Beneful takes play to new places with this inventive Dog Goldberg machine powered by dogs and their favorite toys.
Play. It’s good for you.
Source….www.youtube.com
Natarajan
cheerful attitude
Joke for the Day…” Is there any cheaper way …” ? !!!
One day, a man walks into a dentist’s office and asks how much it will cost to extract wisdom teeth.
“Eighty dollars,” the dentist says.
“That’s a ridiculous amount,” the man says.
“Isn’t there a cheaper way?”
“Well,” the dentist says, “if you don’t use an anesthetic, I can knock the price down to $60.”
“That’s still too expensive,” replies the man.
“Okay,” says the dentist. “If I save on anesthesia and simply rip the teeth out with a pair of pliers, I can knock the price down to $20.”
“Nope,” moans the man, “it’s still too much.”
“Well,” says the dentist, scratching his head, “if I let one of my students do it, I suppose I can knock the price down to $10.
“Marvelous,” says the man. “Book my wife in for next Tuesday!”
Source…www.ba-bamail.com
Natarajan
Qatar Airways to snatch Emirates title of world’s longest commercial flight…!!!
Emirates cannot hold claim to the world’s longest route – a service from their hub in Dubai to Auckland, New Zealand – for much longer. Fellow Gulf carrier, Qatar Airways have announced their service from Doha to Auckland to begin in December.
The world’s longest commercial flight, Emirates’ non-stop service from Dubai to Auckland, may have only begun on 1 March, but it will not be the world’s longest by the end of the year. Qatar Airways has announced their first route to New Zealand, serving Doha to Auckland, to begin service on 3 December.
Qatar will use the Boeing 777 aircraft to serve the route, which was announced by His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker on the opening day of the world’s largest international travel fair, ITB Berlin. In January, Mr. Al Baker had announced the carrier was looking closely at introducing a non-stop service to Auckland as part of extension plans at Bahrain International Airshow.
The service will cover a distance of 14,539 kilometres which will beat out Emirates’ route to Auckland by 339 km. The flight time is believed to be around 18 hours 34 minutes, whereas from Dubai the flight time averages at 17 hours 15 minutes. Emirates was due to add a non-stop service between Dubai and Panama City in February, which was postponed until 31 March 2016. This service would have been the world’s longest in terms of flight time – around 17 hours 35 minutes – but shorter by distance. The route now will not launch until late 2016 or 2017.
The Gulf carrier had intended on launching the Doha-Auckland direct service in June, but held off until the end of the year. His Excellency, Mr. Al Baker said: “We are not going to chicken out, we will definitely fly to Auckland but as a respect to Emirates as they have already launched a direct flight we will wait until the end of the year before we will operate.”
These new services highlight the growing demand of Auckland Airport, and Auckland as a destination. For January 2016, when the airport celebrated 50 years since their official opening, 893,314 international passengers were welcomed. This is the highest number of international passengers ever for a single month, with 43,000 more passengers than December 2015, the previous month with the highest number of international passengers. Compared to January 2015, numbers increased by 9.3 percent.
Auckland Airport were the overall winners of the Routes Asia edition of the Routes 2016 Marketing Awards, which was announced at the event in Manila, Philippines. It is the first time the airport has received the highly regarded accolade, who was also named the winner of the 4-20 million passengers category. The respected panel of judges who chose Auckland Airport was made up of senior members of the airline network planning community.
As overall winners, Auckland Airport are automatically shortlisted for their category at World Routes Awards in Chengdu, China on September 26, 2016.
After receiving the award, Peppy Adi-Purnomo, South East Asia and India Development Manager, Auckland Airport said: “All the work we do is about ‘win win’ and developing a scenario that the business case to airlines work to deliver sustainable air services. We are not interested about short-term success but always look at the long-term and developing a relationship that is right for the airline and also for us at the airport.”
Source….Laura Hamill
Content Executive, Routesonline in www. routesonline.com
Natarajan
This Photographer Will Annoy You And Leave You In Anxious Anticipation…!!!
