prince mahesh babu
7.31.2008
Sea Waves
Rule of Thirds
You can use the rule of thirds as a guide in the off-center placement of your subjects. Here's how it worksBefore you snap the picture, imagine your picture area divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically. The intersections of these imaginary lines suggest four options for placing the center of interest for good composition.
We picked the upper-right position for this subject so that we could see the full shadow and most of the tracks that lead to the seagull.The lighthouse seems well placed in the upper right just because the rest of the scene fits nicely into the format
We picked the upper-right position for this subject so that we could see the full shadow and most of the tracks that lead to the seagull.The lighthouse seems well placed in the upper right just because the rest of the scene fits nicely into the format
Simplicity
Look for ways to give the center of interest in your pictures the most visual attentionSelect uncomplicated backgrounds See how we can improve this photo by looking for visual simplicity.We chose the cactus as the main subject. by moving in closer and using the plain sky as the backgroundWe're certainly close enough to our subject in both pictures, but the busy background on the left camouflages the seagull.Just change your point of view slightly and the seagull stands with visual prominence against the blue sky.Compose your photograph so that your reason for taking the picture is clearly seen.Arrange other parts of the picture area in such a way as to complement what you choose to be the center of interest.If picture not good enough, you are not close enough
Remember: we're talking about composition simplicity.How much of your subject should you include, and should it be framed horizontally as done here?Or perhaps you'd prefer to frame your subject in the vertical format, as indicated with these frame lines. The choice is yours.So, you can simplify your pictures and strengthen your center of interest by selecting uncluttered backgrounds, avoiding unrelated subjects, and moving in closeIf you want to make your center of interest even more dynamic, place it slightly off center in your frameGenerally, pictures with subjects directly in the center tend to be more static and less interesting than pictures with off-center subject placement.
Remember: we're talking about composition simplicity.How much of your subject should you include, and should it be framed horizontally as done here?Or perhaps you'd prefer to frame your subject in the vertical format, as indicated with these frame lines. The choice is yours.So, you can simplify your pictures and strengthen your center of interest by selecting uncluttered backgrounds, avoiding unrelated subjects, and moving in closeIf you want to make your center of interest even more dynamic, place it slightly off center in your frameGenerally, pictures with subjects directly in the center tend to be more static and less interesting than pictures with off-center subject placement.
Rajnikanth's latest blockbuster Sivaji
The Boss is set to complete its 100th day on September 22 in 111 theatres in India and abroad. The Tamil superstar's fans are planning celebrations to mark the occasion.The film was released in 235 theatres across Tamil Nadu and as many screens outside the state on June 15."Around 102 theatres in Tamil Nadu will celebrate the 100th day of the film's screening on Saturday," AVM Productions CEO S C Babu said. "The film is still running in almost 10 to 20 percent of the theatres outside Tamil Nadu, especially in Kerala and Karnataka."The film will also complete 100 days in a theatre in Mumbai, six theatres in Malaysia, two in Sri Lanka and one in Singapore. In fact, it broke records for collections by a Tamil film in India and countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Britain.The film is still collecting 7,000 pounds a week in a theatre in Britain and there are a lot of inquiries for the rights to dub the film in Malay, Chinese and Japanese.Munikanniah, vice-president of Sathyam Cinemas, a leading multiplex in Chennai, said: "The distributor's share for Sivaji in a single theatre in Chennai was Rs 1.55 crore, which is an all-time record for the state."
The blessings of e-learning
The wonderful world of E-learning has given education another dimension. Explore the different facets of e-learning.
Times are changing fast. We know of the Indian Gurukula style of education, wherein the disciples lived in the house of a great teacher or the Guru. The Guru and his wife treated them as the members of the family. The sishyas or disciples had lifelong personal indebtedness to the Guru. With the changing social modes, education became institutionalised. The relations between the teacher and the students once considered as sacred and unique perhaps degenerated for various reasons. They gained commercial overtones, even though there are exceptional instances of wholesome relationships between the teacher and the taught being maintained even after the latter finish their studies. The advent of technology combined with the educational needs of the people brought about significant changes in the delivery systems of teaching and learning. We had in some detail discussed certain aspects of distance learning in the earlier series. Let us now look at e-learning or electronic learning, which may sometimes be employed in distance education as well. Confusion in definitions You may not get a uniform answer if you ask different experts to define e-learning. Although concepts and approaches differ, there is a common philosophy among those who practise different styles of e-learning. It may be remembered that e-learning is not static; even the terms involved change at a fast pace. Some of the terms and concepts relating to e-learning are: Asynchronous Learning Computer based training (CBT) Computer-Assisted Instruction Computer-mediated communication Cyber learning Blended learning Distance Education Distance learning Distributed learning Internet Education Multi-modal Instruction. Online Education Online learning (OL) Open distance learning (ODL) Technology based learning Virtual Education Web based training (WBT) The implications of some of the important terms are indicated below. In distance education, the teacher and the student are separated by geographical distance. Various gifts of technology are used to bridge the gap. Online education allows the study of higher education courses through the electronic medium of the Internet, using personal computers or other devices of communication. Access to study materials, reference papers, journal articles, and contact with tutors / fellow students are through the use of personal computers and telecommunication devices. There will be great flexibility in the matter of duration of study as well as the location of the student. In other words, learning is asynchronous; it can be anywhere anytime. Computer-Based Training involves interaction with a computer, using courseware. Computer-Mediated Communication may encompass the use of chat rooms and video conferencing as well. In Computer-Assisted Instruction, the computer may give you drills as in the preparation of entrance tests in a competitive environment. Virtual Education invariably uses information and communication technologies (ICTs) to deliver educational programs. In asynchronous learning the students may combine self-study through the Internet with other modes such as chat or laboratory practice to suit personal preferences. Blended learning merges net-based learning with face-to-face instruction. We shall discuss blended learning in some detail separately. We may however accept the simple definition of e-learning as "the delivery of formal and informal learning and training activities, processes, and events through the use of electronic media like Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN / WAN, CD-ROM, audio / video tape, satellite broadcast, DVD, interactive or other TV, cell phones, personal organisers, etc." There may be local tutor support. The foregoing description emphasises that anyone attempting e-learning should necessarily develop skills in handling digital material. Computer proficiency and efficiency in Internet browsing are the prime requirements. Often people imagine that whatever is available on the net can be easily found through search engines. This is a misconception. The plight of a student who looks for specific information on a particular topic may be similar to that of a stranger pushed into a dense forest and asked to locate a particular tree. Once he is in the wrong path, he may wander endlessly without ever reaching his target. Let us illustrate the difficulty involved. A popular search engine offers 112 million sites for oxygen and 4460 million sites for management. The art of narrowing down the number of sites to suit our specific need calls for considerable knowledge and skill in browsing. E-learning permits among other things access to the richest sources of information and meaningful interaction on the content of the lessons among people at different centres. The convergence of the Internet and learning enables easy accessibility, and opportunity to people and organisations to keep up with the rapid changes in the world, and gain from the latest trends in technology. Online learning normally uses only Internet / intranet / LAN / WAN learning; it excludes the use of CD-ROM. E-Learning is a broader term compared to online learning.
Times are changing fast. We know of the Indian Gurukula style of education, wherein the disciples lived in the house of a great teacher or the Guru. The Guru and his wife treated them as the members of the family. The sishyas or disciples had lifelong personal indebtedness to the Guru. With the changing social modes, education became institutionalised. The relations between the teacher and the students once considered as sacred and unique perhaps degenerated for various reasons. They gained commercial overtones, even though there are exceptional instances of wholesome relationships between the teacher and the taught being maintained even after the latter finish their studies. The advent of technology combined with the educational needs of the people brought about significant changes in the delivery systems of teaching and learning. We had in some detail discussed certain aspects of distance learning in the earlier series. Let us now look at e-learning or electronic learning, which may sometimes be employed in distance education as well. Confusion in definitions You may not get a uniform answer if you ask different experts to define e-learning. Although concepts and approaches differ, there is a common philosophy among those who practise different styles of e-learning. It may be remembered that e-learning is not static; even the terms involved change at a fast pace. Some of the terms and concepts relating to e-learning are: Asynchronous Learning Computer based training (CBT) Computer-Assisted Instruction Computer-mediated communication Cyber learning Blended learning Distance Education Distance learning Distributed learning Internet Education Multi-modal Instruction. Online Education Online learning (OL) Open distance learning (ODL) Technology based learning Virtual Education Web based training (WBT) The implications of some of the important terms are indicated below. In distance education, the teacher and the student are separated by geographical distance. Various gifts of technology are used to bridge the gap. Online education allows the study of higher education courses through the electronic medium of the Internet, using personal computers or other devices of communication. Access to study materials, reference papers, journal articles, and contact with tutors / fellow students are through the use of personal computers and telecommunication devices. There will be great flexibility in the matter of duration of study as well as the location of the student. In other words, learning is asynchronous; it can be anywhere anytime. Computer-Based Training involves interaction with a computer, using courseware. Computer-Mediated Communication may encompass the use of chat rooms and video conferencing as well. In Computer-Assisted Instruction, the computer may give you drills as in the preparation of entrance tests in a competitive environment. Virtual Education invariably uses information and communication technologies (ICTs) to deliver educational programs. In asynchronous learning the students may combine self-study through the Internet with other modes such as chat or laboratory practice to suit personal preferences. Blended learning merges net-based learning with face-to-face instruction. We shall discuss blended learning in some detail separately. We may however accept the simple definition of e-learning as "the delivery of formal and informal learning and training activities, processes, and events through the use of electronic media like Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN / WAN, CD-ROM, audio / video tape, satellite broadcast, DVD, interactive or other TV, cell phones, personal organisers, etc." There may be local tutor support. The foregoing description emphasises that anyone attempting e-learning should necessarily develop skills in handling digital material. Computer proficiency and efficiency in Internet browsing are the prime requirements. Often people imagine that whatever is available on the net can be easily found through search engines. This is a misconception. The plight of a student who looks for specific information on a particular topic may be similar to that of a stranger pushed into a dense forest and asked to locate a particular tree. Once he is in the wrong path, he may wander endlessly without ever reaching his target. Let us illustrate the difficulty involved. A popular search engine offers 112 million sites for oxygen and 4460 million sites for management. The art of narrowing down the number of sites to suit our specific need calls for considerable knowledge and skill in browsing. E-learning permits among other things access to the richest sources of information and meaningful interaction on the content of the lessons among people at different centres. The convergence of the Internet and learning enables easy accessibility, and opportunity to people and organisations to keep up with the rapid changes in the world, and gain from the latest trends in technology. Online learning normally uses only Internet / intranet / LAN / WAN learning; it excludes the use of CD-ROM. E-Learning is a broader term compared to online learning.
Learning from the computer screen
E-learning is bound to play an increasingly important role in the education scene in the coming years.
Often, the e-learning process involves four steps: material being presented, practised, assessed, and reviewed. The progressive steps are adapted from experiential education theory, which forms a strong foundation for effective learning. These can be explained as follows: New materials such as theory and practical skills are introduced. Participants practise the application of the newly presented materials. They assess their work. They reflect and review the lessons learned. This will influence the next progressive iteration of the learning cycle. Elements involved E- lectures: introduction of concepts and techniques. Discussion forum: enables online interaction. Posting of questions as well as responses. Expert guidance: clearing serious doubts or giving answers to questions. There can be an online `mentor' who will provide answers to your queries. This ensures personalised instruction wherever needed. Network treasury: a catalogue of websites that can be of special help in handling specific topics. Sometimes, referred to as `course documents.' Local learning tutor/facilitator, for face-to-face guidance, especially for developing practical skills. Group activities: group discussions, seminars, learning circles and partnership activities. This ensures interaction among peer groups, thereby easing the pains of isolation in the educational effort. Communication of this kind will add substantially to the efficiency of learning. Students who have lived in hostels do know how much and how well they learnt from healthy interaction among their hostel mates. There will be concerns regarding the efficacy of e-learning in comparison with conventional classroom face-to-face teaching. It has been established that well-planned and executed e-learning has been effective; further, it has proved to be a blessing to those who have no opportunity to engage themselves in the conventional mill of institutional rigours. The pace of learning can be determined by the learner to suit his taste and convenience. The framing of curricula and syllabi, and flexible schedules may have to be different from those of routine institutionalised academic programmes. E-learning is interactive and dynamic, though the setting is different from that in a college or school. The capabilities and talents of the best teachers are made to benefit thousands of students stationed in various locations. Periodic assessment and evaluation of students, and remedial steps are easily arranged. As in on-campus education, benchmarks can be kept in respect of curriculum construction, syllabus review and updating, institutional contribution, student assessment, teacher assessment and so on to ensure quality in the teaching-learning process. The tremendous advantage in e-learning has been brought out by an expert thus: "Internet-based work allows collaborators to communicate any time from anywhere to any place. People from different parts of a building, State, country, continent or the globe can exchange information, collaborate on shared documents and ideas, study together, or reflect on their own practices." It is estimated that several millions of students undergo e-learning at the global level, and that there is a 25 per cent growth in the number of e-learners. In India also, e-learning is an emerging trend. The Indian Space Research Organisation has taken the initiative for e-learning in institutions such as Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. There has been help from Carnegie Mellon University. Two deemed Universities, the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani and the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai, have taken initiatives in e-learning — the former in the field of technology and the latter in management. Organisations such as GurukulOnline Learning Solutions have done work in the field of e-learning. While evolving any e-learning format, four basic pedagogical perspectives have to be kept in mind for achieving effectiveness, from an educational standpoint: Cognitive perspective — cognitive processes involved in learning. Emotional perspective — emotional aspects of learning such as motivation, commitment and fun. Behavioural perspective — skills and behavioural outcomes of the learning process. Application to real life/on-the-job settings. Social perspective — social aspects which stimulate learning, interaction with others, peer support, and peer pressure. Online-only colleges Online-only colleges have emerged, though at a slow pace in the west. They mostly focus on areas such as management, accounts and law. There are claims of superiority of digital delivery beyond the podium. It is a moot point; conventional face-to-face learning has, of course, its own merits. The following quote is relevant. "A face-to-face human conversation, the sort for which dinner tables and traditional seminar and meeting rooms are designed, is a spatially coherent, corporeal and strictly synchronous event. The participants are all present in the same place, everybody hears the words as they are spoken, and replies usually come immediately. The telephone and talk radio have allowed them to be dispersed spatially, but have not altered this condition of synchrony." In spite of this superiority of conventional classroom instruction, e-learning is sure to play a significant role in the Indian education system in the years to come. The fact that the aspirants of higher education in the country are far greater than the seats available in the conventional institutions give force to the development in this sector. Those who live in remote areas, or are employed but interested in continuing education, will find the blessings of e-learning a great boon in their career advancement.
Often, the e-learning process involves four steps: material being presented, practised, assessed, and reviewed. The progressive steps are adapted from experiential education theory, which forms a strong foundation for effective learning. These can be explained as follows: New materials such as theory and practical skills are introduced. Participants practise the application of the newly presented materials. They assess their work. They reflect and review the lessons learned. This will influence the next progressive iteration of the learning cycle. Elements involved E- lectures: introduction of concepts and techniques. Discussion forum: enables online interaction. Posting of questions as well as responses. Expert guidance: clearing serious doubts or giving answers to questions. There can be an online `mentor' who will provide answers to your queries. This ensures personalised instruction wherever needed. Network treasury: a catalogue of websites that can be of special help in handling specific topics. Sometimes, referred to as `course documents.' Local learning tutor/facilitator, for face-to-face guidance, especially for developing practical skills. Group activities: group discussions, seminars, learning circles and partnership activities. This ensures interaction among peer groups, thereby easing the pains of isolation in the educational effort. Communication of this kind will add substantially to the efficiency of learning. Students who have lived in hostels do know how much and how well they learnt from healthy interaction among their hostel mates. There will be concerns regarding the efficacy of e-learning in comparison with conventional classroom face-to-face teaching. It has been established that well-planned and executed e-learning has been effective; further, it has proved to be a blessing to those who have no opportunity to engage themselves in the conventional mill of institutional rigours. The pace of learning can be determined by the learner to suit his taste and convenience. The framing of curricula and syllabi, and flexible schedules may have to be different from those of routine institutionalised academic programmes. E-learning is interactive and dynamic, though the setting is different from that in a college or school. The capabilities and talents of the best teachers are made to benefit thousands of students stationed in various locations. Periodic assessment and evaluation of students, and remedial steps are easily arranged. As in on-campus education, benchmarks can be kept in respect of curriculum construction, syllabus review and updating, institutional contribution, student assessment, teacher assessment and so on to ensure quality in the teaching-learning process. The tremendous advantage in e-learning has been brought out by an expert thus: "Internet-based work allows collaborators to communicate any time from anywhere to any place. People from different parts of a building, State, country, continent or the globe can exchange information, collaborate on shared documents and ideas, study together, or reflect on their own practices." It is estimated that several millions of students undergo e-learning at the global level, and that there is a 25 per cent growth in the number of e-learners. In India also, e-learning is an emerging trend. The Indian Space Research Organisation has taken the initiative for e-learning in institutions such as Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. There has been help from Carnegie Mellon University. Two deemed Universities, the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani and the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai, have taken initiatives in e-learning — the former in the field of technology and the latter in management. Organisations such as GurukulOnline Learning Solutions have done work in the field of e-learning. While evolving any e-learning format, four basic pedagogical perspectives have to be kept in mind for achieving effectiveness, from an educational standpoint: Cognitive perspective — cognitive processes involved in learning. Emotional perspective — emotional aspects of learning such as motivation, commitment and fun. Behavioural perspective — skills and behavioural outcomes of the learning process. Application to real life/on-the-job settings. Social perspective — social aspects which stimulate learning, interaction with others, peer support, and peer pressure. Online-only colleges Online-only colleges have emerged, though at a slow pace in the west. They mostly focus on areas such as management, accounts and law. There are claims of superiority of digital delivery beyond the podium. It is a moot point; conventional face-to-face learning has, of course, its own merits. The following quote is relevant. "A face-to-face human conversation, the sort for which dinner tables and traditional seminar and meeting rooms are designed, is a spatially coherent, corporeal and strictly synchronous event. The participants are all present in the same place, everybody hears the words as they are spoken, and replies usually come immediately. The telephone and talk radio have allowed them to be dispersed spatially, but have not altered this condition of synchrony." In spite of this superiority of conventional classroom instruction, e-learning is sure to play a significant role in the Indian education system in the years to come. The fact that the aspirants of higher education in the country are far greater than the seats available in the conventional institutions give force to the development in this sector. Those who live in remote areas, or are employed but interested in continuing education, will find the blessings of e-learning a great boon in their career advancement.
Habits that will make us happy
A couple of years ago, Seligman’s group described and classifi ed the 24 character strengths that make people thrive, including creativity, curiosity, bravery, and kindness. But all these traits aren’t equal when it comes to producing satisfaction.
Combing through questionnaire responses from more than 5000 study participants, the researchers found that happiness was most strongly associated with a core subset of the character-trait list that they labelled heart strengths: gratitude, hope, zest, and the ability to love and be loved.
Topping the charts was love, says Nansook Park, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Rhode Island and a study author. “Relationships with other people are what make us the happiest,” she says. (Learn what your character strengths are at authentichappiness. org)
Seligman’s team made a list of 100 ‘interventions’ that people through the ages have suggested as routes to contentment—culling ideas proposed by Buddha and self-improvement gurus alike—and set out to test them. It was, Seligman says, the most ambitious, controlled study of happiness ever done. The results of the team’s efforts were published in American Psychologist.
Habit 1 Focus on what’s right
As it turned out, all the exercises, including that of the control group, temporarily bumped up happiness levels. But some interventions proved to have a much bigger, more lasting effect than others. For example, the group that spent a few minutes each night writing about what had gone well that day felt happier for the full 6 months of the study.
“Most of us focus on our weaknesses and on what we don’t have,” says Carol Kauffman, PhD, a life coach and an assistant clinical professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. “By listing good things, you’re training yourself to reverse your focus from what you did wrong to what you did right. You’re emphasising your strengths,” and that seems to change the way you feel. Kauffman uses the what-went-well-today intervention with her patients—and does it every night herself.
Combing through questionnaire responses from more than 5000 study participants, the researchers found that happiness was most strongly associated with a core subset of the character-trait list that they labelled heart strengths: gratitude, hope, zest, and the ability to love and be loved.
Topping the charts was love, says Nansook Park, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Rhode Island and a study author. “Relationships with other people are what make us the happiest,” she says. (Learn what your character strengths are at authentichappiness. org)
Seligman’s team made a list of 100 ‘interventions’ that people through the ages have suggested as routes to contentment—culling ideas proposed by Buddha and self-improvement gurus alike—and set out to test them. It was, Seligman says, the most ambitious, controlled study of happiness ever done. The results of the team’s efforts were published in American Psychologist.
Habit 1 Focus on what’s right
As it turned out, all the exercises, including that of the control group, temporarily bumped up happiness levels. But some interventions proved to have a much bigger, more lasting effect than others. For example, the group that spent a few minutes each night writing about what had gone well that day felt happier for the full 6 months of the study.
