learnings – Page 134 – Take off with Natarajan

Image of the Day….First Notable Solar Fire of 2015 …

January 15, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

First Notable Solar Flare of 2015

The sun emitted a mid-level solar flare, peaking at 11:24 p.m. EST on Jan. 12, 2015. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the sun constantly, captured an image of the event. Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth’s atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however — when intense enough — they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO

SOURCE:::: http://www.nasa.gov

Jan 15 2015

Message For the Day…” Learn From SUN God about Selfless and Tireless Service …”

January 15, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Today the Sun-God begins his northward journey, the auspicious Uttarayana. Let this Sankranthi bring about a change in your attitude, so you sanctify your life. Ability to Change (Kraanthi) and Peace(Shanthi) both reside within your heart. Do not search for them in the outside world. Discover them within. Today is another pointer to the path to realise God. The Sun is the supreme example of selfless and tireless service. Life on earth is possible only because of the Sun. The Sun teaches everyone the lesson of humble devotion to duty, without any conceit. Sun God is a shining example and reminder for everyone that they should do their duty with devotion and dedication. Selflessly doing one’s duty is the greatest Yoga, says Lord Krishna in the Gita. Serve your parents and society, and lead a godly life! Hence let your actions and thoughts be good. You will certainly experience the Bliss Divine.

Sathya Sai Baba

Automatic Aircraft Tracking System of Qatar Airways ….

January 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Qatar Airways is the first airline in the world to test automatic aircraft tracking. Source: News Limited

QATAR airways is carrying out tests to become the first airline in the world to install an automatic tracking system that would replace the current radar system.

Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker told a press conference in Doha that the technology was being tested ahead of a fleet wide roll out.

“Once this has been proven and all the bugs have been cleared then Qatar Airways will, I hope, be the first airliner to introduce this in all our planes,” he told reporters.

Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, hopes the new system will be rolled out fleet wide. Source: AFP

In response to worldwide pressure for tighter airline monitoring after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, the new system will stream flight data from a planes black box directly to an airline’s operation centre on the ground in real time.

Reported in Bloomberg, it is part of an aviation safety overhaul as the industry comes under scruity for being unable to explain the mysterious fate of MH370.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) set up an expert task force in June 2014 to review current tracking methods and highlighted three areas of concern. These were installing tamper proofing airline tracking, tracking to one nautical mile or better and giving airlines one year to implement the recommended new system.

Qatar Airways has always stayed ahead of the game and was recently delivered the new Airbus A350 at an inaugural ceremony in Doha. Source: AFP

The IATA however has come under fire from some airlines who say adopting these new criteria within a year is unreasonable. The International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations aviation regulator, has instead proposed that commercial planes be required to report their position every 15 minutes.

Qatar’s decision to install this new type of tracking means that its planes will be automatically tracked from takeoff to landing without control from pilots, removing any issues of tampering and providing real-time aircraft monitoring.

SOURCE::: http://www.news.com.au

Natarajan

Jan 14 2015

Money lessons from Makar Sankranti ….!!!

January 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Let’s take you on a fun journey on kites and Sankranti traditions and guess what? You can learn a thing or two about financial planning from it as well.

Photograph: K Krishnan/Wikimedia Commons

Come January 14 and the Indian skies will break into a riot of colours, as people celebrate Makar Sankranti. Kites of different shapes, sizes, colours and texture will vie in sky with each other to make a place for themselves and entangle in a pursuit to outdo the rest. As you are busy preparing for this festival of kites and friendly combat, have you really thought about its significance, and why kites are flown on Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti (Uttarayan or Pongal or Poush Sankranti as it is called in other parts of India) coincides with the day the Sun leaves the tropic of Cancer to move towards the tropic of Capricorn (called Makar in India). It is a day of great jubilation for farmers as it marks the end of the biting winters and the beginning of the new harvesting season. This day is therefore celebrated as a Thanksgiving for ending the harsh winters and a bountiful harvest.

Significance of flying kites on Sankranti

Sankranti has a philosophical significance in India as well. The word Sankranti literally means ‘movement’, and it is the day for the human race to realise and be thankful for movement. If there was to be no movement within and without our bodies, we would all be dead! But just like yin and yang in China, the concept of movement must be contrasted and appreciated against the stillness. Therefore, when we fly kites in the lap of the still skies, it is a reiteration of our thankfulness for this very movement!

