Scams in India

It is raining scam particularly in UPA2 rein, congress party has just become a bunch of looters, who act as ministers and prime ministers and presidents. There real aim is to loot public property in the name of public governance.

Although no political party in India, is averse to corruption, the congress party is biggest culprit in popular culture. There leaders are shameless morons, who don't have any commitment to the people who voted them to power, or simply they managed to come to power.

But, beyond politics there are many stakeholders in the system of corruption, bureaucracy, journalists and media houses, some industrialists are backbone of the corruption in this country.

Original SUV

Got it on a forum and loved it, so sharing here.

History of Christmas

It would be easy enough to imagine Christmas as a simple continuum of tradition dating from the birth of Christ. You'd begin with the nativity story, apply the December 25^th date to Jesus' birth, establish the gift-giving precedent of the magi and work from there. Over the centuries, classic Christmas traditions would accumulate: perhaps beginning with the yule log, followed by the Christmas tree and finally winding up in the present day with giant inflatable snowmen and icicle lights.

The history of Christmas, however, is hardly a continuum. It is a varied and riotous story, one that actually predates the birth of Christ. Early Europeans marked the year's longest night -- the winter solstice -- as the beginning of longer days and the rebirth of the sun. They slaughtered livestock that could not be kept through the winter and feasted from late December through January. German pagans honored Oden, a frightening god who flew over settlements at night, blessing some people and cursing others. The Norse in Scandinavia celebrated yuletide, and each family burnt a giant log and feasted until it turned to ash.

In Rome, people celebrated the raucous festival of Saturnalia from Dec. 17 to Dec. 24 in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. The celebration consisted of a carnival-like period of feasting, carousing, gambling, gift-giving and upended social positions. Slaves could don their masters' clothes and refuse orders and children had command over adults. Two other Roman festivals, Juvenalia, a feast in honor of Rome's children, and Mithras, a celebration in honor of the infant god Mithra, also fell near the solstice.

By the fourth century, the church decided that Christians needed a December holiday to rival solstice celebrations. Church leaders selected Dec. 25 for the Feast of the Nativity. Christmas gained ground over the next several hundred years, becoming a full-fledged holiday by the ninth century, although it was still less important than Good Friday and Easter.

Early Christmas, however, was not the peaceful, albeit busy family holiday we know today. Christmas' proximity to Saturnalia resulted in it its absorbing some of the Roman festival's excesses. Christmas in the middle ages featured feasting, drinking, riotous behavior and caroling for money. Religious puritans disapproved of such excess in the name of Christ and considered the holiday blasphemous. Oliver Cromwell went so far as to cancel Christmas when he seized control of England in 1645. Decorations were forbidden and soldiers patrolled the street in search of celebrants cooking meat. Puritans in the American colonies took a similarly dour view of Christmas: Yuletide festivities were outlawed in Boston from 1659 though 1681.

But by the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century, Christmas began to take on the tame associations it has today. New Yorker Washington Irving wrote popular stories about Christmas that invented and appropriated old traditions, presenting them as the customs of the English gentry. Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, introduced a Christmas tree to Windsor Castle in 1846. An engraving of the couple with their children in front of the tree popularized the custom throughout England and the United States.

In the 20th century, the focus of Christmas became increasingly commercial. In the next section, we'll learn about traditions involving presents and the history of Christmas gifts.

[source howstuffworks.com]

Birds and your personality

Your personality by birth date and birds ( got in mail )