“Most of us focus on our weaknesses and on what we don’t have,” says Carol Kauffman, PhD, a life coach and an assistant clinical professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. “By listing good things, you’re training yourself to reverse your focus from what you did wrong to what you did right. You’re emphasising your strengths,” and that seems to change the way you feel. Kauffman uses the what-went-well-today intervention with her patients—and does it every night herself.
How to be happy
daily mantras—keys to contentment—that will change your life.
Happiness, like baking, is something I’ve always been good at. And that puzzles me: I don’t live in a glass house by the sea. I’m not rich or beautiful. I’ve endured grief and battled depression. It’s true that I’ve been lucky in love—I have a great husband. But I came to him happy. Yet some people who seem to have all the raw materials for happiness—looks, money, success, and love—seem perpetually glum. So what is it that really makes us happy?
The answer is not good fortune. Psychologists have known for decades that even winning the lottery won’t make a person happier over the long haul. People simply adapt
Think of what happened when you got your last raise: odds are, you felt great for the first few pay checks but soon adjusted to it, and now you may be back to feeling underpaid. Such observations have led researchers to conclude that each of us has a set point for happiness— a level of contentment that stays constant through changing circumstances, such as the loss of loved ones or winning big bucks.
If this all sounds a bit depressing, take heart. Recent breakthrough research shows we can make ourselves happier—and how to do it.
The science of happiness
Some of the most exciting research in psychology is in a field called positive psychology, a discipline that aims not just to relieve suffering but also to increase happiness. For the past few years, Martin E P Seligman, PhD, and his colleagues, have been working to unlock the secrets of living the good life. Seligman, founding director of the Positive Psychology Centre at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Authentic Happiness, has found that the key to happiness appears to lie in our internal qualities and character strengths, not in external events. What’s more, he says, we can use these qualities—work with them and enhance them—to make ourselves happier over the long run.
Happiness, like baking, is something I’ve always been good at. And that puzzles me: I don’t live in a glass house by the sea. I’m not rich or beautiful. I’ve endured grief and battled depression. It’s true that I’ve been lucky in love—I have a great husband. But I came to him happy. Yet some people who seem to have all the raw materials for happiness—looks, money, success, and love—seem perpetually glum. So what is it that really makes us happy?
The answer is not good fortune. Psychologists have known for decades that even winning the lottery won’t make a person happier over the long haul. People simply adapt
Think of what happened when you got your last raise: odds are, you felt great for the first few pay checks but soon adjusted to it, and now you may be back to feeling underpaid. Such observations have led researchers to conclude that each of us has a set point for happiness— a level of contentment that stays constant through changing circumstances, such as the loss of loved ones or winning big bucks.
If this all sounds a bit depressing, take heart. Recent breakthrough research shows we can make ourselves happier—and how to do it.
The science of happiness
Some of the most exciting research in psychology is in a field called positive psychology, a discipline that aims not just to relieve suffering but also to increase happiness. For the past few years, Martin E P Seligman, PhD, and his colleagues, have been working to unlock the secrets of living the good life. Seligman, founding director of the Positive Psychology Centre at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Authentic Happiness, has found that the key to happiness appears to lie in our internal qualities and character strengths, not in external events. What’s more, he says, we can use these qualities—work with them and enhance them—to make ourselves happier over the long run.
7.27.2008
Mass Communication
Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867
First press council was set up in 1966
Official Secrets Act 1923
The Drugs and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisement) Act, 1954
The copy right act, 1957
The press council act 1978
Empolyees (conditions of service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1995
In 1936, the Indian radio was designated as All India Radio
Foreign Direct Investment in non-News Sector limit enhanced to 100 per cent from 74%
The first programme was broadcast in 1923 by the radio club of Bombay
AIR today has 223 broadcasting centres covering 99.13% population in the country.
Doordarshan: 15 September, 1959
Colour Television in India in 1982 on the occassion of 9th Asian Games
DD Saptagiri - Telugu
DD Chandana - Kannada
DD Sahyadri - Marathi
DD Podhigal - Tamil
The office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) came into existence on 1st July, 1956
PTI founded on 27 August, 1947 (www.ptinews.com)
UNI - 19 December, 1959
Kurukshetra published on behalf of Ministry of Rural Development.
VSAT - Very Small Aperture Terminal
CUG - Closed User Group
GSO - Geostationary Satellite Orbit
ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network
NGN - next generation Network
Formation of Prasar Bharati - 23 November, 1997
DD Sports Channel - 18 March, 1999
Launch of 24 hours news channel DD News - 3 November, 2002
PIB - Press Information Bureau
AFP - Agency France Presse
Reuters the London based news agency agrees to 8.7 bn pound takeover by Thomson Corporation
Press Council of India total 28 members. 20- newspaper world, 5 MPs, 1 each from Sahitya Academy, Bar Council of India and University Grants Commission
The decisions of the press council are final and cannot be questioned in any court of law
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) set up under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 - headquarters at Mumbai
Children's Film Society of India (CFSI) was established in 1955
DAVP - Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity
October 2, 1957 Vividh Bharati launched
The first radio broadcasting station in AP was started from Vijayawada on Dec 1, 1948
Verghese committe - Janata regime
1978 - Hyderabad Doordarshan Kendra was launched
ETV (Eenadu Television) - 27 August, 1995
Maa TV - April 10, 2002
Typology of communication – interpersonal, intra personal, group, mass communication.
Roger’s theory of Diffusion of innovation.
Different types of copy – Agency copy, Bureau copy, Mofussil Copy
First press council was set up in 1966
Official Secrets Act 1923
The Drugs and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisement) Act, 1954
The copy right act, 1957
The press council act 1978
Empolyees (conditions of service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1995
In 1936, the Indian radio was designated as All India Radio
Foreign Direct Investment in non-News Sector limit enhanced to 100 per cent from 74%
The first programme was broadcast in 1923 by the radio club of Bombay
AIR today has 223 broadcasting centres covering 99.13% population in the country.
Doordarshan: 15 September, 1959
Colour Television in India in 1982 on the occassion of 9th Asian Games
DD Saptagiri - Telugu
DD Chandana - Kannada
DD Sahyadri - Marathi
DD Podhigal - Tamil
The office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) came into existence on 1st July, 1956
PTI founded on 27 August, 1947 (www.ptinews.com)
UNI - 19 December, 1959
Kurukshetra published on behalf of Ministry of Rural Development.
VSAT - Very Small Aperture Terminal
CUG - Closed User Group
GSO - Geostationary Satellite Orbit
ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network
NGN - next generation Network
Formation of Prasar Bharati - 23 November, 1997
DD Sports Channel - 18 March, 1999
Launch of 24 hours news channel DD News - 3 November, 2002
PIB - Press Information Bureau
AFP - Agency France Presse
Reuters the London based news agency agrees to 8.7 bn pound takeover by Thomson Corporation
Press Council of India total 28 members. 20- newspaper world, 5 MPs, 1 each from Sahitya Academy, Bar Council of India and University Grants Commission
The decisions of the press council are final and cannot be questioned in any court of law
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) set up under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 - headquarters at Mumbai
Children's Film Society of India (CFSI) was established in 1955
DAVP - Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity
October 2, 1957 Vividh Bharati launched
The first radio broadcasting station in AP was started from Vijayawada on Dec 1, 1948
Verghese committe - Janata regime
1978 - Hyderabad Doordarshan Kendra was launched
ETV (Eenadu Television) - 27 August, 1995
Maa TV - April 10, 2002
Typology of communication – interpersonal, intra personal, group, mass communication.
Roger’s theory of Diffusion of innovation.
Different types of copy – Agency copy, Bureau copy, Mofussil Copy
9 rules of innovation from Google
Marissa Mayer, Google's vice president of search products and user experience, is a tall, blond 32-year-old with two Stanford degrees in computer science. She's also Google's high priestess of simplicity.
Here she shares the rules that give the search giant its innovative edge
1. Innovation, not instant perfection
"There are two different types of programmers. Some like to code for months or even years, and hope they will have built the perfect product. That's castle building. Companies work this way, too. Apple is great at it. If you get it right and you've built just the perfect thing, you get this worldwide 'Wow!' The problem is, if you get it wrong, you get a thud, a thud in which you've spent, like, five years and 100 people on something the market doesn't want."
"Others prefer to have something working at the end of the day, something to refine and improve the next day. That's what we do: our 'launch early and often' strategy. The hardest part about indoctrinating people into our culture is when engineers show me a prototype and I'm like, 'Great, let's go!' They'll say, 'Oh, no, it's not ready.
It's not up to Google standards. This doesn't look like a Google product yet.' They want to castle-build and do all these other features and make it all perfect."
"I tell them, 'The Googly thing is to launch it early on Google Labs and then iterate, learning what the market wants--and making it great.' The beauty of experimenting in this way is that you never get too far from what the market wants. The market pulls you back."
2. Ideas come from everywhere
"We have this great internal list where people post new ideas and everyone can go on and see them. It's like a voting pool where you can say how good or bad you think an idea is. Those comments lead to new ideas."
3. A license to pursue your dreams
"Since around 2000, we let engineers spend 20% of their time working on whatever they want, and we trust that they'll build interesting things. After September 11, one of our researchers, Krishna Bharat, would go to 10 or 15 news sites each day looking for information about the case. And he thought, Why don't I write a program to do this? So Krishna, who's an expert in artificial intelligence, used a Web crawler to cluster articles."
"He later emailed it around the company. My office mate and I got it, and we were like, 'This isn't just a cool little tool for Krishna. We could add more sources and build this into a great product.' That's how Google News came about. Krishna did not intend to build a product, but he accidentally gave us the idea for one."
"We let engineers spend 20% of their time working on whatever they want, and we trust that they'll build interesting things."
March 11, 2008
4. Morph projects don't kill them
"Eric [Schmidt, CEO] made this observation to me once, which I think is accurate: Any project that is good enough to make it to Labs probably has a kernel of something interesting in there somewhere, even if the market doesn't respond to it. It's our job to take the product and morph it into something that the market needs."
March 11, 2008
4. Morph projects don't kill them
"Eric [Schmidt, CEO] made this observation to me once, which I think is accurate: Any project that is good enough to make it to Labs probably has a kernel of something interesting in there somewhere, even if the market doesn't respond to it. It's our job to take the product and morph it into something that the market needs."
6. Users, users, users
"I used to call this 'Users, Not Money.' We believe that if we focus on the users, the money will come. In a truly virtual business, if you're successful, you'll be working at something that's so necessary people will pay for it in subscription form. Or you'll have so many users that advertisers will pay to sponsor the site."
7. Data is apolitical
"When I meet people who run design at other organizations, they're always like, 'Design is one of the most political areas of the company. This designer likes green and that one likes purple, and whose design gets picked? The one who buddies up to the boss.'
Some companies think of design as an art. We think of design as a science. It doesn't matter who is the favorite or how much you like this aesthetic versus that aesthetic. It all comes down to data. Run a 1% test [on 1% of the audience] and whichever design does best against the user-happiness metrics over a two-week period is the one we launch. We have a very academic environment where we're looking at data all the time.
We probably have somewhere between 50 and 100 experiments running on live traffic, everything from the default number of results to underlined links to how big an arrow should be. We're trying all those different things."
8. Creativity loves constraints
"This is one of my favorites. People think of creativity as this sort of unbridled thing, but engineers thrive on constraints. They love to think their way out of that little box: 'We know you said it was impossible, but we're going to do this, this, and that to get us there.'"
9. You're brilliant? We're hiring
"When I was a grad student at Stanford, I saw that phrase on a flyer for another company in the basement of the computer-science building. It made me stop dead in my tracks and laugh out loud."
"A couple of months later, I'm working at Google, and the engineers were asked to write job ads for engineers. We had a contest. I put, 'You're brilliant? We're hiring. Come work at Google,' and got eight times the click rate that anyone else got.
"Google now has a thousand times as many people as when I started, which is just staggering to me. What's remarkable, though, is what hasn't changed--the types of people who work here and the types of things that they like to work on. It's almost identical to the first 20 or so of us at Google."
"There is this amazing element to the culture of wanting to work on big problems that matter, wanting to do great things for the world, believing that we can build a successful business without compromising our standards and values."
"If I'm an entrepreneur and I want to start a Web site, I need a billing system. Oh, there's Google Checkout. I need a mapping function. Oh, there's Google Maps. Okay, I need to monetize. There's Google AdSense, right? I need a user name and password-authentication system. There's Google Accounts."
"This is just way easier than going out and trying to create all of that from scratch. That's how we're going to stay innovative. We're going to continue to attract entrepreneurs who say, 'I found an idea, and I can go to Google and have a demo in a month and be launched in six.'"
Here she shares the rules that give the search giant its innovative edge
1. Innovation, not instant perfection
"There are two different types of programmers. Some like to code for months or even years, and hope they will have built the perfect product. That's castle building. Companies work this way, too. Apple is great at it. If you get it right and you've built just the perfect thing, you get this worldwide 'Wow!' The problem is, if you get it wrong, you get a thud, a thud in which you've spent, like, five years and 100 people on something the market doesn't want."
"Others prefer to have something working at the end of the day, something to refine and improve the next day. That's what we do: our 'launch early and often' strategy. The hardest part about indoctrinating people into our culture is when engineers show me a prototype and I'm like, 'Great, let's go!' They'll say, 'Oh, no, it's not ready.
It's not up to Google standards. This doesn't look like a Google product yet.' They want to castle-build and do all these other features and make it all perfect."
"I tell them, 'The Googly thing is to launch it early on Google Labs and then iterate, learning what the market wants--and making it great.' The beauty of experimenting in this way is that you never get too far from what the market wants. The market pulls you back."
2. Ideas come from everywhere
"We have this great internal list where people post new ideas and everyone can go on and see them. It's like a voting pool where you can say how good or bad you think an idea is. Those comments lead to new ideas."
3. A license to pursue your dreams
"Since around 2000, we let engineers spend 20% of their time working on whatever they want, and we trust that they'll build interesting things. After September 11, one of our researchers, Krishna Bharat, would go to 10 or 15 news sites each day looking for information about the case. And he thought, Why don't I write a program to do this? So Krishna, who's an expert in artificial intelligence, used a Web crawler to cluster articles."
"He later emailed it around the company. My office mate and I got it, and we were like, 'This isn't just a cool little tool for Krishna. We could add more sources and build this into a great product.' That's how Google News came about. Krishna did not intend to build a product, but he accidentally gave us the idea for one."
"We let engineers spend 20% of their time working on whatever they want, and we trust that they'll build interesting things."
March 11, 2008
4. Morph projects don't kill them
"Eric [Schmidt, CEO] made this observation to me once, which I think is accurate: Any project that is good enough to make it to Labs probably has a kernel of something interesting in there somewhere, even if the market doesn't respond to it. It's our job to take the product and morph it into something that the market needs."
March 11, 2008
4. Morph projects don't kill them
"Eric [Schmidt, CEO] made this observation to me once, which I think is accurate: Any project that is good enough to make it to Labs probably has a kernel of something interesting in there somewhere, even if the market doesn't respond to it. It's our job to take the product and morph it into something that the market needs."
6. Users, users, users
"I used to call this 'Users, Not Money.' We believe that if we focus on the users, the money will come. In a truly virtual business, if you're successful, you'll be working at something that's so necessary people will pay for it in subscription form. Or you'll have so many users that advertisers will pay to sponsor the site."
7. Data is apolitical
"When I meet people who run design at other organizations, they're always like, 'Design is one of the most political areas of the company. This designer likes green and that one likes purple, and whose design gets picked? The one who buddies up to the boss.'
Some companies think of design as an art. We think of design as a science. It doesn't matter who is the favorite or how much you like this aesthetic versus that aesthetic. It all comes down to data. Run a 1% test [on 1% of the audience] and whichever design does best against the user-happiness metrics over a two-week period is the one we launch. We have a very academic environment where we're looking at data all the time.
We probably have somewhere between 50 and 100 experiments running on live traffic, everything from the default number of results to underlined links to how big an arrow should be. We're trying all those different things."
8. Creativity loves constraints
"This is one of my favorites. People think of creativity as this sort of unbridled thing, but engineers thrive on constraints. They love to think their way out of that little box: 'We know you said it was impossible, but we're going to do this, this, and that to get us there.'"
9. You're brilliant? We're hiring
"When I was a grad student at Stanford, I saw that phrase on a flyer for another company in the basement of the computer-science building. It made me stop dead in my tracks and laugh out loud."
"A couple of months later, I'm working at Google, and the engineers were asked to write job ads for engineers. We had a contest. I put, 'You're brilliant? We're hiring. Come work at Google,' and got eight times the click rate that anyone else got.
"Google now has a thousand times as many people as when I started, which is just staggering to me. What's remarkable, though, is what hasn't changed--the types of people who work here and the types of things that they like to work on. It's almost identical to the first 20 or so of us at Google."
"There is this amazing element to the culture of wanting to work on big problems that matter, wanting to do great things for the world, believing that we can build a successful business without compromising our standards and values."
"If I'm an entrepreneur and I want to start a Web site, I need a billing system. Oh, there's Google Checkout. I need a mapping function. Oh, there's Google Maps. Okay, I need to monetize. There's Google AdSense, right? I need a user name and password-authentication system. There's Google Accounts."
"This is just way easier than going out and trying to create all of that from scratch. That's how we're going to stay innovative. We're going to continue to attract entrepreneurs who say, 'I found an idea, and I can go to Google and have a demo in a month and be launched in six.'"
High spirits
Do not get dispirited if you find that occasionally your learning becomes slow or even at a standstill.
This is normal, if you try to study difficult lessons for more than four or five hours a day, or if you have anxiety, fatigue, or boredom. Rest assured that you will recover from such negative spells.
Also, it is not advisable to go in for invidious comparisons with regard to learning speeds. Some of us may be faster than others in learning. Learning a bit slowly need not alarm any student, since he can learn as much as a bright student is able to do, provided he devotes a little more of time for learning with appropriate breaks.
You cannot denigrate the use of mnemonics or memory crutches, such as the popular VIBGYOR, which helps one list the seven rainbow colours in the right sequence.
We should make an intelligent use of aids to memory, without sacrificing the effort to grasp the ideas contained in lessons.
This is normal, if you try to study difficult lessons for more than four or five hours a day, or if you have anxiety, fatigue, or boredom. Rest assured that you will recover from such negative spells.
Also, it is not advisable to go in for invidious comparisons with regard to learning speeds. Some of us may be faster than others in learning. Learning a bit slowly need not alarm any student, since he can learn as much as a bright student is able to do, provided he devotes a little more of time for learning with appropriate breaks.
You cannot denigrate the use of mnemonics or memory crutches, such as the popular VIBGYOR, which helps one list the seven rainbow colours in the right sequence.
We should make an intelligent use of aids to memory, without sacrificing the effort to grasp the ideas contained in lessons.
Aspects of memory
There are various aspects of memory one should be aware of. Good memory cannot be developed, but its full potential can be used by developing the right habits. Here are some right steps:
Total concentration: Concentrating on the lesson content while learning is one of the important steps. We should focus on names and numbers. Even difficult material has to be converted into easily digestible logical matter. There should be a deliberate will to remember; the approach should not be casual. In other words, you should attempt active learning.
Reviewing should not be after a long time, since the material would have faded from your memory in the meantime.
Logical organisation: Material that is logically organised clings to our memory far better than random or disjointed floating bits of information. Infuse meaning into whatever you learn. Nothing you learn should be like nonsensical syllables.
From the woods to the trees: First try to get an overall idea of the lesson before going to specific details. Sometimes this style is called the funnel method.
We go from the general to the particular. Awareness of the general concepts makes the details more meaningful and easier to remember.
Associating with known facts: With each additional bit of knowledge committed to our memory, the brain goes to a new configuration and this is a continuous process. It is wise to take new bits as additions to existing knowledge. At the recall stage, such association will help easy retrieval.
Mock teaching: If you find a particular portion of the lesson difficult to digest, imagine that you are teaching it to a student sitting before you.
Speak it out in the form of an explanation, so that the idea gets hammered into your mind. This method is more effective than just reciting it aloud, since teaching involves the explanation of the same idea in different phrases, bringing illustrations, raising questions for clarification, and so on.
Visual encoding: Those who have a special aptitude for remembering pictures or charts or graph may translate information into visual formats.
Total concentration: Concentrating on the lesson content while learning is one of the important steps. We should focus on names and numbers. Even difficult material has to be converted into easily digestible logical matter. There should be a deliberate will to remember; the approach should not be casual. In other words, you should attempt active learning.
Reviewing should not be after a long time, since the material would have faded from your memory in the meantime.
Logical organisation: Material that is logically organised clings to our memory far better than random or disjointed floating bits of information. Infuse meaning into whatever you learn. Nothing you learn should be like nonsensical syllables.
From the woods to the trees: First try to get an overall idea of the lesson before going to specific details. Sometimes this style is called the funnel method.
We go from the general to the particular. Awareness of the general concepts makes the details more meaningful and easier to remember.
Associating with known facts: With each additional bit of knowledge committed to our memory, the brain goes to a new configuration and this is a continuous process. It is wise to take new bits as additions to existing knowledge. At the recall stage, such association will help easy retrieval.
Mock teaching: If you find a particular portion of the lesson difficult to digest, imagine that you are teaching it to a student sitting before you.
