Picture of the day-386: VGP Universal Kingdom with Giant Wheel in the background

The giant wheel is a fascinating creation.  I used to like and ride it in my younger days.  After a time, somehow  I developed sort of uneasiness, or maybe even fear and could not bring myself to ride it.  So now I just watch it from a distance, as the fascination has not completely disappeared.  It applies to the various joy rides in the amusement park.

Grateful thanks to VGP Universal Kingdom.

My Photo Album-152: Aravind and Achu

A Thought for Today-577: Anthony Robbins

Surmounting difficulty is the crucible that forms character - Anthony Robbins, American self-help author and motivational speaker 

A brief biographical sketch of Anthony Robbins from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Robbins


About Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) popularized by Robbins:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuro-linguistic_programming


About Robbins wonderful book, "UNLIMITED POWER" (a self-help book):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unlimited_Power

Personally, I like his 1995-ook, "Notes from a Friend: A Quick and Simple Guide to Taking Control of Your Life". (New York: Fireside. pp. 112 pages. ISBN 0-684-80056-X).  I have read this compact book several times and still want to keep on reading.  It is such a great book.

Grateful thanks to Anthony Robbins and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Picture of the day-385: VGP Universal Kingdom

My Photo Album-151: Karthik in Australia

Parameet perched on Karthik's head (Australia photo)

A Thought for Today-576: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

I never guess. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of world's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle bio from Wikipedia:

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

Full Text of Conan Doyle's most famous Sherlock Holmes books:


THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1661/1661-h/1661-h.htm


The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes:

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/834/834-h/834-h.htm



His Last Bow:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2350/2350-h/2350-h.htm


Grateful thanks to Project Gutenberg and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

S and T Watch-60: A chemical to restore Degenerative Blindness

In a major advance in the field of vision restoration, scientists claimed to have discovered a chemial that could allow people with degenerative blindness to see again.

For more details from Medical Daily:
New Chemical Restores Vision, Raises Hopes
http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20120726/11091/eye-vision-blind-macular-degeneration-aaq.htm

I came across this info in Wikipedia,  while searching for something connected with this posting, viz. 

Foundation Fighting Blindness
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_Fighting_Blindness

The mission of this Foundation is to fund research that will lead to preventions, treatments, and cures for retinal degenerative diseases including: retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease, and related conditions. These diseases, which affect more than 10 million Americans and millions more throughout the world, often lead to severe vision loss or complete blindness.

Grateful tanks to Medical Daily and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Picture of the day-384: VGP Universal Kingdom

Yet another photo taken at the VGP Universal Kingdom.

My Photo Album-150: Suri with Parents and Siblings - Manamadurai Photo

Photo taken at Bharathi Studio, Manamadurai, 

when we were living in Manamadurai.

A Thought for Today-575: Thomas Alva Edison

Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure -Thomas Edison

Edison bio from Wikipedia:

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

"The World's Greatest Inventor", October 1931, Popular Mechanics detailed, illustrated article

http://books.google.co.in/books?id=vuQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA614&dq=Popular+Mechanics+1931+curtiss&hl=en&ei=sZj0TNiVFcPXngeTp8W2CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Popular%20Mechanics%201931%20curtiss&f=true

Full Text of the book, EDISON HIS LIFE AND INVENTIONS by Frank Lewis Dyer from Project Gutenberg:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/820/820-h/820-h.htm

Grateful thanks to Popular Mechanics, Google Books, Project Gutenberg and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Self-Improvement-104: The Power of Your Subconscious Mind to Achieve ANY Goal

306,280 people have seen this video.


Uploaded by MindMasterTV on Jan 24, 2011
http://www.mindmaster.tv/ How to directly access The Power of Your Mind to achieve your personal goals. Visit MindMaster.TV for a free trial.
Accelerate manifestation of your goals and dreams, and Master the Law of Attraction (as seen in The Secret): See thousands of reviews on http://www.facebook.com/MindMaster.TV


Grateful thanks to MindMaster TV, Kristin Pfeifer, the host and Tony Dosanjh, the Creator and also YouTube.

Picture of the day-383: Lot of Kangaroos!

Lot of Kangaroos! Another photo taken at the VGP Universal Kingdom by Suri 

with his Canon Powershot A590 IS digital camera.

My Photo Album-149: Shwetha as Lord Muruga

A Thought for Today-574: Wisetrack, Chennai Times

Motivation is what gets you started.  Habit is what keeps you going - Wisetrack, Chennai Times, May 24, 2012.

Grateful thanks to The Times of India.

Picture of the day-382: VGP Universal Kingdom Entrance

Photo by Suri with his Canon Powershot A590 IS digital camera.

