” Photos That Breaks Our Heart …”

 

Kon Mai is just 15 years old. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua

Kon Mai is just 15 years old. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

THESE are the photos that will break your heart.

Hidden in the shadows of a bustling city lies a land of filth and utter despair. This is Along Pi, a wasteland just 30 kilometres away from the Cambodian tourist hub of Siem Reap, which is famous for the incredible temples of Angkor Wat.

Near Angkor Wat is an unimaginable wasteland.

Near Angkor Wat is an unimaginable wasteland. Source: Supplied

Every day tonnes of waste are dumped here, forming mountains of toxic compounds and an accompanying stench that is as overpoweringly putrid as it is unimaginable.

Hundreds of poverty-stricken locals are forced to wade through the filth in a bid to find previous recyclable materials such as glass, paper and metal, which they can sell. If they’re lucky, they will make $2 per day.

The garbage generated in Siem Reap has doubled recently. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua

The garbage generated in Siem Reap has doubled recently. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

Tragically, many of the workers are children.

They have no money so are forced to work here. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua

They have no money so are forced to work here. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

Spanish-born David Rengel visited the dump site to document child labour issues in late 2014, and ended up helping to expose one of the darkest sides of tourism we’ve ever seen.

It’s a wake up call to the world that we must hear before it’s too late.

A truckload of waste arrives at Anlong Pi. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua

A truckload of waste arrives at Anlong Pi. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

Mr Rengel said the wasteland has morphed into a voyeuristic tourist stop with guides — a place where dozens snap photos of the unfortunate workers.

Piles of rubbish strewn across the site. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua

Piles of rubbish strewn across the site. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

“When I got to the landfill my initial work was focused on child labour but while I was doing my report I saw that tourists began arriving, sometimes in buses and other times in tuc-tucs (Cambodian taxis),” Mr Rengel told news.com.au.

Buses carrying visitors to the site. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua

Buses carrying visitors to the site. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

“It was awful … I asked the people who live and work in the dump if it was an isolated case or if it was frequent and they told me that every day tourists arrive to the landfill.”

He said the first to arrive was a bus carrying 20 tourists, who wore masks to prevent breathing in toxic gas from the garbage.

A group of Japanese tourists arrive with their guide. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua

A group of Japanese tourists arrive with their guide. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

“They were perfectly aligned and followed their tour guide. They were taking photos of families who work in the landfill but mostly they were looking for children, they wanted to take pictures with them. They gave some candy to the children.”

A tourist poses with children that work in the dump. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua

A tourist poses with children that work in the dump. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

Rengel said one tour guide he approached claimed the group were medical students, but he was concerned why they didn’t have any medical instruments with them.

A woman who is working in the landfill demonstrates the use of the hook to tourists. Pict

A woman who is working in the landfill demonstrates the use of the hook to tourists. Picture: David Rengel / AnHuaSource: Supplied

His shock is echoed by the charity Friends-International, which assists marginalised urban children around the world.

It has been working with families at Anlong Pi since 2010, which is describes as “a stinking, dirty and dangerous dumpsite, where the daily detritus of Siem Reap provides a working and living environment for hundreds of people — women, men … and children”.

Viku Tupse, 9, poses with a Mickey face, knowing it will please tourists. Picture: David

Viku Tupse, 9, poses with a Mickey face, knowing it will please tourists. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

It has also issued a call for an end to the practice on its website.

“Recently, the staff have noticed many more tourists coming to take photos of the site and hand out food support and money to those who work there. They often come in mini-vans/buses, and as organised tour groups,” they write.

The photos that will break your heart

The stench is overpowering. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

“This poses a great risk to our work as families are tempted to bring their children (who would normally be at our preschool/non-formal education or actually in public school) onto the dumpsite to beg.

A group of tourists take photos of local children while they’re resting. Picture: David R

A group of tourists take photos of local children while they’re resting. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

“The behaviour of these dumpsite tourists may be well-meaning, but not only does it jeopardise our work it actually harms the children we are trying to help find alternatives for.”

The inhabitants are forced to burn some of the waste. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua

The inhabitants are forced to burn some of the waste. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied

Ultimately, there are just some places that shouldn’t be on the guidebook.

A child searches through a rubbish bag at the site. Picture: Friends-International

A child searches through a rubbish bag at the site. Picture: Friends-International Source: Supplied

A man takes photos. Picture: Friends-International

A man takes photos. Picture: Friends-International Source: Supplied 

SOURCE:::: http://www.news.com.au

Natarajan

Message For the Day….” How to Understand the Value of Spiritual Endeavor…” ?

