Taxis without drivers

At London's Heathrow Airport, for example, appeared a taxi, which copes and without human management. Taxi drivers - this dual phenomenon. On the one hand, with sometimes interesting talk on the road, on the other, sometimes they are too intrusive or do not know the road. That's Heathrow Airport in London, apparently, having weighed all the pros and cons of taxi drivers as such, have decided to renounce them. Of course, these four-seater taxis do not drive you arrived at Heathrow passengers anywhere in the city. They will act exclusively in the territory of the airport, as the link between terminals, parking and other facilities, airport complex. The passenger can only sit in a taxi, to indicate on the touch screen where it wants to move, and the taxi itself is taking him there and, of course, without tipping. Money terminal, standing in the taxi, take off with your card exactly as much money as you need, and a penny more.

You all might have forgotten about alphabets... Let me teach you now

A Aristocrat
B Bagpiper
C contessa
D Director's Special
E Eight PM
F Four Roses
G God Father
H Haywards
I Imperial Blue
J Johny Walker
K King Fisher
L Lincoln Lager
M Master Brew
N Narragansett Bock
O Old Monk
P Pioneer Ale
Q Quat
R Red Label
S Scotch
T Trommers White Label
U Utica CSAB
V VAT 69
W WATKINS
X XXX
Y Yotoc
Z Zingaro

Sachin Tendulkar in college fancy dress competition

The 4 Stages of Life

The 4 Stages of Life

Nokia Aeon Phone (It's gonna make the motorola/sony/vertu cry for mercy)

Nokia has a new concept phone to feast our eyes on; the Aeon phone. The phone has a Touchscreen instead of a keypad; seems very delicate though. This phone has a new fresh look and a very different approach from Nokia. The phone is slim and that alone will make it very easy to carry around. As for the moment, the phone still remains a concept with no word from the company as to when they plan to release it.

Till then there will be more concept phones; now that trends are changing. We got to see the iPod phone which is still in the development stages. Let's hope they actually make it to the markets before we done with the craze about it.

Nokia's research and development team have kicked it up a gear with an attractive "aeon" concept phone showing up in the R&D section of the company's website. The most prominent design feature of aeon is a touchscreen that stretches over the full surface area of the phone, similar to BenQ-Siemens's Black box concept phone we saw recently. Currently mobile technology isn't quite up to realizing this fantasy, but we'll sleep better tonight knowing that at least one of the cellphone industry's biggest names shares the same dream as we do -- BenQ's dream didn't count, unfortunately.

Its a hard disk at 1956....

Its a hard disk at 1956....

The Volume and Size of 5MB memory storage in 1956.

In September 1956 IBM launched the 305 RAMAC,

The first computer with a hard disk drive (HDD).

The HDD weighed over a ton and stored 5MB of data.

What is Google Wave?

Today has been dominated by news and excitement surrounding Google Wave, Google’s new real-time communication platform that will launch to the public on September 30th. In fact, there’s been so much buzz that you might just not have enough time to read the thousands of articles being released on Google’s biggest product launch in recent memory.

To make sense of it all, we have compiled key information, definitions, and links related to the launch of Google Wave. This in-depth guide provides an overview of Google Wave, discusses the terminology associated with it, details information on Google Wave applications, (i.e. the Twitter Wave app Twave), and goes over ways to keep yourself informed. We know you’re excited about Google Wave, so here’s what we think you should know:

What is Google Wave?


While we suggest reading our article on the launch of Google Wave for more detailed information, here’s the sum of it: Google Wave is a real-time communication platform. It combines aspects of email, instant messaging, wikis, web chat, social networking, and project management to build one elegant, in-browser communication client. You can bring a group of friends or business partners together to discuss how your day has been or share files.

Google Wave has a lot of innovative features, but here are just a few:

- Real-time: In most instances, you can see what someone else is typing, character-by-character.

- Embeddability: Waves can be embedded on any blog or website.

- Applications and Extensions: Just like a Facebook application or an iGoogle gadget, developers can build their own apps within waves. They can be anything from bots to complex real-time games.

- Wiki functionality: Anything written within a Google Wave can be edited by anyone else, because all conversations within the platform are shared. Thus, you can correct information, append information, or add your own commentary within a developing conversation.

- Open source: The Google Wave code will be open source, to foster innovation and adoption amongst developers.

- Playback: You can playback any part of the wave to see what was said.

- Natural language: Google Wave can autocorrect your spelling, even going as far as knowing the difference between similar words, like “been” and “bean.” It can also auto-translate on-the-fly.

- Drag-and-drop file sharing: No attachments; just drag your file and drop it inside Google Wave and everyone will have access.

While these are only a few of the many features of Google Wave, it’s easy to see why people are extremely excited.

Google Wave was the brainchild of a team based out of Sydney, Australia. The core team members are two brothers, Jens and Lars Rasmussen, and lead project manager Stephanie Hannon, all of whom were involved in Google Maps previously. Google Wave was announced today at Google’s I/O Developer conference, although the product will not be available to the public for several months.

We detail even more of these features in our article The Top 6 Game-Changing Features of Google Wave.

Terminology


Google Wave actually has its own lingo – yes, you have to learn a few definitions if you’re going to really understand this new communication platform. Having knowledge of these terms will help you understand more about Google’s newest project.

- Wave: A wave, specifically, refers to a specific threaded conversation. It can include just one person, or it can include a group of users or even robots (explained below). The best comparison I can make is that it’s like your entire instant messaging (IM) history with someone. Anything you’ve ever discussed in a single chat or conversation is a wave.

- Wavelet: A wavelet is also a threaded conversation, but only a subset of a larger conversation (or a wave). It’s like a single IM conversation – a small part of a larger conversation and a larger history. Wavelets, though, can be created and managed separately from a wave.

- Blip: Even smaller than a Wavelet, a Blip is a single, individual message. It’s like a single line of an IM conversation. Blips can have other blips attached to them, called children. In addition, blips can either be published or unpublished (once again, it’s sort of like typing out an IM message but not yet sending it).

- Document: A document actually refers to the content within a blip. This seems to refer to the actual characters, words, and files associated with a blip.

- Extension: An extension is a mini-application that works within a wave. So these are the apps you can play with while using Wave. There are two main types of extenisons: Gadgets and Robots

- Gadgets: A gadget is an application users can participate with, many of which are built on Google’s OpenSocial platform. A good comparison would be iGoogle gadgets or Facebook applications.

- Robots: Robots are an automated participant within a wave. They can talk with users and interact with waves. They can provide information from outside sources (i.e. Twitter) or they can check content within a wave and perform actions based on them (i.e. provide you a stock quote if a stock name is mentioned).

- Embeded Wave: An embeded wave is a way to take a Google Wave and the conversation within it and place it on your website. Users could use this as a chatroom, as a way to contact you, or for something more.

Wave Gadgets


A Wave Gadget is one of two types of Google Wave extensions. Gadgets are fully-functional applications. According to Google, gadgets are primarily for changing the look and feel of waves, although this seems to only scratch the surface of the potential of a wave gadget.

First: almost any iGoogle or OpenSocial gadget can run within Google Wave. That means thousands of applications that have been already created will work in Google Wave. Second: a gadget built within Google Wave can take advantage of live interaction with multiple users. This means something like a live online game with active participation from all users. In that way, it has similarities to Facebook or MySpace applications, which take advantage of your friend network to make games, quizzes, and applications more meaningufl and useful.

Gadgets are specific to individual waves, rather than to specific users. Thus, it’s not like having a Facebook app on your profile – the gadget belongs to everyone within the wave. They also do not have titles, to better integrate with the actual conversation. Some of the gadgets already built include a Sudoku gadget, Bidder (which turns your wave into an auction), and Maps (which allows for collaboration on a Google Map).

For a more technical explanation, be sure to check out Google’s Wave Gadgets Tutorial.

Wave Robots


Robots are the other type of Google Wave extension. Robots are like having another person within a Google Wave conversation, except that they’re automated. They’re a lot like the old IM bots of the past, although far more robust. Robots can modify information in waves, interact with users, communicate with others waves, and pull information from outside sources.

Because it acts like a user, you can define its behavior based on what happens in the chat. You could build one as simple as “change the word dog to the word cat” or one as complex as a fully-functional debugger. We’ll probably start seeming some very advanced robots in the near future.

Some of the robots already in service include Debuggy (an in-wave debugger), Stocky (which pulls stock prices based on stock quote mentions), and Tweety (the Twave robot, which displays tweets inside of a wave).

A more advanced explanation is available at Google’s Wave Robots Overview. We also have an inside look at Google Wave extensions and robots.

Wave Embeds


Wave embeds are a little more complex than embedding a YouTube video onto your blog, yet in the end, that’s really what Google Wave Embeds are: a way to take Google Waves onto a third party website. Embedded Waves support many of the functions of the actual Google Wave client, including dragging-and-dropping files.

While the Wave Embeds is still very early stage, Google has already built two: YouTube Playlist Discuss and Multiple Extensions Embed. The former allows you to discuss a YouTube video via a wave and the latter allows for interaction with multiple waves on the same page.

One possibility: Google Wave Embeds may be a real-time replacement to static comments. If Google perfects wave embeds, you could even see YouTube.com comments replaced with waves, although it is way too early to make any calls on the potential of this.

Google’s Wave Embed Developer’s Guide has more advanced information embedding waves.

Furthering your Google Wave education


The Google Wave Logo
Still can’t get enough of Google Wave? This collection of links and articles will help you understand this new product even better:

- Mashable’s Google Wave Coverage: We highly suggest bookmarking our Google Wave coverage and checking Mashable consistently for the latest information on Google Wave.

- Google Wave Federation Protocol: Google has provided some community principles, architecture information, and more detailed definitions on their Wave protocol webpage.

- Google Wave API: For developers interested in building applications for Google Wave, be sure to check out the Wave API website.

- Google Wave Updates: Haven’t signed up for Google Wave yet? Here’s the sign-up form.

MTS launches mobile services in Karnataka

MTS, the mobile telephony brand of Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd. (SSTL), launched its service in Karnataka on Wednesday. The brand, which has been franchised to the company by the Russian conglomerate, Sistema, is the ninth operator to offer mobile telephony services in the State. SSTL is a joint venture between Sistema, Russia, and the Shyam Group, an Indian company that provides mobile telephony solutions.