Indian traditions are also rooted deeply in science and so is the tradition of kite flying on Sankranti. When we fly kites on Sankranti, we expose ourselves to the rays of the Sun. On this day when the Sun begins its journey towards the other hemisphere, it is expected to be benevolent and emanate rays that have medicinal benefits.

During the winters our bodies are usually infected with cold and other infections which are eradicated by the direct exposure to the Sun’s rays on this particular day.

Makar Sankranti traditions:

In Maharashtra, the ‘Til Gul’ ( a sweet made of sesame seeds and jaggery) are prepared in homes to mark the harvest of the first sugarcane crop of the year (out of which jaggery is made).
In Gujarat Makar Sankranti is referred to as Uttarayan, and kites are flown to wake the Gods from their winter slumber and bless farmers’ harvests.
In West Bengal this festival is referred to as ‘Poush Sankranti’ and is celebrated as a harvest festival where a variety of sweets such as Pithey, Puli, Patisapta are made with freshly harvested rice flour and jaggery made out of date palms.
In Uttar Pradesh it is believed that taking a holy dip in the Ganges on this day provides ‘Moksha’ or salvation from sins.
Makar Sankranti is referred to as Pongal in Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states, where it is celebrated as a three day festival which include lot of festivities.

Some financial lessons you can learn Makar Sankranti:

Get set for a flight:

Financial planning is not just about making a plan and keeping it static. You need to keep reviewing it and armed with proper resources and research of the markets you need to seize the opportunities that arise in the economic environment to enhance your portfolio. This is akin to kite flying where you need to customise a kite as per your abilities, have the perfect manjha or string and set it to flight to soar above the rest when the wind is in your favour.

Keep your eyes on your kite:

When you are flying a kite, you cannot for a moment be careless and lose sight of how or in which direction your kite is flying. Similarly, in financial planning you have to be vigilant of the course that your investments are taking and review your investments to see that your financial goals both short term and long term are being met.

Be flexible

While flying kites people shout out ‘dheel de!’ to their companions. It means when you are in the midst of a strong gust of wind you have to let go the string off and adapt to the situation. Similarly, when it comes to an investment climate, things are not always perfect. You have to be patient and sometimes bear some temporary losses, but never lose sight of your vision of meeting your financial goals.

So now armed with this new found knowledge of Makar Sankranti, go ahead and fly those kites with new found fervour! Kai Po Che!

SOURCE:::: Rajiv Raj in http://www.rediff.com

Natarajan

Jan 14 2015

Image of the Day…. Jan. 12, 1986 Early Morning Space Shuttle Launch !!!

January 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

On Jan. 12, 1986, the space shuttle Columbia launched at 6:55 a.m. EST from Kennedy Space Center on the STS-61C mission. It was the first spaceflight for now-NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, who was a Pilot on the STS-61C crew along with Mission Commander Robert L. Gibson, Mission Specialists Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, Steven A. Hawley and George D. Nelson and Payload Specialists Robert J. Cenker of RCA and U.S. Rep. (now Senator) Bill Nelson. During the six-day flight, crew members deployed the SATCOM KU satellite and conducted experiments in astrophysics and materials processing. The mission was accomplished in 96 orbits of Earth, ending with a successful night landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Jan. 18, 1986. Image Credit: NASA

SOURCE:::: http://www.nasa.gov

Natarajan

Jan 14 2015

Image of the Day…. Rare Ice Halo Display !!!

January 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Rare ice halo display in New Mexico

Ice halo display captured by Joshua Thomas in Red River, New Mexico on the morning of January 9, 2015.

The U.S. National Weather Service in Amarillo, Texas posted this photo on its Facebook page this weekend. Joshua Thomas in Red River, New Mexico captured these magnificent arcs in the sky on the morning of January 9, 2015. Look below for a labeled version of the same photo.

Ice halos are commonly seen by those who look at the skies; we receive several photos of ice halos from somewhere in the world every week, especially in wintertime. Often, we’ll receive many such photos, across a particular region, sometimes for several days in a row. Most ice halos appear as a circle or ring around the sun or moon. Sometimes, if conditions are just right, you do see these wonderful, rare events when the whole sky is filled with halo arcs.

Ice halos are caused by ice crystals in the upper atmosphere, which both refract and reflect sunlight or moonlight.

