Ambassador Car Ranked No 1 Taxi in The World !!!!

It may have lost out to the more modern competitors from Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Toyota and Honda but the good old Ambassador car, which once ruled the roost in India, has just been voted as the world’s best taxi by global automotive programme Top Gear.

In a show, which is being aired on the BBC, Top Gear’s executive director Richard Hammond organised a world taxi shootout in which Ambassador emerged a winner, beating competitors from all over the globe.

“The winner was India’s virtually indestructible Hindustan Ambassador,” UK-based motor museum Beaulieu, where the ‘World of Top Gear’ featuring vehicles from some of the most ambitious challenges are also showcased, said in a statement.

This particular example proved just how enduring the Ambassador really is when it saw off rivals from Britain, America, Germany, South Africa, Mexico and Russia to be named the world’s best taxi, it added.

The Hindustan Ambassador started life in Britain as the Morris Oxford but, with a quick name change, it went on to become one of India’s most enduring vehicles.

“It’s (Ambassador) so tough that, although it now lives in World of Top Gear, with a quick wash and brush up, it could be back in service tomorrow – probably,” the statement said.

In 1948, CK Birla Group firm Hindustan Motors Ltd began the production of the Ambassador at Uttarpara in Hooghly district, West Bengal.

Till the arrival of the Maruti in the early 80s, the Ambassador was the status symbol in India. Gradually it lost out to various global competitors when it came to personal usage but continued to be the favourite vehicle for government officials and also in the taxi segment.

In the recent past, its sales in both the segments have shown a decline and in 2012-13, the Ambassador sold a total of just 3,390 units. This fiscal, it has sold only 709 units in the April-June period.

 

Ambassador ranked the world's best taxi

source::::PTI in NDTV .COM  ….based on TOP GEAR OF BBC

natarajan

Wonder Cats Perform Martial Arts Moves !!!

Two leaping lions gave a safari tour group something to remember by letting off steam in a spectacular show of kung fu play fighting.

The big cats were fast as lightning during the airborne tussle at the Madikwe game reserve in South Africa.

One executed a kung fu kick while the other slashed at the air before they tumbled to the ground.

 

Gavin Tonkinson, 35, a manager at the Tuningi Safari Lodge, caught the encounter on camera as he led a group of tourists around the reserve.

Mr Tonkinson said: ‘They were in a really playful mood that particular morning and definitely in the mood for some aerial acrobatics.
‘Only the guests and I got to witness their amazing strength and we were all mesmerised at their jumping powers.

‘They do this to hone their hunting skills as well as build their eye muscle co-ordination for the real deal some day.

‘Lions are my favourite animal to photograph on safaris especially when they are in this type of mood. They must have jumped around two metres into the air.

‘I have never seen them jump so high before and I have been living in the bush for the last 13 years.’
Two lions at the Madikwe game reserve in South Africa indulged in some kung fu play fighting to the delight of tourists on safari

The fight began when the pair locked eyes and charged towards each other in a burst of energy

 

The big cats leaped into the air during their clash - but the pair were only letting off steam

 

The lions fell back to the ground, watched by a group of tourists on safari led by Gavin Tonkinson, who photographed the encounter

 

One lion came off worse than its friend in the fight, landing on its back while its opponent looked on

 

source:::HELEN LAWSON:: in mailonline.com UK….Photographer Gavin Tonkinson

natarajan

Photo of The Day …From National Geographic !!!

Picture of a caterpillar in Borneo

JULY 21, 2013

Caterpillar, Borneo

Photograph by Christian Ziegler, National Geographic

This Month in Photo of the Day: Animal Pictures

A lichen-colored caterpillar disappears into its surroundings in Sarawak, Borneo. Staying alive in the tropics, where nearly everything is food for something else, often calls for such trickery to fool a predator’s eye.

source:::National Geographic

natarajan

சாணக்ய சிந்தனைகள் …நினைவில் நிற்கும் பொன்மொழிகள் !!!

சாணக்ய  சிந்தனைகள்….

குருடர்களுக்கு கண்ணாடி எவ்வளவு பயனுள்ளதோ அவ்வளவு பயனுள்ளதே முட்டாள்களுக்கு புத்தகங்கள்

கல்வியே சிறந்த நண்பன். கல்விமான்களுக்கு செல்லுமிடமெல்லாம் சிறப்பு. கல்வி அழகையும், இளமையையும் விஞ்சி விடும்.