Karnataka is the eighth circle in which MTS is operational.

Jyothi Raj, Real Indian Spider Man

Jyothi Raj the Indian “Spiderman” entertains tourists at Chitradurga Fort in Karnataka, India with his climbing skills.

After scampering up a 300ft sheer wall he grinned: "I love to see their faces when I hang upside down and hear them holding their breath for my safety. My ability is proof that I was born to climb."

Jyothi told how he learned to climb by watching monkeys then honed his skills on construction site scaffolding. At least nobody will ever be able to call him a Wimpey.
Kiddies watch in amazement as a construction worker clings to a 35ft ledge - by his feet.The toe-curling stunt by builder Jyothi Raj, 22, left pupils on a school trip gasping.
The upside down daredevil has been dubbed India's Spider-Man by onlookers who flock to watch his death-defying antics in Chitradurga.
This is the most important thing..... Niceee!!..But I hope kids don't imitate!

ನಮ್ ಹುಡುಗರು ವಯಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ! :)

ನಮ್ಮ ವಾರಗೆಯ ಹುಡುಗರಿಗೆ ಇದೊಂಥರಾ ಸಂಕ್ರಮಣದ ಕಾಲ. ಸಂಕಷ್ಟದ ಕಾಲ ಅಂತಲೂ ಹೇಳಬಹುದು. ವೃಶ್ಚಿಕ ರಾಶಿಗೆ ಚಂದ್ರನ ಪ್ರವೇಶವಾಗಿದೆ. ಶುಕ್ರ ಆರನೇ ಮನೆಯಿಂದ ಏಳನೇ ಮನೆಗೆ ಕಾಲಿಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಅತ್ತ ಶನಿಯೂ ಏಳನೇ ಮನೆಗೇ ದಾಟಲಾಗುತ್ತದಾ ನೋಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ರಾಹು ಕೇತುಗಳು ಯಾವಾಗ ಯಾರನ್ನು ಯಾವ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆಕ್ರಮಿಸುವುದು ಎಂದು ಹೊಂಚುಹಾಕುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಒಟ್ಟಾರೆ ಹೇಳಬೇಕೆಂದರೆ ’ಟೈಮ್ ಬಂದಿದೆ’. ಹ್ಮ್.. ಹೌದು..ಒಬ್ಬೊಬ್ಬರಿಗೇ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತುಗಳು ಕೇಳಿಬರುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಮಗ ವಯಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದಾನೆ !

ಮೊದಲನೇ ಕೆಟಗರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ವರ್ಷದಲ್ಲೇ ಕೆಲವು ಗೆಳೆಯರ ಮದುವೆ ಆಗಿಹೋಯಿತು. ಲವ್ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡವರು, ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿರಿಯ ಮಗನಾಗಿದ್ದವರು, ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಪ್ಪ ಅಮ್ಮಂದಿರಿಗೆ ವಯಸ್ಸಾಗಿ ಮನೆಗೆ ಸೊಸೆ ಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನಿಸಿದವರು, ಇವ್ಯಾವುದೂ ಇಲ್ಲದೇ ಹಾಗೇ ಸುಮ್ಮನೇ ಮದುವೆ ಬೇಕು ಎನಿಸಿದವರು ಮುಂತಾದ ಕೆಲವರು ಜೋಡಿ ಜೀವಗಳಾದರು. ಈ ವರ್ಷದಿಂದ ಹುಡುಕಾಟ ಶುರುಮಾಡಿದರೆ ಮುಂದಿನ ವರ್ಷಕ್ಕಾದರೂ ಮದುವೆಯಾಗಬಹುದು ಎಂದು ಶುರುಮಾಡಿದ ಕೆಲವರಿಗೆ ಬೇಗನೆ ಹುಡುಗಿ ಸಿಕ್ಕು ಮದುವೆ ಊಟ ಹಾಕಿಸಿಬಿಟ್ಟರು. ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ಜೊತೆಗೇ ಓತ್ಲಾ ಹೊಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದವನು ನಾಳೆ ಸಿಗ್ತೀಯಾ ಅಂತ ಕೇಳಿದರೆ "ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕೆಲಸ ಇದೆ ಕಣೋ ಬರಕ್ಕಾಗಲ್ಲ" ಅನ್ನುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಹೀಗೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕು ಮಾತಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ಫೋನ್ ಬಂದು "ಇಲ್ಲೇ ಇದ್ದೀನಿ, ಹತ್ತು ನಿಮಿಷ, ಬಂದೆ" ಅಂದರೆ ಆಕಡೆ ಇರುವುದು ಹೈಕಮಾಂಡೇ ಸೈ.

ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗಂತೂ ಗೆಳೆಯರು ಸಿಕ್ಕಾಗ ಕೆಲವು ಕುಶಲ ಮಾತುಕತೆಗಳಾದ ಮೇಲೆ ಮಾತು ಮದುವೆಯ ಕಡೆಗೇ ಹೊರಳುತ್ತದೆ. ಹುಡುಗಿ ನೋಡ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದಾರಾ? ಮದುವೆ ಸೆಟ್ಲಾಯ್ತಾ? ಯಾವಾಗ ಮದುವೆ ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ ಮಾತುಗಳು ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿವೆ. ಸದ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಖಾಲಿಯಾಗಲು ಶುರುವಾಗಿರುವ ನಮ್ಮ ಬ್ಯಾಚಿನ ಹುಡುಗರು ಮುಂದಿನ ವರ್ಷದ ಬೇಸಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಂತೂ ಮಾರ್ಕೆಟ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಟ್ ಕೇಕ್ ಗಳು. ಮುಂದಿನ ವರ್ಷ ಮುಗಿಯುವುದರೊಳಗಾಗಿ ಅರ್ಧದಷ್ಟು ಜನ ಖಾಲಿಯಾಗಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅದರ ಮುಂದಿನ ವರ್ಷದೊಳಗಂತೂ ಫುಲ್ ಸ್ವೀಪ್. ಇನ್ನು ನಮ್ಮ ವಾರಗೆಯ ಹುಡುಗಿಯರಂತೂ ಸೋಲ್ಡ್ ಔಟ್ ಆಗಿ ಹೋಗಿ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಆಂಟಿಯರಾಗಿಬಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ! ಆರ್ಕುಟ್ಟಿನ ಆಲ್ಬಮ್ಮಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮುದ್ದು ಮುಖದ ಮಗುವಿನ ಫೋಟೋಗಳು ಅಪ್ ಲೋಡ್ ಆಗಲಾರಂಭಿಸಿವೆ!

ಎರಡನೇ ಕೆಟಗರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಹುಡುಗಿ ನಿಕ್ಕಿಯಾಗಿರುವವರು, ನಿಶ್ಚಿತಾರ್ಥ ಆಗಿರುವವರು, ಮದುವೆ ಮಹೂರ್ತ ಫಿಕ್ಸ್ ಆದವರು ಇದ್ದಾರೆ. ಮಹೂರ್ತ ಫಿಕ್ಸ್ ಆದವರು ಮದುವೆ ಆಮಂತ್ರಣದ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆ ಮಾಡಿಸುವ ತಯಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಹಂಚುವ ಕೆಲಸದಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಈ ನವೆಂಬರ್ ನಲ್ಲೇ ಸುಮಾರಷ್ಟು ವಿಕೆಟ್ಟುಗಳು ಬೀಳಲಿವೆ. ಹುಡುಗಿ ಫಿಕ್ಸ್ ಆಗಿರುವವರು ಸದ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಫೋನಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿಜಿ ಬಿಜಿ. ಫೋನ್ ಕಾಲ್ ಬಂದೊಡನೆ ಅವರ ದನಿ ಬದಲಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ಗೊತ್ತಾಗಿ ಬಿಡುತ್ತದೆ ಅದು ಯಾರ ಫೋನ್ ಎಂದು. "ಸರಿ, ನೀನು ಹೋಗಪ್ಪ" ಎಂದು ನಾವೇ ಕಳಿಸಿಕೊಡುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಅವರ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಚರಣೆಯೂ ಜೋರಾಗಿ ನೆಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಇಷ್ಟು ಗಂಟೆಯಿಂದ ಇಷ್ಟು ಗಂಟೆಯವರೆಗೆ ಟೈಮ್ ಸ್ಲಾಟ್ ಅದಕ್ಕೆಂದೇ ಮೀಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ ಆ ಸ್ಲಾಟ್ ಮೀರಿಹೋಗುವುದೇ ಹೆಚ್ಚು. ಫೋನಿಗಂಟಿಕೊಂಡ ಹುಡುಗನಿಗೆ ಸದ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಕೆಲಸ, ಊಟ, ಇನ್ನಿತರ ಕೆಲಸಗಳೆಡೆಗೆ ಒಲವಿಲ್ಲ. ಟೆರೇಸು, ಆಫೀಸಿನ ಕಾನ್ಫರೆನ್ಸ್ ರೂಮು, ಬಾಗಿಲು ಹಾಕಿಕೊಂಡ ಕೋಣೆ ಎಲ್ಲೆಂದರಲ್ಲಿ ಚಂದಾದಾರ ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರತವಾಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ ! ಹುಡುಗಿ ಇದೇ ಊರಿನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರೆ ವೀಕೆಂಡಿಗೆ ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾಯವಾದ ಹುಡುಗ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಬಂದಾಗ "ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿದ್ಯೋ?" ಅಂದರೆ ಸುಮ್ಮನೇ ನಗುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಮೊದಲು ಯಾವುದೋ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದ ಅಂಗಿ ನೇತಾಕಿಕೊಂಡು ಊರು ಸುತ್ತುತ್ತಿದ್ದವನು ಈಗ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಟ್ರಿಮ್ ಆಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ.

