Choose Life! Acquire the secrets of the ‘Magic of Thinking Big’ and let this be New Year Resolution 2006. The mind is its own place and in itself can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven. Thoughts rule the world and amazingly perspective minds echo “There is nothing either good or bad except that thinking makes it so” As quoted in Upanishad ‘You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.’ It’s the every action that generates a force of energy and when we choose actions that bring happiness and success to others, this creates our destiny. Whatever will be, will be – Acquire the ‘Magic of Thinking Big’ and let the sun shine on you.

Wishing all readers ‘Farewell 2005 & Welcome 2006’
Keep the faith...

Every Year, this message comes from me to you. What is more important is to 'Make Resolutions & Make them Firm' - If you dream, you can achieve : You can grab the stars while striving to reach the moon! Just, we need to go ahead. As Nostradamus predicts a 2006, Time of Troubles, full of war, despair, and evil, but also of hope and promise. Interested to read more on Nostradamus predictions?
Watch out in my coming notes....Till then, Enjoy and celebrate the grand farewell 2005 and embrace 2006 with newer challenges.

Btw, I hear Sandesh is gonna launching its new look of print newspaper tomorrow. I wish them a grand success and look forward to great reading:-) You too, cross your fingers....Enjoy 2006.

- ilaxi

Merry Christmas - Let Peace be with You, Me & Us.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas! Whatever faith, it's Humanity, a big religion that I ever know. How oft, we miss out on the values of joyful living? I did write on the Bhagwad Gita review and now, it's here a faith so strong - Bible scriptures are great to hear especially in the middle of the night, watching the Pastor delivering the sermons on the television. Every time, its a conversation with God whenever you join your hands and pray in temple or kneel down in a church.

Ever surfed for the Bible org? Here's a one year Bible reading if you interested. And than there is the Christmas pages at kidsfreesouls.com.

Christmas is all about Faith : Faith is a light that dispels ignorance and darkness around. Faith is the hope that keeps you surfing on the waves on a sea of storms. Faith is love. Faith is grabbing the magical moments in life. Faith is deciding, daring, challenging and striving to reach the goals. Faith in whom we believe is intimacy & commitment to fulfil service towards mankind. Faith is trusting in tomorrow and dreaming God’s dream of a beautiful world with love, peace and joy to humanity.

And when there is Faith, there is service, when there is service, there is love and when there is love in our hearts, all is peace and calm!

Once again, Merry Christmas to all those who pass by this Blog! Enjoy!

- ilaxi

The recent release of Forbes Top 40 India's Richest show our very own Karsanbhai Patel from Ahmedabad and it's a pride to see my own community person, from my own homeland who stand 38th on the list amongst the Rich Indians from London, Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune.

Last year 2004, I guess we had Mr. Pankaj Patel of Zydus Cadilla but this year marks the celebration for the Ahmedabadis to see India's detergent king Karsanbhai on top with a whooping net worth $640 million!!Forbes reports, Pankaj Patel and Lupin guy dropped off because their stocks underperformed India's red-hot stock market.

The surprise comes in list as Anurag Dikshit and Vikrant Bhargava, executives at Internet casino outfit/PartyGaming who rank among the Rich Indians!

The Forbes Asia's second annual list of the 40 richest Indians is quite a bit more exclusive this year, indeed!

-ilaxi

Well, here me blogging after gap of time and time is such that when it drifts you away socialising and partying, its never a come back to web from real world unless and until you force your brain cells to be back to action. Moreover, I been exploring and designing the set up of my recent War Blog - The Iran Iraq War, President Bush n Saddam Hussein, President Musharraf, India-Pakistan and Kashmir.....whew, that's all about terrorism .....God grant Peace!

Now, the scoop of news is Hondo. Did you know that Honda Civic Sedan won the best in class economy, sports/performance car Award recently in Canada? Well, leave that apart. Here is an interesting debut of Asimo - Yeah, you got it right. The Robot who's gonna now serve you as a Receptionist with a tray of coffee mugs and even pushing a serving cart with drink glasses!




Unbelievable and indeed Interesting. At a recent press conference, Asimo greeted passer by, walked hand in hand and turned around with its quick pace and showed its skills of receiving and deliving a tray.









Much more but amazing is that ASIMO, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, presented His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Makhtoum, the son of the Crowne Prince of Dubai, with a golden pair of scissors to cut the ribbon and officially announce the 8th International Middle East Motor Show open. Asimo will be entertaining visitors with performance for 5 days.

Hmmm....The robotic features of recognition of moving objects, Posture/gesture recognition,Environment recognition, Sound recognition,Face recognition and what not!!! Artificial Intelligence! That's new waves of technology!

- ilaxi

The most influential Entertainers of the past century - The Beatles. George Harrison - Does this name strike a chord to you? Yeah, if you are a fan of Beatles, the rock n roll music would blast you to Cloud Nine! Though Ringo Starr has always been my fav in the Beatles band, George Harrison was the best with his 'My Guitar Gently weeps' - Today, thousands of people miss him as we remember this great star who died on 29th November due to Cancer! Here Comes the Sun was a number that made me hum all day long.

You know what? George Harrison became a lifelong devotee of Hindu religion, Krishna consciousness and Vedic philosophy! He had song writing talents and a great Guitar player. He did a large scale concert for the war torn Bangla deshi kids. Cloud Nine was Harrison’s most Beatlesque solo record.



George Michael - call him a gay and did you hear that he's gonna marry Kenny Goss, his boy friend? The news out and George is gonna change the gay world in UK!!! Who cares! A very different culture than Indians, indeed. But a role model he is as far as his singing goes and you can quip 'King George Michael'and hum all his songs. I've an Artist page if you're a fan of George Michael and a lot of pop n tops. You can listen to the tune of George's famous 'Careless Whisper' here on the site while you surf the pages.

I feel, we really miss the Sanjay Oza and Manhar Uddhas and the lot except that we grab an opportunity to hear them at a social function. Our taste varies and with the online radio stations, you can listen to my Launch cast and the very best songs in my list. I wonder, are there any gujarati or hindi Launch cast radios? Anyways, music is the speech of angels, whatever you listen.

-ilaxi

Recently, Mr. Vijay Mallya of UB group criticized our CM Narendrabhai Modi for not changing the age old rules on Prohibition in Gujarat and quipped at the IIM Ahmedabad Confluence 2005 that the Gujarat State is losing a huge chunk of revenue. The CM ignores the proposal and calls himself progressive, this being a mistake of the State Government and its failure to keep up with the times. Our CM told him that they have to follow the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and cannot do away with prohibition.