 Sathya Sai Baba

In this material world, one cannot appreciate the value of spiritual endeavor without experience in spiritual life and its purity. It may be said that one can undertake spiritual endeavor only after appreciating its value, but this is like saying that one should get into water only after learning to swim. Swimming can be learned only by getting into water with a float attached to the body. In the same way, with some float attached to the mind, plunge without fear into spiritual discipline. Then, you will yourself understand the value of spiritual endeavor. The nature and conditions of the spiritual path are known only to those who have journeyed along the road. They know that the path of truth and discrimination (Sathya and Viveka) leads to God (Paramatma). Those who have not trodden that path and those who are not aware of its existence cannot explain it to themselves or to others.

Joke of the Day… ” You Will Meet a Beautiful Young Girl …” !!!

A Depressed Frog Visits a Fortune Teller !!!!

Hoping for good news he goes to meet with a fortune teller.

The fortune teller closes her eyes, makes some strange sounds, and finally says, “You will meet a beautiful young girl that will want to know everything about you”

The frog gets excited and says, “Wow! When will I meet her? At a party?”

“No,” replied the fortune teller, “in her biology class.”

SOURCE:::: http://www.joke a day.com

Natarajan

Unanswered Questions and Equally Startling Historical Wonders…

India has always been a land of great achievements, people, fables, anecdotes and what not. It goes without saying that it is indeed very difficult to understand and define India in one go. Other than the beauty, culture, rich history, diversity in nature so on and so forth, we have some mindboggling things that made scientist from the west and around the globe question their understanding.

Numerous things in India, including the ones that are mentioned below stand unanswered and beyond doubt startling for the world. Here they are;

1. Karna’s Kavach

Image source

Karna the child of Surya ( Sun god) was born with a shield that protected him from weapons and atrocities of the war. It might be similar to the organic shield like exoskeleton found in tortoise, still extremely solid. Not at all like fake exoskeleton used by people, Karna’s Kavach was mixed with his body. He later gave it to Indra, the father of Arjuna, who was threatened by Karna’s skill, perseverance and strength.

Fact Source

 

2. Hand Carved Sundials (clock ) at Konark Temple

Image source

This temple is dedicated to the Sun god Surya, and no wonder that it embodies an accurate clock, which dates back to 1250 A.D. The whole sanctuary is a flawlessly adorned chariot mounted on 24 wheels (for day clocks and night clocks), each around 10 feet in measurement and drawn by 7 strong stallions. The 7 steeds speak to the times of the week and the 12 sets of wheels speak to the 12 months of the year.

Fact Source

 

3. Shiva Lingam at Amarnath Cave

Image source

Arranged in a thin canyon at the elevation of 3,888 meters, the sacred Amarnath cave bears the world renown stalagmite of ice. The well known Amarnath Ice Linga is framed by dropping water through the mountain hole, which grows up vertically to form that Linga. People say that on the Shravan day, Lord Shiva described Amar Katha — the mysteries of the universe — to Goddess Parvati.

Fact Source

 

4. Fine architecture of Kailasa Temple Ellora Caves

Image source

As a world heritage site, Ellora caves invite plethora of visitors every year, in search of historical anecdotes, however, what lies ahead of that idea is the magnificent design, architecture, structure and individuality of the caves. The entire temple has been carved out of a huge mountain, a technique so unique and hard to accept from that period. It remains one of its kinds in the entire world. Looks like a well contemplated result of a very advanced civilization.

Fact Source

 

5. Ancient Indian Rope Trick

Image source

Even though, the world claims that nobody has seen the classic version, but what people are talking about is a much simpler version of the trick, which many believe as the amalgamation of numerous tricks at once. This rope trick showcases an erect rope that is sturdy enough to bear the weight of a human.

Fact Source

 

6. Gyanganj- The Land of Immortals

Image source

In numerous mythologies, mountains are common homes to celestial and godlike creatures. Accordingly, its no shock that the world’s mightiest mountain extend, the Himalayas, is liable to obscure whisperings of secretive creatures hidden away in the remote and inaccessible valleys of the Himalayan mountains. It is said to be an antiquated Indian and Tibetan story of a city-kingdom of complex and everlasting creatures. It is said that Gyanganj is shrewdly covered or actually existing in a totally distinctive plane of reality.

Fact Source

 

7. Ancient acoustic devices of Golconda Fort

Image source

Clap your fingers and you might be heard a division away. The basic thing anybody entering the Golconda Fort in Hyderabad does is a clap. As soon as you enter through the main entryway into the great patio, you’d clap because the fine architecture allows it to be heard at the other corner of the fort. Furthermore, this clap can be heard high up the slope outside the King’s chamber. When you finish your trek up there, you’d be able to hear other’s clapping on the other end.

