Got a Crush on you, Gal..!!

The ‘girl crush’ is the latest phenomenon in the world of relationships, says a report.

The term is new, the concept old. Say ‘girl crush’ and people may think of an unconventional, sexual relationship. But the ‘crush’ in this case doesn’t make one weak-kneed. It refers to a situation in which one woman admires the other in a way that she wants to become like her. It’s both non-sexual and aspirational; something that every woman has experienced at some point. Women, especially young women, have always had such feelings of adoration for each other. Social scientists suspect such emotions are part of women's nature, feelings that evolution may have favored because they helped women bond with one another and work cooperatively. What's new is the current generation's willingness to express their ardor frankly. It’s about being in complete awe, of either a woman’s persona or her appearance and achievements, which leads to idolising her or imbibing her peculiarities in either a conscious or an unconscious way. With young girls, it starts typically at school where they develop a soft corner for either the house captain or the class topper. Model Dipannita Sharma agrees, adding, “I was in a girls school and I have seen both sides of the equation. There were girls who were my fans, and there were a few seniors I looked up to. The girl I admired was not just popular and outgoing but also had the same interests as I did. But I could never muster enough courage to go and say ‘hello’ to her. You can’t be friendly with someone you’re a fan of.” Psychologists suggest that a woman could idolise another from the same social circuit. Yet there’s something about them that sets them apart and makes them unapproachable and distant. It’s only in rare cases that they become close to you.

"Historically, talking about these kinds of feelings has gone in and out of fashion," said Paula J. Caplan, a sociologist who this fall will teach a course about the psychology of sex and gender at Harvard. Women have not been this blunt in expressing their crushes for several generations, Dr. Caplan said. The phenomenon has been little studied, but some social scientists say they are glad that it is being discussed more, because it can be a window into how women mature emotionally.

But when that ‘someone’ is a celebrity, it could turn into serious obsession. Which is why so many young girls emulate everything about their favourite stars. But with time and maturity they grow out of it. In some cases, a real life interaction with some of their idols also helps break the bubble. Says author Anita Nair, “I grew up on the works of author Fay Weldon. She’s a Booker prize winner and a brilliant writer; someone I truly admired. But when I met her I discovered that she wasn’t really a brilliant conversationalist. But I guess we expect too much out of writers, and that isn’t fair,” she remarks.

(source- Times of India and NY Times

Pic- http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/11/fashion/thursdaystyles/11CRUSH.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all)

Stem Cell Team Won 2007 Nobel for Medicine

Nobel Prize for Medicine has been announced yesterday 8-Oct-2007. Sometime back, I was thinking what are the latest works going on in the field of Medicine…. Though I am completely out of touch with this field since quite long time, still I try to keep myself updated; I do some amount of reading related to this field, as and when time permits. Couple of month’s back I was reading about Stem cells and posted an article in blog as well. Today, when I saw Noble Laureate who have won the Prize for Medicine whose area of work was Stem cell, made me feel that I am still not out of touch with this field…! Mario Capecchi, Martin Evans and Oliver Smithies won the 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology for their work on stem cells…!! The prestigious 10 million Swedish crown (1.54 million USD) prize recognized the international team's work on introducing genetic changes in mice using embryonic stem cells. "Gene targeting in mice has pervaded all fields of biomedicine. Its impact on the understanding of gene function and its benefits to mankind will continue to increase over many years to come," Sweden's Karolinska Institute, said in awarding the prize bearing the name of 19th century dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel. Capecchi was born in Italy and is a US citizen. Both Evans and Smithies are British-born. Evans is a Briton while Smithies is a US citizen. Medicine is traditionally the first of the Nobels awarded each year. For complete article click here

Do you have Frenemies?

Why is it that women often have a friend who, at times, they really like and at other times they practically hate? In fact, sometimes it is particularly confusing because you may even be feeling you care about your friend and want good things for her at the SAME time that you really don't want her to do better in any way than you are doing. Therein lies the answer: what seems like hate or ill will is really jealousy, envy and competition. All humans struggle with envy, but women are less comfortable with expressing those feelings vis-à-vis another woman, particularly a friend. Men, on the other hand, will be more honest about their competitive feelings and thereby get it out in the open where it dissipates and is over. Women harbour and try to suppress those feelings, they fester and peek out in the form of feeling really threatened and wanting your friend to do badly in order that you can do ‘better’. Women also tend to invest emotionally heavily in their friendships and are therefore not keen on walking away. The good news is women are more willing to stick it out and be loyal and ride out the bumpy road with a friend. Men are more likely to let a friend go if it has become emotionally difficult. Men’s friendships are often more about shared activities and women’s about shared feelings; if the feelings come with too many complications then a man is more likely to create distance, and this works for him. Women tend to torture themselves and keep trying to find a way to stay together. Knowing it’s pretty normal to feel competitive can help, because it may prevent a lot of guilt. In addition, it is helpful to have different friends and groups of friends so that no one ‘frenemy’ crises can become too frontand-center. It’s not a smooth ride all the way, even if you are friends
(Source :Times of india
Pic source: http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/pju/lowres/pjun2l.jpg)

Melodious delights

Some softening and sothing magic for thoughts….
Let your body shake with the rhythm…
Let your smile be broden across your face…
With a glitering gaze in eyes….!!

1- Sajda... from movie Bhool Bhulaiya (Sajda: Means to put your face on the ground with a realization of one's incapability and in humility, supplication, submission and invocation) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z-QIK41zlo
2- Mast kalander.... from Heyy Babyy... really mast mast kinda song....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMg1-mmQlco
3- Hoobastank-The Reason....A reason to start over new and the reason is you....Not a perfect person... really meaningful...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjC9k7U0Wzc
4-Beyonce ft. Shakira - Beautiful Liar..... Shakira hot babe, all time fav....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtIHBRsy1lI
5-Justin Timberlake - Senorita ....Gooood morning ladies....!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ujk_mDYpBo

