"Service of mankind will secure leadership and good words will overcome powerful enemies"
Dear Freinds,
If you are ever forced by a thief or someone to take money out of an ATM machine, enter your pin number reversed.
So if your number is 1254 mark 4521.
The ATM machine will give you your money, but will automatically recognize this as a plea for help and will alert the police unknown to the thief.
This option is in all ATM machines, but not many people know this.
Please pass this information on to others. No harm in keeping this in
mind!!
Showing posts with label intresting facts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label intresting facts. Show all posts
Thursday, March 5, 2009
ATM INFORMATION
15 Companies That Might Not Survive 2009
Who's next?
With consumers shutting their wallets and corporate revenues plunging, the business landscape may start to resemble a graveyard in 2009. Household names like Circuit City and Linens 'n Things have already perished. And chances are, those bankruptcies were just an early warning sign of a much broader epidemic.
Moody's Investors Service, for instance, predicts that the default rate on corporate bonds - which foretells bankruptcies - will be three times higher in 2009 than in 2008, and 15 times higher than in 2007. That could equate to 25 significant bankruptcies per month.
We examined ratings from Moody's and data from other sources to develop a short list of potential victims that ought to be familiar to most consumers. Many of these firms are in industries directly hit by the slowdown in consumer spending, such as retail, automotive, housing and entertainment.
But there are other common threads. Most of these firms have limited cash for a rainy day, and a lot of debt, with large interest payments due over the next year. In ordinary times, it might not be so hard to refinance loans, or get new ones, to help keep the cash flowing. But in an acute credit crunch it's a different story, and at companies where sales are down and going lower, skittish lenders may refuse to grant any more credit. It's a terrible time to be cash-poor.
[See how Wall Street continues to doom itself.]
That's why Moody's assigns most of these firms its lowest rating for short-term liquidity. And all the firms on this list have long-term debt that Moody's rates Caa or lower, which means the borrower is considered at least a "very high" credit risk.
Once a company defaults on its debt, or fails to make a payment, the next step is usually a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Some firms continue to operate while in Chapter 11, retaining many of their employees. Those firms often shed debt, restructure, and emerge from bankruptcy as healthier companies.
But it takes fresh financing to do that, and with money scarce, more bankrupt firms than usual are likely to liquidate - like Circuit City. That's why corporate failures are likely to be a major drag on the economy in 2009: In a liquidation, the entire workforce often gets axed, with little or no severance. That will only add to unemployment, which could hit 9 or even 10 percent by the end of the year.
[Want to land a plum job without paying taxes? Here's how.]
It's possible that none of the firms on this list will liquidate, or even declare Chapter 11. Some may come up with unexpected revenue or creative financing that helps avert bankruptcy, while others could be purchased in whole or in part by creditors or other investors. But one way or another, the following 15 firms will probably look a lot different a year from now than they do today:
Rite Aid. (Ticker symbol: RAD; about 100,000 employees; 1-year stock-price decline: 92%). This drugstore chain tried to boost its performance by acquiring competitors Brooks and Eckerd in 2007. But there have been some nasty side effects, like a huge debt load that makes it the most leveraged drugstore chain in the U.S., according to Zacks Equity Research. That big retail investment came just as megadiscounter Wal-Mart was starting to sell prescription drugs, and consumers were starting to cut bank on spending. Management has twice lowered its outlook for 2009. Prognosis: Mounting losses, with no turnaround in sight.
Claire's Stores. (Privately owned; about 18,000 employees.) Leon Black's once-renowned private-equity firm, the Apollo Group, paid $3.1 billion for this trendy teen-focused accessory store in 2007, when buyout funds were bulging. But cash flow has been negative for much of the past year and analysts believe Claire's is close to defaulting on its debt. A horrible retail outlook for 2009 offers no relief, suggesting Claire's could follow Linens 'n Things - another Apollo purchase - and declare Chapter 11, possibly shuttering all of its 3,000-plus stores.
[See 5 pieces missing from Obama's stimulus plan.]
Chrysler. (Privately owned; about 55,000 employees). It's never a good sign when management insists the company is not going out of business, which is what CEO Bob Nardelli has been doing lately. Of the three Detroit automakers, Chrysler is the most endangered, with a product portfolio that's overreliant on gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs and almost totally devoid of compelling small cars. A recent deal with Fiat seems dubious, since the Italian automaker doesn't have to pony up any money, and Chrysler desperately needs cash. The company is quickly burning through $4 billion in government bailout money, and with car sales down 40 percent from recent peaks, Chrysler may be the weakling that can't cut it in tough times.
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. (DTG; about 7,000 employees; stock down 95%). This car-rental company is a small player compared to Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis Budget. It's also more reliant on leisure travelers, and therefore more susceptible to a downturn as consumers cut spending. Dollar Thrifty is also closely tied to Chrysler, which supplies 80 percent of its fleet. Moody's predicts that if Chrysler declares Chapter 11, Dollar Thrifty would suffer deeply as well.
Realogy Corp. (Privately owned; about 13,000 employees). It's the biggest real-estate brokerage firm in the country, but that's a bad thing when there are double-digit declines in both sales and prices, as there were in 2009. Realogy, which includes the Coldwell Banker, ERA, and Sotheby's franchises, also carries a high debt load, dating to its purchase by the Apollo Group in 2007 - the very moment when the housing market was starting to invert from a soaring ride into a sickening nosedive. Realogy has been trying to refinance much of its debt, prompting lawsuits. One deal was denied by a judge in December, reducing the firm's already tight wiggle room.
[See why "Wall Street talent" is an oxymoron.]
Station Casinos. (Privately owned, about 14,000 employees). Las Vegas has already been creamed by a biblical real-estate bust, and now it may face the loss of its home-grown gambling joints, too. Station - which runs 15 casinos off the strip that cater to locals - recently failed to make a key interest payment, which is often one of the last steps before a Chapter 11 filing. For once, the house seems likely to lose.
Loehmann's Capital Corp. (Privately owned; about 1,500 employees). This clothing chain has the right formula for lean times, offering women's clothing at discount prices. But the consumer pullback is hitting just about every retailer, and Loehmann's has a lot less cash to ride out a drought than competitors like Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx. If Loehmann's doesn't get additional financing in 2009 - a dicey proposition, given skyrocketing unemployment and plunging spending - the chain could run out of cash.
Sbarro. (Privately owned; about 5,500 employees). It's not the pizza that's the problem. Many of this chain's 1,100 storefronts are in malls, which is a double whammy: Traffic is down, since consumers have put away their wallets. Sbarro can't really boost revenue by adding a breakfast or late-night menu, like other chains have done. And competitors like Domino's and Pizza Hut have less debt and stronger cash flow, which could intensify pressure on Sbarro as key debt payments come due in 2009.
Six Flags. (SIX; about 30,000 employees; stock down 84%). This theme-park operator has been losing money for several years, and selling off properties to try to pay down debt and get back into the black. But the ride may end prematurely. Moody's expects cash flow to be negative in 2009, and if consumers aren't spending during the peak summer season, that could imperil the company's ability to pay debts coming due later this year and in 2010.
Blockbuster. (BBI; about 60,000 employees; stock down 57%). The video-rental chain has burned cash while trying to figure out how to maximize fees without alienating customers. Its operating income has started to improve just as consumers are cutting back, even on movies. Video stores in general are under pressure as they compete with cable and Internet operators offering the same titles. A key test of Blockbuster's viability will come when two credit lines expire in August. One possible outcome, according to Valueline, is that investors take the company private and then go public again when market conditions are better.
Krispy Kreme. (KKD; about 4,000 employees; stock down 50%). The donuts might be good, but Krispy Kreme overestimated Americans' appetite - and that's saying something. This chain overexpanded during the donut heyday of the 1990s - taking on a lot of debt - and now requires high volumes to meet expenses and interest payments. The company has cut costs and closed underperforming stores, but still hasn't earned an operating profit in three years. And now that consumers are cutting back on everything, such improvements may fail to offset top-line declines, leading Krispy Kreme to seek some kind of relief from lenders over the next year.
Landry's Restaurants. (LNY; about 17,000 employees; stock down 66%). This restaurant chain, which operates Chart House, Rainforest Café, and other eateries, needs $400 million in new financing to finalize a buyout deal dating to last June. If lenders come through, the company should have enough cash to ride out the recession. But at least two banks have already balked, leading to downgrades of the company's debt and the prospect of a cash-flow crunch.
