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How Much are Olympic Gold Medals Worth….?

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As far as the value of the raw materials in them, this varies from Olympiad to Olympiad.  For the recent 2012 Olympics in London, the medals were the largest of any in Summer Olympic history up to that point, weighing in at 400g for the gold medal.  Of this 400g, 394g was sterling silver (364.45g silver / 29.55g copper) with 6g of 24 karat gold plating.  At the price of gold and silver when these medals were won by various Olympians, this means a gold medal in the London Olympics was worth about $624, with $304 of the value coming from the gold plating and about $320 coming from the sterling silver. Since then, the price of gold has dropped about 18% and the price of silver has dropped about 39%.

For the current 2016 Rio Olympics, the gold medals are one-upping the London Games, weighing in at a a half a kilogram, with about 462g of it silver, 6g gold, and the rest copper.  So by current gold and silver prices as of July 13, 2016, these medals are worth about $561 total, with approximately $301 of the value from silver and $260 from gold. So, despite being 1/5 more massive than the London Games Olympics medals, and having the same amount of gold and much more silver, due to the significant drop in gold and silver prices since 2012, the Rio gold medals are worth less at their awarding than the London Games medals were worth when they were awarded.

Of course, athletes can often get much more than this selling the medals on the open market, particularly for momentous medals, like the “Miracle on Ice” 1980 men’s U.S. hockey team gold medal.  Mark Wells, a member of that team, auctioned his medal off in 2012 and received $310,700 for it, which he needed to help pay for medical treatment.
Most auctioned medals don’t go for nearly this much, though.  For instance, Anthony Ervin’s 50 meter freestyle gold medal won in 2000, even with all proceeds going to the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami, only sold for $17,100.  John Konrads’ 1500 meter freestyle gold medal won in 1960 only sold for $11,250 in 2011.  This is a great return in terms of what the raw value of the materials are worth, but certainly nowhere close to Mark Wells’ medal.

Gold medals in the Olympics weren’t always made mostly of silver.  Before the 1912 Olympics, they were made of solid gold.  However, they tended to be much smaller than modern medals.  For instance, the 1900 Paris gold medals were only 3.2 mm thick, with a 59 mm diameter, weighing just 53g.  For perspective, the London 2012 medals were 7 mm thick, with a diameter of 85 mm and, as mentioned, weighed 400g.  The 1900 Paris gold medals at today’s value of gold are worth about $2300.  For the 1912 games in Stockholm, the last year the gold medals were made of solid gold, the value of the gold medals at current prices of gold would be around $870.

If the current 2016 Olympic gold medals were made out of solid gold, they’d be worth about $21,625 each.  This may seem feasible, considering how much money the Olympics brings in, until you consider just how many medals are awarded during each summer Olympics.  For instance, in these 2016 Olympics, about 2,488 medals have been produced, including 812 gold medals. At $21,625 each, that would be just shy of $18 million dollars for the gold medal materials alone.

As it is, with the current gold medals having about $561 worth of materials, then $305 for the silver medals, and about $5 for the bronze (which are mostly made of copper, with a very small amount of zinc and tin), about $708,000 is still being spent on the raw materials alone for these medals, not to mention the cost of having them minted.

Source……..www.today i foundout.com

Natarajan

Joke of the Day …” Old people are not Stupid ” !!!

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படித்து ரசித்தது …புராணங்களில் தேடுங்கள் அறிவியலை…!!!

