A Rare Photograph...

Well, here's a rare photograph of a Mumbai local train...




People who are not from Mumbai may not understand my implication...

I mean to assert that it's quite rare to see an entire compartment of a Mumbai train empty!

Generally, these trains are so jam-packed that accidents happen quite frequently...

[Image Courtesy - http://mumbai-pushpa.blogspot.com/2009/08/mumbai-trains.html]

According to Wikipedia, there's a daily ridership of about 6.94 million people in these Mumbai trains!

The Central and Western Railways were forced to release under the Right to Information Act that at least 20,706 people have died in the last five years; an average of 10 each day.

It is commonly said that local trains are the lifeline of Mumbai. But every time somebody gets injured or maybe, even killed while commuting, it actually mars the royal significance of these trains...

But, whatever anybody says, this is MUMBAI!

Contentment At Its Best - a photo post

This photo was taken in a Tibetan monastery at Manali, a famous hill station in Himachal Pradesh.

I don't know why, but this always reminds me of being content.

In this photograph, there are several young monks who are playing with stones...

It is quite astonishing to see that these guys are fulfilling their need of entertainment just with a stone...

Had we been in their place, what would we be doing?
We have our materialistic demands...and such demands often manifest into conflicts, arguments and stuff like that.

So, that's why, I've named this post as Contentment At Its Best!
I feel this is a lesson of wisdom which is quite essential...what's say?

An Independence Of It's Own...

First of all, wishing you all a very HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!



I don't know why, but I just feel like addressing you all...

I would like to pay my respects all those men and women who strived for our freedom. I also want to salute the soldiers who continuously patrol our international borders and maintain our independence. From the bottom of my heart, I express gratitude to those genius minds and skilled hands which have shaped India the way it is now!

We are entering into the 63rd year of our independence...

Independence is basically freedom and being self-sufficient and self-reliant. But in the same way, it does not give us the right to judge, abuse, or punish others. We have our fundamental rights, but we also need to be aware of our duties. Tagging others as something is neither our right nor our duty. Mahatma Gandhiji said it so wonderfully, "Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes".

Along with rights and duties, we also need to imbibe patriotism in ourselves. Henry James once said, "Patriotism is like charity - it begins at home".

As we enter this 63rd year of independence, we need to refine our thoughts and actions. We ought to have an independent thinking pattern and independent actions. Let us not depend on others for just about everything! We all need to be self-reliant...

Also, I request you to read two of my posts related to this theme:

The Return Of The Great Nehruvian Speech

Our (Namesake) National Pledge...

We all are a part of Independent India (as many would call it)....

But I am still not convinced that India is independent...since we are still shackled by the claws of terrorism, unemployment, poverty, corruption and other matters...

We need to get up and work towards a better India!

If you consider yourself a responsible citizen of India, then please take this pledge and follow it with enthusiasm and determination -

I, a citizen of India, on the occasion of Independence Day (dated: 15 August, 2009), solemnly swear that I shall give it my all to see a better, developed India. I shall contribute to the empowerment and prosperity of the people of India. Let there be peace and glory...and let the truth prevail. Amen.

So, as a concluding part, please listen to the national anthem with renewed energy and spirit and with a resolve to bring about a change in the nation: National Anthem Of India

JAI HIND!

'Sach Ka Saamna' Deciphered!

[Image Courtesy - http://www.dishtracking.com/blog]

Sach Ka Saamna - a new trend in Indian television!

I think this new concept must have impressed many of us...

As we all know, this game includes answering 21 questions and earning Rs. 1 Crore right away!

The main crux of this show is the polygraph lie detecting machine...

If you have seen any of the episodes, you'll know that the participant is firstly put to a polygraph test with the same questions which are asked on the show.

In this post, I am going to explain the main working of this polygraph test and how you can easily cheat it and run away with Rs. 1 Crore!

Let us first understand the meaning of a polygraph test...

Wikipedia defines a polygraph as following:

A polygraph (popularly referred to as a lie detector) is an instrument that measures and records several physiological responses such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, breathing rhythms, body temperature and skin conductivity while the subject is asked and answers a series of questions, on the theory that false answers will produce distinctive measurements. The polygraph measures physiological changes caused by the sympathetic nervous system during questioning.

