Interacting with students at the venue, the Prime Minister said he is fortunate to be meeting them on the 125th birth anniversary of India`s first Prime Minister, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru.
Natarajan
Photography
” Catherine Destivelle Climbing Solo in Mali…” Incredible and Amazing !!!
This pre-YouTube video is of Catherine Destivelle soloing in Mali. Filmed in 1987, High Magazine commented,
“the film Seo of her soloing on a sandstone cliff in the Mali desert is one that has been seen worldwide and the one clear image that has stuck in the minds of the general public in Britain”.
This was undoubtedly true at the time, and most climbers of a certain generation will have seen this film before, however now that video is ubiquitous across the internet, it is easy to forget such classics as this.
The film examines the local people, the Dogons of Sanga, for whom climbing is part of their everyday life. Catherine is fascinated by these people, and they admire her daring solo climbs.
SOURCE:::: Jack Geldard – Editor – UKC in http://www.ukclimbing.com
Natarajan
” The War and Beyond… Aviation History Month …. November ” ….
Aviation History Month is still underway, and this week we’re looking at airlines from 1940 – 1960. Despite World War II ongoing during the first quarter of the period, aviation still saw a great deal of progression and many new airlines commenced operation.
July 1940 saw the first operational flight of the Boeing Stratoliner which became the first aircraft to fly with a pressurised cabin. The aircraft flew up to 20,000 feet avoiding turbulence, from Miami, Florida to Latin America.
The Gloster ‘Whittle’ E28/39 first flew on May 15 1941 as the first successful jet aircraft, with the engine designed by Frank Whittle.
April 1947 saw United Airlines introducing the Douglas DC-6 aircraft, the first commercial postwar aircraft to feature full-cabin pressurisation.
In March 1949, Luck Lady II made the first non-stop flight around the world. The Boeing B-50A was in the air for 94 hours and one minute, was refuelled four times by strategically positioned B-29s before touching down.
But to continue our theme, Routesonline have taken a look at some of the airlines that began operation between the periods of 1940 – 1960.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Scandinavian Airlines System, as it was originally named, was founded in 1946 and is now the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. It was created after three airlines from Sweden, Denmark and Norway formed a partnership to handle the intercontinental air traffic. By the end of 1947, Scandinavian Airlines had carried more than 18,000 passengers over the Atlantic. This figure was far beyond the 3675 passengers SAS had forecasted for the time.
SAS Saab 90A-2 Scandia, Arne Viking SE-BSK, ready for takeoff [Image by SAS]
Japan Airlines
The national flag carrier commenced operations in 1951, and in the October of the same year launched the first private domestic airline service in Japan during the postwar period with Northwest Airlines in charge of flight operations. The Martin 202 “Mokusei” was the first aircraft to enter service, but in 1952, it crashed on Mt. Mihara in Izu Oshima, killing all 37 passengers on board.
Japan Airlines launches a Boeing 747 jumbo jet (1970) [Image by The Guardian]
Lufthansa
Although the airline originally traces its history to 1926 as the airline ‘Deutsche Luft Hansa A.G’, it was suspended in 1945 following the defeat of Germany in WWII. In order to create a new national airline, a company called Aktiengesellschaft für Luftverkehrsbedarf (Luftag) founded a new airline in 1953, using many of the staff that worked at the defunct national flag carrier. On 6 August 1954, Luftag acquired the name and logo from the liquidated Deutsche Lufthansa.
The flagship of the Lufthansa fleet: the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation. Their characteristic vertical stabilizers made these aircraft unmistakable. [Image by Lufthansa]
Austrian Airlines
When Austria regained sovereignty over its airspace in 1955 with the signature of the State Treaty, two separate carriers were founded, Air Austria and Austrian Airways. On 4 April 1957, the two companies finally merged to form a single airline, Austrian Airlines.The airline began operations in 1958 with its first service from Vienna – London with one of four chartered Vickers Viscount 779 aircraft.
Austrian Airlines Douglas DC9-MD81 [Image by Austrian Airlines]
You can follow the hashtag #AviationHistoryMonth on Twitter to see what else is going on in the world of aviation history, and follow us at @Routesonline
SOURCE::::
Poppy Marello, IN http://www.routesonline.com
Natarajan
” The Hunted Turns into Hunter …” !!!
