Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Jai Sri Ram



Tracing evidence of Lord Ram and his times Report: Rahul Sinha Adapted by: Deepak Nagpal We have told you about the evidence of Ramayana which we found in Chitrakoot. We now take our journey further – into Sri Lanka. Across The Sea As the team reached the coast of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, what we saw around was the blue sea – the same sea which Lord Ram and his vaanar sena (army of monkeys) crossed to reach Ravan’s Lanka, to rescue Sita. Ravan’s Lanka is now known as Sri Lanka – India’s neighbour in the south. But as we set our foot on Sri Lanka’s soil, several questions came to our mind – Is this really Ravan’s Lanka? Is this the place where ‘Lanka Naresh’ Ravan brought Sita after abducting her? Is this the same place which Hanuman set on fire with his burning tail? Questions were many, the place unknown and nobody around to answer them. But we had a hope – a hope to find some evidence of Ram’s existence. In Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, we didn’t find too many people around who knew about either Ram or Ravan. But we were asked to visit nearby Norliya if really wanted to find something concrete. The Breakthrough In Norliya, we met a Delhi-based Indian named Harinder Sikka at a popular golf course. We were on cloud nine when we came to know that Sikka himself had been doing research on Ramayana for years. It was the most unexpected thing we had ever imagined that would happen to us. It was a real breakthrough in our search for Ram. Sikka’s love for golf had brought him to Sri Lanka and it was during his interaction with local friends on the epic Ramayana that he decided to do a research on the topic. Ashok Vatika Discovered We were left surprised when Sikka told us that barely five kilometres from where we were standing now, was located one of the most important places mentioned in Ramayana – the Ashok Vatika. This is the place where Sita stayed after Ravan abducted her from India. In Sri Lanka, Ashok Vatika is known as Sita Ella. The place had statues of Lord Ram, his brother Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman. By their look, the statues seemed to be hundreds of years old. However, a local resident, named Romilla, corrected us, saying the statues were nearly 5,500 years old. The statues seemed to have been carved out of nearby rocks. When we enquired about the ‘Ashok Vriksh’, Romilla told us that the famous tree was no more. But standing in its place was a hundreds of years old tree. It is believed that Hanuman first met Sita at this place. At Ashok Vatika Not many people in Sri Lanka know the significance behind Ashok Vatika and treat it like any other picnic spot. However, several Indians have come together and are now turning this place into a temple. Also, paintings have been put up there to help locals understand the Ramayana-related events that took place at Ashok Vatika. We, along with Romilla, also went to a stream called Sita Jharna that flows right under Ashok Vatika. It is believed that Sita used to bathe here during her captivity at Ashok Vatika. The stream is surrounded by huge and dense mountains. Nobody knows where water in the stream comes from and disappears after accumulating in a ‘kund’. What’s fascinating is the fact that water level in the kund remains same throughout the year. The disappearing of water at Sita Jharna in Ashok Vatika, and at Sita Kund and Hanuman Dhara in Chitrakoot hints at some form of connection between the three – and also makes one believe that something miraculous is happening at all three places. Hanuman’s Footmark Romilla next took us to that part of Ashok Vatika where, it is believed, a giant footmark of Hanuman is imprinted. According to beliefs, Hanuman appeared in his gigantic form before Sita for the first time here. This footmark was formed then. Sri Lankan government’s archaeological department has conducted a survey and found that the marks, located on a rock near Sita Jharna, are around 6,000 years old. If viewed from a distance, the footmark resembles that of a huge monkey. It is believed that Hanuman appeared in his gigantic form before Sita to make her believe that Ram’s vaanar sena had the strength and capability to fight Ravan’s army. Sleeping Divinity The next place we visited in our search for Ram literally left us stunned. Not far away from Ashok Vatika is a place where it is believed Hanuman is resting in his giant form. The place is close to Chinmaya Temple. After reaching the temple, what we saw could make any atheist start believing in God. Hanuman was sleeping in front of our eyes – in his giant form. Anybody coming to Chinmaya Temple can see a faraway mountain structure which resembles a sleeping Hanuman in his giant form. It is not difficult to make out the head and face of the giant body, along with the chest and huge legs. Those who question everything can raise doubts over the footmarks of Hanuman, Ram, Lakshman and Sita which we saw in our journey so far. But it will be difficult for even those people to refute the fact that the mountain structure in front of our eyes resembled a sleeping Hanuman. Built inside the Chinmaya Temple is a huge, 16 feet granite statue of Hanuman where hundreds come everyday to offer prayers. These include not just expatriate Indians but also Buddhist Sri Lankans in large numbers. The statue is a copy of the mountain structure. The only difference is the fact that it is placed in a vertical position inside the temple. Another Halt We have made two important discoveries in Sri Lanka – Ashok Vatika and sleeping Hanuman in his giant form. We now take our journey further to discover a legacy left behind by Hanuman, but only in the next and last part of the series.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