Date of birth	Bird	Characteristics
21 Jan - 17 Feb	Robin	A cool exterior disguises a fiery temper and is very opinionated - although those opinions are not always shared by everyone. They are proud and particularly home-loving, although have a tendency to be quarrelsome.
18 Feb - 17 March	Goldfinch	Goldfinch people are colourful characters who are sensitive and always alert. They are gregarious by nature and love being in groups of people, which offers them security. They need to find an outlet for their imaginative abilities or they are sometimes be in danger of becoming nervous and irritable.
18 March - 14 April	Hawk	A powerful individual which displays courage and a sometimes ruthless determination. Avoids problematical obstacles with skill, although must be fully targeted so as not to waste energy in fruitless chases for the impossible.
15 April - 12 May	Albatross	Has a tendency to have a mind that wanders, but when in search of a particular goal, will travel great lengths to achieve it. Occasionally, the albatross may become caught up in things it shouldn't when not seeing clearly enough.
13 May - 9 June	Dove	Peace-loving by nature, doves will bill and coo about things close to their heart. They enjoy a fulfilling love-life and rarely fail to satisfy. They are also patient, adaptable and personable. Their lack of aggression sometimes makes them the victim of more predatory characters.
10 June- 7 July	Eagle	A well-respected figure which has excellent visionary qualities. Eagles will truck no nonsense and will fix opponents with a powerful stare. They have the power to rise above the trivial aspects of humanity, and are highly talon-ted.
8 July- 4 August	Nightingale	More often heard before being seen, nightingales always have something to say for themselves. They are however very much in tune with their partners. Their unimpressive exterior hides a personality that is just waiting to burst out.
5 August - 1 Sept	Kingfisher	Another flamboyant and colourful character that is always exciting to encounter. They rush around at great speed and have a close spiritual affinity with water. They have a sharp and perceptive head on them, but can make them impetuous enough to dive in where others would fear to go.
2 Sept - 29 Sept	Swan	The swan is a complex character. While appearing on the surface as a calm and relaxed individual, underneath they are working hard to keep up with the pace of modern life. If provoked their natural graceful demeanour can give way to a violent temper which puts them in a flap. They are definitely someone to have on your side.
30 Sept - 27 Oct	Woodpecker	A tough, hard-working character with plenty of stamina. Has no problem drumming up support for their ideas, no matter how wacky they seem. With a lateral-thinking mind they are skilled at dissecting problems and seeing the wood for the trees. However, with their noisy and exuberant lifestyle, you might not want to have one as a neighbour.
28 Oct - 24 Nov	Kestrel	A sharp brain helps kestrel people hover from one subject to another without losing concentration. They focus on their life's goal with a single-minded focus, not flustered by what is going on around them. A confidence in their own ability helps them to soar to heights others may only dream of.
25 Nov - 23 Dec	Raven	Always impressive, raven people are a tower of strength. They are more intelligent than their peers and are adept problem-solvers. They enjoy challenges are stimulated by wild and exposed places.
24 Dec - 20 Jan	Heron	Heron people are deceptive. Although they may be solitary individuals for much of the time, they nevertheless have a need to settle in busy communities where they know everyone else. They may get bogged down as they wade the course of life, but have broad enough shoulders to cope with weighty issues. But their insecure nature often leads them to fish for compliments.

Sewing machine hoax in Saudi Arabia

Saudi police say they are investigating a hoax that has seen people rushing to buy old-fashioned sewing machines for up to $50,000 (£33,500) an interesting read.

The Singer sewing machines are said to contain traces of red mercury, a substance that may not exist.

But it is widely thought that it can be used to find treasure, ward off evil spirits or even make nuclear bombs.

It is believed that tiny amounts can sell for millions of dollars, the Saudi Gazette reported.

The paper said that trade in the sewing machines was brisk across the country.

Rumours about the sewing machines have been spreading for days by word of mouth and over the internet, it said.

These included rumours that foreign experts and companies had been buying up Singers.

In Dhulum, it was reported that people had broken into two tailors' shops to steal the machines.

In the city of Madina, people were holding mobile phones up to the machines, due to the belief that they could be used to detect the presence of red mercury.

An interior ministry spokesman said authorities were trying to discover who had spread the rumours.

"We have to find out who started this hoax," he told Reuters news agency.

"People hope to make profit," he added. "This is no different to cases of citizens who put their money in untrustworthy schemes."

[via bbc.co.uk]

Pink chaddi campaign and the gang of weirdos

There is a campaign going on as a reaction to Srirama Sene's attacks on pub going youths. The campaign is started by a journo from Tehelka stead and it is as weird as the the recent history of Tehelka journos. It is named as 'pink chaddi' and started by Nisha Susan.

The kind of people who support this idea, is as usual reacting before thinking type. The blogspace used by campaign is bombarded by the messages which doesn't support the idea and Nisha has taken care to remove these messages while proclaiming the right of freedom of speech and expression.

All this excercise is to support the freedom of going to pub. Tomorrow, I sure they will get together and make simialr effort in support of infamous rave parties. Poor thing Nisha doesn't understand that with freedom you have to take responsibilities also. But these dumbos of these days don't understand anything beyond the material lusts.

Related posts

• Pub culture and Srirama Sene
  

Pub Culture and Sriram Sene

Sriram Sene's deplorable act in Manglore is condemnable and has been condemned by many. By deplorable I mean no body has any right to take the law in hand. The so-called 'secular' english media at forefront of raising this issue. But the issues raised by Sriram Sene's action are very concering in the indian society.

The pub culture is rot brought by modernity and no bar life styles, and if somebody is using this issue to make it accetable then it is equally deplorable.

Wasted interests in the electronic media are using every opportunity in these election times to make the fast buck. The CNN-IBN group which seems to be sold out to Congress has used this issue to attack the BJP government in Karnataka. They have done it consistently in near past and seems never bother about the watchfull spectators, who can differentiate the real reporting and cooked up stories.

