My Own Niche

Simple Mantra for Body Detoxification

2008-07-30T23:47:00.017+05:30

It is very important for us to have regular body detoxification, especially when the daily grind of life drains our mind and soul. Our body is aching and our energy levels are at its nadir. This is a signal for us to have all our bodily toxins to be drained out.

The plus side of undergoing a detoxification program will be a smoother, clearer skin, a sharper mind, revitalization of energy, a stronger immune system and a feeling of healthiness both from within and outside.

Defination of Detoxification:

Generally speaking detoxification may be defined as removal of toxic substances from the body. In other words it involves the cleansing and purification of blood by eliminating impurities from the blood in the liver, through kidneys, lungs, intestines, lymph and skin.

The first important step:

To begin with, it’s crucial to remove toxins from our body. For this the following items should be reduced or eliminated: cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, eating foods with saturated fats and refined sugars (cola and ketchup contains a lot). All these elements act as toxins in our body and in-fact act as barriers to our body’s healing process. Moreover, one also needs to reduce the use of shampoos, toothpaste, deodorants and cleansers. These regular household cleaners and personal health care products are mostly chemical-based. Most of these chemicals are inside us; and we never really fully eliminate them, unless we go for a detoxification program.

Different means of detoxification:

There are several means of body detoxification. It’s up to us to choose which suits our lifestyle and preference.

1. Juice fasting

A very effective way of eliminating body toxins is by consuming the juices of only fresh fruits and vegetables such as carrot, spinach, celery, cabbage, apple, pineapple and cranberry (avoid citrus fruits). This will not only reduce toxins, but will also provide loads of nutrients as well as enzymes. It will also lessen the intensity of the cleansing process and make the process that much easier. Liquid or juice fasting should be done usually between 1 to 3 days. In case of longer duration, medical supervision and careful assessment will be required.

The major benefit derived from juice fasting will be the resultant quick weight loss. A person will lose approximately up to 30-40 lbs on a 30-day juice fast. Moreover by juice fasting, a person will feel light and clean as well as gain in self-confidence.

2. Water fasting

As the sub-heading suggests only water is consumed during this fast. As a result the heavily utilized and bruised insides of our system, such as digestive tract and organs gets the much needed rest, allowing all of our energy for self-repair and strengthening of the damaged organs. Further it even eliminates toxin build-ups. Drinking only water, not only eliminates obstruction and aids in self-healing, it is also revitalizes and motivates us to make a new start.

3. Other Gentler Means of Body Detox:

Here are some gentler and safer means to detoxify our body. One can try out or incorporate these different methods as part our daily routine.

1. Change in diet

As far as possible include as part of our daily lifestyle whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables instead of packaged and fast foods which are high on fats and sugar. This will greatly help in maintaining good health.

2. Sauna bath

Sauna, a traditional steam bath is widely used in the cities especially as a regular part of body detoxification. The intense heat generated by a sauna causes the body to perspire profusely as a result all toxins in the form of sweat are removed from the body. It is a great method of removing chemicals buildups in fat cells. Saunas are usually combined with diet, exercise and nutritional supplements.

3. Skin Scrubbing or Brushing

In the combination with proper diet, exercise and nutritional supplements, skin brushing is another gentler form of detoxification. It removes old dead skin cells, stimulates the lymph system and draws out toxins through the skin. Care should be taken to use only a dry skin brush made of soft vegetable bristles.

Before taking a shower, lightly brush your feet in circular motion towards the chest area for a minute or two.

4. Yoga and ‘Dyana’ (Meditation)

By performing simple breathing exercise, the bloodstream gets pure oxygen. Thus our body gets the much needed robust energy and thereby greatly enhances the body’s healing process. Different breathing techniques and positions lightly massage the internal organs and stimulate them to slowly discharge toxins.

Conclusion:

The above cleansing methods is just a guide as to what can be done to improve one's health. It is however, necessary to know why detoxification is necessary in our lives and understand the different ways on how to detoxify the body, before one begins with the different programs.

Holistic Fasting Health Retreat in Kerala
http://www.moinhos-velhos.com/india.htm

Detox Body Mind Spirit

Juice fasting for purification and detoxification
yoga meditation holistic alternative therapies

Health Chart For Everyone

2008-05-08T22:03:00.043+05:30

Apples : Protects your heart, Prevents constipation, Blocks diarrhea, Improves lung capacity, Cushions joints.

Apricots: Combats cancer, Controls blood pressure, Saves your eyesight, Shields against Alzheimer's, Slows aging process.

Artichokes: Aids digestion, Lowers cholesterol, Protects your heart, Stabilizes blood sugar, Guards against liver disease.

Avocados: Battles diabetes, Lowers cholesterol, Helps stops strokes, Controls blood pressure, Smooths skin.

Bananas: Protects your heart, Quiets a cough, Strengthens bones, Controls blood pressure, Blocks diarrhea.

Beans: Prevents constipation, Helps hemorrhoids, Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, Stabilizes blood sugar.

Beet-roots: Controls blood pressure, Combats cancer, Strengthens bones, Protects your heart Aids weight loss.

Blueberries: Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Stabilizes blood sugar, Boosts memory, Prevents constipation.

Broccoli: Strengthens bones, Saves eyesight, Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Controls blood pressure.

Cabbage: Combats cancer, Prevents constipation, Promotes weight loss, Protects your heart Helps hemorrhoids.

Cantaloupe: Saves eyesight, Controls blood pressure, Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, Supports immune system.

Carrots: Saves eyesight, Protects your heart, Prevents constipation, Combats cancer, Promotes weight loss.

Cauliflower: Protects against Prostate Cancer, Combats Breast Cancer, Strengthens bones, Banishes bruises, Guards against heart disease.

Cherries: Protects your heart, Combats Cancer, Ends insomnia, Slows aging process, Shields against Alzheimer's.

Chestnuts: Promotes weight loss, Protects your heart, Lowers cholesterol, Combats Cancer, Controls blood pressure.

Chili peppers: Aids digestion, Soothes sore throat, Clears sinuses, Combats Cancer, Boosts immune system.

Figs: Promotes weight loss, Helps stops strokes, Lowers cholesterol, Combats Cancer, Controls blood pressure.

Fish: Protects your heart, Boosts memory, Protects your heart, Combats Cancer, Supports immune system.

Flax: Aids digestion, Battles diabetes, Protects your heart, Improves mental health, Boosts immune system.

Garlic: Lowers cholesterol, Controls blood pressure, Combats cancer kills bacteria, Fights fungus

Grapefruit: Protects against heart attacks, Promotes Weight loss, Helps stops strokes, Combats Prostate Cancer, Lowers cholesterol.

Grapes: Saves eyesight, Conquers kidney stones, Combats cancer, Enhances blood flow, Protects your heart.

Green Tea: Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Helps stops strokes, Promotes Weight loss, Kills bacteria.

Honey: Heals wounds, Aids digestion, Guards against ulcers, Increases energy, Fights allergies.

Lemons: Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Controls blood pressure, Smooths skin, Stops scurvy.

Limes: Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Controls blood pressure, Smooths skin, Stops scurvy.

Mangoes: Combats cancer, Boosts memory, Regulates thyroid, Aids digestion, Shields against Alzheimer's.

Mushrooms: Controls blood pressure, Lowers cholesterol, Kills bacteria, Combats cancer, Strengthens bones.

Oats: Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, Battles diabetes, Prevents constipation, Smooths skin.

Olive oil: Protects your heart, Promotes Weight loss, Combats cancer, Battles diabetes, Smooths skin.

Onions: Reduce risk of heart attack, Combats cancer, Kills bacteria, Lowers cholesterol, Fights fungus.

Oranges: Supports immune systems, Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Straightens respiration.

Peaches: Prevents constipation, Combats cancer, Helps stops strokes, Aids digestion, Helps hemorrhoids.

Peanuts: Protects against heart disease, Promotes Weight loss, Combats Prostate Cancer, Lowers cholesterol, Aggravates diverticulitis.

Pineapple: Strengthens bones, Relieves colds, Aids digestion, Dissolves warts, Blocks diarrhea.

Prunes: Slows aging process, Prevents constipation, Boosts memory, Lowers cholesterol, Protects against heart disease.

Rice: Protects your heart, Battles diabetes, Conquers kidney stones, Combats cancer, Helps stops strokes.

Strawberries: Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Boosts memory, Calms stress.

Sweet Potatoes: Saves your eyesight, Lifts mood, Combats cancer, Strengthens bones.

Tomatoes: Protects prostate, Combats cancer, Lowers cholesterol, Protects your heart.

Walnuts: Lowers cholesterol.

Realty scenario in Mumbai City - May '08

2008-05-07T14:49:00.013+05:30

The realty prices in Mumbai which since past two years nearly touched the skies, is now showing signs of waning. However, a full blown correction does not seem to be on the cards. The current real estate scenario April - May 2008, if one were to make an impartial assessment is that prices of flats will be sluggish and will remain so for the next six months.Some contradict this viewpoint like Rajesh Mehta, a leading property consultant in Mumbai, who predicts "April and May are the key months as far as property deals go. If transactions do not pick up, prices of apartments will fall at least 10 to 15 per cent" (source blog.Indiaproperties.com)

While it is true that there has been more then 50% fall in sale of residential flats, but due to the 'iron hold' of the powerful builder's cartel, chances are prices won't fall. In fact, after hearing about prospective buyers postponing buying of flats in anticipation of fall in prices of flats, leading city developers called a meeting, discussed the scenario for the next few months and then coming to a consensus, jointly decided not to lower home prices until Diwali (Source TOI - http://www.propertybytes.com/)

There is another strong reason why the Mumbai builders are thwarting any attempt at lowering prices of flats and are not willing to sell their flat for less then 10K per sq ft. As of now lacs of buildings are going in for redevelopment, which means existing old buildings are demolished and reconstructed with additional flats being build. The builders have corpus funds out of which they are offering the old owner's attractive amounts plus life time maintenance, two years rentals with modern amenities thrown in. Subsequently their cost price for sale of the remaining flats too has gone up, thereby leaving them in no position to reduce the prices.

In the long run, if the government did on it's part, try to rein in flat prices, by cutting down TDR rates, stamp duty, registration and other charges then there is a possibility of these rebates being passed on to the beleaguered city buyers. But the moot point is … Will the government take such a bold step. Well, we'll have to wait and watch.

