ജീവിതം

ചിലപ്പോള്‍ അങ്ങനെയാണ് അത്.
...ചിലര്‍ നമ്മുടെ ജീവിതത്തിലേക്ക് എവിടെ നിന്ന്,
...എപ്പോള്‍ എന്നറിയാതെ കടന്നു വരുന്നു. അതില്‍ ആരൊക്കെയോ
...ഒരു മാത്ര നിന്ന് കടന്നു പോകുന്നു ഹൃദയത്തില്‍ ഒരു കൈയ്യൊപ്പിട്ട ശേഷം.
...നാം ഒരിക്കലും ഒരേ പോലെ ആവുന്നില്ല.
...ചില കഥകള്‍ പോലെ വ്യക്തമായ തുടക്കമോ, ഒടുക്കമോ ഇല്ലാതെ.
...അടുത്തത് എന്ത് എന്ന് അറിയാനാവാതെ.
...ജീവിതം പലപ്പോഴും ഒരു തിരിച്ചറിവാണ്.
...ഒരു നിമിഷത്തെ ഏറ്റവും മനോഹരമാക്കുന്നതും അതു തന്നെ.
...ചില സൌഹൃദങ്ങള്‍ ദൂരമോ, നിറമോ,
...ഒന്നും അറിയാതെ സമാന്തരങ്ങളില്‍, സമാനതകളില്‍ ഒത്തു ചേരുന്നു.
...അന്യോന്യം നിശബ്ദമായി സംസാരിക്കുന്നു...........

Onam - the state festival of Kerala

Onam - the state festival of Kerala - is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The festive season of Onam, which falls on the Malayalam month of Chingam, every year (between August and September), is a ten-day carnival for the Malayalees all over the state, country and abroad. Being a harvest festival, it is time to thank God for the bountiful yield. According to the stories in Hindu epics, Mahabali, the legendary King of Kerala, visits the state every year during the Onam festival, to ensure the wellbeing of the people. He is welcomed to his kingdom with reverence. The festival is all about relishing on the grand Onasadya (traditional feast of Onam), shopping, family reunion and welcoming King Mahabali by spreading good cheer.

A number of rituals are performed during the ten days of Onam, which starts on the Attam nakshatram of Chingam. Rituals such as Maveli Puja, Onathallu, Onakazhcha are rooted in the ancient legends and are followed in many parts of the state, since a long time. Apart from the rituals, enthralling games are played during the ten days, wherein small children, men and women take part with equal enthusiasm. Games such as 'Thumbi Thullal (folk dance performed by women), Kaikotti Kali, Pulikkali form a prominent part of the celebrations of Onam. In addition to this, sporting events such as Uthratadhi Vallamkali (snake boat race) are organized with zeal.

Onasadya is an inevitable part of Onam festival. Thiruvonam is the important day of Onam, wherein the lavish feast is organized. Lip-smacking recipes are prepared by the women in every Malayalee household. Intricate designs of 'rangolis' (with colored rice paste) and 'pookkalam' (with flowers) in front of the homes. There is a tradition of bestowing Onakkodi (new clothes especially purchased for Onam) upon the younger members of family by the elder ones. All the traditions and rituals of Onam attract thousands of tourists from across the country and the world, to Kerala, during the festival of Onam.

10 differences between Jan Lokpal Bill and Govt Bill

 The streets are witnessing a demand that the government's Lok Pal Bill be replaced by the Jan Lok Pal Bill (JLP) as drafted by the team led by Anna Hazare. There are several significant differences between the two bills. In this note, we describe the some of these differences.

First, there is a divergence on the jurisdiction of the Lok Pal. Both bills include ministers, MPs for any action outside Parliament, and Group A officers (and equivalent) of the government. The government Bill includes the Prime Minister after he demits office whereas the JLP includes a sitting Prime Minister. The JLP includes any act of an MP in respect of a speech or vote in Parliament (which is now protected by Article 105 of the Constitution). The JLP includes judges; the government Bill excludes them. The JLP includes all government officials, while the government Bill does not include junior (below Group A) officials. The government Bill also includes officers of NGOs who receive government funds or any funds from the public; JLP does not cover NGOs.

Second, the two Bills differ on the composition. The government Bill has a chairperson and up to 8 members; at least half the members must have a judicial background. The JLP has a chairperson and 10 members, of which 4 have a judicial background.

Third, the process of selecting the Lok Pal members is different. The JLP has a two stage process. A search committee will shortlist potential candidates. The search committee will have 10 members; five of these would have retired as Chief Justice of India, Chief Election Commissioner or Comptroller and Auditor General; they will select the other five from civil society. The Lok Pal chairperson and members will be selected from this shortlist by a selection committee. The selection committee consists of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, two Supreme Court judges, two high court chief justices, the Chief Election Commissioner, the Comptroller and Auditor General and all previous Lok Pal chairpersons.
The government Bill has a simpler process. The selection will be made by a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the leaders of Opposition in both Houses of Parliament, a Supreme Court judge, a high court chief justice, an eminent jurist and an eminent person in public life. The selection committee may, at its discretion, appoint a search committee to shortlist candidates.

