English is a remarkable language. It has borrowed from many other languages. It is a language both easy to learn and difficult to truly master. A few weeks ago, an online survey asked tens of thousands of people to suggest what they think are the most beautiful words in the English language. I must say, I think I quite agree with the words that kept showing up. . So here are the 32 English words considered the most beautiful.
SOURCE:::: input from a friend of mine
Natarajan
Riddle Time: 12 Challenging Brainteasers |
| Get ready to put on your thinking cap. It’s time to rack your brain with these 12 riddles. |
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| 1. I am only useful when I’m full, yet I am always full of holes. What am I?
A sieve (used for straining food like pasta). |
| 2. Fill in the blanks with four, four-letter words that all share the same first three letters.
Samuel the secretive Scotsman was dressed to ____ in his twill woven ____. Little did they know he had a ____ of marijuana stashed away as he innocently warmed his hands by the Scotch ____.
Kill, kilt, kilo, kiln |
| 3. What is special about the number 854,917,632?
It is the numbers from one to nine in alphabetical order. |
| 4. It stalks the countryside, with ears that cannot hear. What is it?
Corn |
| 5. A word with horizontal symmetry is one whose letters are a mirror image of themselves. If you drew a horizontal line across the word and folded it over, it would overlap on itself. Examples: EXCEEDED and ICEBOX. What is the longest word with horizontal symmetry?
CHECKBOOK |
| 6. I travel a lot and meet both the rich and the poor, but nobody knows where I am going next. I’m invisible but you can see what I do. Who or what am I?
The wind. |
 7. King Ferdinand has no immediate living relatives and decides to hold a contest to find a worthy successor for when he dies. He gives a seed to every contestant and explains that the person with the healthiest and most beautiful plant will win the throne.
When the final day of the contest arrives, the king finds hundreds of plants of all shapes and sizes. However, he ignores them and awards the throne to a girl holding a pot with only moist dirt. Why did she win?
King Ferdinand was a kind and trusting man and wanted to be sure he found an honest heir. He gave small pebbles to all the contestants, claiming they were seeds. Therefore, any contestant with a plant had switched their “seed” in order to win. Everyone but the girl had been dishonest. |
| 8. What can go up a drainpipe down but not down a drainpipe up?
An umbrella. |
9. What word could be added to all of these words?
Pine. |
| 10. What goes up and down but doesn’t move?
A staircase. |
| 11. Brandon was walking around at the carnival. A man called out from a booth and said, “If I can write your exact weight on this piece of paper, you have to pay me $50. If I can’t do it, I’ll pay you $50.”
Brandon checked the booth for a scale but saw nothing. He agreed. Since your weight can fluctuate by a pound or two, he decided that no matter what number the man wrote, he would just say he weighed a pound more or less. In the end, the man in the booth won the $50. How did he do it?
The man in the booth wrote the words, “Your exact weight” on the piece of paper. |
| 12. You can have it, and be at it, but it never lasts forever. What is it?
Peace |
| H/T: riddlesbrainteasers.com
SOURCE:::: http://www.ba-bamail.com Natarajan |
The Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft is seen as it lands with International Space Station Expedition 42 commander Barry Wilmore of NASA, Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Elena Serova of Roscosmos near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. The landing took place on the evening of Wednesday, March 11 in the U.S, and early in the morning on Thursday, March 12, in Kazakhstan.
The three crew members returned to Earth after a 167-day mission on the orbital outpost that included hundreds of scientific experiments and several spacewalks to prepare the orbiting laboratory for future arrivals by U.S. commercial crew spacecraft.
SOURCE:::: http://www.nasa.gov
Natarajan
March 13, 1781. The 7th planet – Uranus – was discovered on this date, completely by accident. British astronomer William Herschel was performing a survey of all the stars that were of magnitude 8 – in other words, too faint to see with the eye – or brighter. That’s when he noticed an object that moved in front of the star background over time, clearly demonstrating it was closer to us than the distant stars. At first he thought he had found a comet, but later realized this object was a new planet in orbit around our sun – the first discovered since ancient times.
Later, it turned out, astronomers learned they had observed Uranus as far back as 1690. But it was Herschel who first realized the true nature of this distant light in our sky.
William Herschel’s famous 40-foot telescope, constructed between 1785 and 1789 at Observatory House in Slough, England. It was the largest telescope in the world for 50 years. Image via Wikimedia Commons.
