Image of the Day….” Star Trails…”

Star trails over Forbidden City, Beijing

Below, the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, former home of the Chinese emperor and a center of Chinese government. Above, the Forbidden City’s sky counterpart.

View larger. | Star trails over the Forbidden City, Beijing, China. Photo taken January 23, 2015 by Jeff Dai.

View larger. | Star trails over the Forbidden City, Beijing, China. Photo taken January 13, 2016 by Jeff Dai. Visit Jeff on Facebook.

Jeff Dai captured these star trails around the north celestial pole and North Star – Polaris – in a time-exposure image capturing the passage of the time above the Forbidden City in Beijing, China.

What we in the West know as the Forbidden City is a translation of the Chinese name Zijin Cheng, literally Purple Forbidden City. Jeff writes:

The Purple Forbidden City, a world heritage site today, served as the home of Chinese emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government, for almost 500 years.

The Purple Forbidden City is a name with significance in ancient Chinese astronomy. Purple refers to the North Star (pictured in the center of the startrails). In ancient China, it was called the Ziwei Star, and in traditional Chinese astrology was the heavenly abode of the Celestial Emperor. The surrounding celestial region, the Purple Forbidden Enclosure (pictured below) was considered the realm of the Celestial Emperor and his family.

The Forbidden City, as the residence of the terrestrial emperor, was its earthly counterpart.

Traditional Chinese astronomy has a system of dividing the celestial sphere into asterisms or constellations, known as

View larger. | In traditional Chinese astronomy, a large area in the northern sky was known as the Purple Forbidden Enclosure. It was considered the realm of the Celestial Emperor and his family.

Bottom line: A photo shows star trails above the Forbidden City – former residence of the Chinese emperor – in Beijing, China. It’s accompanied by an image showing the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, the celestial counterpart of the Forbidden City.

 Source……..www.earthsky.org
natarajan

Tree Tunnels ….

There are few things more magical than finding yourself walking through a tree tunnel on a warm spring evening. Whether naturally formed or painstakingly created, these tree tunnels are sure to bewitch and enchant anyone lucky enough to walk through them, whether alone or in similarly appreciative company.

If they weren’t created naturally, these places are inspired by nature and created in its honor – after all, it is forever the most beautiful builder. It must be said that some of these places were created by accident, such as the tunnel of love in the Ukraine, while others took years of growth to look the way they look now:

1.  Train Station in Jinhae, South Korea 

beautiful tree tunnels

2. Street in Bonn, Germany

beautiful tree tunnels

3. Wisteria Flower Tunnel in Japan

beautiful tree tunnels

beautiful tree tunnels

4. Oak Alley along the Mississippi River outside New Orleans, Louisiana

beautiful tree tunnels

5. Jacarandas Walk in South Africa

beautiful tree tunnels

There are few things more magical than finding yourself walking through a tree tunnel on a warm spring evening. Whether naturally formed or painstakingly created, these tree tunnels are sure to bewitch and enchant anyone lucky enough to walk through them, whether alone or in similarly appreciative company.

If they weren’t created naturally, these places are inspired by nature and created in its honor – after all, it is forever the most beautiful builder. It must be said that some of these places were created by accident, such as the tunnel of love in the Ukraine, while others took years of growth to look the way they look now:

1.  Train Station in Jinhae, South Korea 
beautiful tree tunnels

 

2. Street in Bonn, Germany
beautiful tree tunnels

3. Wisteria Flower Tunnel in Japan
beautiful tree tunnels

beautiful tree tunnels

4. Oak Alley along the Mississippi River outside New Orleans, Louisiana
beautiful tree tunnels

5. Jacarandas Walk in South Africa
beautiful tree tunnels

6. Tunnel of Love in Ukraine

beautiful tree tunnels

 

beautiful tree tunnels

7. Maple Tunnel in St. Louis, Oregon, U.S.A. 

beautiful tree tunnels

8. Ginkgo Tree Tunnel in Japan

beautiful tree tunnels

9. Blossom Path (Location Unknown)

beautiful tree tunnels

10. Bamboo Path in Kyoto, Japan

beautiful tree tunnels

11. Street in Porto Alegre, Brazil

beautiful tree tunnels

beautiful tree tunnels

12. The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland

beautiful tree tunnels

beautiful tree tunnels

13. Sakura Tunnel, Japan

beautiful tree tunnels

14. Tree Tunnel in Netherlands

beautiful tree tunnels

15. Street in Jerez, Spain 

beautiful tree tunnels

16. Laburnum Tunnel in Bodnant Gardens, UK

beautiful tree tunnels

17. Parque Francisco Alvarado in Costa Rica

beautiful tree tunnels

18. The Path Up To the Halnaker Windmill in Sussex

beautiful tree tunnels

 

Source………www.ba-bamail.com

natarajan

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Message for the Day…….” In our Holy Land, Nothing is Lacking….What Can not be found in India , can not be found elsewhere…”