Sirius Satellite Radio. (SIRI - parent company; about 1,000 employees; stock down 96%). The music rocks, but satellite radio has yet to be profitable, and huge contracts for performers like Howard Stern are looking unsustainable. Sirius is one of two satellite-radio services owned by parent company Sirius XM, which was formed when Sirius and XM merged last year. So far, the merger hasn't generated the savings needed to make the company profitable, and Moody's thinks there's a "high likelihood" that Sirius will fail to repay or refinance its debt in 2009. One outcome could be a takeover, at distressed prices, by other firms active in the satellite business.
Trump Entertainment Resorts Holdings. (TRMP; about 9,500 employees; stock down 94%). The casino company made famous by The Donald has received several extensions on interest payments, while it tries to sell at least one of its Atlantic City properties and pay down a stack of debt. But with casino buyers scarce, competition circling, and gamblers nursing their losses from the recession, Trump Entertainment may face long odds of skirting bankruptcy.
BearingPoint. (BGPT; about 16,000 employees; stock down 21%). This Virginia-based consulting firm, spun out of KPMG in 2001, is struggling to solve its own operating problems. The firm has consistently lost money, revenue has been falling, and management stopped issuing earnings guidance in 2008. Stable government contracts generate about 30 percent of the firm's business, but the firm may sell other divisions to help pay off debt. With a key interest payment due in April, management needs to hustle - or devise its own exit strategy.
- With Carol Hook, Danielle Burton and Stephanie Salmon
Sphere: Related Content11 arrested, indicted in multi-state visa fraud operation
DES MOINES, Iowa - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents
arrested 11 individuals in six states Wednesday as part of an investigation
into suspected visa and mail fraud. Matthew G. Whitaker, U.S. Attorney for
the Southern District of Iowa, announced the operation, which was carried
out by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in Iowa,
California, Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and New Jersey.
Vision Systems Group Inc., a New Jersey Domestic Profit Corporation with a
branch office in Coon Rapids, Iowa, was also indicted in a 10-count federal
indictment that included one count of conspiracy, eight counts of mail
fraud, and one count of 'Notice of Forfeiture' in the amount of $7.4
million.
"Today's multi-state enforcement action is the result of an extensive,
ongoing investigation into suspected H-1B visa fraud, mail fraud, and
conspiracy," said U.S. Attorney Whitaker. "Dubbed "Operation Pacific
Vision," this investigation is the result of outstanding cooperation and
collaboration among law enforcement agencies at all levels of government."
The investigation is being conducted by ICE in collaboration with U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services' Fraud Detection and National Security
Division (FDNS); U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General;
U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); U.S. Department of State; Social
Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General, and is supported
by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
"This case highlights the Department of Homeland Security's commitment to
identifying and dismantling visa fraud schemes," said Homeland Security
Acting Assistant Secretary for ICE John P. Torres. "Ensuring the integrity
of our nation's legal immigration system is a top priority for ICE."
"This is a prime example of how the Department of Homeland Security
identifies fraud," said Michael Aytes, USCIS's acting deputy director. "Our
adjudication officers can spot inconsistencies during the application
process that ultimately led to the successful outcome we're seeing today.
Visa fraud undermines the integrity of the immigration system and I'm proud
that our officers have helped to ensure that the American people and our
customers can continue to depend on a reliable system."
Federal authorities, with assistance from state and local law enforcement,
served search warrants at addresses in Urbandale and Clive, Iowa; in Santa
Clara, Rancho Cucamonga and Arcadia, Calif.; and in South Plainfield, N.J.
This investigation involves companies that sponsor primarily H-1B
non-immigrants, or temporary workers in specialty occupations that require a
particular expertise. The companies that are the subject of this
investigation have asserted that the foreign workers have been brought to
the U.S. to fill existing vacancies. However, the companies allegedly have
not always had jobs available for these workers, thereby placing them in
non-pay status after they arrive in the United States. In some cases, the
foreign workers have allegedly been placed in jobs and locations not
previously certified by the Department of Labor, displacing qualified
American workers and violating prevailing wage laws.
The companies and foreign workers have allegedly submitted false statements
and documents in support of their visa petitions. The false statements and
documents were mailed or wired to state and federal agencies in support of
the visa applications. The companies are suspected of visa fraud, mail
fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy.
"The foreign labor certification programs are designed to permit U.S.
employers to hire foreign workers to fill jobs essential to American
businesses," said Daniel R. Petrole, deputy inspector general, U.S.
Department of Labor. "Our agency remains resolute in its commitment with its
law enforcement partners to investigate fraud committed against these
Department of Labor programs."
U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty
occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized
fields, such as scientists, engineers, or computer programmers. As part of
the H-1B program, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the
Department of Labor (DOL) require U.S. employers to meet specific labor
conditions to ensure that American workers are not adversely impacted, while
the DOL's Wage and Hour Division safeguards the treatment and compensation
of H-1B workers. Congress sets a numerical cap for the admission of skilled
workers into the U.S. The current H-1B cap is set at 65,000 visas per fiscal
year. H-1B aliens can work in the United States for three years, with an
option for an additional three years (for a maximum of six years).
Those arrested Wednesday by ICE agents include:
Shiva Neeli, arrested in Boston, Mass.; charged with conspiracy and mail
fraud.
Ramakrishna Maguluri, arrested in Atlanta, Ga.; charged with conspiracy and
mail fraud.
Villiappan Subbaiah, arrested in Dallas, Texas; charged with conspiracy and
mail fraud.
Suresh Pola, arrested in Pennsylvania; charged with conspiracy and mail
fraud.
Vishnu Reddy, arrested in Los Angeles, Calif.; charged with conspiracy, mail
fraud and wire fraud.
Chockalingam Palaniappan, arrested in San Jose, Calif.; charged with
conspiracy, mail fraud and wire fraud.
Vijay Myneni, arrested in San Jose, Calif.; charged with conspiracy and mail
fraud.
Venkata Guduru, arrested in New Jersey; charged with conspiracy and mail
fraud.
Praveen Andapally, arrested in New Jersey; charged with conspiracy, mail
fraud, wire fraud, and making false statements in an immigration matter.
Amit Justa, arrested in New Jersey; charged with conspiracy and mail fraud.
Karambir Yadav, arrested in Louisville, Ky.; charged with conspiracy and
mail fraud.
The maximum sentence for conspiracy is five years in prison and a $250,000
fine. The maximum sentence for mail fraud is 20 years in prison and a
$250,000 fine. The maximum sentence for wire fraud is 20 years in prison and
a $250,000 fine. The maximum sentence for making a false statement in an
immigration matter is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Department of Homeland Security has a multifaceted approach to detecting
and investigating immigration and benefit fraud. ICE's Document and Benefit
Fraud Task Forces were created in March 2006 to target and dismantle
criminal organizations that threaten national security and public safety and
close vulnerabilities in the immigration process. USCIS created the Fraud
Detection and National Security Division (FDNS) to enhance the integrity of
the immigration systems and to identify persons who pose a threat to
national security or public safety. Cooperation between FDNS and ICE has
helped to increase the incidence of enforcement actions. More information on
these initiatives is available at www.ice.gov and www.uscis.gov.
The following agencies investigated or assisted in this case: U.S.
Attorney's Office, Southern District of Iowa; U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Fraud Detection and
National Security Division; U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector
General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Department of State; Kentucky
Consular Center (a field office of the Bureau of Consular Affairs); U.S.
Marshals Service; Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector
General; Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigations; Des Moines
Police Department; West Des Moines Police Department; Iowa Department of
Transportation's Motor Vehicle Enforcement Office.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation; a defendant is
presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Because this investigation
is in its early stages, it would be inappropriate to provide further details
on the case at this time. As this is an open federal investigation, until
further notice, the media is asked to direct any inquires on Operation
Pacific Vision to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Iowa's
Public Information Officer, Mike Bladel at (515) 473-9342. No other agency
is authorized to respond to questions on this matter.
-- ICE --
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003
as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE
is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law
enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland
security priorities.
Some health Tips
Hey people u have to write here some treatments.......it may be related to any season..........but now its season of summer & all need good health so....keep replying & post ur suggestions & ur tricks .........& enjoy all the seasons.........
Summer :
in summer our body needs water....& cold .......& if u are suffring from any type of problem like....vomiting , headach , low bp , accidity , pain in stomach & feel very hot .........u should imidiatlly make neembu pani ( lemon water , soda.....)
Heres the method :-
1) take 1 tumblar water.