Herschel proposed to name the object Georgium Sidus, after King George III, but those outside of Britain weren’t pleased with the idea. Instead, on the suggestion of astronomer Johann Elert Bode, astronomers decided to follow the convention of naming planets for the ancient gods. Uranus – an ancient sky god, and one of the earliest gods in Greek mythology – was sometimes called Father Sky and was considered to be the son and husband of Gaia, or Mother Earth.
King George III was still pleased, however. As a result of Herschel’s discovery, the king knighted him and appointed him to the position of court astronomer. The pension attached let Herschel quit his day job as a musician and focus his full attention on observing the heavens. He went on to discover several moons around other gas giant planets. He also compiled a catalog of 2,500 celestial objects that’s still in use today.
Voyager 2 gave us our first close-up image of the planet Uranus in 1986. Its images showed a featureless gas giant world.
In 1977, astronomers using the Kuiper Airborne Observatory made another serendipitous discovery – of rings around the planet Uranus. That discovery made Uranus the second known ringed planet in our solar system.
The closest we humans have come to Uranus was in 1986, when the Voyager 2 spacecraft swung by the planet. At its closest, the spacecraft came within 81,500 kilometers (50,600 miles) of Uranus’s cloudtops on Jan. 24, 1986. Voyager 2 radioed thousands of images and voluminous amounts of other scientific data on the planet, its moons, rings, atmosphere, interior and the magnetic environment surrounding Uranus.
Bottom line: British astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus – first planet to be discovered since ancient times – on March 13, 1781.
source::::: http://www.earthskynews.org
Natarajan
While everyone you meet is fighting his own battle, some people stride ahead of others by winning their battle with integrity. Varun Pruthi spotted, or rather had a serendipitous encounter with the richest man in the world.
This video is special because I’ve always found Varun’s “God sent me for you” videos a bit cheesy; he could have just handed over the money & be with it. The God angle makes the videos difficult to digest. Thankfully, this visually-impaired samosa seller has better clarity on life than most others.
His words, “What I make with my efforts in enough for me.” shows his character & commitment to hard work.
SOURCE::: http://www.storypick.com and You Tube
Natarajan
Animals With Unusual Defense MechanismsThe rule of the jungle is “eat, or be eaten”, but it fails to take into account the most extraordinary methods some animals employ to avoid being eaten. Some of these methods can be quite extreme or even disgusting, but they are all intriguing nonetheless. (Some of the images are animated and may take longer to load) |
| 1. Slow Loris |
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| These adorable-looking primates are very slow, making them easy prey for predators. As a response, these tiny creatures developed poison glands, located near the armpits. A threatened Loris will coat itself with the poison, as well as cover its teeth with it. The poison is very powerful and can send predators into anaphylactic shock. |
| 2. The Dormouse |
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| Dormice are tiny rodents that, similarly to geckos, can sacrifice part of their tail to escape predators. The skin of the dormouse’ tail is very loose, so if they’re caught by the tail, it can still escape. However, unlike the gecko – the dormouse can only do this once, as the skin doesn’t grow back, and the tail falls off. |
| 3. African Crested Porcupines |
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| Unlike their North American cousins, the African porcupines have much longer quills, capable of causing serious harm to predators. When threatened, these guys will run backward at an attacker, trying to impale them on the quills. If chased, they will abruptly stop, forcing the predator onto their spiky backs. |
| 4. Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillars |
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| If threatened, the elephant hawk caterpillars change their appearance to resemble a snake. |
| 5. Pygmy Sperm Whales |
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| These are some of the smallest species of whale, making them potentially easy prey. To escape danger, a threatened whale will release an anal “syrup” and stir it in the water to create a cloud of foul-smelling and tasting feces, which it then uses as cover. |
| 6. Cuttlefish |
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| Cuttlefish have some of the most effective camouflage abilities in nature. They can quickly change the color and even texture of their skin to resemble its environment. |
| 7. Texas Horned Lizards |
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| The spikes on its body are not the lizard’s primary defense mechanism – When attacked, these lizards pressure the sinus cavities in their eyes, forcing the blood vessels to burst. The lizard will then shoot a stream of blood at the attacker, from its eyes. |
| 8. Motyxia Sequoiae |
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| One may not notice these millipedes in daylight, but at night, they will use bioluminescence to warn predators away. If the light show doesn’t work, they secrete cyanide from pores along its body. |
| 9. Skunks |