ಮೂರನೇ ಕೆಟಗರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಸದ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ನೆಟ್ ವರ್ಕ್ ಫ್ರೀ ಇರುವ ಗೆಳೆಯರ ಹುಡುಗಿ ಹುಡುಕಾಟ ಶುರುವಾಗಿದೆ. ಅಪ್ಪ ಅಮ್ಮ, ಬಂಧುಗಳ ಕಡೆಯಿಂದ ’ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ’ ಹುಡುಗಿಯರ ಸಮಾಚಾರ ಬಂದು ತಲುಪುತ್ತದೆ. ಜಾತಕ, ಫೊಟೋಗಳು ಕೈಸೇರುತ್ತಿವೆ, ಕೈಬದಲಾಗುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಇಂಟರ್ವ್ಯೂಗಳು ನೆಡೆಯುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಯಾವ ಹಬ್ಬವೂ ಇಲ್ಲದೇ ಸುಮ್ಮನೇ ಊರಿಗೆ ಹೊರಟ ಎಂದರೆ ಹುಡುಗ ಚಾ, ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಸಮಾರಾಧನೆಗೇ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ ! ಹುಡುಗಿಯರ ಡಿಮಾಂಡುಗಳು, ಅವರು ಹಾಕುವ ಕಂಡೀಷನ್ ಗಳನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿದರೆ ಭಯವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ ಅನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಕೆಲವರು ಯಾಕೋ ವ್ಯವಾರ ಕುದುರ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ ಅಂತ ವಾಪಾಸ್ಸು ಬಂದರೆ ಕೆಲವರು ಸಿಹಿ ಸುದ್ದಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಎರಡನೇ ಕೆಟಗರಿಗೆ ಭಡ್ತಿ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ನಾಲ್ಕನೇ ಕೆಟಗರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮದುವೆಯಾಗಬೇಕಾದ ಅಕ್ಕ, ಅಣ್ಣ, ಅಥವಾ ತಂಗಿ ಇರುವವರು, ’ಈಗಲೇ ಬೇಡ ಇರಿ’ ಎಂದು ಅಪ್ಪ ಅಮ್ಮರಿಗೆ ತಾಕೀತು ಮಾಡಿದವರು, ’ಸದ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಬೇಡ’ ಅನ್ನಿಸಿ ಸುಮ್ಮನಿರುವವರು, ಯಾವುದೇ ರೀತಿಯ ಒತ್ತಡ ಇಲ್ಲದವರು. ಅವರಿಗೆಲ್ಲಾ ತಮ್ಮೊಳಗೇ ಬಿಸಿ ಹತ್ತಿಕೊಳ್ಳದಿದ್ದರೂ ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತಲಿನ ಕಾವು ತಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ, ತಳಮಳಗಳಾಗುತ್ತಿವೆ.

ಎಂತ ಹುಡುಗಿ ಹುಡುಕಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು? ಗೊಂದಲ. ಅದಕ್ಕೂ ಮೊದಲು ತನ್ನ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತನಗೇ ಗೊಂದಲ. ಈಗಲೇ ಮದುವೆಯಾಗಿಬಿಡಬೇಕಾ, ಅಗತ್ಯವಿದೆಯಾ? ತನಗೊಂದು ಸರಿಯಾದ ಕೆಲಸವಿದೆಯಾ, ಇದ್ದರೂ ಗಟ್ಟಿಯಿದೆಯಾ, ಬರುವ ಸಂಬಳ ಸಾಲುತ್ತದಾ? ಮದುವೆಯಾಗಿ ಸಂಸಾರ ನಿಭಾಯಿಸಬಲ್ಲ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ಬಂದಿದೆಯಾ? ಅದೇನೋ ಮದುವೆಯಾದರೆ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ತಾನಾಗೇ ಬರುತ್ತದಂತೆ. ಇಂದ್ರ ಚಂದ್ರ ಎಂದುಕೊಂಡು ಬಂದ ಹುಡುಗಿಗೆ ಇವನನ್ನು ಯಾಕಾದರೂ ಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡೆ ಎಂಬಂತಾಗಬಾರದಲ್ಲ. ಅದಕ್ಕೂ ಮೊದಲು ಹುಡುಗಿ ತನ್ನನ್ನು ಒಪ್ಪಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಲ್ಲ. ಬರೀ ವಯಸ್ಸಾಗಿಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ ಸಾಕಾ? ಮದುವೆಯಾಗಲು ತಯಾರಿದ್ದೇನೆ ಅನ್ನಲಿಕ್ಕಾದರೂ ಒಂದು ಮಟ್ಟಿಗಿನ ಅರ್ಹತೆ ಬೇಕಲ್ಲ..... ಮುಂದುವರೆಯುತ್ತವೆ ಗೊಂದಲಗಳು. ಹುಡುಗಿಯ ರೂಪ ಕಾಣುತ್ತದೆ, ಗುಣ ಕಾಣುವುದಿಲ್ಲ, ಹುಡುಗಿಯ ಮನೆತನ ನೋಡುವುದಾ? ಜಾಸ್ತಿ ಓದಿದವಳು ಬೇಕಾ? ಕೆಲಸದಲ್ಲಿರುವವಳು ಬೇಕಾ? ಮಾವನ ಮನೆ ಕಡೆ ’ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿರಬೇಕು’ ಇದು ಕೆಲವು ಹುಡುಗರ ಆಸೆ. ಈ ನಗರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಾವೊಬ್ಬರೇ ದುಡಿದರೆ ಸಾಕಾಗೋದಿಲ್ಲ, ಅವಳೂ ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿರಬೇಕು ಇದು ಇನ್ನು ಹಲವರ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯ. ಬೇರೆ ಯಾವ ಕೆಲಸದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರೂ ಓ.ಕೆ , ಆದರೆ ಈ ಐ.ಟಿ. ಹುಡುಗೀರು ಮಾತ್ರ ಖಂಡಿತ ಬೇಡ, ಇದು ಮತ್ತೂ ಕೆಲವರ ದೃಢ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ. ಕಾಲ್ ಸೆಂಟರಿನವರಂತೂ ದೂರ ದೂರ. ರೂಪ, ಹಣ, ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆ, ಮನೆತನ, ದುಡಿಮೆಗಿಂತ ನನಗಂತೂ ಬೇಕಾಗಿರುವುದು ಒಂದು ’ಡೀಸೆಂಟ್ ಹುಡುಗಿ’ ಎನ್ನುವುದು ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ. ಇದೆಲ್ಲಾ ತಲೆಬಿಸಿಯೇ ಬೇಡ ಎಂದು ಅಪ್ಪ ಅಮ್ಮನಿಗೇ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಕೆಲವರು ಆರಾಮಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅವರು ಕೈ ತೋರಿಸಿದವರಿಗೇ ಇವರದ್ದೂ ಜೈ. ಇದೆಲ್ಲುದರ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಹುಡುಗಿಯರು ಬಯಸುವುದು ಏನನ್ನು, ಎಂತವರನ್ನು ಎಂಬ ನಾನಾ ಉತ್ತರಗಳ, ಉತ್ತರಗಳಿಲ್ಲದ, ಇದ್ದರೂ ಸಿಗದ, ಸಿಕ್ಕರೂ ಅರ್ಥವಾಗದ, ಅರ್ಥವಾದರೂ ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟವಾಗದ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಇದ್ದೇ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ.. ಗೆಳೆಯನೊಬ್ಬ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಗುವ ಹುಡುಗಿರನ್ನೆಲ್ಲಾ ಕಣ್ಣಲ್ಲೇ ಅಳೆಯಲು ಶುರುಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಯಾರನ್ನೋ ತೋರಿಸಿ ಇವಳ ತರಹ ಇದ್ರೆ ಓ.ಕೆ. ಅನ್ನುತ್ತಾನೆ. ನಾವೂ ಕೂಡ ಕಂಡ ಹುಡುಗಿಯರನ್ನೆಲ್ಲಾ ತೋರಿಸಿ "ಇದು ಹೆಂಗೋ? ನಿಂಗೆ ಓ.ಕೆ. ನಾ?" ಅನ್ನುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಆಪ್ತ ಗೆಳೆಯರು ಮಾತಿಗೆ ಕುಳಿತಾಗ ಹುಡುಗಿಯರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಹೆಂಡತಿ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಹೇಗಿರಬೇಕು ಎನ್ನುವುದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಯಾರಾದರೆ ಯಾವರೀತಿ advantage ಮತ್ತು disadvantage ಎನ್ನುವುದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಮುಂದೆ ಹೇಗೆ ಎಂಬ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಚರ್ಚೆ ಬಂದು ಹೋಗುತ್ತದೆ.. (ಅದು ಹುಡುಗರ ಲೋಕದ ಸೀಕ್ರೇಟುಗಳಾದ್ದರಿಂದ ವಿವರಗಳನ್ನು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಬರೆಯುವಂತಿಲ್ಲ! :)) ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಏನೇ ನೋಡಿ, ಏನೇ ಲೆಕ್ಕಾಚಾರ ಹಾಕಿ ಮದುವೆಯಾದರೂ ’ನಿಜರೂಪ’ ದರ್ಶನ ಮದುವೆಯಾದ ಅನಂತರವೇ ಎಂಬ ಸತ್ಯದ ಅರಿವು ಎಲ್ಲರಲ್ಲಿದೆ! ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಮದುವೆಯಾಗುವವಳು ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಸೆಟ್ ಆಗ್ತಾಳೋ ಇಲ್ವೋ ಎಂಬ ಚಿಂತೆ!

ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಮದುವೆಯಾದವರಿಗೆ, ದೊಡ್ಡವರಿಗೆ ಇದೆಲ್ಲಾ ತಮಾಷೆ ಎನಿಸಬಹುದು. ಇದುವರೆಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದೆಲ್ಲಾ ಏನಿದ್ದರೂ ತೀರ ಹೊರನೋಟ ಮಾತ್ರ. ಮನಸಿನ ಒಳಗಿನ ತಾಕಲಾಟಗಳು ನೂರು ನೂರು. ಮುಂದಿನ ತಿಂಗಳು ಮದುವೆ ಇರುವ ಗೆಳೆಯನೊಬ್ಬನಿಗೆ "ನೀವು ಸದ್ಯದಲ್ಲೇ ಮದ್ವೆ ಆಗ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದೀರ, ಏನನ್ನಿಸ್ತಿದೆ ನಿಮ್ಗೆ ?’ ಅಂತ ಟೀವಿ ನೈನ್ ಸ್ಟೈಲ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ ಅವನು ಉತ್ತರಿಸಿದ್ದು ಹೀಗೆ. " ಟೆನ್ಷನ್ ಆಗ್ತಾ ಇದೆ, ಜೊತೆಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ ಕಳೆದುಹೋಗ್ತಾ ಇದೆ ಅನ್ನಿಸ್ತಿದೆ, ಆದರೆ ಆ ಕಳ್ಕೊಳದ್ರಲ್ಲೂ ಒಂಥರಾ ಸುಖ ಇದೆ!" .

ಅದಕ್ಕೇ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದು, ಇದೊಂಥರಾ ಸಂಕ್ರಮಣದ ಜೊತೆಜೊತೆಗೇ ಸಂಕಷ್ಟದ ಕಾಲ!

Kurinajal,in South Kanara in Western Karnataka.

his peak is almost at the height of Kudremukh. It is about 20+kms from Kudremukh colony and about 10+kms from the main road to Kudremukh colony. The point where you start is about 9kms from kudremukh colony. First route, You will get down before you reach the colony after the Bhagavati forest check post, and the other route starts from village called "MaLa". where the former route takes you in a jeepable track the later is through thickets of the jungle typical to Western Ghats.

There is an old abandoned UHF receiver station here at the top, but the water is available at 1km distance downhill. If lucky you may find Bisons strolling around.

note: Since the whole area is now inside the Kuduremukh National Park, one is not allowed to stay here. And stay inside anywhere the national park is not entertained without prior permission.
Distance ...
From Bangalore 300+ kms
From Nearest Town Kudremukh Colony
From Nearest Petrol Bunk Kudremukh Colony
Nearest Medical Help Kudremukh Colony (19+kms)
Nearest Hotel Kudremukh Colony

Maranakatte

Maranakatte resides 16 km away from Kundapura on the way to Kollur[1]at a place called Kanchinakodlu. It is an attractive Brahmalingeshwara Temple. On its left flows a river in the north to south direction which then takes a steep turn towards east which increases the beauty of the spot. It is believed that Goddess Mookambika performed a Marana Homa here after Killing the wicked Mookasura.The Temple faces as usual to the Eastern Side & the Sanctorum faces the north. By the sides of main statue Brahmalingeshwara there is Malyali Yakshi & Vata Yakshi & also two Dwarapalakas. In front of the Sanctorum there is a Buvaneshwari Yanthra. Beside the “Brahmalingeshwar Gudi” there is a ” Daivadha mane “ of Haiguli and Chikku.The temple has also an influence by sage Shankaracharya.
The day of Makara Sankranthi a famous festival celebrated here attracts people in thousands from all over the district. The speciality of the place is settling of disputes & promises uttered in the name of God which have a deep influence in the mind of the devotees.Devotees have a strong belief in the Gods being able to fulfill their wishes.

Shree Kshetra Mandarti , Shree Durga Parameshwari Temple

Shree Durga holds a prominent place within the higher echelons of the Hindu pantheon but the worship of Sri Durga Paramesvari at Mandarthi a hamlet to the north of Udupi offors many fascinating contrasts. A Dhvajasthamba has been set up in front of the temple but no Dhvajarohana takes place. Mari pooja is observed in the temple along with agamic worship of devi including chandi homa and Navarathri. Folk traditions like walking on fire, animal sacrifice near the midst of a forest with a snake pit, which later acquired the form of a wooden image. Durga Paramesvari is now a stone image with all her conventional attributes but at the same time is poetically praised as a Sarpa Sundari. In short, this harmony of indigenous and Brahma cultures has crealed a deep solidarity amongst the various hierarchical groups of the Hindu society
The Sthala Purana has woven these religious perceptions and notions into a legend according to which live naga kanyas (serpent maidens)by name Devarathi, Nagarathi,Charurathi,Mandarathi and Neelarathi are cursed by Nandi to remain unmarried and to suffer in a forest fire. Subsequently a rash behaviour on their nart subjects them to anether ourse by a sage called Vyagrapada that they would be entangled ina bamboo grove. Their prayers to siva nad Parvati to overcome these curses are answered in the form of a saviour called Devavarma the king of Avanthi who rescues the serpents form a blazing fire using a bamboo basket. He later teleases these maidens into the places of their choice and while the first three serpents crawl back into their pits, Mandarthi is deified acquiring fame day by day. Devavarma marries Jalajakshi who is coveted by Mahisa, born of Malini a Kirata girl and Vyagarapada Risi. The demon chases Jalajakshi to the palace; a battle ensues between him and the king in which huge snake pits swallow all the an of Mahisa. At the behest of Risis, the king prays to Devi and she ultimately kills the demon with the help of virabhadra, Hayguli, Kalkuda and Bobbarya. In doing so, she also calls upon Chamundi to kill all the Rakshasas and Vyag to kill glants hidden in animal boing. This legend accounts for the shrines of hayguli, Kalkuda, Bobbarya and Chamundi around the sanctum of Durga Parameshwari as her Parivara Devathas.
The temple celebrates Navarathri in a grand scale with chandihoma on all nine days. A five day mathothsava in Makara Masa and Jatra in the month of Kumba are annual and important events while Darshan of Virabhadra and Kalkuda every Friday draws devotees like a magnet. Kenda seve (walking on fire) in front of hayguli and huli devaru is considered to safrguard Mangalya Bhagya (longevity of husband) of the married woman. The various cultural and religious activities and in particular the Yakshagana conducted in the premises of Mandarthi temple reflect the dedication and devotion of the people in continuing the rich traditions of the region.

Shankaranarayana Temple Near halady, Kundapura

"Shankaranarayana" is considered as one of the seven holy places created by Maharshi Parashurama. This is one of the rare temples where we can see the sangam (confluence) of Shankara (Lord Shiva) and Narayana (Lord Vishnu).
Shankaranarayana village, named after the temple, is located in the valley of mountain ranges close to the Sahyadris. It is located in Udupi District, Karnataka, 25KM from the Arabian Sea.
The 7 holy places namely Subrahmanya, Udupi, Kumbhakaashi, Koteshwara, Shankaranarayana, Kolluru and Gokarna together constitute Parashurama Kshetra. These holy places are compared with seven holy places in Rama Kshetra, namely, Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avanthika and Puri.

Udbhava Murthy: -
The main deity of Shankaranarayana Temple is in the form of Udbhava Linga. The naturally formed lingam of Lord Shankara and Lord Narayana is one feet below the ground, inside the Garbhagudi. The devotees can only see the mirror image of the lingam. The Shankara Linga is on the right (left as seen by the devotees) and Narayana Linga on the left. While Shankara Lingam is in round shape, where as Narayana Linga is a flat one with foot prints of holy cow in it. Devotees believe that these were foot prints of Kamadhenu (holy cow) which had stood here for dripping milk on the Shankara Linga. There is water around Udbhava Linga at any time of the year. This holy water is called Suddhamrita Theertha.



Koti Theertha: -

Koti theertha is located in front of the temple. Devotees coming to this temple first make prokshana of this theertha and then make darshan of Lord Shankaranarayana. The stone enclosure and the surrounding coconut and arecanut groves enhance the beauty of the pond. The pond has rich spiritual bearing. Rituals such as Pitratarpana and Theerthasnana are held at this pond. Koti theertha stands out as most beautifyl and vast of all the twenty one ponds found around this place.


Krodagiri Devaru : -
Shankaranarayana is also known as Kroda after Kroda Maharshi. In the 24th Chapter of Pushkara Kaanda in Padma Purana, one can find a beautiful description of Krodha Shankaranarayana. According to this, the demons Kharasura and Rattasura were ill-treating common people. Kroda Maharshi meditated Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu together and prayed them come in the form of Lord Shankaranarayana. Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, pleased with the meditation of Krodha Maharshi, came to this place as Shankaranarayana and killed Kharasura and Rattasura. The hill beside the Shankaranarayana Temple, atop which Krodha Maharshi meditated Lord Shankaranarayana, is named as Kroda Giri.
The idol of Lord Shankaranarayana along with Godess Gowri and Godess Lakshmi are at the top of Kroda Giri.



Kroda Guhe: -
The Guhe (Cave) in which Kroda used meditate atop the Kroda Giri Parvatha (Hill). This is 6 foot wide cave with a 2-feet wide entrance.

Kamalashile Sri Brahmi Durgaparameshwari Temple

Located 7 km away from Siddhapur on Kundapur- Shimoga Highway, Kamalashile is noted for the Brahmi-Durga Parameshwari Temple and a small cave called Suparshwa Muni Guhe. The cave ends at a well called Naga teertha, where you can see a Subramanya idol. The idol of Brahmi Durga Parameshwari attracts a lot of devotees. The unique feature of the temple is that the puja to the goddess is performed by the Balegaras (bangle sellers). There are many myths associated with this temple. The annual festival is conducted on Chaitra Bahula Moolanakshatra. The grand silver chariot (18 feet high) of the temple is used during the car festival.
The temple of Brahmi-Durga Parameshwari is about 44 km from the Kamalashile, north-east of Kundapur. Major railway junctions are at Kundapur and Mangalore.

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary, Shimoga

This one of the few bird sanctuaries in the Malenaadu region of the Karnataka. The island formed in the middle of the River Tunga provides the necessary shelter and food for the birds.

Though this Mandagadde in Shettihalli wildlife sanctuary is not considered biggest of the bird sanctuaries it is a habitat for a variety of birds. In the season which is from June to October one can find many Egrets, Snake birds etc.

As there are no big hotels present in the Mandagadde tentage should be carried if one is planning a overnight stay. Huge sand covered river side which is at a little distance away from the sanctuary may be used. In any case guidance from the local people/forest department is a must. Mandagadde has quite a number of small hotels, and no lodges.

En route Mandagadde you will see the Dam site at Gajanur and the elephant training camp at Sakrebyle. Early morning visits to Sakrebyle are the best.