Important minerals required by the human body

2008-05-01T16:28:00.020+05:30

Minerals are the inorganic substance that occurs naturally in rocks and in the ground. It has its own characteristic appearance and chemical composition. The three main functions of minerals are as constituents of the skeleton, as soluble salts which help control the composition of the body fluids, and as essential adjuncts to the action of many enzymes and other proteins. There are many different types of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc, and chromium picolinate. The detail about each of these minerals and its usefulness for human body is given here in under:

Calcium :
Calcium is a major mineral, essential for strong and healthy bone and teeth. It also ensures the proper functioning of muscles and nerves and even helps your blood to clot. It is of great importance for growing children.Major sources of calcium are milk, cheese, eggs, dairy products, fruits, green vegetables, almonds, seaweeds (such as kelp, wakame and hijiki), nuts, beans and pulses, breads and fish. The deficiency of calcium can affect bone and teeth formation, while its excess can lead to kidney stones.

Magnesium :
Magnesium is an important mineral that helps the body to maintain its muscles, nerves, and bones. It is also useful for maintaining heart rhythm, energy metabolism and protein synthesis.The major sources of magnesium are spinach, nuts, seeds, whole grains, water, fruits and vegetables. The deficiency of magnesium can cause sensitiveness to noise, nervousness, irritability, mental depression, confusion, twitching, trembling, apprehension, insomnia, muscle weakness and cramps in the toes, feet, legs or fingers.

Potassium :
It is important in controlling the activity of the heart, muscles, nervous system and just about every Our bodies contain more then twice as much potassium as sodium (typically nine ounces versus four ounces). The major sources of potassium are bananas and orange juice. Some other sources include breads, cereals and other grain products. The deficiency of potassium can cause your muscles not to work properly and you will feel weak. The excess of potassium can cause an irregular heart beat.

Selenium :
Selenium is an essential mineral that functions largely in the form of proteins, called seleno-proteins, which act as enzymes and help prevent damage to cells in the body by oxidants in the environment or those produced by normal metabolism.The sources of selenium are seafood, some meats (such as kidney and liver), and some grains and seeds. The deficiency of selenium causes “Keshan” disease, a fatal form of cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease). While its excess can cause reversible balding and brittle nails, give a garlic odor to the breath, and cause intestinal distress, weakness and slowed mental functioning.

Zinc :
Zinc is an essential mineral which is involved in the manufacture of protein and in cell division. It is also a constituent of insulin, and is concerned with the sense of smell.The sources of zinc are eggs, cereal grains, meat, liver, seafood and nuts. The deficiency of zinc can cause short stature, anemia, increased pigmentation of skin, enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly), impaired gonadal function, impaired wound healing, and immune deficiency. The excess of zinc can cause gastrointestinal irritation (upset stomach) and cause copper deficiency.

Chromium Picolinate :
Chromium picolinate is an essential mineral which plays a vital role in processing carbohydrates and fats. It also works with insulin (a hormone, produced in the pancreas) in assisting cells to take in glucose and release energy; that makes blood sugar available to the cells as our basic fuel.The sources of chromium are meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fats and vegetable oils. The deficiency of chromium can cause anxiety, fatigue, glucose intolerance (particularly in people with diabetes), inadequate metabolism of amino acids, and an increased risk of arteriosclerosis.

About India - By A Pakistani Author

2008-04-26T16:59:00.007+05:30

Dr. Farrukh Saleem ( Sept 12, 2007)

Twenty-five thousand years ago, haplo group R2 characterized by genetic marker M124 arose in southern Central Asia. Then began a major wave of human migration whereby members migrated southwards to present day India and Pakistan - Genographic Project by Natl Geographic Soc - http://www.nationalgeographic.com. Indians and Pakistanis have the same ancestry and share the same DNA sequence.

Here's what is happening in India. The two Ambani brothers can buy 100 percent of every company listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) and would still be left with $30 billion to spare. The four richest Indians can buy up all goods and services produced over a year by 169 million Pakistanis and still be left with $60 billion to spare. The four richest Indians are now richer than the forty richest Chinese. In November, Bombay Stock Exchange's benchmark Sensex flirted with 20,000 points. As a consequence, Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries became a $100 billion company (the entire KSE is capitalized at $65 billion). Mukesh owns 48 percent of Reliance.

In November 07, comes Neeta's birthday. Neeta turned forty-four three weeks ago. Look what she got from her husband as her birthday present: A sixty-million dollar jet with a custom fitted master bedroom, bathroom with mood lighting, a sky bar, entertainment cabins, satellite television, wireless communication and a separate cabin with game consoles. Neeta is Mukesh Ambani's wife, and Mukesh is not India's richest but the second richest. Mukesh is now building his new home, Residence Antillia (after a mythical, phantom island somewhere in the somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. At a cost of $1 billion this would be the most expensive home on the face of the planet.

At 173 meters tall Mukesh's new family residence, for a family of six, will be the equivalent of a 60 storeyed building. The first six floors are reserved for parking. The seventh floor is for car servicing and maintenance. The eighth floor houses a mini theatre. Then there's a health club, a gym and a swimming pool. Two floors are reserved for Ambani family's guests. Four floors above the guest floors are family floors all with a superb view of the Arabian Sea. On top of everything are three helipads. A staff of 600 is expected to care of the family and their family home.

In 2004, India became the 3rd most attractive foreign direct investment destination. Pakistan wasn't even in the top 25 countries. In 2004, the United Nations, the representative body of 192 sovereign member states, had requested the Election Commission of India to assist the UN in the holding elections in Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah and Dowlate Eslami-ye Afghanistan. Why the Election Commission of India and not the Election Commission of Pakistan? After all, Islamabad is closer to Kabul than is Delhi. Imagine, 12 percent of all American scientists are of Indian origin; 38 percent of doctors in America are Indian; 36 percent of NASA scientists are Indians; 34 percent of Microsoft employees are Indians; and 28 percent of IBM employees are Indians. For the record: Sabeer Bhatia created and founded Hotmail. Sun Micro Systems was founded by Vinod Khosla.

The Intel Pentium processor, that runs 90 percent of all computers, was fathered by Vinod Dham. Rajiv Gupta co-invented Hewlett Packard's E-speak project. Four out of ten start-ups are run by Indians. Bollywood produces 800 movies per year and six Indian ladies have won Miss Universe/Miss World titles over the past 10 years. For the record: Azim Premji, the richest Muslim entrepreneur on the face of the planet, was born in Bombay and now lives in Bangalore. India now has more than three dozen billionaires; Pakistan has none (not a single dollar billionaire). The other amazing aspect is the rapid pace at which India is creating wealth.

In 2002, Dhirubhai Ambani, Mukesh and Anil Ambani's father, left his two sons a fortune worth $2.8 billion. In 2007, their combined wealth stood at $94 billion. On 29 October 2007, as a result of the stock market rally and the appreciation of the Indian rupee, Mukesh became the richest person in the world, with net worth climbing to US$ 63.2 billion (Bill Gates, the richest American, stands at around $56 billion). Indians and Pakistanis have the same Y-chromosome haplo-group. We have the same genetic sequence and the same genetic marker (namely: M124). We have the same DNA molecule, the same DNA sequence. Our culture, our traditions and our cuisine are all the same. We watch the same movies and sing the same songs. What is it that Indians have and we don't?

Indians elect their leaders.

Farrukh Saleem .... The writer is an Islamabad-based freelance columnist.

Dear friends,

Don’t you think we ought to thank Farrukh Saleem (imagine that too) a Pakistani for making us realize what a wonderful country we live in. Three cheers to him ….

On a humorous note .... Pakistanis can tell us “Per hamaare paas MAAA, mera matlab America Maaa ....hai…” (LOL)

Nina

Mass-media violence and its impact on children

2008-04-20T00:54:00.003+05:30

Children inform themselves, from early ages about the surrounding world. The sources they rely on are different and various like: parents, teachers, friends and mass media. A plus in attention must be accorded to information gained from the TV, radio and internet. These mass media are a valuable informational base. At the same time we have to consider the fact that on numerous occasions the news therein may be aggressive, characterized by violence or touching upon delicate issues.

Materials that are related to natural catastrophes or kidnappings, homicides, attacks of theorists groups, school violence or amorous relationships of politicians can create confusion in a child’s mind, which can then develop into a deformed perception of society regarding it as a confused and hostile environment.

As a parent you may have to think on how to contra-attack the effect this sort of news and information, as well as the images that go with it. The easiest way to deal with this is through dialogue. And hopefully the little one will in time will create a protective “shield” that will avoid the apparition of an emotional mis balance.

Some practical piece of advise:

Get your child used to read publications designated to his age category and to watch television programs of the same kind. They are less aggressive.
Customize him to analyze carefully all that he hears and to not consider that all information are necessarily real just because their way of presentation is a spectacular one.
Try to identify the child’s predilections when it comes to news and his habits as a media consumer.
If you might consider the respective show is not appropriate for the child, then just turn off the TV. But remember this is just a momentary solution. In order to keep your kid out of the media violence, you must impose a tight rule about television programs and always keep an eye open on your child’s everyday activities.

If these few things are borne in mind and adhered to, you may rest assured that you will be bringing up a healthy child both in mind and body.

Preventing High Blood Pressure - DR's Advise

2008-04-18T00:18:00.018+05:30

No doubt, there are number of treatments and medicines available for the treatment of high blood pressure. But as the saying goes, “Precaution is better than cure”. So, we must remember this saying and follow the recommended rules in order to prevent high blood pressure. Blood pressure is directly proportional to the body weight; it means that if your weight increases the blood pressure also rises. Overweight people have an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other illnesses. Losing weight reduces the risk. Even if you don't have high or low blood pressure problems due to being overweight, a healthy weight can help you feel active and lower your risk of blood pressure and other diseases.

It's not just how much you weigh that's important: It also matters where your body stores extra fat. Just like the other things your body shape is also inherited from your parents. Some people are “Apple-shaped”; these have extra fat at the waist while others are “pear shaped” having more fat at their hips and thighs. The former have higher health risks than the later. Anyways, wherever that extra weight is you can still prevent it and control your blood pressure. Even if you are already captured by the high blood pressure; no problem ...just start losing weight and it will help you lower your blood pressure. To lose weight, you should use up more calories than you eat. You need to use up the day's calories and some of the calories stored in your body fat.

Eating 300 to 500 calories less per day, may lead to losing between one and two pounds per week. This is a realistic weight loss. It may seem slow, but would add up to a weight loss of more than three stone in a year. Increase your physical activity if you really want to loose your weight. Being active controls your weight 10 times by eating less. Besides losing weight, there are other reasons to be more active: Being physically active can help lower high blood pressure and your total cholesterol level while raising HDL-cholesterol, and reduces your risk for heart disease. Physically active people have a lower risk of getting high blood pressure (20% to 50% lower) than inactive people.

