Eyecatchers-29 : 'The Earth is a borderless entity: Sunita Williams'

The Indian-origin American astronaut, Sunita Williams, arrived at Ahmedabad on Thursday, the September 20, 2007, for a six-day visit to her native Gujarat, the first since she returned from her historic six-month sojourn at the International Space Station.

She was accorded a tumultuous reception by people who turned up in large numbers at the Ahmedabad airport.

She began her visit by paying homage to the 'Father of the Nation' at the Sabarmati Ashram. There she attended a prayer meeting. She interacted with a large number of school students. She told them about her experiences in space an d how the earth looked like from the window of the space station.

Ms Williams told the gathering that "borders" between the nations were all "creations of the mind" of the people and from outer space, the earth was a single "borderless" entity. She said India looked the "most beautiful" from space.

Excerpt from the news report of Manas Dasgupta in The Hindu of Sep.21, 2007.

Grateful thanks to Manas Dasgupta and The Hindu.

Websites to Watch-2 : 'The Nobel Prize : Offical Website'

The Official Nobel Prize Website

This is another interesting website which I like. I am reproducing information about the website from the website itself ('About Nobelprize.org and Nobel Web').

Nobelprize.org is the official web site of the Nobel Foundation. Here you will find information for every Nobel Prize since 1901, including the Nobel Laureates' biographies, Nobel Lectures, interviews, photos, articles, video clips, press releases, educational games and more.

Nobelprize.org (http://nobelprize.org/) is a registered trademark, and is produced, managed and maintained by Nobel Web. Nobel Web AB is a Swedish corporate entity and subsidiary of the Nobel Foundation Rights Association, a non-profit association managing the rights of the Nobel Foundation. Alongside its own productions, Nobel Web AB processes and publishes information from the Nobel Foundation, the Nobel Prize-Awarding Institutions, the Nobel Laureates and other Nobel Prize-associated entities. Its dedicated staff is assisted by advisers, whose knowledge and expertise about Nobel Prize topics and the Nobel Laureates' achievements ensure the reliability and quality of the information presented at Nobelprize.org.

Nobelprize.org provides comprehensive, first-hand information about the Nobel Prize and Nobel Laureates in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace starting in 1901, as well as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel and the Economics Laureates starting in 1969. Visitors to the site also get to know about Alfred Nobel, the man behind the Nobel Prize.

As the official online information source for the Nobel Prize, visitors learn about the names of the year's Nobel Laureates just seconds after the prize announcements are made by the Nobel Prize-Awarding Institutions in October. Aside from the press releases, information about the Nobel Laureates and their work is made available through interviews, Nobel Lectures, speeches, articles, and more.

In December, as the Nobel Laureates arrive in Stockholm and Oslo to receive the Nobel Prize Medal, Diploma and prize amount, Nobelprize.org follows their activities and presents them online. Visitors can also watch the Nobel Laureates present their Nobel Lectures, and experience the magic of the Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies through live web casts. Those who have missed these events can watch them afterwards through on-demand videos.

Through the assistance of foundations, corporate sponsors and educational bodies, Nobel Web AB produces interactive, multimedia documents aimed at inspiring young people to learn more about the achievements of the Nobel Laureates. These are rapidly becoming extremely popular resources for teachers and students.

Websites to Watch-1 : 'The Why Files'

The Why? Files : Science behind the News

This is an interesting website worth watching. I have just reproduced information about the website from 'About the Why files' from the website itself, which is self-explanatory.

Mission

The mission of The Why Files is to explore the science, math and technology behind the news of the day, and to present those topics in a clear, accessible and accurate manner. We are based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but The Why Files covers science at all institutions that engage in scientific exploration and discovery. We hope this information will help explain the relationship between science and daily life.

Content

The Why Files produces a new story each week, alternating longer features with shorter shorties. We also post a biweekly column by science reporter Tom Siegfried, a series of interactive science animations, the ever-popular "Cool Science Images," and a series of Teacher Activity Pages linked to the national science standards.

History

The Why Files was founded in 1996 as part of the National Institute for Science Education, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Since 1998, we have been supported through the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Use policies

The Why Files is committed to offering broad access to the scientific enterprise. We encourage the use of our content -- on the web or as hard copy -- for non-profit, educational activities. Please credit, "Courtesy University of Wisconsin Board of Regents." Our material must be used without alteration, and such use does not abrogate or diminish our copyright in any way. Our articles may not be sold, or used for commercial purposes or to endorse any product.

Digging inside The Why Files

Got a science question?
Awards
Research on the Why Files.

Blogs to Watch-9 : LITERATURE yb

LITERATURE yb

Blogs to Watch-8 : UPANISHADS yb

UPANISHADS yb

Discussion on Upanishads

Blogs to Watch-7 : MANAGEMENT ISSUES yb

MANAGEMENT ISSUES yb

Personality Development, Management and Self-Improvement

Blogs to Watch-6 : Computerized World - Technical resources collection by Kamal Mettananda

Computerized World - Technical resources collection by Kamal Mettananda

Blogs to Watch-5 : Volunteers_srkm : Volunteers of Sri Ramakrishna Order

volunteers_srkm : Volunteers of Sri Ramakrishna Order

Blogs to Watch-4 : Devotees of Holy Trio | Google Groups

Devotees of Holy Trio Google Groups

Blogs to Watch-4 : BabyWhisperingLoudly: WTF is Hanford?: How Getting to Know The BOMB Helped Me Find My SELF

BabyWhisperingLoudly: WTF is Hanford?: How Getting to Know The BOMB Helped Me Find My SELF

Blogs to Watch-3 : Learning the Gita | God, Very, Means, Gita, Learn

Learning the Gita God, Very, Means, Gita, Learn

Blogs to Watch-2 : Rhapsodiz

Rhapsodiz

The title says it all. I want to write about everyday stuff you and I come across and tell you my opinion on it. If you dont like what I say, Comment and it will be looked into.

