environment

Image of the Day…Sunset Over the Gulf of Mexico…

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Sunset Over the Gulf of Mexico

From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset and posted it to social media on Dec. 14, 2014.

The space station and its crew orbit Earth from an altitude of 220 miles, traveling at a speed of approximately 17,500 miles per hour. Because the station completes each trip around the globe in about 92 minutes, the crew experiences 16 sunrises and sunsets each day.

Image Credit: NASA/Terry Virts 

SOURCE::::www.nasa.gov

Natarajan

Message For the Day…” God is Electric Current …”

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You must know that there is no end to the incarnations in which God indulges. He has come down on countless occasions. Sometimes He comes with a part of His glory, sometimes with a fuller equipment of splendour, sometimes for a particular task, sometimes to transform an entire era of time or a complete continent of space. God is like the electric current that flows through various contrivances and expresses itself in many different activities. The wise see only the one uniform current; the ignorant feel that they are all distinct. The HolyBhagavatha elaborates His Story that transforms humanity. The subject matter of the Bhagavatha is the drama enacted by the Avatarand the devotees who are drawn toward Him. Listening to it promotes the realisation of God. Many sages have testified to its efficacy and extolled the Bhagavatha, which they helped preserve for posterity

Sathya Sai Baba.

” திருப்பாவை , திருவெம்பாவை தெரியுமா …” ?

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திருப்பாவை- திருவெம்பாவை பத்தி தெரியுமா?”

நன்றி-சக்தி விகடன் & பால ஹனுமான்.

ஒருநாள், பிரதோஷம் மாமா மடத்துக்குச் செல்லும்போது, திருவரத ஓதுவார் என்பவரும் தெருவில் தன் பரிவாரங்கள் புடைசூழ வந்தாராம். வழிநெடுக, தேவார- திருவாசகப் பாடல்களைப் பாடிக்கொண்டும், ‘நமசிவாய வாழ்க! நாதன்தாள் வாழ்க!’ என்று கோஷம் இட்டுக்கொண்டும் ஓதுவாரும் அவருடன் வந்தவர்களும் வர, பிரதோஷம் மாமாவுக்குச் சின்னதாக ஒரு வருத்தம். அவர், ‘அருணாசல சிவ’ எனும் நாமத்தைச் சொல்லியபடியே வருவது வழக்கம். ஆனால், அன்றைக்கு ஓதுவார் பாடியதால், அவர் சொல்வது தடைப்பட்டது.

ஸ்ரீரமணரிடம் அதீத ஈடுபாடுகொண்ட பிரதோஷம் மாமா, ஸ்ரீரமணர் அருளிய ‘அருணாசல சிவ’ எனும் திருநாமத்தை, எல்லோரையும் சொல்லச் சொல்வார். அதேபோல், ஓதுவார் உட்பட அங்கிருந்தவர்களிடம், ‘அருணாசல சிவ’ என்று சொல்லும்படி வலியுறுத்தினார். அதேநேரம் மனதுள் ஒரு எண்ணம்… ‘நமசிவாயமும் அருணாசல சிவமும் வேறு யார்? மகாபெரியவாள்தானே?!’

அனைவரும் மடத்துக்கு வந்து பெரியவாளைத் தரிசித்தனர். ஓதுவார் விடைபெற்றுச் சென்ற சிறிது நேரத்தில், ‘ஓதுவார் எங்கே?’ என்று கேட்டார் காஞ்சி மகான். அங்கிருந்தவர்கள், ஓதுவார் சென்றுவிட்டதைத் தெரிவித்தனர். உடனே, பிரதோஷம் மாமாவை அழைத்துப் புத்தகம் ஒன்றைக் கொடுத்த மகாபெரியவர், ”இந்தப் புத்தகம் எந்த வருஷம் வெளியானதுன்னு ஓதுவாரைக் கேட்டுத் தெரிஞ்சுண்டு வா!” என்றார். அந்தப் புத்தகம், திருவாசகம்!