You are not being asked to join a gym but at least try to fit various physical activities into your daily routine in small but important ways. If light physical activities done on regular basis can reduce the risk of blood pressure and heart disease. Do at least 30 minutes of exercise like swimming or running. If you don't have 30 minutes for exercising, try to find two 15-minute periods or even three 10-minute periods. Try to do some type of aerobic activity in the course of a week or try brisk walking, most days of the week. These exercises can condition your heart and lungs and can prevent you from diseases. Most people don't need to see a doctor before they start exercising, since a gradual, sensible exercise program has few health risks.

But in case of any health problem like, heart disease, blood pressure problem or any other you should first consult your physician. Your doctor or other health worker can help you set sensible goals based on a proper weight for your height, build and age and help you prevent high blood pressure. Men and very active women may need up to 2,500 calories daily. Other women and inactive men need only about 2,000 calories daily. A safe plan is to eat 300 to 500 fewer calories a day to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week.

Values And Value Based Education

2008-04-17T18:31:00.003+05:30

Urgent need of the hour

When one thinks of values …. few emotions conjures up instantly in mind viz., love, peace, respect, tolerance, humility, honesty, co-operation, brother-hood, responsibility and many more such old world ideas. Well, you may say why these are considered as old world ideas. That is because most of these ideas seem to be slowly vanishing from the present cut-throat competitive world. It requires yeomen effort to hang on to these ideas today. Following this path is difficult indeed, requiring an iron will and determination. Only those who have gone through this know the immense sacrifices they have had to make in its adherence, but at the end of the day only such a person is a truly satisfied and a happy person within.

Any institution which imparts all the above mentioned moral values and succeeds in planting the seed permanently in a young budding brain at a tender age and inspires that person enough to follow it through in life, may be considered to have had a true value-based education and not those colleges or schools having one or two classes on moral science which is by-hearted and then poured ad verbatim during examinations and promptly forgotten the next day. In fact any institution which guides a student to be an agent of positive change and transformation in society can rightly be said to have succeeded in imbibing value-based education.

In what ways it may be imparted ?

Well theoretically speaking it may be imparted in the form of living value education a kind of value based education program, which is in force in several educational institutions across the country. It offers a variety of experiential values activities and practical methodologies to teachers and facilitators to enable children and young adults to explore and develop 12 key personal and social values viz.,

Cooperation, Freedom, Happiness, Honesty, Humility, Love, Peace, Respect, Responsibility, Simplicity, Tolerance, Unity. In simplified terms it could be any education system which teaches you the following: How to live life well? How to find happiness? How to make others happy? How to manage all kinds of people and happenings as well. How to grow and succeed in the right manner?

Which is more important academic education or value education?

This is a moot question ... which is more important - academic education or value education ? …… Well the answer is: Both are equally important. Without formal education, you will not be able to read or write. Without these skills, you cannot get a good job or manage even the simple things of daily living.

Value education is equally important. If a highly qualified, well- employed person does not know how to behave properly, all that he or she does has little meaning and will not serve him or her well. Fruitful education is the kind used for our welfare as well as that of others. This can only happen only when you have both academic and value education. Value education helps you both in difficult moments and in happy ones.

Many people with education and power take success for granted and everything goes their way. But the minute something goes wrong and they face failure, they go to pieces. You have heard of some of the world richest men taking their lives when faced with crisis situations. Even renowned kings with vast kingdoms and riches have had their share of low times. A number of them collapsed. But a few others approached spiritual masters and learned about a life of values. They changed themselves, began to follow a good way of living and became even greater than before.

Degradation of values in society:

The call for values is currently echoing more incessantly throughout our country as educators, parents and even children are increasingly concerned about and affected by violence, growing social problems, and the lack of social cohesion. Educators are, once again, forced to address issues which have arisen due to lack of values within our societies.

Examples:

One case which instantly comes to mind is that of two Class 8 students of Euro International School, a Delhi suburban school gunning down their class mate Abhishek Tyagi by pumping 5 bullets on Dec 12, 2007 in a cold-blood and pre-meditated manner, as he had been reportedly bullying them. But what makes even school-going kids barely 14 years of age resort to taking the law into their hands at such a tender age. The amount of rage and anger within in some ways may be directly attributed to exposure to violence on screen both big and small, as well as internet along-with what is happening in real life as also lack of proper values inculcated at home.

Another case is that of a teachers resorting to so-called disciplining leading to a student’s death as it happened in a school in North, when a student was ruthlessly canned for an apparently frivolous reason as putting his feet out of his seat during exams. Although on the face of it, it may look a silly reason for such extreme punishment, but it indicates the level of frustration, anguish and pressure inherent within the teaching faculty living life on edge with low salaries, unable to cope with day to day living and making ends meet in this highly materialistic society. But above all it indicates the erosion of ethical values within the very segment which has the responsibility on its shoulder to impart it to tender impressionable minds. This is indeed a frightening scenario.

Conclusion:

Both these contrasting examples of violence inherent within the teaching and taught segment, makes one do a lot of rethinking on where our esteemed values have disappeared and where our society heading towards …well only posterity can answer this question. In the meantime, we need to do a lot of rethinking before the rot stems in, and we have no means to redeem it. The time is ripe now for all right thinking, well-meaning individuals, educationists, politicians, social thinkers, leaders, NGOs, and even the man on the street to put on their thinking caps and come up with new ideas and fresh streams of thought to stem the rot (so to speak), before it is too late. The time for action is NOW.

Ganesh Charurthi Festivity In Mangalore

2007-10-30T22:31:00.000+05:30

According to the ancient scriptures, Lord Ganesha is a God who brings happiness to all worlds, who destroyed the demon Gajasura, and is supposed to be immortal, merciful, and all-forgiving. He is also believed to bestow all devotees with a well-disposed mind.

This time around in Mangalore, Ganesh Chaturthi which happens to be the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, and the God of wisdom and prosperity, is being celebrated in an unusual manner, not seen for the past several years. Every where in the city whether it is Ashok Nagar, Pratap Nagar, Car Street or Sanga Niketan we are seeing people carrying the idols of Lord Ganesha on their head. This is indeed a rare sight as for every Ganesh Chaturthi in Mangalore from the past 30 to 35 years the idols used to be placed on trucks and other vehicles, with devotees following, chanting bhajans and dancing and singing in merriment.

Here in Mangalore we are noticing in the case of smaller idols, processions of devotees carrying small idols of Lord Ganesha on their heads. These idols has been taken from the place where it is sculpted by the shilpakar (sculpture) as early as 5 o clock in the morning, and from there directly taken to the devotee’s homes after which the pooja ceremony or the puja archane is performed in a traditional manner. Once it reaches there and is placed on platform, different varieties of fruits, flowers and sweets are offered to Lord Ganesh in veneration, one of which is a sweet called Modak, a yellow flower shaped sweet which is believed to be a favorite of Lord Ganesha.

In some cases the devotees perform the regular Puja Archene (ceremony) till late evening and then immerse the idol in the local well itself, watched by few friends and close relativesWhile in case of some other devotees they prefer to keep Lord Ganesha in their homes and carry on the religious ceremonies which then goes on for either 3 or 5 or 7 days, before Lord Ganesha is taken for “Visarjhan” (immersion) most probably to Mahamayi temple at Car Street for his final journey. On this auspicious occasion all are duly wished a happy Ganesh Chaturthi, with a prayer to Lord Ganesha to bless all his devotees and bring peace and joy to our planet ‘Earth’.

Raksha Bandhan -Sibling Bond in Mangalore City

2007-08-28T01:06:00.000+05:30

The auspicious festival of Raksha Bandhan depicting the love between a brother and sister always falls on the full moon day, in the month of Shravana, the holiest month for the Hindu community, as the rains are receding, sea is calming down and the weather is very pleasant. This year Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 28 which falls tommorrow.

This is indeed a special occasion, when a sister ties a scared thread called 'Rakhi' around her brother's wrist. She prays to God for the safety of her brother and to /st1:placelead him on a good path. The brother in return feeds her sweets and blesses her with good wishes and accepts the responsibility of protecting her. In Indian tradition the frail thread of Rakhi is considered stronger than an iron chain, as it binds brothers and sisters in an inseparable bond of love and trust. Raksha Bandhan is meant not just for siblings, but for protection of any loved one. 'Raksha' means protection and 'bandhan' means bond.

This year too like the previous year, the preparations for the Raksha Bandhan festival have begin much in advance all over the country. A few days ahead of the festival, one can see colourful Rakhis in the market. Girls have started shopping and looking around for fancy Rakhis. One can see all round rakhis in all shapes, sizes, colours and forms. The sweet shops, garment shops, fancy shops are all also flooded with fanciful things to attract people indicating the gaiety and joy of the occasion.

By and large one finds Raksha Bandhan being celebrated with much gusto all over North India, but this time around the festival fever has peaked here too among the Mangaloreans. Now with other Hindu festivities the rakhi tying ritual too has become an important festival for many families in Mangalore city in the recent years.Most Hindus of Mangalore prefer to celebrate this auspicious day privately in their homes. But there are places where it is celebrated as a public ceremony where girls who don't have a brother tie the sacred rakhi around the wrist of a good friend whom she trusts thus making him a brother.

In recent years Raksha Bhandan has become more popular among the younger generation in Mangalore. All around, due to the influx of northerners into Mangalore, one finds young girls in Mangalore all excited making preparations for the festival of Raksha Bandhan, by shopping around for colourful rakhis, sweets and gifts. They have already started buying rakhis and other items required for a traditional 'Aarti Thali’. The thali is a special plate on which the rakhi is placed alongside a lamp, rice grains, sweets and vermilion which are all necessary for the ceremony.

With the Raksha Bandhan just a day away, all round one find’s there is brisk business in the sale of Rakhis. Most of the customers seen buying them are children and students. Gift shops, fancy stores and malls are filled with fancy Raksha Bandhan cards, colourful Rakhis and gift items. A walk down the streets of Mangalore one can notice as a display everywhere, beautiful rakhis hanging outside every fancy store to attract customers. One can choose from a variety of rakhis ranging from simple threads, colourful beads to designer pieces. The cost of the rakhi ranges any where from Rs 3 to Rs 50. There are also several web portals offering mega deals during the season, and Rakhis and gifts can be ordered online and delivered at a short notice this festive season.

Events leading to Sunjay Dutt's conviction

2007-08-09T16:43:00.000+05:30

Let’s go back in time, to a glimpse into the sequence of events culminating in Sanjay Dutt's conviction of six years rigorous imprisonment by the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act TADA Court, special judge P D Kode.