How to Exercise Your Eyes

How to Exercise Your Eyes
We all know how important it is to keep our bodies fit by doing things like going to the gym, jogging, and swimming. But, did you know that you can exercise your eyes as well? Eye exercising will keep your eyes healthy and help minimize eyestrain.

[edit] Steps
Sit comfortably on a chair. Rub your hands together until they feel warm. Close your eyes and cover them lightly with your cupped palms. Avoid applying pressure on your eyeballs. Place your palms so that the nose remains uncovered, and the eyes remain behind the slight hollow of the palms. Make sure that no light rays enter the eyes, and leave no gaps between fingers or between the edge of the palms and the nose. You may still see other lingering traces of colors. Imagine deep blackness and focus on the blackness. Take deep breaths slowly and evenly, while thinking of some happy incident; or visualize a distant scene. After your eyes see nothing but blackness, remove your palms from your eyes. Repeat the palming for 3 minutes or more.
Close your eyes tightly for 3-5 seconds, then open them for 3-5 seconds. Repeat this 7 or 8 times.
Close your eyes and massage them with circular movements of your fingers for 1-2 minutes. Make sure you press very lightly; otherwise, you could hurt your eyes.
Press three fingers of each hand against your upper eyelids, and hold them there for 1-2 seconds, then release. Repeat 5 times.
Sit and relax. Roll your eyes clockwise, then counter-clockwise. Repeat 5 times, and blink in between each time.
Sit about 6 inches (200 mm) from the window. Make a mark on the glass at your eye level (a small sticker, black or red, would be perfect). Look through this mark and focus on something far away for 10-15 seconds; then focus on the mark again.
Hold a pencil in front of you at arm's length. Move your arm slowly to your nose, and follow the pencil with your eyes until you can keep it in focus. Repeat 10 times.
Look in front of you at the opposite wall and pretend that you are writing with your eyes, without turning your head. It may seem difficult at first, but with a bit of practice it is really fun. The bigger the letters, the better the effect.
Imagine that you are standing in front of a really big clock. Look at the middle of the clock. Then look at any hour mark, without turning your head. Look back at the center. Then look at another hour mark. Do this at least 12 times. You can also do this exercise with your eyes closed.
Focus on a distant object (over 150 feet or 50 m away) for several seconds and slowly refocus your eyes on a nearby object (less than 30 feet or 10 m away) that's in the same direction. Focus for several seconds and go back to the distant object. Do this 5 times.
Focus on an object in the distance (as far as possible) with a low contrasting background. Do this for a few minutes every half hour or so. This does not improve your vision, nor does any other technique. It can, however, maintain your best eyesight level during the day and prevent significant further vision deterioration.

[edit] Tips
It's more important to do the exercises regularly than to do them for a long time. Even 30-60 seconds of eye movement every hour is very helpful. For example, when your computer takes its sweet time to do something, most people just swear at the poor thing and waste the time, but you can make a few circles with your eyes. Even the first day you do this, you should notice that, when you finish working, your eyes aren't as tired as usual.
Taking short breaks from near work (e.g. staring at a computer monitor) to stare out to the distance also relieves some strain.
Palming is a good method to help your eyes feel better. You close your eyes and put you palms over them, this will rest your eyes.
Blink the eyes many times.
Splash your eyes with cold water repeatedly when feasible, and especially when your eyes are strained.