My Photo Album-148: Suri with Maha - Recent photo

Last month we had been to Samayapuram and worshipped Arulmigu Mariamman there.  We offered our hair.  This photo was taken after that.

A Thought for Today-573: Wisetrack, Chennai Times

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds your plant – Wisetrack, Chennai Times, June 7, 2012

Grateful thanks to The Times of India.

Picture of the day-381: VGP Universal Kingdom

Photo taken by Suri at VGP Universal Kingdom, Chennai.

Amusement Parks/Theme Parks are wonderful places to spend a holiday with your children, provided you have an open purse.  Disney Land is the forerunner today's theme parks.  Now, we have in Chennai alone about half-a-dozen theme parks like MGM and Kishkinta.

About Amusement Parks/Theme Parks from Wikipedia:

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

VGP Universal Kingdom Website:

http://vgpuniversalkingdom.in/

About VGP Universal Kingdom from Wikipedia:

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

About Amusemnent Parks/Theme Parks from About.com:

http://themeparks.about.com/

About Amusement Parks/Theme Parks in Chennai:

http://www.chennaihub.com/amusement-parks-around-chennai.html

About Disney World from Wikipedia:

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

Grateful thanks to VGP Universal Kingdom, Disney World, Chennaihub.com and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

My Photo Album-147: Aravind

A Thought for Today-572: Wisetrack, Chennai Times

If you are out of ideas, try the outdoors; nature is always a good source of inspiration – Wisetrack, Chennai Times, June 30, 2012

Grateful thanks to The Times of India.

Letters-91: Dumping of Toxic wastes

A letter by Manicklal Chakraborty, Chennai, in the City Mailbox of the Chennai edition of The Times of India dated July 18, 2012:

Apropos the news report, "INDIAN PORTS STUCK WITH TOXIC WASTE FROM EUROPE" (July 17, 2012), the fragile ecosystem along the 7,600 km-long Indian coastline faces a serious threat.  Even as dangerous foreign waste continues to be dumped here, it is unfortunate that the shipping ministry promises immediate action but does little.  Before things go from bad to worse, the ministry of surface transport and the ministry of environment and forests must act to save our ecosystem.  Will they?

The article that appeared in the Times of India issue of July 17, 2012, under the caption, "Indian ports stuck with toxic waste dumped by Europe" by Arun Janardhanan, TNN:
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-17/india/32712799_1_indian-ports-toxic-waste-major-ports

For more info on Toxic Wastes from Wikipedia:

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

An Overview of Toxic Waste Facts, Toxic Waste Information from the National Geographic:

Learn about the causes and effects of Toxic Waste at National Geographic, and ... Violations, like dumping hazardous waste:

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/toxic-waste-overview/

Grateful thanks to Mr.Manicklal Chakraborty, The Times of India, The National Geographic and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Eyecatchers-161: Adarsh scam: Post-PIL, Chavan returned Rs.69 lakhs paid for flats

I came across this shocking news with the above caption by Rebecca Samervel, TNN, in the Chennai edition of The Times of India dated July 23, 2012.  Further, I surfed the net and gathered some more info.  The gist of the news:

As you may be aware, the Adarsh housing scheme was meant for the welfare of serving and retired personnel of the Defence Services.  But breaking all rules, politicians and bureaucrats were allotted flats.  It has come to light that the former CM of Maharashtra, Ashok Chavan, was allotted two flats, for which money was paid by Malav Shah, son of his close associate and builder Jayant Shah.  Chavan's mother-in-law, his sister-in-law and his father-in-law's brother were also allotted flats.

Chavan had stated that the CBI was a conspiracy by his rivals to malign him.

Chavan returned to Malav Shah Rs.69 lakhs(Rs.55 and 14 lakhs) after a PIL was filed.  These facts find a place in the CBI's 38-page synopsis  (chargesheet runs to 10,000 pages!).

To know more about the Adarsh Housing Scam from Wikipedia:

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

Grateful thanks to Ms  Rebecca Samervel, The Times of India and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Picture of the day-380:

Photo taken at VGP Universal Kingdom, Chennai

My Photo Album-146: Suri

Photo taken by Aravind more than a year ago at our Kottaiyur residence

A Thought for Today-571: Voltaire

Work spares us from three evils: BOREDOM, VICE and NEED – Voltaire, prolific and famous French writer, historian and great philosopher

To know more about Voltaire:

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

Voltaire's magnum opus, Candide, full text from Project Gutenberg:

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/19942/19942-h/19942-h.htm

Grateful thanks to Project Gutenberg and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Self-Improvement-103: Power of Thought - A Quantum Perspective - By Kent Healy

A scientific approach to explaining the power of thought. We have all heard it before, "Your thoughts create your reality." Well, new quantum physics studies support this idea. Learn about recent research about how the mind can influence the behavior of subatomic particles and physical matter. If you enjoy the video, please pass it on to friends and family.

