Source….www.ba-bamail.com
Natarajan
cheerful attitude
Ten legendary eateries in Madras you simply cannot miss …
It is Madras Day – the day a city celebrates its birthday. And what is a birthday without a party and great food? So along with a friend and a foodie Vasudevan, I decided to get all nostalgic and celebrate by heading to some of the oldest eateries in the city that we personally like and recommend.
I am not too much of a lunch or a dinner person, but as a kid, it is the tiffin that has always fascinated me. So I decided to stick to just places we would go for breakfast or for a quick evening meal. While I have been to some of these eateries since childhood – food, being a great favourite of both my parents, it is Vasudevan who curated the list.
We just went to two areas mainly – Mylapore and Sowcarpet with a stop over at Triplicane. This is by no means an exhaustive list and we hope to add to it as we go by.
We also looked at eateries which are fairly old and are favourites with almost every citizen of Madras. The only street vendor we include is Amudha’s Bhajji stall in Mylapore. I dont think there is a name for the stall, but Amudha is in demand. She has an entire set up in Mylapore, near Kapaleeshwar temple on the road and she is flocked by people, even before she prepares her dough. I met her during the Myalpore Festival and I decided to feature her here.
Amudha at her bhajji stall
All these eateries mean more to us than just food. They have a story, a memory locked inside them. I am sure that all of you resonate with the thought as well. So let the emotions flow like the sambar as we go on this first food trail of Madras or Chennai as we know it today as we go on this tiffin trail.
Ratna Cafe, Triplicane
Our first stop of the day is to Triplicane, an area that fascinates me immensely for its heritage, its architecture, its melange of cultures and the food. I want to stop at the Parthasarathy temple for a quick darshan and the puliodharai, but we are a bit late. So we say a silent prayer and continue to one of the oldest eateries in Triplicane, a landmark by itself – Ratna Cafe.
Started in 1948 by a man from Mathura, Triloknath Gupta, the family still manage this very popular eatery. –
Idly at Ratna Cafe
If there is one moment that defines our breakfast in Ratna Cafe, it is this – the waiter brings a contraption that looks like a saucepan and he pours the hot red sambar on the fluffy white idlis, until they are soaked in it. We order a plate of idli and vadai and top it with a plate of crispy golden brown ghee roast dosai, on the recommendation of a friend, Giridhar on Twitter.
The menu is packed in the evenings with so many dishes to choose from. A board announces the same right at the entrance.
Rayar’s Mess, Mylapore
Our next halt. One of the oldest and humble abodes which is very popular with most citizens of Madras, the Rayar’s Mess which has been around for more than 75 years in Mylapore. If there is one dish that is the signature dish, it is the kara chutney. Every foodie, including my father and his friends swear by it. Vasudevan specifically likes the over fermented super soft idlis which literally melts in the mouth.
Breakfast at Rayar’s Mess is usually idli, vadai, pongal served with a variety of chutneys, including the famous kara chutney, sambar and molagai podi. Top it up with filter kaapi. This is what I call elaipotta tiffin (tiffin served on a banana leaf).
Rayar Mess Tiffin
The eatery comes alive in the evening with bondas, rava dosai, kal dosai, adai, vadai, a variety of sweets and more dishes.
We speak to Kumar, the third generation owner, whose grandfather Srinivasa Rao started this. They were Kannadigas who had settled in Tamil Nadu ages ago and it reflects in the food – the recipes are probably the best of both worlds.
Karpagambal Mess, Mylapore
It feels like you are entering a temple. Right from the rangoli or the kolam on the steps to the large pictures of Gods and Goddesses on the walls to the various podis (powder) and pickles that is sold, everything about Karpagambal Mess is an ode to tradition.
Keerai Vadai at Karpagambal Mess
My earliest memory to the place was when it I could not say no to a sweet, Vasudevan recommends kasi halwa, but we finally have wheat halwa. There is also rich badam halwa for those who want to binge further. We stop right here as we have another six more eateries to visit.
Mami’s Mess, Mylapore
Next to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Mylapore is another famous eatery, popular with old timers and the young alike Mami’s Mess. Vasudevan and another friend on twitter – Degreekaapi recommends that we head there to taste thavala vada. But we are unlucky. However our appetite is satiated with the bhajjis and bondas around. Customers flock to buy Kozhukattai, a sweet dumpling made with rice flour filled with wheat and coconut. Although it was renovated recently it is still more than 50 years old.
