Big blow for Nano .. ..

Brand new Nano belonging to Sawant, brand new out of showroom in Mumbai burning on the road. See the marigold flowers draped on the front side..

Doing well at interviews ..

http://www.lookd.com/job-search/job-interviews.html

http://www.howtotipsandtricks.com/2008/07/interview-tips-how-to-do-well-in.html

ge..

Anita and the bees ...

http://india-tweets.blogspot.com/2010/03/anita-and-honeybees.html

ge..

Writer Chetan Bhagat, the young IIT Bombay alumnus on wealth display ..

A very sensible article on wealth display by young writer Chetan Bhagat, IITB alumnus .. a must-read for people loving simplicity, honesty, values and promoting true leaders in the society for our children to emulate..

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/When-Its-Crass-Versus-Class/articleshow/5728538.cms

ge..

Adopting bio-degradable policies ..

Thinking Loud ...

Had nature / ancestors adopted non bio-degradable policies, we would not have had the large reserves of mineral / ores / crude oil deposits which are beneficial to humanity today.

Should we deny the same benefits to our descendents hundreds / millions of years hence by adopting environment friendly / biodegradable policies now ??

ge ..

wheels of life ..

--
Sincere regards,

George Easaw
Bangalore, India.

Third most populous country in the world ?

It is www.facebook.com with a population of 400 million plus.., third only to China and India ..

ge ..

Some facts on water ..

Some Eye-opening water facts:

• 97.5% of the earth's water is saltwater. If the world's water fitted into a bucket, only one teaspoonful would be drinkable. (the Human Development report 2006) (Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.
• More than one billion people in the world do not have access to safe water. That is roughly one in seven of the world's population. (the Human Development report 2006)
• In some countries, the biggest killer is not Aids, Cancer or Heart Disease. It is water. (the Human Development report 2006)
• Water-related disease is the second biggest killer of children worldwide. 1.8 million children die every year as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation. This amounts to around 5000 deaths a day. (the Human Development report 2006)
• The weight of water that women in Africa and Asia carry on their heads is commonly 20kg, the same as the average UK airport luggage allowance. (the Human Development report 2006)
• 443 million school days are lost each year due to water-related diseases. (the Human Development report 2006)
• 40 billion working hours are spent carrying water each year just in Africa and it is generally women and children who are burdened with the task.(Cosgrove and Rijsberman 1998)
• An extra US$10 billion each year is needed to halve the proportion of people without access to safe water and sanitation - about half of what rich countries spend on mineral water.
• Water and sanitation infrastructure helps people take the first essential step out of the cycle of poverty and disease (the Human Development report 2006)

ge..

new IPL city of Pune, worth more than Liverpool of English Premier League ..

While Liverpool was bought for an equivalent of Rs. 1511 crores in
2007, the city of Pune was bid for last week by Sahara group for Rs
1702 crores ..

That is the money power in cricket in India .. kochi went for around
Rs 1300 crores.

IPL is set to become one of the most expensive sporting events of the
world, trash NBA and English Premier League .. :) The epicentre of
world sporting is gravitating to India ..??

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/IPL-Mange-More/articleshow/5713036.cms

ge..

Sky water project in Karnataka ..

Great promise ... 1 litre at 10 paisa .. 1000 lts require just 8 KWh.

http://www.thehindu.com/2010/03/22/stories/2010032253200500.htm

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ge..

World's first manoeuvrable supersonic cruise missile ..

Brahmos Aerospace, a joint collaboration between India and Russia, yesterday successfully fired the vertical launch version ( possible to be used in full 360 deg) of the world's first manoeuvrable supersonic ( at mach 2.8) cruise missile (air breathing, within the atmosphere..) meeting all its launch parameters successfully. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BrahMos-cruise-missile-test-fired-successfully/articleshow/5709080.cms The world is sitting back and taking note ? When hypersonic ( at mach 7 - 8 ) versions come, will the world get the shock ? Being a responsible democracy with the armed forces under the control of the politicians and the government, the world can indeed rest assured that it will never be used for offence .. Kudos to Shivathanu Pillai .. ge..

NASA learning from ISRO ..

