Thursday, November 29, 2012

Nisargruna

In order to put an end to the garbage problem which is eating up the garden city, The Bangalore Corporation is setting up 12 Nisargruna biogas plant across the city.
These plants convert biodegradable wastes into methane and other organic matter.
Nisargruna biogas plant is based on the technology developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.

Since these plants are biphasic, which is aerobic followed by anaerobic more methane can be produced. Methane enriched biogas can be directly used for heating or for generating electricity.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Namma Metro


The "Namma Metro" project is a joint venture between the Centre and the state government, in which the former holds a 25% stake.
The overall cost expected for the Phase II of the 76-km Namma Metro project is about Rs 27,000 crore. About Rs 11,000 crore has been spent on the Phase I of the project, partly financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency and Housing and Urban Development Corporation. Asian Development Bank also approved a loan of $250 million (Rs 1,250 crore) for BMRCL earlier this year for the second phase.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

End of Kasab

                                                 Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab

The chapter of the lone surviving gunman of Mumbai attack is finally over.
Sources say Kasab was hanged in Yerwada central prison at about 7:30 am and buried in its premises at 9:30 am today in a top secret operation.
Kasab's plea for clemency was rejected by the President on 5 November 2012.


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

World Diabetes Day


World Diabetes Day today(14 November)
and this year the theme is ‘Diabetes education and prevention' 


Here are few basic things which everyone should know about Diabetes in Q & A type.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

Why is November 14th World Diabetes Day?
November 14th is a significant date in the diabetes calendar as it marks the birthday of the man who co-discovered insulin, Frederick Banting.
Banting discovered insulin in 1922, alongside Charles Best.
World Diabetes Day is internationally recognised and is now an official United Nations Day.

Diabetes and India:

India has become the Diabetes capital having the highest number of diabetic patients in the world(around 51 million people). Currently, up to 11 per cent of India’s urban population and 3 per cent of rural population above the age of 15 have diabetes.

Causes:
Various studies have shown that the high incidence of diabetes in India is mainly because of sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, obesity, stress and consumption of diets rich in fat, sugar and calories


Types:
The most prevalent is the Type 2 diabetes, which constitutes 95 per cent of the diabetic population in the country. In this, patients are non-insulin dependent and they can control the glucose in their blood by eating measured diet, taking regular exercise and oral medication. Worldwide, millions of people have Type 2 diabetes without even knowing it and if not diagnosed and treated, it can develop serious complications.
Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent), however, is not preventable. In India, the Chennai-based Diabetes Research Centre says that over 50 per cent cases of diabetes in rural India and about 30 per cent in urban areas go undiagnosed. Globally, diabetes affects 246 million people, which is about 6 per cent of the total adult population. It is the fourth leading cause of death by disease and every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes in the world. Each year, over three million deaths worldwide are tied directly to diabetes and even greater number die from cardiovascular disease. 
How to prevent?
Modification in lifestyle and proper medication can delay and prevent diabetes in high-risk groups. Eating whole grain carbohydrates and moderate exercise and avoiding excessive weight gain could eliminate over eighty per cent of Type-2 diabetes.





Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Carbohydrates

Let me give you few basic information regarding carbohydrates.
Like you all know the term carbohydrate refers to a large family of organic compounds essentially made of three elements i.e. carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Carbohydrates are widely distributed in plant foods. They are present in the form of three types of compounds called sugars, starches and fibers.
Theses three types of compounds can also be classified as available and non-available carbohydrates. Carbohydrates like sugars and starches are digestible in the human digestive tract and hence can be made available to the body for its functioning. These carbohydrates are termed as available carbohydrates.
Cellulose and certain other large carbohydrate molecules that cannot be digested in the human digestive tract are collectively referred to as fibre or non-available carbohydrates.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Malala Day today

                                                               Malala Yusafzai

Malala needs no introduction. Her face speaks it all.
Barely 15, she is the strength of millions of girls across the globe today.
She was shot in the head and neck on 9 October by Taliban gunmen, just because she goes to school and belongs to a place in Pakistan where Taliban has at times banned girls from going to school. Malala came to limelight in early 2009 with her blog for BBC explaining her life under the Taliban rule, and her insatiable thirst to help thousands of girls who were devoid of education in that area. Later a documentary was filmed on her life and the rest is History.