March 12, 1993 a series of bomb blasts rocked Mumbai city, killing 257 people and injuring around 713. Nearly a month after the blasts on, film producers/ video owners Sameer Hingora and Hanif Kadawala were arrested. They disclosed to the police that film star Sanjay Dutt also possessesed AK-56 rifles. After this revelation CBI filed a charge-sheet against Sanjay Dutt alleging that gangster Abu Salem and his men visited Dutt in January 1993.

The charge-sheet states that Abu Salem was brought to Dutt's residence accompanied by Magnum video owner Sameer Hingora and motor-training school owner Ibrahim Musa on instructions of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother Annes to deliver the weapons.

The next morning the consignment arrived and they gave him three AK-56 rifles, 25 hand grenades, one 9 mm pistol and cartridges. Dutt however returned the AK-56 rifles, hand grenades and cartridges to Hanif and Samir but kept one AK-56 rifle with himself. The rifle and cartridges allegedly formed part of the consignment, which was smuggled into India at Dighi Port on 9 January, 1993.

On learning that Mumbai police were looking to question Sanjay Dutt, his father Sunil Dutt asked him to immediately return from Mauritius, where he was shooting for a film. As soon as Dutt arrived from Mauritius, police arrested him stating that the AK-56 found in his house, was from the consignment of arms smuggled into India before the blasts.

Dutt confessed to the police that while he was in Mauritius for shooting, he had instructed his friends to destroy the weapons. The rifle was then accordingly destroyed by his friends Yusuf Nullawalla, Kersi Adjenia, Rusi Mulla and Ajay Marwah. Sanjay Dutt however denied the charges that he was involved in the larger conspiracy. Although at first Dutt had admitted to the charges of owning the weapons but later he retracted the confession.

In May, 1993, Dutt was released on bail. In July 4, 1994, Dutt’s bail was cancelled and he was re-arrested on 19 April, 1993 (nearly a month after the Mumbai blasts). After spending nearly 16 months in Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, Dutt was again released on bail on Oct 16, 1995. In the year 2001 Dutt faced several queries from the court spread over four days, on the subject of his possessing the AK-56 rifle. To which Dutt flatly denied having a connection with any such event and even denied having met Abu Salem and others.

However, in 2002, the Mumbai police tapped alleged Dutt's conversation with gangster Chhota Shakeel. The conversation had references to the actor having bought a T-shirt for him, from Dubai. In fact after this incident the Shiv Sena-BJP combine in Maharashtra created a furore in the State legislature over the Bollywood star's alleged taped conversation with underworld don Chhota Shakeel. In the year 2003, Dutt informed the court that he did not know about Pakistan-based gangster Chhota Shakeel. Court exempted Dutt from personal appearance till June-end, stating he had gone abroad for stage shows with the court's permission.

After this Dutt’s bail was extended a number of times. On 28 November 2006, the Special TADA court found actor Sanjay Dutt guilty under the Arms Act of possessing an illegal weapon. He was cleared, however, of the charges of terrorism and conspiracy by the Judge Kode who said in his ruling in the open court "During my reasoning I have not found him (Sanjay) to be a terrorist."

Finally on 31 July, 2007 Sanjay Dutt was sentenced to 6 years rigorous imprisonment by Judge Kode. His aide Rusi Mulla, was however, awarded probation and is under observation for one year. Sanjay Dutt was also fined Rs. 25,000 and his probation plea was rejected. The 16 months that Dutt has already served in jail will be deducted from the sentence.

Dutt’s plea for sometime for surrender was rejected by the judge. Sanjay Dutt’s lawyer, Mr Satish Maneshinde, however, said the actor would appeal against his sentence in the Supreme Court. On August 2, 2007, Sanjay Dutt was shifted from Arthur Road jail in Mumbai to the Yerwada Jail in Pune, where Dutt will carry out the rest of his sentence.

Home remedies for acne, blackheads & pimples

2007-07-16T22:58:00.000+05:30

Where skin disorders are concerned, it is best to stick as much as possible to natural cure options; as these are less likely to have any adverse side-effects.

Acne, pimples and blackheads are basically skin dis-orders that cause eruptions and inflammation in human beings especially on the face. The most important thing to do if you suffer from any one of these is to drink at least four pints of water every day. Drinking a lot of water is very beneficial to your skin. Including fresh fruit and leafy green vegetables in your daily diet will also bring about a marked improvement in the quality of your complexion. Regular Yoga exercises will also help improve skin and overall health.

Give below are 10 simple home remedies to counter act these skin eruptions:

1. Make a mixture of 1 tsp of mint powder, 1 tsp of oatmeal powder and 2-3 tsp of rose water. Mix well and apply on pimples. Wait till it dries up and wash off. Repeat daily for about a month to see a change in your complexion.

2. Before bathing, apply a mixture of tomato pulp – real tomato pulp, not packaged one – honey and rose-water to your face and keep for twenty minutes before washing off. And at night, before going to bed, apply a mix of cream, glycerin, and lemon juice to your face and again keep it on for a short while before washing.

3. Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and rose water, apply to face with a cotton ball, and allow it to set for 30 minutes before rinsing. 15-20 days of this application helps cure pimples and also helps to remove blemishes and scars.

4. Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected area overnight. Wash it off with warm water next morning.

5. For acne that does not seem to respond to anything, steep 2-3 tsp. dried basil leaves in 1 cup boiling water for 10-20 minutes, cool, and apply to affected area with a cotton ball.

6. Add curd to gram flour to make a paste and apply it on the face. Completely rub it off before it dries. Repeat every two days. This is also good for removing blemishes. Make curd out of skim milk for oily skin.

7. Take about 2-3 tsps of warm honey and mix it in about 1 tbsp of gram flour to a smooth consistency. Apply this paste to your face. Wash off the paste with warm water after it dries. This remedy will keep acne and pimples at bay.

8. Make a mixture of 1 tsp fullers earth, 1 tsp of fenugreek powder, 1 tsp mint powder, juice of 1/2 lime and 1 tsp of rose water. Apply this twice a day. Keep on the face till it dries up then wash off with cold water. This is an effective remedy for pimples and acne.

9. Even applying scrapped half apple softly all over the face does, do wonders for the blemished skin.

10. Another very effective pimple and black head banisher is this mixture. Take 1 tsp drumstick leaf juice mix with 1 tsp lime juice and apply on face let it remain for about 10 to 15 minutes and wash off with cold water.

Try any one of these above home remedies and you will definitely be the proud owner of a wonderful clean clear complexion that will be the envy of all.

De-Indoctrination on terrorism

2007-07-06T22:58:00.000+05:30

URGENT NEED OF THE HOUR

Friday morning, July 6, 2007 one read the blazing newspaper headline “Suicide Bomber is Bangalorean” To say that one was shaken to the core was just an understatement. Of course at that point in time one did have some inkling on the matter as there was news in bits and pieces that the suspects in the blotched terror plots in UK could be Indians. The two Indians said to be involved in crashing a blazing Jeep Cherokee into the Glasgow airport terminal building. But like any other citizen, one lives in hope and faith that our country men will not be involved in such dastardly attacks, where they not only massacre other human beings but are even prepared to die for the attainment of so called martyrdom. Now it has been confirmed that one of them is indeed an Indian, lying in a critical state with little hope of survival. So the unimaginable has happened. Now reality stares us starkly in the face, that from now onwards even our citizens are no longer immune from being in the vicious grip of invisible master minds of terror attacks.

According to newspaper reports the two Indian youths were Kafeel Ahmed, 28-year-old engineer and the other is his brother Sabeel Ahmed who is 26. Their cousin who is also alleged to be involved is Mohammed Haneef, 27. In all three of the eight suspects are from the same family from Bangalore, while the families of another two were old friends, in the Middle East. Several shared homes in Britain. The shocking point here is that except one, all are doctors working in NHS hospitals. This is ironical, as they have to take an oath before they receive their degree to save lives and today they are involved in an attempt to take human lives on a mass scale.

The purpose of this article here is not to discuss the details of the plot and whether our citizens caught are guilty or not. All these matters are being widely publicized and printed all over. And of course the law must take its own course and the guilty youth too have to face the legal outcome. Which again is terribly sad, considering the fact that the parents of the youths have to face so much of trauma and suffering for no fault of their own? They are respectable citizens and doctors to the core living honest simple lives, who have dedicated their lives to saving precious lives.

The concern here is what as ordinary citizens we are doing to prevent such incidents from happening. Are we indeed powerless to prevent our precious highly educated youth from falling prey to the masters of terrorists modules sitting somewhere at their head quarters, who plot and plan and target gullible youths in cities and towns. Then slowly start the process of brainwashing them, using various religious theologies and goading them into acts of revenge against alleged wrongs done. They are indoctrinating and manipulating them not only into committing terrorist attacks but shockingly even motivating them to give up their own lives in the name of martyrdom. And once the job is done, washing their hands off from the whole incident and hiding behind the clock of invisibility searching for more such soft targets to carry out their sinister agendas.

We too on our part may sit back and discuss these issues till the matter is hot and is a newspaper headline and the next day may just shrug off our shoulders and go on with our lives. Moreover as Indians we have got into the habit of locking the stables after the horses have bolted. But we cannot afford to do so this time, as we will have to pay a very heavy price for our complacency and laid back attitude. Earlier our reformers and founding fathers used to preach that education is the solution to most of the evils in society. That a thinking man, armed with degrees and knowledge will not fall prey to evil activities and commit inhuman acts.

All such theories need a complete overhaul in today’s changing scenario. Today we are noticing a new trend of highly educated youths who are being transformed into anti-socials. These are the youths, on whom the country’s exchequer has spent valuable resources and money in order to groom them to be valuable and useful members of society. To bring laurels to their country wherever they go and to represent their country in a proud light, just as our very own Mangalorean, actress Shilpa Shetty, who not only made her parents but all us Indians proud. Today in UK, if we Indians can hold our head up high it’s in no small measure to the way Shilpa conducted herself in the course of the British television show where she showed exemplary grace and dignity when racially attacked by her fellow contestants.

One suggestion is that just as there is slow process of doctrinarian and brainwashing of youths going on and cases of violence and hatred on the rise at the grass root level, the government along-with religious bodies, the NGO’s as well as we ordinary citizens can support a cause whereby special cells or modules are opened in colleges, government institutions and different religious places - whether a temple or a masjid or a gurudwara or a church where youths and teenagers are given counseling. General awareness and guidance program can be conducted on not falling prey to any kind of terrorist networks and modules. And also bringing some of those involved in small crimes back to mainstream society.