Bondas at Maami Mess
The dish according to us, that you must eat here is keerai vadai. Vasudevan is also tempted by the vazhai poo adai served with avial, which is absolutely delicious.
Vasantha Mami apparently came from a small little village called Alvarkurichi in Tirunelveli which is very close to our ancestral village and she started this eatery in Mylapore. Her sons take care of it now.
Jannal Bhajji Kadai, Mylapore
Bhajji Kadai was not open
In a little lane around the Kapaleeshwar temple is a small green grilled window on the wall that serves sinfully delicious bhajjis. You stand here and eat to your heart’s fill, be it bhajjis or upma or idlis. Sadly they were shut as they had a wedding in the family. Vasudevan says the Vazhakkai Bhajji is extremely good and my parents are a bit disappointed that I cannot not buy some bhajjis for home, but then, there is always another time.
Kalathi Stall, Mylapore
All in the same vicinity, it is very easy to miss this little news mart, a small shop hidden by trees. The headlines here scream of Rajinikanth and Sachin Tendulkar but what it does not scream about is the recipe of the rose milk which Mani and his family has safely guarded for over 80 years and sells it here fresh. I gulp glasses while Vasudevan buys the rose essence . A couple of women get off their two wheeler to drink panner soda, another speciality. Mani says celebrities have flocked to his shop.
Rosemilk at Kalathi Stall
Novelty Tea House, Mint Street
It is almost dark when we reach Mint Street and walking down the mini streets of Broadway and Parrys Corner is a delight in itself. As we navigate pedestrians, cows, cycle rickshaws, autos, tempos and cars, we find ourselves wondering if we are in Old Delhi or even Ahmedabad. Sowcarpet is one of the oldest locales in Chennai and my father who used to work here knows almost every eatery in the lanes.
Pudhina Dosa at Novelty
We head to Novelty Tea House at the recommendation of my uncle, Kannan and a mutual friend of Vasudevan and mine on Facebook – Sreemathy Mohan. The pudhina onion dosai is what she recommended and that is what we order. I definitely recommend it as well along with the pav bhajji.
Novelty Tea House started as a tea stall in the late 50s by Chandrakant Moolchand Shah and it is now managed by the third generation. They do have branches everywhere, but do not miss the oldest eatery in Mint Street. The atmosphere is an experience in itself.
Mehta’s Vada Pav, Mint Street
There is a branch near my house near Purasaiwalkam but Vasudevan tells me that the the original should not be missed. So in a little stall, barely enough to house a man and his delicacies, is one of the oldest stalls here which sells vada pav and mirchi bhajji. Bhavin Mehta who has been here for more than 50 years proudly says that his is the best. Vasudevan agrees . And you thought, Madras is all about idli and dosai.
Kachoris at Mehtas
Kakada Ramprasad, Mint Street
I know of them since I was a kid as my father used to bring sweets and savouries home. Yet, when I land there today I am surprised to find a huge building, selling everything from jalebis to fafdas, chaats to badam milk. We decide to try out two of their most famous specialities – the aalu tikki chaat and the hot hot jalebis. I am a loss for words. You just have to eat it, sorry, devour it to experience it.
Aloo Tikki at Kakada Ramprasad
Anmol Lassi, Mint Street
They say eat, drink and be merry. We are eating and we are merry, but the drink is missing. So next door to Kakada Ramprasad, is the a former wrestler who speaks flawless Tamil with a great sense of humour, who came to Chennai from Patiala 27 years ago. The board says “Anmol Mohit Patiala, specialist in Kesar Lassi.” He also serves masala butter milk . He says he stands here everyday from morning till night, except on Sundays. ” My wife will divorce me otherwise, ” he says with a laugh as we gulp down the cold icy lassi down our throats.
Kesar Lassi
And finally the rains tumble down as we want to explore more eateries, but we run for cover and walk down the lanes to digest the entire spread from morning. I probably have to starve for the next couple of days and run miles to burn the calories, but then my love affair with Madras just got deeper. Bon appetite and enjoy the many flavours of the city.