World is celebrating 'Malala Day' today.
Also there are calls for Malala Yusafzai, an icon of girl education today, to be awarded the Noble Peace Prize.

Lets pray for her to get well soon. And wish many more Malalas to emerge, work for girls education and womens rights. Lets join hands together for the noble cause.


Friday, November 9, 2012

Slow Life

Contrary to the present rapid pace of life and urbanization, slow life focuses on a new level of consciousness and appreciating the things around. Slow life movement was started somewhere in mid-eighties all over the world.

Though many would'nt agree with this concept one can't rule it out completely either at some point.
What a concept to relax the restless bodies and souls! And to lead a natural and simple life!
It encourages people to take time to unwind themselves, spend time with friends and family. It's just an effort to stress free the urban lifestyle, to go back to the countryside and lead a more happier life. Money hardly matters to those who believe in slow life so also the time. They doesn't want to stop the clock nor they believe in time management..
'Much relaxed, cool mind = more productivity' for them.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Cholesterol

Cholesterol and its relationship to health and disease is the hot topic of discussion. Hope you might have come across this term in newspapers, magazines, conversations, advertisements, etc.

What is cholesterol then?
It is a fat-like substance present in foods. Its structure is different from fats and oils(triglycerides).
Animal foods like milk, egg, organ meats, ghee, butter, cream are all rich sources of cholesterol.
Plant foods like vegetable oils(mustard oil, groundnut oil, soya oil), nuts and oils do not contain cholesterol.
We have often seen that some manufacturers of vegetable oils try to mislead the general public by claiming that their products do not contain cholesterol. Now you know that this claim has no basis.

Let me brief the role played by cholesterol in the body:


  • Cholesterol is the structural component of membranes of body cells.
  • The breakdown of cholesterol by the liver produces bile salts. Bile salts are important for the digestion and absorption of fats and some vitamins.
  • It is also necessary for the synthesis of many hormones in the body.
However, extra cholesterol over and above the body needs can be harmful.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The Tradition and History of Dasara


Mysore Palace

The Mysore kings, Wadiyars, were subordinates of the Vijayanagara emperors. They declared independence at the decline of the empire in 1610 AD and tried to retain the latter’s goodwill by continuing the traditions started by them. Raja Wadiyar, the founder of the Mysore kingdom, started the Navaratri festivities in order to celebrate his new - found freedom, and issued an order that the days be observed with piety and splendor by one and all. Initially, as the rulers had their stronghold in Srirangapatn, now a satellite town of Mysore city, the festival continued undisturbed even during the annexation of Mysore (then state) by Hyder Ali and followed by Tippu Sultan’s rule between 1761 and 1799.When Mysore State was restored to Mummadi (lit. ‘ third’)Krishnaraja Wadiyar in 1799, the capital was shifted to Mysore city from Srirangapatna, and the Navaratri festivities began to be performed with greater magnificence in the new capital with the introduction of a special durbar (‘audience’ or ‘royal assembly’) for the Europeans, and direct participation by the common masses.

The attendance of the Europeans indicates the friendly ties that the king had with the colonial rulers, apart from the spreading of the popularity of the event in western media. The festival became a tradition of the royal household and reached its zenith during the rule of Nalvadi (lit. ‘the fourth’) Krishnaraja Wadiyar (1902-1940 AD).
The wooden royal palace of Mysore City was famous for its intricate carvings and embellishments of gold and precious stones. Swami Vivekananda during his itinerant days was a royal guest and had several sessions with the king in this palace. Unfortunately, the palace was destroyed in a fire accident in 1897 and a new palace was built in its place by 1912, surpassing the glory of the previous one with the introduction of electrification and European expertise. The royal durbar, the procession of caparisoned elephants with the king seated in a golden howdah (throne with a canopy) followed by his ministers, administrators, the royal staff and the military came to an end with the taking over of all the kingdoms by the Indian Union in 1947.