The readers are invited to give their own suggestions in this matter which will be whole heartedly welcome. One such valuable suggestion put forth was that counseling and watch-out on the whereabouts of the youth in all areas and from different back grounds should be done by a special state squad. It would also be very useful if the students of the NCC and NSS as also the Scouts and Guides are made to form together a particular organization, and trained thoroughly. The purpose is that the common youth is fore-armed from falling prey to evil ideologies. Concluding this article one may state that unless steps are taken now for some kind of de-indoctrination, we will in future too have many more exceptionally brilliant doctors like Kafeel and Sabeel falling prey to invisible terrorist master minds.

CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE ON TERRORISM FOR A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM:

Inter Subjective Dimensions of Terrorism and its Transcendence

Resolutions adopted at human rights & NCHRO Meeting

2007-06-29T18:49:00.000+05:30

Press Release
Mumbai

The following are the resolutions adopted at the meeting of Human Rights and Civil Society Activists called by the National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), on the occasion of International Day of “Solidarity with Victims of Torture” held at the Mumbai Patrakar Sangh hall on June 26, 2007.

Encounter killings are part of a deliberate and conscious state administrative
practice for which the Indian government must bear responsibility. The successive political groups in power sanctified this de facto policy of extra-judicial killings by members of the police forces, the armed forces and para-military security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Manipur and Tripura and by state armed police in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat in the name of eliminating naxalites, terrorists or criminals.

The State has armed itself with draconian laws such as Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, and derivative state legislations which are irrational, unjust and against the principles of natural justice. These laws justify preventive detention and encourage extraction of confessions by any method.

The United Nations Basic Principles emphasise that the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials should be in consonance with respect for human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) provides that “every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.” Extra-judicial killings clearly contravene the right to life.

India ratified ICCPR in 1979 and signed the convention against torture since 1997, but it has since betrayed its commitment to take effective measures to ensure that extra-judicial killings do not occur. It is yet to follow-up on that and have a ratification of the said convention. The rapid increase in the number of such killings flies in the face of the Right to Life as enshrined in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. These antiquated laws are yet to be amended and brought in line with international practices. Infact there is no real investigation into such extra-judicial killings. It is no surprise therefore that the guilty in the police and security forces remain unpunished.

The hopes that a just civil society had in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), have been belied because of serious flaws in the Statutes. The NHRC and other National Commissions too have not been able to call the guilty to account for violence against religious minorities, women, dalits and tribals.

This “National Convention on Encounter Killings” organized by
National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (NCHRO) in association with Amnesty International of India on this 26th day of June 2007, on the International Anti-torture day, notes gross violation of human rights, specially of torture and extra judicial deaths in many countries. The Convention condemns the assault on human dignity in the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay in the Cuban island, the military prisons in Iraq, and the situation in countries of South Asia and thereby demands the following:

We demand from the Government of India and State Governments, the following:

* Urgent and effective measures to stop fake encounters, disappearances, custodial violence, custodial death and extra judicial killings by police, special squads and security forces.

* Reform the criminal justice system and the Penal code, beginning the process by repealing all special legislation that enable a culture of torture and culture of impunity.

* Prevent cruel, inhuman or degrading punishments by authorities.
Stop discrimination and violence against women, indigenous peoples, dalits and minorities and ensure genuine safe guards.

* Strengthen the statutes of the NHRC, State Human Rights and Minorities Commission (SHRMC) and other statutory bodies.

* Protect and rehabilitate the victims and survivors of encounter killings and other police atrocities, and give them affirmative compensation.

* Ratify UN convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment (convention against torture) by making amendments in statutes.

* Establish a national register of the missing persons, and of the victims of torture, custodial deaths and encounter killings under the supervision of the NHRC.

* Establish public grievance and redressal mechanisms in the pattern of Lokayukta and Ombudsman to take cognisance of excesses committed by the police and armed personnel, and to enforce Command Responsibility..

* Maintain the sanctity of the ultimate power of Clemency now being exercised by the President of India and by State Governors from judicial and political aggression and encroachments.

Edited by Nina Rai in NRI website: Daijiworld.com
Check out the article below :

Govt. Must Bear Responsibility for Encounter Killings : NCHRO

National Seminar on encounter killings

2007-06-29T18:33:00.000+05:30

Press Release
Mumbai
June, 2007

Different communities living in this country should join hands together to counter state terrorism, so that each and every individual is able to lead a dignified life.

Concerted efforts needs to be made by one and all to see that the unholy nexus between the politicians in power, the police and the media is exposed irrespective of the fact whether one is affected or not, directly or indirectly. The media too has played a major role in creating an image of all Naxalites as anti-nationals and all Muslims as terrorists.

Muslims all over are now being targeted in fake encounter killings in the name of terrorism while earlier other downtrodden masses were shot down in the guise of them being Naxalites. These were some the viewpoints expressed in a near unanimous voice by different speakers at the National Seminar on fake ‘Encounter Killings’ organized by the National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (NCHRO) here today, in association with Amnesty International India.

The speakers stressed the need to develop a database of encounter killings in order to follow the cases to its final logical conclusion of bringing the culprits to book under the law of the land. This would give some degree of solace to the kith and kin of those killed in such encounter killings.

The Seminar was attended in large numbers by the delegates and relatives of the victims of encounter killings. The session was presided over by E.M.Abdurahman, General Secretary Popular Front of India, Adv. K.P.Mohammed Shareef; General Convener delivered the welcome address. Dr. John Dayal inaugurated the seminar. Justice Hosbet Suresh concluded the seminar. Prof. Nagari Babbaya (Bangalore), Prof. Shamsul Islam (New Delhi), Ms Gouri Lankesh (Bangalore), Adv Yousuf Hatim Muchala, Adv. Suresh Kumar, Latheef (Andhra Pradesh), Parvez Bari (Bhopal), Pattabi Somayaji, B.V Sitaram, Arshi Khan (Aligarh), Taeedul Islam (West Bengal), Subramaniam, Adv. Sunder Raj, T Sukumaran (Tamilnadu), M.A. Khalid (Mumbai) were the other attendees.

Earlier in the day during the interactive session of the human right activists, Justice Hosbet Suresh said that these types of extra judicial killings will put an end to law abiding society.

Justice Suresh during his address before the human rights activists held at Mumbai observed that criminalization and extra judicial powers given to the police force is the main reason for the fake encounter killings. According to him under the existing system, police can book anyone and kill them at any time, in fake encounter in the guise of extremism and terrorism. This is he stated is a violation of person’s rights and right to live. The program was part of a “National Seminar on Encounter Killings” organized by the National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (NCHRO) in association with Amnesty International India on 26 June 2007 and Anti-Torture Day held at the Marathi Patrakar Sangh Hall, Mumbai.

Relatives of encounter victims Gopinatha Pillai (father of Pranesh Kumar alias Javed who was killed in Ahmedabad), Sajida (wife of Pranesh Kumar alias Javed), Muthu Lakshmi (widow of Veerappan killed by STF), Philomina (mother of Sudheer killed by the Mangalore police) Noori (widow of Abdul Raoof who killed by Bangalore police) all shared their personal experiences.

Edited by: Nina Rai in NRI website Daijiworld.com dated June 28, 2007

Press here to read it in Daijiworld.com
Govt Responsibile for Encounter Killings - NCHRO

My Other Blog Site

2007-06-26T00:17:00.000+05:30

Check out my other blog site too.....Coz it's as beautiful and vast as an Ocean. And over there don't forget to check your site's full revenue potential by using Google Adsense.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR MY OTHER BLOG SITE:

Testimonial on my blog "My Own Niche"

2007-06-25T16:17:00.000+05:30

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2007
Nina Rai's Blog About Advertising

Exploring the net has always been my hobby. And while surfing you get to see so many good websites. Recently, I came across Nina Rai's website. On this web site, apart from detailed explanation about the advertising concepts, you can find write-ups on women's issues, areas of social concern, astrology, herbal beauty products , topics on history and religion and spirituality, and also short humorous articles, day-to-day incidents, personal in nature etc.

One of the post on this blog, which I found most interesting is 'GOLDEN THUMB RULES FOR INTERNET SAFETY FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS', where she talks about rules to follow in order to provide a safety cover to kids and teenagers from the growing threats in the cyber world. Overall a good site to visit.

Way to go Nina...

Ms.Seema Mangal – Info4BeingRich.com

Info4BeingRich.com - An Amazing Website

2007-06-22T00:20:00.000+05:30

I am basically a freelance copywriter and journalist, but a newbie as far as blogging is concerned. There are so many queries on blogging whirring in my head, as to how I am going to go about promoting my blog site. Most websites are inundated with so much information that one feels lost and unable to find proper answers to one's queries.

Accidentally however, I found this fabulous website: Info4BeingRich.com. And it's truly amazing. In simple and lucid language it gives one all information on blogging and much more. A website which I will definitely recommend to all my friends as a must see and visit. Please do check this out at the link given below:

Golden thumb rules for internet safety for children and teenagers

2007-06-19T17:38:00.000+05:30

According to various surveys conducted with regard to internet security recently in US, almost 100% of children in the age group 11-17, use the Internet for email, over 70% use social networking sites, about 60% of children ages 3+, use the Internet,43% of teenagers have been contacted by online strangers when using a social networking site. And most parents are concerned about predatory behavior as well as pornography exposure.

There is an urgent need to educate ourselves as well as our children, in order to keep our children safer online. While some things may be disturbing or difficult to discuss with our children, but by not communicating honestly and in a direct manner, we are putting them at a grave risk.

Here are some of the pertinent things which parents need to know and take relevant action:

1. Find out your childs user name, email address and password.

2. Never allow children to have computers in their own bedrooms. Keep it in an open space at home, so that it is visible when they are browsing and will not be able to access any pornographic sites.

3. Do not allow them to have a webcam on their computer, if they insist keep the pass word with you and allow it to be accessed when you are around.

4. Instruct them, educate them constantly, not to give out or post personal information, such as their full name, social security number, home address, location, email address, school name, phone number, date of birth, or real age.

5. Firmly insist to your children that personal information must remain PRIVATE and that they use non-descript gender neutral screen or user name such as Table10 or Internet 2.

6. Guide them that when using social networking site to restrict access to their profile by using privacy settings. Ask them to talk only to people known in real life. Explain to them the pitfalls of dealing with strangers.