Fourth, there are some differences in the qualifications of a member of the Lok Pal. The JLP requires a judicial member to have held judicial office for 10 years or been a high court or Supreme Court advocate for 15 years. The government Bill requires the judicial member to be a Supreme Court judge or a high court chief justice. For other members, the government Bill requires at least 25 years experience in anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance or finance. The JLP has a lower age limit of 45 years, and disqualifies anyone who has been in government service in the previous two years.

Fifth, the process for removal of Lok Pal members is different. The government Bill permits the president to make a reference to the Supreme Court for an inquiry, followed by removal if the member is found to be biased or corrupt. The reference may be made by the president (a) on his own, (a) on a petition signed by 100 MPs or (c) on a petition by a citizen if the President is then satisfied that it should be referred. The President may also remove any member for insolvency, infirmity of mind or body, or engaging in paid employment.
The JLP has a different process. The process starts with a complaint by any person to the Supreme Court. If the court finds misbehaviour, infirmity of mind or body, insolvency or paid employment, it may recommend his removal to the President.

Sixth, the offences covered by the bills vary. The government Bill deals only with offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The JLP, in addition, includes offences by public servants under the Indian Penal Code, victimization of whistleblowers and repeated violation of citizen's charter.

Seventh, the government Bill provides for an investigation wing under the Lok Pal. The JLP states that the CBI will be under the Lok Pal while investigating corruption cases.

Eighth, the government Bill provides for a prosecution wing of the Lok Pal. In the JLP, the CBI's prosecution wing will conduct this function.

Ninth, the process for prosecution is different. In the government Bill, the Lok Pal may initiate prosecution in a special court. A copy of the report is to be sent to the competent authority. No prior sanction is required. In the JLP, prosecution of the Prime Minister, ministers, MPs and judges of Supreme Court and high courts may be initiated only with the permission of a 7-judge bench of the Lok Pal.

Tenth, the JLP deals with grievance redressal of citizens, in addition to the process for prosecuting corruption cases. It requires every public authority to publish citizen's charters listing its commitments to citizens. The government Bill does not deal with grievance redressal.

Given the widespread media coverage and public discussions, it is important that citizens understand the differences and nuances. This may be a good opportunity to enact a law which includes the better provisions of each of these two bills.

India Against Corruption: Anna's fast enters seventh day

NEW DELHI: Activist Anna Hazare had lost five kg of weight as he entered his seventh day of fast for a strong anti-corruption bill on Monday, Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said.

"Ketone particles have been traced from his blood and urine... He has lost five kg of weight, his health is all right otherwise," Kejriwal told reporters at Ramlila Ground where Anna Hazare is sitting on fast.

Ketones are particles created by the body during starvation, and are meant to provide an alternate source of fuel from fatty acids.

Anna Hazare was detained on August 16 and taken to Tihar Jail, where he remained until Friday when he shifted to Ramlila ground.

The Anna Hazare camp on Sunday stepped up its campaign by demonstrating at the PM's residence and the Gandhian leader delivering a "Lokpal bill lao ya jao (bring Lokpal bill or go)" call.

The campaign's escalation came on a day that saw crowd support for the protests swelling dramatically, with large turnouts at India Gate and Ramlila Maidan.

Efforts to resolve the standoff also got underway, with intermediaries meeting telecom minister Kapil Sibal late on Sunday evening. Veteran Maharashtra bureaucrat U C Sarangi and longtime Hazare associate Bhayyuji Maharaj met the fasting leader for around 20 minutes earlier in the day. They were later closeted with Sibal.

Sarangi and Maharaj had taken a summary of the government's Lokpal bill to Hazare, but the activists dismissed it, saying it did not amount to any new proposals.

After the meeting with Sibal, campaign leaders said discussions were of a general nature and no proposal was conveyed to the government. Bhayyuji Maharaj said the talks were positive and both sides were flexible.

In response to the government's overtures, Team Anna said they were willing to talk and that a negotiator should be appointed by the government. While Arvind Kejriwal said the government should tell them whom to meet and when, Swami Agnivesh added that the government should introduce the Jan Lokpal bill in Parliament to create trust.

The real truth.... Lokpal

The real truth

Team Anna to move Supreme Court against detentions

New Delhi, Aug 16 (ANI): Terming the detention of veteran social activist Anna Hazare as totally undemocratic, senior lawyer and member of the committee constituted for the Lokpal Bill, Prashant Bhushan on Tuesday said they will approach the Supreme Court.

