“The only way to spend New Year’s Eve is
either quietly with friends or in a
brothel. Otherwise when the evening ends
and people pair off, someone is bound to
be left in tears. ” – W.H. Auden

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

“Another fresh new year is here .
. .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”
William Arthur Ward quotes (American
dedicated scholar, author, editor,
pastor and teacher)

One resolution I have made, and try
always to keep, is this: To rise above
the little things. ~John Burroughs

Of all sound of all bells… most solemn
and touching is the peal which rings out
the Old Year. ~Charles Lamb

“An optimist stays up until
midnight to see the new year in. A
pessimist stays up to make sure the old
year leaves.”
Bill Vaughn quotes (American industry
author, mentor and subject-matter
expert)

“Be at war with your vices; at peace with
your neighbors, and let every new year
find you a better man.”
Benjamin Franklin

“It wouldn’t be New Year’s if I didn’t
have regrets.”
William Thomas

“I’m a little bit older, a little bit
wiser, a little bit rounder, but still
none the wiser.”
Robert Paul

“Drop the last year into the silent limbo
of the past. Let it go, for it was
imperfect, and thank God that it can go.”
Brooks Atkinson

“New Year’s Resolution: To tolerate fools
more gladly, provided this does not
encourage them to take up more of my
time.” – James Agate

“The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past
bury its own dead. The New Year has
taken possession of the clock of time.
All hail the duties and possibilities of
the coming twelve months!” – Edward Payson Powell

Cricket Is Not Just A Game in India It is A Religion…And God of This Religion Is Sachin Tendulkar…….

1. Most Matches Played: 449 ( Most )
2. Most Inning appearances: 438 (Most)
3. Consecutive ODI Appearances: 185
4. Most Stadium Appearances: 90 different Grounds
5. Max runs in an ODI Innings    200 runs 
6. Maximum runs in ODI  —–   17842  ( avg 45.05)
7. Maximum number  for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year(7 times – 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2007)
8. only batsman to score over 3000 runs against any opponent ( SriLanka, Australia)
9. Fastest to reach 10,000 runs taking …..     259 innings
10. highest batting average among batsmen with over 10,000 ODI runs(only 7 batsman above 10000 runs)
11. Max no of four in an ODI inning   — 25 fours
12. Maximum number of 150+ score in ODI   —    5 times
13. Most centuries in ODI   —-  48
14. Only batsman to score double century in ODI
15. Most ODI centuries against one country    — 9 (Australia)
16. Most centuries against 6 nations —- Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Australia, South Africa, SriLanka
17. Most Centuries in finals of any series    —- 6 ( Indian wins all times)
18. Most centuries( test + ODI) against One Country – Australia 20 (11 test+9 ODI)
19. Max number of fifties in ODI—-  93
20. Most number of 50+ scores in ODI ——  141
21. In world cup most fifties —-   13
22. Maximum time Man of the Match Awards   —-61
23. Maximum Time Man of the Series Awards   —–   15
24. Most runs ( ODI) in a calendar year    —–    1894
25. Most Centuries in one calendar year    —-   9
26. Maximum number of runs in the opening partnership. —    6609 run (136 innings) with Saurav Ganguli
27. Maximum number of century partnership with one player   – 21 century  partnership with Ganguli
28. Max number of opening pair century partnership – 20 century partnership
29. Highest ODI partnership   —    331 runs ( with Rahul Dravid)
30. Maximum number of 200 run partnership in ODI   –   6 times ( this record he shares with Ganguli and Dravid)
31. Maximum runs in world cup tournament —- 2009 runs
32. Highest run in any single world cup tournament   – 673 run in 2003
33. 2 time maximum scorer in one world cup —- 1996, 2003
34. For 3rd wicket Highest Partnership    —-   237 run   ( with Dravid)
35. Maximum number of test played    –177 tests
36. Maximum number of runs in Tests   —- 14692 ( avg 56.94)
37. Fastest to score 10000 runs   —-   195 innings ( share with Brain Lara)
38. Maximum  runs scored in Tests away from home    —–    7819
39. Maximum number of Centuries in Tests away from home.   —–   27
40. Maximum time scoring 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year  —  6 times
41. Maximum Number of test centuries   —– 51
42. Maximum number of 150+ scores in Test   —- 20
43. Maximum centuries before he turned 20   —- 5 centuries
44. scored centuries against all Test playing nations
45. Maximum number of centuries in international cricket  —- 98
46. Most runs in international cricket   —–32534
47. maximum number of times getting out   between 90 -99 runs   —–   24 times ( 7 time test + 17 time ODI)
48. First to appear in 400 innings in ODI matches.
49. First player to cross 10000 runs in ODI
50. First player to cross 11000 runs in ODI
51. First player to cross 12000 runs in ODI
52. First player to cross 13000 runs in ODI
53. First player to cross 14000 runs in ODI
54. First player to cross 15000 runs in ODI
55. First player to cross 16000 runs in ODI
56. First player to cross 17000 runs in ODI
57. First player to cross 12000 runs in Test
58. First player to cross 13000 runs in Test
59. First player to cross 14000 runs in Test
60. First Player to cross 27000 runs in international cricket
61. First Player to cross 28000 runs in international cricket
62. First Player to cross 29000 runs in international cricket
63. First Player to cross 30000 runs in international cricket
64. First Player to cross 31000 runs in international cricket
65. Most centuries in World Cup  —   6 centuries
66. Sachin completes his 2000 runs in World Cup 2011….