2) take a middle sized lemon.....cut it & take out its juice then mix it with the water.
3) take salt & put it in the water according to ur taste.
4) take sugar 1 table spoon & mix with water.
5) take flavoured jira ( sika & pisa hau jira ) & mixed it also.
Now mixed all the items & u can use ice cubes in it. Your neembu pani ( lemon water . Soda ) is ready......after take it u feel relex & fresh ....u can take it anytime. No sideeffect......
Make it at home & enjoy.......
Write what did u feel after taking it........
Hey friends
if u or anyone else at ur home is suffring from " jaundice ".....u can give them ayurevedic medicine at home...
Method :-
1) take 10g alum's powder ( fitkari ka powder).
2) take 20g jira's powder ( kaccha & bina sika hua jire ka powder ).
3) mix both types of powder .
How to take :-
1) quantity of powder :- u have to take it equalent of a "gram" with simple water (1 chane
ke baraber )
2) in a day , take three times this medicine ( in the morning, in the noon &in the evening )
note :-
this medicine's taste is not so good.......i know it bcz i took it.....so, for no taste u can take it with banana . But bcz of only taste dont throw out it from the mouth......by this medicine u will cover up fastly.......there is a benifit ,no need to take any doctors medicine....but u can go for check up. So take this medicine till u would not come in ur privious happy & healthy life...................:)
so try this one also. Its not costly & recover fast......so take it & enjoy ur life
for getting rid of dark circles below eye lids
tip 1:
grate 2' piece of cucumber. Squeeze through a muslin cloth and extract the juice. Dip cotton pads in this and place on eyelids. Relax for 15 minutes.
Tip 2:
take 1 tspn tomato pulp,1 pinch of turmeric powder â½ tspn of limejuice and 1 tspn of gram flour. Make a paste and apply gently. Remove gently with moist cotton pads after â½ an hour.
Tip 3:
soak 2 almonds overnight. Peel and grind to a smooth paste. Add a few drops of limejuice to this apply for 20-25 minutes. This should be followed daily and gradually after 2 weeks, every 3rd day and finally when the difference is visible, to once aeek. A paste of almonds can be stored in a clean bottle in the 'fridge.
Tip 4:
apply a paste made by crushing a handful of mint leaves.
Its summer season & days are too hot.........then for cold should we do?????//
1. U should take milk in the morning ,if possible should take in night also.
2. U should drink a lots of water. Near 10 glasses in a day must take.
3. Should not go anywhere in noon.......& of u go then take one glass of neembu pani.
4. In the early morning u should take 1st one glass of honey & lemon with boiled water
( 1 table spoon honey & 2 lemon juice with boiled water ( temp. Of waher should be there
which can u take))
5. Do excercise & meditation, its good for health.
For pimples and scars left by it
mix 1 tsp of lemon juice and one tsp of rose water, apply on face and wash off after 15 minutes repeat this daily for 15-20 days and watch the difference
Softwarism!! ( IT Humor )
Gandhism: You have two cows. But you drink goat's milk. Indiraism: You have two bulls. You adamantly consider them as cows. Lalooism: You have two cows. You buy Rs. 900 Crore worth of cattlefeed for them. You have two cows. You throw them into air and catch their milk in your mouth. Rajivism: You have two cows. You paint them both to get colourful milk. Softwarism:(Ultimate....): Client has 2 cows and u need to milk them 2 . Prepare a document how long you have to milk them (Project plan) 3 . Then prepare how to milk them (Design) 4 . Then prepare what other accessories are needed to milk them (Framework) 5 . Then prepare a 2 dummy cows (sort of toy cows) and show to client the way in which u will milk them (UI Mockups & POC) 6 . If client is not satisfied then redo from step 2 7 . You actually start milking them and find that there are few problem with accessories. (Change framework) 8 . Redo step 4 9 . At last milk them and send it to onsite. (Coding over) 10. Make sure that cow milks properly ( Testing) 11. Onsite reports that it is not milking there. 12. You break your head and find that onsite is trying to milk from bulls 13. At last onsite milk them and send to client (Testing) 14. Client says the quality of milk is not good. (User Acceptance Test) 15. Offsite then slogs and improves the quality of milk 16. Now the client says that the quality is good but its milking at slow rate (performance issue) 17. Again you slog and send it with good performance. 18. Client is happy??? By this time both the COWs aged and cant milk. (The software got old and get ready for next release repeat from step 1) !!!!!
Rajnikantism:
1 . First prepare a document when to milk them (Project kick off)
How to know BAR CODES of different countries
Dear all friends
The whole world is scared of China made "black hearted goods"
Can you differentiate which one is made in Taiwan or China? Let me tell! u … the first 3 digits of barcode 690.691.692 is made in CHINA. Do not ever buy it for your own health.
471 is Made in Taiwan
This is a human right to know, but the government and related department never educate the public, therefore we have to rescue ourselves. Remember.
00-13: USA & Canada
20-29: In-Store Functions
30-37: France
40-44: Germany
45: Japan (also 49)
46: Russian Federation
471: Taiwan
474: Estonia
475: Latvia
477: Lithuania
479: Sri Lanka
480: Philippines
482: Ukraine
484: Moldova
485: Armenia
486: Georgia
487: Kazakhstan
489: Hong Kong
49: Japan (JAN-13)
50: United Kingdom
520: Greece
528: Lebanon
529: Cyprus
531: Macedonia
535: Malta
539: Ireland
54: Belgium & Luxembourg
560: Portugal
569: Iceland
57: Denmark
590: Poland
594: Romania
599: Hungary
600 & 601: South Africa
609: Mauritius
611: Morocco
613: Algeria
619: Tunisia
622: Egypt
625: Jordan
626: Iran
64: Finland
690-692: China
70: Norway
729: Israel
73: Sweden
740: Guatemala
741: El Salvador
742: Honduras
743: Nicaragua
744: Costa Rica
746: Dominican Republic
750: Mexico
759: Venezuela
76: Switzerland
770: Colombia
773: Uruguay
775: Peru
777: Bolivia
779: Argentina
780: Chile
784: Paraguay
785: Peru
786: Ecuador
789: Brazil
80 - 83: Italy
84: Spain
850: Cuba
858: Slovakia
859: Czech Republic
860: Yugoslavia
869: Turkey
87: Netherlands
880: South Korea
885: Thailand
888: Singapore
890: India
893: Vietnam
899: Indonesia
90 & 91: Austria
93: Australia
94: New Zealand
955: Malaysia
977: International Standard Serial Number for Periodicals (ISSN)
978: International Standard Book Numbering (ISBN)
979: International Standard Music Number (ISMN)
980: Refund receipts
981 & 982: Common Currency Coupons
99: Coupons
Reasons for bad dreams, want to know why we get bad dreams
No one likes being jolted awake from a deep sleep, especially when what riled you up was an assailant, a snake in the bed, or being engulfed by flames. Bad dreams—or worse, nightmares—aren’t just annoying; when reoccurring, they can disrupt a good night’s sleep, and sometimes, life.
On the spectrum of dreams, missing an important exam or showing up naked to work pales in comparison to nightmares, which are defined as bad dreams that wake the sleeper. They occur during rapid eye movement (REM) late in the evening and because we jerk awake during them, we usually remember all too clearly the fear, anxiety, and horrors.
Though more common among children, nightmares and bad dreams happen throughout life. But is there anything we can do to prevent the bad things from creeping into our sleep?
1. Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety and stress, often as the result of a traumatic life event, are sometimes the cause of nightmares and bad dreams. According to the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD), a major surgery or illness, grieving over the loss of a loved one, and suffering or witnessing an assault or major accident can trigger bad dreams and nightmares. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also a common cause of recurrent nightmares.
Not all nightmare triggers have to be traumatic, however. Everyday stressors, such as job or financial anxiety, or major life transitions such as moving or divorce, can also cause nightmares.
2. Spicy Foods
When and what we eat may affect our nighttime rest, if not our tendency toward bad dreams. A small study published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology had a group of healthy men eat spicy meals before bed on some evenings and compared their quality of sleep on nights where they had non-spiced meals. On the spicy nights, the subjects spent more time awake and had poorer quality sleep. The explanation is that spicy food can elevate body temperatures and thus disrupt sleep. This may also be the reason why some people report bad dreams when they eat too close to bedtime. Though few studies have looked at it, eating close to bedtime increases metabolism and brain activity and may prompt bad dreams or nightmares.