Other places of interest nearby are : Sakrebyle Elephant training camp, Gajanur.
The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is situated in the Malenaadu region under the Shimoga district, towards Theerthahalli in Karnataka. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary has a spectacular collection of migratory birds. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka is well connected with other parts of Karnataka by regular state bus service. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is a small and well maintained sanctuary of the Karnataka state.

The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka is the natural habitat of varied species of local as well as migratory birds. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is covered by a dense forest with river Tunga flowing through it. There is a beautiful island where three types of migratory birds namely median egret, darter and the cormorant nests. These avian species club around the branches of the trees which gives a spectacular sight from far.

The migratory birds come to the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka mainly in the month of August. If you stroll around the place or trek you will be amazed by the chirping or cacophony of sounds by more than 5000 birds in the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary.

With the first ray of sunlight in the dawn, the echoing sound of the birds of the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka fills the air.

You can spot the different species of birds by standing on the watch tower of the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary at Karnataka. But it is advisable to seek local help or get the guidance from the forest department to identify the bird species and explore the sanctuary. There is a dam close to the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary at Karnataka at Gajanur where you can pay your visit during your trip to the sanctuary.

Prabhu Deva Secretly Marries Nayantara In Hyderabad

Actor-turned-director Prabhu Deva has reportedly married Tamil actress Nayantara in Hyderabad. For the past few months, there have been some strong rumours about the close relationship of Prabhu Deva and Nayantara. The father of three children, Prabhu Deva fell in love with the actress during the shooting of film 'Villu'. Sources revealed that both Prabhu and Nayantara have been living together for the past three weeks.

Meanwhile sources close to Nayantara denied the marriage by saying that the actress was not even present in Hyderabad when the rumours broke out. Nayantara also reacted strongly to the rumors of her wedding with the dancer. She stated that there is no need to conceal the matter and she will reveal everything when necessary.

Rumours of Prabhu-Nayantara affair spread out when the actress tattooed capital letter 'P' above her wrist at a newly-opened tattoo lounge in Hyderabad. Meanwhile Prabhu Deva has fled to an unknown place showing some works in a Hindi project. Nayantara is doing one Tamil and two Telugu films. On the other hand, Prabhu Deva is playing the lead in Thangar Bachchan’s offbeat Kalavadiya Pozhudugal. Prabhu is also directing the Hindi remake of his 'Pokkiri' with Salman Khan and Ayesha Takia. The Hindi version titled 'Wanted Dead and Alive' is being produced by Boney Kapoor.

KPCL power Projects

Varahi Hydro Electric Powert Project

he river Varahi takes its birth at a height of 730 m in the Western Ghats at Hebbagilu, near Agumbe in Shimoga District. It joins the Arabian Sea near Kundapur. After a 25 Km initial run, this swift and powerful river falls 455 m in cascades to form the bellowing Kunchikal falls.

Varahi is Karnataka’s first underground powerhouse – a key milestone in the corporate history of KPCL.

Initially conceived as a surface power house at the blueprint stage, Varahi was later converted into an underground Powerhouse. The decision for the change-over was based on three key parameters : technical, economical and our concern for environment protection. Stage I of the Varahi Hydro Electric Project has a total installed capacity of 230 MW contributing 1100 MU annually. This consists of 2 x 115 MW Generating Units at Varahi underground Powerhouse and two 4.5 MW units in the power house at the Mani Dam site. Provision was made to add two more Units at this power house of similar capacity (115 MW) & the excavation works were completed during Stage I works only. Now the construction works of units 3 & 4 each of 115 MW capacity is under progress. These units are scheduled to be commissioned during November 2008 .

Robosoft Technologies and IT growth in UDUPI

Robosoft Technologies, established in 1996, is a mid-sized software company specializing in C/C++/Java product development for Mac OS and Windows, providing software product development services to its global clientele.
Based on the west coast of the South Indian state of Karnataka, Robosoft has a core team of well-qualified professionals representing diverse functional areas such as design, engineering, product architecture and project management. Robosoft is accustomed to working with clients located in various time zones.

Robosoft's development facility is a state-of-the-art center located on one of the most beautiful beaches of India. The highly experienced team of engineers, an advanced research and development facility and a high-speed Internet connection, help provide the best services and make Robosoft an ideal partner in product development. Our focus is on cutting-edge technologies in the software industry and the mastering of new operating systems.

Robosoft provides its clients with experience, leadership, as well as cost-effective and up-to-date resources required for their future vision. Robosoft is committed to creating high-quality and high-value products. Robosoft partners with its clients for the full software lifecycle, from specification and design, to implementation and testing. After a product is released, Robosoft remains available to the client, providing ongoing support or scaling up rapidly to develop new versions. The end result is a superior product and increased profits for the client.

Quality is the prime goal of Robosoft's software development practice. Robosoft's Software Development Facility has been certified as ISO 9001:2000 compliant by TUV, the Germany Headquartered audit firm.

Continual improvement and commitment to quality are critical elements of Robosoft's Quality Policy. With a recognized Quality Management System in place, Robosoft is well positioned to serve its customers and demonstrate its commitment to quality and continuous improvement in meeting or exceeding Customer requirements.

In today's competitive environment, customers want to be confident that they are doing business with an organization that can meet or exceed their needs in a timely manner. With the ISO 9001 certification, Customers can be sure that Robosoft is just that kind of organization.

Lost In Bangalore - SMS 9008890088

9008890088 is an SMS-based location search and direction finding service that provides directions to people with or without Smart phones to any location in Bangalore.

The SMS service is available free of charge and all you pay is the standard SMS rate according to your plan. It needs no subscription.

The service is reliable and involves very little waiting time.

The reply back time varies from 3 seconds to 1 minute depending on the mobile operator’s message traffic congestion and availability of signals.

Only you need to do is SMS to 9008890088, It works

The example usages are:

Example 1: FROM Mekri circle TO ESI Hospital

Example 2: INOX

Example 3: SBI atm NEAR M G Road

You will get a reply SMS with the exact location and shortest directions to reach place from a prominent landmark.

And also with total distance in Kilometers and approximate Auto fare.

..

..

..

So enjoy the service

Bangalore school is best international school

Bangalore-based international school -- The International School Bangalore (TISB) -- has been ranked among top five schools across the globe. Other schools in the list are from the US, China, Singapore and Australia.

The Good Schools Guide (GSG), a publication that conducts survey on independent international schools in UK and abroad, has TISB topping the list, followed by Dulwich College, China; Phillips Exeter Academy, US; United World College of South, Singapore, and Pymble Ladies College, Australia.

TISB principal Matthew Sullivan told TOI that the `independent school' show is held in London every year. "This is a largest marketing event for parents wanting to send their children to private schools in UK and abroad," he said. The show will be held on October 30 and 31.

Also, he said a magazine will be given to students at the show. It features information on international schools selected by GSG. This list will benefit parents. "This is the first time TISB has topped in the survey," Sullivan said.

TISB is accredited to The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HHC), an organization for day and boarding independent schools in UK. Added to this, the school is also accredited to Boarding Schools Associations (BSA) in UK and Cambridge International Education Board.

Located at Sarjapur Road, the school was founded in 2000. Presently, the school has 900 students from pre-KG to Class 12 with a large campus offering excellent facilities.

The syllabus is drawn from the best curricula around the world. TISB follows international curriculum (IGCSE) and IB diploma, and Cambridge International Primary Programme (CIPP).

Also, students from this school are accepted at an exceptional list of British, American, Canadian and Asian universities.

This time, GSG had 5,000 international entries, discounting 3,000 that are "international only in name or bad quality".

"Just 2,000 remain as real option for parents moving abroad or seeking an intellectually agile education for their children," the publication stated.

According to GSG management, it was difficult to choose five best schools since there were so many entries. Also, there are diverse variables to choose from.

Wow india coming up

Global Warming is Inspiring Scientists to Fight for Awareness

Scientists all over the world are making predictions about the ill effects of Global warming and connecting some of the events that have taken place in the pat few decades as an alarm of global warming. The effect of global warming is increasing the average temperature of the earth. A rise in earth’s temperatures can in turn root to other alterations in the ecology, including an increasing sea level and modifying the quantity and pattern of rainfall. These modifications may boost the occurrence and concentration of severe climate events, such as floods, famines, heat waves, tornados, and twisters. Other consequences may comprise of higher or lower agricultural outputs, glacier melting, lesser summer stream flows, genus extinctions and rise in the ranges of disease vectors. As an effect of global warming species like golden toad, harlequin frog of Costa Rica has already become extinct. There are number of species that have a threat of disappearing soon as an effect of global warming. As an effect of global warming various new diseases have emerged lately. These diseases are occurring frequently due to the increase in earths average temperature since the bacteria can survive better in elevated temperatures and even multiplies faster when the conditions are favorable. The global warming is extending the distribution of mosquitoes due to the increase in humidity levels and their frequent growth in warmer atmosphere. Various diseases due to ebola, hanta and machupo virus are expected due to warmer climates. The marine life is also very sensitive to the increase in temperatures. The effect of global warming will definitely be seen on some species in the water. A survey was made in which the marine life reacted significantly to the changes in water temperatures. It is expected that many species will die off or become extinct due to the increase in the temperatures of the water, whereas various other species, which prefer warmer waters, will increase tremendously. Perhaps the most disturbing changes are expected in the coral reefs that are expected to die off as an effect of global warming. The global warming is expected to cause irreversible changes in the ecosystem and the behavior of animals.

Global Warming Causes

As said, the major cause of global warming is the emission of green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide etc into the atmosphere. The major source of carbon dioxide is the power plants. These power plants emit large amounts of carbon dioxide produced from burning of fossil fuels for the purpose of electricity generation. About twenty percent of carbon dioxide emitted in the atmosphere comes from burning of gasoline in the engines of the vehicles. This is true for most of the developed countries. Buildings, both commercial and residential represent a larger source of global warming pollution than cars and trucks.
Building of these structures require a lot of fuel to be burnt which emits a large amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Methane is more than 20 times as effectual as CO2 at entrapping heat in the atmosphere. Methane is obtained from resources such as rice paddies, bovine flatulence, bacteria in bogs and fossil fuel manufacture. When fields are flooded, anaerobic situation build up and the organic matter in the soil decays, releasing methane to the atmosphere. The main sources of nitrous oxide include nylon and nitric acid production, cars with catalytic converters, the use of fertilizers in agriculture and the burning of organic matter. Another cause of global warming is deforestation that is caused by cutting and burning of forests for the purpose of residence and industrialization.