For Kinfolk Magazine’s recent Adrenaline Issue, photographer Aaron Tilley and Director Kyle Bean were asked to recreate that awful moment when something terrible is just about to happen.
The project emphasizes the curious relationship between what the mind perceives and how the body reacts. The anticipation causes the body to release adrenaline, even if nothing actually happens, and it is believed that this reaction is closely connected to the fight-or-flight response that was so essential for the survival of our early ancestors.
Take a look below to see what they came up with. The pictures are designed to invoke a sense of anxiety and discomfort as we anticipate the sometimes disastrous event that’s just about to occur. Feeling slightly uncomfortable yet?
More info: Aaron Tilley (h/t: Kinfolk Magazine, designboom)
Source….www.boredpanda.com
Natarajan
இந்த வாரக் கவிதை….”காத்திருப்பு” ..!!!
காத்திருப்பு ….
……….
அன்னையின் கருவறையில் காத்திருந்து இந்த மண்ணில்
பிறந்த நேரம் முதல் முடியாத ஒரு தொடர்கதை மனிதனின் காத்திருப்பு !
நம் வாழ்வின் ஒவ்வொரு திருப்புமுனையும் காத்திருப்பின் முடிவில்
அரும்பும் புது மலர்களே … புன்னகைப் பூக்களே !!!
நல்லதே நடக்கும் நாளைக்கு என எதிர் வரும் நாளுக்கு
நல்வரவு சொல்லி நம்பிக்கை யுடன் காத்திருக்கும் நமக்கு
இன்றைய பொழுதின் இன்னல் யாவும் பகலவன் முன் பனி போல்
மறையும் !
நாளை நமதே …இது நம் நம்பிக்கை! காத்திருப்போம் நாம்
ஒரு வளமான ஒளி மிகு பாரதம் காண !
இந்த காத்திருப்பு நிச்சயம் ஒரு சுமையல்ல நமக்கு…அது ஒரு
சுகமான சுவையான முன்னோட்டமே !
Natarajan
These 7 Photos by Indians Just Got Shortlisted in the World’s Biggest Photography Contest…
Six Indian photographers have been shortlisted for the Sony World Photography Awards, 2016. Their photographs made it to the top 115 from about 2,30,103 entries that came from 186 countries around the world.
The Sony World Photography Awards competition began in 2007 and has emerged as the biggest photography competition in the world. , and the winners will share the prize money of $30,000. Their photographs will also be displayed at the World Photography Awards exhibition (April–May), other than being featured in the 2016 edition of the Awards book.
Here is a look at the work of six shortlisted photographers:
1. Prakash Singh, Professional Landscape Category
Prakash, who currently lives in Dubai, took up photography as a profession in 2012. Two of his photographs have been shortlisted under the Landscape Category.
2. Nikunj Rathod, Open People Category
Nikunj is a 28-year-old film director and photographer from Mumbai, and his picture, Bird Hunter, has been shortlisted. He is interested in capturing life on streets.
3. Jaydip Bhattacharya, Open Smile Category
A high school teacher in Kolkata, Jaydip loves to take pictures of faces, people, etc. His shortlisted picture is named Joys of learning.
4. Abhijeet Banerjee, Open Travel Category
Abhijeet Banerjee’s picture Gangasagar Fair shows India’s second largest fair which takes place every year in January.
5. Anasuya Mandal, Open Travel Category
Anasuya Mandal, who is pursuing her PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, began travel photography three years ago. The image captures the Bryce Amphitheater in Utah.
6. Sanghamitra Sarkar, Open Low Light Category
‘
An amateur photographer from Kalyani, West Bengal, Sanghamitra Sarkar, likes to document different festivals in India and abroad. This image – All souls day, was shot in Puruliya village.
All pictures: Sony World Photography Awards
Source…….Tanaya Singh in http://www.the betterindia.com
Natarajan
Image of the Day…. Robin in the backdrop of Moon !!!
First robin of the year
On Saturday, our friend Suzanne Murphy got her first robin sighting of the year yesterday in southern Wisconsin. Spring is coming!