Speak it out in the form of an explanation, so that the idea gets hammered into your mind. This method is more effective than just reciting it aloud, since teaching involves the explanation of the same idea in different phrases, bringing illustrations, raising questions for clarification, and so on.
Visual encoding: Those who have a special aptitude for remembering pictures or charts or graph may translate information into visual formats.
How to memorise well
Here are ways in which you can make the most effective use of your memory in the learning process.
Any learning process involves application of memory. Skills in memorisation help you recall at will the information you had once mastered and perform well in tests and examinations. There is a school of thought that relying on memory is not a healthy way of learning, and that you should apply logic on each occasion for deriving information. This may be a good platitude; students in schools and colleges aiming at good scores in examinations have to remember a lot, irrespective of the test style.
Take for example a formula in mathematics or physics. Of course, there are ways to derive them. But it will be a sheer waste of time if you go in for ab initio derivation on every occasion you have to apply them.
We easily remember matter that has some meaning. Let us illustrate it with an example. See the words arranged in different columns.
The first column is the toughest to remember, as is contains nothing but nonsensical syllables. The second column is relatively easier, since it has words with some meaning. The third one is still easier, as the words belong to a family. The fourth one is a meaningful sentence; we can commit it to memory in one reading. The last one is the easiest, as it is a meaningful sentence with a rhyme. It may be remembered that the ease comes not only in just remembering but also in meaningful learning as well.
If the words carry some sense, we learn the idea easily. As part of learning, if an effort is made to translate tough matter we wish to remember into something that can be taken in with ease and delight, we make memorisation and learning more effective.
Memory is often classified as short- and long-term. When you recite a passage, the idea may be in your memory only for a couple of seconds. This cannot last long. If you want to commit the idea to long-term memory, you have to think about it for a few minutes. This is, of course, part of any learning process. Trying to recall an idea frequently will entrench it in your memory.
While learning a piece for the first time, you may benefit by reciting it a few more times after you have learnt it. This is called over-learning, which `engraves the mental trace deeper and deeper, thus establishing a base for long-term retention.'
Any learning process involves application of memory. Skills in memorisation help you recall at will the information you had once mastered and perform well in tests and examinations. There is a school of thought that relying on memory is not a healthy way of learning, and that you should apply logic on each occasion for deriving information. This may be a good platitude; students in schools and colleges aiming at good scores in examinations have to remember a lot, irrespective of the test style.
Take for example a formula in mathematics or physics. Of course, there are ways to derive them. But it will be a sheer waste of time if you go in for ab initio derivation on every occasion you have to apply them.
We easily remember matter that has some meaning. Let us illustrate it with an example. See the words arranged in different columns.
The first column is the toughest to remember, as is contains nothing but nonsensical syllables. The second column is relatively easier, since it has words with some meaning. The third one is still easier, as the words belong to a family. The fourth one is a meaningful sentence; we can commit it to memory in one reading. The last one is the easiest, as it is a meaningful sentence with a rhyme. It may be remembered that the ease comes not only in just remembering but also in meaningful learning as well.
If the words carry some sense, we learn the idea easily. As part of learning, if an effort is made to translate tough matter we wish to remember into something that can be taken in with ease and delight, we make memorisation and learning more effective.
Memory is often classified as short- and long-term. When you recite a passage, the idea may be in your memory only for a couple of seconds. This cannot last long. If you want to commit the idea to long-term memory, you have to think about it for a few minutes. This is, of course, part of any learning process. Trying to recall an idea frequently will entrench it in your memory.
While learning a piece for the first time, you may benefit by reciting it a few more times after you have learnt it. This is called over-learning, which `engraves the mental trace deeper and deeper, thus establishing a base for long-term retention.'
Art of learning
In our new series, we look at how to go about acquiring a good learning style.
OFTEN HOW you say is as important as what you say. Similarly, how you learn is as important as what you learn. Once a good learning style has been acquired, a student can easily make learning more effective and enjoyable.
It is a fact that a student who follows an unscientific or ineffective method of learning would find the experience drudgery or hard labour.
American historian Henry Brooks Adams (1838-1918) put the idea nicely: "They know enough who know how to learn." This may be read along with the saying attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551 - 479 BC): "I hear I forget, I see I remember, I do I understand."
We come across parents who boast that their children learn till midnight or wake up at four in the morning to study, implying thereby that their learning is very efficient.
How many parents have the patience and common sense to observe the learning styles followed by their children or to analyse the effectiveness of the styles?
You should remember that learning smarter and quicker is more important than learning harder and longer.
Good study habits will in the long run benefit any student. If someone has a poor study habit, it is easier to get it replaced with a good habit, rather than just stop the poor habit.
We often see that smokers who wish to quit the habit are advised to chew something of their choice as a substitute, whenever they feel that they should smoke.
It is not rarely that a student wastes precious time by reading the same essay over and over again every month, without taking care to extract the main points and check how well they have been understood.
A student may passively read the worked examples in a textbook several times, as a part of learning numerical problems in mathematics or science. He/she may gaze at a sketch or figure in the textbook for a few minutes and try to believe that he/she has learnt it well.
But in the examination hall, students who have followed such defective styles may discover their inability to solve numerical problems, or draw the sketches independently. These are just indicative of what may result from incorrect or ineffective methods of study.
Working out
Numerical problems have to be solved independently by the student. He/she may have some difficulties. These hitches can be overcome by referring to the textbook, after which the student will be able to solve similar problems with ease and confidence.
Similarly, while learning, the figures have to be sketched from memory and hitches solved by referring to the textbook, until you reach stage when you can easily draw it from memory.
These facts point to the need for proper study skills. The time spent on mastering some of the basic learning methods is no waste of time, but it is a worthy investment that will certainly yield great profits in course of time. Learning properly is a habit. Once it is developed, you would learn more in a given time, and learn more effectively so that you can apply what you have learnt in any new environment.
You have to be active and enthusiastic while learning. You should not adopt a totally relaxed pose. Lying down while reading is not desirable. `Sit straight and read' is a good direction that may be followed.
Learning by heart
Should you learn your lessons by heart? In the first place, such learning is not physically possible in higher classes, because of sheer volume of the lessons. Rote learning consumes enormous time, which could be utilised better in other learning activities. Further, learning by rote without understanding the content is no learning at all. That is why this method is usually not recommended.
However, it is advisable to learn poems by heart, thrilling passages, quotes of great people and definitions in science subjects. Definitions are often framed using minimum words with maximum content, paying attention to precision and accuracy. You should not imagine that there is only one way to acquiring effective study habits. There are indeed several highways and byways, intersections and road signs. Each student has to choose whatever suits him/her the best.
You can, however, adopt some of the commonly accepted styles and techniques. There can be individual modifications to meet specific needs.
The first step to developing study skills is the preparation of a workable timetable. It should provide time not only for learning from the textbook, but also for all essential activities of the student. What you should aim at is not being a glorified bookworm, but an individual endowed with sound personality traits.
Making an over-ambitious timetable and then failing to follow it is common. That is why you should take into account the ground realities of student life before blindly drafting a tight schedule, ignoring your diverse pursuits.
The timetable should have the following characteristics:
- Appropriate duration for each subject of study. This has to take into consideration individual variations in inherent aptitude and interest in different subjects.
- Wherever possible, variety in the arrangement of the subjects so that the tasks involved change as the subjects change. For example, learning poetry by heart is different from doing numerical problems or drawing sketches in a science subject.
- You should not attempt to learn the same subject continuously for long hours at a stretch. There has to be a sequence that counters monotony.
- Brief breaks between different subjects, enabling the student to refresh him/herself.
- Necessary durations for co-curricular or extra-curricular activities, domestic chores, extra reading, rest, games, relaxation, and entertainment.
- Study hours to suit the personal preferences of the pupil. Some may choose to work late at night, whereas some others may prefer the early morning hours. Many parents often insist that certain specific hours dictated by them be followed by their children. This may hamper their learning efficiency.
- Separate schedules for working days and holidays.
- Essential flexibility in the schedules for accommodating unexpected events.
- Apart from the daily timetable, there should be a monthly timetable and an annual chart that reflects our overall planning.
- Redraft the timetable every month, in the light of previous levels of achievements.
Irrespective of what the timetable dictates, you should remember that studying while you are mentally fatigued is not effective. If there are very difficult lessons, they may be scheduled for the hours when you are most active and alert.
***
OFTEN HOW you say is as important as what you say. Similarly, how you learn is as important as what you learn. Once a good learning style has been acquired, a student can easily make learning more effective and enjoyable.
It is a fact that a student who follows an unscientific or ineffective method of learning would find the experience drudgery or hard labour.
American historian Henry Brooks Adams (1838-1918) put the idea nicely: "They know enough who know how to learn." This may be read along with the saying attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551 - 479 BC): "I hear I forget, I see I remember, I do I understand."
We come across parents who boast that their children learn till midnight or wake up at four in the morning to study, implying thereby that their learning is very efficient.
How many parents have the patience and common sense to observe the learning styles followed by their children or to analyse the effectiveness of the styles?
You should remember that learning smarter and quicker is more important than learning harder and longer.
Good study habits will in the long run benefit any student. If someone has a poor study habit, it is easier to get it replaced with a good habit, rather than just stop the poor habit.
We often see that smokers who wish to quit the habit are advised to chew something of their choice as a substitute, whenever they feel that they should smoke.
It is not rarely that a student wastes precious time by reading the same essay over and over again every month, without taking care to extract the main points and check how well they have been understood.
A student may passively read the worked examples in a textbook several times, as a part of learning numerical problems in mathematics or science. He/she may gaze at a sketch or figure in the textbook for a few minutes and try to believe that he/she has learnt it well.
But in the examination hall, students who have followed such defective styles may discover their inability to solve numerical problems, or draw the sketches independently. These are just indicative of what may result from incorrect or ineffective methods of study.
Working out
Numerical problems have to be solved independently by the student. He/she may have some difficulties. These hitches can be overcome by referring to the textbook, after which the student will be able to solve similar problems with ease and confidence.
Similarly, while learning, the figures have to be sketched from memory and hitches solved by referring to the textbook, until you reach stage when you can easily draw it from memory.
These facts point to the need for proper study skills. The time spent on mastering some of the basic learning methods is no waste of time, but it is a worthy investment that will certainly yield great profits in course of time. Learning properly is a habit. Once it is developed, you would learn more in a given time, and learn more effectively so that you can apply what you have learnt in any new environment.
You have to be active and enthusiastic while learning. You should not adopt a totally relaxed pose. Lying down while reading is not desirable. `Sit straight and read' is a good direction that may be followed.
Learning by heart
Should you learn your lessons by heart? In the first place, such learning is not physically possible in higher classes, because of sheer volume of the lessons. Rote learning consumes enormous time, which could be utilised better in other learning activities. Further, learning by rote without understanding the content is no learning at all. That is why this method is usually not recommended.
However, it is advisable to learn poems by heart, thrilling passages, quotes of great people and definitions in science subjects. Definitions are often framed using minimum words with maximum content, paying attention to precision and accuracy. You should not imagine that there is only one way to acquiring effective study habits. There are indeed several highways and byways, intersections and road signs. Each student has to choose whatever suits him/her the best.
You can, however, adopt some of the commonly accepted styles and techniques. There can be individual modifications to meet specific needs.
The first step to developing study skills is the preparation of a workable timetable. It should provide time not only for learning from the textbook, but also for all essential activities of the student. What you should aim at is not being a glorified bookworm, but an individual endowed with sound personality traits.
Making an over-ambitious timetable and then failing to follow it is common. That is why you should take into account the ground realities of student life before blindly drafting a tight schedule, ignoring your diverse pursuits.
The timetable should have the following characteristics:
- Appropriate duration for each subject of study. This has to take into consideration individual variations in inherent aptitude and interest in different subjects.
- Wherever possible, variety in the arrangement of the subjects so that the tasks involved change as the subjects change. For example, learning poetry by heart is different from doing numerical problems or drawing sketches in a science subject.
- You should not attempt to learn the same subject continuously for long hours at a stretch. There has to be a sequence that counters monotony.
- Brief breaks between different subjects, enabling the student to refresh him/herself.
- Necessary durations for co-curricular or extra-curricular activities, domestic chores, extra reading, rest, games, relaxation, and entertainment.
- Study hours to suit the personal preferences of the pupil. Some may choose to work late at night, whereas some others may prefer the early morning hours. Many parents often insist that certain specific hours dictated by them be followed by their children. This may hamper their learning efficiency.
- Separate schedules for working days and holidays.
- Essential flexibility in the schedules for accommodating unexpected events.
- Apart from the daily timetable, there should be a monthly timetable and an annual chart that reflects our overall planning.
- Redraft the timetable every month, in the light of previous levels of achievements.
Irrespective of what the timetable dictates, you should remember that studying while you are mentally fatigued is not effective. If there are very difficult lessons, they may be scheduled for the hours when you are most active and alert.
***
Top 10 Mass Communications colleges in India
1. Mudra Institue of Communications - Ahmedabad
2. Asian College of Journalism - Chennai
3. AJ Kidwai Mass Comm Research Centre, Jamia - New Delhi
4. IIMC - New Delhi
5. Xavier Institute of Communication - Mumbai
6. Film and Television Institute of India - Pune
7. Symbiosis Institue of Mass Communication - Pune
8. Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media - Bangalore
9. Manorama School of Communication - Kottayam
10 Times School of Journalism - New Delhi
2. Asian College of Journalism - Chennai
3. AJ Kidwai Mass Comm Research Centre, Jamia - New Delhi
4. IIMC - New Delhi
5. Xavier Institute of Communication - Mumbai
6. Film and Television Institute of India - Pune
7. Symbiosis Institue of Mass Communication - Pune
8. Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media - Bangalore
9. Manorama School of Communication - Kottayam
10 Times School of Journalism - New Delhi
Rajni's rage
It’s almost 10 days now since its release in record number of theatres in Tamil Nadu and several other states across the country, and Rajnikanth’s Sivaji: The Boss still continues to hold the people in awe at the sheer grandeur of its production enriched by unprecedented play of the computer graphics. Not just the usual lower and middle class crowds from the thousands of fan clubs of the superstar but even the upper crust of society, including several high-paid professionals, queued up for tickets hours before the plans opened on June 10 for the much-awaited movie, widely rumoured to have cost the producers, AVM Studios, Rs 75 crores and more.
"It’s the biggest production ever released in the entire Indian movie industry," gushed A.V.M. Saravanan, the producer. "Everything about this film is grand." Industry experts were quick to point out that Sivaji carried the most potent mix ever attempted in Kollywood — Superstar Rajnikanth, Midas-touch director Shankar and the most-respected production house, AVM.
Add to that the biggest selling name in the Indian cine music, A.R. Rahman, the highly talented cinematographer K.V. Anand and the "magic-man" Thota Tharani as art director. "Sivaji will collect over Rs 100 crore and that is a very modest figure," said a Kollywood senior. "Already, the movie has led to a debate that Rajni is bigger than Big B, since this film is a hit in Telugu also, besides collecting huge sums in Karnataka and Kerala, not to forget Mumbai and the north. "We are getting requests for more prints from these states but have decided to go slow, considering options for dubbing into those languages," said an AVM official.
"Not just that, the box office statistics in the UK included Sivaji in the top 10 among recent releases and during the first 12 shows, the movie collected an average of £14,050 per show," he said. The studio is planning to dub Sivaji into Japanese — since there are many fans in Japan after his blockbuster Muthu was made some years ago — while there were enquiries for Chinese and Malay versions as well.
"I saw the late-night show of a stupid movie at the Satyam multiplex on June 9, so that I could get into the queue for Sivaji around midnight and be among the first few to get the tickets. And I found there were already 11 people ahead of me when I got to the line at 1 am," recalled Jayapal Gokul, a second-year student of engineering in Chennai.
"When I went to college that day, I was as big a hero as Rajni when I showed the tickets to friends at the canteen," he said. There were several such scenes of jubilant fans flaunting the Sivaji tickets to friends at schools and colleges, offices and IT parks. Managing a ticket became a "prestige issue", to quote a software pro, even as the theatres were flooded with special requests for block-bookings from corporate groups, IT companies and even the welfare associations of the residential colonies.
"We have not witnessed such enthusiasm for any other film. We are unable to process all the special requests for bulk tickets because the demand has been so high," said Supriya of Satyam multiplex.
"I have been in the business for over 30 years and I have not seen such crowds for any other movie. Sivaji is undoubtedly the biggest grosser ever," said Sv. Rm. Ramanathan, proprietor of the Abhirami theatres in Chennai.
Reports from the districts are no different — seats are booked days ahead. The police were flooded with complaints that blackmarketeers were making a killing, with some theatre managements too joining in.
"During the opening week, we got complaints that Rs 90 tickets were being sold at Rs 1,000 each. We have made some arrests," said a senior police official. The media was full of stories of fans performing special prayers, breaking coconuts and lighting camphor inside the theatres, bathing the Rajni banners with milk and even beer in a few cases. In short, the fan frenzy was unprecedented and refused to wane. "Smokers step out five to six times for a quick drag during any movie show, but I was shocked to find nobody in the lobbies while Sivaji was running. They did not want to miss the next scene, the film is so gripping," said Abhirami Ramanathan.
"Romba Brahmandama Irukku (It’s very grand, magnificent), commented chief minister M. Karunanidhi after seeing a special screening arranged by AVM Saravanan at his studio. Interestingly, Sivaji brought the two wives of the octogenarian Dravidian stalwart together as both Dayalu Ammal and Rajathi Ammal arrived with him, though separately, and sat in different rows to enjoy the Rajni flick.
Saravanan arranged for a special show for the AIADMK supremo Ms Jayalalithaa on the same day of the movie’s release. The heroine of yesteryears came out stunned. Rajnikanth was present during both the VIP screenings at the AVM Studios. Much later, a popular Tamil magazine gave a twist to his "hospitality" by accusing the hero of using the two top political leaders for publicity for his film.
However, Kollywood experts say Rajnikanth need not have depended on the testimonials of Karunanidhi or Jayalalithaa to promote his Sivaji. The movie has had an awesome build-up in the media from day-one after the shooting began in December 2005, thanks to strategic marketing by M.S. Guhan, son of Saravanan. "In fact, I was reluctant to produce this film when director Shankar discussed the project because it was too huge even for a production house like AVM, which has made 167 films till then over the last 61 years. But Guhan said he would be able to handle it and he has come out triumphant. Rajni himself told me that I must be proud of my son," said Saravanan. Among the "grand" spectacles that must have overawed even the seasoned AVM producer is a song shot in the now-defunct Binny Cloth Mills, done up to look like an Italian pavilion by Thota Tharani. Besides, the fight sequences — particularly the climax having the superstar bash up the villain amid thousands of flying 1000-rupee notes, not genuine though — must have cost the heavens.
In spite of all those big bills and inevitable production hiccups, if the mega project went through its schedule and hit the screen with such a bang, most of the credit must go to the hero, insisted Saravanan. "He would be on the sets before the others. He would sit and watch even when the shot did not require him. Such was his involvement and he had absolutely no airs about him despite being the superstar," he said. Did he expect Sivaji to create such hype and emerge a commercial hit? Saravanan said he had no doubt of that and the production schedule and the box office reports amply justified his confidence. Insisting that his film was blessed even before the shooting began, the producer recalled an interesting anecdote. When he got the sudden call from director Shankar saying that he was with Rajni and they would like him to come over to discuss the project, he asked his son Guhan to accompany him.
Halfway to the venue of the meeting, he thought it appropriate to pay Shankar and Rajni a token advance for accepting the film. He had two new one-rupee notes and Guhan had two fresh 1000-rupee notes, so they decided to give the director and the superstar an advance of Rs1,001 each. "Both of them did not mind the small amount considering our close association. But when we returned to office, Rajni phoned Guhan and asked how we managed to get those currency notes. The numbers in the two notes given to him added up to his lucky number nine and those given to Shankar made his favourite eight. That was providence and I knew only then that Sivaji would be a hit," recalled Saravanan.
What makes the dark-skinned 54-year-old still click with the audiences, young and old, across language and culture barriers? "Undoubtedly his hard work and commitment, besides the Rajni style of course. The stunt director had made him do what even the 25-year-olds could find tough but Rajni did well though there was some help from the computer graphics team," explained a production executive.
"More than anything else, Rajni is very religious. He has been blessed and that’s why he is the superstar," said Saravanan, recalling that the hero had chosen for his little quarters during the shooting a room with window overlooking a temple.
Rajnispeak
The superstar’s famous punchlines:
* Sivaji pera ketale chumma adhurudhulla(As soon as you hear my name you will feel the tremors).Kanna panninga dhaan kootama varum, singam single-a dhaan varum(Only pigs come in a gang, lion comes alone).Sivaji: The Boss, 2007
* Khatham, gatham. (The past is past). BABA, 2002
* En vazhi – thani vazhi. (My way is a unique way). Padayappa, 1999
* Andavan solran. Arunachalam seiran.(God commands, Arunachalam executes). Arunachalam, 1997
* Naan eppa varuven, eppadi varuvennu yarukkum theriyadhu, aana varavendiya neratthil correct-aga varuven. (When I will arrive, or how I will arrive, nobody will know, but I will arrive when I ought to). Muthu, 1995
Source: Deccan Chronicle
Posted by phr at 4:44 AM 0 comments
Labels: Rajni's rage, Rajnikanth rocks, Sivaji the boss
5 ways to get financially organised
Ever joined a gym? Remember what happens? Let me help you with this one.