The last crowned king, Sri Jaya Chamarajendra Wadiyar, tried to revive the tradition in his personal capacity after a few years, but the old charm was missing. With the annexation of states from kings by the national government, and upon the demise of Jaya Chamarajendra Wadiyar in 1974, the tradition again suffered a setback and Mysore almost lost its unique festival until the Government of Karnataka decided to celebrate it as a state fiesta minus the royal entourage.

Today, on the occasion of the world famous Jambu Savari or Dasara procession on the dasami day, apart from NCC, Scout, and other school and college student displays, tableaus depicting the land’s culture and history, fold-art performances, etc, and volunteer groups follow the caparisoned elephants, one of which (Drona has been doing it since many years) carries the image of Goddess Bhuvanesvari Devi. Bhuvanesvari (a name of Mahisasura-mardini), incidentally, is the goddess of Mysore, and she is none than Durga. She has a temple situated on the hill in Mysore – The Chamundi Hill. There is also the mythological legend, saying that it was on this hill that Mother Chamunda killed the demon Mahisa. In a Bengali article published several years ago in Desh, a famous researcher who conducted a through research on where exactly Durga worship started, says that Mysore is perhaps one of the oldest place of Mother worship. And the reason? It was here that the Mother killed the demon. Apart from the procession, a carnival providing the latest gadgets and amenities to the general public with attractive displays and amusements for all age groups is also being held since 1877. Celebrated musicians, dance and theatre groups perform and add color to the celebrations.

Jambu Savari

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Nirmal Bharat Yatra

Have you heard of the program 'Total Sanitation Campaign'?
This was launched in the year 1999 by the government of India to address the adverse effects caused due to open defecation by promoting toilets.
With only a partial success, the program has been launched afresh as 'Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan' with increased central government's assistance in constructing toilets.

This huge campaign spreading the message of rural sanitation named 'Nirmal Bharat Yatra' which took off from from October 3, focusing on making the country free of open defecation.
Actress Vidya Balan is the brand ambassador for the campaign. The yatra began from Gandhi ashram located in Sevagram in Wardha, Maharashtra. It will pass through five states, with Indore in MP, Kota in Rajasthan, Gwalior in MP, Gorakhpur in UP. It wil end on November 19 in Bettiah in Bihar
where Gandhiji began his first Satyagraha.

The yatra is a carnival like convoy of 40 brightly colored trucks and 500 strong crew. Most importantly the yatra is taking a special care to broach a topic that is a taboo in most of the Indian houses-menstrual hygiene, which is closely related to availability of toilets and water.



Monday, October 1, 2012

World Environment Day Challenge 2012



An environment project made by Hand in Hand India, a Chennai based development organization was named the winner of World Environment Day Challenge 2012 organised by the UN. Projects of our other organisations also emerged victorious for their unique and inspiring work. Hand in Hand India created a colourful 10000 square foot rangoli carpet depicting 10 environmental themes. The awe inspiring theme came into being after the tireless efforts of nearly 500 volunteers.

 To increase the people’s participation in environmental activities the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) had come out with the innovative competition on World Environment Day 2012. Under the competition people across the world were asked to come out with an unique environmental project in connection with World Environment Day 2012. The World Environment Day is observed on 5 June every year.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Cauvery river water dispute

The much talked about dispute is related to sharing of river Cauvery water between the states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. 