Fact Source

 

8. Vacillating relationship or Ayurveda and Modern Science

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When everything is said and done, we shall see the dwindling bond between the two. Even years of accuracy, perfection, validity and results kept the alliance weakly. Why hasn’t the amazing show of research into Ayurveda brought any explanation for modern medications? Why are these medications unique to cutting edge drug? It is safe to say that it is that Ayurveda takes a shot at confidence alone? Provided that this is true, what is one to make of the a great many “exploratory” studies contending for Ayurvedic medications?

Fact Source

 

9. Existence of Adam’s Bridge (Rama Setu)

Image source

With a considerable amount of heated debate, people in agreement and the one’s against it; the bridge is 30 kilometers (19 miles) in length and differentiates the Gulf of Mannar (southwest) from the Palk Strait (upper east). The scaffold was initially specified in the old Indian Sanskrit epic Ramayana of Valmiki. It shaped piece of an area connects that joined Sri Lanka to the landmass of Asia amid the last ice age. Hindu devotees hold it as the bridge that Lord Rama and his armed force of gorillas and monkeys assembled to achieve evil spirit ruler Ravana’s Lanka.

Fact Source

Amazed, aren’t you?

SOURCE:::: http://www.storypick.com

Natarajan

Message For the Day…” From Which You are Born, By Which You Live, Into which You Dissolve…”

Today people are too immersed in the all-pervasive delusion to take advantage of the natural characteristics in the Universe and elevate themselves. They are unable to hold on to the good and avoid the bad, and establish themselves on the righteous(dharmic) path. They are ignorant of the path of peace and harmony in the world. The scriptures clearly teach: From which you are born, by which you live, into which you dissolve —‘That’ isBrahman. God is ‘That’ from which the manifested cosmos emanated with its moving and unmoving entities; ‘That’ prompts, promotes and fosters your progress. The cosmos is not one continuous flux. It progresses persistently toward achieving totality in its evolution. Everyone can transform themselves from their present status only through their own self-effort and discrimination. The moral forces permeating the cosmos will certainly promote your achievement.

Sathya Sai Baba

Grounded…An Angry Passenger Stands on the Runway Infront of Plane … !!!

One angry passenger managed to delay flights out of a Nigerian airport after stepping out on the runway in front of a plane.

After finding out his flight from Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport was cancelled, the flustered passenger decided to take his frustrations out by taking his luggage and entering the runway.

Passengers on board an Arik flight to Lagos were forced to disembark after the man refused to move, with one eyewitness saying security failed to show up and it took the pilot to plead with the man before the plane could take off.

The man was angry that his flight to Sokoto was cancelled, and so entered the runway
The man was angry that his flight to Sokoto was cancelled, and so entered the runway

At least two flights out of the Nigerian airport, one to Calabar and one to Lagos, were delayed by two hours by the man’s actions.

Passenger Cedar Chinwuba, who was on the flight to Lagos, posted a series of photos on Twitter as the scene played out.

Speaking to MailOnline Travel, Mr Chinwuba said: ‘It was very terrible. What came to my mind was that Nigeria Airport Authority needs to step up.

‘For two hours, no security agent showed up. It got to the point the pilot announced that he had placed a call to Arik airline to send the Nigeria police but had no response.

The man's actions caused panic among passengers on a flight bound for Lagos, who were forced to disembark onto the tarmac
The man’s actions caused panic among passengers on a flight bound for Lagos, who were forced to disembark onto the tarmac

‘An announcement was made by the pilot that we couldn’t take off due to some disgruntled passengers blocking the plane and he has tried to reach the airport security but no response.

‘After a few minutes, he requested that due to security reasons those who wish to disembark from the trip should do so.

‘Only in Nigeria issues like this happen and they never get penalised.

One eyewitness said security failed to arrive for more than two hours after the pilot had radioed through

One of the angry passenger I had a chat with stated that all they wanted was a senior officer of Arik coming to the tarmac to address the issue.

‘It worries me as an airport user.’

He explained that along with all the other passengers on the Lagos flight were told to get off the plane and that ‘no Arik flight was leaving Abuja.’

MailOnline Travel have contacted Arik Air, and are awaiting comment. The flight is believed to have taken off at 5.15pm local time, two hours behind schedule.

SOURCE:::: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

 

Natarajan

 

 

 

 

Thought For the Day… ” Ethics and Morality ” …

The Doubts We Have About Ethics And Morality- clarifications by Pujya Gurudev Chinmayanandaji.
 The Doubts We Have About Ethics And Morality  Anjili: How would you interpret the words ethics and morality?