Photo credit: Suzanne Murphy
Suzanne Murphy got a sign of spring on Saturday (February 20, 2016). She reported:
I was shooting a photo of the moon above this tree and a robin flew into my photo! This is my first Robin sighting of the year here in southern Wisconsin.
Photo credit: Suzanne Murphy
Source….www.earthsky.org
Natarajan
Images for the Day….
A picture might be worth a thousand words but National Geographic photographs leaves us speechless. Known for their captivating daily pictures, they also offer an opportunity to dive into the archives of previously unpublished or forgotten images.
The project called Found was established in 2013 to honor NatGeo’s 125th anniversary. The project’s team says that their mission is to bring the pictures back to life by sharing them to new audiences. And even some of the dates or locations are missing, the images capture perfect moments making them timeless.
The photographs are dug up by Guardian of the Collection William Bonner, who still finds them highly inspiring even after years spent in the archives. Together with editor Janna Dotschkal’s love for aesthetics, they make the vintage material shine as new.
More info: NatGeo Found (h/t: DeMilked)
A White Fallow Stag Stands In A Forest In Switzerland, 1973
Loggers And The Giant Mark Twain Redwood Cut Down In California, 1892
Boys Dressed Up In School Uniforms Pose With King Penguins At The London Zoo, 1953
A Man Stands Dwarfed Under The Ape-ape Leaves Of Puohokamoa Gulch In Maui, Hawaii, 1924
Source……www.boredpanda.com
Natarajan
Joke of the Day……” It is Cuckoo….” !!!
It was a typical night of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire…
Regis: “Barbara, you’ve done very well so far – $500,000 and one lifeline left — phone a friend.
The next question will give you the top prize of One Million dollars if you get it right … but if you get it wrong you will drop back to $32,000 — are you ready?”
Barbara: “Sure, I’ll have a go!”
Regis: “Which of the following birds does not build it’s own nest?
Is it…
A – Robin
B – Sparrow
C – Cuckoo
D – Thrush
Remember Barbara its worth 1 Million dollars.”
“I think I know who it..but I’m not 100%… No, I haven’t got a clue. I’d like to phone a friend Regis, just to be sure.”
Regis: “Yes, who, Barbara, do you want to phone?”
Barbara: “I’ll phone my friend Maggie back home in Birmingham.”
(ringing)
Maggie (also a blonde): “Hello…”
Regis: “Hello Maggie, its Regis here from Who Wants to be a Millionaire. I have Barbara here and she is doing really well on $500,000, but needs your help to get to a Million. The next voice you hear will be Barbara’s and she’ll read you the question. There are 4 possible answers and 1 correct answer and you have 30 seconds to answer — fire away Barbara.”
Barbara: “Maggie, which of the following birds does not build it’s own nest? Is it:
A-Robin
B-Sparrow
C-Cuckoo
D-Thrush”
Maggie: “Oh Gees, Barbara that’s simple…..It’s a Cuckoo.”
Barbara: “You think?”
Maggie: “I’m sure.”
Barbara: ” Thanks Maggie.” (hangs up)
Regis: “Well, do you want to stick on $500,000 or play on for the Million, Barbara?”
Barbara: “I want to play, I’ll go with C-Cuckoo”
Regis: “Is that your final answer?”
Barbara: “It is.”
Regis: “Are you confident?”
Barbara: “Yes fairly, Maggie’s a sound bet.”
Regis: “Barbara…..you had $500,000 and you said C-Cuckoo …you’re right! – You have just won ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!! Here is your check. You have been a great contestant and a real gambler. Audience please put your hands together for Barbara!”
The audience goes wild)
That night Barbara calls round to Maggie and brings her down to a local bar for a celebration drink and, as they are sipping their Champagne, Barbara turns to Maggie and asks “Tell me Maggie, How in God’s name did you know that it was the Cuckoo that does not build its own nest?
Maggie: “Listen Barbara, everybody knows that a Cuckoo lives in a clock!”