India's ultra cheap typical expeditions to the Moon (costing just 10%) of a comparable US mission ( credentials are very doubtful as the whole US establishment is silent on either rebuking or supporting their Moon theory, and Neil Armstrong not ready to swear on his stepping on the moon ..) NASA wants to learn how India managed its moon mission at that cost !!

For India supported by its highly reliable space mission and the workhorse PSLV, scouting around for customers for payload and collecting charges upfront, cut a lot of strain on its cash reserves.. 

With Moon and Mars missions coming up and collaboration with the Russians picking up, there is a lot for NASA to learn from ISRO and its team of efficient Engineers and efficient managers..

ge..

Home alone ...

The article in The Hindu
http://www.hindu.com/op/2010/03/14/stories/2010031455911600.htm


describes the sad plight of parents who long for the weekend to hear the sound of their sons and daughters over the telephone, who have migrated to the West. Though initially they were pushing the kids to go abroad (which gave them acceptance in their societies..) for higher studies, jobs and were overjoyed by the good luck and sudden riches for their kids, later they are repenting for their folly. Now they wish to just hear their sound once in a week.

The kids having flown away with stronger wings never want to come back to their homeland as they have adopted the new land as their own !!

We know many who share this same experience, though they would never openly want to accept it .. This migration brings joy for some while others crave to get back to the land which made them what they are today !! Only memories remain to cherish ..!!

Man is basically a migratory animal, else we would never have come out of Africa, the cradle of civilisation, through its eastern coasts of Ethiopia and Egypt, 55,000 years ago .. Genographic Project. http://genographic.nationalgeographic.com

--
Sincere regards,

George Easaw
Bangalore, India.

Tips on Time Management ...

15 Time Management Tips

In the meantime, here are 15 practical time management tips to help you get started...

1. Write things down

A common time management mistake is to try to use your memory to keep track of too many details leading to information overload. Using a to-do list to write things down is a great way to take control of your projects and tasks and keep yourself organized.

2. Prioritize your list

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you focus and spend more of your time on the things that really matter to you. Rate your tasks into categories using the ABCD prioritization system described in the time management course.

3. Plan your week

Spend some time at the beginning of each week to plan your schedule. Taking the extra time to do this will help increase your productivity and balance your important long-term projects with your more urgent tasks. All you need is fifteen to thirty minutes each week for your planning session.

4. Carry a notebook

You never know when you are going to have a great idea or brilliant insight. Carry a small notebook with you wherever you go so you can capture your thoughts. If you wait too long to write them down you could forget. Another option is to use a digital recorder.

5. Learn to say no

Many people become overloaded with too much work because they overcommit; they say yes when they really should be saying no. Learn to say no to low priority requests and you will free up time to spend on things that are more important.

6. Think before acting

How many times have you said yes to something you later regretted? Before committing to a new task, stop to think about it before you give your answer. This will prevent you from taking on too much work.

7. Continuously improve yourself

Make time in your schedule to learn new things and develop your natural talents and abilities. For example, you could take a class, attend a training program, or read a book. Continuously improving your knowledge and skills increases your marketability, can help boost your career, and is the most reliable path to financial independence.

8. Think about what you are giving up to do your regular activities

It is a good idea to evaluate regularly how you are spending your time. In some cases, the best thing you can do is to stop doing an activity that is no longer serving you so you can spend the time doing something more valuable. Consider what you are giving up in order to maintain your current activities.

9. Use a time management system

Using a time management system can help you keep track of everything that you need to do, organize and prioritize your work, and develop sound plans to complete it. An integrated system is like glue that holds all the best time management practices together.

10. Identify bad habits

Make a list of bad habits that are stealing your time, sabotaging your goals, and blocking your success. After you do, work on them one at a time and systematically eliminate them from your life. Remember that the easiest way to eliminate a bad habit, it to replace it with a better habit.

11. Don't do other people's work

Are you in the habit of doing other people's work because or a 'hero' mentality? Doing this takes up time that you may not have. Instead, focus on your own projects and goals, learn to delegate effectively, and teach others how to do their own work.

12. Keep a goal journal

Schedule time to set and evaluate your goals. Start a journal and write down your progress for each goal. Go through your goal journal each week to make sure you are on the right track.

Keeping a journal on your computer has never been easier!