If you have not visited all these stalls, you have not lived Madras yet. -!!!!!!!
This was originally posted here.
Source…..Lakshmi Sharath….www.thenewsminute.com
natarajan
This tiny country just outlined a plan to completely stop using oil, coal, and gas….
Recently, there seems to be an uptick in small nations or islands setting their sights on becoming increasingly, or completely, powered by non-fossil fuel energy sources, particularly renewables such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power.
This is welcomed news in a world that – despite recent advances in tackling climate change by the US and China – remains relatively paralyzed in its ability to make substantial changes to how it deals with climate change.
Earlier this year, Costa Rica met the entirety of its national power demand using renewable energy for 75 days straight.
Shortly afterwards, the US state of Hawaii passed legislature decreeing that, by 2045, the entire island will be powered by renewable, sustainable energy sources.
Denmark, one spectacularly windy day in July, generated 140% of the nation’s electricity demand through wind power alone, as reported by the Guardian. Remarkably, much of the excess was given to Germany, Norway and Sweden.
Sweden may have taken this to heart, because just last month they announced that they will be spending an extra $546 million (£360 million) on renewable energy and climate change action, beginning with their budget for 2016.
Sweden is on track for becoming a nation powered by sustainable, renewable energy sources alone by the next half-century.
The ultimate aim is as ambitious as it is honorable: They hope to become one of the world’s first nations to end its dependence on fossil fuels. Solar energy, in particular, has seen its budget increase by 800%.
Although this nationwide goal has not got its own timetable yet, the Swedish government has announced that its capital of Stockholm aims to be powered only by sustainable energy sources by 2050.
This announcement couldn’t come soon enough: The United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held this year in Paris, is beginning at the end of November. Sweden’s – and Denmark’s – climate change initiatives will hopefully influence the less keen attendees of the conference to begin to adapt their own countries’ energy grids.
The Ecologist reports that Sweden is also closing its nuclear power plants, although this is mainly due to their aging infrastructure. Nevertheless, no replacements are planned, with the government preparing to use only renewable energy sources. It should be pointed out that nuclear power plants are often lumped together with fossil fuel power plants as being just as harmful to the environment. However, in terms of climate change, nuclear power plants have a negligible carbon footprint more in line with renewables, as reported in Nature.
Governments often stop using nuclear power plants in response to political pressure, demonstrated by Germany’s recent move. In this case, the Fukushima crisis in Japan – caused by a once-in-a-lifetime natural disaster – prompted the German government to phase out its nuclear power plants by 2022, according to BBC News.
Germany, of course, is a country that does not suffer from tsunamis or dangerous earthquakes; there is a near-zero risk for any such crisis occurring to any nuclear power plants there.
Despite also eschewing nuclear power, Sweden is on track for becoming a nation powered by sustainable, renewable energy sources alone by the next half-century, which is a remarkable feat. Two-thirds of the country’s electricity is generated from non-fossil fuel energy sources already, mainly through hydroelectric and nuclear power generation.
It will be interesting to see how replacing their nuclear power plants with renewables will hamper or assist them on their path to becoming a fossil fuel-free nation.
Read the original article on IFL Science. Copyright 2015.
Source….
Natarajan
Icon A-5: The Folding Airplane….
| The Icon A-5 is a whole new aviation concept. It is designed to be a personal airplane aimed at the domestic leisure market – and people don’t need to be experienced pilots to fly it. The A-5 intends to simplify the flying process so much that anyone can pick up the skills necessary to fly the plane quickly and easily, and it has a whole stack of sophisticated safety features to help it achieve this goal. The aircraft has been in development since 2008 and is moving towards general release, having passed through the first of the necessary regulatory checks. Let’s have a look at this incredible concept and see a video of the A-5 in action.
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A Stupid Criminal Gets Trapped… Watch this Hilarious Video Clip …!!!
Crime doesn’t pay (but unsuccessful crime caught on camera might make others laugh a whole lot).
Store keeps getting broken into. Owner sets a trap and catches a guy breaking in. Hilarity ensues as the burglar panics and tries to escape.
It’s an unfortunate fact that any business owner, home owner, or human (in general) has to protect themselves against theft. In 2013 alone, there were an estimated 1,928,465 burglaries resulting in about $4.5 billion in property losses. (That’s just in the United States.)