Blogs to Watch-1 : Silicon Sentient

Silicon Sentient

The latest happenings in the Indian Techonological sphere. Interviews, opinions and possible podcasts. And of course, the force behind it all, the sentience of working with silicon.

A Thought for Today-69: September 3, 2007

Strive and Succeed - Horatio Alger

A Thought for Today-68: September 2, 2007

The individual being has to find himself, his true existence; he can only do this BY GOING INWARD, BY LIVING WITHIN and FROM WITHIN..... - Sri Aurboindo (from 'The Life Divine')

A Thought for Today-67: September 1, 2007

The test of courage comes when we are in the minority; the test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority - Ralph W.Sockman

A Thought for Today-66: August 31, 2007

Solitude and Quiet connects you to your creative source and releases the limitless intelligence of the Universe - Robin S.Sharma in The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.

Grateful thanks to Mr.Robin S.Sharma from an ardent admirer and regular reader of his books.

Eyecatchers-28 : 'Intel to offer net-based content to schools' - Express News Service, The New Indian Express

Chennai, Sep.3: Craig R.Barrett, Chairman, Intel Corporation, on Monday said that Intel would provide Internet-based content to over 1,800 secondary schools in Tamil Nadu for student learning and teacher training.

Addressing reporters after holding discussions with Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi at his residence here, the Intel chief said the organisation would assist the State Government in providing WIMAX broadband access to 50 government schools in tier-two towns, such as, Coimbatore, Tiruchy, Madurai and Erode, for providing content and training to the schools.

Besides Intel would donate 500 personal computers to government schools.

Later, a press release from the company said that Intel and Tamil Nadu Govt would work together to expand the above network through support from USO funds, thereby connecting several schools, government offices, and health centres in more districts.

The release also said that Intel would work with the State Government in achieving leadership position in adoption of broadband and set an example for the rest of India, in terms of connectivity to schools, hospitals and government institutes.

Courtesy: Express News Service, The New Indian Express, Madurai, Sep.4, 2007

Grateful thanks to The New Indian Express.

Eyecatchers-27 : 'Let Us Know Gandhi Through Correspondence' - Riyas, K.P. in Education Express, Supp. to The New Indian Express

"My life is my message." It was Gandhi's message to the world. The Gandhi Study Centre, located in Chennai, is on mission to spread the message of Gandhi's life and philosophy to the common man with a special focus on youth. The purpose is to teach the society the positive message of Gandhi's life based on historical facts and analysis, which is becoming increasingly relevant to the world, the centre is conducting correspondence course and study classes for the public and the students.

'Let Us Know Gandhi Through Correspondence' is a course conducted in Tamil and English by Gandhi Study Centre, which gives a rare chance to know and familiarise with the life and thoughts of Mahatma.

The course duration is three months. Contact classes at the nearby cities will also be arranged for the benefit of the students. The question paper will be sent to the participants. They can write the exams in their residence itself and send the answer papers to the centre.

The date of exam will be January 30, 2008. Certificates will be sent in due course to the successful candidates. Registration fee and course fee per candidate is Rs.150/- and those who register their names will get study materials free of cost. There is no educational qualification and age limit for enrolling in the course.

The Centre has instituted an award in the name of its founder TD Tirumalai for the students and the schools who take up the exam on My Experiments with Truth. It consists of cash prizes: Rs.1000/- (one first prize), Rs.500/- (six second prizes) and Rs.250/- (six third prizes).

With a good collection of materials on Gandhi, its library and research center has been recognized as one of the resource centres on Gandhi. The library which contains 10,000 books, CDs, video tapes, cassettes and photo collections, is a good resource option for educational institutions, research scholars, social activists and the public alike.

For more details:

Gandhi Study Centre, 58,Venkatnarayana Road (near Hindi Prachar Sabha), T.Nagar, Chennai-600017. Ph: (044)24346549, 9444183198

(Excerpt from 'Let Us Know Gandhi...' by Riyas K.P. in Education Express, Supp. to The New Indian Express, Madurai, Aug.31, 2007)(Grateful thanks to Riyas K.P. and The New Indian Express)

Eyecatchers-26 : 'University of Madras Completes 150 Years' - Education Express, Supp. to The New Indian Express

150 GLORIOUS YEARS by Sharada Narayanan

The University of Madras campus in Chepauk wears a new look. There is more activity, and the rains have added more sheen to the buildings. There is not a trace of it wearing out with 150 years of usage. And to top it all, there are plans to have a new building with 2.5 lakh sq.ft space within the campus. If anything, the university only seems to be getting younger!

Madras University was established on September 5, 1857, based on the London University model, as there was a need for "creating a properly articulated system of education from the primary school to the University" in Madras Presidency. Today, it offers courses in over 70 departments and has linkages with 41 universities across 17 countries.

The university has taken this opportunity to indulge in community service measures. It had adopted 100 slums and 50 villages in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur and will provide for their educational, economical, social and health requirements.

(Excerpt from Education Express, Supp. to The New Indian Express, Madurai, Aug.31, 2007)