Have a Hearty Laugh-4:

"There is no groupism in the Congress Party" - Thangabalu, President, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee.

Source: Kumudam, Tamil Weekly, July 23, 2008.

Grateful thanks to Kumudam.

Health Warnings-3: “Asbestos Roofing Harmful”

Some schools in the city have asbestos roofing. Asbestos exposure is prone to fatal diseases like mesothelioma or lung cancer. It is very dangerous for the children who inhale the asbestos dust. The time-limit between asbestos exposure and disease onset is longer in many cases. Although institutions are aware that asbestos sheets can be replaced with other substitutes like glass fibre, carbon fibre and organic fibre, the alteration is not done. The school authorities must take the matter seriously.

- K.Aravind, Pazhavanthangal, Chennai

Courtesy: “Vent Your Anger”, Deccan Chronicle, Chennai, July 28, 2008

A detailed article on “Asbestos” from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos#Health_and_the_environment

Articles: “Stop Asbestos!”, “ILO to promote global asbestos ban”, “Breathtaking” and “Selling death” from Hazards Magazine. UK:
http://www.hazards.org/asbestos/

Article on “The Wittenoom Tragedy” from the site of Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Inc.
http://www.asbestosdiseases.org.au/asbestosinfo/wittenoom_tragedies.htm

Article on “Asbestos is the UK's biggest workplace killer” from the Trade Union Congress, UK, website:
http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/index.cfm?mins=262

Article on “Asbestos Deadly Serious – Prevent Exposure!” from
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work’s Website:
http://osha.europa.eu/en/campaigns/asbestos

Article on “Hazardous Materials: Asbestos” from the website of
Heggies Pty Ltd, Australia:
http://www.heggies.com/website/content/hazardous/asbestos.html

Article on “Asbestos Danger: Do You Have Zonolite In Your Attic?” from the website of NBC5.
http://www.nbc5.com/money/1993941/detail.html

Grateful thanks to Mr.K.Aravind, Deccan Chronicle, Hazards Magazine-UK; Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Inc.; Trade Union Congress, UK; European Agency for Safety and Health at Work; Heggies Pty Ltd, Australia; NBC5; and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health Warnings-2: "Is Your Cell Phone Trying to Kill You?"

"Is Your Cell Phone Trying to Kill You?"
by Mike Elgan, Computerworld, 08/01/2008

Don't look now, but your cell phone is out to get you. This deadly device can cause accidents, give you cancer or even kill you, according to a rising chorus of alarmist reports.

Excerpt from "Is Your Cell Phone Trying to Kill You?" by Mike Elgan, Computerworld, 08/01/2008, which appeared on Network World at: http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/080108-is-your-cell-phone-trying.html

To read this interesting article in full, click the URL above.

Grateful thanks to Mike Elgan, Computerworld and Network World.

How To: How to Find What You're Good At

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

An editor has suggested that this article be merged with: "How to Find a Talent" Per the merge policy, if these topics are determined to be similar but distinct, then the articles will remain separate. Please comment on the discussion page. Notice added on 2008-02-10.
This is for the people who don't think they are good at anything. This can happen if you see someone do something that you can't do. Here's a step-by-step guide.

Steps

1. Think of things that you have always wanted to do. Don't go overboard, like bungee jumping or sky diving; do simple stuff like music, sports, or art.
   
2. It may help to write down the things you have wanted to do. This way, you can easily eliminate things you could not do for whatever reason. (Like if you live in Kansas, you couldn't learn to surf).
   
3. Don't get mad if you can't do something right. No one can do everything perfectly.
   
4. Don't be discouraged by people who think you'll fail. Putting your all into it and having the guts to do something new is a great thing!
   
5. If you can't do something that well, its okay. Practice makes perfect, and everyone has a talent. Some people are just still looking for their own.
   
6. The most important step of all: Have FUN!!
   

Tips

• Don't get mad if other people make fun of you, just keep trying. Their opinions don't count. If you think you are doing good, then you are doing good.
  
• Everyone has talent, but sometimes they are either too negative to find that talent, or they think the talent will come to them. Always try new things... you never know what happens when you do.
  

Warnings

• Don't try to do certain things without the right gear or protection, especially if it's your first time.

Things You'll Need

• Ambition
  
• Self-motivation

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Find What You're Good At. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Environment-10: “Pollution of Yamuna Waters”

Rs.872 crore was spent for cleaning the Yamuna river since 1994. However, the pollution level in the water has only been increasing.

Courtesy: The Week, April 24, 2005.

Wikipedia articles on:

“Yamuna” (with pollution and other details)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamuna_river#Pollution

“Water Pollution”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_pollution

Grateful thanks to The Week and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health Warning-1: “Poisoning”

In India, 47% of the poison cases reported at the National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, are because of:

1. Mosquito Repellents
2. Detergents
3. Antiseptics and
4. Cosmetics.

Courtesy: The Week, May 8, 2005.