Sathya Sai Baba

From the most ancient times Bharatiyas considered Truth as God, loved it, fostered it and protected it and thereby achieved divinity.Bharatiyas were devoted to Truth, wedded to Dharma(Righteousness) and esteemed morality in society as the foremost duty. It is high time you realised what a sacred country Bharat is. In this holy land, nothing is lacking. “What cannot be found in Bharat cannot be found elsewhere” is an ancient saying. In spite of these multifarious endowments, this country is being regarded as poor and backward. This is born of delusion. When everything is available within Bharat, why go begging to other countries? Everything has originated from Bharat. Hence, having taken birth in Bharat, strive to promote the glory of Bharat. Every devotee should take a pledge to protect and promote the greatness of Bharat. Like an elephant that does not know its own strength, Bharatiyas are unaware of their power. Despite their myriad capacities, they are behaving as weaklings like an elephant before its mahout. You have to get rid of this weakness.

வாரம் ஒரு கவிதை …..” தொலைந்து போன கடிதம் ” !!!

 

தொலைந்து  போன  கடிதம்
……………………….
நம் முகவரி தேடி  நம்மை  நாடி    ஒரு கடிதம் வந்து  நாம் அதை
பிரிக்கும் நேரம்
பிறந்த குழந்தை ஒன்று நம் கைகளிலே தவழ்வதற்கு சமமான
பெருமித  நேரம் ! ஒரு பொன்னான நேரம் !
“நலம்  நலம் அறிய  ஆவல்”…..  கடிதத்தின் இதமான நுழை
வாயில்  இதில்  நம் கால் பதிக்கும்  நேரம் …  இளம்
 காலை இனிய தென்றல் நம்மை தொட்டு நடனமாடும்
புத்துணர்வு ஒரு ஊற்றாய் சுரக்கும் நம்முள் !
தகவல் தொழில் நுட்ப புரட்சியில் பிறந்த  புது முகம் தன்
முழு முகத்தையும்  காட்டும் முன்னர் , நம் கடித
பரிமாற்றம் எல்லாம் அடங்கின ஒரு அஞ்சல் அட்டையில் !
கிடைக்கும்  இடம் எல்லாம் எழுதி எழுதி கடிதம் அதை
திரும்பத் திரும்ப படிக்க வைக்கும் திறன் சிலருக்கு மட்டுமே
கை வந்த கலை !
கைப்பட எழதிய கடிதம் தொடுவது  நம் கைகளை மட்டுமல்ல ..நம்
உள்ளத்தையும்  உணர்வுகளையும்  சேர்த்துதான் ! இன்றைய
கைபேசியும், காண்  ஒளியும் ஒரு அஞ்சல் அட்டைக்கு இணையாகுமா ?
வலையின் அலையில் நாம் தொலைத்து  மறந்த  கடித பரிமாற்றம்
அதே வலையின் அலையால் மீண்டும் ஒரு நாள் கரை வந்து சேரும் !
காத்திருப்போம்  நாம் கரையில்  அதுவரை !
” மாற்றம் ஒன்றுதான் நிரந்தரம் ஒருவர் வாழ்வில் ” என்னும்
  கூற்றை  மறக்காமல் , மறுக்காமல் !!!
K .Natarajan

Images for the day….” Flowers after the Rain …” !!!

Sunlight and a light rain once in a while keep flowers happy, growing and fresh. Flowers love the water, and they are never as beautiful as they are after the rain. After they have had their shower and drink, their colors are renewed and beautiful. Same goes for other tiny plants, and even the little insects look better after the rain, clean, bright and colorful!

flowers after the rain

flowers after the rain

flowers after the rain

flowers after the rain

flowers after the rain

flowers after the rain

flowers after the rain

flowers after the rain

flowers after the rain

flowers after the rain

flowers after the rain

flowers after the rain

Source………www.ba-bamail.com

Natarajan

Message for the Day……” How to feel the Happiness and Bliss ….” ?

Sathya Sai Baba

Overcoming senses that stray outward is difficult – they are attracted by taste, looks, and feels. The internal tendencies are like pure water which has no form, taste, or heaviness and is good for you! Impure water hurts you and harms you. You must purify your mental behavior, which is presently spoiled by the delusions of the world. If you desire happiness, you must first control and conquer the external delusion. Then your internal tendencies will easily move in the direction of securing bliss (Atma-ananda). Spiritual practices and penance (Yoga and Tapas) are only other names for the path to control and conquer these external tendencies and shield you from delusions. Choose any path through which you feel grace is flowing to you. Liberation is achieved by strict adherence to the rules and observances of following your chosen path. The path will give you the strength to overcome delusion and grant you one-pointedness.

 

Sofa from an Ambassador, Table from a Tractor – This Jodhpur Couple Is Creating Magic from Waste

A  sofa made from the discarded portion of an Ambassador car, a table made from a tractor, rugs made of old gunny bags, and so many other handmade products – welcome to the super creative workshop of PRiti International. Started by a Jodhpur-based couple in 2005, it is a company that takes waste material and turns it into something very useful and unique.