13. Don't be a perfectionist

Some tasks don't require your best effort. Sending a short email to a colleague, for example, shouldn't take any more than a few minutes. Learn to distinguish between tasks that deserve to be done excellently and tasks that just need to be done.

14. Beware of "filler" tasks

When you have a to-do list filled with important tasks, be careful not to get distracted by "filler" tasks. Things such as organizing your bookcase or filing papers can wait until you tackle the items that have the highest priority.

15. Avoid "efficiency traps"

Being efficient doesn't necessarily mean that you are being productive. Avoid taking on tasks that you can do with efficiency that don't need to be done at all. Just because you are busy and getting things done doesn't mean you are actually accomplishing anything significant.

(coutesy www.timethoughts.com)

ge ..

How to be an effective academic administrator etc..

The following is a list of characteristics that I would suggest to any principal who cares to be respected and admired by both students and teachers:

 

       1. Always be completely open to teachers.  Be willing to discuss any policy that you have and give the background as to why you instilled the policy.

                2.  It is important that you always speak pleasantly to your teachers and never put them down in the presence of others.  All constructive criticism should be done in private.  Never raise your voice when you have a need to correct a teacher.  Never strip your teachers of their dignity.

                3.  Be generous with praise and cautious with criticism.  Be quick to give credit to others when it is due to them.  Make it a policy to commend your teachers often.  Look for reasons to commend them and you will see that they will work harder for you.

                 4. Always tell the truth – even when it hurts.  No one respects a person whom they can't depend on to tell the truth.  As the saying goes, "Tell it like it is."

                5.  Be easily approachable.  Encourage teachers to ask you for help, if needed.

                6.  Be seen!  A principal should be in the school halls when students are in the halls.  You should be in and out of the cafeteria during lunch.  You should go into the classrooms often, if only for a few minutes.  You should be visible in order to be a leader.

                7.  Make discipline your number one concern.  Without discipline, little teaching or learning can take place.  You are the key to any school's discipline.  You must have a firm policy and be sure that both teachers and students fully understand it.  Be willing to take a stand and then stand.

                8.  Never accept an accusation against a teacher until you first speak with that teacher.  Be a friend to your teachers and support them as much as possible.  When they make mistakes, let them down easily.

                9.  Be open to teachers' suggestions and, if you disagree, be pleasant in your discussion.  You have no need to be threatened, if you are open and honest.

                       
                                    10.  The last characteristic is a summary of the other nine. 
          
            When you deal with teachers, remember two things:  Tell   the truth and treat others like you would want to be treated.

(courtesy www.teachersadvocate.com)

--
Sincere regards,

George Easaw
Bangalore, India.

Cabinet nod for foreign Univs to offer courses and degrees in India ..

A land mark bill which is to be tabled in Parliament .. The education scenario in the country will be changed for ever !!

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Foreign-university-bill-gets-Cabinet-nod/articleshow/5685525.cms

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ge..

Take care of your kidney .. early detection is the key !!

Take care of your kidneys ...

http://www.worldkidneyday.org/page/7-golden-rules

http://www.worldkidneyday.org/page/importance-of-early-detection-1

Take the kidney test .. http://www.worldkidneyday.org/page/take-the-test

--
Sincere regards,

George Easaw

Indeed, America has got talent .. 4 year old Katilyn ..

Indeed there is talent .. See this Youtube video ..
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ge..

Richest people on earth ..

Carlos Slim Helu is the world's richest individual, overtaking Billy boy.. at $53.5 billion, he has beat Bill Gates by $0.5billion. Carlos, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Mukesh Ambani and Lakshmi Mittal, top 5 rich people on the earth, as per Forbes mag..

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/biz/india-business/Mukesh-Ambani-Lakshmi-Mittal-among-worlds-top-ten-billionaires-Forbes/articleshow/5670263.cms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Slim

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/lt_mexico_world_s_richest;_ylt=AgpB5wrOH8j4jusNMUiuxb2s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTN0N2JpdWI0BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzExL2x0X21leGljb193b3JsZF9zX3JpY2hlc3QEY2NvZGUDbW9zdHBvcHVsYXIEY3BvcwM1BHBvcwMyBHB0A2hvbWVfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5faGVhZGxpbmVfbGlzdARzbGsDbWV4aWNvc3NsaW1i

--
Sincere regards,

George Easaw
Bangalore, India.