Rupee Appreciation

This article of my blog is dedicated to very very dear friend of mine whom I love to call Pingu Penguin, who made me to come back in world of Economics. And off course to Prof Perry, who had added flavors and acted as catalyst for my keen for economics. Economics, my favorite subject which I always aspire to explore more and more…. But my job being centered more towards banking domain gives me lesser flexibility. It had been a large gap….. Which I didn’t realize, till I came back to it couple of days back…. Feeling like college days have come back…..!!!
Rupee is appreciating and many Indians staying abroad and others who have less confrontation with economics see it as boon and feeling happy about it..!! When we have got two eyes better use both and visualize what boon and bane this is carrying with it…. Economics is NOT about what to think, but HOW to think......!! Its not a body of concrete truth, but an engine for the discovery of the truth." WAY of thinking in a very systematic, rational, logical manner. What is Economics about? Its about how people make choices…! First principle of economics is that we live in a world of scarcity. Second principle is that we have unlimited wants and desires. Third principle - given 1 and 2, we have to make choices.
Rupee Appreciation:
Rupee at a 9-year high against US Dollar…!! The rupee surged in late trade to its highest in more than nine years on Wednesday 3rd-Oct-07, as foreign fund flows into a surging stock market trumped suspected RBI intervention. The partially convertible rupee rose to 39.55 per dollar, its highest since April 1998. While appreciation is a fine art, knowing how to accept appreciation gracefully is an even greater art. The angst voiced at the rupee's appreciation in newspaper columns and seminars conducted by industry and exporter bodies seem to fly in the face of the time honored cultural habit of accepting appreciation gracefully. Normally, currencies appreciate when the economies are doing well and the rise in their values is a cause for celebration. An appreciating currency is the natural corollary of a booming economy with rising exports and is normally looked on favorably. The high-decibel lamentation over the rupee's appreciation, therefore, needs closer examination.
Impact on Economy:
The effect of the rupee's appreciation is not marginal as according to the World Bank, imports account for about 16 per cent of India's GDP. Importers, borrowers in foreign currency and the average Indian consumer are the unambiguous gainers from the rupee's appreciation. Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said India will review a limit on intervention bonds if asked by the central bank and analysts said the ceiling would have to rise at least by a third if the rupee's rise was to be checked. The central bank spent $38.1 billion in the first seven months of 2007 to slow the rupee's rise
According to the University of Pennsylvania's Penn World Table, 8 rupees have the same purchasing power in India as $1 has in the United States.It's natural for developing-country currencies to remain undervalued relative to purchasing-power parity for a long time, though there usually is a process of convergence.
Prosperous Impact:
Importers and borrowers in foreign currency are delighted with the rupee's appreciation to the dollar as most imports and external borrowings are denominated in dollars…!! Since Indian lenders in foreign currency normally hedge their exposures, the brunt of the negative effects of the rupee's appreciation falls on exporters, giving rise to calls for government action to depreciate the rupee. However, the effect on exporters too is not all negative. Despite rupee appreciation denting IT exports, salary levels in the industry have not declined. On the contrary, remuneration packages have scaled up by 10 to 17 percent across the spectrum with some companies reporting a bigger rise than last year.
Adverse Impact:
The Mumbai-based Tata Consultancy Services, India's No. 1 exporter of software services, said that its profit margin was shrinking because of rupee appreciation. Shares of Infosys, Wipro and Tata have fallen during the 10 percent rally in the Bombay Stock Exchange Sensitive index in the past three months. Also an extra load to employee, six working days in a week has been announced by IT companies like Wipro…!!
The rupee's rise has helped the exporters to rein in their costs and increased their competitiveness in the global market place. However, exporters, in general, have seen their profit margins erode as a result of the rupee's unexpected appreciation.
Though exporters have seen their profit margins shrink, exports on the whole do not seem to have been affected seriously the rupee's appreciation.
Rupee appreciation has caused 11,000 people employed in textiles and garment industry jobless during March-June 2007.
Sector Specific Impact:
Whole service sector had been snapped by appreciation of rupee where major client belongs to US. Indian IT sector secure top rank in that..!!

Infosys team unveiled its first quarter results; it was more than clear its margins took a beating due to rupee appreciation. Infosys mentor N.R.Narayana Murthy was not worried unduly. His solution to hardening of rupee: the industry needs to become more efficient to maintain its bottom line. Other major IT enabled services exporters may not be as confident as Narayana Murthy or Azim Premji in facing the adversity. Narayana Murthy is a visionary leader who believes that a single client should not contribute more than 25% in revenue…!! I think he should modify this statement and keep that not more than 25% revenue should come from one region…! As the companies, which have diversified their client base across the globe especially in European region are in better position.

Reasons:

The rupee's appreciation is a result of forces of:
1-Demand and supplies operating in the ForEx markets
2-The current account surplus, due to increased merchandise exports and invisibles
3-The huge FII inflows
4-Increasing reliance on low cost foreign loans

Inflation Rate in India and Appreciation of Rupee:

India's Inflation Rate Unexpectedly Slowed to 3.23% for week ended 15 Sept...!! The rupee's appreciation is one of the reasons for the current LOW inflation rate. Inflation in India remains much lower than in many other developing countries. But prices are rising more than twice as fast as in China, India's chief rival for foreign investment and economic leadership among emerging markets. Prices are also increasing considerably faster than in industrialized countries.

The drop in the inflation rate may not be enough for the Reserve Bank of India to start reversing three years of interest-rate increases. Record foreign investments are flooding the economy with cash and spurring consumer demand, which may force the central bank to keep borrowing costs high.

Average annual inflation rate was 5.2 per cent during the previous year. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for all commodities declined by 0.1 per cent to 214.4. While some of the analysts feel that the RBI might go for marginal cut in interest rates to maintain growth momentum, some others feel that in the wake of large inflow of foreign capital and spurt in crude prices would force the central bank not to alter its present monetary policy.

Government Intervention:

What are the benefits of Govt. and RBI’s intervention? First, preventing rapid rupee appreciation reduces the shock to exporters. Second, reserves are protection against trade shocks (like high oil prices), financial shocks (like the Asian financial crisis) and political shocks (like war with Pakistan). Yet India has actually weathered, at far lower reserve levels, a tripling of oil prices between 1998 and 2003, the Asian financial crisis of 1997-99, and the Kargil war of 1999. The Asian financial crisis also proved that the right way to combat such crises was through capital controls, not large reserves.
Preventing the rupee from appreciating creates a serious moral hazard. For starters, it encourages importers not to hedge their imports. This actually increases our vulnerability. Preventing rupee appreciation only strengthens expectations that the rupee will rise soon. This induces an ever larger inflow of dollars, worsening reserve accumulation in a vicious cycle. This can lead to unsustainable and potentially destabilizing inflows.So, there is a case for greatly reducing RBI intervention in the forex market. That may mean a sharp rise of the rupee followed by volatile ups and downs. This will reduce moral hazard and complacency, reduce unwanted and unsustainable inflows, and oblige traders to hedge currency risks.
Some Interesting Read:
Check these links to know about USD position from Prof Perry’s blog. Always a strong, rational reason against the general opinion can be discovered..!
http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2007/10/value-of-dollar-in-1-year-check-forward.html
http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2007/10/weak-dollar-has-its-advantages.html
Strong persuasive opinion about Full convertibility of INR
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/22/stories/2006032200651000.htm
Benefit of appreciation which can be sensed by lay man in economics
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Rising_rupee__the_fall_of_almighty_dollar/articleshow/2009337.cms
Japan faced the similar appreciation in Yen
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/05/business/sxview06.php
Salary increase always motivates
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920071003030250&Title=Chennai&rLink=0
Frontline IT companies — weathering a turbulent quarter
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2007/08/12/stories/2007081251080700.htm

The rupee, with centuries of history behind it, is capable of depreciating with elegance and appreciating with grace. If only we would let it…!!