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புதியவைகள் கண்டுபிடிக்க வேண்டுமெனில் கனவு காணுங்கள் என்றார், நமது முன்னாள் ஜனாதிபதி அப்துல் கலாம். கனவு காண்பதன் அடிப்படையே கற்பனையில் பிறப்பதுதானே. நமது புராணங்களும் இதிகாசங்களும் வெறும் கற்பனையில் தோன்றியதுதானே என சிலர் வாதிடுவதுண்டு. அவைகள் வெறும் கற்பனைகளாகவே இருந்துவிட்டுப் போகட்டுமே. ஆனால் புராணங்களிலும் நமது தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களிலும் புதைந்து கிடக்கும் அறிவியல் உண்மைகளைக் காணும் போது பெரும் வியப்பு மேலிடுகிறதே! எங்கேயோ நடக்கும் கிரிக்கெட் போட்டி, கோயில் கும்பாபிஷேகம் போன்ற நிகழ்வுகளை தொலைக்காட்சிகள் இன்று நேரடியாக ஒளிபரப்பு செய்கின்றன. இந்த விஞ்ஞான வினோதத்தை வீட்டிற்குள் இருந்தபடியே நாமும் அனுபவித்து வருகிறோம். நேரடி ஒளிபரப்பு நிகழ்வதைப் போன்ற காட்சியை நமது புராணங்களும் சொல்லியிருக்கின்றன. சிவபெருமானுக்கும் பார்வதிக்கும் இமய மலையில் உள்ள கைலாயத்தில் திருமணம் நடக்கிறது. அந்தத் திருமணத்தை அகத்திய முனிவர் பொதிகை மலையில் இருந்தபடியே பார்த்துப் பரவசப்பட்டாராம். வட கோடியில் நடந்த ஒரு நிகழ்ச்சியை தென் கோடியில் இருந்து ஒருவர் உடனுக்குடன் கண்டதும், உள்ளம் களிப்படைந்ததும் நேரடி ஒளிபரப்பு போன்றது அல்லாமல் வேறென்ன?

வயர்ெலஸ் தொடர்புகள் : ஆதிரை என்பவளின் கணவன் சாதுவன் வியாபாரம் நிமித்தமாக நண்பர்களுடன் சேர்ந்து கடல் பயணம் மேற்கொள்கிறான். திடீரென்று கப்பல் மூழ்கி

விடுகிறது. ஆபத்திலிருந்து தப்பித்த சாதுவன், நாகர்கள் என்ற ஆதிவாசிகள் வசிக்கும் ஒரு தீவில் கரையேறுகிறான். சாதுவனைப் போலவே ஆபத்திலிருந்து தப்பித்த அவனது நண்பர்களில் சிலர் ஊர் திரும்புகின்றனர். சாதுவன் மூழ்கி விட்டதாக ஆதிரையிடம் தெரிவிக்கின்றனர். கணவர் இறந்தபின் தான் மட்டும் வாழ்ந்து என்ன பயன் என்று ஆதிரை தீக்குளிக்க முயல்கிறாள்.

அப்போது வானத்திலிருந்து ஒரு அசரீரி கேட்கிறது. உன் கணவன் சாகவில்லை பத்திரமாக திரும்பிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறான் என்கிறது அக்குரல். அந்த வார்த்தையை நம்பி ஆதிரை தீக்குளிப்பதை நிறுத்துகிறாள். சாதுவனும் உயிருடன் திரும்புகிறான். இந்த அசரீரியின் வாக்கு எந்த தொடர்பும் இல்லாமல் ஒருவர் மற்றவருடன் உரையாட முடியும் என்கிற உண்மையை உள்ளடக்கியதாகவே தென்படுகிறது. இக்கதை, வயர்லெஸ் கருவிகள் வழியாக இன்று நாம் பேசிக் கொள்வதற்கும் எந்த விதக் கம்பித் தொடர்புமே இல்லாமல் அன்று அசரீரியின் குரலை ஆதிரை கேட்டு ஆறுதல் அடைந்ததற்கும் பெரிய வித்தியாசம் இருப்பதாகத் தெரியவில்லை.

அணுஆற்றல் : அணுவைப் பிளக்க முடியும், அதன் மூலம் ஆற்றலைப் பெற முடியும் என்கிற கருத்தெல்லாம் விஞ்ஞானி ஐன்ஸ்டீன் காலத்திற்குப் பின்னரே உலகின் வலுப்பெற்றது. ஆனால் தமிழ் மூதாட்டி அவ்வையார் ‘அணுவைத் துளைத்து எழு கடலைப் புகட்டி’ என்று பாடி அணுவைத் துளைக்க முடியும் அதைப் பிளக்கவும் முடியும் என்கிற உண்மைகளை எல்லாம் இரண்டாயிரம் ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பே புட்டு புட்டு வைத்து விட்டாரே.அணுகுறித்த மேலும் ஒரு வியப்பூட்டும் தகவலும் நமக்குக் கிடைத்திருக்கிறது. மகாபாரதச் சண்டை நடந்த இடத்தில்

ஆய்வுகள் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டன. அதிசயம் என்னவென்றால், அந்த இடத்தில் இப்போதும் கூட கதிரியக்கம் இருக்கிறதாம். கதிரியக்கம் வெளிப்படுவதால் அணு ஆயுதங்கள் போன்ற சண்டைக் கருவிகள் மகாபாரத யுத்தத்திலும் பயன்படுத்தப் பட்டிருக்கலாம் எனவும் யூகிக்கப்படுகிறது.