[edit] Warnings
Consult your optometrist (eye doctor) before doing any of these exercises. The last thing you want to do is add further strain to your eyes, or damage them permanently.
When doing these exercises, make sure that you're not facing anybody, or that they know you're doing eye exercises. Otherwise they might think you've gone nuts.
Extensive peer reviewed research has shown that visual clarity is not improved by exercise. Some people have weakness in the ability to turn their eye in or out. You may have esotropia (eye naturally turned in) or exotropia (eye naturally turned out). Exercise may help these conditions.
Doing these exercises when you wear contacts may cause them to suction to your eyeball. They might also move around and possibly become folded and/or dislodged, which can be extremely uncomfortable as well.
Do not apply pressure on your eyes.
Wash your hands before doing these exercises to avoid getting irritants in your eye.

[edit] Things You'll Need
Pencil
Eyes

Unknown Facts About Your Mobile

1) Emergency numberThe Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. Ifyou find yourself out of coverage area of yourmobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112and the mobile will search any existing network to establish theemergency number for you, and interestingly ...this number 112 can be dialed evenwhile the keypad is locked. Try it out.2) Locked the keys in the car? Your car has remotekeys?This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own acell phone: If you happen to lock your keys in the car and the sparekeys are home, call someone on your cell phone. Hold your cell phoneabout a foot from your car door and have the other person at your home pressthe unlock button, holding it near the phone on their end. Your carwill unlock.Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you.Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you canreach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock thedoors (or the trunk).Editor's Note: *It works fine! We tried it out andit unlocked our car over a cell phone!"3) Hidden Battery powerImagine your cell battery is very low, u r expecting an importantcall and u don't have a charger. Nokia instrument comes witha reserve battery. To activate, press the keys *3370#Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will showa 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get chargedwhen u charge your cell next time.

Monday, July 14, 2008

How to make your smile more attractive




Ever look at the opposite (or even the same) sex, they give you a really warm and nice-looking smile and you get a really good feeling about that person - whether it’s that you’re on the same wavelength, you’re attracted to them or you just want to go over and make conversation?
A nice looking smile is an important aspect of non-verbal communication. A smile is the center of giving thanks, showing appreciation, accepting a deal, falling in love, making small talk and exhibiting inner happiness. I find that when I am naturally happy, grateful for all that I am and have, I smile more realistically than when I just smile for the sake of it.
As science has revealed, there are natural ways to increase the quality of your smile. Here are five ways you can have a warm, nicer looking and much more attractive smile:
1. Brush your teeth properly. Many people restrict their smile because they’re ashamed at the quality of their teeth. Make sure you give your teeth the time necessary to keep bacteria and plaque away. One lady I recently made gave me one of the most amazing smiles I’ve ever seen. I asked her how she smiled so nicely. She told me that as she takes care and time in brushing her teeth, she has nothing to worry about how she looks. (By the way, asking how a lady smiles so well - good or bad pickup line?)
2. Avoid snacking. Snacks that are high in sugar and carbs are worse as they can attack your teeth using the acid for as long as 20 minuts. Bacteria feed on the sugar and may start to grow on your teeth and gums. These include simple sugars in fruits, breads and vegetables. So ensure you time your eating with cleaning your teeth.
3. Drink plenty water. The most prominent feature when it comes to your overall health is always about water. Water will ensure your body has plenty fluid and doesn’t suffer from internal dehydration allowing your skin and lips to look smooth and sensational. Also, by drinking lots of water, you’ll prevent getting bad breath.
4. Straight teeth. We’re talking about a good smile here so I’ve got to write about teeth. Having straight teeth is an important facet of beautiful smiling. If you haven’t got straight teeth, do your best to get some by seeing a dentist/orthodontist and the effort you put in now will be great for future years. A more faster approach but more costly is cosmetic dentistry.
5. Live a healthy lifestyle. The most beautiful smile shines from within. Working out, eating right and practicing good overall hygiene will not only promote healthy teeth and gums, it will make you feel good about yourself. Your self-confidence and positive energy will radiate out of your expression’s most important asset - your beautiful smile.