Sanjay Dutt to contest on Samajwadi party ticket

Sanjay Dutt is a tragedy for Sunil Dutt and his family. Neither his teens nor the fifty plus maturity made him a wise person. He is always surrounded by wrong peoples and that makes him suffer heavily. The protection of a influential father and later a sister has saved him so far from the worst. But time is never be same again. The company of Mulayam Singh and Amar Singh is bound to put him in another controversy. His sister has already disaprooved his marriage with Manyata and his decision to join Samajwadi Party.

Let's see what lies in future.

Good by 2008 and Welcome 2009

2008 was year of turmoil and future of 2009 seems to be already gloom. The recession is the biggest thing which is pinching the expectations.

India saw a series of terrorist attacks in major cities, last and biggest one in Mumbai the commercial capital of India. The stock markets crashed in early part of 2008 and there is no hope of recovery in 2009 at least. Inflation, failure on economic front, internal security problems are the most hurting things as far as India is concerned.

World saw advent of recession in USA and effects of that on world economics. United States got a new president in the name of Barack Obama. Memories of Osama Bin Laden are still lingering on the horizon.

Still as they say 'Hope dies last'. On that positive note let's wish everybody 'A Very happy and Prosperous New Year'.

Terrorist wiped out of Mumbai

Joint effort by the security forces, army, navy and NSG (National Security Guards) has ended the 59 hours terrorist reins in Mumbai hotspots. First to cleared of terrorist menace was Oberoi Trident hotels, next the Napien House in Colaba and final one is Taj Hotel.

More than 150 civilian life losses and killing 10 terrorist with arrest of one live is the end result. Loss to the property and business is yet to ascertain, as the NSG is yet to sanitize the last building terrorists hold. Some nine foreign nationals are also victim of the carnage that shattered the nerve of business community who frequent these top five star hotels.

NSG lost Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a brave soldier and Gajendra Singh another one in Napien House storming incident. The Maharashtra ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, Salaskar and Kamte are victim of inexperience of such situations. Mumbai police are exposed with their inadequate preparedness. The central and state government as usual has issued statements, which are just political, nothing concrete will come out of it. The UPA government in centre has been breeding the terrorism with lack of clear cut policies and minority appeasement policies of congress party. Which is costing dearer to the Nation.

If the stories in media are to believed the terrorists planned this act for more than six months in Karachi and apparently have ground support of dreaded gangster/don Dawood Ibrahim now hiding in Karachi, Pakistan. The quantity of ammunition and planning into the act shows how professional these peoples are getting day by day.

Terrorist attacks in Mumbai

Deccan mujahideen, a apparently Pakistan based terrorist outfit attacked Indian finance capital Mumbai yesterday. The attacks were carried on five star hotels in business district of Mumbai and suburban and long distance rail terminus. More than 130 peoples are dead and about 300 peoples injured in these attacks. Two taxis blasted in Mazgaon and Vileparle.

More than two dozen terrorist seems to be operating in these attacks, of which nine were killed by security persons. Forces lost 14 peoples including top cops, Hemant Karkare, Chief of ATS and Vijay Salaskar of ATS and ACP Ashok Kamte along with Sub-Inspector Shashank Shinde who was deputed at Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus when terrorists started indiscriminate firing.

Media reports suggest that terrorists made a base in Nariman House, a Jewish residential complex in Colaba in south Mumbai. Two hotels where they are hiding are Taj at Gateway of India, and Oberoi Hotels at Narimon Point targeting foreigners mainly from US and EU countries.

A Upgraded Credit Card from ICICI Bank

Just got a upgraded credit card from ICICI bank. Infact it is co-branded card with Future Group, the Big Bazaar fame. They have upgraded me from Silver to Gold card. The process was like they send me a SMS and I reponded to that as acceptance and voila withing next ten days I receive a SMS from courier company about delivery of my new card. Things are getting simple these days, with ever reaching impact of internet and mobile communications.

Only glitch they have made is the letter accompanied talk about the card as add-on card upgrade, I didn't have any add-on card so far. Wife is happy with debit card. I have to check the repercussions about this.

As usual this one comes with lots of offers and rebates on purchases from the Future Group and allied marketeers. They are nothing but the allurements to customers to drop in at their store and get robbed over the period. Good thing is card is free for life time, and I shall try not to pay any interest or finance charges to the bank as possible by abiding to their payment rules. This takes some time to master, you have to keep your finances under control and remember the dates. Payments are done via net banking so you can schedule the payment for the last date.

Petrol and diesel prices hiked

Adding to the woes of high inflation rates and ever rising, petroleum minister Murali Deora today announced that there will be rise in petrol and diesel prices today onwards.

Petrol will rise by Rs. 5 and diesel by Rs. 3, per litre. LPG is also going the way of price rise, domestic LPG will cost Rs. 50 more now.

A marginal duty cut on crude is also muted, excise duty on petrol and diesel is cut by Rs. 1 and customs duty is made to null from Rs. 5 on crude.