GLOBAL WARMING AWARENESS

The average facade temperature of the globe has augmented more than 1 degree Fahrenheit since 1900 and the speed of warming has been almost three folds the century long average since 1970. This increase in earth’s average temperature is called Global warming. More or less all specialists studying the climate record of the earth have the same opinion now that human actions, mainly the discharge of green house gases from smokestacks, vehicles, and burning forests, are perhaps the leading power driving the fashion.
The gases append to the planet's normal greenhouse effect, permitting sunlight in, but stopping some of the ensuing heat from radiating back to space. Based on the study on past climate shifts, notes of current situations, and computer simulations, many climate scientists say that lacking of big curbs in greenhouse gas discharges, the 21st century might see temperatures rise of about 3 to 8 degrees, climate patterns piercingly shift, ice sheets contract and seas rise several feet. With the probable exemption of one more world war, a huge asteroid, or a fatal plague, global warming may be the only most danger to our planet earth.

Most visited 50 places in the world

This list contains several surprises. Since the Taj Mahal ranks on fiftieth and final place with 2.4 million visitors a year, several popular favorites like the the Prado (2 million), the Uffizi (1.6 million), Angkor (1.5 million) and Stonehenge (850,000) didn’t appear in the list. And while Western audiences may not be familiar with names like Everland and Lotte World, these South Korean mega-parks managed to rank 16th and 22nd on our list, respectively.



Not surprisingly, the French are out in force. How to account for the preponderance of attractions in Paris? According to the latest statistics report from the World Tourism Organization, France receives more foreign tourists per year than some 76 million tourists peryear. Spain followed with 55 million, the United States with 50 million and China with 47 million. Italy rounded out the top five with 37 million.

We excluded religious pilgrimage sites, such as Saudi Arabia’s Mecca, India’s Varanasi, and Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple, which according to the Japan Tourism Authority receives over 30 million visitors each year. We chose to include some famous churches in Paris owing to their status as cultural attractions and the high numbers of foreign tourists they receive. St. Peter’s Square straddled the line, but there are no estimates for tourist traffic versus religious attendance, so we included only visitors to the Vatican museums.

Also giving us some interesting facts like:
1. Americans love to travel, but they prefer to stick within their own borders.

2. Wherever Mickey Mouse goes, he conquers.

3. Paris is the unofficial cultural theme park of the world.

4. Niagara Falls isn’t just for lovers anymore.

So who’ #1? The Eiffel tower? The Grand Canyon? The Great Wall? The Pyramids of Giza? Answer: none of the above.
Enjoy the list:

50. Taj Mahal, Agra, India | 2.4 Million | Source: IncredibleIndia.org



The one and only. The most romantic building in the world, the Taj was built by 17th-century emperor Shajahan who married the 14-year-old Arjumand Banu (whose beauty was already legendary). She bore him 14 sons and died in childbirth.

49. Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia | 2.5 Million | Source: HermitageMuseum.org



Peter the Great’s “Russian Versailles” is now one of the world’s greatest art collections. Last year the museum weathered a break-in that cost over $500,000 in lost art, but recent international ventures, including a permanent exhibit in Las Vegas, have proved popular.

48. Pompeii, Italy | 2.5 Million | Source: statistica.beniculturali.it



After Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., most of the citizens of Pompeii got out, and the rest became exhibits. All of the ancient town is yet to be uncovered, and the ruins of nearby Herculaneum also draw visitors.

47. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt | 3 Million | Source: Egyptian Tourist Authority



One in three visitors to Egypt visit the pyramids, but only 300 are allowed inside the structures per day. Alas, the only extant wonder of the ancient world was recently barred from competing in a web contest to name the modern seven wonders.

46. Yosemite National Park, Calif. | 3.44 Million | Source: National Park Service



During peak season, the Yosemite Valley can feel downright congested, because it is. The shuttle bus system is a start, but there have been more and more calls to eliminate automobiles from the main loop altogether. In the meantime, a new $1.3-million visitor center features all manner of interactive exhibits for the kids.

45. Palace of Versailles, France | 3.45 Million | Source: Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau



Once the seat of the French monarchy and now a dazzling repository of mirrors, chandeliers and decadence in a tony Parisian suburb, the Palace of Versailles continues to be a huge attraction. Some recent publicity has helped—last year the French government made a rare concession in allowing Sofia Coppola to film “Marie Antoinette” on the palace grounds.

44. The London Eye, London, England | 3.5 Million | Source: LondonEye.com



Opened by Tony Blair on New Year’s Eve, 1999, one of the world’s largest observation wheels was originally intended to last only five years. Now owned by Tussauds (and sponsored by British Airways), the Eye is one of London’s biggest tourist draws. The Millennium Dome wasn’t so fortunate.
43. Natural History Museum, London, England | 3.7 Million | Source: Association of Leading Visitor Attractions



The stately Museum of Natural History has been delighting Londoners since 1881. Featured attractions include the bones of a whale that accidentally swam up the Thames, a giant squid named Archie and several specimens collected by Mr. Darwin himself.

42. Empire State Building, New York, NY | 4 Million | Source: esbnyc.com



New York’s own Eiffel Tower is the world’s most iconic skyscraper, but its visitor count only includes those visitors who pay admission to take the elevators up. As for all those who contemplate the New York skyline, or who crane their necks to look skyward at Fifth Avenue and 34th, who’s counting, pal?

41. Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Hollywood, Calif. | 4 Million | Source: Mann Theaters



This is still Hollywood’s main attraction, where Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks began the tradition of hand- and shoeprints in wet cement. It’s also Another figure hard to pin down, but the theater claims that 4 million star seekers visit each year.

40. American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY | 4 Million | Source: American Museum of Natural History



Dinosaurs and mastodons do not roam freely at night, despite Hollywood’s claims, but this seat of countless school field trips remains one of New York’s chief attractions.

39. The Coliseum, Rome, Italy | 4 Million | Source: statistica.beniculturali.it



The number of tourists visiting this relic of the world’s greatest empire is largely estimated from tour statistics. Add an uncounted number for those visitors leaning over to look at the ruined temples or wandering to the nearby Forum, and the ranking goes up. But, like our Latin, this number is all we know for sure.

38. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia | More than 4 Million | Source: Sydney Opera House



Australia’s only appearance is its famous gull-wing opera house. If this seems surprising in the land of “Hey, mate” and “shrimp-on-the barbie,” remember that one of the world’s most gifted opera singers, Joan Sutherland, is an Aussie.

37. The Vatican and its museums, Rome, Italy | 4.2 Million | Source: The New York Times



This number reflects those visiting the Vatican itself, not the pilgrims who gather in St. Peter’s Square. Since this list does not count religious shrines as tourist attractions, it’s impossible to measure its tourist-only numbers. It’s fair to say that if there were reliable figures for places like Tiananmen Square and perhaps Moscow’s Red Square, all three would rank higher on this list.

36. Statue of Liberty, New York, NY | 4.24 Million | Source: National Parks of New York Harbor



France’s gift to the U.S., beckoning the world’s huddled masses yearning to breathe free, its visitors are counted as those actually visiting Liberty Island. Those gazing, dreaming, or just cruising past, are without number.

35. SeaWorld California, San Diego, Calif. | 4.26 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report



Owned by Anheuser-Busch, the original SeaWorld San Diego was founded in 1964 by four UCLA grads who initially wanted to open an underwater restaurant. The resort’s new “Shamu Rocks” show promises to combine “incredible images…with dazzling lighting effects, sizzling rock n’ roll music and amazing behaviors.” This is it for amusement parks, folks!

34. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Fla. | 4.36 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report



Just a couple more, folks: This one features tame African encounters in a zoo with more than 2,000 animals, plus the usual rides and attractions.

33. Ocean Park, Hong Kong, China | 4.38 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report



This not-for-profit amusement park at least has a noble purpose: education. The park’s research program produced the first successful pregnancy of a bottlenose dolphin through artificial insemination.

32. Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark | 4.4 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report



Well, thankfully, an old, graceful and venerated amusement park: Founded in 1843, with gardens to die for, Denmark’s leading attraction boasts a wooden roller coaster and a huge, old-fashioned carousel.
31. Grand Canyon, Ariz. | 4.4 Million | Source: National Park Service



Though there’s no pretense at counting the number of highway drivers who cruise past America’s most spectacular ditch, “official” visitors admitted to the park were the second highest in America for a natural attraction. Considerably fewer rode to the bottom on mules.

30. Metropolitan Museum, New York, NY | 4.5 Million | Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art


The dowager queen of U.S. museums boasts one of the world’s finest collections of Roman and Greek antiquities. But the old girl showed her hipness with a podcast of a Van Gogh show narrated by Kevin Bacon, which became a top-100 download.

29. National Gallery, London, England | 4.6 Million | Source: Britain and Association of Leading Visitor Attractions


This great London museum houses London’s most remarkable collection of Western European painting—from Leonardo’s Virgin on the Rocks to Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and Monet’s Water Lilies.

28. Universal Studios Los Angeles, Calif. | 4.7 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report


Nope, not through yet: the good news is that it’s the last of the Universal theme parks. The bad news (for the sake of diversity on this list): Universal Studios is building another park in Singapore, to be completed by 2010.

27. British Museum, London, England | 4.8 Million | Source: Britain and Association of Leading Visitor Attractions


Second to the Tate by a hair, the venerable British Museum, free to the public since 1753, contains some of the world’s rarest antiquities such as the Rosetta Stone and the first known depiction of Christ.

26. Tate Modern, London, England | 4.9 Million | Source: Britain and Association of Leading Visitor Attractions


The Tate museums are collectively the UK’s biggest cultural draw. Perhaps surprisingly, the Tate Modern, the world’s greatest museum of international modern art, outpulls the older Tate Britain, which houses more traditional masterpieces. The Tate Liverpool and Tate St. Ives are also popular.