It is with a deep sense of realisation that you join a gym. It is a realisation about your health and how only you are responsible for it. The thought lingers in your mind for days, sometimes even months; it is only then that you finally join the gym.
The years of neglect make you fearful about your health. When you join the gym, you are brimming with enthusiasm and want to wash all your sins overnight. On the first day itself, you pick those heavy weights. By the time your session ends (how you want to push an extra hour!), you are already comparing yourself with Hrithik Roshan or Priyanka Chopra, as the case may be.
The enthusiasm stays for some days, then starts tapering. By the time a month is over, you have already missed 5-7 sessions. Fear gives way to justification -- 'I was busy with office work', 'Nothing can happen to me'. In fact, you have no dearth of excuses.
From the second month onwards, you are convinced you do not need to go to the gym. After all, you can do what the instructor has taught you. At least that's what you think.
The same logic applies when it comes to managing your money; you start with a lot of enthusiasm but it tapers off over a period of time.
How your emotions can cost you MONEY
However, if you are disciplined enough and are a stickler for a plan, here's one that will help you amass great wealth over the long-term. Implementation, of course, is your responsibility.
1. List incomes and expenses
Understand that saving is not the only way to get rich.You need to bring in more money and invest it properly. Since there is a practical limit to that, what you can do is cut down on your wasteful expenditure and invest your savings wisely. It is not how much you invest, but for how long you do it, that matters.
List all your incomes and expenses (the operative word here is 'all', especially for expenses). This will give you an exact picture of where your money is going.
2. Prioritise expenses
Once you are ready with a list of your income and expenses, identify the expenses you can cut down on. Invariably, I have found with my clients that investments are their last priority -- 'Agar kuch bachta hai to usko invest karte hain (If there is some money left over, we will invest it.' What I suggest to my clients is they give the topmost priority to investments.
The amount that you start saving and investing should not matter in the beginning; inculcating this habit should. Over a period of time, I have noticed that they themselves start making an effort to increase their investments.
3. List assets and liabilities
What you want is a high net worth and ample liquidity (cash in hand). Net worth refers to the assets you own minus your liabilities. One big housing loan can drag your net worth in the red.
Similarly, huge investments in instruments such as public provident fund or fixed deposits may keep your net worth positive, but it won't grow at a fast clip. The return you get on these mode of investments are less compared to, say, returns from the stock market.
5 habits that can make you rich
Of course, investment avenues depend upon a lot of factors and will vary from individual to individual.
You need to do is make a conscious effort to increase assets (depending upon your risk-taking ability), reduce liabilities and keep a healthy liquidity (that is, you should typically keep aside three months of expenses).
4. List goals
All this is being done is with certain objectives in mind. So list all your objectives. Attach a money value to these objectives. Assess the time when each of these will materialise.
Let us say a marriage costs Rs 10 lakhs today. Assume that the cost of marrying your children grows at a rate of 8 to 10 per cent every year (slightly higher for education -- around 12 per cent).
Now, calculate the projected value after the number of years it will materialise for you, that is, if you have a daughter/ son who is seven years age and you see her/ him marrying at the age of 24 years, then you still have 17 (24-7) years for your goal to materialise.
Assuming that costs increase at 10 per cent per year, the Rs 10 lakhs you need for the marriage will have increased to Rs 50.54 lakhs in the next 17 years. So, you have to invest such an amount today that it will grow to Rs 50.54 lakhs in the next 17 years.
To achieve this target, assuming returns at various rates, the following lump sum investments need to be made today.
Investment
Rs 13,66,066
Rs 736,155
Rs 405,405
Rs 227,821
Rate
8 per cent
12 per cent
16 per cent
20 per centThis means that if you invest a lump sum amount of Rs 13,66,066 today, after 17 years, the value of this investment will be Rs 50.54 lakhs if it grows at 8 per cent every year.
In case of a SIP @ 14 per cent per annum return for 17 years, the minimum investment/ month only for this goal (Rs 50.54 lakhs) would be Rs 6,100. The importance of starting early can be seen from the fact that if you start investing the day when your son/ daughter is born, you will have to invest Rs 4,200 to achieve the target.
Married? 7 money tips you must know
These figures may sound outrageous but the fact remains that, if you are prepared for the worst case, you will never face the risk of a thud landing. For all the talk of inflation below 5 per cent, I have seen egg prices go up form Rs 0.5 to Rs 2.5 per egg in the last 10 years. That's an increase of 400 per cent in 10 years. Now, do the above figures seem absurd and outrageous to you?
5. Stick to a plan
This is the most difficult part. It is like asking for the moon. This is when you decide whether you will continue with the gym for a second month or your justifications get the better of your will power and discipline.
Once you have your plan in place -- insurance, investments, goals, etc -- how you will stick to it is what matters.
If you manage your salary, month after month, in line with your plan, it will go a long way in helping you achieve your financial objective. The question you should answer is how badly you want it.
Financial planners can only develop plans for you. To implement them or not is solely your responsibility. After all, it's your money and you should be more passionate about it than anybody else.
It is with a deep sense of realisation that you join a gym. It is a realisation about your health and how only you are responsible for it. The thought lingers in your mind for days, sometimes even months; it is only then that you finally join the gym.
The years of neglect make you fearful about your health. When you join the gym, you are brimming with enthusiasm and want to wash all your sins overnight. On the first day itself, you pick those heavy weights. By the time your session ends (how you want to push an extra hour!), you are already comparing yourself with Hrithik Roshan or Priyanka Chopra, as the case may be.
The enthusiasm stays for some days, then starts tapering. By the time a month is over, you have already missed 5-7 sessions. Fear gives way to justification -- 'I was busy with office work', 'Nothing can happen to me'. In fact, you have no dearth of excuses.
From the second month onwards, you are convinced you do not need to go to the gym. After all, you can do what the instructor has taught you. At least that's what you think.
The same logic applies when it comes to managing your money; you start with a lot of enthusiasm but it tapers off over a period of time.
How your emotions can cost you MONEY
However, if you are disciplined enough and are a stickler for a plan, here's one that will help you amass great wealth over the long-term. Implementation, of course, is your responsibility.
1. List incomes and expenses
Understand that saving is not the only way to get rich.You need to bring in more money and invest it properly. Since there is a practical limit to that, what you can do is cut down on your wasteful expenditure and invest your savings wisely. It is not how much you invest, but for how long you do it, that matters.
List all your incomes and expenses (the operative word here is 'all', especially for expenses). This will give you an exact picture of where your money is going.
2. Prioritise expenses
Once you are ready with a list of your income and expenses, identify the expenses you can cut down on. Invariably, I have found with my clients that investments are their last priority -- 'Agar kuch bachta hai to usko invest karte hain (If there is some money left over, we will invest it.' What I suggest to my clients is they give the topmost priority to investments.
The amount that you start saving and investing should not matter in the beginning; inculcating this habit should. Over a period of time, I have noticed that they themselves start making an effort to increase their investments.
3. List assets and liabilities
What you want is a high net worth and ample liquidity (cash in hand). Net worth refers to the assets you own minus your liabilities. One big housing loan can drag your net worth in the red.
Similarly, huge investments in instruments such as public provident fund or fixed deposits may keep your net worth positive, but it won't grow at a fast clip. The return you get on these mode of investments are less compared to, say, returns from the stock market.
5 habits that can make you rich
Of course, investment avenues depend upon a lot of factors and will vary from individual to individual.
You need to do is make a conscious effort to increase assets (depending upon your risk-taking ability), reduce liabilities and keep a healthy liquidity (that is, you should typically keep aside three months of expenses).
4. List goals
All this is being done is with certain objectives in mind. So list all your objectives. Attach a money value to these objectives. Assess the time when each of these will materialise.
Let us say a marriage costs Rs 10 lakhs today. Assume that the cost of marrying your children grows at a rate of 8 to 10 per cent every year (slightly higher for education -- around 12 per cent).
Now, calculate the projected value after the number of years it will materialise for you, that is, if you have a daughter/ son who is seven years age and you see her/ him marrying at the age of 24 years, then you still have 17 (24-7) years for your goal to materialise.
Assuming that costs increase at 10 per cent per year, the Rs 10 lakhs you need for the marriage will have increased to Rs 50.54 lakhs in the next 17 years. So, you have to invest such an amount today that it will grow to Rs 50.54 lakhs in the next 17 years.
To achieve this target, assuming returns at various rates, the following lump sum investments need to be made today.
Investment
Rs 13,66,066
Rs 736,155
Rs 405,405
Rs 227,821
Rate
8 per cent
12 per cent
16 per cent
20 per centThis means that if you invest a lump sum amount of Rs 13,66,066 today, after 17 years, the value of this investment will be Rs 50.54 lakhs if it grows at 8 per cent every year.
In case of a SIP @ 14 per cent per annum return for 17 years, the minimum investment/ month only for this goal (Rs 50.54 lakhs) would be Rs 6,100. The importance of starting early can be seen from the fact that if you start investing the day when your son/ daughter is born, you will have to invest Rs 4,200 to achieve the target.
Married? 7 money tips you must know
These figures may sound outrageous but the fact remains that, if you are prepared for the worst case, you will never face the risk of a thud landing. For all the talk of inflation below 5 per cent, I have seen egg prices go up form Rs 0.5 to Rs 2.5 per egg in the last 10 years. That's an increase of 400 per cent in 10 years. Now, do the above figures seem absurd and outrageous to you?
5. Stick to a plan
This is the most difficult part. It is like asking for the moon. This is when you decide whether you will continue with the gym for a second month or your justifications get the better of your will power and discipline.
Once you have your plan in place -- insurance, investments, goals, etc -- how you will stick to it is what matters.
If you manage your salary, month after month, in line with your plan, it will go a long way in helping you achieve your financial objective. The question you should answer is how badly you want it.
Financial planners can only develop plans for you. To implement them or not is solely your responsibility. After all, it's your money and you should be more passionate about it than anybody else.
Healthy Living Through Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, there are four crucial components to healthy and balanced living: eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and daily meditation.
For Ayurvedic healers, it is not just what you eat, but it's also how your body reacts to what you eat that is important. However, many people have become overweight because they have become "imbalanced" when it comes to their approach to food. Eating the right kind and the appropriate quantity of food is so important in Ayurvedic healing. One proverb states that "food is divine". How divine? Food even enjoys a higher status in Ayurveda than all other herbs and medicines!
As long as we continue to eat inappropriate and unhealthy foods or continue to have unpredictable eating routines and habits, our bodies will suffer serious consequences. We damage our energy level, mental well-being and emotional state by eating junk and chemical-laden food. These all seriously damage our general health and well-being and even cause irreversible damage to our organs, thereby shortening our life-span tremendously.
Ayurvedic practitioners, unlike many Western diet gurus, do not have a "one-size-fits-all" approach to eating and nutrition. We all have unique dietary needs and we all have to create a diet that fits us over time. However, Ayurveda suggests some general guidelines for healthy food choices and you can use the guidelines that work best for you. Remember to listen to your body carefully because it will guide you to the foods that can enhance your physical, mental and emotional balance. It is highly recommended that you eat raw, fresh, natural whole foods.
It is also encouraged that you follow an eating routine and treat eating times as sacred. Try not to take short meals or eat while working. Prepare and cook food with care and look for a place where you can eat in a pleasant atmosphere. When you take the time to eat, you give food the chance to turn into ojas - the substance that Ayurveda calls the essence of life and the best product of the eating and digesting process.
Another basic for good health and longevity is enough sleep. According to Ayurveda, sleep is important so our minds and bodies get to recharge. Lack of sleep hampers digestion, clouds the mental state and burdens many organs. Sleep deprivation is linked to high blood pressure and depression, among other things. Interestingly enough, Ayurveda does not think eight hours of sleep is for everyone. Because you are unique, you need to know your own sleep quota that is adequate and makes you function well. The quality of sleep is also important. Ayurveda says the best kind of sleep happens then when the mind is completely separate from all other senses. It is suggested that early sleep is more productive, try to go to bed early (before 10 pm). It is important to wake up early too, preferably before 6 am. Aromatherapy, a cup of herbal tea, deep breathing exercises and a bedtime massage can all help you enjoy a deeper slumber.
The third basic component of a healthy life is an adequate level of physical and mental activity. Along with diet and sleep, Ayurvedic healers say we need an exercise program that caters to our needs. For example, if you are trying to balance a Kapha dosha, go for more vigorous exercise like aerobics or tennis. If you are a Pitta, swimming is a good option. Walking and yoga are good for everyone because they are convenient and practical. They can also be done everyday alone or with a partner. It s recommended that you exercise early in the morning to sustain energy levels during the day and to sleep easier at night. Never exercise on an empty stomach or after a meal. Never continue the exercise if you feel pain or exhaustion. As with all other elements, moderation in exercise is crucial to physical and mental balance.
For Ayurvedic healers, it is not just what you eat, but it's also how your body reacts to what you eat that is important. However, many people have become overweight because they have become "imbalanced" when it comes to their approach to food. Eating the right kind and the appropriate quantity of food is so important in Ayurvedic healing. One proverb states that "food is divine". How divine? Food even enjoys a higher status in Ayurveda than all other herbs and medicines!
As long as we continue to eat inappropriate and unhealthy foods or continue to have unpredictable eating routines and habits, our bodies will suffer serious consequences. We damage our energy level, mental well-being and emotional state by eating junk and chemical-laden food. These all seriously damage our general health and well-being and even cause irreversible damage to our organs, thereby shortening our life-span tremendously.
Ayurvedic practitioners, unlike many Western diet gurus, do not have a "one-size-fits-all" approach to eating and nutrition. We all have unique dietary needs and we all have to create a diet that fits us over time. However, Ayurveda suggests some general guidelines for healthy food choices and you can use the guidelines that work best for you. Remember to listen to your body carefully because it will guide you to the foods that can enhance your physical, mental and emotional balance. It is highly recommended that you eat raw, fresh, natural whole foods.
It is also encouraged that you follow an eating routine and treat eating times as sacred. Try not to take short meals or eat while working. Prepare and cook food with care and look for a place where you can eat in a pleasant atmosphere. When you take the time to eat, you give food the chance to turn into ojas - the substance that Ayurveda calls the essence of life and the best product of the eating and digesting process.
Another basic for good health and longevity is enough sleep. According to Ayurveda, sleep is important so our minds and bodies get to recharge. Lack of sleep hampers digestion, clouds the mental state and burdens many organs. Sleep deprivation is linked to high blood pressure and depression, among other things. Interestingly enough, Ayurveda does not think eight hours of sleep is for everyone. Because you are unique, you need to know your own sleep quota that is adequate and makes you function well. The quality of sleep is also important. Ayurveda says the best kind of sleep happens then when the mind is completely separate from all other senses. It is suggested that early sleep is more productive, try to go to bed early (before 10 pm). It is important to wake up early too, preferably before 6 am. Aromatherapy, a cup of herbal tea, deep breathing exercises and a bedtime massage can all help you enjoy a deeper slumber.
The third basic component of a healthy life is an adequate level of physical and mental activity. Along with diet and sleep, Ayurvedic healers say we need an exercise program that caters to our needs. For example, if you are trying to balance a Kapha dosha, go for more vigorous exercise like aerobics or tennis. If you are a Pitta, swimming is a good option. Walking and yoga are good for everyone because they are convenient and practical. They can also be done everyday alone or with a partner. It s recommended that you exercise early in the morning to sustain energy levels during the day and to sleep easier at night. Never exercise on an empty stomach or after a meal. Never continue the exercise if you feel pain or exhaustion. As with all other elements, moderation in exercise is crucial to physical and mental balance.
The 13 Obstacles of Yoga
The path of yoga can be long and hard, filled with obstacles, pitfalls, and detours. Luckily, yogic philosophy provides a roadside assistance program to aid you when you become stuck. The yogis who have traveled the path before us have left us a troubleshooting guide called the 13 obstacles of yoga. The nine main obstacles of yoga are:
1. Vyadhi - Illness, disease, physical or mental. It is difficult to do yoga if you are physically sick. Thus it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle for the prevention of illness and promotion of optimal health.
2. Styana - Apathy, disinclination towards performing ones kartavya or duty. By procrastinating, we avoid our practice and create excuses for not being on the path and doing the work.
3. Sanshaya - doubting ones capability or the result of yoga. We can only come to know Reality, declares the Brihad-Âranyaka-Upanishad (4.4.23), when we are free from doubt. It is important to cultivate faith in oneself as well as the yogic path.
4. Pramada - Heedlessness, carelessness, a lack of persistence. Yoga is both a science and art and approaching it without skill, care, respect and devotion will create erratic and possible negative results.
5. Alasya - Sloth, inertia of mind or body due to dominance of the tamasic element. Yoga requires discipline, zeal and tapas (will-power) to succeed on its path. Laziness will prevent you from attaining your highest potential.
6. Avirati - Overindulgence, attachment to pleasurable things. We must learn to “let go” of our attachments to desire and physical objects if we are to make progress in yoga.
7. Bhrantidarshan - False vision, a premature sense of certainty. The development of a false notion about the practice of yoga and its outcome can not only lead one off the path of yoga, but also create harm and disappointment.
8. Alabdha-bhumikatva - Non-attainment of the next yogic stage or accomplishment. This happens due to faulty or poor practice and creates a feeling of being “stuck” and leads to discouragement.
9. Anawasthitatwa - Instability, non-permanence of a yogic accomplishment or stage. Not able to maintain an attained stage can be a real drag. This again can be a result of faulty or poor practice.
When any of these primary obstacles are encountered, four minor obstacles may appear according to the circumstances:
1. Duhkha - Pain or sorrow
2. Daurmanasya - depression, pain caused by non-fulfilment of desires.
3. Angamejayatwa - the shivering of parts of the body.
4. Shvâsa-prashvâsa - disturbances in kumbhaka or breath retention causing the irregular breathing pattern that comes with mental agitation.
You will need to be able to remove all these obstacles at will to be successful in yoga. They may appear at any time, and if not conquered during their first appearance, they are most likely to return until you learn how to overcome them.
The key to the removal of any and all of the above obstacles is the cultivation of the one-pointedness of mind. These obstacles will naturally pass with time unless we allow ourselves to become entangled and bogged down in them. By focusing all of your attention on a single object the obstacles dissolve and begin to lose their importance and power.
1. Vyadhi - Illness, disease, physical or mental. It is difficult to do yoga if you are physically sick. Thus it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle for the prevention of illness and promotion of optimal health.
2. Styana - Apathy, disinclination towards performing ones kartavya or duty. By procrastinating, we avoid our practice and create excuses for not being on the path and doing the work.
3. Sanshaya - doubting ones capability or the result of yoga. We can only come to know Reality, declares the Brihad-Âranyaka-Upanishad (4.4.23), when we are free from doubt. It is important to cultivate faith in oneself as well as the yogic path.
4. Pramada - Heedlessness, carelessness, a lack of persistence. Yoga is both a science and art and approaching it without skill, care, respect and devotion will create erratic and possible negative results.
5. Alasya - Sloth, inertia of mind or body due to dominance of the tamasic element. Yoga requires discipline, zeal and tapas (will-power) to succeed on its path. Laziness will prevent you from attaining your highest potential.
6. Avirati - Overindulgence, attachment to pleasurable things. We must learn to “let go” of our attachments to desire and physical objects if we are to make progress in yoga.
7. Bhrantidarshan - False vision, a premature sense of certainty. The development of a false notion about the practice of yoga and its outcome can not only lead one off the path of yoga, but also create harm and disappointment.
8. Alabdha-bhumikatva - Non-attainment of the next yogic stage or accomplishment. This happens due to faulty or poor practice and creates a feeling of being “stuck” and leads to discouragement.
9. Anawasthitatwa - Instability, non-permanence of a yogic accomplishment or stage. Not able to maintain an attained stage can be a real drag. This again can be a result of faulty or poor practice.
When any of these primary obstacles are encountered, four minor obstacles may appear according to the circumstances:
1. Duhkha - Pain or sorrow
2. Daurmanasya - depression, pain caused by non-fulfilment of desires.
3. Angamejayatwa - the shivering of parts of the body.
4. Shvâsa-prashvâsa - disturbances in kumbhaka or breath retention causing the irregular breathing pattern that comes with mental agitation.
You will need to be able to remove all these obstacles at will to be successful in yoga. They may appear at any time, and if not conquered during their first appearance, they are most likely to return until you learn how to overcome them.
The key to the removal of any and all of the above obstacles is the cultivation of the one-pointedness of mind. These obstacles will naturally pass with time unless we allow ourselves to become entangled and bogged down in them. By focusing all of your attention on a single object the obstacles dissolve and begin to lose their importance and power.