Now, in the land of Gandhi, it’s quite obvious Gujarat Government has to let go the Rs.2,500 crore revenue and promote the alternate ways to preserve the culture and commit to take the great ideas of Bapu to reach to people through the audio version of My Experiments with the Truth. (At least, our Gandhiji took the trouble to speak the truth!) Whereas, Prohibition? well, one wonders - Really, there is Prohibition ? Let christmas come and its gonna be the Mega city culture in town and its sure gonna be tough to check the prohibition. Yeah, maybe like last year, a strict round of traffic police at cross roads, sniffing the stuff and thats it. Whatever, I think, Mr. Vijay Mallya is right in his way coz now, even the private parties has adopted the mega city style of celebrating functions with the hookas and casino n roulette tables. So why allow the under the table tactics for brands of alcohol that is freely available in town? UB Group has already stepped into the market with its brands....Isn't our CM aware of it? Well, god knows!

-ilaxi

Nielsen/NetRatings done for the Newspaper Association of America (NAA)revealed recently that the percentage of Internet users visiting newspaper Web sites hit all-time highs in September. It says, Over 47.3 million people visited online newspapers that month, the largest rise in readership since the NAA began tracking online usage in January 2004. That represents 31.9 percent of all (US?) Internet users, up 15.8 percent from the same period last year.

Now, the best part on the web I feel is 'RSS Syndication' - Many of us do have the Copyright tags and the partial Creative commons Licence but inspite, Newspapers, websites and blogs go for the RSS Syndication and if you don't, you are apt to trail behind with generating Traffic and that means, losing on the traffic Revenue too!

Yahoo News offers dozens of RSS feeds you can read in My Yahoo! or using third-party RSS news reader software. With MY Yahoo, Newsgator, FeedDemon, Pluck and many other RSS Readers, the reach is into a one stop Read with no need to visit individual websites. Yahoo! News RSS feeds are also offering thumbnails of related photos for stories in RSS feeds, giving a richer news experience.

What I can't understand is their strategy in taking RSS feeds in their Yahoo News Category and still in Beta, Yahoo News do generate the RSS.xml code for news websites (sambhaav)/news Blogs for incorporating news but when the Yahoo news search for news and blogs is performed, the results land you to add to "My Yahoo" and yet, the site is not found in search! How very strange!!! I guess, Yahoo and Google are going super speeds with Beta version but its now to see how far their Projects run smooth!

Btw, the Sambhaav.com has faced a Technical snag and the server is undergoing some Upgrades, hence, I am really sorry for those who missed on the news for three days. Yeah, much worse, we missed out the impressions with the Revenues!!! That's the part of the Tech ....way to go.....

- ilaxi

Day before yesterday, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce in Ahmedabad had its Executive Committee and members meet with Narendra Modi, followed by dinner. As a biz person, actively involved with the Ladies wing committee, I happened to meet Narendrabhai who incidently belongs to my own native place 'Vadnagar'. A tech savvy CM and I happened to be told years ago that he surfs all newspapers early in the morning. At least, this had made us alert to update Sambhaav regularly lest we may not bear the fury of the CM.....!

During the speech to the Business persons, Narendrabhai in his usual expert orator skills mentioned about the developments in Gujarat.

One thing that strike the chord is what he said of the Economy rise with potentials towards more people entering into Gujarat, esp. Ahmedabad. The mega city is turning to glamour with Biz centers and Malls spawning visinity and the branded products are great attraction to consumers. Narendrabhai quoted the Narmada project and mentioned where once scooters use to go through the canal, its at least the water seen now. I guess its the Chimanbhai Patel and Keshudada's work left incomplete now covered by Modi Government. Am I right? Well, we the janta look for results and not who's who done it! Narendra bhai mentioned that any place you find, there is some development work in progress in Gujarat. (It's only city roads that give bumpy and ditchy rides! The car suspension is in danger whether you drive a wagor R or a Viva or Brand BMW/Mercedes)

Crowned with another Award glory recently, Narendrabhai mentioned of Travel Year 2006 and he's right when he mentions that Rajasthan has great places but in the whole of India, Gujarat has the most highest heritage spots. He beamed that the chamber should seriously consider its next meet at a place like Lothal - why, even I say, it can be Vadnagar:-) the place of Tansen, Tana Riri folktale. Another important mention was of Agro Processing and he called for all business persons to think over and find great developing areas in this field.

Now, whatever people say, this is a new gen CM who is always on the move with some Projects and winning hearts of people with his flawless Oratory skills and of coz, his management is excellent as his team work excel towards developing Gujarat. By next year and NRI comes to India, sure he sees the results! If not, meet our CM!

- ilaxi

14th November and India celebrated the Universal Children's Day on the day when Jawaharlal Nehru was Born. Somebody in email did ask me when exactly did India start celebrating Children's Day after Nehru's Death but aah, I fail to find this. If any one of you know the exact year when India started celebrating C-day, please do email me.

I feel its the need of the hour to pledge: To liberate every child from the web of Malnutrition, poverty, illiteracy and abuse. The Department of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Human Resource Development has indeed come out with nationwide program for holistic development of children below 6 years and expectant and lactating mothers too.

However, children's day is yet far away for celebrations for the child laborers in India. They work 10 to 12 hours a day under hazardous conditions sometimes, many kids doing small chores for a living too. Even kite making and crackers factories have child workers and at this tender age, they are abused, illiterate and face poverty.

I remember a 10 year old boy who polished my shoes and went to a studio with my hundred rupee note to get his pic so that I can put him in 'freesouls' page in sambhaav but aah, reluctantly he turned up after six months only to tell me that the money was grabbed by his Dad who drunk himself! Gosh....and that chaiwala boy who appeared in Freesouls was abused by his Dad and had to work hard to earn money for living.

It's here to see what actions are taken to pull these kids out from their diversed situation and time to look into their needs. Kids are after all, the future of the nation!

- ilaxi

Are you a Game Freak? Yeah, I am! Occassionally I play games to ease stress when my mind refuse to digest the games people play! Believe me, people play behind your back and during these times, a sane advice from me - Keep cool and listen to music or play video games.

You know what? Jon Jacobs, a director of independent films,spent $100,000 On Virtual Space Station In Online Game! We not gonna do that but its for Real! In one of the largest sales yet of property in an online game, a Miami resident has bought a virtual space station for $100,000 and wants to turn it into a cross between Jurassic Park and a disco. The reports of Information Week say that Jon plans to call the space resort, in the science-fiction themed game Project Entropia, "Club Neverdie." Like other land areas in the game that has been visited by 300,000 players, the resort grounds will spawn dinosaur-like monsters, which visitors can kill. Jon also plans to hire Disc Jockeys to entertain visitors once a week.

Now this is gaming zones but mind you, be careful on the game site coz you can find the pop up touching your Registry files any time and there lies the never ever moving Ads that show when you connect the net. It pops up ads of 888.com and the damn screen saver ads - I hate them! It also eats your bandwidth, slower down your computer - only that its harmless when your tech person will say 'its virus' - Blah ! These tech guys in India cannot even read English, many can't even log to internet and don't even know of the Anti spy softwares and only shoot up telling you to format your computer! Goodness me, Its real tough to make people understand Tech! Anyways,thats the rosy world of Computing....!!!!!