This convenience store owner in particular had been robbed multiple times and was sick of letting the thieves get away. So, he set up a clever trap…and recorded what happened.
Please like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surenews
Source….www.youtube.com and http://www.viralnova.com
Natarajan
How do the Astronauts Sleep in Space….
After months of intense training and a white-knuckled trip through the ozone layer at nine times the speed of a rifle bullet, you can bet that NASA astronauts need to bank some rest.
Space sailors log really long hours throughout their days on tasks that require intense concentration, which is why NASA schedules precisely 8.5 hours of sleep per 24 on deck.
How exactly does ‘nighttime’ play out in space?
Astronauts Pam Melroy, George Zamka, and European Space Agency’s Paolo Nespoli, sleep in their sleeping bags, which are secured on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station.
The International Space Station (ISS) orbits the Earth at 17,150 miles per hour, clocking one lap around our planet every hour and a half. Doing the math, this means 16 sunsets every 24 hours — a new day every 90 minutes.
Fascinating, yes, but this unrelenting motion can create colossal jet lag and wreak havoc on an astronaut’s internal body clock.
Hence, Mission Control’s strict bedtime schedule and windows-shut policy.
(Though according to one report, snoozing astronauts still see streaks and bursts of bright color caused by high-energy cosmic rays bursting harmlessly onto their retinas.)
What time zone do they use?
To establish to a regular schedule in zero gravity, Mission Control keeps our diurnal astronauts on Greenwich Mean Time.
I’m guessing no cushy mattresses?
The crew members are provided sleep pods that look like padded broom closets. They have custom sleeping sacks fastened to a wall or the ceiling, lest they float about the cabin.
According to retired astronaut Marsha Ivins, who spent 42 days in space on five different missions, their sleeping bag has armholes that allow you to reach outside the bag to zip it up. You then settle yourself in by tightening the attached Velcro straps. If you don’t tuck your appendages into the bag, they’ll drift out in front of you.
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield offers this video tour of his very own sleep sack aboard the ISS. After showing off his astro-PJs you can watch him zip up and close the doors to his pod.
Pillows?
That’s a whole other issue. Though not everyone wants or needs one, Ivins says she did, to help her neck relax. She actually attached her head to a block of foam.
“You put the back of your head on [the ‘pillow’],” she says, “and then you Velcro the front of your head to it.”
What about parasomnias? Any chance of sleepwalking?
Actually there was one reported case of … drifting.
According to a British reporter, one Russian crew member apparently preferred to do without a sleep pod or sleeping bag. His fellow crewmembers, still awake after he turned in, saw him float by — presumably in the midst of sweet dreams. They watched him “bouncing off the walls, his course set by the air currents that gently pushed and pulled him.”
Do they end up getting their hard eight?
No. As hard as they try to get comfy, most astronauts don’t get enough rest. Many are routinely sleep deficient, logging just six hours of sleep every 24 hours.
However, some astronauts speculate that these short sleep sessions may be the result of the body’s feeling less fatigued in a microgravity environment. Less fatigue may equal less sleep need.
Do they report any weird dreams?
According to dream studies conducted aboard the Russian space shuttle Mir, astronauts experience significantly diminished REM sleep in space compared to us Earthlings. They are therefore continually monitored for any and all ill effects.
“Efforts are planned to understand more fully the spaceflight environment and the role that other factors may play in reducing or promoting sleep,” said Lauren Leveton, PhD, senior research scientist in NASA’s Behavioral Health and Performance Division.
Who wakes them up when it’s ‘morning’?
During the 30-year space shuttle program, which ended in 2011, it was a NASA tradition to have wake-up calls during the shuttle missions. Each “morning” at the scheduled wake-up time, ground operations broadcast a song into the space shuttle cabin. A wide range of musical styles were played, including rock, pop, western and classical.
Each song was selected for a particular astronaut. Sometimes the astronauts requested the tune; other times their families selected a song with special meaning.
Unfortunately, the wake-up service is not available on the ISS. There, the crew must use a regular alarm clock.
Source….www.businessinsider.com.au
Natarajan
” கடி”த்துக்கொண்டே சிரிங்க …. ” !!!