The thundering trio who stole the show yday in Rajya Sabha ..

Arun Jaitley from BJP, Ms Brinda Karat from CPM and  Satish Chandra Mishra from BSP spoke forcibly and convincingly yesterday in Parliament while supporting the Women's Reservation Bill..

Were it not for whole-hearted support from MPs across parties and ideologies, this historic legislation, probably the most advanced in the world, would not have materialised.. The Treasury benchers were shouting their famous phrases supporting the Chairperson of the Congress party and the PM for the firmness and good intent ...

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/The-thundering-trio-who-stole-the-show/articleshow/5664821.cms

With the first hurdle having been crossed, ie Rajya Sabha, the trying test is just coming for the ruling party. With the support of BJP and CPM, this legislation is as good as passed !!

The male chauvinists and cynics from the parties opposing the legislation, insisting on reservation within reservation for women from weaker sections, are only trying to scuttle this bill .. Their words and actions belie their false pretentions  !

With the RTI Act and Women's Reservation Bill coming to practice, the Indian democratic polity will be entering a new plane, far superior in intent and content to any other in the world... And it will take scores of years for other developed countries (driving in the fast lane down the drain..) to try to match up and catch up with India in this regard. In a democracy, developments do happen albeit slowly, with popular consent and support ..

India is once again giving the very needed and necessary leadership to the world !! This Juggernaut (Lord Jagannath from Puri temple) cannot be stopped, come what may ..

George

Sr Adv (debarred) R K Anand..

Sr Adv R K Aanand of SC should be barred from appearing in any court in the country for the next ten years as punishment for subverting the process of law by influencing witnesses in the infamous BMW hit- and-run case.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/BMW-hit-and-run-expose-Anand-tenders-unconditional-apology-to-SC/articleshow/5662120.cms

-ge ..

Over-exploitation of ground water resources in India ..

India is the largest ground water user in the world. 65 % of our irrigation needs and 85% of drinking water needs are met from ground water resources.. 60% of our ground water blocks will be in critical nature needing immediate conservation by 2025 AD from the current 29%. The immediate need of the hour is to conserve these fresh ground water resources by all means..
The report by World Bank ..

http://go.worldbank.org/T2AYQAM9F0

Abstract : India is the largest groundwater user in the world, with an estimated usage of around 230 cubic kilometers per year, more than a quarter of the global total. With more than 60 percent of irrigated agriculture and 85 percent of drinking water supplies dependent on it, groundwater is a vital resource for rural areas in India.

Reliance of urban and industrial waste supplies on groundwater is also becoming increasingly significant in India. Through the construction of millions of private wells, there has been a phenomenal growth in the exploitation of groundwater in the last five decades. The potential social and economic consequences of continued weak or nonexistent groundwater management are serious, as aquifer depletion is concentrated in many of the most populated and economically productive areas. The implications are disturbing for attainment of the millennium development goals, for sustaining economic growth and local livelihoods, and for environmental and fiscal sustainability.

The consequences will be most severe for the poor. Furthermore, climate change will put additional stress on groundwater resources; while at the same time will have an unpredictable impact on groundwater recharge and availability.

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ge..

Thanks to Sena, MNIK is a huge commercial hit..

Thanks to Bal Tackeray, My name is Khan is a huge hit grossing almost 180 crores, highest by any Hindi movie so far..

The best publicity is get Shiv Sena react ( of course on payment....)

ge..

Bloom and energy ..

Since 2008 Bloom has produced about 11 million KW of electricity, resulting in 14 million pounds reduction in CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to planting one million trees and the electricity can power 1000 average US homes for a year.

Each energy server can generate 100 kW, which is enough electricity for a small office building or 100 average U.S. homes, and will cost $700,000-800,000, plus fuel. Bloom said customers can expect payback from energy savings in three to five years.

Press release from Bloom Energy .. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/bloom-energy-announces-industry-leading-customers,1178097.shtml

Some technical stuff. http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?newsID=16145

ge..

10 Deutsche Mark note from Germany .. Carl Fredrich Gauss, Normal curve ..

The father of Gaussian Distribution ( Normal)