காஞ்சிபுரத்தைவிட்டு வேறெங்கும் செல்வதில்லை என்றிருந்த பிரதோஷம் மாமா,மகானின் கட்டளையை நிறைவேற்ற சென்னை செல்லவேண்டிய நிலை. சென்னையில் ஓதுவாரைத் தேட, ஒரு துணை தேவையாக இருந்தது. தன் மீது அன்பு கொண்டிருந்த அன்பர் ஒருவரை உதவிக்கு அழைக்க நினைத்தார். அன்ப ரைச் சந்திக்கும் பொருட்டு, தான் ஏற்கெனவே வேலை பார்த்த அலுவலகத்துக்குச் சென்றார்.ரிடையர்டு ஆனபிறகு இவர் அங்கு செல்வது இதுவே முதல் முறை.

மாமாவைப் பார்த்ததும், அங்கிருந்த வேறொரு நண்பர், ”ஆச்சரியமா இருக்கு சார்! கடிதம் எழுதிப்போட்டு உங்களை வரச்சொல்லணும்னு நினைச்சுட்டிருந்தேன். உங்களுக்குச் சேர வேண் டிய அரியர்ஸ் பணம் ஆயிரம் ரூபாய்க்கும் மேலே வந்திருக்கு. நீங்க இன்னிக்கு வரலேன்னா, திரும்பவும் அக்கவுன்ட்ஸ் செக்ஷனுக்கே போயிருக்கும். அப்புறம் வாங்கறது கொஞ்சம் கஷ்டம்தான்!” என்றார்.

அந்தக் காலத்தில் ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் என்பது மிகப்பெரிய தொகை. இந்தத் தொகை கிடைப்பதற்கு, மகாபெரியவா சிறிதாக விளையாடி, அருளியிருக்கிறார் எனச் சிலிர்த்தார் பிரதோஷம் மாமா.

ஆனால், இத்தோடு முடியவில்லை ஆச்சரியம்!

பிறகு, சென்னையில் அந்த ஓதுவாரைக் கண்டுபிடித்து, நூல் வெளியிடப்பட்ட விவரத்தைக் கேட்க, ‘தெரியாது’ என்று ஓதுவார் சொல்ல, வேறு சிலர் மூலமாக விவரங்களைச் சேகரித்துக்கொண்டு, மடத்துக்குச் சென்றார் பிரதோஷம் மாமா. அங்கே, இவர் கூறியதையெல்லாம் செவிமடுத்த மகாபெரியவா, திருவாசகப் புத்தகத்தை நீட்டி, ”முதல்லேருந்து சில பக்கங்களைப் படி” என்றார்.

புத்தகத்தை வாங்கிப் பிரித்ததும், ஆடிப் போனார் பிரதோஷம் மாமா. எடுத்ததும், ‘நமசிவாய வாழ்க!’ என்று துவங்கும் சிவ புராணம்தான் தென்பட்டது.

‘அருணாசல சிவனும் நமசிவாயமும் வெவ்வேறல்ல’ என்பதைப் பிரதோஷம் மாமாவுக்கு சூசகமாக உணர்த்தி விட்டார் மகாபெரியவா!

திருப்பாவை- திருவெம்பாவை பற்றிய சம்பவம் ஒன்றையும் தெரிவித்தார் அகிலா கார்த்திகேயன்.

அது 1949-ஆம் வருடம். மகாபெரியவா திருவிடை மருதூரில் இருந்தார். ஆச்சி அம்மையார் ஒருவர், தினமும் புத்தகம் ஒன்றை எடுத்து வந்து,பெரியவாளுக்கு முன்னே பாடிவிட்டுச் செல்வார். ஒருநாள் ராமமூர்த்தி என்பவரிடம், ”அந்த அம்மையார் பாடற திருப்பாவை- திருவெம்பாவை பத்தி தெரியுமா?” என்று கேட்டார் பெரியவா.