7. Warn them never to accept unsolicited emails, files, photographs, videos or attachments from online strangers.

8. Google your children and go online with your children.

9. Register for your own account on Friendster or My Space or Orkut or any other social networking sites, so that you too get an accurate idea of the sites your children visit.

10. Learn your children’s passwords. And also advise them not to share their pass- words with anyone including friends.

11. Tell your children that what is published or said online today, may come back to haunt them tomorrow. If your child insists and chooses to use a picture, then either blur or morph it before posting.

12. One Golden Rule of language to be used online is “netiquette” or online etiquette.

13. Advise them not to say things on the Internet which they would not say to some one in person.

14. Insist firmly that when it comes to questionnaires or surveys, their permission as parents must be taken first.

15. In case your child is a victim of cyber bullying or stalking, or knows someone who has been targeted. Stress to your children to TELL an adult.

16. Insist to your children that if something online makes them feel scared un-comfortable or worried they should immediately inform a trusted adult.

17. Not to rely solely on parental control but to also TALK and LISTEN attentively to your children.

18. Speak to the school principal and insist on your childs school or college to have a regular Internet Safety curriculum in place. Alongwith an an anti-cyber bullying policy in place.

As it has been wisely told by someone, its always better to be safe rather than sorry later. The safety and well being of your child or teenager is in your hand. Follow the above thumb rules and you can rest assured that all will be fine in your childs cyber world tyrst.

ULTIMATELY THE BEST PARENTAL CONTROL, IS YOU !!

Please check the link below to read this article in Daijiworld.com:

Internet Safety for Children and Teenagers:

Five secrets to a great looking skin

2007-06-17T19:50:00.000+05:30

Five basic secrets for an acne free great looking skin:

Basic Secret #1:

While washing your face always try and use Neutrogena or Sorbitol based soap or face wash, as it cleans yours face thoroughly without causing dryness or give a waxy feeling to your skin. Using all-natural glycerin based soaps are also very effective for cleaning the face. These soaps also balance the pH of the skin, creating a hostile environment for bacteria. This will definitely work wonders for your skin and clear the path for a smooth skin.

Besides washing your face regularly, there are three other steps you can take to help get a clear skin. The first step would be using a facial toner, while the second step would be using a good moisturizer especially for dry to normal skin. It would not be recommended for use for oily or even combination skin. In fact in some cases using facial toner for oily or combination skin is also useless. Whether you follow either of the above steps mentioned is going to depend on your skin type and personal results. However, the third step is a critical one everyone should be following.

It does not matter what skin type you have, you should always follow this basic secret to clearing your skin.

Basic Secret #2:
Most people with oily or combination skins lack consistent exfoliation of skins. Exfoliation is the natural process of flaking away of the outer skin cells, revealing a new layer of skin that exposes and protects skin from the outside elements. As we get older, the exfoliation process tends to slow down.

This can lead to an abnormal buildup of dry skin on the surface that blocks pores and causes break outs, or contributes to the wrinkling of skin. Some people are more genetically inclined in the slowing of their natural exfoliation, and often have serious issues with blocked pores and acne. The key here is to speed up the exfoliation process so that the skin renews itself much quicker.

This can be accomplished by the following methods:

1. Alpha and beta hydroxy acids: These are widely available over-the-counter and are the mildest form of fruit acids used to create a peeling of the skin. They work slowly over time to speed up the exfoliation process. Alpha and beta hydroxy acids are usually pretty inexpensive and give good results in about 6 weeks. They range in strength from 5% up to 20% generally. The stronger ranges (20% and higher) are reserved for more intensive peeling.

2. Dermabrasion: This process is much like a sanding of the skin, a method to remove the outer layers of the dermis – usually up to 4 layers. For severe acne scarring, the dermabrasion is done by a docter. This is of course more expensive, requiring a long recovery period, but it will remove much of the outer layers of skin. There are also middle type dermabrasion processes like aluminum oxide crystals. These are performed in salons and require several treatments and can be quite expensive - though they are effective. However this treatment creates a shine on the skin that is hard to cover up. There is very little downtime with using a process like aluminum oxide crystals although it is costly.

3. Peels: There are several types of peels available and the word "peel" is so over-used. So let us stick to real peels. A real peel will remove several layers of outer skin revealing the healthy new skin underneath. If you have ever had sunburn and then peeled - you will know exactly what is meant by "new skin."

The following 3 type of peels work in a similar fashion:

1. Glycolic Acid Peel - is a very strong version of the alpha hydroxy fruit acid mixture. It works by loosening the dead and ready to shed skin cells. It does not damage or burn any live cells and removes only the outermost layers. It leaves the skin softer and more even toned and usually takes 2-3 treatments over a period of a month to be noticeable.

2. TCA Peel - This is a true acid peel usually performed by a dermatologist or certified salon esthetician.

This treatment does burn the outer layers of skin and carries with it some discomfort and risk of infection. It all but removes the outer layers of skin and there is a healing time of about one and a half to two weeks. It has varying strengths and time frames to be used on the skin and should only be performed by a certified professional. These peels can give good results but are painful and can be costly. You will, however, get almost immediate results...as soon as the old skin peels off you have very even skin tone and reduction of spots and wrinkles.

3. Phenol Peel- These peels act in much the same way as the TCA peels but are very strong and are required to be performed by medical professionals. Use of phenol peels is not recommended, as they have been replaced by the milder glycolic and TCA peels in the dermatological profession.

4. Skin Culture Peel - This is a natural mixture that has been in use since the 1930's. It provides the same results as the stronger phenol and TCA peels, but without burning the skin or risk of infection. These peels indeed produce great results. Its a remarkable product and it does wonders in removing the old scarring left by acne. This is indeed a highly recommended form of treatment for anyone wishing to have clearer skin or wanting to reduce wrinkles and photoaging in a dramatic way. Moreover this is reasonable in cost and very effective.

Diet and great Skin:

Is there a link between diet and acne. Nowadays we hear constantly about diet in relation to the skin. Does diet play any role at all in skin health? You bet it does!

Acne is primarily a 20th Century disease as it was not found in ancient times. The pollution levels, poor eating habits, and overuse of antibiotics have allowed yeast (Candida Albicans) to get out of control. The result is…acne. Earlier it was fairly limited to the western civilization but is now fast becoming more of a problem as other cultures incorporate processed foods into their eating habits. In US alone there are over 17 million chronic acne sufferers...and 1 out of every 3 will have to deal with some form of it in their lifetime.

So absolutely diet affects one’s skin. Todays youth who down a regular Coca Cola will definitely find their acne beginning to redden and intensify in less than five minutes! This is due to reaction of sugar in the cola.

Basic Secret #3:
One major specific change one needs to make today for the long term, to have better overall health and rejuvenation of skin is a simple secret and that is to cut out the Sugars. Lowering sugar intake is one of the main keys of skin health. The result which will follow over a period of time, will be truly remarkable.Food does make a difference that can be dramatic. In fact certain foods can be healers as well. One can even use certain foods to eliminate acne permanently.

Basic Secret #4:
What is put into the mouth has a huge impact on the overall health of the skin the largest organ. An important food to take is that which contains plenty of Vitamin C and drinking plenty of water.
Vitamin C is responsible for the skins overall functioning and most importantly its ability to repair itself and produce and maintain collagen. One may take Vitamin C tablets easily enough. But it is best to add foods containing high levels of Vitamin C to ones diet. Some examples include spinach and broccoli (both also rich in Iron), citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes. One may add a slice in water too and even having potatoes which has 25 mgs of Vitamin C.

Drinking plenty of water on a daily basis helps to maintain the skin's elasticity, and is simply just essential to the health of one’s body and skin. One of the main activities of the body's self-healing system is to filter the blood, a job performed mostly by the kidneys, with help from the skin in the form of perspiration. This self-healing system removes the toxic wastes of metabolizing food and of other harmful substances that get into our bodies one way or another. This purification system operates efficiently only if the volume of water flowing through it's suffi-cient to carry away the wastes.Drinking atleast about 8 to 10 glasses (64 fluid ounces) of water a day is the recommendation.

Basic Secret #5:
By making use of a suitable sun block to protect one’s skin from the sun and harsh weather conditions can also to a great extent protect one’s skin.

Using the correct sunblock will help to protect one’s skin from the sun and wind. Toxins from radiation and drying of the outer layers of skin can greatly add to the breakout problems. The breakouts on skin are even more when there is too much of exposure to sun. One needs to always protect the exposed surface of the skin from the effects of the outside environment. The SPF the sun protection factor needs to be atleast 15 to 30 - no more unless one is spending the entire day out in the sun.

In case of combination or oily skin, then one needs to use an oil free sunblock.
If one has normal or dry skin one may use a moisturizer with sun block. But it is better to use Neutrogena products for sun blocks as they are usually non comedogenic ie not supposed to have any pore-clogging ingredients. Thus by using the correct SPF and type of medium for such skin type – one can not only get the proper sun block protection, but one will also be able to assist the skin in minimizing breakouts.

By applying the above five basic secrets anyone can achieve healthier and better looking skin. However these secrets should not be looked as the end of one’s skin education, but as a basic foundation to work on.

Raksha Bandhan: Iron Bond of Love

2007-06-07T18:38:00.000+05:30

The auspicious festival of Raksha Bandhan depicting the love between a brother and sister It falls in the month of Shravana, the month when the rains are receding, sea is calming down and weather is pleasant. The month is important to the farmers, to the fishermen and to the voyagers and businessmen. And in India all such days and months are a matter of celebration. These celebrations are in other words a kind of thanks giving to the Gods and is celebrated with great fervour and excitement all over India, particularly North India.

On this day sister’s tie a scared thread called 'Rakhi' around her brother's wrist. She prays to God for the safety of her brother and to lead him on a good path. The brother in return feeds her sweets and blesses her with good wishes and accepts the responsibility of protecting her. In Indian tradition the frail thread of Rakhi is considered stronger than iron chains as it binds brothers and sisters in an inseparable bond of love and trust. Raksha Bandhan is meant not just for siblings, but for protection of any loved one. 'Raksha' means protection and 'bandhan' means bond.

However, today we find people are being led away from the true meaning of such occasion because they mindlessly follow traditions, instead of finding the true meaning and base of these traditions. Does any one really know why Raksha Bandhan is celebrated ? The roots of most of the Hindu festivals can be traced to Hindu Mythology.