The Power of Mantra
A mantra is a word or series of words chanted aloud or silently to invoke spiritual qualities. Chanting is used as a spiritual tool in virtually every cultural and religious tradition. In the yogic tradition a mantra is a Sanskrit word that has special powers to transform mind, body and spirit. Translated, mantra means, “that which when reflected upon gives liberation.” Mantras are unique mystical formulas of sacred syllables, which were originally revealed to the Rishis (seers or sages) in the deepest states of meditation. Mantras were one of the earliest components of yoga and are quite possibly the first type of meditation that was developed. There are three main types of mantras, Bija (seed), Saguna (with form), and Nirguna (without form). The Bija mantras can be used individually, but are most often incorporated into Saguna mantras to invest them with a special “seed” power. The Bija mantras correlate to the 7 chakras and to the main Hindu deities. The Saguna mantras invoke the forms of the individual deities or personalized aspects of God. It is said that the recitation of the Saguna mantras gives rise to the actual form of the particular deity, thus manifesting its power.
The Nirguna mantras originate from the Vedic texts and are thus the oldest mantras of the three types. As no deities or personalized aspects of God are invoked with these mantras, they are very difficult to interpret and are considered to not have a specific form or meaning to them. These mantras are said to have their identification with all the creation, and contain the fundamental truths in yogic philosophy. It is said that the mind must be very strong to be able to concentrate on the abstract Nirguna mantras, and thus they are not recommended for beginning students .
As each mantra invokes a precise power, they can be used for very specific purposes: spiritual development, the healing of diseases, and for the attainment of worldly desires. When combined with the user’s intention, mantras can become even more targeted and empowered. The mantras are said to increase in power in direct relationship to the number of times repeated. A mantra is fully empowered by becoming “seated” in the heart after 125,000 repetitions, achieving what is called Mantra Siddhi.
The practice of chanting a mantra is considered the easiest form of meditation. Sitting in a comfortable position, with the eyes closed, the mantra is repeated silently or aloud. Pay careful attention to the speed and rhythm of your chanting, the correct pronunciation, aim, and esoteric meaning of the mantra. Allow the mind to be focused on the mantra, letting the thoughts go and maintaining a slow and deep breath. A Mala (string of beads) can be used to count series of 108 repetitions of the mantra.
Like prayer and affirmation the repetitious use of mantra can have powerful effects on the mind, body, spirit and emotions. Mentally, mantra meditation increases concentration, and improves memory and focus. Physically, mantra meditation lowers the heart rate, reduces blood pressure, and activates the relaxation response to allow healing and rejuvenation to occur. Mantra meditation builds self-confidence and self-empowerment, reduces stress and balances the emotions. Spiritually, mantras are said to dissolve one’s bad karma, produce jnana (wisdom) and are considered one of the many yogic paths towards self-realization.
On our Membership Site: A complete list of mantras, with their meanings and audio pronunciations.
The Nirguna mantras originate from the Vedic texts and are thus the oldest mantras of the three types. As no deities or personalized aspects of God are invoked with these mantras, they are very difficult to interpret and are considered to not have a specific form or meaning to them. These mantras are said to have their identification with all the creation, and contain the fundamental truths in yogic philosophy. It is said that the mind must be very strong to be able to concentrate on the abstract Nirguna mantras, and thus they are not recommended for beginning students .
As each mantra invokes a precise power, they can be used for very specific purposes: spiritual development, the healing of diseases, and for the attainment of worldly desires. When combined with the user’s intention, mantras can become even more targeted and empowered. The mantras are said to increase in power in direct relationship to the number of times repeated. A mantra is fully empowered by becoming “seated” in the heart after 125,000 repetitions, achieving what is called Mantra Siddhi.
The practice of chanting a mantra is considered the easiest form of meditation. Sitting in a comfortable position, with the eyes closed, the mantra is repeated silently or aloud. Pay careful attention to the speed and rhythm of your chanting, the correct pronunciation, aim, and esoteric meaning of the mantra. Allow the mind to be focused on the mantra, letting the thoughts go and maintaining a slow and deep breath. A Mala (string of beads) can be used to count series of 108 repetitions of the mantra.
Like prayer and affirmation the repetitious use of mantra can have powerful effects on the mind, body, spirit and emotions. Mentally, mantra meditation increases concentration, and improves memory and focus. Physically, mantra meditation lowers the heart rate, reduces blood pressure, and activates the relaxation response to allow healing and rejuvenation to occur. Mantra meditation builds self-confidence and self-empowerment, reduces stress and balances the emotions. Spiritually, mantras are said to dissolve one’s bad karma, produce jnana (wisdom) and are considered one of the many yogic paths towards self-realization.
On our Membership Site: A complete list of mantras, with their meanings and audio pronunciations.
The Power of Shakti
Shakti is the dynamic force animating all of creation, which gives us life and moves the planets in a cosmic dance called “lila.” This universal energy is considered feminine in nature, and is often personified as the Divine Mother or Paravati, the consort of Shiva. Shakti is extremely diverse in nature; it can both be an agent of change and destruction as well as the means to fulfill our desires and dreams. This dynamic power can be experienced both externally and internally. There are distinctive types of Shakti inside and outside of us that are experienced in different forms and different levels. Para-Shakti is the Shakti working on a cosmic level: the light generated by the sun, the rotation of the planets, heat and other forms of gross energy. Jnana-Shakti is the Shakti of the mind: of thought, wisdom and intuition. Iccha-Shakti is the Shakti of our will, action and intention. Kriya-Shakti is the Shakti of manifestation, creativity, and inspiration. Kundalini-Shakti is the most significant form of Shakti. Seen in nature as electricity and magnetism, Kundalini-Shakti is also the internal hidden Shakti coiled at the base of our spine.
The complementary force to Shakti is Shiva: universal consciousness. Without the animating power of Shakti, Shiva lies asleep. Internally, Shiva resides dormant at the crown chakra. Shakti is described as a coiled serpent of atomic energy at the base of the spine that only outputs the minutest of energy into the body. The path of liberation in yoga is the path of Shakti moving through the nadis (energy channels) and up the seven chakras (energy centers) to be united with Shiva.
Even if our goal is not enlightenment, conscious awareness and cultivation of Shakti can be very beneficial. As you increase the amount of Shakti in your body, your chakras and nadis adjust to contain the additional wattage of Shakti. With your energy system able to accommodate higher amounts of energy, the Kundalini-Shakti then increases its output of Shakti energy in the body. As more Shakti flows in our body, it manifests in its many forms to produce creativity, inspiration, intellect, wisdom and will.
The complementary force to Shakti is Shiva: universal consciousness. Without the animating power of Shakti, Shiva lies asleep. Internally, Shiva resides dormant at the crown chakra. Shakti is described as a coiled serpent of atomic energy at the base of the spine that only outputs the minutest of energy into the body. The path of liberation in yoga is the path of Shakti moving through the nadis (energy channels) and up the seven chakras (energy centers) to be united with Shiva.
Even if our goal is not enlightenment, conscious awareness and cultivation of Shakti can be very beneficial. As you increase the amount of Shakti in your body, your chakras and nadis adjust to contain the additional wattage of Shakti. With your energy system able to accommodate higher amounts of energy, the Kundalini-Shakti then increases its output of Shakti energy in the body. As more Shakti flows in our body, it manifests in its many forms to produce creativity, inspiration, intellect, wisdom and will.
Unlocking the Mystery of Om
Om (also written Aum) is the oldest and most sacred sound found in yoga, Hinduism and Buddhism. Not only does Om represent the entire universe, known as Brahman, it is also said to be the source of all creation. Om represents all time: past, present, and future; and is beyond time itself. Om represents the eternal oneness of all that is, and thus represents the ultimate goal of yoga: to become unified in body, mind and spirit. Chanting the mantra Om is perhaps the oldest of yoga’s spiritual practices. In the Mandukya Upanishad we find this beautiful passage: “The body is the bow, Om is an the arrow, the arrow’s tip is the focused mind, and the ultimate Mystery is the target.” Thus, meditating on Om is used to guide one to discovering the higher Self, and the true nature of the universe. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali instructs one in contemplating the meaning of Om as a direct path to enlightenment. “The repetition of the sound of Om, along with a deep contemplation of the meaning of what it represents, brings both the realization of the individual Self (Atman) and the removal of obstacles that normally block this realization” (Yoga Sutras 1.27-1.29).
Om is said to be the essence of all mantras, and is used as the mula-mantra, the root and beginning of most mantras. Om is the bija (seed) mantra of the sixth chakra or third eye and chanting Om activates and opens this energy center. Om is also known as the adi-bija, the primary seed mantra. Om is used within sacred chants to increase their power and potency as well as to draw the practitioner into a deep internal state.
It is very important when repeating Om to pronounce the "O" sound correctly. In Sanskrit, the sound "O" is a diphthong-- a subtle speech sound that begins with one vowel and changes to another vowel within the same syllable. This “O” sound begins with an “A” sound as in “law” and ends with a “U” sound as in “put.” When these two vowel sounds are combined in this diphthong, it produces a single, pure vowel sound. Thus, when you pronounce Om it should sound like “home” without the beginning “h” sound. When pronouncing Om the sound should emanate from the navel, with a deep and harmonious vibration, and gradually rises upwards to resonate in the nostrils.
Though indivisible, Om has four subtle sounds that correspond to four levels of consciousness. The first sound of "A" represents Vaishvanara, the conscious waking state. The second sound of "U" represents Taijasa, the subtle, unconscious dream state. The third sound of "M" represents the Prajna, the casual, subconscious deep sleep state. The fourth sound is the silence that follows the sound of Om which represents Turiya, the absolute consciousness that illumines and pervades the three prior states.
When chanting Om, equal measure should be given to both the “O” and the “M” sounds, i.e. “oooommmm” and not “oommmmmm” or “oooooomm.” The mantra Om may be chanted aloud, whispered, or repeated mentally. The chanting of Om should be easy and natural, without strain. Usually when Om is chanted out loud it is long and when chanted mentally is it short, but experiment and do what feels most comfortable for you. When chanting Om you can also focus your gaze on the third eye center, the sixth chakra. If using Om as a mantra meditation you may wish to use a mala to count repetitions of 108.
Om is said to be the essence of all mantras, and is used as the mula-mantra, the root and beginning of most mantras. Om is the bija (seed) mantra of the sixth chakra or third eye and chanting Om activates and opens this energy center. Om is also known as the adi-bija, the primary seed mantra. Om is used within sacred chants to increase their power and potency as well as to draw the practitioner into a deep internal state.
It is very important when repeating Om to pronounce the "O" sound correctly. In Sanskrit, the sound "O" is a diphthong-- a subtle speech sound that begins with one vowel and changes to another vowel within the same syllable. This “O” sound begins with an “A” sound as in “law” and ends with a “U” sound as in “put.” When these two vowel sounds are combined in this diphthong, it produces a single, pure vowel sound. Thus, when you pronounce Om it should sound like “home” without the beginning “h” sound. When pronouncing Om the sound should emanate from the navel, with a deep and harmonious vibration, and gradually rises upwards to resonate in the nostrils.
Though indivisible, Om has four subtle sounds that correspond to four levels of consciousness. The first sound of "A" represents Vaishvanara, the conscious waking state. The second sound of "U" represents Taijasa, the subtle, unconscious dream state. The third sound of "M" represents the Prajna, the casual, subconscious deep sleep state. The fourth sound is the silence that follows the sound of Om which represents Turiya, the absolute consciousness that illumines and pervades the three prior states.
When chanting Om, equal measure should be given to both the “O” and the “M” sounds, i.e. “oooommmm” and not “oommmmmm” or “oooooomm.” The mantra Om may be chanted aloud, whispered, or repeated mentally. The chanting of Om should be easy and natural, without strain. Usually when Om is chanted out loud it is long and when chanted mentally is it short, but experiment and do what feels most comfortable for you. When chanting Om you can also focus your gaze on the third eye center, the sixth chakra. If using Om as a mantra meditation you may wish to use a mala to count repetitions of 108.
Yoga for Heart Health
According to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, causing about 1.5 million heart attacks each year. Recent research has shown yoga and meditation to reduce blood pressure, lower the pulse rate, improve the elasticity of the arteries, regulate heart rhythm, and increase the heart’s stroke volume. Yoga, in short, is good for your heart. Stress is considered a major contributing factor in heart disease. Stressful situations raise your heart rate and blood pressure, and release stress hormones, which all can injure the heart and the blood vessels, especially during prolonged or repeated exposures. Yoga is widely known for its ability to reduce stress and promote a calm relaxed state, which in turn reduces stress hormones, decreases the heart rate and lowers blood pressure, helping to control and prevent heart disease.
The breath has a strong influence on the rhythm of the heart through the inner connections in the central nervous system. Slow deep breathing is encouraged by hatha yoga, pranayama (yogic breathing exercises) and verbal recitation of mantras. And this smoothing and lengthening of the breath slows the heart rate, regulates the heart rhythm, oxygenates the blood, and induces a feeling of calm and well-being. All of the benefits of establishing a slow steady breath rhythm have been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Because of their effects on both the physical and energetic bodies, specific types of yoga postures can be used to control and prevent heart disease. Upper back-bending poses open the chest to improve heart function and respiration. Side-bending poses open the energy channels of the liver, gallbladder and heart to help remove physical and energetic blockages in the heart and chest. Spine lengthening poses promote good posture to reduce compression on the heart and lungs and to facilitate proper functioning of the heart. Shavasana (corpse or relaxation pose) is deeply calming and has been shown to reduce high blood pressure in just a few weeks. Inversions help to rest the heart muscle and improve blood circulation, but are contraindicated with unmedicated high blood pressure. Findings show that people who practice yoga and meditation at least three times a week may reduce their blood pressure, pulse and their overall risk of heart disease.
Meditation is renowned for its ability to calm the mind and reduce stress. It also can reduce heart-harmful emotions, such as anxiety, hostility and hopelessness. And studies have shown that a daily meditation practice can reduce the amount of fatty deposits in the arteries, as well as lower blood pressure.
Practicing yoga naturally leads one to choose a healthier lifestyle, which most often eliminates or minimizes heart disease’s dietary risk factors of refined sugar, alcohol, high cholesterol and fat rich foods, and caffeine.
While all of these yogic practices have been shown to help prevent and control heart disease, when they are practiced together they create powerful healing synergy on the heart. Dr. Dean Ornish’s famous study has shown that heart disease can not only be controlled, but can actually be reversed through diet, meditation, group support, and yoga.
A complete list of yoga postures that prevent and control heart disease is now available in our premium yoga therapy section. A yoga pose sequence for the Heart and Chest is available in our premium yoga sequence section.
The breath has a strong influence on the rhythm of the heart through the inner connections in the central nervous system. Slow deep breathing is encouraged by hatha yoga, pranayama (yogic breathing exercises) and verbal recitation of mantras. And this smoothing and lengthening of the breath slows the heart rate, regulates the heart rhythm, oxygenates the blood, and induces a feeling of calm and well-being. All of the benefits of establishing a slow steady breath rhythm have been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Because of their effects on both the physical and energetic bodies, specific types of yoga postures can be used to control and prevent heart disease. Upper back-bending poses open the chest to improve heart function and respiration. Side-bending poses open the energy channels of the liver, gallbladder and heart to help remove physical and energetic blockages in the heart and chest. Spine lengthening poses promote good posture to reduce compression on the heart and lungs and to facilitate proper functioning of the heart. Shavasana (corpse or relaxation pose) is deeply calming and has been shown to reduce high blood pressure in just a few weeks. Inversions help to rest the heart muscle and improve blood circulation, but are contraindicated with unmedicated high blood pressure. Findings show that people who practice yoga and meditation at least three times a week may reduce their blood pressure, pulse and their overall risk of heart disease.
Meditation is renowned for its ability to calm the mind and reduce stress. It also can reduce heart-harmful emotions, such as anxiety, hostility and hopelessness. And studies have shown that a daily meditation practice can reduce the amount of fatty deposits in the arteries, as well as lower blood pressure.
Practicing yoga naturally leads one to choose a healthier lifestyle, which most often eliminates or minimizes heart disease’s dietary risk factors of refined sugar, alcohol, high cholesterol and fat rich foods, and caffeine.
While all of these yogic practices have been shown to help prevent and control heart disease, when they are practiced together they create powerful healing synergy on the heart. Dr. Dean Ornish’s famous study has shown that heart disease can not only be controlled, but can actually be reversed through diet, meditation, group support, and yoga.
A complete list of yoga postures that prevent and control heart disease is now available in our premium yoga therapy section. A yoga pose sequence for the Heart and Chest is available in our premium yoga sequence section.
Focusing on a Drishti
A drishti (view or gaze) is a specific focal point that is employed during meditation or while holding a yoga posture. The ancient yogis discovered that where our gaze is directed our attention naturally follows, and that the quality of our gazing is directly reflected in the quality of our mental thoughts. When the gaze is fixed on a single point the mind is diminished from being stimulated by all other external objects. And when the gaze is fixed on a single point within the body, our awareness draws inwards and the mind remains undisturbed by external stimuli. Thus, the use of a drishti allows the mind to focus and move into a deep state of concentration. And the constant application of drishti develops ekagraha, single-pointed focus, an essential yogic technique used to still the mind. A drishti is commonly used in meditation to focus and concentrate the mind. The most useful drishti points used are the breath and the third eye center. External focal points can also be used, such as the tip of the nose, a candle or mandala.
In yoga postures, a drishti is used to deepen the primary movement of the pose, as well as to keep the mind engaged and focused. To use a drishti while in a yoga pose, simply select the point where your gaze is naturally directed by the alignment of the posture. The use of drishtis in yoga postures is to be developed slowly over time. First one must develop and focus on the alignment of pose, then the breath, and then finally the drishti. Using a drishti is especially helpful if you are holding a posture for an extended period of time, and will be enormously helpful while practicing balancing poses.
In Ashtanga yoga, eight specific drishtis are used and described: Nasagrai Drishti, gaze at the tip of the nose, as used in upward facing dog and standing forward fold poses. Angusta Ma Dyai Drishti, gaze at the thumbs, as used in warrior I. Nabi Chakra Drishti, gaze at the navel, as used in downward facing dog. Pahayoragrai Drishti, gaze at the toes, as used in hand to toe pose and most seated forward bends. Hastagrai Drishti, gaze at the hands, as used in triangle and warrior II. Parsva Drishti, gaze to the side, as used in seated spinal twists. Urdhva Drishti, gaze upwards, as used in warrior angle, balancing half moon, and prayer twist. Naitrayohmadya or Broomadhya Drishti, gaze at the third eye or forehead, as used in fish, upward forward fold, and reverse warrior II.
When using a drishti, do not strain the eyes. The muscles around the eyes should be relaxed and the gaze should be soft. Generally, it is recommended to use bahya (external) gazing for externally oriented yoga practices and antara (internal) gazing for contemplative and meditative practices. But there is also value to having the eyes closed and using antara drishti during yoga postures, as this creates a deep state of meditation and inward focus while holding the pose.
In bhakti yoga, drishti is used in a slightly different way: a constant loving and longing gaze is turned toward the concept, name or image of God. Drishti can also be thought of in a broader context, of having the proper view or perspective of one’s life. By developing the ability to adapt one’s perspective to accommodate the continuous change in the world, we can avoid the unnecessary attachments that cause us suffering.
In yoga postures, a drishti is used to deepen the primary movement of the pose, as well as to keep the mind engaged and focused. To use a drishti while in a yoga pose, simply select the point where your gaze is naturally directed by the alignment of the posture. The use of drishtis in yoga postures is to be developed slowly over time. First one must develop and focus on the alignment of pose, then the breath, and then finally the drishti. Using a drishti is especially helpful if you are holding a posture for an extended period of time, and will be enormously helpful while practicing balancing poses.
In Ashtanga yoga, eight specific drishtis are used and described: Nasagrai Drishti, gaze at the tip of the nose, as used in upward facing dog and standing forward fold poses. Angusta Ma Dyai Drishti, gaze at the thumbs, as used in warrior I. Nabi Chakra Drishti, gaze at the navel, as used in downward facing dog. Pahayoragrai Drishti, gaze at the toes, as used in hand to toe pose and most seated forward bends. Hastagrai Drishti, gaze at the hands, as used in triangle and warrior II. Parsva Drishti, gaze to the side, as used in seated spinal twists. Urdhva Drishti, gaze upwards, as used in warrior angle, balancing half moon, and prayer twist. Naitrayohmadya or Broomadhya Drishti, gaze at the third eye or forehead, as used in fish, upward forward fold, and reverse warrior II.
When using a drishti, do not strain the eyes. The muscles around the eyes should be relaxed and the gaze should be soft. Generally, it is recommended to use bahya (external) gazing for externally oriented yoga practices and antara (internal) gazing for contemplative and meditative practices. But there is also value to having the eyes closed and using antara drishti during yoga postures, as this creates a deep state of meditation and inward focus while holding the pose.
In bhakti yoga, drishti is used in a slightly different way: a constant loving and longing gaze is turned toward the concept, name or image of God. Drishti can also be thought of in a broader context, of having the proper view or perspective of one’s life. By developing the ability to adapt one’s perspective to accommodate the continuous change in the world, we can avoid the unnecessary attachments that cause us suffering.
Hair Loss Prevention through Ayurveda
Hair loss is experienced by all of us at one or the other time. To know the causes of hair fall, it is very essential to know the structure of hair and its normal growth cycle.