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| With one of the most famous defense mechanisms in the world, skunks have quite a reputation. A threatened individual will spray a mix of sulfur and other chemicals at its attacker. The powerful mix wards off even bears and may cause temporary blindness. |
| 10. Eurasian Roller Bird and Northern Fulmars
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| Young, flightless chicks can vomit a foul-smelling liquid at attackers. |
| 11. Bombardier Beetles |
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| Potential predators of the bombardier beetle can be in for a painful surprise. Attacked beetles spray a mixture of enzymes, hydroquinone, and hydrogen peroxide. When the liquid encounters the air, it will catalyze and reach burning temperatures of nearly 100°c (212°f). |
| 12. HairyFrogs |
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| If attacked, the hairy frog will literally break the bones in its toes, forcing them through the skin to be used as claws. When the danger has passed, researchers believe that the bones retract back to place and begin healing. |
| 13. Iberian Ribbed Newts |
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| A threatened Iberian Newt will push its ribs through its chest, covering them in highly toxic poison and using them to fight the attacker back. |
| 14. Stick Insects |
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| When camouflage fails them, some stick insects can spray a liquid that is both foul-smelling as well as a powerful irritant. |
| 15. Sea Cucumbers |
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| Armed with two defense mechanisms, the sea cucumber can go both on offense and defense. When attacked, they can release a powerful and sticky toxin. Alternatively, a sea cucumber will contract its muscles, forcing part of its internal organs out, making it seem like it is already dead. |
| 16. Octopoteuthis Deletron |
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| Besides squirting ink, the Octopoteuthis deletron can also rip off one of its tentacles to allow it time to escape while the predator devours it. |
| 17. Malaysian Exploding Ants |
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| When predators attack these ants, they spray them with a corrosive venom that they store in specialized glands in their abdomen. |
| 18. Opossum |
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| The saying “playing possum” refers to the Opossum’s behavior when it is threatened – it will fall into a temporary comatose-state, making it seems like it is already dead. In addition, they can also spray a foul-smelling green liquid that can deter most predators. |
| 19. Boxer Crabs |
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| Boxer crabs carry small sea anemones in their pincers, making them look like tiny cheerleaders. Don’t let it fool you, the anemones are highly toxic. |
| 20. Potato Beetle Larvae |
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| The larvae of the potato beetle cover themselves with their own feces, which is both malodorous and toxic. |
| 21. Hagfish |
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| Hagfish have been around for nearly 300 million years. They survived thanks to their ability to expel a substance that, when mixed with water becomes sticky, clogging the gills of potential predators and effectively choking them. |
| 22. Flying Fish |
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| The flying fish has one of the most unique ways to avoid predators – it swims at high speeds (37mph) and then jumps out of the water, spreading its large fins and using them as gliders. A glide can be as long as 200 meters (656ft). |
| H/T: list25.com
SOURCE:::: http://www.ba-bamail.com Natarajan |
In a hilarious talk capping off a day of new ideas at TEDxNewYork, professional funny person Will Stephen shows foolproof presentation skills to make you sound brilliant — even if you are literally saying nothing. (Full disclosure: This talk is brought to you by two TED staffers, who have watched a LOT of TED Talks.)
Will Stephen has written for New York Magazine, The New Yorker, and CollegeHumor, where he also worked as a staff writer and editor. He is a performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater.
This talk was given on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at TEDxNewYork. The theme was “Grand, Central.” For more information, visit http://tedxnewyork.com or follow http://twitter.com/tedxnewyork.
SOURCE:::: You Tube and wwwba-bamail.com
Natarajan
The cosmos is a magnificent wonder, a source of continuous amazement. It will impress anyone, whoever you are, as a supreme marvel. When an object has to be made, we know it needs someone with skill, intelligence, and power to make it. Without a maker, it is just impossible. Therefore, how could these visible objects — the sun, moon, stars, and constellations— move and behave as they do without a Supreme Creative Designer? Can they exist and function with any ordinary power? No. After observing the creation with such mighty capabilities, intelligent people can easily infer how immeasurable the power of the Maker must be. Not just that, look at the uniqueness and variety in creation! No one thing is the same as another; no one person resembles another. This can only be the sport (leela) of the phenomenon with limitless glory – God! No lesser power could be the source. From the mystery inherent in creation, understand the Creator.