The ancient treatise Bhavishya Purana narrates the story of Indra and Indrani. It states that once Lord Indra was facing reverses in battle against demons led by King Bruta. At this stage Indra sought the help of Guru Brihaspati. The Sage advised him to tie a sacred thread powered by mantras on the auspicious day of Shravan Purnima. Following the suggestion, Indra's consort Indrani tied the sacred thread on Indra’s wrist for protection and assurance on the decided time. The Rakhi helped Gods win the battle against the demons. Raksha Bandhan is also mentioned in our epics as a festival of Gods. It is said that Yamuna, the sister of Yama, the lord of Death used to tie rakhi to her brother on every Shravan Purnima. Yama was so impressed by the occasion that he declared that who ever got a Rakhi tied from his sister would become immortal. From that day onwards girls tie rakhi to their brothers wishing them a long life and while tying the rakhi, the girls chant "Yena baddho, Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala" meaning "I am tying a Rakhi on you, like the one on mighty demon king Bali. Be firm, O Rakhi, do not falter." The Brothers in turn bestow their blessings by promising to take care of the sisters through thick and thin.

The legend relates that the mighty Demon King Raja Bali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. When Lord Indra could not counter Bali in war, he went to Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu pushed Bali to the neither world (Patala Lok). But Lord Vishnu promised King Bali immortality, till he had crowned Indra and also queitly decided to guard the kingdom of Patala leaving his own abode in Vaikunth. Goddess Laxmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, wished the Lord to be back at Vaikunth. Disguised as a Brahmin woman she went to Bali to seek refuge till her husband returned home, after finishing all his important tasks. On the Shravan Purnima Day Goddess tied the sacred thread to Bali and prayed for his well being. Bali was touched by this gesture. He accepted her as his sister and requested her to make a wish. At this she revealed herself and told him that it was Lord Vishnu himself guarding his Kingdom. King Bali immediately requested the Lord to return to his abode. Which the Lord did so. Thus due to the Rakhi came all happiness and wealth to Goddess Laxmi. All auspicious things happened. From that day onwards, girls tie rakhi to their brothers and seek their blessings.

There is also an historical reason for this wonderful festival. During the invasion of Alexander the Great. It is said that Puru was a mighty king. Alexander had to face stiff resistance from him. Worried about her husband's fate, Alexander's wife seeked audience with King Puru. She requested him to accept her as his sister. Puru obliged her and promised not to harm Alexander. The Rakhi on Puru's hand is said to be the savior of Alexander.

In the medieval times, rakhi meant a call for help. The Rajput kingdoms were being attacked by the Muslim rulers. The Royal ladies solicited help from the fellow Rajput rulers sending them Rakhi. The Rajputs considered it their responsibility to respond to the request and help them. A famous incident relates how the widowed queen of Chittor, Rani Karnawati sent rakhi to Emperor Humayun to help her save the honor of the dependent Ladies. Humayun immediately followed the request and reached there with his troops. He despite all his efforts reached there late and the royal ladies had already performed the Jauhar.

All this signifies that Rakhi was not always only a brother sister festival. It has to fulfill the basic need of protection. It was an un- maligned prayer for good will and protection. It is said that at one time the Sages tied the sacred thread for protection to themselves and their followers.

In Pre-independence India, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore started Rakhi Utsavas, a congregation signifying the harmonious relationship amongst the community. It was a vow for peaceful existence and commitment to all the members of society. This was Raksha Bandhan's universal outlook.

In today’s society Rakhi though celebrated, as a sibling's festival, if taken in true sense has a much broader perspective. The festival encompasses true sense of peace and brotherhood. The day is all about “Raksha” or protection, not just for self but for the dear ones, for peaceful existence of the human race The values propagated by the occasion if inculcated by all human beings can bring the much-needed relief from the ongoing violence and mistrust.

Lets me conclude with this small ancient poetic verse :

"May all be happy
May all be free from ills
May all behold only the good
May none be in distress."

This has always been the idea of an ideal Hindu society, which is the need of the hour in today’s violent times.

Goddess Mariyamma and Mogaveera Samaja

2007-06-01T14:27:00.001+05:30

The history of Goddess Shree Maariyamma can be traced back to nearly about 500 years. As per ancient folklore and the sayings of ancestors, a person from the ‘Dulli Gurikara’ family living in the Moghaveera village of ancient Karnataka, had gone to the ghat area on business visit. While returning home, his body started shaking and shivering as if in a trance known as ‘Avesha’ meaning Goddess entering a human body and speaking through him. The ‘Avesha’ soon spread to his family members too. This continued for several days without any respite for him or his family members with the Devi refusing to leave their bodies and releasing them from their agony. The Devi through them kept chanting “I am Goddess Shree Maaridevi. I am ordering you all to perform daily poojas to invoke my blessings and according to the strength of your belief and faith I will grant you the ‘phala’ (fruit).”

After several days of agony, as a last resort all the family members and the villagers held a Meeting. And together they decided to pray to the Goddess and did that saying that since they were poor, they could not be able to perform daily pooja. The Devi accepted their wish and then assured them with a Abhaya Lastha … “I have come here to show you all the way, for earning your livelihood. I will show you a suitable place to make the prathishatapana (temple memorial).”

Consequently all the members of the seven pattanas (villages) of the Moghaveera Samaj held a meeting from Kudroli to Hosabettu. As per the decision taken by all, the Gram Patela of Boloor was made their head and he narrated the proceedings of the meeting and he also suggested a suitable place for construction of temple for the Devi. It was a vacant plot of land. In those days the Pottu Kumbaras used to perform poojas to Lord Eishwara (Shiva) in the nearby katte or gudi (monuments). And thus villagers of Moghaveera Pattanas installed the idol of Goddess Shree Maaridevi and started worshipping the Devi in the adjacent plot next to Eishwara Gudi.

Despite their poverty, all the fishermen parted with one share of their income for the development of the Devi Temple. From then onwards, it became a custom to collect vanthiye (monetary offerings) from the villagers of the pattanas. As proof of their devotion, their money was then utilized to decorate the Goddess with different varieties of gold coins on her neck. All the women, children without any age bar, co-operated in the construction of the Maaridevi Temple, by joining hands in this noble cause. They even carried bricks, stones and other building materials on their heads and walked all the way for one and half kms from Boloor.

From the time immemorial, whenever they faced a scarcity of fishes in the sea or any crisis, all the villagers of the seven paraganas meet at Yogettu and prayed to the Devi for a whole day, and miraculously the very next day they would get a bumper crop of fishes in the seas. To support this belief, they have a lot of evidence too. For instance whenever the sea became wild and rough and they could not venture into it for fishing, they would pray to Goddess Maariamma and miraculously she would bless her devotees and the tidal waves would recede back into the sea and calm down the waters. Even during heavy rains lashing the seas, the fishermen without caring for their lives would jump into the seas with the belief that Goddess Maariamma would protect them by not allowing any accident to occur and thereby protecting the entire Moghaveera Samaja.

Hence from the ancient times to this day, the Moghaveera Samaja has sacrificied everything at the feet of Goddess Maariamma. As proof of this Sridevi Maariamma has ordered the “Dulli” family to participate and perform all the religious ceremonies and rituals of the temple even when they have any “Sutakas” (bad omens). All the religious ceremonies even today are being conducted by the Moghaveeras of the seven pattanas in sequence one after the other, annually.

Bunch of Spec Ads

2007-05-27T16:23:00.001+05:30

Given herein below are a bunch of International Spec Ads for which I have given the Headers, Sub Heads, Body Copy and Taglines. Please note the Ad layouts have been created by International Ad Agencies :

AD 1 :

Headline : For that Monsoon Day

Sub head : Trouble may come in showers any day

Body copy : ……and that day may not be far, you got to be prepared, you got to be on your toes. Ready for any contingency. It could be health, it could be an emergency. But Ahaa what's the big deal, what you got to fear … you confident, totally chilled out and ready to face it head on. Rain showers will never be a problem for you, Coz’ your Umbrella is the Master Card.

Remember always Red and Gold is for all seasons happy and sad, always with you… standing by you. Your most trusted and loyal friend.

Baseline : With Master Card in your hand.. you are Master of your destiny.

Agency : XYZ

Client : Master Card

AD 2 :

Headline : “When will my woman be out of that kitchen”

Subhead : A constant groan from the male species.

Bodycopy : “How wonderful it would be if my wife spends more time with me whispering sweet nothings in my ears. A wonderful healthy bowl of soup, cooked instantly for me and our children, without her having to sweat it out in the kitchen preparing it". Sighs…sighs…sighs

Now hubby groans can become moans of delight ..Yeah it can happen….try Maggie Instant Soup. And watch your hubby n children savour it’s wonderful taste and enjoy.

Baseline : Come lets make this a life long affair.

Agency : XYZ

Client : Maggi Instant Soup

AD 3 :

Headline : Count this sheep.

Subhead : - Where are the rest ?

Bodycopy : Come nights … lying awake in bed you wonder sighing “ slumber goddess where thou u. ” Wishing for that one wonder pill. One pill, that will make you to drift off into the wonderland of beauty sleep. Nary a struggle of having to count yourself to sleep.... toes go to sleep, feet go to sleep, ankles go to sleep. Even tried counting the sheep in the meadows … all to no avail.

Hey, NOW you need not worry … Coz’ relief is at your doorstep.

Baseline : Alluna Sleeping pills…. that makes you fall asleep instantly.
Now its time to retire sheep…let sheep sleep too.

Agency : XYZ

Client : Abtei Alluna Sleeping Pills

AD 4 :

Headline : Smooth, soft, radiant skin envied by all

Subhead : Just the kind you’ll be proud to call your own.

Bodycopy : In your heart of hearts, are you the women dreaming of having a skin that’s translucent and glowing. Reflecting your inner beauty, strength and confidence. A face that’s totally natural and devoid of all impurities. Now be honest, aren’t you such a women .... wanting to draw admiring glances to your face ... so much so that no one wants to even divert their eyes away. Completely mesmerised. Isn’t that what you want ?

Well, we promise you just that ....you need not look too far.

Baseline : SU skin purifier for that poised look…….Try it, you’ll remember us for life.

Agency : XYZ

Client : SU Skin Purifier

AD 5 :

Headline : Unforgettable hair

Subhead : You may even forget the face.

Bodycopy : Visualize a crime scene. A lone eye witness to the murder. Giving evidence to the police and a graphic description to the artist "....saw a lady with gorgeous, silky n shiny hair, cascading down her face in long curls and ringlets. Her hair so fascinating and enchanting it‘s impossible to forget. But hmmm can’t remember her face.”

Now you too can have such a mane, that’s just as riveting and alluring ....soft, smooth, shiny to touch. To make you feel glad to be a women deep within. A shampoo that leaves your hair smoother and easier to manage.

Baseline : For that proud sunkissed mane….try Sunsilk TODAY N EVERYDAY.