Structure of hair
The hair on our scalp can be divided into two parts, the root and shaft. The root part of hair is in the skin (epidermis) of scalp. The hair root is surrounded by a pouch like structure called follicle. The base of hair root is in the shape of a bulb. This bulb is indented by capillaries and nerve fibers. The cells in the center of bulb divide. The newly divided hair cells push the previous cells up. The cells which move upwards die slowly forming hard hair shaft.
The hair shaft has three layers the cuticle, medulla and cortex.
Cuticle is the outer layers and protects the inner layers. It is transparent. Healthy cuticle gives a shiny appearance for hair and unhealthy cuticle gives lifeless look
Medulla is the innermost layer composed of large cells.
Cortex is the layer between cuticle and medulla. This contains pigment and keratin. Cortex determines the bulk and strength of hair.
The hair follicle contains oil secreting glands which make the hair shiny .Stress and illness diminish secretion of oil and pigments causing graying of hair.
According to Ayurveda the hair is considered as a tissue which uses the same nutrients of bone and considered as a tissue which is formed as bi-product of bone tissue.
Normal cycle of hair growth.
About 10 % of the hair on the scalp is in a resting phase at any given time. The resting hair falls after 2 to 3 months and new hair starts growing in its place. The growing phase continues for 2.25 to 6 yrs. During this phase each hair grows approximately 1 cm per month. At any given time about 90% of the hair on scalp will be in growing phase.
Few strands of hair fall as the part of normal hair growth cycle. But some people may experience excessive hair fall which is more than normal cycle. Excessive hair loss can affect men, women and children.
Causes of hair loss
1. Hormonal imbalance in men and women: In men high concentration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in hair follicles causes hair fall. In women hormonal imbalances during pregnancy and after delivery cause hair fall.
2. High amount of sebum in scalp clogs pores of scalp and prevent nutrition to hair follicle.
3. Inadequate nutrition causes hair fall.
4. Stress, worry, lack of sleep, worry and anxiety cause hair fall
5. Long standing diseases like typhoid, viral infections, anemia, surgery etc cause general debility which lead to hair fall
6. Some medicines used for gout, chemo therapy of cancer , birth control pills , antidepressants etc cause hair fall
7. Diseases like lupus, diabetes cause hair fall.
8. Tying hair tightly pulls the hair from follicles and cause traction alopecia.
9. Heredity also causes hair fall.
10. Dandruff or Fungal infection of scalp.
11. Accumulation of dirt on scalp causes blocking of pores and weakens hair roots. This leads to hair fall.
According to ayurveda the causes of hair loss are described as follows
1. Too much exposure to dust, sunlight, water and other pollutants.
2. Too much of sweating.
3. Irregular sleeping pattern.
4. Anxiety, depression, insomnia.
5. Unhygienic way of living
6. Diseases
7. Alcohol consumption.
Hair loss Remedies
1. Liberal intake of vitamins.
2. High protein and iron rich diet.
3. Consumption of raw vegetables, fresh fruits, salads, green leafy vegetables regularly.
4. Washing hair regularly ( twice weekly ) with suitable shampoo.
5. Using relaxing techniques to overcome stress, anxiety and sleeplessness.
6. Preventing fungal infections of scalp.
7. Preventing hairstyles which pull hair.
Due to these causes the tridoshas get vitiated and cause hair loss. The vitiated doshas affect the scalp skin and cause hair fall occurs. Medicated oil with the herbs Bhringaraja ( Eclipta Alba ), Amalaki ( Embelica officinalis ), Haritaki ( Terminalia chebula ) and Vibhitaki ( Terminalia bellirica ) is a best remedy for hair fall.
Copyright Dr. SavithaSuri, Ayurvedic Physician
Structure of hair
The hair on our scalp can be divided into two parts, the root and shaft. The root part of hair is in the skin (epidermis) of scalp. The hair root is surrounded by a pouch like structure called follicle. The base of hair root is in the shape of a bulb. This bulb is indented by capillaries and nerve fibers. The cells in the center of bulb divide. The newly divided hair cells push the previous cells up. The cells which move upwards die slowly forming hard hair shaft.
The hair shaft has three layers the cuticle, medulla and cortex.
Cuticle is the outer layers and protects the inner layers. It is transparent. Healthy cuticle gives a shiny appearance for hair and unhealthy cuticle gives lifeless look
Medulla is the innermost layer composed of large cells.
Cortex is the layer between cuticle and medulla. This contains pigment and keratin. Cortex determines the bulk and strength of hair.
The hair follicle contains oil secreting glands which make the hair shiny .Stress and illness diminish secretion of oil and pigments causing graying of hair.
According to Ayurveda the hair is considered as a tissue which uses the same nutrients of bone and considered as a tissue which is formed as bi-product of bone tissue.
Normal cycle of hair growth.
About 10 % of the hair on the scalp is in a resting phase at any given time. The resting hair falls after 2 to 3 months and new hair starts growing in its place. The growing phase continues for 2.25 to 6 yrs. During this phase each hair grows approximately 1 cm per month. At any given time about 90% of the hair on scalp will be in growing phase.
Few strands of hair fall as the part of normal hair growth cycle. But some people may experience excessive hair fall which is more than normal cycle. Excessive hair loss can affect men, women and children.
Causes of hair loss
1. Hormonal imbalance in men and women: In men high concentration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in hair follicles causes hair fall. In women hormonal imbalances during pregnancy and after delivery cause hair fall.
2. High amount of sebum in scalp clogs pores of scalp and prevent nutrition to hair follicle.
3. Inadequate nutrition causes hair fall.
4. Stress, worry, lack of sleep, worry and anxiety cause hair fall
5. Long standing diseases like typhoid, viral infections, anemia, surgery etc cause general debility which lead to hair fall
6. Some medicines used for gout, chemo therapy of cancer , birth control pills , antidepressants etc cause hair fall
7. Diseases like lupus, diabetes cause hair fall.
8. Tying hair tightly pulls the hair from follicles and cause traction alopecia.
9. Heredity also causes hair fall.
10. Dandruff or Fungal infection of scalp.
11. Accumulation of dirt on scalp causes blocking of pores and weakens hair roots. This leads to hair fall.
According to ayurveda the causes of hair loss are described as follows
1. Too much exposure to dust, sunlight, water and other pollutants.
2. Too much of sweating.
3. Irregular sleeping pattern.
4. Anxiety, depression, insomnia.
5. Unhygienic way of living
6. Diseases
7. Alcohol consumption.
Hair loss Remedies
1. Liberal intake of vitamins.
2. High protein and iron rich diet.
3. Consumption of raw vegetables, fresh fruits, salads, green leafy vegetables regularly.
4. Washing hair regularly ( twice weekly ) with suitable shampoo.
5. Using relaxing techniques to overcome stress, anxiety and sleeplessness.
6. Preventing fungal infections of scalp.
7. Preventing hairstyles which pull hair.
Due to these causes the tridoshas get vitiated and cause hair loss. The vitiated doshas affect the scalp skin and cause hair fall occurs. Medicated oil with the herbs Bhringaraja ( Eclipta Alba ), Amalaki ( Embelica officinalis ), Haritaki ( Terminalia chebula ) and Vibhitaki ( Terminalia bellirica ) is a best remedy for hair fall.
Copyright Dr. SavithaSuri, Ayurvedic Physician
Prince Mahesh babu
Mahesh Babu started out his movie career as a child actor in his father's films before making his debut as a Hero.
Mahesh Babu Debuted with Rajakumarudu in telugu Industry as a Hero.The movie co-starred Preity Zinta who played the heroes romantic interest. The movie received good response at the box office.
His 2nd movie was Yuvaraju ,Sakshi sivanand and Simran were cast opposite Mahesh, The movie failed to make an impact and considered Flop at the box office.
His 3rd Movie was Vamsi co-starring Namratha Shirodkar whom he married later on. The movie also featured his father Krishna in a pivotal role. The movie didn't do well at box office and was declared a Flop.
His 4th Movie Murari directed by Krishna Vamsi and co-starring Sonali Bendre provided him the much needed breakthrough. Movie was declared as HIT & the music was an instant hit and it proved Mahesh's ability as an actor.
His 5th and the first Cowboy Movie in his generation was Takkari Donga . Despite heavy expectations the movie did average collections and considered as Flop at the box office.
His 6th Movie was Bobby With arti agarwal as a Heroine and Directed By shoban was a Flop
His 7th Movie was what all His Fans were lookin for Okkadu .This Movie directed by gunasekhar was a Blockbuster and remained the best film till then, With this movie Mahesh became one among the young top heroes of telugu industry
His 8th movie was Nijam , Though the Movie Didn't do well at the Box office and was declared a Flop - it was applauded by the movie critics and Mahesh Won the Nandi Award for Best Actor for this film.
His 9th Movie was Naani , Directed By surya. Mahesh always tried Novelty in his films and this time he did a Experiment with a Different Story of science fiction which resulted as a Flop, this movie did not do well at the box office but the audio was a big hit.
His 10th Movie was Arjun Directed By gunasekhar, this is a Family movie which was Average to above average flick
His 11th Movie was Athadu Directed By Trivikram srinivas this was a Huge Hit in southindia and Overseas. the Music added to the Success of the Story. The Movie's screenplay was Critically acclaimed as best till date that time. Mahesh Won the Nandi Award for Best Actor for this film. He Did it again for the second time.
His 12th movie was Pokiri is a BlockBuster, Undoubtedly the Highest grosser in the History of telugu Cinema in India as well as Overseas Till Date. This is the Film that has been watched by film People from Bollywood,Kollywood Like Amitabh Bachchan , Abhishek Bachchan, Joseph Vijay Etc. His performance was applauded by even Ram Gopal Varma and Amitabh Bachchan.[3] Mahesh's potential attracted Different Media giants like UTV to come to Telugu Industry. Now Pokiri is also being made in Bollywood under the name Wanted Dead or Alive starring Salman Khan.
His 13th Movie Sainikudu had a tremendous opening but failed to live up to expectations and became a Flop at boxoffice. Trisha was starred against him.
His 14th Movie was Athidhi in which he paired with Amrita Rao. After the huge success of Pokiri, its been highly difficult to Mahesh to match the expectations, and This was a Commercially Successful Movie but Didn't go on a long Run and the result is Flop.
His Next film is Varudu in the direction of Trivikram Srinivas and A Warner Bros- Soundarya Rajnikanth film directed by Puri Jagannadh.
Mahesh Babu Debuted with Rajakumarudu in telugu Industry as a Hero.The movie co-starred Preity Zinta who played the heroes romantic interest. The movie received good response at the box office.
His 2nd movie was Yuvaraju ,Sakshi sivanand and Simran were cast opposite Mahesh, The movie failed to make an impact and considered Flop at the box office.
His 3rd Movie was Vamsi co-starring Namratha Shirodkar whom he married later on. The movie also featured his father Krishna in a pivotal role. The movie didn't do well at box office and was declared a Flop.
His 4th Movie Murari directed by Krishna Vamsi and co-starring Sonali Bendre provided him the much needed breakthrough. Movie was declared as HIT & the music was an instant hit and it proved Mahesh's ability as an actor.
His 5th and the first Cowboy Movie in his generation was Takkari Donga . Despite heavy expectations the movie did average collections and considered as Flop at the box office.
His 6th Movie was Bobby With arti agarwal as a Heroine and Directed By shoban was a Flop
His 7th Movie was what all His Fans were lookin for Okkadu .This Movie directed by gunasekhar was a Blockbuster and remained the best film till then, With this movie Mahesh became one among the young top heroes of telugu industry
His 8th movie was Nijam , Though the Movie Didn't do well at the Box office and was declared a Flop - it was applauded by the movie critics and Mahesh Won the Nandi Award for Best Actor for this film.
His 9th Movie was Naani , Directed By surya. Mahesh always tried Novelty in his films and this time he did a Experiment with a Different Story of science fiction which resulted as a Flop, this movie did not do well at the box office but the audio was a big hit.
His 10th Movie was Arjun Directed By gunasekhar, this is a Family movie which was Average to above average flick
His 11th Movie was Athadu Directed By Trivikram srinivas this was a Huge Hit in southindia and Overseas. the Music added to the Success of the Story. The Movie's screenplay was Critically acclaimed as best till date that time. Mahesh Won the Nandi Award for Best Actor for this film. He Did it again for the second time.
His 12th movie was Pokiri is a BlockBuster, Undoubtedly the Highest grosser in the History of telugu Cinema in India as well as Overseas Till Date. This is the Film that has been watched by film People from Bollywood,Kollywood Like Amitabh Bachchan , Abhishek Bachchan, Joseph Vijay Etc. His performance was applauded by even Ram Gopal Varma and Amitabh Bachchan.[3] Mahesh's potential attracted Different Media giants like UTV to come to Telugu Industry. Now Pokiri is also being made in Bollywood under the name Wanted Dead or Alive starring Salman Khan.
His 13th Movie Sainikudu had a tremendous opening but failed to live up to expectations and became a Flop at boxoffice. Trisha was starred against him.
His 14th Movie was Athidhi in which he paired with Amrita Rao. After the huge success of Pokiri, its been highly difficult to Mahesh to match the expectations, and This was a Commercially Successful Movie but Didn't go on a long Run and the result is Flop.
His Next film is Varudu in the direction of Trivikram Srinivas and A Warner Bros- Soundarya Rajnikanth film directed by Puri Jagannadh.
Tata nano car
Tata small car set to offer 25 km per litre (Latest: Tata ranked world's 3rd most accountable group )
It’ll Be An Eco-Car That Meets Euro-IV Norms
(By ET)
RATAN Tata and the Tata group have, for months, zealously kept a tight lid on the details of the mystery Rs 1-lakh car that is slated to roll out of Tata Motors’ Singur factory in June 2008. But, on Tuesday, the shroud came off in singular circumstances. “It’s an eco-car with a 25 kmpl mileage on petrol, meets every international standard and specification, including Euro-4 norms. Acceleration wise, it’s the same as a Maruti 800.” That’s exactly how Mr R A Mashelkar, former CSIR director general, who is now an independent non-executive director on the Tata Motors board, chose to describe the Rs 1-lakh small car on Tuesday. He was recounting his recent ride on the prototype at the Tata Motors’ Pune plant. “It’s a tool for inclusive growth,” Mr Mashelkar said in Kolkata on Tuesday. He was speaking here on “Resurgence of Innovative India: The phenomenon and the Consequences,” organised jointly by East India Pharmaceutical Works and The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture. Mr Mashelkar also revealed how the Tata small car concept first struck the mind of Ratan Tata. “You know how Ratan (Tata) thought about this small car. He talked to me on several things. One day, he was going on the road and saw a family of four getting soaked in the rain. That was when he decided to create a small car for all,” he fondly remembers. “Just a month ago, I was at the Tata Motors’ factory in Pune, talking to their engineers and their fantastic team there. It was there that I had the privilege of sitting in that small car — that Rs 1-lakh car that they plan to roll out at Singur. It is incredible,” said an excited Mr Mashelkar.
‘Spacious both in front & rear’
“I SAT in that car, by the way, and it was amazing,” he repeated. “I am a six-footer and it’s spacious both in the front and in the rear. In terms of acceleration, it is equivalent to a Maruti 800 and has an incredible design finished by indigenous Tata Motors’ engineers,” Mr Mashelkar added. Talking on the potential of economics of this car, the top-notch scientist said: “It will create a paradigm shift in lowcost transport and the whole world is looking forward to a car that efficiently runs 25 km on a litre of petrol and offers international specifications. These kind of fuel-efficient cars will be in demand as pollution is on the rise, climates are changing and fossil fuels are running out. People are looking at a new global eco-car and I have a feeling that this can be the new eco-car not only in the country but elsewhere — in other countries. I feel a sense of pride that it will be manufactured in India.” “In a bid to reduce the weight of the car, Tata Motors’ engineers have used more plastics. The car does not use too many bolts which also helps in reducing weight. Instead, it’s a new kind of welding — a new technology altogether,” said Mr Mashelkar when asked on the specifics of the design. “I got into a prototype and they had asked me to drive it but I was a little scared as I have not been driving all these days. They wanted to show me their innovation as I am involved in innovation, this being a project extremely close to my heart,” he added. Mr Mashelkar added: “Every other company manufactures products for the top-of-the-income bracket and I am concerned about the middle, lower middle and the bottom of this pyramid. The issue is how do we create products for them and, therefore, the Rs 1-lakh car is like the dream as far as I am concerned.” About the general scepticism that the car would initially be priced at Rs 1 lakh which could later be raised, Mr Mashelkar said: “The way their engineers have been able to design it and style it to meet specifications — it is absolutely incredible. It does not look like the Indica and they have styled it differently, it has a sloping front. It can bring a transformation in lowcost transportation around the world. These days, people are looking for products that will meet standards, safety norms and still offer comfort. With great concerns on climate change, depleting fossil fuels and pollution, more green and clean products will come from India. Products that meet performance standard and price expectations will succeed.
It’ll Be An Eco-Car That Meets Euro-IV Norms
(By ET)
RATAN Tata and the Tata group have, for months, zealously kept a tight lid on the details of the mystery Rs 1-lakh car that is slated to roll out of Tata Motors’ Singur factory in June 2008. But, on Tuesday, the shroud came off in singular circumstances. “It’s an eco-car with a 25 kmpl mileage on petrol, meets every international standard and specification, including Euro-4 norms. Acceleration wise, it’s the same as a Maruti 800.” That’s exactly how Mr R A Mashelkar, former CSIR director general, who is now an independent non-executive director on the Tata Motors board, chose to describe the Rs 1-lakh small car on Tuesday. He was recounting his recent ride on the prototype at the Tata Motors’ Pune plant. “It’s a tool for inclusive growth,” Mr Mashelkar said in Kolkata on Tuesday. He was speaking here on “Resurgence of Innovative India: The phenomenon and the Consequences,” organised jointly by East India Pharmaceutical Works and The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture. Mr Mashelkar also revealed how the Tata small car concept first struck the mind of Ratan Tata. “You know how Ratan (Tata) thought about this small car. He talked to me on several things. One day, he was going on the road and saw a family of four getting soaked in the rain. That was when he decided to create a small car for all,” he fondly remembers. “Just a month ago, I was at the Tata Motors’ factory in Pune, talking to their engineers and their fantastic team there. It was there that I had the privilege of sitting in that small car — that Rs 1-lakh car that they plan to roll out at Singur. It is incredible,” said an excited Mr Mashelkar.
‘Spacious both in front & rear’
“I SAT in that car, by the way, and it was amazing,” he repeated. “I am a six-footer and it’s spacious both in the front and in the rear. In terms of acceleration, it is equivalent to a Maruti 800 and has an incredible design finished by indigenous Tata Motors’ engineers,” Mr Mashelkar added. Talking on the potential of economics of this car, the top-notch scientist said: “It will create a paradigm shift in lowcost transport and the whole world is looking forward to a car that efficiently runs 25 km on a litre of petrol and offers international specifications. These kind of fuel-efficient cars will be in demand as pollution is on the rise, climates are changing and fossil fuels are running out. People are looking at a new global eco-car and I have a feeling that this can be the new eco-car not only in the country but elsewhere — in other countries. I feel a sense of pride that it will be manufactured in India.” “In a bid to reduce the weight of the car, Tata Motors’ engineers have used more plastics. The car does not use too many bolts which also helps in reducing weight. Instead, it’s a new kind of welding — a new technology altogether,” said Mr Mashelkar when asked on the specifics of the design. “I got into a prototype and they had asked me to drive it but I was a little scared as I have not been driving all these days. They wanted to show me their innovation as I am involved in innovation, this being a project extremely close to my heart,” he added. Mr Mashelkar added: “Every other company manufactures products for the top-of-the-income bracket and I am concerned about the middle, lower middle and the bottom of this pyramid. The issue is how do we create products for them and, therefore, the Rs 1-lakh car is like the dream as far as I am concerned.” About the general scepticism that the car would initially be priced at Rs 1 lakh which could later be raised, Mr Mashelkar said: “The way their engineers have been able to design it and style it to meet specifications — it is absolutely incredible. It does not look like the Indica and they have styled it differently, it has a sloping front. It can bring a transformation in lowcost transportation around the world. These days, people are looking for products that will meet standards, safety norms and still offer comfort. With great concerns on climate change, depleting fossil fuels and pollution, more green and clean products will come from India. Products that meet performance standard and price expectations will succeed.