"The action showed that the government has no regard for fundamental rights of the citizens. We will move the Supreme Court," said Bhushan.

"Time has come to rise up against this government. We appeal to people to protest against the government peacefully," he added.

The 73-year-old Gandhian was taken into custody from a residential area in Delhi before he was to proceed to the venue of his fast in Jai Prakash Narain Park where prohibitory orders are in place.
Three other prominent activists Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan were also taken into preventing custody.
According to sources, senior police officials, including DCP (Crime) Ashok Chand, met Hazare this morning at an east Delhi apartment where he was staying in a bid to convince him to not go ahead with his planned protest.
However, Hazare turn down the request following which he was detained, Times Now reports.

Around 500 supporters were with Anna at the time of his detention.

Around 500 police personnel have been deployed from early morning itself after the city police imposed Section 144 around the park, police sources said.

Hazare had yesterday asked his supporters to fill up jails across the country if he was arrested after being denied permission to hold fast here.

He said once he is arrested, people should fill up the jails in every village across the country. "Going to jail for the country is no crime...It is a decoration," he said.

Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat had said that prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC has been imposed in some areas of Daryaganj and IP police stations, which include Jai Prakash Narain Park and Shaheed Park. (ANI)

How To Detect Two Way Mirrors

“When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc. How many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror i.e., they can see you, but you can’t see them. There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms or bathroom or bedrooms.

It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by just looking at it. So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at?

CONDUCT THIS SIMPLE TEST:

Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror.

However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE, IT IS A 2-WAY MIRROR! (There is someone seeing you from the other side). So remember, every time you see a mirror, do the “fingernail test.” It doesn’t cost you anything. It is simple to do.This is a really good thing to do. The reason there is a gap on a real mirror, is because the silver is on the back of the mirror UNDER the glass.
Whereas with a two-way mirror, the silver is on the surface. Keep it in mind! Make sure and check every time you enter in hotel rooms. May be someone is making a film on you. “

This one is false. Here are few tips how you can detect real one:

1. Realize that a popular email about two-way mirrors you may have received is a hoax. It is simply an urban legend that has gained credibility as it has gone from one recipient to the next. You can check suspect stories you hear against the urban legends database at Snopes.com.

2. Understand that a two-way mirror is specially treated glass that allows light to pass through in both directions, but which also reflects light back into the room. If lights are off on one side of the mirror and on in the other, those on the bright side will see a reflection and those on the dark side will see through the glass.

3. Know that because they function as windows, two-way mirrors are generally set into the wall; they are not hung on a wall. If the mirror is not flush with the wall, it is most likely not a two-way mirror.

4. Test the mirror. Cup your hands around your eyes and place your face next to the mirror. If it is a two-way mirror, you will be able to see something on the other side—unless there is absolutely no light on that.

5. Turn out the lights. The two-way mirror only works if light is more intense on one side. With the lights off, you will see through a two-way mirror. It may take a few moments to detect the mirror as your eyes adjust.

6. Tap the mirror. A two-way mirror will produce a hollow sound like a window because there is no backing on the other side. A regular mirror will sound dull.

INDEPENDENCE DAY WISHES

                        INDEPENDENCE DAY WISHES

PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN .                 JAI HIND Aug. 15, 1947: Mountbatten swears Nehru in as Prime Minister of India TRAIN TO PAKISTAN; India 1947. Trains packed with refugees - Hindus and Sikhs headed for India, and Muslims headed for Pakistan - were convenient targets for gangs of killers on both sides of the border. Inadequately protected 'Refugee Specials' were typically stopped, and the occupants butchered, several times in the course of the journey.  The dead - Punjab, 1947 1971: Indira Gandhi reviews the troops, in the context of militaryand diplomatic preparations for the Bangladesh War. Ghandhiji Addressing people Nehru and Gandhi at AICC meeting, July 1946 Mountbatten arrives at Delhi airport; received by  Nehru and Liaquat Ali. March 25, 1947 1948: The news of Gandhi's assassination hits the streets.  A stunned crowd gathers in Calcutta. 1948: Crowds in New Delhi wait for a glimpse of  Gandhi's funeral procession. A Library being divided at the time of partition. Heart trembles to see this sight and it is tough to  imagine the state of the nation at the moment  when people needed to hold hands. This is our 67th Independence Day! Freedom is not a Right but a Feeling! Let's be proud to feel the Freedom! Let's say loud we are INDIANS!!! Let all of us get to-gather & Let's Celebrate Our Freedom! It is our duty to preserve this Freedom! Carry this forward to the future! We did,We do,We will do!!! Set the celebration on Air, Share your Joy, You're Free to do it, Send this to every  Indian, to say Vande Mataram! Jai Hoooo...