25. Centre Pompidou, Paris, France | 5.1 Million | Source: Centre Pompidou


The world’s most visited city makes its 6th and last appearance on this list. This "constraint-free" architectural wonder owes its popularity to its pipes-and-all look and to its collection of an estimated 53,000 modern and contemporary works.

24. Hong Kong Disneyland, China | 5.2 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report


Located on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island, this Magic Kingdom-style amusement empire is the latest and smallest Disneyland. The good news: It’s the last Disney on this list. The bad news: It has ambitious plans for expansion and someday will undoubtedly muscle out some other contender higher up on the list.

23. Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Japan | 5.4 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report


Another amusement park, this is an island at the tip of Yokohama Bay, featuring one of the country’s largest marine life collections, an undersea tunnel, Japan’s first surf coaster and more.

22. Lotte World, Seoul, South Korea | 5.5 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report


And again! The world’s largest indoor theme park and South Korea’s most visited attraction, Lotte World sold 5.5 million tickets in 2006. But here’s the thing: It closed in January, so go figure.

21. Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, England | 5.7 Million | Source: Britain and Association of Leading Visitor Attractions


Pleasure Beach, a Coney Island-style amusement park since 1896, is the big draw in paid attendance in Great Britain. Although the recently constructed London Eye claims to be the big wheel in U.K. paid attendance, we count Pleasure Beach considerably ahead.

20. SeaWorld Florida, Orlando, Fla | 5.74 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report


Yes, Shamu, there’s still more in Orlando (and no, this isn’t the end of it): The aquatic corral and performing arts center for whales and dolphins is yet another huge Orlando draw. (In fact, some say the entire city of Orlando will eventually become a huge, Medusa-like theme park and blow away the rest of the competition on this list.)

19. Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando, Fla | 6 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report


Again, no figures on duplication of visitors, but the number of screamers at Universal Studio’s “Fear Factor Live” and screechers at companion Islands of Adventure’s “psychological thrill rides,” are similar. This double TV-themed park adds luster to Orlando’s queen-of-the-themes crown.

18. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France | 6.7 Million | Source: Paris Tourism


Some think this is the world’s most visited tourist attraction, but with an official count of 6.7 million paid visitors in 2006, it doesn’t even reach France’s top three in the rankings. Still, give it this: considering that France is Europe’s most popular tourist destination, and that every visitor to Paris gazes at the Eiffel Tower, it has a distinction beyond the number of paid visitors to the top. Mr. Eiffel’s iron masterpiece is arguably the world’s most famous monument.

17. The Forbidden City/Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China | At least 7 Million | Source: Taipei Times


Another tough one to rank. Published sources estimate the number of visitors to Beijing’s former imperial palace, set in Tiananmen Square. However, no figures are available for the tourist foot traffic in the square, nor is it clear how many are visitors and how many are residents. In any case, the Forbidden City is the area’s chief attraction. What is measurable is that China’s once-paltry tourism is gaining fast, like everything else about the world’s most populous nation.

16. Everland, Kyonggi-Do, South Korea | 7.5 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report


Neck and neck with the Louvre in the 14th spot is yes, another amusement park—this one South Korea’s largest, with 7.5 million visitors in 2006. Part of the Everland Resort (whose unreported overall numbers might have pushed it higher on the list), this Disney lookalike is surrounded by a water park and Korea’s first theme zoo.

15. Musée du Louvre, Paris, France | 7.5 Million | Source: Office du Tourisme et des Congrès


A museum since 1793, this cradle of French history has been everything from a fortress to several kings’ residences, and today is crowned with I.M Pei’s modern shimmering glass pyramid at its entrance. It is the world’s most visited museum, though there have been some oil-rich rumbles that a planned Louvre in Abu Dhabi will go for the gold when it opens in 2012.

14. Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, Paris, France | 8 Million | Source: Office du Tourisme et des Congrès


The basilica on a hill overlooking the roofs of Paris shares its neighborhood with the once-naughty Pigalle district. Though we’re not counting purely religious centers in this list, Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur make it because their visitors are overwhelmingly tourists.

13. Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan | 8.5 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report


The most visited of Universal’s three studio parks worldwide, it plays host to almost 9 million Japanese Hollywood fans, cementing Japan’s third-place finish in the global tourist-attraction sweepstakes (after the U.S. and France).

12. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina | 9.2 Million | Source: National Park Service


America’s most visited national park is neither the Grand Canyon, which barely makes it on this list (as measured by visitors at the main entrances), nor Yosemite. With more than 800 miles of protected trails, this natural wonder hosted nearly 10 million people.

11. The Great Wall of China, Badaling area, China | 10 Million | Source: People.com


Whether or not it can be seen from outer space, the 4,163-mile-long wall is the world’s longest man-made structure. Though it’s beginning to crumble from the ever-increasing crowds, Badaling, the wall’s most popular strip, welcomes 10 million visitors a year.

10. Disneyland Paris, Marne-La-Vallee, France | 10.6 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report


Formerly Euro Disney, this French amusement park is well past its struggling early years. With 10,600,000 visitors in 2006, Disneyland Paris is France’s second most visited tourist attraction.

9. Notre Dame de Paris, Paris, France | 12 Million | Source: Office du Tourisme et des Congrès


The world’s most familiar Gothic cathedral is France’s main attraction (and not Disney Paris, reputed to be Europe’s top draw). The number of visitors is carefully noted by the Parisian tourist association, and reputedly does not include a certain Victor Hugo back-challenged character.

8. Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea, Tokyo, Japan | 12.9 Million | Source: TEA-ERA Attendance Report


Continuing the Disney rout, the first of its parks to have opened outside the U.S.in 1983, the Tokyo Disney Resort includes both the hugely popular Disneyland and its waterworld partner, DisneySea. Again, no firm numbers on attendance duplication, but a trade publication puts the figure at a pretty specific 12.9 million.

7. Fisherman’s Wharf/Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, Calif | 13 Million | Source: National Park System


Approximately 13 million annual visitors to the heart of San Francisco, its legendary soaring bridge and surrounding park, plus its bustling fish-and-chowder pier, helping to account for the city’s worldwide appeal. (San Francisco is usually cited as the first or second U.S. city foreigners say they want to visit.) Our figures come from the fact that 14.6 million visitors visit SF per year, and almost all show up at the wharf and the bridge.

6. Niagara Falls, Ontario and New York | 14 Million | Source: The City of Niagara Falls


It might not be the tallest of its kind (Venezuela’s Angel Falls are the world’s highest at 3,212 ft.), but this tumbler’s location straddling two countries, breathtaking views and of course the romance and honeymoon factor account for nearly 14 million visitors every year.

5. Disneyland Park, Anaheim, Calif. | 14.7 Million | Source: TEA/ERA Theme Park Attendance Report


Open since 1955, the grand dame of the Disney parks continues to be the top tourist attraction draw in California, even though it occupies a much smaller area than its Florida sister. Almost all the international Disney parks dominate the country in which they’re located.

4. Trafalgar Square, London, England | 15 Million | Source: Greater London Authority


Lord Nelson and the British Navy defeated a combined French and Spanish force in 1805, and a grateful country built a splendid public square to commemorate the occasion. Now a popular spot for demonstrations, concerts and New Year's Eve celebrations, Trafalgar Square feeds popular attractions like the National Gallery. Note: This is an estimated figure from the Greater London Authority extrapolated from pedestrian counts.

3. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista | 16.6 Million | Source: TEA/ERA Theme Park Attendance Report


Florida’s most popular attraction opened on October 1, 1971—16 years after the birth of its older sister, Disneyland, in Anaheim, Calif. Disney doesn’t release attendance figures for its parks, however the TEA/ERA Theme Park Attendance Report confirms that the Magic Kingdom is the most popular of its Florida attractions, followed by Epcot, Disney MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom. A cumulative figure (ie. total number of people who visited the Disney World theme parks) would likely not alter the Mouse’s ranking.

2. National Mall, Memorial Parks, Washington, D.C. | About 25 Million | Source: National Park Service


The nation’s premier national park and its monuments and memorials attract more visitors than such vast national parks as the Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Yellowstone -- combined. The nearby Smithsonian museums of Natural History and Air & Space welcome more than about 5 million visitors apiece.

1. Times Square, New York City, NY | 35 Million | Source: Times Square Alliance



An estimated 80 percent of the Big Apple’s 44 million visitors head for Broadway (including the considerable theater crowds) and end up gawking at the world’s most garish neon crossroads.

Google to launch Chrome OS

Having already challenged Microsoft’s Internet Explorer with its browser Chrome, Google is now preparing to launch a new computer operat

ing system (OS) to compete directly with the entrenched Windows platform.

The Chrome OS, designed initially for low-cost netbooks, will offer its program code to developers across the globe and create another ‘open source’ competition for Microsoft.

In an interview, Vinay Goe l, Google’s country head of products in India talks about his company’s strategies ahead. Excerpts:

Do you believe Google launching its own operating system will be a threat to Microsoft?

Windows XP takes “forever” to boot up. I can go down, have my cup of tea and come back, it will be ready as it takes four minutes for it to start. Our operating system is not about features. We never said Chrome will have these five features that the others (Windows, Safari) don’t have. If you look at the way computing has evolved and look at today’s operating systems, all the popular ones pre-date the Web.

People spend 99% of their time on browsers, then why is that we are still beholding operating systems that are 15 years old that were formed with desktop operations in mind? We should move to an application-based system, where it does not matter how many applications are there, boot-up time should be at its minimal. It should be like a TV where you switch it on and voila your programmes start right away. This is really the promise of Google’s operating system, Chrome.

How according to you have browsers evolved during past few years?

Today, browsers have become very powerful. For example, look at Google maps and the kind of things you can do with it like zooming in, etc. It really behaves like a desktop application, although it is fully browser based. And now, we are moving into the next generation which uses the technology of HTML 5 making the browser even more powerful.

So, for things that you needed a desktop application like spreadsheets, word documents, modifying photos, etc, you don’t need them anymore. It is all browser based. It can all be enabled within the browser.

Will this be built into Google’s operating system?