(Sources: BusinessLine and Economics Times)

Customer Delight

What is Customer Delight?? Hope we all read it some where in our text related to marketing… But how about experiencing it?? I am sure Mr. Philip Kotler, Marketing Guru must have experienced it before writing theories about ‘Customer Delight’.
Yesterday a friend of mine and I was willing to have lunch outside, not in office cafeteria. She was not feeling well because she had cold, I suggested her lets go out and have some hot soup (which she likes more than main course meal) and she will feel better... Same food over a period of time becomes tasteless. The fact which amuses me the most that nobody ever proclaimed that he/she likes food in his/her hostel mess or cafeteria …. I never heard somebody proclaiming I like food in my mess or canteen… BUT yes on the other hand I never encountered anyone saying that because of my hostel or office canteen food I fall SICK…!! Amusing contrast, not good food though healthy…hahaha..:) I strongly feel if one has the habit of eating canteen food then one can survive anywhere and can consume anything….!! Out of all the food outlets near by my office area viz Indira Nagar, CMH Road, 100 Ft Road, 80 Ft Road etc etc.. I like only and only ‘Asiana’ on CMH road… What a lovely place with good food, good variety of menu, good ambience, decent crowd, LCD screen, very neat, hygienic etc etc….. What else I need in afternoon for lunch when weary from office…. But sometime we do need more than this, and then only one can say I AM DELIGHTED..!!
There was a festival yesterday called “Nopi” and the people who celebrate, they believe that Onion and Garlic should not be consumed by them including my friend… Going to eat outside without onion and garlic?? My friend almost convinced herself that she is going to have whatever is available there.... Well, about myself, honestly speaking I have lost track of those days of the year which have special significance and celebrated by people, for me there are only two kinds of days weekdays and weekends. This must be because I am staying away from home and family since very long that the feelings behind the significance of days have marginally diminished which is hard to be sensed now….
After reaching Asiana we asked the person on the counter what all are the items available in today’s veg menu without onion and garlic?? Keeping in mind they serve mostly combos for lunch and change their menu on daily basis which includes all Asian cuisine not just Indian, Chinese, Thai but Arabic, Malaysian also…Meaning preplanned menu already prepared where scope of flexibility is very narrow… Couldn’t expect the answer we got….. Ma’am select the item you would like to have, we will make it without onion and garlic for YOU…that person replied with full gentleness scooped with humbleness…!!! Ahhhhh the expression portrayed on our faces, beyond the power of elucidation… Our faces lit up with elation and jubilation, I told my friend I didn’t expected this then she said that is why we are delighted and falling in love with this place…!! Believe it or not every minute spent there and every single bite swallowed, we cherished form the core…!!
(pic source:www.royalcupcoffee.com/images/women_smile.jpg)

Shantaram

Me and Shantaram:
Who is Shantaram?? A real or fictitious character...?? I had nice fun time with my friends in last two weeks when I was spending time with Shantaram…! One day evening I was having tea with my friends, few minutes after finishing tea I told them I would like to make a move as I am missing my Shantaram and he is calling me…!! They all got all kind of ideas, and asked me who is he or I have kept new name for someone? The curious expression on their faces was really exhilarating for me…By this time they all know who is Shantaram, breaking the ice of silence it’s a book about a real person and written by real person himself named Gregory David Roberts…!!
Someone strongly recommended this book to me, I read the review about this book knowing it’s not the kind of book which I generally pick… even though I picked the book soon as I wanted to go back to all kind of reading instead of confining myself to peculiar choice. And it’s always nice to read beyond the text and read between the lines… isn’t it? And how wonderful is to read people’s mind …!! This ecstasy doesn’t cost unlike, consuming charas, hashish, heroin which most of the major characters of this book cherishes…!!
Explicit:
Well written with simplistic style which makes reader to float freely along with the pace of story and authors mind. Realistic and honest story with self portrayal written with feelings in extraordinarily reality, pain, joy, suffering, love, hatreds makes it literary masterpiece. Intensity of author’s emotions and feeling can be measured in terms of number of pages description goes on….! Authors arrival to Bombay, entry into new world with new language, knowing good people at face value, entering into slum, touching life of people with affection, getting in touch with mafia and his people and developing strong bond by giving name to relationship, going to jail, coming out from jail, getting indulge into underworld, learning all the intricacies, experiencing into drugs and coming out of it, mission Afghanistan, revelation of mist, and back to Bombay with warm welcome to underworld and people…that’s the flow of story…
Implicit:
Once someone told me “What we see around us is manifestation of our inner world”…!! I trusted fully in this statement because it was made by someone whom I respect a lot and consider much much higher than normal person. But I had not really experienced it ever till the time I read this book Shantaram and correlated and pondered upon the story.Author being come from a background where he escaped and lost his original identity, lacking family support and relationship with his own people, proclaims that he was totally divested with love. That is pretty obvious in the book as the main female character that he liked in first sight appears in very beginning of the story and it takes him around three hundred odd pages or you can say one year to tell that lady that he likes her…!! And description gets over in just two three pages when he reveals his feeling for her, whereas he has elaborated all the aspects of his life in slum, jail and crime with all minute detail in couple of hundred pages..!Book emphasis on Darker side of life in major, only 10% text one can find about brighter side of life. Content and substance of Lin’s mind as he commits crime for which he got 23 years long sentence in Australian jail but he managed to escape from there, and lands up in India with new identity. That’s absolutely perfect to adopt a new land and new identity if one realizes his mistake and willing to change. BUT realization is one important part which is useless if not backed by actual act. REPEATING the same mistake again, indulge with lower self by entering into darker life of crime world is totally unacceptable … But after reading the whole text one can say ‘warmth’ is needed in the blood and we all have quest for that…. Given an option between choosing cold or boiling blood its always better to let your blood boil..! Lin lacks feeling and sense of being ‘Contented’ in almost 98% of the story… and in turn indulges himself with people around him who are from underworld; where as he himself know what the impact gone be.That feeling of loneliness is pervasive among people, I was also not the exception, but a statement made radical change in me. One of my very dear friend once said to me, "Deepali you know when women’s are pregnant they take care of themselves a lot because they are always concerned about their baby. But even though if someone is not pregnant her soul is always there, and one should be concerned about it and take care"..!!

Delights:

1- Naming ceremony: How name of author as per the fake passport changes from Mr. Lindsay to Lin is hilarious from the core by his tour guide Prabakar/ Prabu. Later in Parbu’s village his mother names Lin as 'Shantaram Kisan Kharre'… very nice again. Indeed all the conversations between them are extraordinarily fantastic…Over under pant…Story begins with Lin and Prabhu and ends also with them….

2- Kisaan Mango Kharre: Never heard such a delicious Indian name… just loved it, and very very cute character of the book, he is father of Parbu.