- ilaxi

Management Mantra - yep, this been the column I started in print media Sambhaav but unfortunately, I couldn't continue and neither did I get a good response for translations. This very same article had been a Diwali/new year newsletter of Sambhaav and I been so overwhelmed to receive the reader responses.

Today, I share the same article on the blog : This is the real Secret of Success, Believe it or not! May this new year lead your towering inferno of personal strengths to achieve your goals. Enjoy!

SECRET OF SUCCESS 'TOWERING INFERNO OF PERSONAL STRENGTHS'
- by Ilaxi
(copyright article) (Swagat Group)

Possess Self Confidence - Feel the Difference!
Your strength lies in your own vision and outlook. Build the confidence and be optimistic. Proceed ahead ‘I can do it and I will win’ The game is yours and you are the ‘Winner’ – Quite Naturally!

Mental Drive & Physical Energy
Achieve aims with active mental drive and physical force by ‘Meditation’ and ‘Keep fit - Eat healthy attitude’ Pursue mental and physical drive exercises and aim for completion of tasks undertaken

Check your Potentialities
Turn your talents into engines of success. Believe in your ownself and the things that you can do. Its simply amazing to find your own key factors to develop your potentialities to boost morally to climb the steep steps of success. It needs determination, vision, confidence alongwith competitive spirit.

Self Evaluation
Develop qualities of self assessment. Recognize and learn from mistakes and failures. Measure success levels and check those decisions and actions, weaknesses and drawbacks. Discover within.

Set Goals
Aim high to reach the skies. Goals are essence of planning and should be ambitious but achievable. Add zest with dynamic Leadership and motivated team

Understanding ‘M’ Power
Express plans in words and sure, you will start counting numbers. Manage cash flow. Don’t build castles in air lest it would cripple you down. Use money wise. Money saved is money earned

Competitive Edge
Competition results to effective competitive edge. Brainstorm promoting creativity and stimulating ideas to adopt, adapt and apply the techniques or qualities that make winners a success. Build own standard principles and accept challenges. Grab opportunities, eliminate weaknesses.

Influence
Powers of influencing others and convincing accepting compromises. Sometimes, just a word, a glance, an inspiration, motivation or lack of one can make a big difference.

Planning Ahead
Plan to achieve more than you expect. Your success is measured positive. You will be rewarded with big results or else you may land up with setting up your ownself ‘Independent’

(This is a Copyright article. If you use for online web presentation, please give credits)

- ilaxi

Happy Diwali & Id Mubarak....

Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore has truly said: The night is black. Kindle the lamp of LOVE with thy life and devotion...


I always said "There are magical moments in life that come unexpectedly when the darkness disappears and the sun rises above the horizon. This happens when there is hope, there is faith, when there is faith, there is love and when there is love in our hearts, There is Service, When there is Service, Miracles happen! Blessed are those in whose hearts faith flows freely and whose dreams are shaped by their hopes with the heralding of the New Year, bringing in peace and happiness around us."

How easier it is to Think! Our Mind is a Thought Factory and Emotions stir our souls. How powerful are our emotions! They override circumsances with ease.Action of a person is a good or a bad deed which is stored and determines the events in one’s future lives. One is born time and time again to face the consequences of one’s actions in previous life. Karma of a person influences his lifestyle and all is required of a person is to keep the vigil check of the nine gates which means the nine sense organs so as to perform true karma and the emotional well being of a person can make him perform the actions in the right direction.

Isn't this so true? How can one Keep the Faith! Diwali or Id, whatever festival one celebrates, it's the light we need to spread around and stop to spill the fuelling hate among human beings. It's a pity that Terror spreads its claws in Delhi causing panic and loss of human beings - Are we out to celebrate a bloody Diwali or Id? One only can think........

- ilaxi

It's more Coffee chains setting its pace to India - Barishta, Cafe coffee day, star bucks and now Gloria Jeans, Australian Coffees. Star Bucks and Gloaria Jeans are gonna be the latest craze 'hangouts' in India and no doubt, Ahmedabad would scale up to shoot the charts with highest number of outlets and coffee freaks moving around. The traditional 'half cup tea' or the 'ek rakabi (saucer) cha (tea') is getting out of fashion. You can't imagine business talks over a cup of tea, can you? Nor can u date someone over a cup of tea - thats the feel of many teenagers and men 40 plus who seem to get into new wave trends meeting and dating n having high coffee (tea!).

Well, the point is that I've heard some Tea company is also coming out with its Tea outlets - This means the whole of the town is gonna be packed with coffee bars and Tea stalls!!! Ya know, originally, coffee beans were taken as a food and not as a beverage. The so-called stimulating properties of coffee were thought by many during ancient times to give a sort of religious ecstasy, and the drink earned a very mystical sort of reputation, shrouded in secrecy and associated with priests and doctors. It is said, Muslim pilgrims from across the globe during their pilgrimages to Mecca managed to smuggle coffee plants back to their homelands, and coffee crops soon took root in India.

Well, now get ready to treat yourself with Pumpkin Spice coffee when GJ arrives but yeah, why not give your own try of Pumpkin Spice coffee this Diwali? Do send in your innovative idea.......viola...I'll make a jar to serve and get chill!

Here's my innovative recipe
'Pumpkin Spice Coffee'

Take 50 gms pumpkin juice, add sugar, spices n nuts n coffee (vivita pack), blend in mixie to give a smooth, add a scoop of chocolate ice-cream - Serve! Enjoy.....

- ilaxi

They call him Hitler and the Hitler Wins! Modi's charisma and style of campaining has proved him to be Number one and no wonder, the Mega city Ahmedabad is all gonna lead to road ahead of success to reach Number one in India. As such it is! Well, Afterall, apna narendrabhai che - What he promises to janta, he keeps his word.

Yeah, BJP sweeps Ahmedabad civic Polls and Narendrabhai's 'Jan Sampark Yatra' has waved the magic wand. The congress fails miserably and Keshubhai's men failed cause it's the people power and citizens are too well aware and confident that Narendra Modi and his team can 'Dream big, perform big' and provide rapid development. The 21st century voter with very high aspiration uses only one yardstick to judge a party that this new gen Hitler has the super power to bring about the changes and its time we now wait and watch - what Next? One thing is sure, it's time for Keshudada now to sit and relax and do nothing - Like Osho says!

- ilaxi

I read the headlines 'Apathetic Amdavadis fail to vote' - Now, it should be read 'Amdavadis wanted to Vote but had to return from Polling Booth cause their names were removed from the List' - Yes, this is what has happened in the A.G High School Voting booth, Shahpur and many other booths where names of all residents of many societies were removed and they could not vote because their names were no more listed. One can say 'Jinnah in Pakistan but Ahmed Patel in Ahmedabad. It is heard that Sonia Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel who camped in Ahmedabad, claimed that the party would win 65 seats at least. Yeh toa hoga hi bhai....saaf baat hai - When the records are swindled, half of the people had to go back home without Voting.