பிறர் செய்யும் தவறுகளிலிருந்து பாடம் கற்றுக் கொள்ளுங்கள், ஏனெனில் நீங்களாகவே பட்டு உணர்ந்து பாடம் கற்கவேண்டுமெனில் இந்த ஆயுள் போதாது.

ஒருவர் மிகவும் நேர்மையாக இருக்கக்கூடாது. நேர் நிமிர்ந்த மரமே முதலில் வெட்டிச் சாய்க்கப்படுகிறது. நேர்மையான மனிதனே அதிக சோதனைகளை எதிர்கொள்கிறான்.

பாம்புகள் கூட விஷமில்லாமல் இருக்கலாம், ஆனால் விஷம் இருப்பதாக பாசாங்கு செய்வது அவசியம்.

ஒவ்வொரு நட்புறவிலும் கொஞ்சம் சுயநலம் உள்ளது. சுயநலமற்ற நட்புறவு இல்லவேயில்லை. இதுதான் கசப்பான உண்மை!

எந்த ஒரு வேலையைத் தொடங்குவதாக இருந்தாலும் முதலில் உங்களிடம் நீங்களே 3 கேள்விகளை கேட்கவேண்டும்: நான் ஏன் இதனைச் செய்யவேண்டும், முடிவுகள் என்னவாகவிருக்கும், நான் இதில் வெற்றி பெறுவேனா? இந்தக்கேள்விகளை ஆழமாகச் சிந்திக்கும்போதுதான் திருப்திகரமான விடைகள் கிடைக்கும். முயற்சி செய்யுங்களேன்.

பயம் உங்களை நெருங்கும்போது அதனை தாக்கி அழியுங்கள்!

உலகின் ஆகப்பெரிய சக்தி இளமையும் பெண்ணின் அழகும்தான்!

ஒரு வேலையத் துவங்கிவிட்டீர்களென்றால் அதன் விளைவுகள் பற்றி அச்சப்படக்கூடாது. கைவிடாதீர்கள்! நேர்மையாக பணியாற்றுபவர்கள் மகிழ்ச்சியானவர்கள்.

மலரின் மணம் காற்றின் திசைவழி மட்டுமே செல்லும், ஒரு நல்ல மனிதனின் நற்தன்மை அனைத்து திசைகளுக்கும் செல்லும்.

விக்கிரகங்களில் கடவுள் இல்லை. உங்கள் உணர்வுகளே உங்கள் கடவுள். ஆன்மாவே கோயில்.

மனிதன் செயலினால் உயர்ந்தவனே தவிர பிறப்பினால் அல்ல.

உங்களை விட தகுதியில் உயர்ந்தவர்களிடமோ, தாழ்ந்தவர்களிடமோ நட்பு பாராட்டாதீர்கள், இந்த நட்பினால் மகிழ்ச்சி ஏற்படாது.

முதல் 5 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு உங்கள் குழந்தைகளை அன்புடன் நடத்துங்கள். அதன் பிறகு கண்டியுங்கள், 16 வயது ஆகிவிட்டதா நண்பராக நடத்துங்கள், வளர்ந்த உங்களுடைய குழந்தைகளே உங்கள் சிறந்த நண்பர்கள்.

source::::input from a friend of mine…

natarajan

Have You Noticed the Change !!!!!

Facebook’s new and old logos are almost indistinguishable. Here is the old one:

Facebook's new and old logos are almost indistinguishable. Here is the old one:

And here is the new one. Now the “F” has no definitive bottom.

And here is the new one. Now the "F" has no definitive bottom.

 

Up through May 2013, Rupert Murdoch kept his company named “20th Century Fox.”

Up through May 2013, Rupert Murdoch kept his company named "20th Century Fox."

 

It has finally entered the 21st century.

 

It has finally entered the 21st century.

 

 

Motorola’s logo used to look like this:

Motorola's logo used to look like this:
It changed to this in June. In case you missed the familiar color scheme, the bottom line reminds you that it is a Google company. The letters are also now in lowercase.

It changed to this in June. In case you missed the familiar color scheme, the bottom line reminds you that it is a Google company. The letters are also now in lowercase.

 

source:::::businessinsider.com

natarajan

Think Differently !!!… See What China Is Doing !!!

It’s a difficult conundrum faced by many countries around the world – how to produce enough food for an ever-increasing population when land and space is rapidly running out.
But it appears China may have come up with an answer with its plans for space-saving vertical farms .Overcrowded China solves space shortage issues by building 187-metre-high vertical farms to grow fruit and veg.