3- Baer/ bare Hug: Its just wow wow and woooooooow… imagine someone giving you hug whom you never liked but feeling the warmth you are uttering with kind gesture and affection “its Baer hug”.... !! And other person, interpreting it as “bare hug”…!! And asking you, Shall I remove my shirt and hug you……..!! ha ha ha ha ha … This scene was between Lin (Author) and Abdullah (Star of underworld)… Later Abdullah missing Lin, to the biggest amazement and sitting on pinnacle of his senses actually sent a real Bear (Kano) with small note with three people to hug Lin…!! And this bear is not ordinary one… He is real pampered one and goes to jail twice… Believe me Kano demonstrates one of the cutest parts of the whole story…. now you need to scan pages of book to have more fun…

4- Stay in slum: Major chunk of book and marvelous narration of life of less privileged ones. Lin comes up as natural leader and dear one of slum people, very kind, generous selfless….. A person from foreign origin learns local language, and interacting in hindi and marathi…. It’s a panacea... One needs to have big heart and good vision to move in such direction….at this place author actually lives his life with meaning…

5- Suffering: Who ever knows me must have noticed me saying,” We all have to suffer, who ever has come to this world has to suffer”…!! This word always resides in my consciousness and was first encounter with brighter side of life in the book when big mafias have discussion on topic of suffering. Beautifully mentioned in book “The burden of happiness can only be relieved by the balm of suffering”….!! I simply loved the expression…

6- Stay in jail: Believe me its horrifying, please do feel that you are blessed that taking breathes freely at this moment. If anything called Hell exists, no doubts is non-other-than ‘life in a jail’, which was narrated by author… After long time I found tears in my eyes while reading a book not because I was feeling pity on Lin's situation but was thinking about myself that I can never face life in jail, cant even suicide, cant live, cant breathe…….ooooooooh God!! can days be like that..!! I wish neither in my most horrible dreams nor to any of my enemy does our Heavenly father grant this kind of punished day… Hope grace of heaven will continue on all of us… Amen

7- Karla: Main female character of the book, who has made great impact on authors mind by shaking all the fundamental concept upside down….She believes “Power is the best thing in this world and love is opposite of power”..!! But it’s nice to read and observe how her heart changes, how her belief changes and very nice to see when love beckons her how well she embraces it..

Have you ever wondered why wedding ring be worn on fourth fingure?

Do you know why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger? There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese Legend... Thumb represents your Parents, Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings, Middle finger represents your-Self, Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner, & the Last (Little) finger represents your children.

1- Open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together - back to back.

2- Open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip (As shown in the pic)

Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents)..., they will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.

Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings)...., they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.

Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children)...., they will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day. Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).

You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT.....!!Because Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!!

Please try this out........ISN'T THIS A LOVELY THEORY?

Stem Cells

Stem cells are primal cells found in all multi-cellular organisms. They retain the ability to renew them through mitotic cell division and can differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types.
Stem cells are generally very early stage cells that have the ability to turn into other specialized types of cells. Most of the 300 trillion cells of the body have completely specialized functions. Blood, lung, brain, skin or liver cells are all wonderfully specialized for what they do. By and large, they cannot do anything other than what they were designed for. Stem cells, on the other hand, do not have a specialized function; they are an immature kind of cell that still has the potential to develop into many different kinds of cell. They are 'all-purpose' cells. There is another characteristic of stem cells that makes them so prized. Unlike our specialist cells, stem cells have the capacity to keep multiplying. This capacity to both proliferate and form different types of cells makes them ideal for replacing tissue that is lost. Need new pancreatic cells to replace the one you've lost to diabetes? Let stem cells churn them out for you. That's the potential of stem cells and the reason why research scientists, biotech companies and sick people are so passionate about having the freedom to develop that potential. The three broad categories of mammalian stem cells are:

1. Embryonic stem cells
2. Adult stem cells
3. Umbilical cord stem cells

Why are stem cells important?

As stem cells can be grown and transformed into specialized cells with characteristics consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves through cell culture, their use in medical therapies has been proposed.Stem cells are significant for a number of reasons. These include things like: Potential therapeutic uses such as: cures for diabetes, leukemia, brain diseases like Parkinson, treatments for cancer or Multiple sclerosis (MS) etc etc. Genetically matched pluripotent embryonic stem cells generated via nuclear transfer (ntES cells) or parthenogenesis (pES cells) is a potential source of histocompatible cells and tissues for transplantation.

Why is Cord Blood so Valuable?

Umbilical cord blood is the blood left over in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of a baby. This blood has been found to be an extremely rich source of stem cells. These stem cells can now be used as an alternative to embryonic, bone marrow and other stem cell types. There are no ethical controversies surrounding stem cells derived from the umbilical cord as the umbilical cord and placenta are usually discarded after birth.
Baby's cord blood is a valuable source of stem cells that could be used to treat many life-threatening diseases and medical conditions. The value and benefits of umbilical cord blood stem cells are great as stem cells save life, and medical researchers are exploring new uses for umbilical cord blood stem cells in treating diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Banking cord blood means that whenever need arises, your child will have a source of stem cells that is an exact match, with almost no risk of rejection.

Interesting links-
1- Bank for umbilical cord stem cell-

http://www.lifecellindia.com/power-of-stem-cells-and-cord-blood/banking-cord-blood
2- International society for stem cell research- http://www.isscr.org/
3- Slides showing how embryonic stem cells are cultured- http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/anisamples/stemcells.html
4- Searches the Reuters news site for stories about stem cells- http://today.reuters.com/news/newssearchresults.aspx?srch=stem%20cell&searchtype=a
5- Debate about embryonic stem cell years ago (2001)- http://archives.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/07/17/cohen.otsc/

(Image source- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell)

Parthenogenesis

Parthenogenesis [Gr., =virgin birth]
In parthenogenesis ("virgin birth"), the females produce eggs, but these develop into young without ever being fertilized. In cases of parthenogenesis an ovum starts to divide by itself without fertilization, producing an embryo in which the paternal chromosomes may be replaced by a duplication of maternal ones. This asexual reproductive method is rare among warm-blooded vertebrates but more common among invertebrates. Pathological parthenogenesis has been observed in higher animals, such as the frog, fowl, and certain mammals. Parthenogenesis usually gives rise to female offspring. Attempts at artificial parthenogenesis in humans have not yet been successful. The first cloned human embryo was produced in October 2001. Eggs had their own genetic material removed and were injected with the nucleus of a donor cell. They were then incubated under special conditions to prompt them to divide and grow. One embryo grew to six cells before it stopped dividing. The same experimenters also tried to induce human eggs to divide into early embryos parthenogenetically -- without being fertilized by a sperm or enucleated and injected with a donor cell -- but their efforts met with only limited success. There is some evidence, however, that natural parthenogenesis does occasionally occur in humans. There are many instances in which impregnation have allegedly taken place in women without there being any possibility of the semen entering. In some cases it was found either in the course of pregnancy or at the time of childbirth that the female passages were obstructed. In 1956 the medical journal Lancet published a report concerning 19 alleged cases of virgin birth among women in England, who were studied by members of the British Medical Association. The six-month study convinced the investigators that human parthenogenesis was physiologically possible and had actually occurred in some of the women studied. Many primitive peoples believe that there are two methods of human reproduction: the ordinary animal one and a higher one rarely employed -- virgin birth. One belief is that the rays of the sun can fertilize women. In this regard, it is interesting that ultraviolet rays can cause parthenogenesis in unfertilized eggs of sea-urchins. It is also believed that moon rays, wind, rain, and certain types of food can cause impregnation. In the 19th century the Trobriand Islanders of the western Pacific insisted that cases of virgin birth still occurred among them.
Why choose asexual reproduction?Perhaps the better question is: Why not? After all, asexual reproduction would seem a more efficient way to reproduce and avoids all sorts of problems. Perhaps sexual reproduction has kept in style because it provides a mechanism to weed out harmful mutations that arise in the population (through the recombination process of meiosis). Some strains of the water flea Daphnia pulex reproduce sexually, others asexually. The asexual strains accumulate deleterious mutations in their mitochondrial genes four times as fast as the sexual strains. But there are many examples of populations that thrive without sex, at least while they live in a stable environment. Perhaps it is the ability to adapt to a changing environment that has caused sex to remain the method of choice for most living things. An asexual population tends to be genetically static. Mutant alleles appear but remain forever associated with the particular alleles present in the rest of that genome. Even a beneficial mutation will be doomed to extinction if trapped along with genes that reduce the fitness of that population. But with the genetic recombination provided by sex, new alleles can be shuffled into different combinations with all the other alleles available to the genome of that species. A beneficial mutation that first appears alongside harmful alleles can, with recombination, soon find itself in more fit genomes that will enable it to spread through a sexual population. The speed with which parasites like bacteria and viruses can change their virulence may provide the strongest need for their hosts to have the ability to make new gene combinations. So sex may be virtually universal because of the never-ending need to keep up with changes in parasites.The idea that a constantly-changing environment, especially with respect to parasites, drives evolution is often called the Red Queen hypothesis. It comes from Lewis Carroll's book Through the Looking Glass, where the Red Queen says "Now here, you see, it takes all the running you can do to keep in the same place".