SOURCE:::: http://www.earthsky.org

Natarajan

Jan 14 2015

” படித்து ரசித்தது… சிந்திக்கவும் ஒரு நொடி …” !!!

January 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

உன்னை உயர்த்தும் 7 அதிசயம் ..!

1) ஏழ்மையிலும் நேர்மை
2) கோபத்திலும் பொறுமை
3) தோல்வியிலும் விடாமுயற்சி
4) வறுமையிலும் உதவிசெய்யும் மனம்
5) துன்பத்திலும் துணிவு
6) செலவத்திலும் எளிமை
7) பதவியிலும் பணிவு

வழிகாட்டும் ஏழு விஷயங்கள்

1) சிந்தித்து பேசவேண்டும்
2) உண்மையே பேசவேண்டும்
3) அன்பாக பேசவேண்டும்.
4) மெதுவாக பேசவேண்டும்
5) சமயம் அறிந்து பேசவேண்டும்
6) இனிமையாக பேசவேண்டும்
7) பேசாதிருக்க பழக வேண்டும்

நல்வாழ்வுக்கான ஏழு விஷயங்கள்

1) மகிழ்ச்சியாக இருக்க பழகுங்கள்
2) பரிசுத்தமாக சிரிக்ககற்று கொள்ளுங்கள்
3) பிறருக்கு உதவுங்கள்
4) யாரையும் வெறுக்காதீர்கள்
5) சுறுசுறுப்பாக இருங்கள்
6) தினமும் உற்சாகமாக வரவேற்கத்தயாராகுங்கள்
7) மகிழ்ச்சியாக இருக்க முயற்ச்சி மேற்கொள்ளுங்கள்

கவனிக்க ஏழு விஷயங்கள்

1) கவனி உன் வார்த்தைகளை
2) கவனி உன் செயல்களை
3) கவனி உன் எண்ணங்களை
4) கவனி உன் நடத்தையை
5) கவனி உன் இதயத்தை
6) கவனி உன் முதுகை
7) கவனி உன் வாழ்க்கையை

SOURCE:::: Unknown… Input from a friend of mine

Natarajan

JAN 14 2015

Message For the Day…”Get Rid of Evil Qualities Within You…Evil spirits Can not Harm You…”

January 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

When Pandavas were in the forest, Krishna visited them. The brothers told Krishna that they took turns during nights to keep a vigil and control the activities of evil spirits and demons. Yuddhistra tried to dissuade Krishna from participating in sentry duty, but Krishna insisted. During the Lord’s turn, no evil spirit appeared. Then came Arjuna, and Krishna watched him from a distance. To Arjuna’s surprise, no evil spirit appeared while Krishna was there. Krishna later explained to Arjuna that evil spirits were only a reflection of one’s hatred and fear, and when one is free from these, no evil spirit would appear or do any harm. Krishna revealed that the Divine existed even in the so-called evil spirits and that if a person gets rid of the evil qualities within him, the evil spirits cannot do any harm. Your anger assumes the form of a demon. If you develop love, everything you confront will have the form of love.

Sathya Sai Baba

Meet 10 Super Senior Citizens of Our Times…. !!!

January 13, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

What is the Secret to Longevity

More often than not, the oldest people in the world don’t even know they’ve earned the title unless the Guinness Book of Records’ people call to let them know, or a reporter comes a-calling. Undoubtedly, they carry with them years of experience and wisdom they can pass on to others. These are their secrets to longevity, by the ten oldest people in the world (2015).

10. Orma Slack (111 years, 10 months)

Orma was born on February 19, 1903 in Canada, just several months before Orville Wright flew the first airplane in history. She was 20 when the Great Depression started and 66 when humanity landed on the moon. Orma was a teacher and retired at the age of 64, then traveled the world with her husband (who passed away in 1988). She also volunteered at the Bellville hospital until she was 104, and only stopped because she could not find a ride to the hospital. Orma still enjoys life. Last year she went skiing.

Orma’s secret: “Ever since I was a child, the world did not change for better or worse. Things don’t change, so go with the flow. I’ve never done anything special to help me get to my age, but the secret may be my positive attitude to people and life. I don’t recall ever saying a bad thing about a neighbor, family member or a friend”.

9. Sakari Momoi (111 years, 11 months)

Sakari is the oldest living man in the world. Born on February 5th, 1903, Sakari worked his whole life as a teacher and later as a principal until reaching retirement. The Guinness Book of Records is currently verifying whether Mr. Momoi is also the oldest living man in history.