They may look more like tower accommodation blocks usually found in big cities, but these 187-metre-high skyscrapers would only be used to grow vegetables and fruit.

The plans to build in the vertical farms in Tai Po, Hong Kong, come after the country’s rapid urban expansion in recent years which has seen much of its usable farmland disappear
.

Despite still having one of the largest agricultural outputs – feeding 20 per cent of the world’s entire population, only 15 per cent of all its land is suitable for farming and only around 1.2 per cent permanently supports crops.

And with its cities expanding in size by ten per cent annually since 2000, its farmland is becoming increasingly under threat.

This coupled with the world’s ever-expanding population has led to fears of future face food shortages action isn’t taken soon

But Spain-based architectural firm JAPA believes its model could solve this problem with its Dyn-net or Dynamic Vertical Networks model.

This would be a series of high-rise towers located on the outskirts of cities that could supply the food needs of the metropolis.

The structures would be made out of lightweight yet high tensile materials using as many recyclable resources as possible.

The shifting floors of the structure, inspired by China’s traditional rice farms, means each ring of the building can change its position to best suit the plants, such as making them receive the maximum amount of sunlight or moisture.

The system would also use hydroponics to grow produce, using little to no soil at all, and would even have labs to better monitor growth and nutritional value of the crops.

Visitors would be allowed into the building so they can learn more about local agriculture and get to witness the 360 degree panoramic views each platform offers.

The buildings could put an end to China’s difficulty in finding enough arable land to farm, which has been a problem throughout its history, leading to chronic food shortage.

While the production efficiency of its farmland has grown over time, efforts to expand to the west and the north have held limited success because of the colder and drier climate than its traditional farmlands to the east.

Since the 1950s, China’s farm space has also been under pressure by the increasing land needs of industry and cities.

The company has suggested Tai Po District in Hong Kong which is the second largest administrative district and has a surrounding unused area of some 14,800 hectares in the northeast New Territories, as the idea site to test the farming skyscrapers.

The firm believes the structures would be able to feed the entire population of the surrounding Kowloon-Hong Kong area.

Because of China's limited space for farming, there are plans to create these vertical structures which provide food while saving land space

While the production efficiency of farmland has grown over time, efforts to expand to the west and the north have held limited success

 

Strategic rethink of the Asian City:

 

The farming towers will create more agricultural land by building upwards and using cutting-edge technology to grow as much produce as efficiently as possible

 

Not only will the towers provide food but also spectacular 360 degree viewing platforms and spaces to research on farming techniques

Not only will the towers provide food but also spectacular 360 degree viewing platforms and spaces to research on farming techniques

source::::SUZANNAH HILLS     in   mailonline .com UK

natarajan

 

 

 

Vegetables That Boost Your IMMUNE System !!!

Adding immune-boosting vegetables to your diet is one of the most critical lifestyle changes you can make. The difference veggies make in your health is worth any effort. They reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and some cancers.

Veggies help you not only get well and stay well but also look good! When your body gains nutritional sufficiency from vegetables, your hair, skin, and eyes all show the signs of health.

Don’t hesitate to load your plate (with a minimum of two) of the following veggies:

1

Cruciferous vegetables are the gold standard in immune-boosting vegetables.

Although all vegetables have nutrients and some protective powers, for these vegetables, it’s off the charts. Cruciferous vegetables have a special chemical composition: They have sulfur-containing compounds that are responsible for their pungent flavors. When they’re broken down by biting, blending, or chopping, a chemical reaction occurs that converts these sulfur-containing compounds into isothiocyanates(ITCs). ITCs prevent and knock out cancer and have infinite proven immune-boosting capabilities.

They contain antiviral and antibacterial agents that keep you disease free. Adding the following cruciferous vegetables to your daily plate is like taking an anticancer pill: arugula, beet greens, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radishes, red cabbage, turnip greens, or watercress.

2

Garlic is surely one of the world’s most potent medicines, and its potent smell is what makes it so powerful.

The active ingredient allicin turns into organosulfurs, which are the compounds that keep your cells safe from all the destructive cellular processes that can cause major chronic diseases. Garlic is a natural antiseptic; it prevents cancer, fights infection, and prevents colds. Research also states that garlic may prevent or decrease chronic diseases associated with age, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, cancer, immune disorders, brain aging, cataracts, and arthritis.

3

Onions are rich inquercetin, a powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk of cancer.