The place of origin of the dispute goes back to the two controversial agreements signed between the two states in 1892 and 1924 at the time when the two were parts of Princely State of Mysore and erstwhile Madras Presidency.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Summer Olympics 2012

30th Summer Olympics highlights:
Date: 27th July to 12th August
Venue: Inauguration at Olympic stadium at the Olympic Park in East London 
No. Of athletes: 10500
No of sports events: 26
Mascot: Wenlock

Medal tally:
1. USA: 104 medals (46-gold, 29-silver, 29-bronze)
2. China: 88 medals (38-gold, 27-silver, 23-bronze)
3. GB:      65 medals (29-gold, 17-silver, 19-bronze)
55. India:  6 medals (2-silver, 4-bronze)

Monday, July 23, 2012

Lakshmi Sehgal

Eminent Freedom Fighter and social activist Captain Lakshmi Sehgal passed away in Kanpur. She was 97. She suffered a severe heart attack and was admitted to the hospital on 19 July 2012. Born as Lakshmi Swaminadhan on 24 October 1914 in Madras, Captain Lakshmi Sehgal completed his high school education from Madras. Subsequently, she studied medical science in Madras Medical College and received her MBBS degree in 1938. A close aide of Subhash Chandra Bose during the days of freedom movement, she was the one of the most prominent mambers of his Indian National Army.


                                                             Lakshmi Sehgal

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Shivanasamudra

May the rainy season arrive and you wish to travel to water places, falls. This is how we planned for Shivanasamudra. Famous for Gaganachukki and Bharachukki falls.
 Shivanasamudra is a small town in Mandya district of Karnataka. This is the place where the first hydro electric power station of Asia was commissioned in 1902. The Shivanasamudra Falls is on the Kaveri River after the river has wound its way through the rocks and ravines of the Deccan Plateau and drops off to form waterfalls.

The Shivanasamudra Falls is basically a segmented waterfall that has split into a number of channels. Since the Kaveri River is huge and while flowing through its normal course comes across various rocks and ravines it forms a number of waterfalls. - See more at: http://www.focusbengaluru.com/attractions-near-bengaluru/bharachukki-falls.html#sthash.iMj9pGk5.dpuf
This is also the place where first hydro electric power station of Asia was commissioned in the year 1902. - See more at: http://www.focusbengaluru.com/attractions-near-bengaluru/bharachukki-falls.html#sthash.iMj9pGk5.dpuf
This is also the place where first hydro electric power station of Asia was commissioned in the year 1902. - See more at: http://www.focusbengaluru.com/attractions-near-bengaluru/bharachukki-falls.html#sthash.iMj9pGk5.dpuf
This is also the place where first hydro electric power station of Asia was commissioned in the year 1902. - See more at: http://www.focusbengaluru.com/attractions-near-bengaluru/bharachukki-falls.html#sthash.iMj9pGk5.dpuf
                                                              Bharachukki waterfalls

                                                                         Our gang

                                                                     Enjoying boating

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Mehdi Hassan



'King of Ghazal' the legendary ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan is no more.
He has left behind some of the finest Ghazals like 'Ranjish hi sahi','Mujhe tum Nazar se giraa to rahe ho',
'Rafta rafta woh'..
A great loss to all ghazal lovers having lost the two greatest ghazal singers back to back.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Shravana Belagola




Had been to Shravana Belagola today.
Shravana Belagola is located in Hassan district of Karnataka.
The 57-feet tall monolithic statue of Gommateshvara is located on Vindyagiri Hill. We have to climb 600 odd steps to reach the statue. It is considered to be the world's largest monolithic stone statue.
The Mahamasthakabhisheka, the head anointing ceremony of the Lord Gommateshwara Sri Bahubali is observed once every 12 years.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Panambur Beach

Panambur beach is located at a distance of 13 Km from Mangalore on the north of the National Highway. Panambur is the name of place where New Mangalore Port is situated.


I got to visit this place with my family on this evening. beautiful place to watch the sun set and to play with high waves.
 












Friday, May 25, 2012

Life is What You Make it



A beautiful book by Preeti Shenoy.
Am sure one can finish reading it in one go like i did.

Its a story built around early 80's about Ankita Sharma, a regular college going girl from a middle class Indian family. All is well until her life takes a sudden U-turn when diagnosed with a mental illness.
Rest is how she fights back even the destiny.

Truly inspiring!  

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Gift


iPad 2 is keeping me busy now!
Happy to have it as birthday gift....