Image source- asymptotia.com/2007/05/26/parthenogenesis-ii/

Known Stranger

Unexpected the things are, which comes to our way.

Expected are the things we just wish for, rarely turns into reality!!

Predictable been you when you entered in my life,

That very moment in first glance I realize you,

Like a mirror image you are today of the first impression inscribed…

Time started flying and confirming the first impression inscribed...

I enjoyed all the banters,

Mirth will linger in heart forever…

As it was backed by unexpected!

Interaction with you were underlined with gray matter,

Which forced realization,

I have also some as your'sYour portrayal on canvas of my understanding,

Is like a most curious soul, who wants to know and understand me!

Unawareness of self hampers me for depiction of self.

Left it opens for perception…

Fewer are the shades which I can discern in my personality,

Among those one I will reveal today…

If I know expectation, the very next moment, it will be shed,

It shatters…I know…!

You may call it as cruelty,

But knowing the reality its better be cruel than lethal,

Nay for others but most for me…!!

Imagination sees the complete reality,

It is where past, present and future meets...

Imagination is limited neither to the reality which is apparent nor to one place,

It lives everywhere.

Imagination is the life of mental freedom.

I am so happy in your happiness.

To you happiness is a form of freedom, and of all the people I know you should be the freest.

Surely you have earned this happiness and this freedom.

Life cannot be but kind and sweet to you.

You have been so sweet and kind to life…!!

If I can open a new corner in a man's own heart to him I have not lived in vain.

I am different every day - and when I am eighty, I shall still be experimenting and changing.

(I wrote this poem in Feb'07)

Perfection

One day I asked myself what should be my idea about Perfection? And I got the answer “Lotus”, lotus is perfection…!! I pondered upon this answer deeply many times and got same answer confirmed by my deeper self again and again…. I clearly remember how I use to mix colors to get the perfect shade of lotus for school drawing and paining work, lotus was the first painting where I learnt how to give shading… Even in various poojas I did floor decoration with lotus paintings… In other words the sphere of lotus was always there in my consciousness from very beginning! And every step taken ahead made its canvas bigger and bigger. When I was in 9-10 standards in Botany I learnt scientific/ botanical name of Lotus i.e. “Nelumbo nucifera” and till now I have not forgotten; and that subject placed such a divine perfection of nature among ordinary flower and genus… But the spiritual perspective pervaded the canvas much beyond limits and made the ordinary flower an Extraordinary..!!
Imagine a lotus is emerging from chaotic expanse. Silent, uncaring, focused only on the act of emergence…. The lotus flower makes its appearance graceful, regal, and perfect in its beauty. The lotus holds center stage, as even the chaotic expanse seems to stop for a second to behold the beauty of its regal presence…. And look! A light emerges from the womb of the lotus flower a blinding, dazzling light…. It is the sun, emerging with the lotus flower, creating itself from the depths of the universe. This is the beginning of creation the very beginning of time….
Law of Mother Nature-
How well lotus follows Mother Nature….Starting life as a seed, it grows in the muddy darkness at the bottom of a pond. The darkness is like our ignorance - we can't clearly see the truth about life. The seed grows toward the warmth and light of the sun just as humans naturally grow toward the warmth of love and compassion, and toward the light of truth. The mature flower floats on the surface, bathing in the full light of the sun, well 'anchored' but moving freely according to the flow of the water - the changing current of any situation. How well it follows the cycle of day and night of Mother Nature… as disciplined child…woke up and bloom when rays of sun starts dancing and smile with the world around and when the serenity of moon showers up on it embraces all its petals and soothe them from tiredness of the day…. Lotus are beautiful both in appearance and smell - they are pleasant to have around…The same is true of people. Friends who are honest, kind, virtuous, wise and generous are a pleasure to have around…. Isn’t it..?? What is most beautiful about them is not so much their appearance, but their behavior…!!
Story from Hindu mythology-
Long ago, at the end the whole universe had been engulfed in an ocean, and Creation was all but lost. The god Vishnu, preserver of life, whose abode is the primordial waters, was asleep in this timeless darkness, dreaming of worlds to come. As his dreams unfolded, a lotus flower emerged from his navel and revealed within its many folds the cosmic egg, in which Brahma the creator, was asleep. As Brahma stirred, Creation began to unfold again, and new worlds, new gods, and new life appeared. In India today, the lotus is still considered to be the cradle of the universe, and many Indian deities are portrayed sitting on a large lotus flower.
Buddhist Outlook-
Buddhism believes that man is rooted in the materialism, but with faith in the divine and adherence to a Buddha-like nature, he can emerge pure and enlightened. Just like the lotus flower. Buddhists believe that the Lord Buddha himself was born on a lotus leaf. Legend says that when he was born, he walked seven steps in ten directions and with each step a lotus flower appeared. The lotus is thus one of the eight auspicious symbols associated with the eight-fold path to enlightenment, and symbolizes faithfulness. The blossoming of the lotus flower is also powerfully symbolic. Buddhists liken the unfolding of the petals to the unfolding of the divine within the human self. The closed bloom represents the heart with its infinite potential for enlightenment; the open blossom represents the enlightened self.
Why I consider Lotus as Perfect-
1- Lotus seed is most viable seed, viability is 14 years…!! Some seeds have been found viable after 500 years…!(Survival of the fittest- Darwinism)
2- Lotus is chosen flower for most of the Gods. (Hindu, Buddhist, Egyptian)
3- After pyramids the most analyzed shape from architectural view is lotus temple for scholars.
4- Lotus flower predominantly have two colors, pink petals and yellow center part. Pink color symbolize compassion and love, yellow color symbolize happiness and enlightenment.
5- Lotus was the first creation by God among all floras.
6- Lotus has chosen an element for origin as water, which is vital for life.
7- Different chakras in body are being symbolized by lotus petals. The highest chakra is Crown Chakra, which is denoted by 1000 petal lotus. When energy start flowing in this chakra one reaches the Perfect state called emancipation. Where true love and wisdom lies.