HAIR CARE · DIET & HEALTHY HAIR

HAIR CARE · DIET & HEALTHY HAIR
Eat your way to beautiful, healthy hair. Just like your body, your hair also needs a balanced diet to stay healthy.
Diet solution for dry and brittle hair:
If your hair is dry and breaks easily, it is probably a lack of essential fatty acids. By including plenty of good sources of essential fatty acids in your diet you can give your hair back its strength and lustre.
You can find these essential fatty acids in oily fish such as tuna, sardines, trout, salmon, herrings and mackeral. Also in seeds, nuts, olives and avocados. You should try to eat four servings of oily fish a week.
Sprinkling flaxseed oil and pumpkin seeds over your morning cereal is another great way to get these much needed essential fatty acids in your diet.
To keep your hair well hydrated, be sure to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water ever day!
Another nutrient important for hair strength and growth is trace mineral silica. Silica is vital to the strength of hair, and can stop hair breakage, unfortunately many of the foods we eat in the western world lack this mineral. Through food processing and chemical soil treatments, trace minerals are rare in our diets.
When possible, always choose organic produce. Foods that a rich in silica are rice, oats, lettuce, parsnips, asparagus, onion, strawberry, cabbage, cucumber, leek, sunflower seeds, celery, rhubarb, cauliflower and green, leafy vegetables.
Diet solution for greasy and lanky hair:
A lack of vitamin B in ones diet can lead to oily, greasy hair. To fight off greasy hair, be sure to eat lots of whole grains, nuts, seeds, dairy products, eggs, wheatgrem, legumes and green, leafy vegetables. These are all great sources of B-complex vitamins.
Also steer clear of oily foods where possible.
Diet solution for hair starting to turn grey:
Although the link between premature greying and diet hasn't been established, evidence does suggest the amino acid tyrosine - which acts as a precursor to color producing pigments in the hair and skin - can help!
Diet solution for hair that is starting to thin and fall out:
Thinning hair or hair loss may be a sign of iron deficiency. Be sure to eat plenty of iron rich foods, such as red meat, eggs, legumes, wholegrain cereals, dried fruits and green, leafy vegetables.
Since hair is composed mostly of protein, your hair will most likely respond well to the addition of high protein foods such as meats, eggs, cheese, seeds and nuts. These protein-rich foods can help reinforce the hair follicles and prevents the hair from falling out.
There is some evidence suggesting soya protein helps stimulate growth, so switch to soy milk and include some tofu, miso and soy beans in your diet.
Vitamin E is found in green, leafy vegetables, nuts and grains and can also help hair loss. Hair loss can also be a sign of thyroid dysfunction. To stimulate the thyroid gland, eat foods rich in iodine such as seafood and kelp.
Also including iron and B vitamins in your diet will help. Stick to a diet rich in antioxidants - fruit, vegetables and tea - to help slow the ageing process in general.
Foods, Vitamins and supplements to help hair growth
Hair is mostly protein, so nutritionists advise those wanting healthy hair to eat well balanced diets that include healthy proteins, along with foods high in vitamin B, C, E, A and K.
Your hair will most likely respond well to the addition of high protein foods such as meats, eggs, cheese, seeds and nuts. Fish has good protein as well as essential fatty acids and natural oils.
Vitamin B - Green vegetables, beans, sunflower seeds, nuts and peas.
Vitamin C - Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, melons and berries.
Vitamin E - Avocados, rice bran, nuts, dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
Vitamin A - Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, broccoli, cantaloupe and apricots.
Vitamin K - Seafood, dairy, figs, asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, brussel sprouts, cabbage, dark green leafy vegetables, oatmeal, soybeans, wheat, yoghurt, egg yolks and liver.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Cartoon