வான்வெளி பயணம் : ராவணன் சீதையைக் கவர்ந்து சென்ற இடத்திற்கு ராமரும், லட்சுமணனும் வருகிறார்கள். அங்கே தேர்ச்சக்கரங்களின் தடம் மட்டுமே தென்படுகிறது. தடம் போகும் திசையில் இருவரும் நடக்கிறார்கள். சிறிது துாரத்தில் தடம் மறைந்து விடுகிறது. அப்படியானால் தேர் என்னவாயிற்று? ஒன்று பூமிக்குள் புதைந்திருக்க வேண்டும் அல்லது வானத்தில் பறந்திருக்க வேண்டும். ராவணன் சீதையை இலங்கைக்கு கடத்திச் சென்றது ஊர்ஜிதமாகிவிட்டதால், தேர் பூமிக்குள் புதைய வாய்ப்பேயில்லை. வான் வெளிப்பயணம் மட்டும்தான் ஒரே வழி. அப்படியானால் சிறிது துாரம் ஓடி, பின் மேலெழும்புகிற மாதிரியான வடிவமைப்புடன் ராவணனின் தேர் உருவாக்கப்பட்டிருக்க வேண்டும். எனவே ரன்வேயில் ஓடி பின் ‘டேக் ஆப்’ ஆகிற தற்கால விமானங்களுக்கு முன்னோடியாக ராவணனின் தேர் இருந்திருக்கிறது.

சீவக சிந்தாமணியில் உலவும் கதாபாத்திரமான சச்சந்தன் ஆபத்துக் காலத்தில் தப்பிப்பதற்காக தனது மனைவிக்கு மயில் பொறி என்னும் வாகனத்தைப் பரிசளிக்கிறான். ஹெலிகாப்டரைப் போலவே அந்த மயில்பொறியும் நின்ற இடத்திலிருந்து ஜிவ்வென்று வானத்தில் எழும்பும் இயக்கத்தைப் பெற்றதுதானாம்.

கண் மருத்துவம் : உலகில் முதல் கண் மருத்துவர் யார் தெரியுமா? சாட்சாத் கண்ணப்ப நாயக்கனார்தான். அவர்தான் முதன் முதலில் கண் மாற்றும் அறுவைச் சிகிச்சையை அறிமுகப்படுத்தியவர். கண்ணப்ப நாயனார் சிவபெருமானின் தீவிர தொண்டர். சிவனுக்கு தொண்டு செய்வதையே பெரும் பாக்கியமாக கருதுபவர். ஒருநாள் சிவலிங்கத்தின் கண்ணிலிருந்து ரத்தம் வழிவதைப் பார்த்து விடுகிறார். நெஞ்சம் பதறி விடுகிறார். செய்வதறியாது நின்ற கண்ணப்பரின் மனதில் ஒரு எண்ணம் தோன்றுகிறது. தனது கண்களைப் பிடுங்கி எடுத்து சிவபெருமானின் முகத்தில் ஒட்டுகிறார். உடனே விக்கிரகத்தில் ரத்தம் வழிவது நின்று விடுகிறது. முதல் கண் மாற்று அறுவைச் சிகிச்சை பற்றிய இந்த செய்தி கண்ணப்ப நாயனார் புராணத்தில் வருகிறது.

அண்டங்கள் : பல்வேறு புராணங்களும் வெளிப்படுத்துகின்ற ஒரு தகவல், வான் வெளியில் 1008 கோடி அண்டங்கள் உள்ளது என்பதுதான். விஞ்ஞானி கலிலியோ காலத்தின் பின்பே வான்வெளி ஆய்வுகள் உலகில் தீவிரப்படுத்தப்பட்டன. டெலஸ்கோப், செயற்கைக்கோள் இன்றி அன்றே எப்படி அண்டங்களைப் பற்றி ஆராய்ந்தார்கள் என்பது புதிர். பூலோக மனிதர்கள் வானுலகம் சென்றதாகவும் வானுலகத் தேவர்கள் பூலோகம் வந்ததாகவும் புராணங்கள் கூறுவதை நம்பும்படியாகவா உள்ளது என்று கேட்கலாம். இன்று நிலவில் காலடி வைத்து விட்டானே மனிதன்? செவ்வாய்க் கிரகம் செல்வதற்கும் முயற்சி எடுத்து விட்டானே?