SEPA

Recently I have done a project on SEPA (Single Euro Payment Area). So, I thought of sharing it with you all. Idea is not to bore you but share something interesting about SEPA, as in college days we all learnt about European Union, that EU has the highest degree of economic integration across the globe and SEPA is just the next step to strengthen this integration. Imagine all the banks of EU using single network for clearing interbank settlements….!! SEPA impacts all banks operating in 31 countries — the 27 EU member states, the three European Economic Area countries (Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway) and Switzerland. SEPA will allow customers to make non-cash euro payments to any beneficiary located anywhere in the euro area using a single bank account and a single set of payment instruments. All retail payments in euro will thereby become “domestic”, and there will no longer be any differentiation between national and cross border payments within the euro area. The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) is an initiative of the European banking industry that will make all electronic payments across the euro area – e.g. by credit card, debit card, bank transfer or direct debit – as easy as domestic payments within one country are now. The proposed Payment Services Directive is intended to provide the necessary legal framework for SEPA, as well as for better payments in all EU countries. The SEPA schemes as designed by the EPC are aimed at ensuring that all scheme participants in Europe, whether they are in Belgium or in Finland, will be using the same standards and act under the same rules.The EPC has defined the new schemes, frameworks, rules and standards for euro payments. The implementation of SEPA is being undertaken by European banking communities and all other stakeholders. The European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Commission (EC) strongly support SEPA and with the EPC. The SEPA payment instruments will have a decisive advantage over any existing national payment instrument: they will be usable all over Europe and guarantee to the payer and payee full reachability in a much larger market than any national market. As such, they will constitute the “highest common numerator” compared to the variety of features available based on the presently existing instruments.

On a practical level, SEPA means that you will be able to make fast and secure transfers between bank accounts anywhere in the euro area, while if you are shopping abroad you will be able to use your bank debit card to make a payment in euro, just like at home. SEPA will also help to improve all payments, whether they are domestic payments or cross-border payments between two euro area countries. All consumers will benefit from new rules ensuring transparent pricing and prompt transfer. Banks will be able to make the first SEPA products available starting 1 January 2008, and are aiming to make SEPA a reality for everyone by the end of 2010.There are two major milestones for the establishment of SEPA:

• Pan-European payment instruments for credit transfers, direct debits and debit cards, will be available from 1 January 2008, in addition to national ones
• At the end of 2010, all present national payment infrastructures and payment processors should be in full competition to increase efficiency through consolidation and economies of scale.

http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/payments/sepa/benefits_en.htm (more info)

Key dates-
1957:Treaty of Rome creates a European Community

1992:Maastricht Treaty creates the euro

1999:Introduction of the euro as an electronic currency,including introduction of the RTGS system TARGET for large-value transfers

2000:Lisbon Agenda. The meeting creates a European Financial Services Action Plan

2001:EC Regulation 2560/2001 harmonises fees for cross-border and domestic euro transactions

2002:Introduction of euro banknotes and coins

2003:First pan-European ACH (PE-ACH) goes live. EC Regulation 2560/2001 comes into force for euro transactions up to €12,500

2004:10 additional countries join EU

2006:EC Regulation 2560 cap increases Euro transactions up to €50,000

2008:SEPA pan-European payment instruments will become operational in parallel to domestic instruments

2010:SEPA payments will become the dominant form of electronic payments

2011:SEPA payments will replace all national payments in the eurozone

How difficult it is to understand others and accept them?

It took me sometime when I planned to start blogging and when I actually started; the only reason was I never want to make personal things public…. And now also, when I am quoting the incidence I don’t want to reveal the names… But to write anything some kind of personal tint is needed… isn’t it…?
One day I was listening to hot argumentative conversation between two of my friends. And both of them are good at convincing others about their point of view when they talk. But I had never seen both of them convincing each other and landed up in big argument. The talk was going around for getting admission in IITs and landed up in their present company where they are working. I was silently listening to their conversation without interrupting them because both were very passionate about their views.
The sentence which forced me to think was, one guy said, “While preparing for engineering entrance exam I put my best but I didn’t get through IIT and same with placement in my college, therefore what I am today is the best I have done for myself”. Where as other guy said, “I really didn’t put my optimal effort otherwise IITs are not beyond reach, and I didn’t take my placements seriously so where I am today is fine with me”.
After the above statements they narrowed their discussion to the approached which they were calling “FOCUSED”. One denied the fact that if we are preparing for entrance exam no one can question us that we are NOT focused…..!! Where as other emphasized that it doesn’t matter what we are doing.. What matters is how one is doing and how much we are ‘Focused’…!!
After the end of their discussion there was no common consensus and I being a silent listener some kind of opinion was asked implicitly but at that point I was not very sure about my opinion and kept myself totally detached. And later, I concluded that the argument between them was not just the reflection of their views about the topic rather that was reflection about their feelings and expression. The whole discussion was lacking the acceptance and the very reason which I could think of is blockage with vision. I was relating this with the story of ‘Seven Blind Men and An Elephant’ where all seven men were touching different parts of elephant’s ears, tail, leg etc etc and one declares elephant is like fan as he touched ear, other declared its like rope as he touched tail and so on…. And what happens as a result that they believe that elephant is what they realize, and they will never have common consensus on elephants shape…. Here also, the first person is believer that ‘Sky has limit’ so has he… and confirms that he puts his best what ever he does and explores his capabilities and potentials. Where as second person knows and believe that he has lot more unexplored potential, for him sky has no limits, he is just seeing the part of sky but not putting the effort to pervade the limit.
Therefore, in lack of “Clear and Broader Vision” we tend to behave like blind person…!! We don’t put our feet in others shoe and visualize from others perspective…and land up in arguments when the object is clear and no discrepancy is there to accept others feeling, understand our own self and express it…!

Great Indian Brains (Ancient) in various Science Domains

ARYABHATT(476 CE) MASTER ASTRONOMER AND MATHEMATICIAN :

Born in 476 CE in Kusumpur (Bihar), Aryabhatt's intellectual brilliance remapped the boundaries of mathematics and astronomy. In 499 CE, at the age of 23, he wrote a text on astronomy and an unparallel treatise on mathematics called "Aryabhatiyam." He formulated the process of calculating the motion of planets and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim that the earth is round, it rotates on its axis, orbits the sun and is suspended in space - 1000 years before Copernicus published his heliocentric theory. He is also acknowledged for calculating p (Pi) to four decimal places: 3.1416 and the sine table in trigonometry. Centuries later, in 825 CE, the Arab mathematician, Mohammed Ibna Musa credited the value of Pi to the Indians, "This value has been given by the Hindus." And above all, his most spectacular contribution was the concept of zero without which modern computer technology would have been non-existent. Aryabhatt was a colossus in the field of mathematics.