3. Fat Content of Food
Though far from conclusive, some research has indicated that the more high-fat food you consume during the day, the greater the chance that the amount and quality of your sleep may suffer. A small study published in 2007 in Psychological Reports found that the dreams of people who ate a high amount of organic food
differed from those who ate “junk foods.” The authors hypothesize that certain foods may negatively influence dreaming.
4. Alcohol
Though alcohol is a depressant that will help you fall asleep in the short term, once its effects wear off, it can cause you to wake up prematurely. Excess consumption can also lead to nightmares and bad sleep; nightmares are also a common occurrence for those going through alcohol withdrawal.
5. Drugs
Some drugs, including antidepressants, barbiturates, and narcotics, can cause nightmares as a side effect. For instance, a 2008 study published in the journal Pyschopharmacology looked at ketamine, a drug used in anesthesia and recreationally, and found that compared with a placebo, ketamine use resulted in more dream unpleasantness and increased the incidence of bad dreams. Similarly, anyone who has traveled to a country where malaria is endemic may have taken Lariam and had some interesting nightmares associated with it. Nightmares usually cease once the drug is cleared from the system.
6. Illness
Illnesses that include fever, such as the flu, can often trigger nightmares. And other sleeping disorders, including apnea and narcolepsy, may also increase the incidence of bad dreams and nightmares.
While bad dreams and nightmares are considered normal responses in dealing with everyday experiences, the IASD recommends consultation with a therapist if they last in intensity and severity. But trying to eliminate these six factors first may be the best place to start in your quest to sweeten your dreams and chase the nighttime demons away.
Ego
There was once a learned scientist. After a lot of practice and efforts, he developed a formula and learned the art of reproducing himself. He did it so perfectly that it was impossible to tell the reproduction from the original.
One day while doing his research, he realized that the Angel of Death was searching for him. In order to remain immortal he reproduced a dozen copies of himself. The reproduction was so meticulous that all of them looked exactly like him. Now when this Angel of Death came down, he was at a loss to know which of the thirteen before him was the original scientist, and confused, he left them all alone and returned back to heaven. But, not for long, for being an expert in human nature, the Angel came up with a clever idea.
He said to the scientist addressing all thirteen of them, "Sir, you must be a genius to have succeeded in making such perfect reproduction formula of yourself. However, I have discovered a flaw in your work, just one tiny little flaw." The scientist immediately jumped out and shouted, "Impossible! where is the flaw?" "Right here" said the Angel, as he picked up the scientist from among the reproductions and carried him off. The whole purpose of the scientist and his formula of reproduction failed as he could not control his pride and lost his life.
So while one's Knowledge and Skills takes one to the top of the ladder and makes one successful, however the three letter word "EGO" can pull one down immediately. Let go one's Ego.
TCS to increase working hours, may freeze variable pay
KOLKATA: It’s official now. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the country’s biggest software company in terms of sales, may freeze variable pay to
its over 1 lakh employees as part of a string of cost-management initiatives to cope with the pangs of the global meltdown. The company has also decided to increase employee working hours from April 1, 2009, to 45 hours per week from the present 40 hours that every TCSer needs to clock each week. This was indicated by TCS chief executive officer & managing director S. Ramadorai here on on Thursday.
"In a bid to rein in total manpower costs and spruce up employee efficiency and productivity levels, TCS will take a relook at its performance-linked variable pay practices. Variable compensation payout accounts for 7.5-to-8% of our revenues and this will now be reviewed," said Mr Ramadorai. Manpower costs account for 53% of TCS’s total costs.
Elaborating on other initiaitives to beef up internal efficiences, Mr Ramadorai also confirmed that TCS is increasing employee working hours to 45 hours a week from the present 40 hours per week level. "We believe the additional five hours can be effectively used to upgrade employee skills wherever necessary," said Mr Ramadorai.
Incidentally, the variable component of a TCS employee’s salary is linked to the performance of the company, the business unit of the individual and the individual’s performance. At present, it ranges between 20-to-35% of an employee’s gross salary. Comprising of distinct `company’ and `employee’ components, the variable allowance payment to each TCS employee happens on quarterly and monthly basis respectively, said a TCS official. More importantly, the variable pay increases with seniority.
The latest developments come at a time when TCS is under increasing pressure from global clients to reduce its cost of service delivery and is even losing clients who are trying to drive a hard bargain. "I cannot share client specifics. But it’s true that we have lost some clients. One client, for instance, demanded a 70% discount which was simply unsustainable," said Mr Ramadorai, in response to a specific query.
Dwelling on TCS’s plans to unlock internal efficiencies in times when the company was experiencing muted growth, Mr Ramadorai said: "Our capex was at Rs 1400 crore in 2008-09. You can now expect our future infrastructure-related spends to either get delayed or reduced. They will be rationalised based on real-time decisions once we take a call on the infrastructure budgets for the next fiscal.
TCS managing director S. Ramadorai, however, is unwilling to confirm whether the company’s Rajarhat software campus rollout will hit a roadblock in the backdrop of the company’s decision to cutback future infrastructure-related spends.
Not too long ago, TCS had indicated plans to unveil a spate of cost management initiatives that included ways to rationalise or consolidate TCS’s infrastructure globally to save costs. Other measures recommended were saving on energy costs through efficiency programs and optimising on travel and communication costs. The TCS management had also indicated that it was re-examining its capex program to conserve cash in the current volatile environment.
Tata Realty Infrastructure Ltd (TRIL), the real estate arm of the Tata group, has been roped in to execute development of the TCS upcoming
Job Hunt
Job-hopping: Pros & cons
Stay afloat in job
Pink slip blues
campus at Rajarhat.
Confirming this, TCS’s global human resources head Ajoyendra Mukherjee said: "TRIL has been given the mandate to execute the Rajarhat software campus over the next 24-odd months. I cannot share investment numbers at this point, but I can confirm that 15,000 employees will work in the upcoming Rajarhat campus which will come up at our 40 acre plot. Once the new campus is set up, we may relocate a section of TCS’s employees operating at some of out leased facilities in Salt Lake Sector V."
TCS has some 8000 IT professionals on its rolls in Kolkata who are distributed across the company’s eigth-odd centres in the Salt Lake Electronics Complex (Saltlec). Six of these facilities are leased while two are owned by TCS.
Balance Sheet of Life
Our Birth is our Opening Balance!
Our Death is our Closing Balance!
Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities
Our Creative Ideas are our Assets
Heart is our Current Asset
Soul is our Fixed Asset
Brain is our Fixed Deposit
Thinking is our Current Account
Achievements are our Capital
Character & Morals, our Stock-in-Trade
Friends are our General Reserves
Values & Behaviour are our Goodwill
Patience is our Interest Earned
Love is our Dividend
Children are our Bonus Issues
Education is Brands / Patents
Knowledge is our Investment
Experience is our Premium Account
The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet Accurately.
The Goal is to get the Best Presented Accounts Award.
Some very Good and Very bad things ..
The most destructive habit....... ........ .....Worry
The greatest Joy......... ......... ......... ...Giving
The greatest loss.......Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work........ ......Helping others
The ugliest personality trait....... .....Selfishness
The most endangered species..... ....Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource.... ......... ...Our youth
The greatest 'shot in the arm'........ .Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome.... ........ ...Fear
The most effective sleeping pill....... Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease..... .......Excuses
The most powerful force in life........ .......... Love
The most dangerous act...... ..A gossip
The world's most incredible computer.... ....The brain
The worst thing to be without..... ......... ..... Hope
The deadliest weapon...... ........ ........The tongue
The two most power-filled words....... ........ 'I Can'
The greatest asset....... .......... ........ ....Faith
The most worthless emotion.... ......... ....Self- pity
The most beautiful attire...... ......... ........SMILE!
The most prized possession.. ........ .....Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication. ..Prayer
The most contagious spirit...... ......... ......Enthusiasm
Life ends; when
you stop Dreaming,
Hope ends; when
you stop Believing,
Love ends; when
you stop Caring,
And Friendship ends; when
you stop Sharing...!!!
friend
What is recession?
This Story is about a man who once upon a time was selling Hotdogs by the roadside.
He was illiterate, so he never read newspapers.
He was hard of hearing, so he never listened to the radio.
His eyes were weak, so he never watched television.
But enthusiastically, he sold lots of hotdogs.
He was smart enough to offer some attractive schemes to increase his sales.
His sales and profit went up.
He ordered more a more raw material and buns and use to sale more.
He recruited few more supporting staff to serve more customers.
He started offering home deliveries. Eventually he got himself a bigger and better stove.