Boss

baa^sa
saunaa hO jaapana maoM Aa^ifsaaoM maoM baa^sa ko rbar ko putlao kOMTIna maoM rK ide jaato hOM. laaoga Aato jaato kana eoMza krto hOM.naak maraoD, sakto hOM Aqavaa caahoM tao GaUMsao BaI maar sakto hOM. jaapana vaalaaoM ka khnaa hO ik [sasao ]nako vak-r bahut hI TonSana f`I rhto hOM. baohtr ]%padna doto hOM AaOr AsalaI baa^sa BaI mahfUja, rhto hOM.
yaUM tao Baart ek laaoktM~ hO Saayad [saI ko calato baa^sa laaogaaoM kao saIQao saIQao vak-r ko hvaalao kr donoa ka irvaaja hO.Aba vak-r kI [cCa hOoM gairyaae‚ Gaorava kro Aqavaa caakU hI maar do.phlao baa^sa ApraQa kI duinayaa maoM haoto qao. baa^sa ko naama sao jaao tsvaIr ja,hna maoM AatI qaI‚ vah isagaar pI rho kalaa caSmaa hOT lagaae AaovarkaoT phnao KUMKar AadmaI kI haotI qaI jaao baat baat maoM gaaolaI calaa dota qaa.
]sakI gaaod maoM iballaI Daila-Mga va kusaI- ko h%qao pr ilalaI Daila-Mga huAa krto qao. kalaantr maoM baa^sa laaogaaoM ka $pantr huAa AaOr vao Da^na ikMga AaOr ivaQaayak bana gayao. iballaI kI jagah dFtr maoM ]nhoM imalao caUho kbaUtr AaOr maQauma@KI ko Cto. ilalaI kI jagah baojaar qakIharI majabaUr lalanaaeM qaI jaao yaa tao dhoja jauTa rhIM qaIM yaa jaIvana str kao }pr ]zanao kI rssaakSaI kr rhI qaIM. baa^sa Aalaaocanaa ka sava-ip`ya Ta^ipk haota hO. baa^sa kI inanda caTpTI f`UtcaaT kI trh haotI hO. f`UtcaaT saBaI kao ip`ya haotI hO. basa masaalaa kma jyaada haota rhta hO.b aa^sa kI CaoTI CaoTI baataoM kao BaI naaoT kr ]naka saUxma ivaSlaoYaNa TI Ta[ma laMca Ta[ma maoM A@sar haota hO. kOsao vah hmaoSaa banazna ko rhta hO Aqavaa ]sao kpD,o phnanao kI tmaIja nahIM. kOsao vah hrdma hMsata rhta hO Aqavaa manahUsa hO‚ mauskrata BaI nahIM. kOsao vaao jaubaana ka‚ idla ka kalaa ka yaa ifr pUra ka pUra Kraba hO. cair~ ko baad gaaOr krto hOM baa^sa kI Anya ivaSaoYataAaoM pr.
yah vah p`aNaI hO jaao Aap dFtr jaldI jaato hOM tao dor sao Aata hO AaOr Aap dor sao jaato hOM tao vah jaldI Aa Qamakta hO. ibalkula hI Baraosao ko laayak nahIM hO. Ta[-ma baoTa[-ma faona krnaa ]sakI ha^baI hO. Kud kao tao baIvaI baccaaoM kI prvaah hO nahIM Aayao idna Aapkao BaI dor rat tk dFtr maoM ibazata hO. iksaI kao hMsata tao doK hI nahIM sakta. kuC sanakI BaI maalaUma dota hO. kBaI tao KuSa haokr pUro ko pUro Kanadana kI saoht ko baaro maoM pUCta hO kBaI eosao doKta hO jaOsao phlaI baar imalao haoM.
baat baat maoM AMga`ojaI baaolanaa BaI baa^sa laaogaaoM ka ek gauNa haota hO. Kasakr blaODI naa^nasaoMsa‚ Aa[- kanT sTOMD caalaI-‚ Aaoh hOla yaU DaonT naao maI ribaSa‚ Aaid Aaid. baa^sa laaoga blaD p`OSar ,DayaibaTIja, AaOr haT- p`a^blama sao bahuQaa pIiD,t doKo jaato hOM. baa^sa laaoga isagaroT pana ka SaaOk BaI krto hOM pr pICo yah kma sao kmatr hao gayaa hO. [Qar iD/M@sa ka ka^kTola ka fOSana cala inaklaa hO‚ [sa maoM saBaI laOvala ko baa^sa kI saik`ya sahBaaigata rhtI hO. ek AcCo baa^sa kao hMsanaa tao dUr mauskranaa BaI kma sao kma caaihyao. [sasao raOba pD,ta hO. yadakda piricat laaogaaoM kao BaI phcaananao sao [nkar kr donaa caaihyao.