- The elephant was at a watering hole in the South Luangwa National Park when the lionesses attacked
- A tour guide who saw the battle said he thought the elephant was going to be killed in front of him
- Tourists who saw the brave elephant’s escape, later dubbed him Hercules for surviving the battle
This is the nail-biting moment an eight-year-old elephant manages beat off a savage attack by 14 hungry lionesses.
The near-three minute fight – captured on film by safari-goers in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia – shows the feisty herbivore surrounded by predators near a watering hole.
As the lions viciously set about the tusked mammal – who was separated from its herd – they begin taking it in turns to leap on its back and sink their teeth into its body.
Ride along: The elephant tries to keep moving as the lionesses sink in their teeth and claws during the sunset battle in Zambia
I’m slipping! A lioness clings to the back of the elephant and tries to scale his backside as others circle around it
All aboard: The lionesses take it in turns to jump on to the elephants back, while its makes a beeline for the safety of the water
Pack attack: The lionesses overcome the baby elephant, bringing it to its knees in the fight at in South Luangwa National Park
After a lengthy battle, the elephant beats the odds and escapes unscathed. It is seen triumphantly flapping its ears, trumpeting and splashing through the water.
Lets all go swimming: With the watering hole in sight the elephant gains speed as the lionesses make a final attempt to ground it
Home stretch: A stubborn lionesses refuses to let go as the elephant reaches the waters edge, and the cats are faced with a tough decision
Water sports: A lioness clings on for dear life on the elephants back, as other members of the pride scurry back from the waters edge
Come on in the water’s fine: Having seen off its attackers, the elephants turns and gives chase to the scaredy cats
Catch me if you can: The elephant, safe at last, takes a few steps into the watering hole, while the angry lionesses watch on
The hunted becomes the hunter: Refreshed and reinvigorated the elephant emerges from the water and chases one of the lionesses off
SOURCE:::: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article
Natarajan
Picture of the Day…World”s Tallest and Shortest Man Meet !!!
- Part-time farmer Sultan Kösen, from Ankara, Turkey, measures 8ft 1in
- Chandra Dangi, who is just 21.5ins tall, lives in remote Nepalese village
It was a meeting of epic proportions.
The world’s tallest and shortest men met for the first time this morning to commemorate Guinness World Record Day.
Sultan Kösen, who is 8ft 1in. tall, and Chandra Dangi, who measures just 21.5ins., posed for photos outside the Houses of Parliament to mark the book’s 60th anniversary.
SOURCE::::STEPHANIE LINNING in http://www.dailymail.co.uk
Natarajan
Rosetta’s Lander Philae Touches Down on Comet…
Rosetta’s Lander Philae Touches Down on Comet
Baby Crawls For the First Time…!!!
A baby’s ‘firsts’ are always special – first crawl, first step, first word, they are all equally priceless. But sometimes, these moments become even more special. The video above stands as a case in point. And it’s loaded with cuteness, so prepare to say ‘aww’ out loud.
A video uploaded by Don Swift on his YouTube channel shows an adorable baby girl crawling towards the family’s pet Labrador, midnight black and many times larger than her. The description with the video tells us it’s the first time she does it. Aww… already, right?
It’s a treat to watch the smiling baby put in all that effort to reach her furry friend. It’s even nicer to see the dog stare at her with rapt attention, waiting patiently. Not once does its attention flinch.
However the cutest, most unexpected thing happens right at the end. Watch the video above to get your daily dose of the warm and fuzzies. You might want to adopt a pet yourself.!!!
SOURCE:::: You Tube & http://www.ndtv.com
Natarajan
UnLEAFable Art Carved Out of LEAF …!!!
Not many artists could call producing their work a walk in the park – but for Omid Asadi it’s just that.
The 35-year-old, from Greater Manchester, has created a collection of intricate images by carving into fallen leaves with a scalpel and a needle.
His portfolio, which is brimming with portraits of iconic celebrities and beautiful animals, was inspired by an idea he had while strolling in a park with his wife, Elham, 36, two years ago.
Mr Asadi’s portfolio is brimming with portraits of iconic celebrities including Jimi Hendrix (above)
He now spends up to three hours-a-day perfecting his methods with his artistic wife occasionally offering some direction.
The artist recently exhibited his work for the first time, which he creates using only a scalpel, a magnifying glass and a needle.
Mr Asadi, originally from Iran, claims he has been approached by a website connected with the Saatchi Gallery and says he wants to show the world that art can be found anywhere.
He said: ‘Carving these leaves resonates to my childhood, I had no time for playing football outside.