அவருக்கு ஒன்றும் தெரியவில்லை. உடனே அவரை, தேவராஜ பாகவதர் என்பவரிடம் அனுப்பி, ‘திருப்பாவை- திருவெம்பாவைப் பாடல்களை வெளியில் பாடச் சொன் னால், எல்லாரும் பாடுவார்களா?’ என்று கேட்டு வரச் சொன்னார். ராமமூர்த்தியும் பாகவதரைச் சந்தித்தார். அவரோ, ”இந்தப் பாட்டுக்கள் யாருக்குத் தெரியும்? ஒருத்தரும் பாடமாட்டாங்க” என்று சொல்லிவிட்டார்.

இதை அப்படியே வந்து மகாபெரியவாளிடம் தெரிவித் தார் ராமமூர்த்தி. உடனடியாக திருப்பாவை- திருவெம்பாவை மாநாடு நடத்துவதற்கான ஏற்பாடுகளைச் செய்தார்காஞ்சி மகான்!

மார்கழி பிறந்ததும் ராமமூர்த்தி என்பவரையும் கண்ணன் எனும் அன்பரையும் அழைத்து, கையில் விளக்கும் புத்தகமுமாக யானையின் மீது உட்கார்ந்தபடி, ஸ்ரீமகாலிங்க ஸ்வாமி திருக்கோயிலின் நான்கு வீதிகளிலும், திருப்பாவை- திருவெம்பாவை பாடல்களைப் பாடும்படி உத்தரவிட்டார். பிறகு, பெரியவாளின்ஆசியுடன், திருப்பாவை- திருவெம்பாவை மாநாடும் சிறப்புற நடைபெற்றது.

அதையடுத்து, சங்கீதக் கச்சேரிகளிலும் திருப்பாவை- திருவெம்பாவைப் பாடல்களையும் வித்வான்கள் பாடத் துவங்கினர். கி.வா.ஜ. போன்ற தமிழறிஞர்கள், இந்தப் பாடல்களை விளக்கிச் சொற்பொழிவாற்ற ஆரம்பித்தனர். அதுமட்டுமா? அப்போதைய இந்து சமய அறநிலையத் துறையின் ஆணையராக இருந்த உத்தண்டராமன் என்பவரிடம், ”மார்கழியில், எல்லாக் கோயில்களிலும் திருப்பாவை- திருவெம்பாவை மாநாடு நடத்த ஏற்பாடு செய்யுங்கள்” என்று அருளினார்மகாபெரியவா.

அதே போல், சுவாமிகளின் உத்தரவை சிரமேற்கொண்ட டி.கே.பட்டம்மாள், எம்.எல்.வசந்தகுமாரி, அரியக்குடி ராமானுஜ ஐயங்கார் போன்றவர்கள், திருப்பாவை- திருவெம்பாவை பாடல்களைப் பாடிப் பரப்பினார்கள்!

சில காலம் கழித்து, ராமமூர்த்தியிடம்… ”அந்த ஆச்சி அம்மையார் பாடின பாட்டுக்களை, யாரும் பாடமாட்டானு சொன்னேளே… இப்ப யாராவது பாடறாளா?” என்று குறுஞ் சிரிப்புடன் கேட்டார் காஞ்சிப் பெரியவா. இதில் நெக்குருகிப் போன ராமமூர்த்தி, ”பெரியவா ஈஸ்வர ஸ்வரூபம். அவா நினைச்சா நடக்காததே இல்லை” என்று சொல்லிச் சிலாகித்தாராம்.

பிறகு ஒருமுறை, தஞ்சாவூரில் யாரிடமோ பேசிக் கொண் டிருக்கும்போது, ”இப்ப திருப்பாவை- திருவெம்பாவைப் பாடல்களை, எல்லா இடத்துலயும் எல்லாரும் பாடறான்னா, அது இவனாலதான்!” என ராமமூர்த்தியைச் சுட்டிக் காட்டிச் சிரித்தாராம்பெரியவா.!