Wikipedia articles on:

“Poison”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison

“List of Extremely Hazardous Substances”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_extremely_hazardous_substances

Link to NPIC Webpage at the AIIMS Website:
http://www.aiims.edu/aiims/departments/NPIC/NPICIntro.htm

Grateful thanks to The Week, NPIC, AIIMS and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

S&T Watch-20 : “Genetic Mutations”

On a rough estimate, each newly-conceived human being has around 300 harmful genetic mutations.

Courtesy: ‘Prospect’ magazine (quoting www.edge.org, ), May 2005.

Wikipedia article on “Mutation”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_mutations

Grateful thanks to Edge.org, Prospect magazine and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Facts & Figures-38: “Coca-Cola’s Profit”

The world’s biggest soft drink company, Coca-Cola earned a profit of Rs.4500 crores in just three months! (i.e. in the first quarter of 2005 alone).

Courtesy: ‘Dinamani’, Tamil daily, April 21, 2005

Wikipedia articles on:

“Coca-Cola”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-cola

“Soft drink”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_drink

Grateful thanks to ‘Dinamani’ and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Eyecatchers-97: “Drought Deaths”

2,80,000 deaths occurred in the world due to drought during 1991-2000.

Courtesy; The Week, July 3, 3005.

Wikipedia articles on:

“Drought”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drought

“Natural Disaster”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Disasters#Droughts

“List of Famines”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_famines

Grateful thanks to The Week and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

India Watch-8: “Knowledge Sharing”

Rs.731 billion will be generated by India by 2010 by knowledge sharing, says the CII.

Courtesy: The Week, May 29, 2005.

Wikipedia article on “Knowledge Sharing”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_sharing

Grateful thanks to The Week and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Letters-32: “Fighting Terror”

There are two modules of terrorism. One that preaches terrorism and another that executes it. Those who preach terrorism are more dangerous than those who act on their hate philosophy. The state should identify them first if terrorism is to be curbed. – K.R.Vimalchand, Chennai.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, August 2, 2008 (“Letters to the Editor”)

Wikipedia articles on:

"Terrorism"

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

"War on Terrorism"

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

"Terrorism: Opposing Viewpoints"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism:_Opposing_Viewpoints_%282004%29

From the Institute of American Values (www.AmericanValues.org) an interesting article:

"What we are fighting for?"

http://www.americanvalues.org/html/what_we_re_fighting_for.html

Grateful thanks to Mr.K.R.Vimalchand, Chennai; The Hindu, The Institute for American Values and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

My Photo Album-48: "Dad, about a year before his demise"

Both my parents are highly independent and they always got what they wanted. However, as the eldest son, I had more influence on them than others.

The last few of years of his life, dad spent with one or the other of his children as per his personal choice. Finally, the stay at the Old Age Home was also his choice. He told us that he did not want to be burden on any of us.

This photo was taken at the Old Age Home about a year before his demise. He was convalescing from a viral fever. After this, my brother took him to his home. He lived there for a few months. During the last few months, he wanted to be near me. We have been close to each other, more friends than father and son. So we brought him to our place. However, during the last days, we fell out with each other and I did not see him for nearly a month. When I finally went to him he was unable to recognize me. He passed away at the age of 80.

When I think of it now, I am unable to believe that I actually did it. The guilty feeling and the agony probably I will have to carry with me to my grave. There were so many problems which I had not the courage, strength and wherewithal to face or tackle. It is no use thinking of them now; better let them remain buried. Probably I may have to pay for this towards the end of my life. Let it be so.

My Photo Album-47: "Suri with Ammu and Aravind"

I think this photo is 4 to 5 years old. Ammu and Aravind have grown up now (doing VI and V Std respectively). It was taken by my friend, Annamalai, at our then residence.

My Album-46: "Suri as a kid"

This damaged photo should be more than 55 years old. This is one of the very few photos of me as a kid. Probably this was taken at Courtallam in front of the relative's bungalow, where we were staying. I still remember at least some of the incidents that took place during that stay.

My Album-45: "My Grandparents"

I know of my grandparents only through this photo and what all my dad said about them. My dad lost his dad when he was 8 years old and his mother, when he was 9 years old. So what all he remembered was from his childhood days only.

My grandpa, I was told, was a voratious reader and collector of books, good books. But for one compilation, which I still keep, all his books were gone, as nobody took any interest in them.

As far as I know, I inherited at least two things from my grandpa: one is love of books and the other is bronchial asthma. Both seem to be growing with age and I take pride in calling myself a bibliophile - booklover, (no space or no hyphen between 'book' and 'lover', as the separation is painful to me.)

As far my grandma, I was told, that she was very devoted to my grandpa and could not live without him and hence wanted to die to join him "up there". God granted her desire and she joined him within a year of his demise.

As a result, my dad and his younger brother grew up in a rich but childless relative's house.