Happiness happens to those who seek it
Let me give you the good news first: It is possible to be happy. Yes, even in today's times, when the odds are stacked so heavily against happiness. There is a catch to being happy, I must warn you. And it is this: In order to achieve happiness, a person first has to want to be happy. Desire it. Identify it. And acknowledge as much. When was the last time you-yes, you-thought about being happy? Actually sat down and said to yourself, " I want to be happy."Sounds simple? Foolish? Think about it... I did. And this very elementary statement of a very fundamental desire, made me acutely aware of my own state of mind at that point (restless, irritable, intolerant). Once I'd identified the basics (happiness-generators), I then went about discarding most of the causes that stood in the way of my achieving this really, really underrated condition that we take so much for granted but barely understand.We assume everybody else in the world is happy but us. We also assume , everybody's idea of happiness is more or less the same as our own. We focus excessively on things that don't make us happy, rather than on those that do. It becomes a vicious cycle of regurgitating all that annoys, rather than a remembrance of all the uplifts. During the past few years, I noticed that I had started to frown more and smile less! How awful... that's when I said to myself, "It's time to take stock... starting now!"But first, I had to regress....become a child again. Or rather, rediscover the child in me. The little girl who used to laugh a lot, often for no apparent reason. The same one who possessed an insatiable curiosity about nearly every aspect of everyday life. The pony-tailed teenager who'd rush out of the house to dance in the rain, and talk to the moon because it was smiling. When was the last time I'd stopped to stare with fascination at a particularly pretty autumn leaf....a painting... or listen to snatches of a long forgotten song?Today, I'm fortunate enough to have the resources to buy some of the things I used to dream about owning as a young person. But do I have the time to enjoy them? I glance at my pricey wrist watch and realise it just sits on my wrist as the hours fly. I've stopped noticing its classic lines and sophisticated mechanism. Imagine the irony of it all. We spend years lusting after material objects that are supposed to enhance our lives in tangible ways, but in reality, by the time we acquire these goodies and revel in our well-earned lifestyle perks, we are either too blasé, too exhausted or-this is the worst-too ill to appreciate our good luck! That's when reality checks kick in. For a lot of prosperous men, the trappings of success ( multiple cars, great homes, impressive whiskies on the bar, rare cognacs, Cuban cigars, a choice of young bed partners) oh, all that they may have fantasised about during their lean and mean youth-it's right there, waiting to be devoured. Damn. If only the by-pass surgery hadn't taken the fun out of the promised adventure. Imagine... a single stroke of a pen on a cheque can change ones life as drastically as an entirely different kind of medical stroke that can kill in an instant, too.Sometimes, when I'm feeling especially philosophical, I transport myself mentally to my adored beach in Goa. I recall all those magical moments, lying on a deck chair, feeding papayas to straying cows, snoozing lazily, sipping chilled coconut water, reading in a desultory fashion and enjoying the warmth of a winter sun on my bare shoulders. Later, much later, while locating my flip- flops half- buried in the sand, a strange realisation shakes me out of my temporary stupor. It's the sand that does it...all those millions of tiny grains, only to be impatiently shaken off. I look down at my toes and laugh. One day, I too shall be reduced to less than that grain of sand. So shall we all. How foolish and worthless our vanities appear in such a chilling context.I promptly straighten my shoulders and look skywards, same story. In this vast and mysterious universe, who and what are we? Not even the tiniest of tiny specks. It is such a liberating moment. I generally throw my head back and laugh at the absurdity of existence. For a few days that follow, I follow my heart, not head. It's reassuring to know that's still possible. I listen to plaintive Goan mandos and feel deliciously emotional. Charlie Brown was so right when he declared, "Happiness is a sad song..."Before starting this piece, I made a list of what it was that makes my heart soar. Topping it was 'Family'. I guess 99 per cent of the people in the world would readily agree. No family, no joy. In India, we still believe in the deeply nurturing aspects of a fulfilling family life. We continue to value the concept of 'kutumb'. It is where we seek our deepest emotions. It is where we retreat when we need comfort. I cannot think of happiness without the love and warmth that family provides.
Starting there, I'd like to share my 25 key tips for finding (and keeping) the universe's most elusive, most desired emotional state-happiness. These basic, uncomplicated guidelines have helped me. At least a few of them are bound to help you. For, as a stressed out banker-friend trustingly asked me, "At the end of the day, every human being wants just one thing-to be happy. Right?" Yup. Absolutely right!!
1. Be selfishBe vain. Ask anyone, "Do you lead a selfish life?" Or, " Are you vain?" and the person will hotly deny it. We all like to see ourselves as generous people who help others. But in reality, most of us only help those who can help us! I have taken the best lessons out of Ayn Rand's remarkable treatise titled, "The Virtues of Selfishness." If you don't give your own self priority, if you don't look after your health, appearance and well being, you can't make anyone around you happy either. Being 'constructively selfish' is very different from being mean and self-centered. Similarly, vanity is not just about narcissism. It extends well beyond that narrow definition. As a responsible person, you owe it to yourself to eat smart, live smart, look good. If your self image is positive, you will convey positive vibes to those around you. A frustrated, embittered person who refuses to address the issues that lead to a negative approach, will find it difficult to overcome life's many hurdles. Invest in yourself-because you are worth it!
2. Learn to let go Easier said than done. But it is possible. Baggage weighs you down, makes you miserable. What's the point of going over the minutae of a relationship that has soured? Once it's over, it's over. Move on. Take your time to come to terms with the break. But don't keep brooding once you have made the decision to part. This applies equally to a bad experience with a stranger who may have duped you. Learn from it, but discard the negative emotion generated by the memory. It serves zero purpose. The only thing that works in a break up, is a clinical incision that cuts neatly and permanently. Remember, sutures heal. A festering wound, oozes.
3. Teach yourself to trust Agreed the world isn't the most amazing place, but it isn't all that terrible either. These days, suspicion rules. We are constantly looking over our shoulders to see who's carrying a knife... the same one that will stab us in the back the moment our attention gets diverted. Husbands and wives play cat-and- mouse games. Siblings don't trust each other, children accuse their parents of vile acts, and parents are wary of their kids. Isn't that sad? Forget business partnerships where nobody trusts anybody. It appears as if we are all lone warriors ready to attack at the first sign of aggression. But the minute you surrender your doubts and stop being cynical, you realize just how many wonderful people there are out there, who ?may actually risk their own lives to save yours!
4. Express gratitude
Articulate your feelings when someone does you a good turn. Don't take it for granted that people owe it to you to be 'nice'. This is entirely untrue. Goodness and grace , especially with no strings attached, need to be recognised, at least in your own busy heart. Ideally, write the person a warm and sincere note appreciating the gesture... pick up the phone... send a text. These are life's unexpected moments, make sure you remain tuned in to them.
5. Slow down
I completely mean that, even if I don't adhere to it myself. I know I'm pushing the pace, I know I need to cut the speed... but I say helplessly, "I can't!" Rubbish. There is nothing that compelling... nothing that can't be kept on hold. And yet, here I am lunatically hurtling towards some self-defined goal. What on earth for? I see countless clones around me making the same mistake. Often, I 'advise' them to take a break. But what about my own crazy schedule? The good part is I am aware of my punishing routine. Chances are, I'll fix it soon. Wish me luck!
6. Touch and go
Really, that's all it needs-one tiny touch before you get busy. Just that hurried physical contact with someone you care for, is enough to last several hours and offer comfort. We have stopped hugging one another... why, we rarely hug our own children. No wonder India's Hugging Saint has become a world -wide phenomenon. She has tapped into a vacant space and found countless takers. Everyone needs to be hugged, stroked, embraced, cuddled, kissed, caressed. Even a pet at home demands a pat of appreciation. Imagine then what we are missing out on? Forget hugging, we no longer make direct eye contact. Isn't that sad? Make it a point to demonstrate your affection by reaching out briefly, at least once a day... it's worth the effort many times over. If nothing else works, hire a masseur for a more professional 'touch'.
7. Listen with your heart
Not just your ears. So often, we pretend to be listening, our ears hear the words being spoken, but our hearts are elsewhere, and nothing really registers later. What an insult to the person doing the talking. The problem is our attention spans have shrunk to an extent we no longer invest even a bit of our precious micro-seconds on another's situation, unless it directly impacts our own! Matlab ki baat hai. Cacophony has replaced conversation. Selective deafness dominates social intercourse.
8. Confide
Secrecy has its uses. But so does a confession. Confidantes come with in-built risks, unless you are blessed enough to stumble upon a friend or a family elder you can trust. While it isn't all that easy to find such persons, it's worth taking a chance with someone who inspires a certain level of confidence...enough for you to get a few things off your chest, and feel lighter. In these ultra- paranoid times, we tend to keep everything bottled up, afraid that even a small slip up will be used against us by the very person(s),who has feigned sympathy and interest in the problem. Well... so be it! You win some and lose some. Betrayal can be devastating. But it's still better to seek advice by sharing those troubling problems than living with a constant feeling of being choked.
9. Shut up!!
That's right. Keep quiet. Not every argument needs a resolution. Life is more than a game of one upmanship. Often, there is more charm and satisfaction in holding ones peace, especially if tempers are running high. If one person backs off and stays quiet, chances are the argument itself loses steam and fizzles out. In retrospect, the whole thing looks absurd and exaggerated, anyway. So, why not be the bigger person, and back off?
10. Have a heart
This is about compassion, yes. But on a more selfish level, it is about following your heart, too. If your heart isn't in what you do, walk away. You cannot succeed in either a career or a relationship that you aren't embracing-whole- heartedly. Imagine being stuck in a job or a marriage that only gives you grief! What for? As the cliché goes, life is way to short to throw it away on activities that are devoid of joy. The minute you opt for something or someone you love, you will succeed. The heart has its reasons....as Pascal wrote years ago. Listen to it...
11. Stop being a control freak
Of course we all want to stay on top of our lives and all that. But at what cost?? Cardiac arrest? Hypertension? I am the first one to admit, I get disoriented if I am not in control of my time and activities. I realise it's a dumb thing to do, and am actively addressing the syndrome. I spot similar victims around me. How silly are we to think we can actually control anything! Being reasonably organised is one thing. Being obsessive about it, another. I'm striving to find the right balance. So should you.
12. Count
No, not just your blessings (which you should and must), but count... as in 1-2-3-4-5, before you make an important decision, or lose your temper. Believe me, counting has saved many a job and marriage! The trick is to remember to do so ... on time! Counting slowly and with concentration, buys time, and that, as any skillful negotiator will tell you, ensures you have the advantage, while your opponent fumes. It's not important to win every debate. But the fragile state of your arteries? Now, that's important.
13. Compliment people
Why stinge on praise? Who doesn't like to be appreciated? Walk up to the person who has earned your respect, and say so. It costs nothing, but goes a long way in the long run. Never be fake in this regard, for soon you'll be found out. There's nothing more annoying than discovering a double-faced hypocrite, who lays it on when face-to-face and trashes you when your back is turned. Say it when you mean it. But say it! Recognising someone else's gifts will make you a better person automatically.
14. Music
You know why it is called the balm for the soul? Because music alone has the ability to calm, soothe, heal, restore and music asks for nothing in return. One of the best, most thoughtful birthday gifts I received was from my friend Gitaah ( God bless her!). Being a singer and a music lover, who has frequently transported audiences through her gift ( what a voice! Where does it come from?), Gitaah took the immense trouble to load over 300 of my very special songs and tracks on a dinky, little iPod, before presenting it to me with a sweet and affectionate note on a recent birthday. I was so touched, so thrilled and so moved, I couldn't stop weeping.... or singing! The iPod has since become my best friend and most favoured stress-buster. Apart from any therapeutic value it provides, the sheer, unadulterated pleasure of surrendering to music, be it Elvis Presley, Bhimsen Joshi, A.R. Rahman or Tchaikovsky, makes me feel one with the divine. It also makes me acutely aware of the fact that I had down-graded music in my silly list of priorities for way too long. I am delighted to report it is now back where it belongs-right up there with the few priceless treasures I most value. These days, listening to the most mindless Bollywood dance tracks on my priceless present, brings an instant smile to the lips... my feet start tapping and life itself appears as gaudy and unreal as Om Shanti Om!
15. Cry your eyes out
Go on.... it's such a great feeling. There's nothing as de-stressing as a really good cry. Don't make it a habit, though. Save up those tears for something worthy. But once they start, don't stop them. We have forgotten how to cry! We have no time to shed those clogged up tears. In the process, we have let our tear ducts dry up, so when we really, really need to let go, nothing emerges from those dry, cold eyes. I cry very easily, much to the embarrassment of my family. Why, I even cry while watching the stupidest Bollywood film. But mainly, it's music that makes me cry. And beauty. The helplessness and trust of innocent children has the same effect. As do sunsets... and the goodness of strangers. Men suppress their tears because society doesn't endorse them. I think the world would be a far better, less aggressive place if men were to cry more than they do at present . I want to tell them, real men do -and should cry. It makes men more human. And therefore, more attractive. ?Let the 'kerchiefs do their job, guys-cry away. And feel happy doing so!
16. Extend help
If you find yourself in a situation where your intervention would lead to a positive outcome, go ahead and extend your hand. Don't walk away when you see someone in distress. Make a phone call, if nothing else. Often, summoning help (police, doctor, ambulance), can make the difference between life and death. Surely, you'll hate yourself later for not doing something when you could?? We have become far too indifferent and insular to the suffering of fellow beings-nobody wants to get 'involved'. Why not? Only cowards walk away from a crisis. Intervening in a crisis ought to be an obligation for anybody caught in such a situation . You must do whatever is needed at that point to aid the victim. Remember, ?it could be you, lying there bleeding on the ground while people jump over your prone body and leave you to die.
17. Grow a garden
You don't need acres of space to achieve this-a small patch will do. And if even that is not available, get yourself a few hardy indoor plants. Most Indian homes keep a Tulsi on the kitchen windowsill. Apart from the traditional significance, Tulsi's medicinal properties are well-documented. Given the sensitive nature of my throat, and the high pollution levels in Mumbai, I scrupulously chew five Tulsi leaves dipped in honey, first thing in the morning. My throat has been behaving ever since I started the routine. My own little garden at home is very precious to me, and hugely therapeutic. On days when I wake up feeling blah, and I see the hibiscus in full bloom, my spirits soar at the beautiful sight. Taking care of plants makes you feel responsible for life itself. Tending rose bushes, or merely watering lucky bamboos, is an act that is strangely satisfying. I take the arrival of each new leaf of the Frangipani as a personal victory!
18. Money madness
Agreed. Moolah helps. Big moolah helps hugely. But can it save a lost soul? We all need money. But do we need to chase it at the cost of all else-health, family, fun? When was the last time you stopped running after a monetary goal and said to yourself, "The hell with that extra buck in the bank... I'm going to a movie." Try suggesting that to a young person and see the expression of utter and total disbelief on the face. "Are you mad? Have you lost it? The markets are opening in New York \Hong Kong\Tokyo... there's so much riding on the dollar... and you want me to miss out on a possible killing?" But what about missing out on life? A walk in the rain? When was the last time you stopped to watch a sunset? Heard a bird sing? Admired a painting? Whistled an old, forgotten tune? In our mindless pursuit of wealth and status, we are cheating ourselves of simple, everyday pleasures that once recharged our batteries and energised us. Money has become sexier than sex itself! The biggest turn on for a generation that foolishly believes plastic makes the impossible, possible. 'Have credit card, will over-spend' is the mantra that provides all the orgasms. The sickness of compulsive consumerism is catching on rapidly. The only thing that can save us is reconnecting ... with one another, and our past.
19. Eat, drink and be merry
Yup. But make sure you do so minus guilt. Eating each meal with enthusiasm and gusto does not make you a glutton! Food-whether it's comfort food or a gourmet meal-is the provider of elementary but immense pleasure. To remain indifferent to the everyday act of eating, is to deny yourself a great source of happiness. No matter what's on your thali, if you pay attention to it, respect the person who has cooked it, and engage yourself fully in the act of eating, on a very conscious level, you will automatically find yourself getting drawn into a more sensual world, experiencing something vivid and wonderful. Great food has great recall. Remembering memorable meals is a pleasure in itself. Aaah, when it comes to drink, to each his own. If you like your alcohol, consume it sans pressure. There is no point in being a closet drinker, which can lead to clinical depression. Drink when you are in the mood, drink with people you feel comfortable with, drink if you want to celebrate. But don't drink if you think alcohol takes away sorrow. For, all it does is compound it. As for being merry-that's easy! Good food, good wine and good company-what's your excuse??
20. Learn to lose
It's really ok to not win every single time. And it's also ok to feel terrible when you lose. But feeling terrible and giving in to depression or feelings of low self- worth, are not the same thing. Losing with grace is an art in itself. Knowing when to quit, is another. Nobody stays ahead of the game permanently. Win some, lose some-that's how it goes. And always will. Losing to an opponent who deserves to win, is easy. But conceding defeat to a duffer can be a killer. Losing with ones dignity intact provides a different high, and if you can achieve the feat, you emerge a stronger person. Lose with a smile, even if at that point all you want to do is cry. I remember how devastated I felt during an inter-school athletics championship, when our relay team lost to a rival school because of a clumsy baton pass. That tiny error cost us the coveted shield. We were shattered and upset, till our games teacher told us to cheer up and smile. What about the loss, we asked glumly. She just grinned and said, "Because people look their best when they are able to rise above defeat.'' Brilliant! Had she added to our despondency at that point by chastising us, we would have reveled in it, but by providing an inspirational message, she made us feel instantly better about ourselves. We went back the next year determined to regain the trophy-and did just that!
21. Sleep
Sounds simple, and therefore unimportant. But do you know that women, in particular, go through life in a state of serious sleep deprivation? That most of them never ever 'catch up' on lost slumber? Have you also wondered why international researchers spend so much time and money going into the intricacies of sleep disturbances these days? It's because scientists have discovered the far-reaching devastation caused by insufficient sleep...and the picture isn't looking good. A charged-up female executive I met in Delhi told me she had turned into an insomniac due to the demanding nature of her work. She finds herself tossing and turning in bed, hours after switching off the lights. "I can't wait for morning... I am unable to relax....I am addicted to stress!" She claims she has tried it all-meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, a shot of cognac, a glass of milk, a warm bath.... even boring books. Nothing works. Her mind is in overdrive, she is overwrought, and she resents the hours 'wasted' in sleep. Phew! The consequences have been terrible-she has no friends, no family life , and no leisure. She falls sick more often than she cares to admit, and any suggestion that she needs to slow down , is met with a derisive, dismissive snort.Well, here's an admission: while listening to her story, I found several echoes in my own life. I too underestimate the healing value of sleep and tend to push myself long after the world has called it a day. I abhor afternoon siestas, even though I know how restful they are (ten years ago, I couldn't do without my post-lunch nap). I feel guilty and wretched on the rare occasions when I cat-nap. I also feel frustrated when I watch the rest of my family sleeping peacefully. Like the driven executive, I too am crippled by the thought that I'm 'wasting time' by sleeping. But at least, I am aware of my short-sightedness and plan to address it soon. Babies and puppies look wonderful because they sleep most of the time! We have to wake up to the fact that eight hours of sleep restores us more effectively than all those multi-vits we pop. Let's learn a little from the Latinos who eat well, drink well, sleep well... and make time for love.
22. Dance
A few months ago, I attended Shiamak Davar's amazing musical revue titled, "I Believe". I have watched Shiamak grow into a consummate performer over the past 25 years. But more than that, I have seen him use dance as a movement that transforms lives. It is inspirational and exhilarating to see how energetically Shiamak has spread the message of love, peace, harmony by getting everybody to get up and dance, regardless of any consideration. You don't need to be young, slim, supple, sexy or hot. You don't have to wear a leotard or make-up. You only have to get to your feet and sway to the beat. Anybody can do that-even someone with two left feet!Shiamak's approach to dance is spiritual and uplifting, as is evident from his inclusive style of teaching. Whether the participant is in a wheel chair, or otherwise physically challenged, Shiamak designs a role that accommodates each disability, without the person feeling in the least patronised or pitied. Dance with Dignity is his message. And it works. Free style dancing is easy... unlike classical dance forms that require training, discipline and talent. Dancing for the love of dancing, frees you from self-consciousness, even if you think you lack the grace and rhythm to move to the music. Who cares? You aren't going to be judged. And you aren't being watched. It's not 'Naach Baliye'... and you should tell yourself to just let go.... whirl, twirl, jump and swirl. If you prefer dancing with other people, why not enroll for Dancercise classes? Sweat it out... trust me, it's far more fun than hours spent on a treadmill. Go for it... if 50 Cent and hip- hop tracks do it for you, shake that leg, move those hips... shake, rattle and roll.
23. Embrace life
As the cliché goes, life is way too short to begin with. Why fight when you can love? When you embrace life unconditionally, you value each and every moment. And when each moment becomes precious enough, you derive the maximum enjoyment out of it. In that beautiful moment, you discover God. And goodness... love and laughter. Peace and beauty. Finding God has been our quest since time immemorial. We foolishly look for him in the most obvious of places-temples, churches, mosques and synagogues. On mountain tops and in the sky. When in reality, we should be looking no further than within our own hearts. God is an emotion. Life is God. Cherish life and you will find God. When you find God, happiness will find you!
