grow up, I Black,
> When I go in Sun, I Black,
> When I scared, I Black,
> When I sick, I Black,
> And when I die, I still black ..
>
>
> And you White fella,
> When you born, you Pink,
> When you grow up, you White,
> When you go in Sun, you Red,
> When you cold, you Blue,
> When you scared, you Yellow,
> When you sick, you Green,
> And when you die, you Gray..
>
> And you calling me Colored ?

Thursday, January 18, 2007

POWER OF PRAYER

Silky's Test

The dog was dying. Almost unconscious, she lay on the ground outside the door of our clinic in Jaipur, India. She was a purebred black Labrador retriever - a rarity in India and especially at our shelter. My assistant, Ramsaroop, told me that she had been left by her owners for our shelter doctor to euthanize. Ours was the only shelter in the region where people could bring their dying pets, in the knowledge that their animals would be able to die peacefully and without pain. As many people in India believed it was wrong to take the life of an animal, even if it was terminally ill, it fell to our veterinarians and staff to take on the role of mercifully releasing these creatures from their suffering.
Like so many of the dogs we dealt with, she was so thin she could not stand. I recognized the terrible symptoms of distemper, and knew that she didn't have long to live. Her breathing was labored, and she was so weak she did not want to move. If by some miracle the dog recovered from the distemper, it was almost certain that she would have neurological damage, which could result in either seizures or permanent spasms. Reluctantly, I decided I would have to follow the owners' instructions and euthanize the dog. I asked Ramsaroop to bring the needle.
Ramsaroop returned with the syringe, and I bent down to perform this final act of mercy. As I did so, the dog, with great and deliberate effort, slowly lifted her head so that she could look into my eyes. As she stared at me, I felt that she was asking me for one last chance. She was not ready to die; she wanted to try to live. As our eyes met, I felt a great love and affinity for her. At that moment, I vowed to do all in my power to help her recover.
I turned to a surprised Ramsaroop and asked him to put away the needle. Then I went and fetched a small bowl of milk and placed it under the dog's nose. She showed no interest in it and continued to lie without moving. It was critical that she take some nourishment, so I prepared an IV drip for her. I was about to begin the procedure when I suddenly had an impulse.
I walked out of our front gate and up the road to the small temple next door to our shelter. Inside the plain, square cement temple, under a huge and ancient peepal tree, was a very old image of the Hindu monkey god, Hanuman, so old that it was no more than a blob of stone, all its features eroded, and its form painted with orange and silver.
There was something in the air of this special spot, perhaps because so many people had worshipped here, and I found myself filled with the peacefulness that emanated from this symbol of the love between human and animal. I stood for a long while, offering my own prayers to God for the black dog's recovery.
I walked back to the shelter and saw the dog still lying there, not moving. Again I fetched the bowl of milk and held it under her nose, which rested on the dust. This time however, she lifted her head, and slowly drank the full contents of the bowl. I was amazed and delighted with this sudden change, but still I did not really believe that it was possible for her to live.
I wasn't ready to give up though. Every few hours, I fed her small measures of food - baby cereal, raw egg, some bread soaked in milk. Each time I fed her, I marveled that she was still breathing. Over the next twenty-four hours, the dog's strength slowly returned. As the days passed and it seemed that she might live, I began to worry that she would be left with a legacy of convulsing limbs, or a permanently nodding head. I watched her carefully for signs of these problems.
But after a couple of weeks, when no neurological damage had manifested, I knew my patient was out of danger. She was able to wag her tail vigorously, to walk stiffly and to smile, looking at me with love-filled eyes that said, "You saved my life."
I named her Silky and decided to adopt her as my own. Her original owners had indicated that they did not want her, even if she recovered and I did not want to send this dog away with strangers. So I took her home to our small cottage built on the grounds of the shelter.
As soon as she walked into our bedroom, I was surprised to see her climb onto the bed. "No, Silky," I said, and went to pull her off. As I pulled on her collar, she growled furiously and tried to attack me, almost biting my hand. Shocked and dismayed, I stood back, and contemplated the situation. It had not occurred to me that she might have an aggressive side to her personality; she had been so meek and docile in the clinic.
Clearly someone had mistreated her. Silky must have thought that I, too, was going to brutalize her.
"Silky?" I asked in a soothing tone. She snarled and bared her teeth in response. It was painfully clear she knew how to be very frightening. I felt hurt that the dog, which I had so tenderly nursed, was now behaving in this way towards me. We were at a crossroads.
I have to show her who's boss, I thought, my mood hardening. She must obey me - we can't keep her if she's a dangerous dog. It was crucial that she pass this test.
Silky stared at me dolefully, no longer displaying any malice. Suddenly, as we looked at each other across a few feet of space, I realized that I was the one who had to pass the test. Others had mistreated her. Now she wanted to know whether I, too, would be a bully and a brute, or whether I would treat her with kindness and understanding.
My arrogance and desire to dominate melted away as I stood humbly before her. I had to win her loyalty now, in this moment. I had to show her, just once, that I was worthy of her love.
I wanted to communicate with her in the way I believe animals communicate, via thoughts and emotions. So I stood there, a few feet away from the bed, speaking to her gently. I explained that she would never be hurt agai n, and that she never need fear again. I consciously held to loving thoughts and images in my mind.
She watched me with her large, brown eyes, perhaps assessing whether she could truly believe me. At one point, I felt completely connected to her - as if we were one entity - both permeated by the same energy that suffuses all life. I was filled once again with the peace I had experienced in the temple.
The moment had come to discover whether I had passed her test. I leaned forward and took her collar. I saw her thinking, watching. She lay with front paws extended forward, her head slightly to one side. I held the collar, and tugged gently.
"Silky, come," I said. Without hesitation, as though she had never been anything but the most loving and obedient dog, she jumped down from the bed.
"Good Silky," I said, patting and fondling her ears. Slowly her tail began to wag.
That was many years ago, and Silky has now grown quite old. To this day, she has never again jumped on the bed. At night she sleeps at my feet on her own small mattress - my devoted companion and guard. And each time she pads softly beside me on a walk, or lays her dark head on my lap, I'm glad that, years ago, I had the wisdom to pass Silky's test.