Like garlic, onions also contain the amazing compound allicin. Red and purple onions containanthocyanins, the same antioxidants that make berries so robust in healing powers. In addition to being extraordinary at preventing and healing cancer, the quercetin contained in onion makes them a safe therapy for allergies; it also helps prevent heart disease and reduce high blood pressure.

4

The power of mushrooms comes from their ability to enhance the activity of natural killer T cells (NKT).

These NKTs attack and remove cells that are damaged or infected by a virus. Mushrooms are associated with decreasing most cancers and significantly reducing the risk of breast cancer in women. They prevent DNA damage, slow cancer or tumor growth, and prevent tumors from acquiring a blood supply.

5

Tomatoes are also the richest source of the exceptionally potent antioxidant lycopene,a substance that prevents cancer, particularly cancer of the prostate.

Tomatoes also have high levels of beta carotene, an antioxidant that supports the immune system. They have high dietary fiber and taste delicious raw or cooked.

6

Beets are an amazing blood purifier.

Beets are rich in iron and produce the disease-fighting white blood cells. They also stimulate red blood cells and improve the supply of oxygen to the cells. Beets prevent cancer and heart disease, and the detoxifying properties make them good for your organs. Beets are also high in fiber and nourishing for digestive health.

7

Spinach is rich in beta carotene, which the body transforms into vitamin A, triggering your immune response to keep you well.

Spinach prevents cancer and heart disease and is rich in the disease-fighting mineral zinc. The vitamin C helps you resist colds and infection and keeps your skin healthy; the B vitamins keep you calm and more energetic.

8

Asparagus’s biggest talent is its ability to encourage the body to flush out toxins, due to its natural diuretic abilities.

Asparagus is both cleansing and anti-inflammatory to the body. It has the antioxidant glutathione,which can lower your risk factor for heart disease and cancer. It’s useful for all inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome.

9

Artichoke supports the liver.

The substance cynarin gives artichoke its detoxifying qualities. Artichokes’ B vitamins increase mental alertness and strengthen your immunity.

10

Red bell pepper is bursting with vitamin C, making it a powerful immune builder.

Red bell pepper’s high level of beta carotene turns into vitamin A, making it a strong defense against disease. Although green and yellow peppers are certainly healthy, they’re more superfoodish. Although they both have similar amounts of vitamin C, red bell peppers have quite a bit more of the superstar beta carotene.

 
11

Sweet potatoes are far superior than the run-of-the-mill white potato.

The orange variety contains beta carotene, which makes them filled with robust antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer abilities. They’re also full of fiber and the vitamin E they contain is healthy for the skin.

source ::::: Wendy Warner and Kellyann Petrucci from Boosting Your Immunity For Dummies  in bbc.com

natarajan

“SMS” Lingo Takes a Toll On Language Vocabulary !!!

 In ancient times, it used to take ages to deliver and convey messages from one place to another. But, thanks to the massive development in the field of information technology, the world has now turned into a global village where any messages or information is delivered in the speed of light.

SMS, e-mail, social networking sites are now speedy ways to send messages. SMS turns out to be a hit among all as it is an inexpensive way of conveying messages. Unfortunately SMS is now tagged along with its own set of short forms and spellings that are no where the correct form and are known to everyone as ‘SMS lingo’. The students are the most affected ones when it comes to the habit of using SMS language as it saves their time while taking down notes in classroom or while writing assignments, reported Kevin Mendonsa and Saira Kurup for TOI.

They use this SMS lingo without realizing the consequences of it. Most of the time teachers tend to take a closer look at the notes out of curiosity at the speed of the students jotting down notes in class, and are often amazed to find the notes full of SMS jargon. All this happens despite the warnings given by the teachers not to use such language in their academics, especially during exams. Some teachers even correct such mistakes on the spot.

 

The students confessed of not using the SMS lingo deliberately but it is due to their regular use of sending text messages and chatting that makes them mix up with writing the same in exams. Kush Parikh, a class XII student of Prakash School in Ahmedabad is worried and said “Wanna , gonna, nuf (enough), dis and many more have unknowingly become part of my vocabulary and all my efforts to avoid them are in vain. I am looking for a way out.”

Most of the academicians are concerned on the ongoing deterioration of the usage of English language and its grammatical forms due to the passion for SMS shorthand and felt that strong action should be taken, mainly at times of examination. KS Rangappa, vice-chancellor, University of Mysore, expressed “Obsession with SMS lingo is marring the language and evaluators must deduct marks if it is used in exams,” reported TOI.