As his business was growing, the son, who had recently graduated from College, joined his father.
Then something strange happened.
The son asked, "Dad, aren't you aware of the great recession that is coming our way?"
The father replied, "No, but tell me about it." The son said, "The international situation is terrible.
The domestic situation is even worse. We should be prepared for the coming bad times.."
The man thought that since his son had been to college, read the papers, listened to the radio and watched TV.
He ought to know and his advice should not be taken lightly.
So the next day onwards, the father cut down the his raw material order and buns, took down the colorful signboard,
removed all the special schemes he was offering to the customers and was no longer as enthusiastic.
He reduced his staff strength by giving layoffs.
Very soon, fewer and fewer people bothered to stop at his hotdog stand.
And his sales started coming down rapidly, same is the profit.
The father said to his son, "Son, you were right".
"We are in the middle of a recession and crisis. I am glad you warned me ahead of time."
Moral of The Story: It's all in your MIND! And we actually FUEL this recession much more than we think we do!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Time Mgt: Never save something for a special occasion..!
Please do read this ... do not be too busy Earning a Living an
d in the process Forget to Live.
Here is a hair raising story which shows the importance of
Time Management and understanding what Life and Priorities
are all about.
Trust you will enjoy the read and start Living each day..
each moment...!!!
A friend of mine opened his wife's saree drawer and
picked up a silk paper wrapped package:
"This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package." He unwrapped
the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.
"She got this the first time we went to New York, 8 or 9 years ago.
She has never put it on. Was saving it for a special occasion.
Well, I guess this is it. He got near the bed and placed the gift
box next to the other clothings he was taking to the funeral
house, his wife had just died.
He turned to me and said:
"Never save something for a special occasion.
Every day in your life is a special occasion".
I still think those words changed my life.
Now I read more and clean less.
I sit on the porch without worrying about anything.
I spend more time with my family, and less at work.
I understood that life should be a source of experience
to be lived up to, not survived through.
I no longer keep anything.
I use crystal glasses every day.
I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket,
if i feel like it.
I don't save my special perfume for special occasions,
I use it whenever I want to.
The words "Someday..." and "One Day..." are fading away from my dictionary.
If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now.
I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew
she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell.
I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends.
She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels.
I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favourite food.
It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come.
I would regret it, because I would no longer see the friends
I would meet, letters... letters that i wanted to write "One of this days".
I would regret and feel sad, because I didn't say to my
brothers and sons, not times enough at least, how much I love them.
Now, I try not to delay, postpone or keep anything that could
bring laughter and joy into our lives.
And, on each morning, I say to myself that this could be a special day.
Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.
If you got this, it's because someone cares for you and
because, probably, there's someone you care about.
If you're too busy to send this out to other people and you
say to yourself that you will send it "One of these days", remember that
"One day" is far away... or might never come...
Live everyday .. every moment as if it is your last day... last moment....!! !!
Tips to Recover Scratched Cd's.......
Tips to recover scratched CD
Don't you feel like crying every time you add another disc to your pile
of scratched discs. Trashing that disc which contained your favorite
songs, pics, files, games or videos is not easy.
Read-on, if you find yourself wishing for a miracle every time your fav
CD is scratched:
Home Remedy :
here's an easy home remedy, which might give you the desired results.
Rub a small amount of toothpaste on the scratch and polish the CD with a
soft cloth and any petroleum-based polishing solution (like clear shoe
polish). Squirt a drop of Brasso and wipe it with a clean cloth.
Technology to the rescue
There are many softwares available on the net, which enable the recovery
of the CD data. BadCopy Pro is one such software, which can be used to
recover destroyed data and files from a range of media.
Just a few clicks is all it requires to recover the disc from almost all
kind of damage situation; be it corrupted, lost data, unreadable or
defective.
DiskDoctors is another popular company, which offers both software and
solutions to recover data from a scratched CDs and DVDs.
General Tips:
* Always wipe the CD from the center outward with stratight spoke-like
strokes. Wiping CDs in circles will create more scratches.
* Do not scratch the graphics layer as you cannot repair the disc. HINT:
Hold the disc up to a light with the graphics layer facing the light
source. If you can see light thru the scratches at any point then the
disc may be irreparable and or exhibit loading or playing errors.
* Clean your Disc players lens regularly with a suitable product to
ensure optimal viewing pleasure.
* Make sure to use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean both sides of the
disc. Wipe in a straight line from the centre of the disc to the outer
edge.
* If wiping with a cloth does not remove a fingerprint or smudge, use a
specialized DVD disc polishing spray to clean the disc.
* Only handle the disc by its outer edge and the empty hole in the
middle. This will help prevent fingerprints, smudges or scratches.
Statistics:
*Fingermarks/prints cause 43% of disc problems!
* General wear & tear causes 25% of disc problems!
* Player-related issues cause 15% of disc problems!
* User-related issues cause 12% of disc problems!
* PlayStation 2 machine scratches cause 3% of disc problems!
* Laser rot (a manufacturer error) causes 2% of disc problems!
How to Beat The Indian Politician - vote na do
Useful Info. Please read
and pass on...
How to Beat The
Indian Politician
Section
49-O of the Constitution:
(A Repetition
worth a read)
Did you know
that there is a system in our Constitution, as per the 1969 Act, in Section
"49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his
finger marked and convey to the presiding election officer that he doesn't want
to vote anyone!
Yes such a
feature is available, but obviously our seemingly notorious leaders have never
disclosed it. This is called "49-O".
Why should you
go and say "I VOTE FOR NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say
by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received "49-O" votes more than 123,
then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled.. Not only
that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot
contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on
them. This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates
for their parties for election. This would change the way of our whole political
system... it is seemingly surprising why the Election Commission has not
revealed such a feature to the public.....
Please spread
this news to as many as you know... Seems to be a wonderful weapon against
corrupt parties in India... show your power, expressing your desire not to vote
for anybody, is even more powerful than voting... so don't miss your chance. So
either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O) and pass this info
on...
"Please
forward this mail to as many as possible, so that we, the people of India , can really use this power to
save our nation". Use your voting right for a better INDIA
Indian Economy In Danger
U CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO THE INDIAN ECONOMY BY FOLLOWING FEW SIMPLE STEPS..
Please spare a couple of minutes here........for the sake of India ... our country.
I got this article from one of my friend, but it's true, I can see this from day to day life,
Small example
In April 1 CAN $ = IND Rs 40
After 6 months. Now it is 1 CAN $ = IND Rs 47.98
Do you think Canadian Economy is booming? No, but Indian Economy is Going Down.
Our Economy is in u'r hands
INDIAN economy is in a crisis. Our country like many other ASIAN countries is undergoing a severe economic crunch. Many INDIAN industries are closing down. The INDIAN economy is in a crisis and if we do not take proper steps to control those, we will be in a critical situation.
More than 30000 crore rupees of foreign exchange are being siphoned out of our country on products such as cosmetics, snacks, tea, beverages...etc which are grown, produced and consumed here .
A cold drink that costs only 70 / 80 paisa to produce is sold for NINE rupees, and a major chunk of profits from these are sent abroad. This is a serious drain on INDIAN economy.
'COCA COLA 'and' SPRITE ' belong to the same multinational company, 'COCA COLA'?
Coke advertisements says ' JO CHAHO HOJAYE, COCACOLA ENJOY'
(Whatever the hell, let it happen, you drink coke)
What can you do?
You can consider some of the better alternatives to aerated drinks.
You can drink LEMON JUICE, FRESH FRUIT JUICES, CHILLED LASSI (SWEET OR SOUR), BUTTER MILK, COCONUT WATER, JALJEERA, ENERJEE, MASALA MILK...........
Everyone deserves a healthy drink, including you!
Over and above all this, economic sanctions have been imposed on us. We have nothing against Multinational companies, but to protect our own interests we request everybody to use INDIAN products only for next two years. With the rise in petrol prices, if we do not do this, the rupee will devalue further and we will end up paying much more for the same products in the near future.
What you can do about it?
1 . Buy only products manufactured by WHOLLY INDIAN COMPANIES.
2 . ENROLL as many people as possible for this cause.
Each individual should become a leader for this awareness.
This is the only way to save our country from severe economic crisis. You don't need to give-up your lifestyle. You just need to choose an alternate product.
All categories of products are available from WHOLLY INDIAN COMPANIES.