புராணங்களில் வரும் செய்திகள் எல்லாம் உண்மையாகி வருவதைப் பார்த்தால், பூலோக மனிதரும், வானுலகப் பிறவிகளும் சந்தித்துக் கொள்ளும் நிலை வரலாம். புராணங்களில் தேடுங்கள் அறிவியலை! அவற்றில் பல அற்புதங்களுக்கு விடையும், வழிமுறைகளும் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டிருக்கலாம்.

Source…..

எல். பிரைட்,எழுத்தாளர்

தேவகோட்டை,   in http://www.dinamalar.com

Natarajan

This is how much time it should take to escape a crashed airliner….

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A Emirates Boeing 777-300 crashed landed and burst into flames at Dubai International Airport on Wednesday.

Fortunately, the airline has confirmed that all 300 passengers and crew on board the flight made it to safety before the aircraft became engulfed in flames.

Which leads us to the question, how long does it take to evacuate a crashed airliner?

Believe it or not, federal regulations dictate that all modern airliners capable of carrying more than 44 passengers must be able to be fully evacuated in less than 90 seconds.

In addition, in order to be certified to fly, new airliners or even new derivatives of existing airliners must pass an evacuation test. The tests involve simulated emergency situations in which all passengers and crew must exit the aircraft in pitch-black darkness using only half of the available emergency escapes.

In 2006, the Airbus A380 superjumbo managed to pass the test by evacuating 853 passengers, 18 crew, and two pilots in just 78 seconds, Flight Global reported.  The Boeing 777-200 passed the evacuation test in 1994 in 84 seconds, Quartz reported. The aircraft involved in the Emirates crash is an elongated 777-300. According to the AP, the aircraft was not subject to its own evacuation test. Instead, it was certified by extrapolating the test results of the 777-200 with the addition of two emergency exits.

These tests are generally conducted using the aircraft type’s maximum passenger capacity which means that aircraft in service are equipped with far fewer seats. For instance, the A380 was evacuation tested with 853 passengers. In operation these days, most of the superjumbos fly with around 500 seats.

However, it should also be noted that these test are also conducted in a laboratory conditions that are calm and organised. The hectic nature of an actual emergency evacuation may slow down the time it takes to empty an aircraft.

As a result, experts recommend that passengers select seats within three rows of an emergency exit. In addition, passengers should be aware of the location of the nearest emergency exit at all times.

Here’s a video of the Airbus A380 evacuation test:

Source….www.businessinsider.com.au

Natarajan

Joke of the Day…” Best Business Plan ….” !!!

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As a boat docked into a tiny seaside village, a visiting businessman complimented the local fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

“Not very long,” answered the fisherman.

“But then, why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” asked the businessman. The fisherman explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.
The businessman asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, play the guitar, and sing a few songs… I have a full life.”

The businessman interrupted, “I have an MBA from Harvard, and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat.”

“And after that?” asked the fisherman.

“With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to the city, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise.

How long would that take?” asked the fisherman.

“Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years,” replied the businessman.
“And after that?”

“Afterwards? Well my Friend, That’s when it gets really interesting,” answered the businessman, laughing. “When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!”

“Millions? Really? And after that?” said the fisherman.

“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings doing what you like and enjoying your friends.”

Source…….www.ba-bamail.com

Natarajan

வாரம் ஒரு கவிதை…” காகிதங்கள் ” !!!

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காகிதங்கள்
………..
Natarajan….My Kavithai in http://www.dinamani.com ….published on 1st August 2016

Avoid These Actions to Live Regret-Free ….

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The phrase “if only…” is normally one associated with deep regret, and that’s why it’s incredibly sad when we feel compelled to say it. To avoid having to utter those fateful words, I’ve made a list of 10 bad life choices that ultimately lead to this phrase of regret, as well as how to avoid them:

1. Wearing a mask in front of others

It’s a big mistake to always think about other people’s perceptions of you and trying to play up to them, as opposed to just being yourself. If you continuously focus on this, rather than being who you really are, the end result will be that one fine day, you will forget who you are beneath the mask you always try to uphold. Forget about who people want you to be, or how they see you – impress them and inspire them with how you deal with your imperfections instead.
2. Letting others create your dreams

Although the greatest life challenge is the sound discovery of who you really are, the second greatest is finding happiness and peace with yourself. You should always stay true to your own goals and dreams to find happiness and peace. If people disagree with you, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing – it just means you’re standing your own ground and finding you own way. Don’t worry about whether people think you’re doing something crazy. When you find yourself excitedly losing track of time, you’ll know in your heart that you’re on the right path.