It is said, only 35-36 per cent of the 29.9 lakh voters in Ahmedabad had actually turned up to vote for the AMC polls. Shame on such Polls! BJP accuses of the devious acts of Congress and vice versa - all a 'Game of Politics' - Beware of Politicians!!!

Osho said ‘If politicians disappear, there is no need for nations’ and if we think over this we do have a say here that ‘If politicians wish to make this world a paradise, sure it is in their hands – just they have to Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached like Swami Vivekanand said!

-ilaxi

Recently, I got this Spotlight Review Badge at Amazon.Check it out with the book link below. You know what's Spotlight means? It's blowing my own trumpet that yeah, customers of Amazon read this review and rate it as it's helpful to them and decide upon whether to buy this book or not.

Well, well, the picture below you see is just stunning, of the man who stole maps. Now, don't you think face is revealing features and your very own expression says a lot. I've done a research on voice and aaah, a voice vibrates echoes and you can decide upon the voice how a person is. The same way, its the Body Language and this is well said in this Book. Grab a copy...Any Allan+Barbara Pease is great to Read and even Gift it.

My Dadaji wrote a Book in Gujarati and I got it in print around 100 copies only for private circulation. Maybe, if I ever get a chance, I will upload some extracts of the same - This one too, is on Facial appearance and Body movements explained with figures!

Anyways, here's the review....

Body Language by Allan + Barbara Pease
Review by ilaxi



I got this book a year ago and indeed this book is a reflection of the soul! What people say to us is different from what they think and feel! With Body language wiz by Allan Pease, one can correctly interpret other people's thoughts by their gestures. This book has quick references as 'How To' :

1. Find out if someone is lying
2. How to be more likeable to others
3. How to get cooperation
4. How to successfully conduct interviews and handle business negotiations
5. How to pick up a partner

More n more - What I like about this marvellous book of Allan is the illustrated Gestures. The eye signals and Hand-to-face gestures are simply terrific illustrated readings and Allan sure has deep roots to indepth study of Body Language, it seems. Hand and arm gestures,way of using cigars,cigerettes, glasses, head gestures, courtship gestures and signals and more wide areas are selected which is very interesting. A good Interesting read and good to explore.

Really there's nothing new with the recent AP story about a man, Mr. Brooke who was caught with a $5,000 book, 'Pennsylvania Evening Post, Collection of Jan-Apr. 1777, in his waist band from the Wisconsin Historical Society because he wanted to read a story on page 106 of William Hill.

Libraries have been complaining about Books, Book plates and Maps which are missing since years. There's an upswing in criminal mischief with the advent of eBay, Amazon and other places making it easier to sell. The collector's pieces sell like hot cakes!

In one rare case, a Mr Smiley was caught cutting rare maps out of rare books in the Beinecke Library at Yale. A graduate of Hampshire College in Amherst and so with scholarly air, it was not hard for E. Forbes Smiley III to blend in at the Yale rare-books library and make himself at home among its Atlases and Maps. Here goes the recent story of Alison Leigh Cowan at NY Times. It seems many of the customers who bought his wares were the rich, powerful, influential and nation's prestigious and secretive collectors!!!

- ilaxi

Recently, I read the Time Magazine (Asia) and what interested me was the topic 'Global Business': Fishing for the News:Multinational media conglomerates are eager to snag a share of India's tumultuous newspaper market. Are the outsiders just treading water?


Now, a lot of competitive strategy is being adopted among newspapers. Too many players may wind up chasing too few customers. For the present, Competition for reporters and other staff has pushed up labor costs for existing newspapers, and huge marketing expenditures threaten to eat into profit margins - at this juncture, foreign investment sooner or later would be potential competition entering into Indian newspapers. Whatever be, will be, will be - the future is black and white. Technology has set in pace and not only print media, television media too faces a hefty competition round the globe. It's time some newspapers Editors call for "ombudsman" to investigate news reports and listen to caller complaints or reader complaints/letters and combat smugness. If there is no ombudsman, I feel the senior editors must be personally accountable to readers and the public - Unfortunately, power rules but no more with internet media, afterall!

-ilaxi

Google introduces Blog Search and this is indeed great news for Bloggers:-) Blog is a great tool for freedom of expression and the recent Hand Book of Dan Gilmor, US Journalist and Jay Rosen, US Blogger is full of handy tips and technical advise on why Blog, Blogging Language, Choosing tool, setting up and running a blog, ethics, getting picked up by search engines, etc.

This Handbook may prove to be a boon to bloggers who are often the only real journalists in countries where mainstream media is under pressure or censored. Reporters without Borders provide tips to remain anonymous and to get round censorship, by choosing the most suitable method for each situation.

Now this is a download or a print : Handbook for bloggers and cyber-dissidents.

However, the latest buzz is Internet censor world championship - Most of the world’s authoritarian regimes are trying to control what their citizens read and do online. They’re getter better and better at blocking “objectionable” material, usually with technology bought from US firms. China is far and away the world champion. But it’s felt the heat of competition in recent years. Each country in this far from complete list has its own style and tactics but they all have one purpose, to keep ahead of the game.

So far, there's no way to censor Internet in this country and I wonder, who's framing the cyber laws?

- ilaxi

I came across this poll on The Asian Age website and the results itself speaks:

Do you agree with the PM that competition has affected the quality of journalism in India?

Total poll voted is 56
Yes 76.79%
No 21.43%
Can't Say 1.79%

Now, at the Chandigarh Press Club, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed to Journalists, his concerened views and I believe that today as markets rise and fall, Investors gain and lose! Hence, financial reporters need to draw a line to move and make markets with their own motivated presumptions!

As such, those who regular surfers are now quite convinced that competition has affected the quality of journalism. More and more websites provide Online Feeds to read and download Feed Readers with more and more online newspapers, websites and even bloggers providing worthy & informative RSS feeds. This becomes exhaustive reads with every new story that leave behind the print media Journalists to trail and be informed to newer technology.

The next 'Big battle of Journalism' is maybe the 'Internet - News websites, RSS Feeds & Blogs'. On the rise is 'Advertising, Sponsoring, donation and contribution by Readers on major Blog websites and online media channels. Thereby, more journalists emerge every day as many flair in information and write ups, contribute their articles and I wonder, why not! Even I find many common readers and surfers blogs so interesting and their writings 'par excellence' than even a journalist - This is the real cup of life on web and Journalists real do face the competition. I feel, 'It is great to earn Credits than earn the bucks'. Knowledge is Power & RSS Feeds are getting Super Power!!

-ilaxi

Sania Mirza recently encouraged Kolkata school kids to dream big and become successful in whatever field they chose in life. She beamed, "I was like any of you. If I can do it, anyone can do it. I hope to see many more Sanias from among you in the future".

Now, that's a great message from a great player from India, the 18-year-old who is the toast of the Sunfeast Open, being played in Kolkata from September 19 to 26. It had been a confident game she played with Sharapova and I watched late night US open Tennis earlier. Of coz, it was a sigh everytime she made unforced errors and second serve faults - the line she needed to improve and be less distracted as crowds cheered her. She didn't won but definitely this game experience would be outstanding and we await to see what's more coming from this sports celebrity.