24. Daan
Charity does not begin and end with writing a fat cheque and sitting back smugly thinking you've done something commendable. Giving, in the true sense, goes beyond donating money. It involves giving of yourself. Sharing time and emotions, interests and ideas. It's about real enrichment of yourself, and others who can benefit from your experience. There is a beautiful word called 'daan', which defies accurate translation. 'Daan' is an all-encompassing act, that includes kindness and compassion, as much as donations and gifts. Serving the less fortunate, in whichever capacity, makes you aware of your own good fortune, fills you with grace and gratitude, humility and joy. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture. Not everyone is Warren Buffet or Bill Gates-but look at their examples. Even an everyday act of concern, a reaching out to someone who needs help, is in itself a fulfilling way of compensating for an otherwise self- centered existence. I know people who volunteer time and effort, working with cancer afflicted children, most of them terminally ill. Each hospital visit drains them completely. Yet, they go back, week after week because they know within themselves that their precious time is best served with children who have very little of that precise commodity themselves.The world is waking up to the pure joy of giving. Some of the biggest names in entertainment, make sure they participate in programmes that support deserving causes, be it AIDS or female infanticide. The message their involvement sends out is powerful enough to motivate thousands of others globally to engage in similar movements that eventually lead to permanent change and personal transformations. Even if you don't have the time to participate in such organisations, why not start in your own backyard? How about spending half an hour teaching an under-privileged child in your locality? Spreading literacy and empowering even a single person, will make a huge difference, as anybody who has done so, will tell you. The day that same child comes to meet you armed with a college degree , may turn out to be one of the most memorable days of your life.
25. Just do it
Impossible is nothing. Strange, how the tag line of a world famous brand has the power to push individuals into new directions. Whether or not Nike sold more trainers with the 'Just Do It,' ad campaign is irrelevant. But so many years after it was launched, I still quote it to people who dither over decisions. There is something so compelling about the essential message-an inbuilt urgency that demands instant action. No matter how big or small the issue, the idea is to handle it well. To optimise, to do it with all your heart. Whenever I find myself feeling demotivated, I recall the slogan and get to the task with fresh enthusiasm. It helps that I love what I do. And that's the other thing-if you don't actively love your vocation, you'll remain resentful and miserable, crippled by self-doubt and waiting to opt out. So, make sure you identify ?that which you enjoy more than anything else-and success is bound to follow.Have a wonderful 2008.
Starting there, I'd like to share my 25 key tips for finding (and keeping) the universe's most elusive, most desired emotional state-happiness. These basic, uncomplicated guidelines have helped me. At least a few of them are bound to help you. For, as a stressed out banker-friend trustingly asked me, "At the end of the day, every human being wants just one thing-to be happy. Right?" Yup. Absolutely right!!
1. Be selfishBe vain. Ask anyone, "Do you lead a selfish life?" Or, " Are you vain?" and the person will hotly deny it. We all like to see ourselves as generous people who help others. But in reality, most of us only help those who can help us! I have taken the best lessons out of Ayn Rand's remarkable treatise titled, "The Virtues of Selfishness." If you don't give your own self priority, if you don't look after your health, appearance and well being, you can't make anyone around you happy either. Being 'constructively selfish' is very different from being mean and self-centered. Similarly, vanity is not just about narcissism. It extends well beyond that narrow definition. As a responsible person, you owe it to yourself to eat smart, live smart, look good. If your self image is positive, you will convey positive vibes to those around you. A frustrated, embittered person who refuses to address the issues that lead to a negative approach, will find it difficult to overcome life's many hurdles. Invest in yourself-because you are worth it!
2. Learn to let go Easier said than done. But it is possible. Baggage weighs you down, makes you miserable. What's the point of going over the minutae of a relationship that has soured? Once it's over, it's over. Move on. Take your time to come to terms with the break. But don't keep brooding once you have made the decision to part. This applies equally to a bad experience with a stranger who may have duped you. Learn from it, but discard the negative emotion generated by the memory. It serves zero purpose. The only thing that works in a break up, is a clinical incision that cuts neatly and permanently. Remember, sutures heal. A festering wound, oozes.
3. Teach yourself to trust Agreed the world isn't the most amazing place, but it isn't all that terrible either. These days, suspicion rules. We are constantly looking over our shoulders to see who's carrying a knife... the same one that will stab us in the back the moment our attention gets diverted. Husbands and wives play cat-and- mouse games. Siblings don't trust each other, children accuse their parents of vile acts, and parents are wary of their kids. Isn't that sad? Forget business partnerships where nobody trusts anybody. It appears as if we are all lone warriors ready to attack at the first sign of aggression. But the minute you surrender your doubts and stop being cynical, you realize just how many wonderful people there are out there, who ?may actually risk their own lives to save yours!
4. Express gratitude
Articulate your feelings when someone does you a good turn. Don't take it for granted that people owe it to you to be 'nice'. This is entirely untrue. Goodness and grace , especially with no strings attached, need to be recognised, at least in your own busy heart. Ideally, write the person a warm and sincere note appreciating the gesture... pick up the phone... send a text. These are life's unexpected moments, make sure you remain tuned in to them.
5. Slow down
I completely mean that, even if I don't adhere to it myself. I know I'm pushing the pace, I know I need to cut the speed... but I say helplessly, "I can't!" Rubbish. There is nothing that compelling... nothing that can't be kept on hold. And yet, here I am lunatically hurtling towards some self-defined goal. What on earth for? I see countless clones around me making the same mistake. Often, I 'advise' them to take a break. But what about my own crazy schedule? The good part is I am aware of my punishing routine. Chances are, I'll fix it soon. Wish me luck!
6. Touch and go
Really, that's all it needs-one tiny touch before you get busy. Just that hurried physical contact with someone you care for, is enough to last several hours and offer comfort. We have stopped hugging one another... why, we rarely hug our own children. No wonder India's Hugging Saint has become a world -wide phenomenon. She has tapped into a vacant space and found countless takers. Everyone needs to be hugged, stroked, embraced, cuddled, kissed, caressed. Even a pet at home demands a pat of appreciation. Imagine then what we are missing out on? Forget hugging, we no longer make direct eye contact. Isn't that sad? Make it a point to demonstrate your affection by reaching out briefly, at least once a day... it's worth the effort many times over. If nothing else works, hire a masseur for a more professional 'touch'.
7. Listen with your heart
Not just your ears. So often, we pretend to be listening, our ears hear the words being spoken, but our hearts are elsewhere, and nothing really registers later. What an insult to the person doing the talking. The problem is our attention spans have shrunk to an extent we no longer invest even a bit of our precious micro-seconds on another's situation, unless it directly impacts our own! Matlab ki baat hai. Cacophony has replaced conversation. Selective deafness dominates social intercourse.
8. Confide
Secrecy has its uses. But so does a confession. Confidantes come with in-built risks, unless you are blessed enough to stumble upon a friend or a family elder you can trust. While it isn't all that easy to find such persons, it's worth taking a chance with someone who inspires a certain level of confidence...enough for you to get a few things off your chest, and feel lighter. In these ultra- paranoid times, we tend to keep everything bottled up, afraid that even a small slip up will be used against us by the very person(s),who has feigned sympathy and interest in the problem. Well... so be it! You win some and lose some. Betrayal can be devastating. But it's still better to seek advice by sharing those troubling problems than living with a constant feeling of being choked.
9. Shut up!!
That's right. Keep quiet. Not every argument needs a resolution. Life is more than a game of one upmanship. Often, there is more charm and satisfaction in holding ones peace, especially if tempers are running high. If one person backs off and stays quiet, chances are the argument itself loses steam and fizzles out. In retrospect, the whole thing looks absurd and exaggerated, anyway. So, why not be the bigger person, and back off?
10. Have a heart
This is about compassion, yes. But on a more selfish level, it is about following your heart, too. If your heart isn't in what you do, walk away. You cannot succeed in either a career or a relationship that you aren't embracing-whole- heartedly. Imagine being stuck in a job or a marriage that only gives you grief! What for? As the cliché goes, life is way to short to throw it away on activities that are devoid of joy. The minute you opt for something or someone you love, you will succeed. The heart has its reasons....as Pascal wrote years ago. Listen to it...
11. Stop being a control freak
Of course we all want to stay on top of our lives and all that. But at what cost?? Cardiac arrest? Hypertension? I am the first one to admit, I get disoriented if I am not in control of my time and activities. I realise it's a dumb thing to do, and am actively addressing the syndrome. I spot similar victims around me. How silly are we to think we can actually control anything! Being reasonably organised is one thing. Being obsessive about it, another. I'm striving to find the right balance. So should you.
12. Count
No, not just your blessings (which you should and must), but count... as in 1-2-3-4-5, before you make an important decision, or lose your temper. Believe me, counting has saved many a job and marriage! The trick is to remember to do so ... on time! Counting slowly and with concentration, buys time, and that, as any skillful negotiator will tell you, ensures you have the advantage, while your opponent fumes. It's not important to win every debate. But the fragile state of your arteries? Now, that's important.
13. Compliment people
Why stinge on praise? Who doesn't like to be appreciated? Walk up to the person who has earned your respect, and say so. It costs nothing, but goes a long way in the long run. Never be fake in this regard, for soon you'll be found out. There's nothing more annoying than discovering a double-faced hypocrite, who lays it on when face-to-face and trashes you when your back is turned. Say it when you mean it. But say it! Recognising someone else's gifts will make you a better person automatically.
14. Music
You know why it is called the balm for the soul? Because music alone has the ability to calm, soothe, heal, restore and music asks for nothing in return. One of the best, most thoughtful birthday gifts I received was from my friend Gitaah ( God bless her!). Being a singer and a music lover, who has frequently transported audiences through her gift ( what a voice! Where does it come from?), Gitaah took the immense trouble to load over 300 of my very special songs and tracks on a dinky, little iPod, before presenting it to me with a sweet and affectionate note on a recent birthday. I was so touched, so thrilled and so moved, I couldn't stop weeping.... or singing! The iPod has since become my best friend and most favoured stress-buster. Apart from any therapeutic value it provides, the sheer, unadulterated pleasure of surrendering to music, be it Elvis Presley, Bhimsen Joshi, A.R. Rahman or Tchaikovsky, makes me feel one with the divine. It also makes me acutely aware of the fact that I had down-graded music in my silly list of priorities for way too long. I am delighted to report it is now back where it belongs-right up there with the few priceless treasures I most value. These days, listening to the most mindless Bollywood dance tracks on my priceless present, brings an instant smile to the lips... my feet start tapping and life itself appears as gaudy and unreal as Om Shanti Om!
15. Cry your eyes out
Go on.... it's such a great feeling. There's nothing as de-stressing as a really good cry. Don't make it a habit, though. Save up those tears for something worthy. But once they start, don't stop them. We have forgotten how to cry! We have no time to shed those clogged up tears. In the process, we have let our tear ducts dry up, so when we really, really need to let go, nothing emerges from those dry, cold eyes. I cry very easily, much to the embarrassment of my family. Why, I even cry while watching the stupidest Bollywood film. But mainly, it's music that makes me cry. And beauty. The helplessness and trust of innocent children has the same effect. As do sunsets... and the goodness of strangers. Men suppress their tears because society doesn't endorse them. I think the world would be a far better, less aggressive place if men were to cry more than they do at present . I want to tell them, real men do -and should cry. It makes men more human. And therefore, more attractive. ?Let the 'kerchiefs do their job, guys-cry away. And feel happy doing so!
16. Extend help
If you find yourself in a situation where your intervention would lead to a positive outcome, go ahead and extend your hand. Don't walk away when you see someone in distress. Make a phone call, if nothing else. Often, summoning help (police, doctor, ambulance), can make the difference between life and death. Surely, you'll hate yourself later for not doing something when you could?? We have become far too indifferent and insular to the suffering of fellow beings-nobody wants to get 'involved'. Why not? Only cowards walk away from a crisis. Intervening in a crisis ought to be an obligation for anybody caught in such a situation . You must do whatever is needed at that point to aid the victim. Remember, ?it could be you, lying there bleeding on the ground while people jump over your prone body and leave you to die.
17. Grow a garden
You don't need acres of space to achieve this-a small patch will do. And if even that is not available, get yourself a few hardy indoor plants. Most Indian homes keep a Tulsi on the kitchen windowsill. Apart from the traditional significance, Tulsi's medicinal properties are well-documented. Given the sensitive nature of my throat, and the high pollution levels in Mumbai, I scrupulously chew five Tulsi leaves dipped in honey, first thing in the morning. My throat has been behaving ever since I started the routine. My own little garden at home is very precious to me, and hugely therapeutic. On days when I wake up feeling blah, and I see the hibiscus in full bloom, my spirits soar at the beautiful sight. Taking care of plants makes you feel responsible for life itself. Tending rose bushes, or merely watering lucky bamboos, is an act that is strangely satisfying. I take the arrival of each new leaf of the Frangipani as a personal victory!
18. Money madness
Agreed. Moolah helps. Big moolah helps hugely. But can it save a lost soul? We all need money. But do we need to chase it at the cost of all else-health, family, fun? When was the last time you stopped running after a monetary goal and said to yourself, "The hell with that extra buck in the bank... I'm going to a movie." Try suggesting that to a young person and see the expression of utter and total disbelief on the face. "Are you mad? Have you lost it? The markets are opening in New York \Hong Kong\Tokyo... there's so much riding on the dollar... and you want me to miss out on a possible killing?" But what about missing out on life? A walk in the rain? When was the last time you stopped to watch a sunset? Heard a bird sing? Admired a painting? Whistled an old, forgotten tune? In our mindless pursuit of wealth and status, we are cheating ourselves of simple, everyday pleasures that once recharged our batteries and energised us. Money has become sexier than sex itself! The biggest turn on for a generation that foolishly believes plastic makes the impossible, possible. 'Have credit card, will over-spend' is the mantra that provides all the orgasms. The sickness of compulsive consumerism is catching on rapidly. The only thing that can save us is reconnecting ... with one another, and our past.
19. Eat, drink and be merry
Yup. But make sure you do so minus guilt. Eating each meal with enthusiasm and gusto does not make you a glutton! Food-whether it's comfort food or a gourmet meal-is the provider of elementary but immense pleasure. To remain indifferent to the everyday act of eating, is to deny yourself a great source of happiness. No matter what's on your thali, if you pay attention to it, respect the person who has cooked it, and engage yourself fully in the act of eating, on a very conscious level, you will automatically find yourself getting drawn into a more sensual world, experiencing something vivid and wonderful. Great food has great recall. Remembering memorable meals is a pleasure in itself. Aaah, when it comes to drink, to each his own. If you like your alcohol, consume it sans pressure. There is no point in being a closet drinker, which can lead to clinical depression. Drink when you are in the mood, drink with people you feel comfortable with, drink if you want to celebrate. But don't drink if you think alcohol takes away sorrow. For, all it does is compound it. As for being merry-that's easy! Good food, good wine and good company-what's your excuse??
20. Learn to lose
It's really ok to not win every single time. And it's also ok to feel terrible when you lose. But feeling terrible and giving in to depression or feelings of low self- worth, are not the same thing. Losing with grace is an art in itself. Knowing when to quit, is another. Nobody stays ahead of the game permanently. Win some, lose some-that's how it goes. And always will. Losing to an opponent who deserves to win, is easy. But conceding defeat to a duffer can be a killer. Losing with ones dignity intact provides a different high, and if you can achieve the feat, you emerge a stronger person. Lose with a smile, even if at that point all you want to do is cry. I remember how devastated I felt during an inter-school athletics championship, when our relay team lost to a rival school because of a clumsy baton pass. That tiny error cost us the coveted shield. We were shattered and upset, till our games teacher told us to cheer up and smile. What about the loss, we asked glumly. She just grinned and said, "Because people look their best when they are able to rise above defeat.'' Brilliant! Had she added to our despondency at that point by chastising us, we would have reveled in it, but by providing an inspirational message, she made us feel instantly better about ourselves. We went back the next year determined to regain the trophy-and did just that!
21. Sleep
Sounds simple, and therefore unimportant. But do you know that women, in particular, go through life in a state of serious sleep deprivation? That most of them never ever 'catch up' on lost slumber? Have you also wondered why international researchers spend so much time and money going into the intricacies of sleep disturbances these days? It's because scientists have discovered the far-reaching devastation caused by insufficient sleep...and the picture isn't looking good. A charged-up female executive I met in Delhi told me she had turned into an insomniac due to the demanding nature of her work. She finds herself tossing and turning in bed, hours after switching off the lights. "I can't wait for morning... I am unable to relax....I am addicted to stress!" She claims she has tried it all-meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, a shot of cognac, a glass of milk, a warm bath.... even boring books. Nothing works. Her mind is in overdrive, she is overwrought, and she resents the hours 'wasted' in sleep. Phew! The consequences have been terrible-she has no friends, no family life , and no leisure. She falls sick more often than she cares to admit, and any suggestion that she needs to slow down , is met with a derisive, dismissive snort.Well, here's an admission: while listening to her story, I found several echoes in my own life. I too underestimate the healing value of sleep and tend to push myself long after the world has called it a day. I abhor afternoon siestas, even though I know how restful they are (ten years ago, I couldn't do without my post-lunch nap). I feel guilty and wretched on the rare occasions when I cat-nap. I also feel frustrated when I watch the rest of my family sleeping peacefully. Like the driven executive, I too am crippled by the thought that I'm 'wasting time' by sleeping. But at least, I am aware of my short-sightedness and plan to address it soon. Babies and puppies look wonderful because they sleep most of the time! We have to wake up to the fact that eight hours of sleep restores us more effectively than all those multi-vits we pop. Let's learn a little from the Latinos who eat well, drink well, sleep well... and make time for love.
22. Dance
A few months ago, I attended Shiamak Davar's amazing musical revue titled, "I Believe". I have watched Shiamak grow into a consummate performer over the past 25 years. But more than that, I have seen him use dance as a movement that transforms lives. It is inspirational and exhilarating to see how energetically Shiamak has spread the message of love, peace, harmony by getting everybody to get up and dance, regardless of any consideration. You don't need to be young, slim, supple, sexy or hot. You don't have to wear a leotard or make-up. You only have to get to your feet and sway to the beat. Anybody can do that-even someone with two left feet!Shiamak's approach to dance is spiritual and uplifting, as is evident from his inclusive style of teaching. Whether the participant is in a wheel chair, or otherwise physically challenged, Shiamak designs a role that accommodates each disability, without the person feeling in the least patronised or pitied. Dance with Dignity is his message. And it works. Free style dancing is easy... unlike classical dance forms that require training, discipline and talent. Dancing for the love of dancing, frees you from self-consciousness, even if you think you lack the grace and rhythm to move to the music. Who cares? You aren't going to be judged. And you aren't being watched. It's not 'Naach Baliye'... and you should tell yourself to just let go.... whirl, twirl, jump and swirl. If you prefer dancing with other people, why not enroll for Dancercise classes? Sweat it out... trust me, it's far more fun than hours spent on a treadmill. Go for it... if 50 Cent and hip- hop tracks do it for you, shake that leg, move those hips... shake, rattle and roll.
23. Embrace life
As the cliché goes, life is way too short to begin with. Why fight when you can love? When you embrace life unconditionally, you value each and every moment. And when each moment becomes precious enough, you derive the maximum enjoyment out of it. In that beautiful moment, you discover God. And goodness... love and laughter. Peace and beauty. Finding God has been our quest since time immemorial. We foolishly look for him in the most obvious of places-temples, churches, mosques and synagogues. On mountain tops and in the sky. When in reality, we should be looking no further than within our own hearts. God is an emotion. Life is God. Cherish life and you will find God. When you find God, happiness will find you!
24. Daan
Charity does not begin and end with writing a fat cheque and sitting back smugly thinking you've done something commendable. Giving, in the true sense, goes beyond donating money. It involves giving of yourself. Sharing time and emotions, interests and ideas. It's about real enrichment of yourself, and others who can benefit from your experience. There is a beautiful word called 'daan', which defies accurate translation. 'Daan' is an all-encompassing act, that includes kindness and compassion, as much as donations and gifts. Serving the less fortunate, in whichever capacity, makes you aware of your own good fortune, fills you with grace and gratitude, humility and joy. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture. Not everyone is Warren Buffet or Bill Gates-but look at their examples. Even an everyday act of concern, a reaching out to someone who needs help, is in itself a fulfilling way of compensating for an otherwise self- centered existence. I know people who volunteer time and effort, working with cancer afflicted children, most of them terminally ill. Each hospital visit drains them completely. Yet, they go back, week after week because they know within themselves that their precious time is best served with children who have very little of that precise commodity themselves.The world is waking up to the pure joy of giving. Some of the biggest names in entertainment, make sure they participate in programmes that support deserving causes, be it AIDS or female infanticide. The message their involvement sends out is powerful enough to motivate thousands of others globally to engage in similar movements that eventually lead to permanent change and personal transformations. Even if you don't have the time to participate in such organisations, why not start in your own backyard? How about spending half an hour teaching an under-privileged child in your locality? Spreading literacy and empowering even a single person, will make a huge difference, as anybody who has done so, will tell you. The day that same child comes to meet you armed with a college degree , may turn out to be one of the most memorable days of your life.
25. Just do it
Impossible is nothing. Strange, how the tag line of a world famous brand has the power to push individuals into new directions. Whether or not Nike sold more trainers with the 'Just Do It,' ad campaign is irrelevant. But so many years after it was launched, I still quote it to people who dither over decisions. There is something so compelling about the essential message-an inbuilt urgency that demands instant action. No matter how big or small the issue, the idea is to handle it well. To optimise, to do it with all your heart. Whenever I find myself feeling demotivated, I recall the slogan and get to the task with fresh enthusiasm. It helps that I love what I do. And that's the other thing-if you don't actively love your vocation, you'll remain resentful and miserable, crippled by self-doubt and waiting to opt out. So, make sure you identify ?that which you enjoy more than anything else-and success is bound to follow.Have a wonderful 2008.
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