‘So I used to use a needle and make some simple drawings behind a leaf and on a leaf.
Omid Asadi (pictured) spends up to three hours every day learning how to carve the leaves
He says ‘too many people just see the beauty of this art but I am also trying to tell a story with each leaf’
The 35-year-old creates the designs using a scalpel, a magnifying glass and a needle before pressing the leaves on paper and adding wood glue
‘Two years ago me and my wife were walking in the Sale area and we found some heavy and beautiful leaves and we put them in a book to press them
‘About that time I visited a gallery and saw an exhibition on paper cutting – it was then I decided to give these leaves we found another life.
‘My wife is a professional artist and she does Persian miniature artwork so she taught me how to use the leaves – the first year I practiced for two or three hours every day.
‘Too many people just see the beauty of this art but I am also trying to tell a story with each leaf.
‘With my portraits I I have also tried to give some people who are dead another life.’
The process of carving each leaf can take anything from a few days up to a month (pictured left – an impression of Edvard Munch’s famous painting The Scream)
He added: ‘The process of carving each leaf can take one or two days or up to one month, I use just two or three tools – a scalpel, a magnifying glass and sometimes a needle.
‘I just press the leaves, I don’t use any chemical things or anything like that, after I’ve finished I simply use wood glue and press them on the paper.
‘Isaac Newton had the apple falling from the tree, for thousands of years nobody made this connection, the most important message around my work is to look better at the world around us.’
Mr Asadi, originally from Iran, claims he has been approached by a website connected with the Saatchi Gallery and says he wants to show the world that art can be found even in the most simple places
The 35-year-old’s works include this image of a dragon appearing to burst out from a split tree
The artist said: ‘Carving these leaves resonates to my childhood, I had no time for playing football outsi
SOURCE:::: Jack Crone in http://www.dailymai.co.uk
Natarajan
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2722851/Artist-Omid-Asadi-creates-designs-using-leaves-scalpel.html#ixzz3IrVopZhh
Image of the Day…. ” Light Pillars…” !!!
Light pillars over northern Sweden
As winter comes to the far north, sky conditions may be just right to produce a beautiful light phenomenon called “light pillars.”
EarthSky Facebook friend Birgit Bodén shared this photo. It’s a sign of wintry weather already appearing at far northern latitudes. These streaks in the sky are called light pillars. They form when sunlight (or another bright light source, such as the sun) reflects off the surfaces of millions of falling ice crystals associated with thin, high-level clouds, for example, cirrostratus clouds. The ice crystals have roughly horizontal faces. They are falling through Earth’s atmosphere, rocking slightly from side to side.
Light pillars can be seen at any time of night when sky conditions are just right.
SOURCE::::::earthsky.org
Natarajan
Favorite Spot Aboard the ISS !!!
Cupola observatory module at the ISS is perhaps the favorite spot of every crewmember aboard the International Space Station, and it not only has the largest windows on the ISS but the largest windows ever installed on a spacecraft.
Commander Chris Hadfield, who has spent a total of 166 days in space, used these fantastic windows for the incredible 45,000 images he took in space.
It’s top, circular window, is the largest with a 31-inch diameter. But all of the windows are big enough to identify from the outside which astronauts are in the module.
And crew members take advantage of the fact by photographing each other while peering out, as their crewmates are on a spacewalk.
The size of the windows, although relatively large for space, give us a great perspective of just how small the Cupola module – and the rest of the ISS – really is.
Cupola, which is Italian for “dome,” is 4.9 feet tall and less than 10 feet in diameter. So, you can’t fit more than an astronaut or two inside at one time.
We found this fantastic image of European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst peaking out of Cupola showing just how cramped life on the ISS can be. It’s kind of adorable.
Here’s another shot of just his hand perhaps waving hello to the camera, “Titanic” style:
Gerst recently returned to Earth after spending over five months aboard the ISS.
While in space from May 28 through Nov. 9, Gerst performed over 50 experiments, which included a spacewalk to improve the ISS and installing ESA’s furnace that can suspend and cool molten metal in mid-air.
Gerst compiled an impressive collection of images during his space mission, which you can find here on Flickr.
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
NASA astronaut Nicholas Patrick hanging on to Cupola.
SOURCE::::www.businessinsider.in
Natarajan
Take off with Natarajan 
#mediaviewer/File:STS-130_EVA3_Nicholas_Patrick_iss022e066872_full_view_crop.jpg){kind=link}