3. Keeping the company of negative people

Negative people are best avoided, because they can foist their bad attitudes on you, and even get to you. Remember that keeping the company of negative people is a choice, not an obligation. Once you realize this and begin to keep it in mind, you will open up your world to compassion over anger, generosity over greed, and patience over anxiety.

Although the greatest life challenge is the sound discovery of who you really are, the second greatest is finding happiness and peace with yourself. You should always stay true to your own goals and dreams to find happiness and peace. If people disagree with you, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing – it just means you’re standing your own ground and finding you own way. Don’t worry about whether people think you’re doing something crazy. When you find yourself excitedly losing track of time, you’ll know in your heart that you’re on the right path.
4. Falling into selfishness and egotism

A life that revolves around selfish pursuits and egotism is not a life well-lived. You will be remembered by what you have done for others and the world at large, rather than what you have done for yourself. Be selfless, compassionate and try and give back whenever and wherever you can.

5. Avoidance of change and growth

If you want to know why your life is the way it is, take a look at your past. If you want to know how your future’s going to be, take a look at your actions in the present. You should always leave room in your life for the old to make way for the new. As much as we all like to hold on to that which we know, the truth is that the old is gone, and isn’t coming back. Accepting this fundamental reality and embracing change as it comes will set you up for lasting success.

6. Giving up during tough times

Whenever we fail in life, we should take is as a blessing. This is because failures act as indicators that we need to try something else. What failures do not indicate is the necessity to give up on what we’re setting out to achieve. Learn what you can from a failure and move on. One baby step at a time is what will get you ahead in life. Eventually, these baby steps build on top of each other and lead to our most glorious and defining moments.

7. Attempting to micro-manage everything                       

There’s plenty of truth to the notion of creating your own destiny, however this doesn’t mean that you incessantly have to worry about and control everything. Letting go a little will allow you to gain perspective. Once you can see the forest for the trees again, it’s time to take the next step forward. Remember that you don’t always have to be certain that you’re headed somewhere great. Occurrences in life happen in perfect order, regardless of whether you understand that or not. As time goes by in our lives, we all come to understand this principle and see how all the dots are connected.

8. Settling for less than you are deserving of

You should always make it a priority in life to let go of what no longer serves you. Sometimes we need to be floored by a bad relationship or other situation, as hitting rock bottom can actually be the springboard we need for us to stand taller than we ever did before. The tears we cry can sometimes clear our eyes so we can see the possibilities that lie in front of us. Remember not to settle for anything less than you deserve.

9. Forever waiting for tomorrow

We all know life is short, but it’s actually even shorter than you think. If you’re forever waiting for tomorrow, the window for you to do all the things you’ve always wanted to do will silently close, and by the time you realize it has, it will be too late. The choice is yours – do you want to look back on what you’ve achieved with pride, or do you want to make a whole myriad of excuses for the things you haven’t?

10. Not being assertive and waiting for things to happen

For whatever reason, you may feel hard done by due to the hand of cards that life has dealt you, but that doesn’t mean that you are owed anything – by anyone. Focus on developing a backbone, rather than a wishbone. It’s up to you to take responsibility for what transpires in your life. You are equally important to and just as needed as everyone else in this world. Don’t sit around waiting for things to happen, because they just won’t. Your day is now, it’s here. Seize it and go and create the world you want for yourself.
Content Source: Brightside   thro http://www.ba-bamail.com

Natarajan

WHY THE INSIDES OF APPLES TURN BROWN WHEN EXPOSED TO AIR…?

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The insides of apples turn brown when exposed to air thanks to a built in defense mechanism against bacteria and fungus. The trigger for this is damage to the cells, such as when you cut the apple, which then results in certain enzymes within the cells being exposed to oxygen. When this happens, the enzymes react to the oxygen creating an oxidized layer that provides some protection against foreign bodies.