BHASKARACHARYA II(1114-1183 CE) ALGEBRA:

Born in the obscure village of Vijjadit (Jalgaon) in Maharastra, Bhaskaracharya's work in Algebra, Arithmetic and Geometry catapulted him to fame and immortality. His renowned mathematical works called "Lilavati" and "Bijaganita" are considered to be unparalled and a memorial to his profound intelligence. Its translation in several languages of the world bear testimony to its eminence. In his treatise "Siddhant Shiromani" he writes on planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, mathematical techniques and astronomical equipment. In the "Surya Siddhant" he makes a note on the force of gravity: "Objects fall on earth due to a force of attraction by the earth. Therefore, the earth, planets, constellations, moon, and sun are held in orbit due to this attraction." Bhaskaracharya was the first to discover gravity, 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton. He was the champion among mathematicians of ancient and medieval India. His works fired the imagination of Persian and European scholars, who through research on his works earned fame and popularity.

ACHARYA KANAD(600 BCE) ATOMIC THEORY:

FOUNDER OF ATOMIC THEORY As the founder of "Vaisheshik Darshan"- one of six principal philosophies of India - Acharya Kanad was a genius in philosophy. He is believed to have been born in Prabhas Kshetra near Dwarika in Gujarat. He was the pioneer expounder of realism, law of causation and the atomic theory. He has classified all the objects of creation into nine elements, namely: earth, water, light, wind, ether, time, space, mind and soul. He says, "Every object of creation is made of atoms which in turn connect with each other to form molecules." His statement ushered in the Atomic Theory for the first time ever in the world, nearly 2500 years before John Dalton. Kanad has also described the dimension and motion of atoms and their chemical reactions with each other. The eminent historian, T.N. Colebrook, has said, "Compared to the scientists of Europe, Kanad and other Indian scientists were the global masters of this field."

NAGARJUNA (100 CE) WIZARD OF CHEMICAL SCIENCE:

He was an extraordinary wizard of science born in the nondescript village of Baluka in Madhya Pradesh. His dedicated research for twelve years produced maiden discoveries and inventions in the faculties of chemistry and metallurgy. Textual masterpieces like "Ras Ratnakar," "Rashrudaya" and "Rasendramangal" are his renowned contributions to the science of chemistry. Where the medieval alchemists of England failed, Nagarjuna had discovered the alchemy of transmuting base metals into gold. As the author of medical books like "Arogyamanjari" and "Yogasar," he also made significant contributions to the field of curative medicine. Because of his profound scholarliness and versatile knowledge, he was appointed as Chancellor of the famous University of Nalanda. Nagarjuna's milestone discoveries impress and astonish the scientists of today.

ACHARYA CHARAK(600 BCE) FATHER OF MEDICINE:

Acharya Charak has been crowned as the Father of Medicine. His renowned work, the "Charak Samhita", is considered as an encyclopedia of Ayurveda. His principles, diagoneses, and cures retain their potency and truth even after a couple of millennia. When the science of anatomy was confused with different theories in Europe, Acharya Charak revealed through his innate genius and enquiries the facts on human anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, blood circulation and diseases like diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease, etc. In the "Charak Samhita" he has described the medicinal qualities and functions of 100,000 herbal plants. He has emphasized the influence of diet and activity on mind and body. He has proved the correlation of spirituality and physical health contributed greatly to diagnostic and curative sciences. He has also prescribed and ethical charter for medical practitioners two centuries prior to the Hippocratic oath. Through his genius and intuition, Acharya Charak made landmark contributions to Ayurvedal. He forever remains etched in the annals of history as one of the greatest and noblest of rishi-scientists.

ACHARYA SUSHRUT (600 BCE) FATHER OF PLASTIC SURGERY:

A genius who has been glowingly recognized in the annals of medical science. Born to sage Vishwamitra, Acharya Sudhrut details the first ever surgery procedures in "Sushrut Samhita," a unique encyclopedia of surgery. He is venerated as the father of plastic surgery and the science of anesthesia. When surgery was in its infancy in Europe, Sushrut was performing Rhinoplasty (restoration of a damaged nose) and other challenging operations. In the "Sushrut Samhita," he prescribes treatment for twelve types of fractures and six types of dislocations. His details on human embryology are simply amazing. Sushrut used 125 types of surgical instruments including scalpels, lancets, needles, Cathers and rectal speculums; mostly designed from the jaws of animals and birds. He has also described a number of stitching methods; the use of horse's hair as thread and fibers of bark. In the "Sushrut Samhita," and fibers of bark. In the "Sushrut Samhita," he details 300 types of operations. The ancient Indians were the pioneers in amputation, caesarian and cranial surgeries. Acharya Sushrut was a giant in the arena of medical science.

VARAHAMIHIR (499-587 CE) EMINENT ASTROLOGER AND ASTRONOMERA:

Renowned astrologer and astronomer who was honored with a special decoration and status as one of the nine gems in the court of King Vikramaditya in Avanti (Ujjain). Varahamihir's book "panchsiddhant" holds a prominent place in the realm of astronomy. He notes that the moon and planets are lustrous not because of their own light but due to sunlight. In the "Bruhad Samhita" and "Bruhad Jatak," he has revealed his discoveries in the domains of geography, constellation, science, botany and animal science. In his treatise on botanical science, Varamihir presents cures for various diseases afflicting plants and trees. The rishi-scientist survives through his unique contributions to the science of astrology and astronomy.

ACHARYA PATANJALI (200 BCE) FATHER OF YOGA:

The Science of Yoga is one of several unique contributions of India to the world. It seeks to discover and realize the ultimate Reality through yogic practices. Acharya Patanjali, the founder, hailed from the district of Gonda (Ganara) in Uttar Pradesh. He prescribed the control of prana (life breath) as the means to control the body, mind and soul. This subsequently rewards one with good health and inner happiness. Acharya Patanjali's 84 yogic postures effectively enhance the efficiency of the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive and endocrine systems and many other organs of the body. Yoga has eight limbs where Acharya Patanjali shows the attainment of the ultimate bliss of God in samadhi through the disciplines of: yam, niyam, asan, pranayam, pratyahar, dhyan and dharna. The Science of Yoga has gained popularity because of its scientific approach and benefits. Yoga also holds the honored place as one of six philosophies in the Indian philosophical system. Acharya Patanjali will forever be remembered and revered as a pioneer in the science of self-discipline, happiness and self-realization.

ACHARYA BHARADWAJ (800 BCE) PIONEER OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY:

Acharya Bharadwaj had a hermitage in the holy city of Prayag and was an ordent apostle of Ayurveda and mechanical sciences. He authored the "Yantra Sarvasva" which includes astonishing and outstanding discoveries in aviation science, space science and flying machines. He has described three categories of flying machines:

1.) One that flies on earth from one place to another.