However,in any game, its the sports spirit that is very important.Failure is never final, success is never ending. Defeat is only a challenge!

With some Muslim clerics raising objection to Sania's dress on the court, a massive security blanket has been thrown around Indian tennis talent Sania Mirza, now in Kolkata. Well, this is where Muslim clerics act as godfathers and their rigidity is 'nerves' wrecking the community and labelling them as 'backwards' - what not! At least, a voice reaches for a reform - Read here.

- ilaxi

Robin sharma is soon to visit India for his Motivational Programme in metro cities. I guess the charges are exorbitant to attend the seminar and listen to the life coach in real person. All his books are great think tanks and you can read my reviews at Amazon. However, here's the review of Robin Sharma #1 best selling 'The Saint, the Surfer, and the CEO'. His website is newly re-designed lately and you can peek into the Inner circle to fetch gems from the author.




A motivational speaker and a Life Coach, Robin Sharma's Favorite Quote: "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." by Thomas Campbell has ever touched my heart to believe in living the Heart's desire. This book is a peppy read with all Goodness lessons in these times when moral values are waning. Robin's wisdom on life has profound insights and breakthrough ideas for self-leadership and living your best life. The book has a story about one man's quest to discover the answers to life's greatest questions. Robin Sharma reveals joys of living and suggests ways on how to stop betraying your self and live your destiny. Robin has practical wisdom for self feeling of goodness, conquering stress and balancing life with better fruitful relationships. His theory on self transformation has an impact on living life with adventurous feel and simplicity. He suggest ways of conversations with self. He tells to go deep inside the soul and begin the process of knowing yourself. He says "Self- knowledge is the starting point of personal excellence. Detect your largest values, define how you really wish to conduct your life, and think about what makes you happy. Clarify what standards you feel you need to live your life under in order to be true to yourself, then articulate how you'd occur in the world if you were really thinking, acting and feeling in authentic ways." The book is a good Life Changing Advice. He says 'Rather than spending all your time trying to do great things, spend more time trying to be a great person. That is the secret to doing great things.' Among his other books-'The Monk who solf his Ferrari' series is a great read and if ever you catch a listening of his speech, Robin's got a cool voice, a fluent spiritual excellency that flows the words with ease to be digested for better living. Grab a Copy of Robin Sharma #1 best selling 'The Saint, the Surfer, and the CEO' - Live the heart's desire! A great Pick.

-ilaxi

As our CM blows the trumpet of being No.1 CM of India (Hero No.1)through the newspaper advertisements & hoardings at many crossroads in Ahmedabad, here's fresh rounds of attack on Narendrabhai's Gujarat, accusing it of glorifying Adolf Hitler in School text books. In the land of Mahatma, a nazi leader cannot be a role model!!! Quite obvious. When IGNOU launches a course 'Gandhi & the Contemporary World', here's the reasoning that the Center cannot interfere as far as Education is a State subject. No way, many think that after the Gujarat riots, our CM is in disguise - reincarnation of Hitler! Well, I've heard constructive criticism helps sometimes and the results we see in Gujarat is tremendous - I am proud to live in the land of Narendrabhai, I confess.

This Hitler deserves the No.1 CM label and we gujaratis enjoy getting 'progressive' with all CM's and his cabinet's efforts. Believe it or not! Why see how the seeds are sown...its best to relish & cherish the taste of the fruit. Politics se hame kya lena dena - this is all a common citizen feel, afterall.


-ilaxi

Music is the speech of the Angels and it has ever been my passion to listen and play on my keyboard. One song I like to share is 'Hotel California' sung by Eagles. This song in Ahmedabad is well sung by only one person so far as I know - Whispee! Yeah, the Parsee guy who's been exclusive singing western oldies at exclusive shows. He sings 'Stand by me' too good apart from his band playing Hotel California, extraordinarily. Whispee been engaged in a Bank job and this was his passion of playing and singing songs. I remember, once at a private farm house Hawaiin party, whispee had the big screen karaoke set up where he showed the video, he sang and we dance away on the floor. Never has been such a live party but ugh, things do turn out sour in a city where people do not understand the rythm and dance of western songs where more indi pop, filmi and rest peek-a-boo to fancy youngsters.

Here's the song to hum and midi tune ...This song of Eagles: Hotel California is, surprisingly, about greed and the temptations of humanity. The glory of American marketing inundates people with messages to shop, "He who dies with the most toys, wins." but many feel that this lifestyle is the cause of depression, unhappiness, and the prozac generation.

Hotel California : By Eagles



On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night

There she stood in the doorway; I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself this could be heaven or this could be hell
Then she lit up a candle, and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor, I thought I heard them say

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place, such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (any time of year) you can find it here

Her mind is Tiffany twisted, she got the Mercedes bends
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys that she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget

So I called up the captain; please bring me my wine
We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty-nine
And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night, just to hear them say

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place, such a lovely face
They livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise) bring your alibis

Mirrors on the ceiling, the pink champagne on ice
And she said we are all just prisoners here of our own device
And in the master's chambers, they gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives but they just can't kill the beast

Last thing I remember I was running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
Relax said the nightman We are programmed to receive
You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave.

For the complete meaning of the song, here is a link that says all! Enjoy.


- ilaxi

Jack of all trades, Master of None!!! I ever said 'If Wishes were horses, beggars would ride' but now on the world wide web, as I explore high and low, I guess 'If Dreams had Wings, I would fly : reach for the moon and we land up picking up the stars!



My ever dream was to be a Teacher and I proved to excel. My ever dream was to be a Business person and write Management articles and yeah, I wrote 'Management Mantra' articles in print media for some time. I dream to be an Insurance Executive and IRDA gave me the license. My ever dream was to be a Journalist and lo, God granted me the gift! My ever dream was to play a Piano and lo, I self learnt my Yamaha and Casio 61 keys Portasound Synthesizers and performed on Stage Shows! I wanted to be a Pop singer and sing like George Michael on the Stage and oops, I'd have to wait for a nex Birth and be there in UK or US and here's Blogger tempting me to be an Author! Whewwww....Lemme Try!!! Yep, I gonna Blog 'Romance' novel - Will I be able to do it??? Time will speak :-)

I wish my readers Happy Teachers' Day, who directly or indirectly turned out to be my 'Teacher' - taught me to be wise and nice.

-ilaxi

Aren't our 'Sans bhi Kabhi Bahu thi' and now 'Ba, Bahoo and Baby' following the traditional family tales? One thing I can't figure out is why do the Directors of these serials has one wicked n cunning women in a family? Do they think all Indian women (Not men!) play games?I guess something is seriously wrong with our thinking process. The Indian mentality is nevertheless changing and though joint families are breaking, there are families that keep the unity intact. In fact, I feel, large families encourage resourcefulness, independence and responsibility while discouraging selfishness.