நன்றி – சக்தி விகடன்

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SOURCE::::www.periva.proboards.com

Natarajan

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Image of the Day…Mars Exploration Rover opportunity …

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 Opportunity Pausing at a Bright Outcrop on Endeavour Rim, Sol 3854

NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is continuing its traverse southward on the western rim of Endeavour Crater during the fall of 2014, stopping to investigate targets of scientific interest along way.  This view is from Opportunity’s front hazard avoidance camera on Nov. 26, 2014, during the 3,854th Martian day, or sol, of the rover’s work on Mars. This camera is mounted low on the rover and has a wide-angle lens.

The scene includes Opportunity’s robotic arm, called the “instrument deployment device,” at upper left. Portions of the pale bedrock exposed on the ground in front of the rover are within the arm’s reach. Researchers used instruments on the arm to examine a target called “Calera” on this patch of bedrock.  The wheel tracks in the scene are from the drive — in reverse — to this location, a drive of 32.5 feet (9.9 meters) on Sol 3846 (Nov. 18, 2014).

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech  

SOURCE:::: http://www.nasa.gov

Natarajan

” Early Mona Lisa ” …Identical Twin of the One in Louvre !!!

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‘Early Mona Lisa’: Unveiling the one-in-a-million identical twin to Leonardo da Vinci painting

Scientific tests suggest Da Vinci started working on the ‘Early Mona Lisa’ in 1503, ten years before the one in the Louvre

A second painting of the Mona Lisa thought to be produced a decade earlier than the one on display in the Paris Louvre has been unveiled in Singapore.

Scientific tests suggest that Leonardo da Vinci started working on the “Early Mona Lisa” in 1503, ten years before the one in the Louvre, but left it unfinished.

It was acquired by an English nobleman in 1778. But it was not until 1913 that Hugh Blaker, an art connoisseur, rediscovered the portrait. He brought the artwork back to his studio in Isleworth, south-west London, to restore it.

The work, which shows a younger woman against a different backdrop from the more familiar version, changed hands several times before it was passed to an international consortium in 2008.

The painting was presented to the media in 2012 by the Mona Lisa Foundation, which had compiled 35 years of research and tests. It published more findings the following year, leading most da Vinci scholars to believe that the second Mona Lisa is indeed the Italian’s work of art.

The painting will be on exhibit at Singapore’s Arts House until February 11 next year and is expected to reach Europe later in the year.

SOURCE:::: Kunal Dutta in http://www.independent.co.uk

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Indian American Vivek Murthy is Now ‘America’s Doctor’ !!! …First Indian to Hold this Post …

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US senate voted to confirm Vivek Murthy as the next surgeon general, a position often called America’s Doctor. He is the first Indian American to hold and the position, and the youngest.

 

The US senate voted to confirm Dr. Vivek Hallegere Murthy as the next surgeon general, a position often called America’s Doctor. (AP File Photo)

His confirmation also marked a major defeat for the powerful gun lobby spearheaded by the National Rifles Association, which had lobbied hard with senators to block a vote.

And nearly succeeded, delaying a vote for 10 months.

Democrats pushed the nomination through in the dying days of their leadership of the upper chamber, which passes into Republican hand next month following recent polls.

Murthy was confirmed by a 51-43 vote.

Welcoming Murthy’s confirmation as “America’s Doctor”, President Barack Obama said he will “hit the ground running” and “build on the progress we’ve made combating Ebola”.

Indian Americans, who were following the confirmation process closely, were ecstatic. Ami Bera, Indian American congressman, called the confirmation “historic” for the community.

At 37, Murthy, who was born into a family from Karnataka, becomes the youngest surgeon general in US history, something that made some senators publicly wonder if he was too young.

Considered whip smart – studied biochemical sciences from Harvard and then a combined medicine and business degree from Yale – Murthy has been working at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital as a physician.