Now, any viewer of Sach Ka Saamna can tell you that the participant's answers on the show are verified by the polygraph machine. This is so because the polygraph machine records the participant's physiological state while answering the questions previously.

Now, I shall tell you how you can easily evade the polygraph test...

When you enroll in this show, you will be firstly put to a polygraph test. This polygraph test will ask you 50 questions related to your personal life and records your reactions...

The show's website claims the following -

Accuracy of the polygraph test may vary depending on participant(s) heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and electro-dermal activities.

So, now you understand, that if you can keep the following physiological activities in check, you can easily get all the answers right...

You need to just speak in even and regular tones...

Don’t stutter, speed up your responses or speak in a higher tone than normal. This may take some time to master. Let your friends ask you questions and try to answer with a deliberate lie while trying to maintain a normal and balanced voice.

If you follow the above guidelines, you can easily bypass the polygraph machine...and you don't even need to get embarrassed in the show!

What's say?

Do you think this trick can work...? I would love to have your feedback on this...

10 Preventive Steps To Keep Swine Flu Away

Nowadays, swine flu is on the rise...and we need to do something about it!

[Photo Courtesy - http://bit.ly/jT0gh]

Well, here are 10 preventive steps you can implement to keep swine flu away:

1. Wash your hands frequently
Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, at least for 15 seconds and rinse with running water.
2. Get enough sleep
Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape.
3. Keep hydrated
Drink 8 to10 glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.
4. Boost your immune system
Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection is important in flu prevention. So stick with whole grains, colorful vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits.
5. Keep informed
The government is taking necessary steps to prevent the pandemic and periodically release guidelines to keep the pandemic away. Please make sure to keep up to date on the information and act in a calm manner.
6. Avoid alcohol
Apart from being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. So stay away from alcoholic drinks so that your immune system may be strong.
7. Be physically active
Moderate exercise can support the immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating the body. For example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week will significantly perk up your immunity.
8. Keep away from sick people
Flu virus spreads when particles dispersed into the air through a cough or sneeze reach someone else’s nose. So if you have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few feet away from them and especially, avoid physical contact.
9. Know when to get help
Consult your doctor if you have a cough and fever and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed.
10. Avoid crowded areas
Try to avoid unnecessary trips outside. Moreover, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Source - http://bit.ly/ZxP8p

I think if we follow these guidelines, we can surely keep swine flu at bay!

My Encounter With Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Image Source

Well, this was an experience of a lifetime!

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam visited our college, St. Xavier's College on the 8th of August, 2009.

I could not personally meet him, but his speech motivated and inspired me than never before!

Well, here are a few excerpts from his speech which I feel are worth mentioning:

When there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the soul.

When there is beauty in the soul, there is harmony in the house.

When there is harmony in the house, there is order in the nation.

When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.

An ignited mind is the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and below the earth.

Whenever there's a dream, there's a mission....and from a mission, emerges a vision! A vision encourages high level thinking and creativity... This gives birth to development! So we need to have a dream..


I can do it...
We can do it...
INDIA can do it...!!!


What would you like to say about this...?

Why You Should Understand Others' Pain...

We often tend to ignore the deep emotions and feelings of other people...

Some of us also believe that emotions are also made-up and are fake...

As a result, we fail to understand the other person completely!

I strongly discourage such mentality...

Well, here is Michael Jackson's handwritten note to the TIME Magazine in the year 1988:

Here is what he says:

Like the old Indian proverb says, do not judge a man until you’ve walked 2 moons in his moccasins. Most people don’t know me. That is why they write such things in which most is not true. I cry very very often because it hurts and I worry about the children, all my children all over the world, I live for them. If a man could say nothing against a character but what he could prove, history could not be written. Animals strike not from malice but because they want to live. It is the same with those who criticize, they desire our blood not our pain. But still I must achieve, I must seek truth in all things, I must endure for the power I was sent forth, for the world, for the children. But have mercy, for I’ve been bleeding a long time now. M.J.

MJ suffered a great deal of pain...but there was nobody to support him...or help him...

On similar lines, here is an SMS received by my dad..which I feel summarises this entire post:

There is no market for your sorrows...
So don't advertise your feelings...
Instead display your attitude..

What have you got to say about this?