Another thing that comes to my mind is 'Why wearing Helmet is made Compulsory'? If there is lot of concern for safety of people while driving their two wheelers, why don't the makers of the law decide that young girls should not wear fashionable, revealing clothes! A lot of cases like Bijal are coming to surface every day and for their Safety, this is also one point to note.

- ilaxi

In town, without my car !For a healthier and more friendly city should also be the slogan for all gujaratis who drive the car with car jam roads in Ahmedabad. I remember once Mr. Rushad Ginwala of Ahmedabad had made a statement in TOI that if I can, I would be the first person to use bike. Now, I brushed off this casually but I really feel that like the 'Car Free Pittsburg' who promotes walking, bicycling and public transportation, it is time for CM Narendra Modi's government to think on these lines.

An estimated 100 million people participate in International Car Free Day each September 22 in 1500 cities worldwide and the Car Free movement is growing in the US with Mr. Bush too, cycling his way to promote as seen in the pic recently in the newspapers. Cars do hurt the environment, economy and society.

Other than private cars, there should be encouragement to use alternative forms of transport and travel. Even promote walking! Reduce the motorised traffic and I feel, this would be major step to raise awareness and inform city-dwellers of what is at stake so far as concerns the risks connected with pollution."In Town without my car" would be unique movement and I wonder whether the city reformists are concerned or not!!!

-ilaxi

Wondering why no posts? Well, if you'd visit my website here, sure you'd know my whereabouts. Well, now that the ongoing festive season blooms, it's Card Playing that's flourished which result to win or lose games. A newspaper announcement says 'Earn commission for reporting Card Games' and this is what I feel 'Ridiculous' - Is this feasible? Who's gonna gain, btw? Yeah, one thing I do believe that Krishna's teachings is taken for granted another way around - A coin has two sides and whichever you think right, its your choice, anyways!

Bhagwad Gita says,
sarvasya prabhavo
Mattah sarvam pravartate
Iti matva bhajante mam
Budha bhava samanvitah

"I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in my devotional service and worship me with all their hearts"




As per the Gita, Karma "The action of a person is a good or a bad deed which is stored and determines the events in one's future lives. One is born time and time again to face the consequences of one's actions in previous lives." The Krishna's teachings reflect on how to stop this chain reaction and free oneself from the cycle of birth and death. The Karma of a person influences his lifestyle and all is required of a person is to keep a vigil check on the nine gate which means, nine sense organs so as to perform true 'Karma'. For this, one has to remember that there is always a head over a heart and realize the realities in life to perform their responsibilities and know their limitations, after all.

Now, tomorrow is Janmashtmi and here's the Krishna world of kidsfreesouls and I am sure, you will find it informative...Explore!

- ilaxi

"Thou Brave, be One! Behold, take courage, be proud that thou art an Indian and Proudly proclaim “I am an Indian. Every Indian is my fellow mate”, said Swami Vivekanand.

As I proudly remember the days of Flag Hoisting at School Independence Day, it had been great singing the National Anthem. After a long time, I played the song on my Keyboard and lo, the 4th std. students who attended my Library-English sessions didn't even know the words properly!!! I wonder, do the NRIs teach their kids our Independence song?

Well, here's the India Independence Song 'Jana Mana Gana' in different versions and also Download it on your computer and sing along the tune:-) Enjoy.

I wish all readers 'Happy Independence Day' (15th August). One thing that is noteworthy that Jawaharlal Nehru gave his memorable speech of freedom 'Tryst with Destiny' as Indians rejoiced but Mahatma Gandhiji who fought for Freedom alongwith many freedom fighters, was in Kolkata. Saddened by the Partition of the country, he spent the day fasting and in prayer.

- ilaxi

Computer Games like Prince of Persia and Doom are great memories when mostly every new compu game geek played during those sunny days.
I really use to cheat the kids with the 'cheat codes' and reach the eleventh & twelfth zone in minutes;-)

What? You don't know about Prince of Persia? Well, I have an online Prince of Persia game for you to play - Enjoy!

Created by Jordan Mechner and presented by UBISOFT Entertainment, Prince of Persia 3 is about to release and step into the Gaming arena. Warrior Within & Sands of Time were great Prince of Persia Games but the Speed Kill System is a whole new gameplay system being introduced in POP3. It allows you to perform very dramatic moves that take your enemy down in a single shot. Speed Kills require excellent timing and reflexes but are hugely rewarding. They really make the most of the Prince and Dark Prince’s athletic abilities in fast-paced action-packed sequence.

The Prince of Persia revolves round the story that the Prince of Persia makes his way home to Babylon, bearing with him Kaileena, the enigmatic Empress of Time, and unspeakable scars from the Island of Time. But instead of the peace he longs for, he finds his kingdom ravaged by war and Kaileena the target of a brutal plot. When she is kidnapped, the Prince tracks her to the Palace - only to see her murdered by a powerful enemy. Her death unleashes the Sands of Time, which strike the Prince and threaten to destroy everything he holds dear. Cast to the streets, hunted as a fugitive, the Prince soon discovers that the Sands have tainted him, too. They have given rise to a deadly Dark Prince, whose spirit gradually possesses him...

Don't miss out playing the game but if you do, there's more for you from me to you! I've tried out the Gujarati Blog and hopefully will be presenting Bhupatdada's articles & world of Gujarati Literature, gujarati poetry blogs and more! I ain't a gujju writer and honestly admit that I lag behind the real language as the convent culture took me over! Anyways, here the SHABD PREET Blog for you. Enjoy!

-ilaxi

Last three days I've been a Book worm as I have three books in a row to read:

The Broker by John Grisham
Lone Eagle by Danielle Steel
Storms In the Sea Win by Alam Srinivas

Now, the reason I picked up Alam's book was because I been on Stock Watch - Nah, I don't have a Stock Portfolio but sure, alert over the stock prizes, rise and fall!

STOCK WATCH: Today's Closing:(10th August 2005)

RIL 719
REL 620
RELCAP 461
IPCL 185

So, if you're into it, check out those News that trigger around!!!

Storms In the Sea Wind by Alam Srinivas:
Review by ilaxi

A blow-by-blow account of the Ambani saga by Alam Srinivas, Business Editor, Outlook, who has tracked the Reliance group for twenty years. Residing in Delhi, he has focused on investigative pieces exposing corporate corruption and the nexus between big business and politics. Since 1986, he has written dozens of articles on the Reliance group and the various controversies that gripped the Ambani family.

"Rule 1. Identify your stock. Rule 2. It’s all about the timing. Timing of what to pick and when to sell."

Storms in the Sea Wind - an interesting story of intrigue, deceit and drama.

A read for Corporate world, Management students and all those involved with the Share Bazaar!!! Corporate world & the Tricks of the trade! A thrilling involvement of most of contemporary India's Business and Political players.

The book has a rather interesting reveal where Pramod Mahajan is described as one “who was accused of being close to Mukesh and who vehemently denied it”, Shankar Adwal as “Mukesh’s chief lobbyist in Delhi, he constantly lamented...that the two Ambanis were fighting so openly” and Prem Chand Gupta as “the minister for company affairs who never revealed his true cards... and kept changing his stance regularly”.