“We don’t just want to make things for decorative purposes. We want them to be useful as well,” says Hritesh Lohiya, who founded PRiti International with his wife Priti Lohiya.

The couple came across this idea after several failed ventures, and have been expanding their range of amazing products since then.

priticouple (1)

Hritesh and Priti Lohiya

“We started many different businesses, but all of them failed. We started a chemical factory, then a stone cutting factory, and a washing powder business. This was the final one,” says 42-year-old Hritesh.

Today, they have spread their work to three factories with over 400 people designing these products. They manufacture many things like handbags from old gunny bags, military tents and denim pants; furniture from waste tins, drums, as well as waste machine parts; and lamps from bike headlights etc.

“We started a handicrafts business in 2003. We were not getting any orders, and it had become very difficult for us to sustain. That was the time when we found some waste tin boxes in the factory. They were chemical boxes and drums. We turned them into chairs and tables. Fortunately, one customer visited our factory that time and liked those items a lot. This was how we entered into the recycling business,” says Hritesh.

They are now exporting to more than 40 countries including China, US and Australia every month, and the company has a current turnover of $8 million. They usually get their raw material from scrap dealers, but as the business is growing, they have also started attending auctions organized by Indian Railways and Army to purchase waste material. The item is first brought to the factory where the couple brainstorms on how to use it in the best possible manner. Once the design is ready, the final product is manufactured by the factory workers. Currently, they are only exporting their products, and they also participate in several exhibitions worldwide where they get several orders.

Take a look at their brilliant work:

Recycling Waste

Recycling Waste

Recycling Waste

Recycling Waste

Recycling Waste

Recycling Waste

Recycling Waste

Recycling Waste

Recycling Waste

Recycling Waste

Recycling Waste

Source…..Tanaya singh in http://www.the betterindia.com

Natarajan

Joke of the day…” You should see my girlfriend …” !!!

A man bumps into an old high school friend he hadn’t seen for a number of years. His old friend was notorious for bragging back in high school – about his possessions, achievements and relationships, so he wondered if much had changed in the time since he last saw him.

It wasn’t long before the man realized his old friend hadn’t changed much at all – on and on he rambled, talking about his amazing job, his huge mansion and the new Porsche he’d just bought himself.

At one point, the old friend pulls out a photograph of his wife and shows it to the man. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” the old friend asks.

“If you think she’s gorgeous, you should see my girlfriend,” replies the man.

“Why? Is she a stunner too?”

“No, she’s an optometrist.”

Source……www.ba-bamail.com

Natarajan

Message for the Day….” How to overcome the external world distractions …” ?

Sathya Sai Baba

Sometimes, when the steering of a car is turned one way, you may experience the wheels dragging the car in another way – this indicates there is a problem you must fix! When the tyres are flat with no air, they behave as if there is no relationship with the steering. But they can never go beyond the bounds of steering. The steering in the hand must be connected to the wheels below for the journey to happen, that connection is mandatory and inevitable. For the one who has struggled with and conquered their out-going senses, their internal instruments become easily controllable. The external world distracts your senses and attracts you and you succumb by becoming objects of experience. To overcome them is indeed a difficult task. But your internal instruments have no form even though they may be endowed with name; they have experienced spiritual bliss (ananda)before, so they can be tamed with greater ease.

Meet Rupa Devi – the Woman Selected by FIFA to Officiate International Matches…..

Rupa Devi, a 26-year-old woman from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, has been selected by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to officiate international matches.

According to reports, she is the first woman referee from Tamil Nadu to be selected by FIFA.

rupa_f

Photo Credit: (L) YouTube, (R) Flickr

Rupa started playing football when she was a student of Class 6 at St. Joseph’s Girl’s School in Dindigul. Her love for the game continued to grow and she started playing at the sub-junior level in her school very soon. She also started participating in district level football tournaments and became a part of the Dindigul Football Federation in 2006. The federation helped her participate in many national matches and also sponsored her education. She continued to play when she went to GTN college in Dindigul for her BSc degree, and then to Annamalai University in Chidambaram for a BEd in Physical Education. She currently works as a physical training school teacher in Dindigul.

“As a child, I used to stand on the sides of the ground where the game was played and kick the ball, whenever it came to me,” she told The Times of India.

According to a report in The News Minute, Rupa lost her parents in 2010 and 2011. She supported herself through the matches she went to play. But during the same period, there were no matches for women at the national level for two years. This was when senior referees advised that she should become a referee. She joined the referee development school in 2012.

She has been a referee for many matches since then. She was chosen as a referee for Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2013, for the under-14 football festival held in Doha. She was the only Indian selected as part of the Asian body’s ‘Future referees’ project at that time.

Three years after beginning to officiate matches and giving the FIFA examination, she qualified as an international referee.

Source……Tanaya Singh in http://www.the betterindia.com

Natarajan