But it were his political work and comments about gun control that got him into trouble with Republicans, many of whom vowed to not let his nomination go through.

Specially this tweet from him in October, 2012: “Tired of politicians playing politics w/ guns, putting lives at risk b/c they’re scared of NRA. Guns are a health care issue.”

NRA wrote to all senators urging them to block his nomination saying his confirmation would be “prescription for disaster for America’s gun owners”. Many senators agreed.

One Republican senator pointedly asked Murthy his confirmation hearing in February if he will use the office of surgeon general to push his personal views on gun control.

Murthy responded in the negative, saying he will be focussing on obesity prevention. But his critics were not convinced. They had one other issue with him.

He was an outspoken supporter of Obama’s healthcare reforms.
Some other Indian Americans nominated to high offices by Obama

Sri Srinivasan: Judge at DC circuit court of appeals (roughly a high court), which puts him in line for a Supreme Court judgeship

Nisha Biswal: First Indian American to hold the powerful position of assistant secretary of state heading South and Central Asia

Rich Verma: As the first Indian American named US ambassador to a major country – India. He was confirmed by the senate last week. Verma earlier held the position of assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs

Aneesh Chopra: First Chief Technology Officer of the United States, who has since moved on, running unsuccessfully for the Democratic ticket for Virginia governorship

Preet Bharara: Who as US attorney for the Southern District of New York has successfully prosecuted many for insider trading, including Rajat Gupta. His prosecution of diplomat Devyani Khobragade, however, did go down well with Indians

Rajiv Shah: As USAID administrator, Shah is possibly the senior most Indian American in Obama’s administration now

Puneet Talwar: Assistant secretary of state for bureau of political-military affairs. He is reported to have played a significant role in the recent thaw in US-Iran ties

Vivek Kundra: First Chief Information Officer of the US, who has since moved on

– SOURCE::::www.hindustantimes.com

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Message For the Day… ” Understand the Divine Significance of ‘OM’…”

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Om is the sum and essence of all the teachings in scriptures about Divinity;“Om ithi ekaaksharam Brahma” states the Vedas, meaning, the one syllable Om, is Brahman, the Divine! Om is a composite of three sounds A (aa), U (oo) and M (mm). It has to be pronounced rising in a crescendo as slowly as possible, and as gradually coming down, until there remains only the echo of the silence reverberating in the cavity of your heart. Do not take it in two stages, arguing that your breath will not hold so long. Persevere until you are able to be stirred by the upward sweep and the downward curve and the silent sequel. These represent the waking, dreaming and sleeping, and the fourth, beyond the three stages. It represents also the flower of your individuality maturing into a fruit and filling you with sweet juice from your own inner essence, and thereafter the final release. 

Sathya Sai Baba

Love to Drink Lemon Juice !!!

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Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