LIST OF PRODUCTS
BATHING SOAP:
USE - CINTHOL & OTHER GODREJ BRANDS, SANTOOR, WIPRO SHIKAKAI, MYSORE SANDAL, MARGO, NEEM, EVITA, MEDIMIX, GANGA , NIRMA BATH & CHANDRIKA
INSTEAD OF - LUX, LIFEBOY, REXONA, LIRIL, DOVE, PEARS, HAMAM, LESANCY, CAMAY, PALMOLIVE
TOOTH PASTE:
USE - NEEM, BABOOL, PROMISE, VICO VAJRADANTI, PRUDENT, DABUR PRODUCTS, MISWAK
INSTEAD OF- COLGATE, CLOSE UP, PEPSODENT, CIBACA, FORHANS, MENTADENT .
TOOTH BRUSH:
USE- PRUDENT, AJANTA , PROMISE
INSTEAD OF- COLGATE, CLOSE UP, PEPSODENT, FORHANS, ORAL-
SHAVING CREAM:
USE- GODREJ, EMANI
INSTEAD OF- PALMOLIVE, OLD SPICE, GILLETE
BLADE:
USE- SUPERMAX, TOPAZ, LAZER, ASHOKA
INSTEAD OF- SEVEN-O -CLOCK, 365 , GILLETTE
TALCUM POWDER:
USE- SANTOOR, GOKUL, CINTHOL, WIPRO BABY POWDER, BOROPLUS
INSTEAD OF- PONDS, OLD SPICE, JOHNSON BABY POWDER, SHOWER TO SHOWER
MILK POWDER:
USE - INDIANA , AMUL, AMULYA
INSTEAD OF- ANIKSPRAY, MILKANA, EVERYDAY MILK, MILKMAID.
SHAMPOO:
USE - LAKME, NIRMA, VELVET
INSTEAD OF- HALO, ALL CLEAR, NYLE, SUNSILK, HEAD AND SHOULDERS, PANTENE
MOBILE CONNECTIONS
USE -BSNL, AIRTEL, TATA INDICAOM, RELIANCE
INSTEAD OF- HUTCH
TWO WHEELER BIKE
USE -BAJAJ, TVS
INSTEAD OF- HEROHONDA, HONDA SUZUQUE
CARS
USE- TATA, MAHENDRA
INSREAD OF- HYUNDAI,SUZUKI,HONDA,FORD,ETC
Every INDIAN product you buy makes a big difference. It saves INDIA .
Let us take a firm decision today.
BUY INDIAN TO BE INDIAN we are not against of foreign products.
WE ARE NOT ANTI-MULTINATIONAL.
WE ARE TRYING TO SAVE OUR NATION.
EVERY DAY IS A STRUGGLE FOR A REAL FREEDOM.
WE ACHIEVED OUR INDEPENDENCE AFTER LOSING MANY LIVES.
THEY DIED PAINFULLY TO ENSURE THAT WE LIVE PEACEFULLY. THE CURRENT TREND IS VERY THREATENING.
MULTINATIONALS CALL IT GLOBALISATION OF INDIAN ECONOMY. FOR INDIANS LIKE YOU AND ME IT IS RECOLONISATION OF INDIA ..
THE COLONIST'S LEFT INDIA THEN. BUT THIS TIME THEY WILL MAKE SURE THEY DON'T MAKE ANY MISTAKES.
WHO WOULD LIKE TO LET A' GOOSE THAT LAYS GOLDEN EGGS' SLIP AWAY..
PLEASE REMEMBER: POLITICAL FREEDOM IS USELESS WITHOUT ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE .
RUSSIA , S.KOREA , MEXICO .........THE LIST IS VERY LONG!!
LET US LEARN FROM THEIR EXPERIENCE AND FROM OUR HISTORY.
LET US DO THE DUTY OF EVERY TRUE INDIAN.
FINALLY: IT'S OBVIOUS THAT U CAN'T GIVE UP ALL OF THE ITEMS MENTIONED ABOVE,
SO GIVE UP ATLEAST ONE ITEM TO FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COUNTRY.
We would be sending useless forwards to our friends daily.
Instead please forward this mail to all your friends to create awareness.
"LITTLE DROPS MAKE A GREAT OCEAN "
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Is India poor, who says? Ask Swiss banks
With personal account deposit bank of $1500 billion in foreign reserve which have been misappropriated, an amount 13 times larger than the country's foreign debt, one needs to rethink if
DISHONEST INDUSTRIALISTS, scandalous politicians and corrupt IAS, IRS, IPS officers have deposited in foreign banks in their illegal personal accounts a sum of about $ 1500 billion, which have been misappropriated by them. This amount is about 13 times larger than the country’s foreign debt. With this amount 45 crore poor people can get Rs 1,00,000 each. This huge amount has been appropriated from the people of
Once this huge amount of black money and property comes back to
Some 80,000 people travel to
Just read the following details and note how these dishonest industrialists, scandalous politicians, corrupt officers, cricketers, film actors, illegal sex trade and protected wildlife operators, to name just a few, sucked this country’s wealth and prosperity. This may be the picture of deposits in Swiss banks only. What about other international banks?
Black money in Swiss banks -- Swiss Banking Association report, 2006 details bank deposits in the
Top five
India---- $1456 billion
Russia---$ 470 billion
UK-------$390 billion
Ukraine- $100 billion
China-----$ 96 billion
Now do the maths - India with $1456 billion or $1.4 trillion has more money in Swiss banks than rest of the world combined. Public loot since 1947: Can we bring back our money? It is one of the biggest loots witnessed by mankind -- the loot of the Aam Aadmi (common man) since 1947, by his brethren occupying public office. It has been orchestrated by politicians, bureaucrats and some businessmen. The list is almost all-encompassing. No wonder, everyone in
What is even more depressing in that this ill-gotten wealth of ours has been stashed away abroad into secret bank accounts located in some of the world’s best known tax havens. And to that extent the Indian economy has been stripped of its wealth. Ordinary Indians may not be exactly aware of how such secret accounts operate and what are the rules and regulations that go on to govern such tax havens. However, one may well be aware of ’Swiss bank accounts,’ the shorthand for murky dealings, secrecy and of course pilferage from developing countries into rich developed ones.
In fact, some finance experts and economists believe tax havens to be a conspiracy of the western world against the poor countries. By allowing the proliferation of tax havens in the twentieth century, the western world explicitly encourages the movement of scarce capital from the developing countries to the rich.
In March 2005, the Tax Justice Network (TJN) published a research finding demonstrating that $11.5 trillion of personal wealth was held offshore by rich individuals across the globe. The findings estimated that a large proportion of this wealth was managed from some 70 tax havens.
Further, augmenting these studies of TJN, Raymond Baker -- in his widely celebrated book titled ’Capitalism’s Achilles Heel: Dirty Money and How to Renew the Free Market System’ -- estimates that at least $5 trillion have been shifted out of poorer countries to the West since the mid-1970. It is further estimated by experts that one per cent of the world’s population holds more than 57 per cent of total global wealth, routing it invariably through these tax havens. How much of this is from
What is to be noted here is that most of the wealth of Indians parked in these tax havens is illegitimate money acquired through corrupt means. Naturally, the secrecy associated with the bank accounts in such places is central to the issue, not their low tax rates as the term ’tax havens’ suggests. Remember Bofors and how
Did you observe these dates??
13 May -------- JAIPUR
June---------NA----------
26 July ------------ AHMEDABAD
August ------------NA---------------
13 September ------------ DELHI
October ----------NA---------------
26 November --------------- MUMBAI
December --------NA(hopefully)---------
13 January ----------------- What Next?
10 Tips for Good Digestion :
1. Eat in order of digestibility.
You should eat the easiest to digest foods first in each meal
and slowly move towards the more complex. Think of a highway,
if the slowest cars are in front they'll hold up the faster
cars behind them, causing a traffic jam. The same goes for
your food. Eat those fastest to digest first and save the
tougher to digest foods for the second half of your meal.
Here are the time sequences for different food groups:
Water & Juices: 20-30 minutes
Fruits, Smoothies, Soups: 30-45 minutes
Vegetables: 30-45 minutes
Beans, Grains, Starches: 2-3 hours
Meat, Fish, Poultry: 3 or more hours
2. Drink warm or hot liquids with your meal.
Ice cold drinks can slow down the digestive process, think of
it as putting ice on a muscle. The muscle stiffens and does
not function as well. Warm or room temperature water, juice,
or decaf tea will encourage proper digestion. (Just remember
the traffic jam – drink liquids prior to meals)
3. Eat at regular meals times.
It is important to be regular with what you eat and the times
of day you eat. Eating similar food groups and at similar
times each day has a regulating effect on your digestive
system. Regular in means regular out.