More technically, an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (also known as tyrosinase), which is comprised of monophenol oxidase and catechol oxidase enzymes, when exposed to oxygen will result in phenolic compounds in the apple tissue turning into ortho-quinones or “o-quinones.” O-quinones are what is providing the protection from bacteria and fungi as they form a natural antiseptic.  The o-quinones themselves have no color, but they further react with amino acids and oxygen to produce melanin, which is how we get the brown color on the cut cells of the apple.

If you want to keep cut open apples from going brown quickly as they do when just sitting on the kitchen counter, simply place them in a refrigerator. This will drastically slow the chemical reactions and thus the oxidation process. You can also, of course, limit the apple’s exposure to air via sealing it in an airtight bag or jar. Another option here is to put the cut apple in water for a similar effect.

If you don’t mind a lemony flavor, spray the exposed area in pineapple or lemon juice.  This will stop the polyphenol oxidase from reacting to oxygen thanks primarily to the acidity of the juices which denature the browning enzymes. (This also works with avocados, potatoes, etc. for the same reason.) If you don’t like the taste of lemons, a similar method involves rubbing the surface of the apple in salt, sugar, or some form of syrup.

Yet another method of stopping the browning process is to heat the apple to extreme levels, which if the temperature is high enough is another way to denature the polyphenol oxidase. This is commonly done when making things like apple pie by dropping the apples in boiling water and leaving them there for a few minutes.

Bonus Facts:

  • Cocoa, tea, apple juice, and coffee are all varying levels of brown for the exact same reason a freshly cut apple’s pulp turns brown- polyphenol oxidase.
  • Polyphenol oxidase also is needed in the browning of humans, once again involved in the process of creating melanin.

Source….www.today i foundout .com

Natarajan

Phrases to Avoid in a Professional and formal emails….

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Writing professional and formal e-mails isn’t as easy and straightforward as it seems.

It can sometimes go horribly wrong.

Many people don’t realise that the phrases they use can take on different, sometimes unintended, meanings in the workplace, especially when interacting with crucial clients and senior people in the company.

Having a professional bearing is good, but having professional communicative skills is far more important.

Here are some phrases you should avoid using in your e-mails, unless you want to come across as unprofessional, and perhaps even rude, to the recipient:

1. “I don’t know”

The phrase ‘I don’t know’ is the pinnacle of unprofessionalism as it conveys that the writer is bluntly washing their hands away from the work at hand and is not even willing to find a solution to it.

The ideal phrase should be: “I will get back to you on that subject matter/issue/topic” or “That is exactly what we are looking to resolve/find out/figure out.”

You are certainly not expected to know everything, but reassure the other person over the mail that you will find out what is needed or that you are working towards finding out what you don’t know.

Doing this helps you come across as an efficient and hardworking professional.

2. “Is that okay?”

When you have to follow up, discuss or enquire about a particular issue that you don’t know about, you certainly need the time to do so.

Asking the person if “that is okay” can put them off. If the person replies that it’s not okay, it will make the conversation unproductive and it heads nowhere. Not only does it make you look unprofessional, but it also makes it seem like you are sloppy at your job.

When you know that a particular matter will not be possible or needs time, it’s right to form a crisp reply and end it there without any further words. If the person is not comfortable with the decision, then run it though your boss and respond accordingly.

3. “I am the *designation title*”

Whether you have a junior-level title or a senior-level title, it’s arrogant to start an e-mail with such a sentence.

If you have a junior-level designation, it is better not to include it at all because it comes across as brash and superficial to potential clients and higher management.

4. “Hey”

Never begin an e-mail with the word ‘hey’.

It is far too casual for a professional setting and gives the reader the impression that you are a random person who has appeared form nowhere.

A better way to introduce yourself is by saying “Hello” or “I am *name* from *name of department *.”

It inspires more confidence and gives the impression that you were invited to be included in this conversation.

5. “Thanks”

Anything less than a ‘Thank you’ is righteously believed to be either sarcastic or flippant. The word ‘thanks’ is slightly harsh as well.

Refrain from using it even verbally in the office environment.

6. “That’s fine.”

‘Fine’ is a word that can be interpreted in many ways. It could mean fine in the manner of quality, or it could mean the work is average and not better.

So, instead of confusing the reader with a colloquial term, it is better and more professional to be specific in all the words you use.

Instead of “fine”, say “that is/was a good effort” or “that is/was not up to the mark.”

7. “I’m sorry.”

Saying “I’m sorry” sounds offhand and almost like you don’t mean it at all.