Did ever Dhirubhai Ambani know about the tensions between his two sons, Mukesh and Anil?

Did the patriarch merge RIL and Reliance Petroleum to prevent a future split in the Reliance group?

What were the reasons for the frenetic growth of the Ambanis in just about three decades and the subsequent division in less than three years after Dhirubhai’s death?

What were Dhirubhai’s traits that kept the Ambani family together?

What were the differences in Mukesh’s and Anil’s personalities that led to their falling apart?

Did mother Kokilaben play a role in bringing about a truce between her two sons?

How was the seven-month-old war between Mukesh and Anil fought?

Roli Books presentation, (Rs.250/-) and around 240 pages read - When I got to read the reviews, its been an interesting information pick. Stop, Think and Step into the Share Bazaar arena with the Ambani picks!!!

(More Political, Management & Spiritual Book Reviews by me can be Read Here!)

- ilaxi

All our friends light the candle of our life with warmth and happiness. Sometimes, face to face, its hard to say the things we could but between Good Friends, unspoken thoughts are always understood. And then “Silence speaks a thousand words” This Friendship day, I wish all Readers “Happy Friendship Day” and may this small prayer build our spirits to spread love, faith, peace and unity among human beings.

God Make me worthy.........

It is joy in life to find at every turning of the road,
The strong arm of a comrade kind,
To help me with my onward load,
And since I have no gold to give,
'Tis love alone must make amends,
My only Prayer is while I live
"God Make me worthy of my Friends"

I believe that its
God’s might to direct us,
God’s power to protect us,
God’s wisdom for learning,
God's eye for discerning,
God's ear for hearing
God’s love for Caring.

So, keep the love, keep friendship, Keep Faith in God’s Caring.
Keep the Faith!

This book makes one a warmer and a more loving, caring and understanding person.Difference of opinions always occur but a friendly encounter makes a better communicative efforts to bond together in unity. Whether it is a son, hubby, family, friend or even aquaintance, this book provides essential tips with anecdotes to resolve tension in relationships. It has a clear message flow that Friendship is the intensity of the love that leaves behind trails of sweet memories to cherish the core of life giving a whole new meaning to it. The enigma of friendship strengthens with the bonds of relationships so unique which is unselfish, intimate, pure and beautiful. Learning to appreciate, speak out on issues, Listening, confide and sharing secrets, meeting of wavelengths and such deeper corners are focused for a caring friendly relationship with the people you love most. The Art of Forgiveness is one chapter which is very thought oriented that helps change Attitude to bring about a difference to be friendly. Friendship hurts as of many reasons but the author 'Alan' reveals the tact and provide clues for enjoying joys of Friendship.

Buy the Book at a local Bookstore or find here @ Amazon.

- ilaxi

St.John Wort - Wondering who the author is and what the book is about? Amitabh Bacchan is shown reading this book in 'Viruddh' and so I think, if you guess a bit, you're right - the book is about St. John's Wort. Here is a book of St.John Wort : The Herbal Way to Feeling Good 'The Miracle Cure for Depression. What you need to know about depression, conventional antidepressants, and the herb to manage your condition effectively is all the book about!




The Director of the movie has taken care to show the right book in the hand of a lonely parent-Amitabh Bacchan and the depressive mom is Sharmila!!!

- ilaxi

Monday Blues and here is the haunting memories of the star casts of the Hindi Movie I recently saw 'Viruddh'. Yeah, John Abraham is the macho sexy man you ever see on the big screen but here, his role is too matured; a Suave, lovable, innocent guy who's the only son of an elderly couple. Viruddh means 'versus' - the struggle of the elderly couple who strive for justice for their son who is blamed for drug peddling, murder and corruption.

The struggle of a Dad against the Politicians and the whole corrupted system. The movie is emotional and thought provoking but hey, I ain't reviewing the movie here - You've got to see it and believe it yourself to rate it 'Good' or just passing.

Well, now the news around is strong and most likely John Abraham is entering into the sphere of jounalism. Yeah, the television had a telecast of John's Interview when he really did mention that he had an ardent desire to publish a newspaper. For this, he's done his thorough 'Home-work' and gone through some brainstorming sessions, meeting people around the media. A mix of showbiz and real world, he beamed. A Big 'B' Admirer, John Abraham has all plans to publish the newspaper for exclusively 'Exclusive' readers, maybe a weekly and no 'all newspaper' stuff.




Of coz, this means, a truly different Bollywood Masalas+Extra Toppings through the eyes of a Star himself and that sure gonna be Interesting!

The lonely Bollywood NRI freaks will surely have their online resources now ready to transport to John, hopefully!
- ilaxi

"THINK - There must be a better way" This phrase is a sure fire way to activate the brain cells and perform the miracles of the mind. Our brain is booted with a creative energy which spring bold new ideas. One has only to unleash these creative ideas to implement them to excel. Afterall, one has to face a defeat with a “Challenge” and if you set your mind to get what you want, there is never a turn back in life but a sharp twist that makes you emerge a Winner.

Well, for some it's a quench your thirst for knowledge. While surfing on net, Google announce Google Gulp (BETA)™ with Auto-Drink™ (LIMITED RELEASE), a line of "smart drinks" designed to maximize your surfing efficiency by making you more intelligent, and less thirsty. It's the time to 'Think fruity, Think refreshing'




Google focus on the neurotransmitter smart drug stimulants past the blood-brain barrier to achieve maximum optimization of your soon-to-be-grateful cerebral cortex. Plus, it's low in carbs and with flavors ranging from Beta Carroty to Glutamate Grape. For the Beta version of Google Gulp, here is my guide and if it suits a surfer and you are lucky to grab a 'Gulp Cap' at local store, here is a 'way to go' as you'll never run out of way to quench your thirst of knowledge!




Enjoy!!!

- ilaxi

I remember a session I attended at TATA-AIG and the 'Spanco' theory that was explained to us by the Executives who motivated and encouraged us as fresher Insurance Agents. About 'Spanco' well, I will talk about it later but here's a book that comes to my mind for motivation.

Essential Managers Series : Motivating People



It has ever been my observation that where there is no motivation, the staff tends to fall prey to being lazy-bugs, dumb and losing their charm and interest in their jobs! People who adopt TQM (Total Quality Management) which is about constantly improving every process and product by progressive methods motivate with the Change and quip for empowerment at workplace. If there isn't Motivation, however well you want TQM, it fails as psychologically needs is not fulfilled. Self esteem is hurt too. Recently, during my Insurance Group meet, the young boys supported the training with motivational tips that promoted Discussions, provided information and feedback but missed out on encouraging initiatives. Effectively appraising, listening to opinions, discussing weaknesses are all best explained in this book. Raising Interest levels and developing skills is one yet two different things altogether. The book has techniques to widen perspectives too and getting the most from Training sessions. An Exceptional Book, I recommend for all Team Managers who need to 'Motivate' freshers and tune them up for Achievement. A good Pick and Great Gift to offer.