Swami Chinmayananda: The right and healthy values of life that you preserve in yourself comprise ethics, while morality manifests in your behaviour vis-à-vis the outer world. Immoral thoughts are not possible. There are either unethical thoughts, or ethical thoughts. There is no ethical action, but moral and immoral activity. The two words are used in this sense that one is for the discipline of one’s behaviour in the outer world and in one’s relationship: the other is subjective – ethical values and moral behaviour… So unless you have got healthy ethical values you cannot live a healthy moral life.

 

Anjili:Would you say that ethics is the theoretical aspect?

A: No, the subjective. Ethics is more subjective, something you have to cultivate in yourself. Then its expression in the world outside becomes morality. A man ethically cannot be morally good. A moral man springs from the ethical values he preserves in himself.

 

Meera: Are we naturally moral beings or is morality something that emerged because of the needs of the social situation?

A: It all depends on your definition of man. The human being or ‘man’ (the general term that refers to human beings) is really an animal, a two-legged animal. A newborn baby has no sense of morality. Then we slowly train him, which in society we call giving him culture, education, and so on. It is then that morality comes. Suppose you are living on a solitary island, morality would have no meaning. Morality and Self-discipline are necessary when you live in society.

 

Meera: Since man has always been a social animal, does it follow that morality has always existed?

A: Yes, but morality will depend upon the social complexion of the society. There was no income tax in the cave man’s life. But there was sharing with the other man what he had, helping him in need lest he may also need him. It’s mutual. I think morality slowly built up that way.

 

Meera: Do  you mean to say it’s only because, let’s say, you may fall sick and need help from another later so you do it for him when he needs it, a kind of social contract?

A: Naturally. But that is the lowest level of human evolution. From the highest standpoint all individuals are nothing but the Supreme Reality, Brahmn. So, you are only Me in that form. Me, meaning the Self, in that form. So, between you and Me, the relationship is like that between my hand and my leg.

 

MeeraThen at a higher standpoint morality comes naturally?

A: Yes, it comes naturally! It is not more morality thrust upon from outside. In the beginning it is a discipline thrust upon from outside, later on it becomes natural for you to live those higher values.

 

Meera: Does the place of morality in the general scheme of things come after birth?

A: Yes, it comes much afterwards, because in the early childhood period there is no morality. The child wants the other boy’s toys without sharing his own. Then the mother and others will tell him, “No, no baby, you give it to that boy also. Play together.” Very slowly, we try to make him understand.

Don’t Blame People For Disappointing You

Blame Yourself For Expecting Too Much From Them..!!
 
Condemn none: If you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers and let them go their own way. 
SOURCE::::: input from a friend of mine
Natarajan

Joke of the Day…” i want to know… ” !!!

A man goes to the police station wanting to speak to the burglar who broke into his house the night before.

“You’ll get your chance in court” says the desk sergeant.

“No, no, no!” Says the man. “I want to know how he got into the house without waking my wife. I’ve been trying to do that for years!”

SOURCE:::: http://www.joke a day .com

Natarajan

Image of the Day…. ” Rare Straight Lightening …”

Rare straight lightning over Zimbabwe

No zig-zagging. No branching. A lightning expert said this single, straight bolt of lightning was extremely rare …

Animated gif by Peter Lowenstein in Mutare, Zimbabwe

A friend in Zimbabwe, Peter Lowenstein, created the animated gif image above from a video he captured of a rare straight lightning bolt. He wrote….

… a most unusual lightning strike occurred during an afternoon thunderstorm in Mutare on 15 February 2015. Unlike most lightning which travels in zig-zag fashion and has branches, this single bolt descended in an almost straight line to strike the ground about two kilometers away. This was followed a few seconds later by a very loud bang which was sufficient to cause alarm and then a distinct echo which returned from the surrounding hills. The lightning must have been very energetic as it was so bright that it completely over-exposed the first flash frame on the gif and produced thunder that was so loud that it frightened people over a wide area. I believe that straight lightning is very rare and wonder if anyone else has either observed it firsthand or seen it in other photos or videos?

Richard Orville, an expert on lightning from the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University, wrote:

…straight lightning is extremely rare, indeed very rare.

The atmosphere appears to have a high amount of moisture which suggests many small droplets may be in between the channel and our eyes. This will obscure any branches. But there is no evidence of ANY branching. This is highly unusual. The straight channel suggests a lack of small particles in the atmosphere or in other words, a very clean atmosphere. It appears to homogeneously clean! A uniform atmosphere devoid of particles and with a uniform density.

Peter Lowenstein added that the consensus between experts consulted on this image is that his capture is:

… of a positive cloud-ground (CG) strike.

These are much less common than negative strikes and tend to be smooth and less branched.

Bottom line: Animated gif of a rare straight lightning strike over Mutare, Zimbabwe on February 15, 2015, as captured by Peter Lowenstein.

SOURCE:::: http://www.earthskynews.org

Natarajan