Always keep in mind that when you need to apologise, it is better done in person.

However, if you have to type it out in an e-mail before that, say something like “My sincere apologies for the inconvenience, let us make it up to you by *doing something else*.”

Always apologise and follow it up with a small service that you can extend to the other party with a genuine intention.

8. “Extremely”, “Enormously”, and “Exceptionally”

Avoid using adverbs like these in professional e-mails should be fact-based and not express emotion or emphasise a feeling.

For instance, when you want to say “I’m extremely busy this week,” instead say, “I have a tight schedule this week.”

9. “I’m exhausted.”

While we all know you are bound to get tired after working long hours, saying it in an e-mail is like telling people that you can’t manage your work life.

Successful people know how to work hard and work smart.

10. “!!!!!????”

Exclamation points will be the death of your professional image in a work environment.

Do not use or overuse them at all if you can help it. It looks very childlike, and using them could send mixed signs to the receiver.

Exclamation points are used when you want to tone up your virtual voice or say something in an authoritative manner.

While you may think that you sound like a proactive and efficient individual, it just may happen that you come across as pompous and rude.

Mean well, write smart and sound sincere, and things will work in your favour.

Source…..www.rediff.com

Natarajan

APJ Abdul Kalam 1st death anniversary: This is how the noble soul planned to celebrate his elder brother’s 100th birthday….

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APJ Maracayer, elder brother of APJ Abdul Kalam was like a father figure to Kalam and counselled him on several important decisions and was also his spiritual guide.

apj-abdul-kalam-political-party

APJ Abdul Kalam had planned a “big surprise party” for his elder brother who would turn 100 this November by gathering all the family members at his native place Rameswaram, putting up banners saying ’100′ and playing Tamil songs but destiny had other ideas.
Sixteen years older, APJ Maracayer was like a father figure to Kalam and counselled him on several important decisions and was also his spiritual guide.

But as fate would have it, seven weeks after this planning session Kalam passed away on July 27 last year. Kalam’s aide Srijan Pal Singh presents a tribute to the late President on his first death anniversary in the form of a book “What Can I Give?: Life Lessons from My Teacher, A.P.J.

The book, published by Penguin Random House, brings alive rare personal and unheard-of anecdotes as well as unseen pictures from Kalam’s life. Taking Kalam’s vision ahead, Singh has decided to donate all the royalties from the book to the charitable cause of providing free education to underprivileged children through an initiative called The Kalam Library Project.

On the grand plans made by Kalam for his brother’s 100th birthday celebrations, Singh writes, “In 2015, in the month of May, Kalam’s brother dropped by for a visit. It was a special moment as Janaab A P J Maracayer was about to turn 99 in a few months. His birthday was on the 5th of November. The day his brother was leaving for Rameswaram, Kalam met him over dinner.

He said to me later, ‘You fellow, listen. My brother will turn 99 years old in November. Tell me, now by the end of this year, how many orbits will he have completed around the sun? “This was the question he always asked on people’s birthdays. A true rocket engineer, he loved equating years to the number of orbits the earth had made around the sun and the number of orbits the moon had made around the earth. I was familiar with this question by now.”

“Hundredth orbit!” Singh replied. ”Right. Now listen, you fellow. You see, next year, in November 2016, my brother will be a hundred years old. He has never celebrated his birthday in a big way. On his hundredth birthday, I want to throw him a big surprise party. He would love it, right?” Kalam asked.

Kalam wanted the party to happen at his native place. ”We can also gather all the family – the grandchildren, the great-grandchildren – everyone. There will be about 50 fellows like that,” Singh quotes Kalam as saying. Kalam entrusted Singh with making all the arrangements. Then Kalam was undecided on what gift he should give to his brother. For the next half an hour, both sat planning the details of the party.

“We thought of everything, from banners saying ’100′ to Tamil songs to be played in the party. We came up with many ideas for commemorating the occasion and finally decided to open a 100 libraries across rural India. A 100 libraries for a 100 years on earth. Kalam was very happy with the idea. We decided to begin working on it by July,” Singh writes. The Kalam Library Project was started in December 2015.

“By the time this book reaches you, we would have perhaps already completed the target of opening a hundred libraries.
And by reading this book, you are becoming a part of this project because the proceeds from this book will be used to open more and more such libraries,” Singh says.

Source…..Press Trust of India….27 july 2016

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