The HTML 5 technology will support any browser and operating system and this will be true for Google’s Chrome as well. We are trying to make an operating system that is fine tuned to the browser and supports whatever it needs. A lot of the operating system is built on open source software of Linux, we are trying to marry other stuff to give to the user.

What is Google doing to address the local market for search and email in terms of vernacular languages?

We provide search in various Indian languages like Hindi, Telugu, Bengali, etc. However, not all search results are in these languages but are mostly in English. This is based on transliterating where you type the word based on the phonetics and it is converted into the language of the user’s choice. The same with email services.

Sri Kollur Mookambika Temple

Mookambika temple is an ancient temple located at Kollur in Karnataka. Kollur is about 135 away from Mangalore. And is easily accessed from Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka by train and road.

It is the only temple that is dedicated to goddess Parvathi and believed to be created by Parashurama. This temple is very well known among the people of Tamilnadu and the goddess Parvathi is called in Tamil as Thai Mookambika. Parvathi temple is located exactly on the banks of the perennial river Souparnika that runs close to the foot hills of the Western Ghats. River Sauparnika has its attribute to the eagle called Suparna that did penance in this bank and attained salvation.

This temple has a long history for its origin. It is said goddess Parvathi killed the Kamsasuran who lived here and who attempted to become all powerful through his penance. Devi along with the help of Veerabadra, Ganapathi and Shiva initially made him dumb and he came to be called Mookasuran, mooka means to be dumb. Later the goddess killed him with her Chakra on the midnight of Shukla Astami. From then on Devi came to be called as Kollur Devi Mookambika. Then her divine energy became one with the lingam worshipped by Kola Maharishi. At the Sri Mookambika temple the Lingam is the main deity and is known as Jyothirlingam. Devi Mookambika has three eyes and four arms, with the divine disc and conch in her hands.

The Mookambika temple is renowned for its beauty and aesthetics, all over the world. Goddess Kollur Mookambika is adorned with flowers. Ritual bathing and prayer to the idol are a common feature of the presiding lingam. The perennial Souparnika river’s pure water is used for theertham and puja. The kollur Mookambika temple wears a festive look during Navrathri and Navrathri is celebrated with pomp, show and gaiety.

Dhoni should bat up the order: Ganguly

Anegudde Sri Vinayaka temple

Anegudde means elephant (Aane) hillock (Gudde) and it is the abode of the elephant god, Sri Vinayaka. It is one of the seven places of pilgrimage in the region called 'Parashurama Srishti' which are believed to be created by sage Parashurama.

Situated in Kumbhashi, Anegudde is about 100 kms from Mangalore and 9 kms from Kundapur.
It is believed when drought hit this area sage Agasthya came here to perform yagna to please the rain god. The demon Kumbhasura tried to disrupt the yagna by troubling the sages performing the yagna. To rescue the sages Lord Ganesha blessed Bheema, the strongest among the Padavas with a sword, using which Bheema killed the demon and facilitated the completion of the yagna.

The main sanctum sanctorum contains the majestic figure of Vinayaka resplendent in silver Armour, in standing posture. Of the four arms two are "varada hasta" indicating his inclination to grant boons. Two hands point to his feet, as a means to salvation.


Tulabharam, a custom of offering to God valuables in weight equivalent of a person is frequently done in this temple by devotees. Auspicious ceremonies like wedding, naming ceremony etc. are also held here.

All around the shrine there are sculptural depictions from the Bhargava Purana. People from far off places come here to take blessings from Lord Vinayaka. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great splendor. Lunch is served to devotees as prasadam.

Mahalingeshwara temple is one of the other temples in this area.

Attacks On indians.

Police are investigating the unprovoked bashing of an Indian man in Epping who was punched in the head and had his turban removed as he slept at a bus stop early yesterday.

The Yarraville man, 22, was asleep at a stop near Epping railway station in Cooper Street about 12.45am when a bus pulled into the depot and five males, believed to be between 17 and 19, approached him.

MULTIMEDIA: Attacks in Melbourne

Two of the five youths allegedly bashed the Indian man, while their three companions are believed to have tried to stop the assault. The bus driver, 60, and a passenger, 39, also tried to stop the attack. All five youths then ran away and police are appealing for witnesses.

The victim suffered injuries to his mouth but did not need medical attention.

The alleged assault follows other recent incidents in Epping, including the alleged bashing of four Indian men outside a hotel.

: A grand finale Indo-US war games

The largest-ever ground combat joint exercise between India and the US is in its final stages near Jhansi. At the grand finale today, there will be a massive demonstration of firepower by mechanised forces of both the armies.

The focus of Exercise Yudh Abhyas, which kicked off at Babina near Jhansi on October 12, was on mechanised infantry operations for counter-insurgency/counter-terrorism in semi-urban terrain.
The aim is to further enhance the inter-operability already built through a series of exercises with the US.

The US, anxious to grab a major chunk of the lucrative Indian arms market, has demonstrated live-fire operations of its high-tech weaponry like the Stryker infantry armoured vehicles and Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) during the war games.

The eight-wheeled armoured combat vehicles, 17 Strykers, have been deployed in the current exercise. This is believed to be the largest overseas deployment of the Strykers after Iraq and Afghanistan.

MJ fans dance to set new world record:

housands of Michael Jackson fans across the world, including some 6,000 in Los Angeles, attempted to break the world record for having the most people simultaneously dance to Thriller.

Home Remedies to Avoid Swine Flu

10 Home Remedies to Avoid Swine Flu
Here are some easy steps you can take to tackle a flu virus of any kind, including swine flu. It is not necessary to follow all the steps at once. You can pick and choose a combination of remedies that suit you best. However, if you are already suffering from flu, these measures can help only up to an extent. And, if you have been infected by H1N1, visiting a hospital and staying in solitary confinement is a must.

1. Have five duly washed leaves of Tulsi (known as Basil in English; medicinal name Ocimum sanctum) everyday in the morning. Tulsi has a large number of therapeutic properties. It keeps throat and lungs clear and helps in infections by way of strengthening your immunity.

2. Giloi (medicinal name Tinospora cordifolia) is a commonly available plant in many areas. Take a one-foot long branch of giloi, add five to six leaves of Tulsi and boil in water for 15-20 minutes or long enough to allow the water to extract its properties. Add black pepper and sendha (salt used during religious fasts), rock or black salt, or Misri (crystalised sugar like lumps to make it sweet) according to taste. Let it cool a bit and drink this kadha (concoction) while still warm. It will work wonders for your immunity. If giloi plant is not available, get processed giloi powder from Hamdard or others, and concoct a similar drink once a day.

3. A small piece of camphor (kapoor) approximately the size of a tablet should be taken once or twice a month. It can be swallowed with water by adults while children can take it along with mashed potatoes or banana because they will find it difficult to have it without any aides. Please remember camphor is not to be taken every day, but only once each season, or once a month.

4. Those who can take garlic must have two pods of raw garlic first thing in the morning. To be swallowed daily with lukewarm water. Garlic too strengthens immunity like the earlier measures mentioned.

5. Those not allergic to milk, must take a glass of hot or lukewarm milk every night with a small measure of haldi (turmeric).

6. Aloe vera (gwarpatha) too is a commonly available plant. Its thick and long, cactus-like leaves have an odourless gel. A teaspoon gel taken with water daily can work wonders for not only your skin and joint pains, but also boost immunity.

7. Take homeopathic medicines - Pyrogenium 200 and Inflenzium 200 in particular - five tablets three times a day, or two-three drops three times a day. While these are not specifically targeted at H1N1 either, these work well as preventive against common flu virus.

8. Do Pranayam daily (preferably under guidance if you are already not initiated into it) and go for morning jog/walk regularly to keep your throat and lungs in good condition and body in fine fettle. Even in small measures, it will work wonders for your body’s resistance against all such diseases which attack the nose, throat and lungs, besides keeping you fit.

9. Have citrus fruits, particularly Vitamin C rich Amla (Indian gooseberry) juice. Since fresh Amla is not yet available in the market (not for another three to four months), it is not a bad idea to buy packaged Amla juice which is commonly available nowadays.

10. Last but not the least, wash your hands frequently every day with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds; especially before meals, or each time after touching a surface that you suspect could be contaminated with flu virus such as a door handle or a knob/handle, especially if you have returned from a public place or used public transport. Alcohol-based hand cleaners should be kept handy at all times and used until you can get soap and warm water.

2012 begining of golden age.

In the “Brahma-Vaivarta Purana”, Lord Krishna tells Ganga Devi that a Golden Age will come in the Kaliyuga - one of the four stages of development that the world goes through as part of the cycle of eras, as described in Hindu scriptures. Lord Krishna predicted that this Golden Age will start 5,000 years after the beginning of the Kali Yuga, and will last for 10,000 years.

Mayan Calendar Matches Hindu Calendar
It is interesting that this prediction of the emergence of a new world is prophesied to appear about the same time that the Mayans predicted it to come! The Mayan callender began with the Fifth Great Cycle in 3114 BC and will end on 21 December 2012 AD. The Hindu Kali Yuga calendar began on 18 February 3102 B.C. There is only a difference of 12 years between the Hindu's beginning of the Kali Yuga and the Mayan's beginning of the Fifth Great Cycle.

Golden Age Could Begin in 2012
The ancient Hindus mainly used lunar calendars but also used solar calendars. If an average lunar year equals 354.36 days, then this would be about 5270 lunar years from the time when the Kali Yuga started until 21 Dec 2012. This is the same year that the Mayans predict rebirth of our planet. It is also about 5113 solar years of 365.24 days per year, and is day number 1,867,817 into the Kali Yuga. By either solar or lunar years, we are over 5,000 years into the Kali Yuga and it is time for Lord Krishna's prophecy to happen according to the ancient Hindu scriptures. Lord Krishna's Golden Age could easily begin in 2012!

Mayan Prophecy Matches Hindu Prophecy
It is amazing that both calendars began at about the same time over 5,000 years ago and both calendars predict a totally new world and/or golden age after about 5,000 years into their calendars! We are definitely on to something with these Mayan and Hindu 2012 predictions. Historically, this is an amazing fact since these two ancient cultures did not have any contact.