Mercedes-benz India has launched its premium and rugged off-roader G-wagen in Mumbai for a whooping Rs.1.1 crore (ex-showroom). The G-Wagen, which stands for Gelandewagen which literally means ‘cross country vehicle’ in German, is the elitist off-eroader in the Mercedes-Benz line-up. The India market will get the AMG tuned G55 model which is more performance oriented than its stock-sibling, G550. the AMG G55 is powered by 5.5 litre V8 507 horses at 6,100rpm and an earth-churning 700 Nm at 2,750rpm.

The G-Class is regarded as one of the most able off-roader from the Mercedes-benz portfolio and enjoys a long-standing heritage of over three decades. The design of the G-Wagen remains more or less untouched and still boasts of technologically the G-Wagen is equipment like permanent all wheel drive with three locking differentials, ESP and electronic traction control. The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen is the quintessential off-roader for those who are looking for the best in luxury as well as some serious off-roading.

When you get the spark to present a most suitable Gift to the opposite party, the confusion catches up as to what will be the best one. It is here you can avail ideas from experienced loving couple and mix it with your affordability and convenience. Point is – your Gift should bring up a happy smile on your partner’s face on the Valentine’s Day ear-marked solely for you and you alone.

Valentine’s Day Gift for Him:

Here is a secret – Men are easily satisfy-able with gifts. The very thought that they are cared-for by his lover gives them immense pleasure. So it would be ideal that your gift should be something that he uses everyday; and thereby remembers you the moment he sees it. Depending upon your man’s daily activities the gift can be anything from – a wrist watch; a set of T-shirts; special shoes; an electronic device like Fitness GPS; E-Kindle Reader and so on.

Valentine’s Day Gift for Her:

It’s an open secret that ladies waver in their minds about their wants. If you want to get her full satisfaction on your Gift, you have to do some home-work as a detective. Observe her fancies for some time while you go for shopping with her. There is an array of Gifts – from just a scent bottle to jewelry she would show interest in. Find out that and surprise her with her most wanted Gift on this Valentine’s Day.

The renowned Internet bankers PayPal have announced drastic changes effective 1st March 2011 – virtually crippling the operation of personal accounts of Indian citizens. This is against all norms how an International Bank should conduct business and grossly discriminates Indians, among the International community for no fault of theirs.

Before going into the analysis, PayPal have announced by individual emails to Indian customers some strange conditions as follows, which startles one and all:

1. Starting 1 March, 2011, PayPal customers in India will not be allowed to receive payments for any export-related goods or services for an amount exceeding US$500 per transaction. This change is to ensure that we continue to comply with the RBI Guidelines.

2. PayPal customers in India will not be able to keep money in their PayPal account balance. Instead, all money received into a PayPal account must be transferred to a customer’s India bank account within 7 days from the receipt of confirmation from the buyer in respect of the good or services.

3. We’re glad that you offer PayPal to your customers. Unfortunately, we will not allow customers in India to send money from their PayPal account balance starting 1 March, 2011. This means that your customers will need to link a credit card to their account in before sending you money with PayPal.

4. Starting 1 March, 2011, PayPal customers in India will not be allowed to receive payments for any export-related goods or services for an amount exceeding US$500 per transaction. If you are listing products greater than US$500 per transaction then you may need to seek alternative methods of payment.

5. As an exporter of products or services abroad, you need to ensure that your buyer has received the product or services as per specifications set out on your website. As an exporter of goods, you may withdraw the balance to your bank account in India upon reasonable consideration of shipping time and other clearances such as excise and customs for the destination country. As an exporter of services, you may withdraw the balance to your bank account in India upon receipt of payment from your buyer into your PayPal account.

Now for those who do not know, there are thousands of Indian customers using the service of PayPal. At the time of joining, the unwary Indians were lured by the terms and conditions of this online Bank – as being one of easy and most suitable for trusted operation for crediting and debiting money into their accounts, for their small business transactions online.