Ask most people how they feel about lemons and they will either pucker their lips or insist that the yellow fruit’s only place is in lemonade. Yet little do many know, lemons are some of the most nutrient-rich and healthy fruits out there that can be used to ease a wide variety of ailments. Here is a list of a few ways that lemon juice can transform your bodily health, for the short-term and the long-term!
1. Boosts Your Immune System
Lemons are rich in vitamin C, B, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and fiber. Although vitamin C is the key to jump-starting our immune system, the rest of the nutritional benefits of the lemon can certainly do you no harm. It’s good to drink a glass or two of lemon water when you are feeling stressed, because that is when your immune system is most likely to fall weak to any surrounding bacteria or viruses.
2. A Surprising Source of Potassium
Potassium is good for your heart health as well as your brain and nerve function. It is usually found in vegetables like potatoes and spinach, but lemons are also an excellent source for a potassium boost.
3. Eases Your Digestion
Lemon water should be drunk at room temperature as warm water helps stimulate smooth movement within the gastrointestinal tract. Lemons and other citrus fruits contribute to this effect because they are high in vitamins and minerals that loosen up the toxins in the digestive tract, known as ama. Lemon is an excellent natural remedy for symptoms of indigestion like heartburn and bloating.
4. A Natural Diuretic
Lemons increase the rate of urination and therefore are able to quickly remove toxins in the digestive tract that can affect the health of the urinary tract.
5. Keeps Your Skin Clear
The potent vitamin C in lemons helps keep the skin blemish and wrinkle-free. In addition the antioxidants in lemon juice can be applied to scars and age spots in order to reduce their appearance without diminishing the skin’s radiance.
6. Reduces Inflammation
Drinking lemon water on a regular basis may decrease the levels of acidity within the body, which is where disease is most likely to occur. It works to remove uric acid in the joints which is the main source for joint pain and inflammation. It’s best to drink the lemon water in the winter at a lukewarm temperature to fight off the effects of cold-weather stiffness.
7. A Caffeine Aid
Lemon juice is an excellent way to cut back on caffeine in coffee or soda because it has similar rejuvenating effects. Substituting your morning cup of joe for a cup of hot water and lemon may save you from an afternoon crash and quiet your caffeine cravings.
8. Keeps You Hydrated
Starting your day off with a cup of hot lemon water can not only prevent fatigue later on in the day, but also dehydration. Dehydration is one of the major causes of toxic buildup, stress and even susceptibility to viral infections. So if you are the kind that forgets to drink water, it is recommended that you drink lemon water in order to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Submitted by user: Karen F. in http://www.ba-bamail.com

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Story of Rock Garden as Revealed by its Creator Nek Chand Who Has Turned 90 !!!…

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His statues have ended up in museums around the world. AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU.

His statues have ended up in museums around the world. AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU. Source: AFP

DEEP inside his massive garden of handmade waterfalls and sculptures, Nek Chand recalls toiling away secretly in the dead of night for a staggering 18 years to create his wonderland in north India.

Riding his bicycle after dark to a state-owned forest, Chand spent night after night clearing patches of ground and transforming the landscape into a majestic garden that would eventually cover eight hectares.

Waterfalls, gardens and sculptures dot the serene environment. Source: AFP/NARINDER NANU

Waterfalls, gardens and sculptures dot the serene environment. Source: AFP/NARINDER NANU Source: AFP

“I started building this garden as a hobby” in the 1950s, Chand told AFP in a rare interview on the eve of his 90th birthday on Monday.

“For 18 years nobody came to know. There was a forest here, who would come here and what for? There were no roads to come and go,” Chand said nostalgically, seated in the garden that has become a major tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors a day.

Indian visitors in the Rock Garden, built by self-taught Indian artist Nek Chand Saini ov

Indian visitors in the Rock Garden, built by self-taught Indian artist Nek Chand Saini over the course of 18 years AFP/NARINDER NANU. Source: AFP

After the deadly violence and upheaval of partition in 1947, India set about building a capital for Punjab state, carved out of a region that stretched across the border into newly formed Pakistan.

From the tonnes of building materials and rubbish that followed, Chand carefully collected what he considered gems while working as a lowly roads inspector in the upcoming Chandigarh city.

Pottery pieces, glass, tiles and even broken bathroom sinks were used to make sculptures of men and women, fairies and demons, elephants, monkeys and gods.

Pottery pieces, glass, tiles and broken household items wre used to create this wonderlan

Pottery pieces, glass, tiles and broken household items wre used to create this wonderland. AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU Source: AFP

“I had many ideas, I was thinking all the time. I began carrying all the material on my bicycle and collecting it here,” Chand said of his garden of mosaic pathways, hidden chambers and courtyards.

“I did three to four rounds on my cycle each day. I saw beauty and art in what people said was junk.”

‘Like reliving Willy Wonka’

When his secret was finally discovered in 1976, authorities threatened demolition, claiming Chand had violated strict land laws.

But an amazed public rallied behind him, leading to his appointment as head of the newly opened Rock Garden of Chandigarh.