Worlds most expensive house - Antilia

Mukesh Ambani the worlds fifth richest man, head of petrochemical giant Reliance Industries is building a 2 billion US Dollars or Rs. 8000 Crore.

This personal skyscraper now getting build in mumbai, India is named as Antilia and will be 22 story when completed. Just for the family of 4 persons. Antilia is the name of a mythical island some believe to be in in the Atlantic Ocean near Spain. Antilia will be 550 feet tall and will have a total of 400,000 sq ft of interior space. The house is scheduled to be finished by January 2009.

Antilia will have 3 helipads on top and six levels from ground for parking vehicles. 600 peoples are expected to work for this house when completed.

Two american presidents and some coincidents

Have read it on a orkut community, don't know the facts are right or wrong.

Unbelievable Mystery
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.

Now it gets really weird.

Lincoln 's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.

Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.

Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.

Now hang on to your seat.

Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.'
Kennedy was shot in a car called ' Lincoln' made by 'Ford.'

Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.

Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.
And here's the kicker...

A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.

Inflation in Indian State

Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is a celebrated economist and he says inflation can not be controlled. Add to that contradictory statements by the government like, 'opposition ruled state governments are not doing enough to contain inflation'.

Four years inflation has braked the backbone of common man and the state has failed improve the life quality of its citizens. Four year back the incumbent Congress party government came into power with the slogan 'Congress ka hath Garibon ke Sath', literally meaning we are for poor and the game they have played in last four years is certainly opposite of that theme.

I think the conclusion is very simple, a celebrated economist is not the answer to any countries economic woes. It needs vision and through understanding of the situation and a good team to address such problems.

A stunning example should be the Rail Ministry under notorious Laloo Prasad Yadav. Who couldn't do any thing for Bihar, but after getting a shocker in Bihar elections he is tried hard to improve his image by excellent performance in Rail Ministry. What he has done, is not magic but extending the support to a good team for good work in railways. That should be formula for other ministries and state functionaries.

Raj Thakare's outburts about north indians and cities woes.

Raj Thakare's statements against north indians which now he claims quoted without context draw lot of flakes from eletronic media and English News papers. But the real issues about this city never got any highlights.

This city is certainly limited by resources as anyother place. Land, air, water the basic needs of humans are limited so does the sewage treatment. The density of population is alarmingly high. Public transport is collapsing. Public health is suffering because of high carbon deposits and lack of oxygen level in the air they breath. But for all this the English media with all their arrogance have only one point to discuss is that constitution has given right to stay anywhere in India.

If one have to travel by local trains of buses during any hours, he will experience the rot city is going through. Chief minister has never bothered about this cities problems so does the central leadership. Elites in this city has secured a quality of life by limiting south mumbai for their needs, you will have flyovers, wide roads, sea links, metros and what not, but suburbs are never in their plans.

This situation itself is pathetic, the arguments placed by so called activists are rather emotional and lack sincerity. Politician do play to the audience but what about these people who claim they are beyond politics but do the same.

Mumbai temperature drops to 9 degree Celsius

This February Mumbai reached a record low temperature of 9 Degree Celsius. Met department says that it was recorded that low after 1962, that means after 40 odd years. Normally Mumbai doesn't feel any chill of winter, and winter ware or woolen garments are rarely required. But this time everybody needed to dig out the sweaters or jackets, retailers doing good business.

Now people say summer will be equally extreme and it will be difficult to stay in Mumbai.

Modi wins Gujarat again

'Jitega Gujarat' was the slogan for Gujarat elections by BJP, and indeed Gujarat wins. There wasn't any opposition to BJP and Modi in Gujarat. As usual congress played minority politics and demography doesn't support it when hindus get united and unfortunately for the congress that rare thing happened again in Gujarat.

Despite modi haters from BJP itself, M/s. Keshubhai and Suresh Mehta couldn't do any damage to BJP votebank in Gujarat. The efforts taken by Tehelka to blame Modi for the riots post Godhra in fact helped him win many votes. So sad for the english media, professed by JNU commie generation which used every way including influencing analysis of exit polls, to get some psychological relief of beating an unbeatable foo.

What these people will learn from this? nothing. Because their minds are closed. They don't understand the real issues and are living in utopia of secularism.

Pravin Mahajan get life sentence

Law has taken its course and in due course it will take its turns also, as supreme court is the destination for all rich and frivolous. But for the moment Pravin Mahajan, the killer brother of Late Promod Mahajan has got life sentence for killing his own brother.

It will be difficult to understand why he had killed his own brother who was like father figure to him over the years. All that he had was given by Pramod, and he would have certainly benefited from Pramod's successfull political career. If the logic doesn't work here then Pravin has some psychological problems.

Let's see something gets revealed in due course of time.