Momi’s secret: “I do not know the secret of my long life, I simply haven’t died yet. I used to always exercise, eat in moderation and never consumed alcohol, but that’s just my way of life, not some great secret.”

8. Johanna Klink (112 years)

Three months ago, Johanna officially became the oldest person in Germany. She has been married three times and has only one daughter (an uncommon thing for long-living people). Johanna has been living in a nursing home since 2004, but she is still healthy, both physically and mentally.

Johanna’s secret: “I feel great, like I’m 60 years old and just retired. My secret to a long life is a plain and light diet, and especially only using a few drops of oil or butter in the soups I make.”

7. Ethel Lang (114 years, 7 months)

Born on May 27, 1900, Ethel is the oldest person in England and the second-oldest person in Europe. She’s the only living Britton born during the reign of Queen Victoria. Ethel left school at the age of 13 and went working in a shirt factory, where she worked throughout WWI. Many of the relatives on her father’s side enjoyed a long life.

Ethel’s secret: “I’ve never smoked and barely touched any alcohol. I drink a lot of tea, cook my own food, even the bread. Ever since I can remember, I was always in motion and never gotten fat. I was always taking interest in people’s wellbeing and loved to go out and dance. Last time I danced was when I was 107.”

6. Violet Brown (114 years, 10 months)

Violet was born on March 10th of 1900, and still remembers the days she had to get up early in the morning and walk 3 miles barefoot to get her family water so she can get back home by 9am to go to school. This Jamaican lady says that: “Today’s youth don’t know how easy their lives are. They have plumbing in every home and buses going everywhere. Sometimes I think about the past and cry for all the hardships I had to endure”.

Violet’s secret: “These days I enjoy reading (without glasses) and reciting poetry. My secret to longevity is my faith in the good Lord and his commandments. If I have a message to share, it’s ‘Honor thy father and thy mother’. That’s probably the most important commandment.”

5. Emma Morano-Martinuzzi (115 years, 1 month)

Emma is the oldest person who had ever lived in Italy, and the last European born in the 19th-century (November 29th, 1899). Emma was only married for 11 years, but being a Catholic, she did not believe in divorce, so she only kicked her husband out of the house and remained married until he died in 1978. Their son died at six months, and Emma stayed in her marital home ever since.

Emma’s secret: “I never touched drugs and only drank brandy that I make at home. I eat three eggs every day and treat myself to chocolate sometimes, but mainly, I think it’s my positive thinking about the future that kept me alive for so long.”

4. Susannah Mushatt Jones (115 years, 6 months)

The 4th oldest person in the world and 3rd oldest person in the USA, Susannah was born on July 9th, 1988. Her grandfather was a freed slave who became a farmer, later run by her parents. Susannah did not want to be a farmer, so after finishing school in 1922, she decided she wanted to be a teacher. Sadly, her parents couldn’t afford to pay for her studies, so she moved to New York, got married and five years later got a divorce. Since then she has been living alone, and has been working as a nanny for $7 a week.

Susannah’s secret: “I visit the doctor only four times a year and don’t use any medication except for blood pressure medication. When I turned 100 I lost my eyesight to diabetes, but I refuse to take medication or have a surgery for it. My whole life I avoided cigarettes, alcohol, makeup and even hair dye. I get 10 hours of sleep every night and not being married also helps.”

3. Jeralean Talley (115 years, 7 months)

Jeralean is the 3rd oldest person in the world and the 2nd oldest person in the USA. She was born on May 23rd, 1899 and says she’s never driven a car since the first time she tried, when she accidentally used the wrong pedal, causing the car to reverse, which scared her. She’s not sorry about it.

Jeralean’s secret: “I never stop moving, and even today I keep my hands busy by knitting. I played bowling until I turned 104, but my legs have gotten weaker since then. I sometimes go fishing with my son-in-law and grandson and even caught seven fish last time. I only have one golden rule for life: Treat others as you would have them treat you.”

2. Gertrude Weaver (116 years, 6 months)

The oldest person in the USA and 2nd oldest person alive today was born on the 4th of July, 1898. Gertrude had four children, the only one still alive today is 93 years old. When Gertrude was 104, she moved to a nursing home, and despite not having any chronic diseases, her age is affecting her health. Despite that, she still leaves her room and enjoys the activities in the home.