4. Be conscious of what you eat and your portion sizes.
Over consumption is the number one cause of indigestion. Our
brain signals the feeling of fullness about ten minutes after
we're actually full. So stop eating before you are full. Odds
are you'll feel full ten minutes later!
5. Chew your food completely and don't talk while eating.
Incomplete chewing and talking while eating can cause
premature swallowing. Our digestive systems are not designed
to digest large pieces of food, when we put large pieces in
our stomachs it can lead to incomplete digestion (aka:
digestive discomfort).
6. Relax while eating your meal.
Eating when you are rushed increases your stress and slows
down the digestive process. Create a nice calming atmosphere
when eating and make sure you can devote time to eating.
7. Practice good posture.
When you slouch or hunch over extra pressure is put on the
digestive organs in your abdomen. This extra pressure can
cause poor digestion. You should practice sitting with your
shoulders back and your chin tucked in. This will allow more
room for the digestive organs and will help improve digestion.
8. Don't eat late at night.
Our bodies, including our digestive system, slow down in the
evening hours as it gets ready to rest and rejuvenate. When we
put food into our stomachs at these late hours there are not
enough digestive enzymes to properly digest it. This
undigested food sits in your stomach and will often disturb
your sleep.
9. Take a brisk walk after eating.
Forget about not be active for 30 minutes after each meal.
Increased physical activity actually helps jumpstart your
digestive system and increases the production of digestive
enzymes. This will lead to more complete digestion of your
food and less digestive discomfort!
10. Try a spinal twist.
Spinal twists allow excess toxins in the digestive system to
be released, which has a calming effect. While in a cross
legged sitting position, slowly turn to the right and hold
while taking 5 deep breathes then repeat this process on the
left side.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Hyderabad The City of Pearls,Lakes and Gardens..... .
Hyderabad The City of Pearls,Lakes and Gardens..... .
************ ********* ********* *****
Hyderabad, the fifth largest metropolis of India, is the state capital of Andhra Pradesh. The city is nearly 400 years old and is noted for its rich history and culture with monuments, mosques, temples, and a rich and varied heritage in arts, crafts and dance.
Attached to the city is its twin, Secunderbad. The Husain Sagar, an artificial lake constructed during the time of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali in 1562 A.D, separates the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderbad. Covering an area of 260 km², Hyderabad has a poppulation of approximately 4 million. Urdu, Telegu and Hindi are the local languages of the indigenous population.
Hyderabad has been the meeting place of many different cultures and traditions and is known to be the city where the distinct cultural and linguistic traditions of North India and South India meet. Hyderabad also has a very good transport system. It is well connected to the outer world through its airways and railways. The public transport in Hyderabad comprises of local trains, 3-seater and 7-seater auto-rickshaws, buses and also private taxis for sightseeing.
Hyderabad is one of the most developed cities in the country and is the emerging IT and biotech hub of India. It is known as the city of pearls and lakes. The pearl market is situated near Charminar.
Ornaments made with Rice Pearls can be bought from Char Kaman or General Bazaar Market. It is famous for its traditional markets such as Laad Bazaar, Sultan Bazaar and so on. It is also a source of attraction for tourists from all parts of the world.
Hyderabad is famous for its Char Minar, Falaknuma Palace, Salar Jung Museum, Makkah Masjid, Chilkur Balaji Temple, Husain Sagar, Sanghi Temple, Snow World and Ramoji Film City.
Area : 260 sq. kms
Main Languages : Telugu, Urdu, English and Hindi
Population : 5.2 million
Location :
Hyderabad city mainly comprises the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The city is located in the west central part of Andhra Pradesh and is surrounded by Ranga Reddy district. The city is situated at a distance of 562 kms from Bangalore, 140 kms from Warangal and 276 kms from Vijaywada.
Climate :
Hyderabad has hot steppe type climate. Summers (April- June) are hot and dry. The maximum temperature reaches around 41ºC. Winters (November-February) in Hyderabad are pleasant and less chilly than north Indian regions. Winter days are warm and sunny, while nights are relatively colder. Night temperature during winters rarely drops below 10ºC. South-west monsoon comes to the city in June and remains till September.
Best Time to Visit : The best time to visit the city is from October to March.
Hyderabad The City of Nizams:
Hyderabad, the fifth largest metropolis of India, is the capital of the South India state, Andhra Pradesh. The city is perched on the top of the Deccan Plateau, 1776 ft., above sea level, spreading over an area of 260 sq. kms. Consisting of the twin towns of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the city is popular worldwide as the former seat of the Nizams of Hyderabad.
The city was founded in 1590 by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the fourth of the Qutab Shahi kings, on the banks of Musi river. Hyderabad has been the meeting point of various cultures and traditions, which can be seen in its cosmopolitan population.
The city is 400 years old now, but it still preserves its rich history, culture and a rich and varied heritage in arts, crafts and dance. In Hyderabad, architectural marvels like magnificent forts, majestic palaces, ancient mosques and temples, present an interesting blend of the Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture. Hyderabad is the also called the 'Pearl City' because of its major dealing in pearls and precious stones.
Major Attractions
1)Charminar :
Charminar (four minaret) has been the identity of the old city of Hyderabad for centuries. It was built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah to commemorate the end of the deadly plague in Hyderabad.
The four arched monument stands amidst the lively bazaars and offers splendid views of the old city.
2)Mecca Masjid :
Just few metres away from the Charminar, this mosque is one of the biggest mosques in the world. The constrcution of the mosque was started by Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah in 1614, but was completed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1692. It is said that the mosque can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers at a time.
Lad Bazaar :
Located close to the Charminar, the Lad Bazaar was founded by Ladli Begum, the wife of Mir Mehboob Ali Khan, the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad. The colourful market is truly a shopper's paradise, one can buy traditional Hyderabadi glass and stone-studded bangles. In addition the appliquéd, skirts, bags and belts set with sparkling mirrors and tiny beads by Banjara gypsies are also sold here.
Salar Jung Museum :
Built to match the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, this museum is an amazing amalgam of antiquity and modernity. Mir Yusuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III, is believed to be the chief architect of this magnificent congeries of art.
It is said this museum has the largest one-man collection of the world. The museum displays 35,000 exhibits drawn from the four corners of the world including wood carvings, sculptures, religious objects, Persian miniature paintings, illuminated manuscripts, armour and weaponry and clothing of the Mughal emperors and Tipu Sultan.
Hussain Sagar Lake :
This beautiful lake was built by Hussan Shah Wahi on a tributary of the Musi river. The artificial lake connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Along the bandh of the lake are 33 life-size statues of eminent personalities. Major attraction of the lake is the gigantic statue of Lord Buddha; the 18m high and 350 tonne monolithic statue stands amidst the lake.
Hussain Sagar Lake-Hyderabad’ s Riviera
Hussain Sagar the beautiful and placid lake located in the heart of the City, constitutes a continuum between history and the contemporary. Popularly known as Tank Bund, it has acquired trappings and environs that enhance its appeal to tourists as well as the denizens of the twin cities.
With numerous parks, recreation spots, temples, statuary, and a host of other tourists attractions, it has emerged as the most sought after tourist destination in the City.
Extending 24 kilometres, it built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali on a tributary of the Musi River during the time of that great builder Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah, in 1562, to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city.
Necklace Road - A Glittering Garland of Hussain Sagar Lake
A new artery known as the Necklace Road links Lumbini park in Hyderabad with the Sanjeeviah park in Secunderabad. Necklace Road is the most popular boulevard and very scenic, its magnetism increased by a three-kilometer- long row of flowerbeds and lush green lawns running from north to south. On the west is a long protective and ornamental railing parallel to a row of wrought iron benches for romance-prone couples to forget time and mundane world.
The Necklace Road and the Tank Bund are great spectacles in the night and turn into rendezvous for relaxation and leisure. The Necklace Road is now much sought after by trade and industry for holding consumer melas and by the government to stage frequent cultural shows and programmes which are open to public.
Flanked by the Hyderabad Boat Club in the south and the Secunderabad Sailing Club in the north, Hussain Sagar becomes the annual venue for sailing events and regattas every year. One can see several rowboats and yachts gracefully navigating in the lake.