Let us explain by a simple example: You are a freelancer. You get projects or assignments from various countries and enter into a contract with the service buyers that on completion of the project, the remuneration should be credited to your PayPal account. You accumulate all those earnings and withdraw the funds from your account whenever you wish. Withdrawal is mostly through online transfer to your account in any Indian bank.

Supposing you work as a team manager, you distribute the work and on realization of the remuneration into your account, share the proceeds in the same way by advising PayPal to credit the money into the accounts of the team members. All these years this system was working smoothly, whereby a lot of Indian freelance writers were benefited.

Now because of the above restrictions – you cannot receive more than $500 per transaction; cannot accumulate funds; should withdraw your balance within 7 days; cannot transfer amounts to your team members. Why elaborate? Simply put your PayPal account is as good as dead.

Now the question is how an International Bank like PayPal ditch its customers like this – particularly Indians? Basically no International Bank – especially existing on the Internet – is bound by the rules and regulations of any particular Government of a country; because Internet is a world phenomenon and a technology for use by global citizens. These conditions of PayPal will not apply for an American; Australian; British or for that matter anyone, other than an Indian. If this is not discrimination aimed at a particular country’s citizens, what else is?

The ruse as given by PayPal “to ensure we continue to comply with the RBI guidelines” is to say the least – a lame excuse. They cannot get any credibility over such an excuse, to show gross violation of basic rules of the Banking industry; or even principles of natural justice; customer is supreme over any commercial organization; and would amount to showing discrimination exactly like the apartheid on color, race, and ethnic differences, the world has seen and vehemently condemned in history.

Even admitting, and not accepting the argument of PayPal, the objective of RBI regulations is intended to curb nefarious practices, such as hoarding black money and laundering illicit earnings into white by big money-bags. While so, where is justice in curtailing the activities of small customers like poor writers? They work hard in finishing foreign assignments; compete with world writers; and win contracts by competitive offers; and in doing so enhance the reputation of India as a whole.

So the remedial measures fair and just will be – to enhance the limit of $500 per transaction to at least $2000; remove the restriction to Paypal withdraw compulsorily within 7 days; allow customers to accumulate funds in their accounts up to $3000 as ceiling; allow transfer from one PayPal account to another; and let customers act freely as before within these limitations. In these hard days of inflation and economic conditions prevailing all over the world, the amount of $500 is nothing tangible; and imposing such a restriction is equal to nullifying the accounts of small entrepreneurs from India. If your real intention is to catch big fishes evading the law, please leave the law-abiding small fishes; for honestly they are not committing any crime by being PayPal customers! 

Toshiba-Tablet

The Consumer Electronic Show 2011 has many ultra-modern gadgets for view. Among the much-talked about ones are, the Tablets with smart-phone computing technology of Android. Toshiba have brought out one – yet to be named or release date indicated – tablet device, looking the same size of an iPad was catchy for the eyes. For functionalities and features? Yes – it is going to use Google’s Honeycomb Operating System like its peers, which were on show at CES.

Outwardly with the rubberized Easy Grip back it is thicker and heavier than iPad; but comfortable for holding in one hand. 10.1 inch multi-touch screen display with auto color and brightness adjustments; mini and full-size 2.0 USB port and an HDMI port through which you can output the content of 1080p to a larger screen – thanks to the Nvidia Tegra 2 duel core processor. On the side of the tablet there is a full sized SD port, which can read up to 120GB SDXC cards.

Toshiba’s new tablet is provided with two cameras – one front-facing 2 megapixel for video calling; and one rear-facing 5 megapixel camera. Other features include – 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity; availability of integrated GPS and compass technologies for navigation.

Motorola-xoom

End users will be happy that this tablet can give a new computing experience, what with 4G LTE upgradability. Motorola Xoom is provided with duel core processor – each core running at 1GHz and can deliver 2GHz output. The 10.1 inch widescreen display will support 1080p Video and HDMI output and can play web contents seamlessly with latest Adobe Flash Player.

It has front-facing 2 mega-pixel camera for video chats – Wi-Fi or 3G/4G LTE; rear-facing 5 mega-pixel camera for capturing video in 720p HD. You can enjoy gaming in 1280×800 display; Google Maps 5.0 with 3D interaction; access to Google’s eBook store; and thousands of other applications from the Android market.

Motorola Xoom can provide you with constant connectivity with mobile broadband speeds and comes with wireless keyboard and an array of accessories, made to expand its capabilities as you wish. It is expected to hit the market in Q1 2011 though price not announced yet.