Agency : XYZ

Client : Sunsilk

AD 6 :

Headline : Preparing a delicious soup is no longer a torture

Subhead : Doing so will definitely not land you in a soup .

Bodycopy : Ever tried your hand at making a bowl of vegetable soup…. Ufff what a bother. You think it's easy chore. Try it, cleaning, peeling, chopping - potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, beans, onions, chillies, ginger, garlic and spices and preparing all these over a hot flame. If only with a wave of a magic wand …… you get all these neatly packed and ready to serve.

Now you have just that …… all you got to do is boil the ingredients of Iglo pack in water and Lo Behold your hot, steaming, appetizing, healthy veggie soup is ready, to be served grandly.

Baseline : Iglo the healthy veg soup served instantly ON DEMAND

Agency : XYZ

Client : Iglo (frozen soup vegetables)

AD 7 :

Headline : Sing a lullaby to your foot?

Subhead : Soft, smooth, beautiful feet - Care for them Coz’ they carry you.

Body Copy : Have you ever wondered how it feels to have exquisite feet, gaped at by everyone wherever you go, everywhere you go …why even you so mesmerized by own feet, that you can’t tear your eyes away from it, you wanna kiss it too. Yeah its possible …..quite easily.

Baseline : Use Ponds foot care. ..you’ll feel like showing off your own feet.

Agency : XYZ

Client : Pond's Foot Care Range

AD 8 :

Headline : “ Psssst … I need a breath of fresh air ”

Subhead : Is that what you want people to think ?

Bodycopy : You poised, brilliant and rearing to go. A day of hectic meetings, jam-packed with countless opportunities to showcase your abilities and move three notches up that elusive career ladder. What big deal …coz you all ready and prepared. Here comes the head honcho, smilingly towards you… now is your priceless moment ….to prove your detractors wrong and show em your worth. But hey, he turned away...after coming so near!!!!!!!

Don’t let this ever happen to YOU

Baseline : Safeguard Deodorant – your best guard against germs and body odour.

Agency : XYZ

Client : Safeguard Deodorant

AD 9 :

Headline : A teeth so shining white…leaves all speechless.

Subhead : A toothpaste created just for you...to dazzle all.

Body copy : For that cool morning breath of freshness. To add sparkle and brightness to your entire day. Start your mornings now, with just a few brushes of a toothpaste, made keeping the special YOU in mind. Feel that tingling freshness awash over your body. A toothpaste that will add a pep to your smile, make you do the jig and get into the mood of the day.

So go on brush happy with Pepsodent. The right toothpaste for the entire family … starting TODAY.

Base line : For that “light feather” feeling in the morning …go brush the Pepsodent way.

Agency : XYZ

Client : Pepsodent Ad

Layman’s Concept of Advertising

2007-05-24T14:31:00.000+05:30

Advertising has a profound impact on how people in general understand life, the world and themselves, especially with regard to their values and their ways of choosing and behaving. The field of advertising is extremely vast and diverse. In general terms, of course, an advertisement is simply a public notice meant to convey information and invite patronage or some other response. Towards this end, advertising has two basic purposes:to inform and to persuade, and both are simultaneously present. However it has to noted that advertising is not the same as marketing or public relations.

Advertising can be very simple, it could be a local or even neighborhood phenomenon or it can be very complex, involving sophisticated research and multimedia campaigns that spans the globe. It may be broadly viewed in various forms viz., print, multi-media, commercials etc. Advertisers clearly aim to influence human behaviour to communicate their ideas, contents directly to the comman man on the street or people in general, so that they can imbibe the same and develop a desire and be induced to buy the end product i.e at the end of the day “All kinds of motivation (by a person) is nothing but self-interest”. Hence advertising catch words and jargons are valuable to the layman only when his self interest is involved or is appealed to.

The common-sense view would be that ads are just ads and that’s that. One may guess that most peope just see ads without much further thought or ado. They appreciate it’s humour, it’s special effects, it’s high quality camera work and don’t bother too much about whether it might be having any adverse affects on their lives. Also to some extent, for the layman on the street at the basic level, advertisements or commercials in between TV serials and programmes is a “necessary evil” which has to be endured or ignored., unless of course his own self-interest is involved. One often notice people walk out during TV commercials to do their regular chores or read, basically divert themselves till the program restarts. This of course is not the case with people who are keenly interested in knowing what the latest fads and trends are, and to glean as much information and updates on the products, compare the different brands and finally select and buy the best. In case of ads in newspapers, magazines, leaflets, pamphlets etc too, one find such perceptive people looking out for the best bargains via Sales whether it is for furnitures, machinery, gadgets, clothes, accessories so on and so forth

Generally one also find people drawn to ads having high profile celebrities. The recall value is much more in case of brands attached to a celebrity, for instance Mr. Amitabh Bachhan endorsing the Eveready Battery, Parker Pens, Reid & Taylor Shirting’s ads to name a few, the social campaigns on pulse polio which he propagated – which got a terrific response from the masses, Rain Mukherjee in “Munch” chocolate ad, Priety Zinta in “Perk” chocolate ad., the famous “Lux” ads with various filmstars … so on and so forth. Moreover one also generally notice that womenfolk prefer good-looking males models in ads whereas the men prefer shapely beautiful female models which tends to make the ads more eye-catching and the message therein more entrenched in their minds

Common man also warms up to ads with catchy phrases and even to hum able jingles. For instance “Kulke Hasso” Close-up toothpaste ad and the famous Lifebuoy jingle respectively. Also there is a tendency to look for attractive glossy short sweet beautifully picturised ads which quickly imprints itself in the brain. Even humorous ads are terribly attractive to the layman for instance the MacDonald Burger Ads with local flavor – “I am loving it” is absolutely hilarious and does induce a person to go out and have a burger. Having said this, Ads are here to stay. They have become an absolute necessity for the upwardly mobile middle class man in today’s world of keeping up with the Joneses i.e. what my neighbor has I must have one better. This kind of one-upmanship has become a kind of boon to the fast rising advertising and marketing industry along with the resultant avalanche of ads some excellent, some good and some others pathetic. For instance an “Banian”( inner tunic ) ad with actor Sunny Deol with the lines “Ye andhar ki baat hai” (sic).

Some people think advertising simply mirrors the attitudes and values of the society we live in. No doubt advertising, like the media of social communications in general does act as a mirror. But, also like media in general, it is a mirror that helps shape the reality it reflects, and sometimes it presents a distorted image of reality. For instance some commercial advertisements convey the impression that an abundance of possessions leads to happiness and fulfillment. Some Ads put unremit-ting pressure to buy articles of luxury, which can arouse false wants that hurt both individuals and families by making them ignore what they really need. Such kind of Ads can be both misleading and frustrating.

Even amongst the laypersons particularly amongst the women’s segment there is a general perceptiom that all too often, advertising contributes to stereotyping of particular groups that places them at a distinct disadvantage in relation to others. This is often true of the way advertising treats women. The exploitation of women, both in and by advertising, is a frequent, deplorable abuse. Some pertinent questions crops up often in debates such as "How often are they treated not as persons with an inviolable dignity but as objects whose purpose is to satisfy other’s appetite for pleasure or for power? How often is the role of woman as wife and mother undervalued or even ridiculed? How often is the role of women in business or professional life depicted as a masculine caricature, a denial of the specific gifts of feminine insight, compassion, and understanding, which so greatly contribute to the civilization of love.

On the other hand the common man also believes that advertising can itself contri-bute to the betterment of society by uplifting and inspiring them and motivating them to act in ways that benefit themselves and others. For instance, the layman is also deeply influenced by messages by benevolent social institutions using advertis-ing to communicate their messages of faith, of patriotism, of tolerance, compassion and neighborly service, of charity toward the needy, messages concerning health and education, constructive and helpful messages. Such ads inform, educate and motivate people in a variety of beneficial ways. Moreover, advertising can brighten lives simply by being witty, tasteful and entertaining. In fact some advertisements are instances of popular art, with a vivacity and élan all their own.

Looking at the other side of advertising, many women and men profession-ally engaged in advertising do have sensitive consciences, high ethical standards and a strong sense of responsibility. But even for them external pressures — from the clients who commission their work as well as from the competitive internal dynamics of their profession — can create powerful inducements to unethical behavior. That underlines the need for external structures and systems to support and encourage responsible practice in advertising and to discourage the irresponsible.

In light of all these reflections, one may surmise that there is nothing intrinsically good or intrinsically evil about advertising. It is a tool, an instrument like any other: which can be used well, and which can be used badly. If utilized in the right way, it does have beneficial results such as those described above, however on other hand wrongful utilization of the same, often times, it does have a negative, harmful impact on individuals and society and the layman in particular.

CHANGE – 2007 an interesting concept

2007-05-23T22:07:00.000+05:30

From time immemorial whenever any human being has attempted to move off the beaten path or tried to even break the status quo ….there has been such a hue and cry, that such person is considered a maverick, eccentric and he is crucified at the altar of traditionalism (so to speak). A case in point is that of ancient astronomer Galileo, if I am not mistaken was sentenced to life imprisonment for putting forth the theory that the earth and all other planets revolved around the sun which was diametrically opposite to the prevalent view of those times. He very aptly said "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same god who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use". In his lifetime he never got the recognition he truly deserved for such a path breaking view which had been thoroughly researched and documented by him…why even Einstein and many others like him, have had to face tremendous odds to stand firm on their beliefs to come out with fascinatingly uncommon concepts and principles which then went on to become the torchbearers for future generations to come.

Coming to the present times particularly in the professional and business world too, if a professional is a non-conformist and tries to break the mould i.e. to say breaks set rules & regulations to come up with path breaking initiatives or some interesting and innovative ideas or refreshingly new streams of thought, the opposition and backbiting is tremendous to say the least. He/she needs to have a very thick skin, indomitable will and strength of character to withstand the backlash of those who want to have a "stuck in the mud" mindset. But the future generation will bear testimony to the fact that it is these very outlandish or insane (at that point) ideas or theories or efforts or initiatives that give birth to great inventions in the human world. Today we have the fabulous world of internet …..But its inception too must have been from a small miniscule idea which then grew on to become this beautiful vision of the world becoming a small place where one can directly talk and communicate with each other from any part of the world. A case in point is this ...our very own bloggers site. Having said this it is still unfortunate that the vast majority of the professional world do not look at change in status quo as being synonymous with growth. But change is inevitable and absolutely necessary for growth and regeneration. I would say three cheers to change and welcome it whole heartedly although admittedly it can be a very painful process.