Most Popular Promenade with Myriad Attractions
Dotting the lawns and flowerbeds on the eastern side are an array of statues to commemorate the services of a host of luminaries who are an inseparable part of the history of the state. These bronze statues range from those of pioneers of Telugu classical poetry like Nannaya, the great saint composer Thyagaraja, the thirteenth century Kakatiya warrior queen Rudrama Devi, the illustrious founder of Hyderabad Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah, the bard Vemana of the sixteenth century to Arthur Cotton who harnessed the life-giving waters of the Krishna and Godavari rivers and made Andhra Pradesh the rice bowl of the south, and progressive writers and poets like Sri Sri and Maqdoom Mohiuddin.
Parks & Recreation around Lake Hussain Sagar
Lumbini park is one of the attractive leisure spots in the city. The park has a floral clock, nature trail, children’s play area, and musical fountains. The boating facility which is one of the major attractions is extended to the middle of the lake.
Lumbini Laserium:
The spectacular state of the laser show on the water screen with a musical fountain, is India’s first Multi media Laser Show, that narrates Hyderabad’s history, in a thrilling display of laser lights.
NTR Gardens:
A leisure and entertainment centre adjoining the Hussain Sagar Lake, the NTR Gardens houses a Memorial of Late Shri N.T. Rama Rao, former Chief Minister, with an exemplary piece of architecture.
The sprawling gardens, set up in an area of 36 acres, offers a serene atmosphere and yet provides recreation facilities such as Machan Tree, Japanese Garden, Car Café, Souvenir Shops, Fruit Restaurant and Children’s playing area. A mono rail system takes children around the Garden. It’s an amusement park with a difference…see it to believe it.
Sanjeevaiah Park:
One of the garden spots in Hyderabad is located near Hussain sagar lake. This park is well spread over with lush green trees meadows, beautiful landscaped gardens and play area for children. One of the significant features of the park is it has variety of high-breed rose plants of different colours. There is also a Rock Garden which is added attractions to the visitors.
Yogibear Children’s Park:
is located adjacent to Sanjeevaiah park. This park is an entertainment centre for children and toddlers. The park is b e a u t i f u l l y landscaped with small lawns. Play things like swinging bars, slides are added attractions for children. The park has a miniature Golf Tract of 19 holes, a snack bar and an event shed for conducting competitions.
Indira Park:
a recreation centre for children is situated near lower Tankbund. It is an excellent place for spending evening hours amid greenery and chirping of birds. The Park has a small lake with boating facility. It also has a rose garden with flowering, bushy trees. Adjacent to the park there is skating facility for children.
World’s Largest Monolith Statue of Buddha
The piece deresistance of the entire land and waterscape of Hussain Sagar is the 18-metre high and 350-tonne monolith of Gautama Buddha, in the middle of the lake, standing on what is known as the Rock of Gibraltar. Two beautifully decorated floating decks shuttle between the statue and the Lumbini Park, every day, several times and are equipped to stage cultural and musical shows. Another boating point is likely to come up at the Sanjeevaiah Park also. The boat rides are the most exciting experience of the tourists because they cover the most scenic spots around the lake like the Secretariat, the Raj Bhavan, Sanjeeviah Park, the Lumbini Park, Shri Venkateswara temple and the majestic Buddha statue.
Birla Temple:
Hussain Sagar lake radiates in the night the reflection of the Shri Venkateswara temple built by the Birlas on a hillock close to the Secretariat. The temple is a quarter century old and built of white marble and represents several schools of architecture. Though the South Indian school is prominent in the construction of the rajagopuram. Utkal styles of temple architecture marks the tower over the main shrine called the Jagadananda vimanam. The towers over the temples for the Lord’s consorts Padmavathi and Andal are again in the South Indian style. The temple has a 42-feet high flagstaff and the main idol of the Lord is 11 feet tall.
Imax Theatre:
Prasad’s IMAX, India’s 3 rd IMAX Theatre is located in the heart of the city on the banks of the Hussain Sagar Lake. It is a fully integrated family entertainment center. Spanning an area of 2,35,000 sq ft., this centrally air conditioned facility is a high tech, one stop recreation hub providing the people of Hyderabad with a unique and exciting experience, like never before.
Featuring the world’s most powerful film projector, the facility houses South India’s first Imax theatre. IMAX is a brand that is recognized worldwide. The facility possesses a 6-channel sound system with an output of 12,000 watts of digital surround sound. The Prasad’s IMAX Theatre has food outlets, coffee bars, gift shops etc.. setting a new benchmark in entertainment. The center also houses a five screen state of the art multiplex with a combined capacity of 1800 seats.
Hyderabad’s first food court, located in this complex, provides a sumptuous spread of multi-cuisine food interspersed with fast food counters.
Snow World:
Snow
World is the World’s Biggest and India’s 1 st Snow Theme Park. Spread over 17,000 square feet area, Lower Tank Bund Road, behind Indira Park, it is yet another landmark in twin cities.
Snow World has an indoor "Cryo Zone" full of attractions from a natural snowscape, with alpine forest, igloos, and simulated figures of penguins and polar bears.
Snow World has achieved yet another milestone by introducing Snow Fall, in thissouthern Indian city of Hyderabad, where there has never been a snowfall. This is the first of its kind of Snow Fall introduced by any Snow Theme Park or Snow Dome anywhere in the world All these snow wonders are made possible by artificially producing snow using state of the art technology supplied by Woomera Snow Guns Ltd., Australia. The snow is produced with pure mineral water.
Punnami Restaurant:
Punnami Restaurant Tank bund is centrally located in the heart of city. The restaurant offers excellent multi-cuisine
Eat Street Food Joint:
The Eat Street food outlet at People’s Plaza, Necklace Road is a fun place for the entire family, to enjoy all varieties of ‘chaat’ and delicious snacks in the enchanting lakeside ambience.
Parasailing & Boating Facilities at the Lake:
Boating and water sports are a regular feature in the Hussainsagar. The host of boating facilities on the lake, include the prestigious Bhagmati and Bhageerathi luxury cruisers. Both are ideally suited for get-togethers and meetings and Bhagmati has a beer bar-cum-restaurant.
Added to this, is providing new facilities like parasailing, speed boats, motor boats, 48 seater launch and more.
Birla Mandir (Venkateswara Temple) :
Overlooking the placid waters of the Hussain Sagar lake, the stunningly beautiful temple is perched atop the Naubat Pahad Hill. Built out of white marble, the temple architecture is a combination of the traditional north and south styles. Birla Mandir is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, the presiding deity of the temple at Thirumala-Tirupathi .
Nehru Zoological Park :
Located near the Mir Alam Tank, the park provides shelter to a teeming wildlife population. The park is well known as the first Lion Safari park in South Asia. One of the largest zoos in India, the park has attractions like prehistoric animal section and toy train.
Excursions Golconda Fort :
This marvellous monument is located at a distance of 11 kms from Hyderabad. Situated on the outskirts of Hyderabad City, the historic fort dates back to 13th century. The city was ruled by Kakatiays of the 13th century, and was also the capital of the Qutab Shahi in the 16th century. Built on a 120 metre high granite hill, the fortress sprawls over 5 kms and is surrounded by 15 ft to 18 ft walls. One of the most remarkable features of this fort is its system of acoustics, whereby the sounds of hands clapped in the grand portico can be heard in the Durbar Hill, located atop of the hill.
Qutub Shahi Tombs :
The tombs of Qutub Shahi kings are situated one km north of the fort. These beautiful structures are surrounded by landscaped gardens and depict the third and final stage of the 17th century architecture. There are seven tombs; some of them display beautifully carved stonework.
Shilparamam :
Popular as a crafts village, Shilparamam is situated at a distance of 14 Kms from Hyderabad at Madhawpur. Apart from a crafts village, it is a beautiful place boasting of shimmering waterfalls and lush green lawns.
Osman Sagar :
The lovely picnic spot, is located at a distance of 20 kms from Hyderabad. Also known as 'Gandipet', the lake is the place from where the city receives its water supply.
Ramoji Film City :
Located 35 kms away from Hyderabad City, the Ramoji Film City is amongst the largest film producing centres in the world. The film sprawling over 1000 acres is an ideal place for picnic and weekend outings.
How To Reach:
By Air : Hyderabad Airport is well connected to all major cities of the country. A few international flights also connect the city with other countries.
By Rail : The city has two main railheads namely Hyderabad and Secunderabad, which are connected to all the important cities and towns of India.
By Road : The city lies at the intersection of two National Highways- N.H 7 & 9, so it is well linked to the major towns and cities of Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the country.
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