Commercial Exhibitions have been promoting industries no question. The Consumer Electronic Show – CES for short – is an annual affair, which has multi-pronged objectives than just promoting the Electronic Industry; it serves in reaching the global markets; connecting people and products worldwide; and highlights the latest innovations taking place. With this intro, let’s see what CES-2011 has in store for the world markets and its representatives attending it.

It has met with run-away success for more than four decades; the Consumer Electronics Association propels this show; it consists of over 2,000 corporate members across the globe, putting their heads together, in right from design and development to manufacturing as well as integration of products relating to consumer electronics. And its profits go to promotion and service of the industry again, including education and advocacy.

CES-2011 is scheduled for January 6 to 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. You can meet representatives from 130 countries at one place, saving some 700 million miles of business travel; go through the organized color-coded halls, to get a glimpse of the assorted electronic products exhibited on this largest consumer electronics tradeshow.
Attend Conferences – nearly 300 sessions where 900 expert speakers – where you can get educated on ways and means of expanding business; understanding new technology; and above all, discuss hot industry topics and trends in the super-sessions.

CES’ major attraction Apple, HP, Samsung, ASUS, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, LG, Panasonic, Toshiba, and Fjiitsu have launched their latest version of gadgets. A new device of India, ADAM tablet is also going to rock the market.

Adam Tablet

Today, first day of CES 2011 Panasonic came with its VIERA Tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tablet, Motorola Xoom, Asus EEE Pad, Toshiba tablet and Verizon revealed its first 4G tablet and Smartphone. HTC also introduced Smartphone HTC FreeStyle and RIM’s BlackBerry 4G tablet with its own OS, and Motorola announced smartphones DROID BIONIC 4G;ATRIX 4G;CLIQ 2.

Motorola-Xoom

Finally CES – 2011 is an Eco-Friendly Show of Electronic goods, where attendees have incredible opportunities for recycling their products, apart from conducting business worth in millions – all at one place here – a location which is environment-friendly.

Shimla, the top notch tourist destination in Himachal received the first spell of snowfall on the New Year’s eve; with tourists waking up in the morning to see the Queen of the Hills covered with a sheet of white snow everywhere. It is pertinent to point out that Shimla is receiving this much of snow during early days of the year in two decades with 3 degree temp.

Along with the much awaited rainfall, the snow fall in this region starting early has delighted the local people – for the tourism industry has been suffering for quite some time. According to the met office, the snowfall in Shimla is beginning with 15 to 20 centi-meters and more of it is predicted to come in the near future.

Similarly, the other tourist locations of Himachal namely Manali, Palchang and Solong Nallah experienced the start of snowfall for the season with 50 to 75 centimeters. Snowfall was reported to be heavy in Rhotang Pass, situated at a height of 13,050, ranging up to 150 centimeters.

The adjoining tourist destinations of Shimla namely Kufri, Kharapathar and Narkanda received snowfall ranging from 80 to 100 centimeters in a single night. Strong icy winds along with intermittent rains lashed locations in the mid and lower hills; 120 mm of rain was reported in Dharmpur of Mandi district; 99 mm in Palampur; and 90 mm in Kandaghat.

In the northern Himachal region, Dharmasala and its suburbs received the first spell of snowfall along with rains on 1st of January 2011. Himachal Pradesh being the holiday paradise during winter for thousands of tourists, they welcomed both. One could see many tourists rejoicing and playing by throwing snow-balls at each other; tourist huts covered with snow; cars and trucks wading through rainfall and snowfall.

According to reports appearing in the media, the entire district of Khangra has got good rainfall, which was particularly pouring for two days in McLeod Ganj area. As for snowfall, the upper regions like Kinnar and Dharamkot received it in good measure. Kinnaur is covered with 3 feet of snow and it is about 6 inches of snow in Dharamkot villages.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Trikuta hills where the Mata Vaishnodevi is located has received significant snowfall first for this season. Around this shrine, where thousands of pilgrims flock every year, reportedly 3 to 4 feet of snow has accumulated. As for temperature readings – Sringar recorded minus 0.5 degree C as minimum temperature; Qasigund minus 0.6 degree C; Leh and Kargil of Ladak region recorded minimum of minus 23 degrees C.

The cold conditions in North India as a whole, prevailed significantly with the capital Delhi experiencing minimum temperature falling to 3-4 degrees C; Punjab and Haryana received rains and still minimum temperature raised by 5 degrees; Chandigarh 5.7 degrees; Amritsar 4.8 degrees; Patiala 4 degrees; Karnal in Haryana recorded minimum temperature of 3.4 degrees C; Hisar 1.8; Ambala 6 and Rohtak 5 degrees C noted on 06 Jan 2011.

Overall it is predicted that the higher reaches of Himalayas namely – Shimla; Kufri; Kasauli; Chamba and Palampur districts will receive more snowfall this year.