2.) One that travels from one planet to another.

3.) And One that travels from one universe to another.

His designs and descriptions have impressed and amazed aviation engineers of today. His brilliance in aviation technology is further reflected through techniques described by him:

1.) Profound Secret: The technique to make a flying machine invisible through the application of sunlight and wind force.

2.) Living Secret: The technique to make an invisible space machine visible through the application of electrical force.

3.) Secret of Eavesdropping: The technique to listen to a conversation in another plane.

4.) Visual Secrets: The technique to see what's happening inside another plane.Through his innovative and brilliant discoveries, Acharya Bharadwaj has been recognized as the pioneer of aviation technology.

ACHARYA KAPIL (3000 BCE) FATHER OF COSMOLOGY:

Celebrated as the founder of Sankhya philosophy, Acharya Kapil is believed to have been born in 3000 BCE to the illustrious sage Kardam and Devhuti. He gifted the world with the Sankhya School of Thought. His pioneering work threw light on the nature and principles of the ultimate Soul (Purusha), primal matter (Prakruti) and creation. His concept of transformation of energy and profound commentaries on atma, non-atma and the subtle elements of the cosmos places him in an elite class of master achievers - incomparable to the discoveries of other cosmologists. On his assertion that Prakruti, with the inspiration of Purusha, is the mother of cosmic creation and all energies, he contributed a new chapter in the science of cosmology. Because of his extrasensory observations and revelations on the secrets of creation, he is recognized and saluted as the Father of Cosmology.

Cereal which Delights me 'Raagi'

Raagi is the cereal which I started consuming in my everyday food, because of its nutritional value and health concerns. After all having junk our body needs something nutritious to balance it out. First time I came to know about Raggi when my aunt was feeding her baby with Raagi porridge instead of cerelac…!! According to traditional belief among people of Karnataka, they consider Raagi as complete food and substitute of milk…!!

Finger millet or African millet is known as “Raagi” in southern part of India.
Botanical name- Eleusine coracana

Raagi is an annual plant widely grown as a cereal in the arid areas of Africa and Asia. Finger millet is originally native to the Ethiopian Highlands and was introduced into India approximately 4000 years ago. It is very adaptable to higher elevations and is grown in the Himalaya up to 2300 meters altitude.

Ragi is the main food grain for many peoples, especially in dry areas of India and Sri Lanka. Grain is higher in protein, fat and minerals than rice, corn etc. When consumed as food it provides a sustaining diet, especially for people doing hard work. Straw makes valuable fodder for both working and milking animals. Grain may also be malted and a flour of the malted grain used as a nourishing food for infants. Ragi is considered an especially wholesome food for diabetics.

Ragi has the highest Calcium content and good fiber content. This is a very good source of calcium for growing children and aged people who need calcium supplement. Finger millet is especially valuable as it contains the amino acid methionine, which is lacking in the diets of hundreds of millions of the poor who live on starchy staples such as cassava, plantain, polished rice, or maize meal.

Nutritive value of Ragi per 100 g-

• Protein 7.3 g
• Fat 1.3 g
• Carbohydrate 72 g
• Minerals 2.7 g
• Calcium 344 g
• Fibre 3.6 g
• Energy 328 KCal

Beer-
Some minority used Finger Millet flour to made alcohol (BacHa alcohol is a good drink of H'mong minority).


Folk Medicine-
The leaf juice has been given to women in childbirth, and the plant is reported to be diaphoretic, diuretic, and vermifuge. Ragi is a folk remedy for leprosy, liver disease, measles, pleurisy, pneumonia, and small pox.

Cuisines-

• Raagi Soup
• Raagi Roti
• Raagi Dosa
• Raagi Popcorn
• Raagi Health Drink
• Raagi porridge
• Raagi Mudde
• Raagi Idli

Through my personal experience, I would like to suggest usage of Raagi, as it keeps face pimple/ acne free, and it will not add extra pounds. I usually intake it as porridge preparation of it takes hardly takes 5 mins. Just take 3-4 spoons of flour add 3-4 cups of water boil it for 4-5 mins add sugar for taste and 20 ml of milk before taking it off from the flame. Eat it warm, its really really delicious.

Eagle and its instincts

When it rains all birds occupy shelter but Eagle is the only bird that avoids the rain by flying above the clouds………!!

Think of an eagle...what comes to mind? A large powerful bird of prey, swooping down and snatching up its next victim? Or maybe you imagine a beautiful and noble bird with very likable qualities. Actually, eagles are all of that and more. In the US, Eagle is a symbol of justice, strength, and fairness. However, to the rest of the world the eagle may bring to mind many different images as there are many different types of eagles...

Facts:

1- There are about 59 different species of eagles throughout the world....!!

2- Eagle can be found in every continent except Antarctica

3- Eagles are excellent fliers, and they all have excellent vision.

4- Eagles come in all sorts of sizes and colors

5- Even the reproductive organs are specialized to reduce size.
6- A female eagle has only one ovary which is normally very small.
7- During breeding season, this one ovary will increase up to 1,500 times in size.
8- Their lungs are connected to a series of air sacs that are throughout the body and into even the breast muscles.
9-Eagles’ hearts are relatively larger and stronger than mammals. And think of their hearts pumping the blood into the muscles as well as circulating the oxygen!


10- When eagle flaps its wings, the primary flight feathers act like the propeller on an airplane. These feathers are angled so the low pressure area of the feather is towards the front of the bird, pulling the bird forward. The main lift and propulsion come on the down stroke of the wings. When the wing is lifted upwards, the secondary flight feathers also help create lift.


Following forces work together to make both airplanes and birds fly. If all are equal, then the bird or plane will fly in a level path-
1- Thrust
2- Lift
3- Drag
The pull of gravity can be thought of as the thrust. Lift is generated when the forward motion through the skies overcomes its weight. Drag is the force that tends to push something along with the air flow.

Scientists have put eagles into four different groups-

(i) Sea and Fish Eagles

(ii) Snake Eagles

(iii)Harpy Eagles

(iv)Booted Eagles

Instinct which I like in eagle is-
Concentration

Will power

Doesn’t matter how strongly wind is blowing, it struggle with full strength to overcome it

The way eagle teaches their nestlings to fly in cloudy weather..

Have you ever been amazed what it's like to fly free….??

To see the world as far as the eye can see………..

To view the surroundings from high and from low…

To hear only the sound of a distant echo…..

To float in the air……..

To admire many rainbows that the trees tend to hide…..

To see the misty mornings over a beautiful mountain top…

To glide over a flowing lake that never seems to stop….

To watch the animals from over a mile away….

Or, to rise above the tree tops that gleam in the day….?

If you were an eagle you would wonder no more,

For it can see things you have never seen before.

Next time you look into the sky of blue,

Think of what it's like from an eagle's view...!!

" Problems are common to all but attitude makes the difference"