Uploaded by KentHealy on Apr 12, 2009


This video has been seen by 445,664 persons so far!

Grateful thanks to Mr.Kent Healy, www.coolstuffmedia.com and YouTube.

Picture of the day-379:

My Photo Album-145: Suri with wife

A Thought for Today-570: Dr Norman Vincent Peale

Do not build up obstacles in your imagination – Dr Norman Vincent Peale

Picture of the day-378:

My Photo Album-144: Suri with Senthil

A Thought for Today-569: Kalidasa

Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow is only a vision.  But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope - Kalidasa

Source: Sacred Space, The Times of India

Grateful thanks to The Times of India.

Eyecatchers-160: Suburban (Railway) Network's killer line claims one life every day!

Excerpt from the article, "Suburban Network's Killer Line Claims 1 Life Every Day - 220 killed in last six and a half months on Beach-Guduvanchery stretch; Railway Force launches Awareness Drive to address issue" by D.Madhavan, TNN in the Chennai edition of The Times of India dated July 20, 2012:

I felt sad reading the above news item.  Most of those killed are between 18 and 30 years of age.  Talking on cellphone while crossing tracks is the main reason for the deaths.  Due to lack of sidewalls, trespassing is frequent. Another cause is footboard travel.

People are dying unnecessarily at the prime of their life, making the life of their parents and other relatives miserable and painful.  Carelessness (talking on mobiles while crossing tracks), laziness(to use the overbridge) and recklessness(footboard travel) these will be avoided if only one thinks of their loving dear ones waiting for them at home.

Grateful thanks to The Times of India.    

Letters-90: Cry, my beloved country!

Excerpt From a Letter from a reader in the Mailbox of The Times of India dated July 17, 2012:

....We live in a country of barbarians who have no fear of law or respect for civility.  The culprits are the authorities who are callous and nasty.  The recent incident in Assam is said to be of a jilted goon who has the patronage of the powers that be  The farce of a few arrests is laughable.  It is just a re-enactment of the charades we have witnessed against parents who kill children for honour and members of organisations who strip girls in the open.  The latest Taliban-type diktat against women in UP is another case in point.  The root cause of the malaise is politicians who do not move even their little finger for fear of antagonising vote banks. - Mukund Kumar, Mumbai

Grateful thanks to Mr.Mukund Kumar and The Times of India.

Eyecatchers-159: HC raps school for retaining certificates of resigned teachers

I came across this news with the above caption in the Chennai edition of The Times of India dated July 20, 2012.  A gist of the article:

The Madras High Court came down strongly on a private school for refusing to return the original certificates of three teachers who had resigned and ordered police to initiate criminal action against the management. The management admitted the certificates were in its custody but said that at the time of entering service, it was agreed that any teacher leaving service in the middle of an academic year would have to pay back three months salary to get back original certificates and contended that as such no direction could be issued by the court for filing a case.  The court disagreed and said the original certificates were properties that could not be transferred even by means of an agreement and held that the agreement was unlawful.

It is a common practice in many private institutions.  I myself know of many instances where private institutions do this sort of thing and blackmail the employees and how agonising it was for the employees; the managements would make the employees cringe before them and beg.  It is heartening to see an end to this blackmail and I would like to join the affected parties and thank the court for the verdict.

Grateful thanks to The Times of India.

Picture of the day-377:

My Photo Album-143: Suri

Suri by Aravind

A Thought for Today-568: Aristotle

The energy of  the mind is the essence of life - Aristotle

Eyecatchers-158: SC pulls up Centre, MP on drug trials - Questions Govt's Lethargy in gathering data to act against erring doctors

I came across a news item with the above caption in the Chennai edition of The Times of India dated July 17, 2012. The Supreme Court has pulled up the Centre and the MP Govt for showing lack of sensitivity and urgency in collecting data and responding to a public interest litigation. It gave the Govt and the Medical Council of India eight weeks time to file their reports. The news made a painful reading and exposed the callousness on the part of Govt and some doctors. I also made a search in the Net.   The gist of what I gathered:

Unauthorised clinical trials of drugs on humans, unsuspecting poor patients willing to take any sort of treatment, is taking a toll of precious human lives.  Most deaths go unnoticed and unreported.  Even when the Govt acts, the culprits escape with minor fines. Some statistics provided by The Times of India under the caption, HUMAN GUINEA PIGS:

* Illegal clinical trils of drugs rampant in India.

* 1,514 deaths between 2008 and 2010 in clnical trials across the country.

* Madhya Pradesh govt let go doctors who conducted trias on women, children and mentally retarded by imposing a fine of Rs.500/-

* The Supreme Court expresses concern over the lethargic manner in which the Centre gathers data about clinical drug trials.