The only remnant, this photograph, was lying in a quiet corner. Who knows, one day my children may want to know about their great-grandparents. So I post this photo. Let me see whether this post awakens any curiosity in them and they ask any questions about them. In which case, I can also refresh my memory of what dad told about them and pass on that to my children.

Nellaiappan's Column-6: "Thanksgiving"

Thanks Giving

I want to thank many people-
A few are not alive today;
Whereabouts of some not known;
Don’t even know the names of one or two.

Some seen only in books;
Many only heard about;
Yet want to thank them all,
For, I am what I am because of them.

Mother, for imbibing gentleness in me;
Father, for imparting the art of reasoning;
Elder brother, for demonstrating ethics and values;
Younger brother, for being my first friend.

Tamil teacher, for inculcating a love for languages;
Sanskrit master, for my English vocabulary;
Lord Alagappa, for my college education;
My old secondhand cycle, for the trips to and fro.

Friend Annamalai -
For introducing Lin Yutang and Dale Carnegie
And for chiseling some thing inside me

Penfriend Sala –
Deserves a handshake
Though faded away now
Like a passing cloud;
For filling a vacuum those days
When the very thought of a friend
in the opposite sex was exciting.

Author Naa.Paa. -
for molding my character;
Kalki -
for the inspiration to write in Tamil;
How one can forget Poorani and Aravindan,
Vanthiathevan challenging Alwarkkadiyan?

Given an opportunity to re-live,
Jeyakanthan’s and Balakumaran’s
Every word I shall read and re-read,
And a red salute to my Vairamuthu.

Who could match Valampuri John?
Voracious reader, Unique orator.
Though political misjudgments
Overshadow his fame;
I bow my head for whatever I learnt from him.

My friends-
Gentle Venkatachalam, busy Chandran,
Innocent Ramanathan and turbulent Mohan
everyone is important in their own way
either one’s company would wipe worries away.

At the career front
Many deserve my thanks -
From some I learnt what to do and how
From some others what not to do and why
Making me a manager and a trainer.

I still keep on learning-
For there is no end to learning;
As Tamil sage-poet would say
What we have learnt is only a handful
And what we have to is like the Universe.

At the home front -
My Kannamma for putting up
With my idiosyncrasies and shortcomings;
My beloved daughters for making
Life meaningful and worth living;
And for all the three of them
For being the driving force behind me.

I surrender at His holy feet
Myself and all that He has given me.
No regrets and no complaints;
I only wonder about His plans for me.

Eyecatchers-96: IIT-Madras Celebrates Golden Jubilee!

The prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, is planning to have year-long celebrations in commemoration of its Golden Jubilee.

IIT-M, as it is popularly known, was established in July 1959 under Indo-German Cooperation.

Its Alumni of nearly 32,000 spread all over the world are occupying top positions in industry and academia.

Source: The Hindu, Madurai, July 31, 2008.

Wikipedia article on IIT-Madras:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Institute_of_Technology_Madras

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Eyecatchers-95: "Man Booker Prize for this year"

Two first-time novelists from the subcontinent – Aravind Adiga, an Indian journalist, and Mohammed Hanif, a London-based Pakistani broadcaster – will compete with Salman Rushdie and Amitav Ghosh for this year’s Man Booker Prize, giving it a heavy India-Pakistan flavour.

Adiga’s ‘The White Tiger’ takes a hard look at the underbelly of India’s economic boom. Hanif’s blistering political satire, ‘A Case of Exploding Mangoes’ is about the mysterious air crash that killed Zia-ul-Haq. They are up against Rushdie’s ‘The Enchantress of Florence’ and Ghosh’s ‘Sea of Poppies’.

The 13-strong longlist, picked from among 112 entries, will be whittled down to six. These finalists’ names will be announced in September. The winner of the £50,000 prize will be declared in October.

Excerpt from “Subcontinent looms over Man Booker longlist” by Hasan Suroor in The Hindu, Madurai, July 31, 2008.

Wikipedia article on “Man Booker Prize”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Booker_Prize

Grateful thanks to Hasan Suroor, The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Eyecatchers-94: "22nd World Congress on Philosophy"

Thousands of philosophers from around the globe gathered at Seoul on Wednesday (July 30, 2008) for their first world congress to be held in Asia, to discuss ways to enhance dialogue between different countries.

The 22nd World Congress on Philosophy, being held under the theme of "Rethinking Philosophy Today", has drawn more than 3000 prominent philosophers from some 150 countries - AFP.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, July 31, 2008.

Wikipedia article on "World Congress on Philosophy":

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

Grateful thanks to AFP, The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Eyecatchers-93: "Ban on Fastfood"

Los Angeles officials have approved a one-year ban on fast-food chains opening in a poor neighborhood of the city battling higher-than-average obesity.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, July 31, 2008(“Newscape”).

Wikipedia article on “Childhood Obesity” and “Fastfood”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_obesity

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

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.