baa^sa laaogaaoM kao sada samaya kI kmaI rhtI hO. kao[- inamaM~Na do tao saIQao samaya kI kmaI batanaI caaihyao. hjaar ijad kro tao samaaraoh maoM dor sao jaanaa caaihyao AaOr baar-baar GaD,I doKto hue ijatnaI jaldI hao vaapsa cala donaa caaihyao. Aapkao AaOr caar jagah jaanaa hO AaOr AaiKr Aap baa^sa hOM‚ Gaur} nahIM ik zalao baOzo kao[- AaOr kama hI nahIM. baa^sa laaoga SaarIirk $p sao ek jagah rhto hOM tao idmaaga sao khIM AaOr. zalao BaI baOznaa hao tao batato nahIM. lauk ibajaI, DU naiqaMga.
baasa^ vah jaao maatht kI kmaI inakalao ]sao raokta Taokta rho.AaQao idna kI Cu+I caaihyao tao AaQao dja-na savaala kro. baa^sa vah jaao hmaoSaa Gaunnaata rho. kBaI iksaI baat pr kBaI iksaI AaOr baat pr. baa^sa kBaI maUMgaflaI yaa kolao nahIM Kayaa krto. vao kajaU Kato hOM AaOr jaUsa pIto hOM. baa^sa ihndI ko AKbaar yaa pi~ka nahIM pZ,to sadOva AMga`ojaI ko pZ,to hOM. baa^sa maaOko–baomaaOko yao khnao sao BaI nahIM caUkto ik ]nakI ihndI bahut 'vaIk' hO. ibahar kI ]na Ca~aAaoM kI trh jaao jao ,ena ,yaU ,javaahrlaala naoh$ yaUinavaisa-TI ko Zabao vaalao sao khtI saunaI jaatIM hOM‚ "kaSaIrama jaI Tuma hmakao TU kp TI dIijayao PlaIja,. vhaT DOola 'dala' banaayaa hO Tumanao".
caaho AaolD fOSana ko hI @yaaoM na haoM baa^sa hmaoSaa saUT baUT maoM hI rhto hOM. Ta[- caSmaa safarI saUT tao banao hI baa^sa ko ilayao hOM. baa^sa gaMjaa hao tao samaJaao saaonao maoM saugaMQa. baa^sa Avvala tao iflmaoM doKto hI nahIM kBaI doKto BaI hOM tao kovala Aga`oMjaI iflmaoM. iflma ijatnaI saIiryasa AaOr baaoirMga haogaI baa^sa laaogaaoM kao ]tnaI hI BaatI hO. baa^sa laaoga ek AaQa ca@kr ivadoSa ka ja$r lagaa Aato hOM. hao sako tao sarkarI Kcao- pr. [sasao vaata-laap Sau$ krnao K%ma krnao AaOr baIca baIca maoM ApnaI Qaak jamaanao ko ilayao bahut AcCa maOTIiryala imalata hO. yaqaa "laasT ivanTr jaba maOM sToT\sa maoM qaa ,,,,,, , , ,"‚ "ek baar landna maoM maoro saaqa yahI huAa ,,,, , , ," ‚ "Aa[-sak`Ima tao maOMnao eifla Ta^var pr Ka[- qaI ,,, , , ,"
baa^sa laaoga saa[-ikla yaa skUTr pr nahIM calaa krto. vao kar maoM AaOr kma sao kma caaT-D basa sao naIcao tao safr hI nahIM krto. dUsaro Sahr jaanaa hao tao jahaM tk hao sako ''Flaa[-'' krto hOM. vaotna caOk sao laoto hOM. Apnao ibalaaoM ka Baugatana k`OiDTkaD- sao krto hOM. ]nako "ofovairT" laoKk haoto hOM. ponTr AaOr e@Tr haoto hOM. vaao BaI doSaI nahIM Kailasa ivadoSaI. hujaUr yao hOM baa^sa kI kuC ivaSaoYataeM. saUcaI lambaI hao saktI hO magar baa^sa kao jyaada ilaKnaa baaolanaa SaaoBaa dota hO @yaa Aap hI bata[-yao.