A general article on Clinical Trials from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, which clearly indicates the regulations and precautions required:

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

12 Bhopal gas tragedy victims die in drug trials:

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/12-bhopal-gas-tragedy-victims-die-in-drug-trials/272086-3-236.html

FAQ on Clinical Trials:

http://www.progressivelifesciences.com/FAQ.html 

Grateful thanks to The Times of India, IBN Live.com, Progressive Life Sciences.com and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Eyecatchers-157: Groundwater to be made public property

A new item with the above caption in the Chennai edition of The Times of India dated July 18, 2012 caught my eye.  The gist of the news is:

Groundwater, a precious natural resource, is for all practical purposes private property in India Anyone can bore and extract water with few rules to restric over-exploitation.

This may soon change.  Like oil, gas and minerals, groundwater may also become public property.  As 'water' is a state subject under the Constitution, both Centre and States have to enact law to make this happen. Reckless over-exploitation may lead to serious environmental consequences.

If you want to know all about groundwater, the following links may be of help.

For more info on Groundwater from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

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

An Abstract of the Salient Features of GROUND WATER YEARBOOK OF TAMIL NADU STATE AND PONDICHERRY AND KARAIKAL REGIONS OF UNION TERRITORY OF PONDICHERRY (2005-2006):

http://cgwb.gov.in/secr/gwm_yb_2003_04.htm

GROUND WATER SCENARIO OF TAMIL NADU FROM CENTRAL GROUND WATER BOARD' SITE:

http://cgwb.gov.in/gw_profiles/st_TN.htm

Grateful thanks to The Times of India, The Central Ground Water Board and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Picture of the day-376:

My Photo Album-142: Pravin in Rocky Mountains

Pravin with Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA in the background

A Thought for Today-567: Bernice J Reagon

Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyse you, they are supposed to help you discover who you are – Bernice J Reagon

Eyecatchers-156: HIV funds diverted for ACs, furniture

I came across an article in the Chennai edition of The Times of India dated July 16, 2012, captioned, "Govt used HIV funds for ACs, furniture? - Purchases worht Rs.5 lakh adorn ADG office; Internal Probe Currently Underway"

Sources in paramilitary forces said the funds were allocated to the MHA under a World Health Organisation program aimed to combat the HIV/AIDS menace among the personnel and officials of the border guarding/paramilitary forces like the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG and the Assam Rifles. (For full article, please try The Times of India online edition).

Grateful thanks to The Times of India.

Eyecatchers-155:Couple with Rs.30 lakhs pay seek free schooling!

The RTE Act provides Quota in private schools for children belonging to disadvantaged groups and weaker sections.  A case has come to light where a couple with annual income of Rs.30 lakhs tried to claim free education for their child in Rajaji Vidyashram of Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan.  Obviously, the school refused and the matter went to Chennai High Court.  The court refused to accept the contention of the couple, saying that if that is accepted it will do violence to the object of the RTE Act. 

Source: The Times of India, Chennai, July 16, 2012

Self-Improvement-102: Happiness Formula by Deepak Chopra

To know about Dr Deepa Chopra, Indian-born, American physician and world-famous writer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepak_Chopra


Grateful thanks to Dr Deepak Chopra, Choprablog, YouTube and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Picture of the day-375: Sri Thiruvenkadamudaiyan Temple, Ariyakudi

Photo taken by Suri with his Canon Powershot A590 IS digital camera

My Photo Album-141: Vinod in his Lab

Photo taken by one of his colleagues

A Thought for Today-566: Jose Ortega y Gasset

Life is a petty thing unless it is moved by the indomitable urge to extend its boundaries. Only in proportion as we are desirous of living do we really live - Jose Ortega y Gasset

To know more about Jose Ortega y Gassset, the Spanish Liberal Philosopher and Essayist:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Ortega_y_Gasset

To know about Ortega's famous book, The Revolt of the Masses (A look at the revolt of the masses in early 19th century Europe) :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Revolt_of_the_Masses


A summary of the above book:
http://www.epinions.com/content_3232276612?sb=1


Grateful thanks to Epinions (unbiased review by Real People) and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Eyecatchers-154: "Children of a lesser cut"

I came across this shocking and painful news in the first page of The Hindu of July 18, 2012.  Presumably to distingish the children admitted under the Right to Education Act, four children in Bangalore were forced to attend school in humiliation after a private institution allegedly cut off tufts of hair on top of their heads.  This private institution is one of those who have been opposing the 25% Quota of RTE Act. These children had to undergo other humiliations also, which you can read by going thru the article.  The link is:

Children of a Lesser Cut from The Hindu of July 18, 2012:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3650505.ece

Grateful thanks to The Hindu.