ஒருவன் 2 நீச்சல் குளங்களை கட்டினான். ஒரு குளத்தில் தண்ணீர் நிரப்பாமலே விட்டான். ஏன்னு கேட்டதற்கு…
அது நீச்சல் தெரியாதவங்களுக்காகப்பா என்றான்
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மாடு போல சின்னதா இருக்கும்…! ஆனா அது மாடு இல்ல…!அது என்ன?
அது நீச்சல் தெரியாதவங்களுக்காகப்பா என்றான்
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மாடு போல சின்னதா இருக்கும்…! ஆனா அது மாடு இல்ல…!அது என்ன?
தெரியலையா?
அது கண்ணுக் குட்டி!
கடவுளே ஏன் என்னை இவ்வளவு அறிவாளியாப் படைச்சே?
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கோடீஸ்வரனாக ஏதாவது மந்திரம் இருந்தா சொல்லுங்களேன்
தெரிஞ்சா நான் ஏன்யா நீங்க கொடுக்கற பத்து அஞ்சு பிச்சைக்கு உக்காந்து ஜோசியம் பாக்கறேன்?
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டாக்டர்! தினமும் ஒரு பச்சை முட்டை சாப்பிட சொன்னீங்க! ஆனால் எங்கள் கோழி வெள்ளை முட்டைதான் போடுது! என்ன செய்ய?
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தலையிலேர்ந்து அடிக்கடி முடி கொட்டுறதுக்கு முக்கிய காரணம்
என்னன்னு தெரியுமா…?
தெரியலையே…. என்னது?
தலையிலே முடி இருக்கிறது தான்…!
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செல்போனுக்கும் மனிதனுக்கும் என்ன வித்தியாசம்?
மனிதனுக்கு கால் இல்லன்னா பேலன்ஸ் பண்ண முடியாது.
செல்போனில் பேலன்ஸ் இல்லன்னா கால் பண்ண முடியாது
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ஏன்…. தண்ணி தெளிச்சி கோலம் போடுறாங்க தெரியுமா…!
கோலம் போட்டு தண்ணி தெளிச்சா கோலம் அழிஞ்சிடும்ல..!
😴😴😬😬
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டாக்டர்: கொசு கடிக்காம இருக்க இந்த க்ரீமைத் தடவுங்க..!
: அதெப்படி டாக்டர், ஒவ்வொரு கொசுவையும் பிடிச்சி இந்தக் க்ரீமைத் தடவுறது?
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ராத்திரியில சூரியன் எங்கே போகுது?…
எங்கேயும் போகல…., இருட்டா இருக்கிறதால
நம்மால அதை பார்க்க முடியலை!.
😬😬
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கடவுளுக்கு நம்மை பிடிக்கலேன்னா டாக்டர்கிட்டே அனுப்புறாரு!
டாக்டருக்கு நம்மை பிடிக்கலேன்னா கடவுள்கிட்டே அனுப்புறாரு!
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சோப் டப்பாலே ஏன் சின்ன சின்ன ஓட்டையா போட்டுருக்காங்க?
ஏன்னா, பெரிய ஓட்டை போட்டா சோப் கீழ விழுந்துடும்!
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உங்க ஏரியாவில தங்க வீடு கிடைக்குமா?
ஓட்டுவீடு, அபார்ட்மெண்ட் இப்படித்தான் கிடைக்கும்… ‘தங்க’ வீடெல்லாம் கிடையாது.
😬😬😬😬😬
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ஒரு காப்பி எவ்வளவு சார்?
5 ரூபாய்…!
எதிர்த்த கடையில 50 காசுன்னு எழுதியிருக்கே?
டேய் சாவுகிராக்கி…..அது XEROX காப்பிடா !
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Wife : U had lunch ?
Husband : ( in a fun mood ) U had lunch ?
Wife : I’m asking u.
Husband : I’m asking u.
Wife : R u copying me ?
Husband : R u copying me ?
Wife : Lets go shopping.
Husband : I had lunch.
.
Source…. input from a friend of mine
Natarajan
Top Ten Positive Words and Expressions…
| Positivity is perhaps the most desired of feelings. We feel unhappy because of all sorts of matters, but little do we realize that we’re missing out on something very minor, but extremely profound. It is not only important to be aware of the words we speak, but all the more the ones we don’t. Add the following positive words to your vocabualry and you will see how they are actually the simplest words you will ever need to remember.