Gertrude’s secret: “My secret is faith in God, hard work, loving everyone and always do as much as you can, and if you can’t, don’t do it.”

On her 116th birthday, Gertrude received a letter from President Barack Obama, informing her that from that point on, that day is official “Gertrude Day” in the USA.”

1. Misao Okawa (116 years, 10 months)

Misao Okawa is the oldest living person in the world, the oldest person in Asia and the only Japanese person born in the 19th-century that is still alive. At 102, Misao was still regularly exercising and was able to walk on her own until she was 110. These days she uses a wheelchair because she has a hard time keeping her balance, but insists on using the chair on her own and refuses to ask for help.

Misao’s secret: “The reasons I survived for so long are sushi and a good night’s sleep.”

So who knows, maybe we just need to eat more sushi and sleep well every night, and we’ll all be able to walk by the time we’re 110. Either way, the world’s oldest woman seems happy and full of life, which seems to be the main message of most of the people on this list, above all diets and such. So the secret to a long and happy life is just to be kind to yourself and to others.

SOURCE:::: http://www.ba-bamail.com

Natarajan

Jan 14 2015

Delhi Metro… Facts You May Not Know !!!

January 13, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

The Delhi Metro is overcrowded, it’s swarming with pickpockets and there are frequent technical glitches. Yeah, we know all these things. But is that all we need to know about our favorite ride around the national capital?

The fact remains that despite these problems, we never give Delhi Metro a skip. There is lot more to the metro than what meets the eye. Here are 10 interesting facts about saddi metro that you probably did not know!

1. No dustbins

The DMRC stations and platforms look spick and span despite the fact that there are no dustbins anywhere (apart from the restaurants). This is something Modi Ji would be very proud of!

Source: urbanistyczine

2. Neutral Zones

You call them power cuts, DMRC calls them power shifts! The momentary power lapses where lights and AC go off at certain stations are actually ‘power shifts’. These designated sub-stations a.k.a. neutral zones supply power to the metro since it can not get the required 25000 volts from a single station.

Source: sify

3. Even number of coaches

Ever seen a metro with 5 or 7 coaches? No chance of that happening. This is because DMRC rails have 2 types of coaches, namely the ‘driver car’ and the ‘motor car’. They serve as one unit and cannot be used separately. Hence, Delhi metros have either 6 or 8 coaches. Always!

Source: dwarkaexpress

4. Journey ke saath bhi, journey ke baad bhi

DMRC takes care of your journey even after you deboard the train. A lot of metro stations provide bicycles on rent for as meagre as Rs 10 for 4 hours. Just don’t forget to carry a valid ID proof!

Source: mayurviharextension

5. DMRC Smart Card

Largely unknown, DMRC and ICICI bank got together to launch a DMRC debit card which has an auto recharge facility and gives 10 % discount on metro fare and shops at metro stations. Oh, did we mention cash back offers and reward points? Happy travelling!

Source: icicibank

6. Sari Guard feature of escalators

Delhi metro commuters are always in a hurry and DMRC realises that. Apart from the emergency stop button, the DMRC escalators also have a sari guard feature that deflects loose clothing from getting trapped.

Source: thehindu

7. Assistance for visually impaired

Apart from scrubbing your shoes clean on them, these broad yellow strips running on the Delhi Metro platforms serve a better purpose. These yellow tactile strips are the pathways for the visually impaired commuters, leading them directly to the lifts and to the exits.

Source: delhimetrorail

8. Wheelchair friendly

All stations have ramps built right at the entrance to help wheelchair-bound people to roll themselves around the station. This again shows how methodologically the Delhi Metro stations have been built.

Source: thehindu

9. Distance covered by Delhi Metro

The Delhi Metro network consists of a total of 200 trains covering a total distance of 69,000 kms every day. To put things into perspective, the earth’s total circumference is 40,075 kms!

Source: wikipedia

10. Punctuality

In our own rush of reaching our destination, we hardly notice that Delhi Metro is one of the very few punctual things that have happened to Delhi, or India perhaps!

Source: wikimedia

Next time someone brags about his luxury car, you know just the points to defend your own ride!

This write up is inspired by an awesome post we found on Quora.

Source::::: Gaurav Arora on http://www.scoopwhoop.com

Natarajan

Jan 13 2015