The Health Benefits of Brisk Walking |
| It’s bizarre to think this, but these days people just don’t walk enough, or even stand, for that matter. It’s easy to let ourselves move from comfortable seat to comfortable seat, from bed to sofa. But the act of walking isn’t just a chore, it’s something our bodies are meant to do. When we do walk, the body benefits in many great ways. You won’t believe how much better it is to go on regular walks.
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SOURCE::::www.ba-bamail.com
Natarajan
Kon Mai is just 15 years old. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
THESE are the photos that will break your heart.
Hidden in the shadows of a bustling city lies a land of filth and utter despair. This is Along Pi, a wasteland just 30 kilometres away from the Cambodian tourist hub of Siem Reap, which is famous for the incredible temples of Angkor Wat.
Near Angkor Wat is an unimaginable wasteland. Source: Supplied
Every day tonnes of waste are dumped here, forming mountains of toxic compounds and an accompanying stench that is as overpoweringly putrid as it is unimaginable.
Hundreds of poverty-stricken locals are forced to wade through the filth in a bid to find previous recyclable materials such as glass, paper and metal, which they can sell. If they’re lucky, they will make $2 per day.
The garbage generated in Siem Reap has doubled recently. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
Tragically, many of the workers are children.
They have no money so are forced to work here. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
Spanish-born David Rengel visited the dump site to document child labour issues in late 2014, and ended up helping to expose one of the darkest sides of tourism we’ve ever seen.
It’s a wake up call to the world that we must hear before it’s too late.
A truckload of waste arrives at Anlong Pi. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
Mr Rengel said the wasteland has morphed into a voyeuristic tourist stop with guides — a place where dozens snap photos of the unfortunate workers.
Piles of rubbish strewn across the site. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
“When I got to the landfill my initial work was focused on child labour but while I was doing my report I saw that tourists began arriving, sometimes in buses and other times in tuc-tucs (Cambodian taxis),” Mr Rengel told news.com.au.
Buses carrying visitors to the site. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
“It was awful … I asked the people who live and work in the dump if it was an isolated case or if it was frequent and they told me that every day tourists arrive to the landfill.”
He said the first to arrive was a bus carrying 20 tourists, who wore masks to prevent breathing in toxic gas from the garbage.
A group of Japanese tourists arrive with their guide. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
“They were perfectly aligned and followed their tour guide. They were taking photos of families who work in the landfill but mostly they were looking for children, they wanted to take pictures with them. They gave some candy to the children.”
A tourist poses with children that work in the dump. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
Rengel said one tour guide he approached claimed the group were medical students, but he was concerned why they didn’t have any medical instruments with them.
A woman who is working in the landfill demonstrates the use of the hook to tourists. Picture: David Rengel / AnHuaSource: Supplied
His shock is echoed by the charity Friends-International, which assists marginalised urban children around the world.
It has been working with families at Anlong Pi since 2010, which is describes as “a stinking, dirty and dangerous dumpsite, where the daily detritus of Siem Reap provides a working and living environment for hundreds of people — women, men … and children”.
Viku Tupse, 9, poses with a Mickey face, knowing it will please tourists. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
It has also issued a call for an end to the practice on its website.
“Recently, the staff have noticed many more tourists coming to take photos of the site and hand out food support and money to those who work there. They often come in mini-vans/buses, and as organised tour groups,” they write.
The stench is overpowering. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
“This poses a great risk to our work as families are tempted to bring their children (who would normally be at our preschool/non-formal education or actually in public school) onto the dumpsite to beg.
A group of tourists take photos of local children while they’re resting. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
“The behaviour of these dumpsite tourists may be well-meaning, but not only does it jeopardise our work it actually harms the children we are trying to help find alternatives for.”
The inhabitants are forced to burn some of the waste. Picture: David Rengel / AnHua Source: Supplied
Ultimately, there are just some places that shouldn’t be on the guidebook.
A child searches through a rubbish bag at the site. Picture: Friends-International Source: Supplied
A man takes photos. Picture: Friends-International Source: Supplied
SOURCE:::: http://www.news.com.au
Natarajan
Take off with Natarajan 