 

“Some common words you find in notebooks are ‘dat’, thnx’, ‘tmrw’. To curb this problem, we have started deducting their marks,” added Anjali Sharma, coordinator at St Soldier’s School, Mohali.

Deducting marks for using SMS words is also a difficult thing for teachers as more than 70 percent of students commit this mistake. The teachers frequently make the correction themselves.

Sonal Narang, Vice-Principal of Ahmedabad’s Anand Niketan School stated that “The problem starts right from class V and is more serious among class VII and VIII students,” as told to TOI.

On the other hand, the teachers and students of the capital city Delhi asserted that most of its classrooms are free from the SMS lingo mania as the students are aware that such lingo are meant for mobile phone usage only.

With more youth getting hooked on to social media through the smartphones, there is a fear that the English languages might get eroded in the name of ease.

 

Source:::::siliconindia net&  Times of India

natarajan

Message For The Day… Get Your Manava Guna Transformed into Madhava Guna ….

Human beings are a mixture of Divinity, Demon and Human (Daiva, danava and manava). The wickedness of the ogre can be overcome by the quality of mercy and charity (daya), sympathy and empathy. Pride can be overcome through self-control (dama), detachment, and renunciation; Egoism can be overcome by following the code of conduct (dharma) prescribed by the impartial sages, and by channelizing your instincts and impulses into fruitful action. When these three Gunas are thus sublimated, Manava (human) is transformed into Madhava (God). Make the best use of your Guru. Acquire from Him the skills for winning peace of mind and bliss (shanti and santosha), the Grace of God, the lessons of spiritual practice (Sadhana), and the fruits of good and holy company (sathsang); do not fritter away your energy and time, seeking sensory satisfaction in ungodly company.

 

Sathya Sai BabaG

Best of National Geographic Images !!!

From the world’s mightiest and most elusive creatures, to spectacular landscapes in the farthest flung corners of the globe, National Geographic has been capturing the wonder and diversity of our planet and its inhabitants for more than a century.
Since 1888, National Geographic magazine has brought the people and places of our immense planet into the homes – and imaginations – of millions of readers.
Printed in 37 languages, and instantly recognizable by the yellow-bordered cover, the magazine is revered for its world-class imagery, showcasing the talents of its intrepid photographers.
The publication is now celebrating its landmark 125th anniversary.

Some of its most striking images that capture and encapsulate the beauty of the four corners of the globe

A boy sits on top of a car on Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas

 

A boy sits on top of a car on Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas


Cambodian villagers celebrate as they get a fresh water well for the first time

Cambodian villagers celebrate as they get a fresh water well for the first time

A man descends into Majlis al Jinn cave, Oman

A man descends into Majlis al Jinn cave, Oman

A lioness and her cubs huddle together

A lioness and her cubs huddle together.

 

Two ostriches (Struthio camelus) inquisitively look over a wooden plank fence

Two ostriches (Struthio camelus) inquisitively look over a wooden plank fence

Monarch butterflies in flight

Monarch butterflies in flight

An Adelie penguin jumping on an iceberg

An Adelie penguin jumping on an iceberg.

 

Pride of the Serengeti Plains: A pride of lions - including five lionesses and eight cubs rests near a hilltop waterhole

Pride of the Serengeti Plains: A pride of lions – including five lionesses and eight cubs rests near a hilltop waterhole

 

A Tibetan girl dressed in traditional clothes for a horse festival

A Tibetan girl dressed in traditional clothes for a horse festival

California loggers and a giant Mark Twain Redwood that they cut down in 1892

California loggers and a giant Mark Twain Redwood that they cut down in 1892

 

Schoolboys wrestle in snow, Deerfield, Massachusetts

Schoolboys wrestle in snow, Deerfield, Massachusetts

 

Lightning bugs at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

Lightning bugs at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

 

 Tumbleweed in mid air over the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Tumbleweed in mid air over the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah

Aerial of large crowd at the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro
Aerial of large crowd at the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro

Calcutta's streets crammed with vendors, pedestrians and taxis
Kolkata”s streets crammed with vendors, pedestrians and taxis

Oak trees at night under a starry sky along the Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina

Oak trees at night under a starry sky along the Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina

A bison in steam during winter, Yellowstone National Park

A bison in steam during winter, Yellowstone National Park

source:::::mailonline.com US

NATARAJAN