Source………www.ba-bamail.com
Natarajan
This Indian granny who left thousands teary-eyed…
In the youthful world of Indian advertising, Uma Tembulkar, 78, is an unlikely celebrity model.
Ms Tembulkar is the lead in the advertisement, British Airways: Fuelled by Love, that has gone viral on YouTube and has Twitter tearing up over her.
The six-minute film, uploaded a week ago on YouTube, has had more than one million visitors and made Ms Tembulkar a welcoming face that’s beaming from a billboard at the Mumbai airport.
“Ms Tembulkar brings on a heavy dose of emotion to the ad; meaningful not melodramatic,” says advertising expert Vidhya Sankarnarayan.
“It resonates with Indians like the granny who feels dislocated on flights and connects at a human level,” she says.
An emotional flight
Ms Tembulkar said the British Airways ad was easy to enact because it had “two strangers who show kindness and compassion to each other, breaking cultural and generational barriers”.
A look at the ad would explain why she’s spot on.
The film shows a septuagenarian returning home from visiting her son in London.
She struggles while fastening the seat belt and bending over her arthritic knees to pull on her socks. A young stewardess, Helena Flynn, on her maiden flight to India, comes to her help.
The lady wells up, missing her son. The stewardess comforts her and is invited home by the elder woman.
A visit to the south Indian home is full of effusive Indian hospitality, good food and a slice of culture and a high dose of warmth.
Image copyrightAnushree Fadnavis/Indus Images….Uma Tembulkar lives with husband Mahesh Tembulkar in Mumbai
“I wanted the ad to debunk the stereotype of the uptight British person and rude Indian traveller and Ms Tembulkar touched the right chords,” says director Neeraj Ghaywan, feted recently at the Cannes film festival.
This was the indie filmmaker’s first venture into ad filmmaking and he found Ms Tembulkar “just the perfect face of dignity and affection”.
And the social media response has been effusive praise for the ad.
Today, Ms Tembulkar gets grabbed for selfies on her morning market run to buy vegetables and milk.
Global granny
“It was an honour to act in the British Airways ad and I thoroughly enjoyed travelling to London,” she says.
Ms Tembulkar has been married for 60 years and led life as a homemaker with an enduring passion in Indian classical music that helped her “overcome fear of performing before an audience or the camera”.
She now watches over a brood of grandchildren, who are students in Harvard and Carnegie Mellon, travelling frequently to holiday with her scattered family across the globe. “My passport is the fattest,” she chuckles with quiet pride.
“My life as a model began at 70,” she speaks carefully in English, though she is also fluent in her native tongue Marathi, and Hindi, Bengali and a smattering of Gujarati too.
The actress in her was discovered by young friends at a family gathering and in the last eight years, she has acted in more than 60 advertisements for products as varied as insurance companies, furniture, cooking oils, biscuits and more.
“Look at her: she’s the quintessential Indian granny and her predicament while travelling alone is real. That has made the ad work,” says Mr Ghaywan.
He praises her as a “super granny” who travels alone frequently to visit her children and grandchildren, and understands the “emotional palette with her restrained, yet powerful performance”.
Image copyrightAnushree Fadnavis/Indus ….Ms Tembulkar is the archetypical Indian granny who lives in a busy suburb in Mumbai
Ageism
Experts say ageism has never been a problem in India and has always helped in selling products.
“Like the grandpas from India and Pakistan for the Google ad, age never goes out of style in Indian advertisements,” says Ms Sankarnarayan.
Unlike an earlier generation, the granny in the British Airways ad travels business class in comfort, though not schooled in global travel; she represents the old setting off alone to connect with scattered families across the world and makes a human connection that makes the ad tick.
Many say the ad helps to debunk the stereotype of the rude Indian in-flight traveller.
“Ms Tembulkar does a fantastic job of giving the contemporary Indian traveller a face,” explains Ms Sankarnarayan.
Given the soaring success of the advertisement, the sky is the limit for this granny.
Source……..
Sudha G Tilak is a Delhi-based independent journalist
Natarajan
Take off with Natarajan 