A sense of community forms a large proportion of our overall cause of happiness, and how much we cherish it depends on our actions. When you’re in public, there’s no harm in smiling at people and saying a simple “Hello“, when it’s possible. By doing this, you will be prolonging your social bonds rather than neglecting them.
No one knows what the future holds, but hope is the only thing we have that connects us to it in the most positive way possible. Once we have that, we are more trusting of whatever comes our way, and people will see your optimism shining through from the inside. This also creates good vibes with the people we meet, hence spreading more positivity. Don’t forget to use this word as a key for giving good advice.
Remind yourself that there is a solution to everything. Nothing is as bad as you think it is – if it diverges from your expectations, it doesn’t mean you won’t work your way through it. Using “good‘ or “great” enhances your sense of positivity, and besides, they surely sound better to people’s ears rather than a frank “but”.
There’s nothing wrong in wondering about stuff. Having thoughts and questions popping up in your head is absolutely normal. Asking “how” means that you are interested in something, you want to learn, and you want to challenge yourself. As long as it is used for good intentions and in reasonable frequencies, this word can make you seem that you’re taking the initiative in something positively, as in for instance: “How does this work?” or “How can I help?”.
Things can not simply be good, they can be much more than that! In this situation, we would want to express our excitement about what is turning out to be great in whatever we are doing. This is why words like “awesome” and “excellent” are vital for one’s daily vocabulary. Remember that everything can be excellent, if we rightfully decide it is so!
Show that you can give a “yes” now and again. This doesn’t mean you should accept everything you come across, but adopting a ‘yes’ attitude towards life and its opportunities will make others realize you have a strong and reliable character. Avoid too much of ‘no’ and ‘I don’t know’ in your answers and decisions – look at the bright side and open your mind to other options – there’s always room for a ‘yes’.
Where has your enthusiasm gone? Have you forgotten how to be awed at something? Idealism is a nasty tendency that blocks the possibility for a meaningful “wow“. Don’t keep looking into how much better something can be, appreciate that it’s already amazing enough and that what is yet to come is something thrilling! Look for the opportunities that make you say ‘wow’ – you’ll realize how many of them we come across every day but never notice.
We sometimes forget to say the most profound word of all. Let people know how important they are to you by saying the special three-word sentence – “I love you“. Very often, we know it deep down but we fail to say it out loud. Love is something that grows, but also something that can be lost terribly quickly. So before you regret it, spread the incredible feeling within you with your friends, family, and partner in life, not only in words, but also in actions.
Appreciation and gratitude are the greatest gifts of fulfillment you could ever give to anyone. Nothing beats a kind feedback like areward and letting someone know they have done something special. When you use “thanks“, people will feel more significant and respected when around you. Maybe you might realize there are some people in your life to whom you owe a big thank you. Let them know this now before it’s too late, and make sure you put a smile on their faces. You will feel lighter and happier yourself upon doing it.
Finally, don’t forget “me“. Remember: it’s ok to think of yourself a little more often. Think of how you are feeling and what makes you feel better. When we reflect with ourselves, we like to look at our flaws. Rather than doing this, create the opportunity to feel good about yourself, observe your improvements and know what your skills and talents are. No one will ever know them better than you do. Apart from this, never forget that in order to make other people happy, you need to find happiness within yourself.
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” Thank You God…”
| Today, I want to take a moment to say ‘Thanks Be to God’. Today, I want Him to know how grateful I am, for all that I have encountered in my life: the people that have given it more meaning, the opportunities that I have learned much from, the challenges that I have had to overcome, and for each new day that I awake, and am given the opportunity to live my life once again. Thank You God!
Source…www.ba-bamail.com Natarajan |
This Flower Garden … A Paradise on the Land …!!!
This beautiful flower garden, found in the Al Ain Paradise garden in the United Arab Emirates, is one of the most beautiful and colorful gardens in the world. Every year, thousand come visit this aromatic and colorful place.
Watch a video tour of this incredible garden
Source….www.ba-bamail.com and http://www.youtube.com
Natarajan
Take off with Natarajan 