Chand stepped up his creation of hundreds of sculptures — mostly made from broken household material and discarded personal items including electric sockets, switches, bangles and bicycle frames.

Riding his bicycle after dark to a state-owned forest, Chand spent night after night clea

Riding his bicycle after dark to a state-owned forest, Chand spent night after night clearing patches of ground and transforming the landscape into a majestic garden AFP/NARINDER NANU. Source: AFP

Some made of broken glass bangles show girls dancing, others of ceramic pieces depict men at a party pouring glasses of whiskey.

Ticket sales grew as word of the secret garden spread, with some 3,000 people from across the country and overseas now wandering through daily.

“It’s so amazing. It’s something like reliving Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” Jasmine Paul, a resident of Vancouver who was holidaying in India, told AFP.

“It is just like the fairy tales that you grow up reading.” With no formal education in art or sculpture, Chand drew inspiration from his childhood when he played near a river flowing through his village in what is now Muslim-majority Pakistan.

Sculptures made from discarded household items. AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU

Sculptures made from discarded household items. AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU Source: AFP

Chand and his family were forced to flee across the border during partition because they were Hindus, finally settling in Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana states.

“That is why there is a childlike quality to the sculptures,” said Alan Cesarno, a British volunteer with the Nek Chand Foundation that was set up in 1997 to raise funds for the garden’s upkeep.

“When you look around you realise that it is actually a child’s version of a fantasy kingdom,” he told AFP standing next to one of the several waterfalls.

Self-taught Indian artist Nek Chand Saini on the eve of his 90th birthday. AFP PHOTO/NARI

Self-taught Indian artist Nek Chand Saini on the eve of his 90th birthday. AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU. Source: AFP

Conservation challenges

Chand’s statues have found their way into museums across the world, including at the National Children’s Museum in Washington, the American Folk Art Museum in New York and the RIBA gallery in Liverpool in 2007.

Back home, the garden is facing conservation challenges, including a lack of funds from the state government which takes the ticket sales, according to volunteers.

Vandalism has been reported more than once and enthusiastic visitors often climb or lean on the structures, damaging their fragile pieces.

“In a country known more for slums and garbage dumps, the rock garden stands as an exceptional example,” said Mani Dhillon, a volunteer involved in the garden’s upkeep.

“It is perhaps the only place of its kind in the entire world. The administration and the people must realise its importance, they must come forward and save it before it’s too late,” she told AFP.

Magical waterfalls enchant its visitors. AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU

Magical waterfalls enchant its visitors. AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU Source: AFP

While Chand still oversees the garden as its founding head with near daily visits, his age and failing eyesight mean he can no longer spend the long hours needed to create new sculptures.

He is however undaunted by the challenges facing his more than half a century’s work, saying he has faith in God from which he draws his strength.

“I am not scared of anything. Had I been scared, how would I have worked in the dead of the night in the jungle?”

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

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Amazing Freestyle FootBall Skill … Watch This Lady !!!

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Watch her magnificent freestyle football  above….

Breaking Stereotypes: This Woman’s Freestyle Football Skills Will Leave You Spellbound

Breaking Stereotypes: This Woman's Freestyle Football Skills Will Leave You Spellbound
Rub your eyes all you want but it’s true. This young woman’s skills with the football are unbelievable and this video will give you much joy and motivation to find and nurture a talent, maybe. Melody Donchet, winner of the 2014 Street Style World Final held in Salvador, Brazil, makes sweet music with her footwork as she juggles a football, watched by a thrilled audience.She does hand-stands and swirls her legs like a ribbon, all the while balancing a football like it’s no big deal. The expression on her fellow contestant’s face tells you everything there is. She looks awed and mortified and we don’t blame her.

With the crowd cheering her on and the judges unanimously declaring her victorious, there is no doubt whatsoever that Melody’s skill with the ball makes her everything that a winner ought to be.

Mind = blown.

SOURCE::::: http://www.ndtv.com

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