- ilaxi

Poet Rumi once said: "When you are dead, seek for your resting place, not in the earth, but in the hearts of men."

Aren't these wise words from a very wise man? Well, we all have our own challenging moments in life. Challenges come n go. Calamities too, come n go. We too, sail the boat of our life so as not to sink in deep circling waters. All top performers have developed ability of keeping their setbacks in a proper perspective, learning from them and then advancing confidently in the direction of their dreams. It's never losing sight of the fact that the work you and your team is doing impacts on people's lives and you can make a difference.

So, when one of my friend just rang me up and said, hey why do you keep working all the time when people who get highly paid call it 'peanuts' - Well, I guess 'Work is a force that keeps one getting wiser, otherwise what's a life for? Just a question that pops up 'Who will cry when you die?' Robin Sharma's book has all the answers I presume!




Robin Sharma,the Author says: "When you live your truth, your dreams beat a path toward your doorstep". A practical solution to create a sound Life and strikingly balance life filling in the gaps with humility. Robin refers to his father's words that a tree that has most fruits is that which bends to the ground. And though there are some exceptions he have found in his own experience that it is true-the people who know the most, who have achieved the most, and have lived the most, are also the people closest to the ground. In a word, they are humble.

The book is indepth wisdom with absolute life changing solutions to cope with life's trials, challenges, frustrations and so on.

- ilaxi

Harry Potter launches the book ‘Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince’ on 16th July, Midnight. 70 children who won in pre-competitions were invited for the Book Launch, who grandly rode on horse carriages, entered the Edinburgh castle where they met the multimillionaire Author J.K.Rowling. She read a chapter from the book and than gifted the signed copy and had a grand party with the kids.

In this book, Harry is focused on what really it means to life : family, friends and love and has been portrayed more mature who has emotional connections.



Masterpiece of Satanic deception – that’s what Harry Potter series is said to be by the Pastors of the church. The Bible, in Acts 19:19 says “Many of those who also used curious arts brought their books together and burned them before all men; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” And amazon.com is charging that and so are the Indian bookstores, I think. In 2001 and 2003, there are incidents of burning and cutting to pieces Harry Potter Books as Potter is a witchcraft and indeed inflicts the minds of the kids. The witchcraft theme do not jibe with the fundamentalist Christian teachings. Rowling has been the fourth most challenged Author of ‘Banned Books’ according to American Library Association from 1990 to 2004. These books do not have any moral lessons nor it says that lying and cheating are wrong.





Well, I run a children’s Library and encourage kids for reading but ugh oh, not Harry Potter! Though Harry Potter casts a spell in India, I do not believe in kids reading Harry Potter! Not that I am christian or ban the witchcraft but many kids cannot narrate nor write a review of simple story they read; they even cannot read Enid or Nancy Drew or Hardy boys nor Raold Dahl even though they buy from Bookstores like Crosswords! Those who can read are most exceptional kids I guess. Parents ever feel proud when they talk to me that their kids are reading Harry Potter but soon when they start attending my Library regularly, I find their flaws - they can't understand nor can they read the whole book!









Penguin Books India are the distributors in India and advance orders for the book were 125,000 copies.Leadings stores in Delhi & my town too reports of overwhelming response. So, I gather the copies are selling but hey, I wonder, why can't Indian bookstores held competitions like the below Book 'Harry Potter trivia n puzzles, etc.so that these books are really read?

The Ultimate Unofficial Harry Potter Trivia Book by Daniel Lawrence:
The book gives new, fascinating details about the first six books in the series. It contains a collection of fun multiple-choice questions along with little-known information about the world’s most famous wizard. Learn the secrets behind the magic and what comes next. The Ultimate Unofficial Harry Potter® Trivia Book is the perfect companion to the entire series, says Amazon!




It's now to be seen whether Harry Potter wins over Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, the movie that's released simultaneously! Kids - make your Choice! I am for Charlie.....the Raold Dahl book & the movie....LoL

-ilaxi

Some useful Links :

J.K. Rowling personal website
Harry Potter on Bloomsbury.com-International publisher
Harry Potter on Scholastic.com U.S. publisher
Harry Potter on Raincoast.com (Canadian publisher)
Penquin Books India - Indian Book Distributor for Harry Potter
Harry Potter in Asia

Did you see 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'? The Jungle Book, Sound of Music...many more! Well, those were the great days of our life when kids movies were a craze! Yesterday, while watching a television show, what interested me most was the news on coming 15th July release of Tim Burton's 'Charlie & The Chocolate Factory' with lead role by Johnny Depp as Willi Wonka. Here's the review of the story I read and told the kids who loved to dream of the Chocolate factory. Willy Wonka opens the gate of his Chocolate Factory to the five 'Lucky Winners' who finds the golden ticket wrapped in a Wonka Chocolate. Charlie is in for a big surprize in the end....You've got to see the movie with Kids!

By the way, if you want a fancy poster for kid's room, here is it. Just click for a great print-out. Enjoy!

-ilaxi

Net Shopping's been 'The New Rage' recently as a Survey conducted by the Internet and Online Association of India shows 25 million Internet population are regular online shoppers.

-62% have shopped on the net for more than a year
-37% have started shopping online within the past one year
-67% gave tested shopping spree in last three months.

Now, an estimated 13% of the online Shopping community shops by using Credit Cards.
79% use the option of Cash on delivery, allowing greater comfort level in online transactions within the shopping populance. Books were the most sought after item on the net with 41% of the online population buying books during 2004-2005. It is noted that the major shoppers reside in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.




Well, now as per my knowledge, online shoppers are too reluctant to buy books at Amazon or any other Bookstores online! My report shows hardly any buyers of Books as sambhaav sells books 'In Association' to Amazon. Moreover, I feel that leaving a Credit card number is allowing the cyber crooks to get you hooked. The web is full of deceit! Dangers of online transaction is not new and recently, reports speak of a security breach at a US processing company which exposed more than 40 million credit card accounts to fraud. The security hole in the system got access to names, account numbers and card codes! CitiFinancial has also confessed that data on 3.9 million consumers has been 'misplaced'. The data stolen in the card system breach is eventually auctioned by Cyber crooks who put up hijacked accounts. Not to go more in details..If E-commerce has matured into Rs.1,180 crore Industry during 2004-2005, figures may speak varying in time to come or maybe more stringent cyber laws to be framed for safe surfing, safe shopping...what not!!!

- ilaxi

Here's a Recipe...Straight from the "Chef" Blossomsmile's Kitchen!

Make the Best of Everything!


Preparation-Preliminary - A fluffy white cloud can adorn a clear sky
with splendour or can clutter up your vision of the blue expanse. Again, a
grey cloud can cause you to get wet and irritate you, or it can make
earth refreshingly cool. Your choice defines what is best.

Ingredients:

Make light of failure
Avoid pessimists and fault finders
Count your blessings
Enjoy Life
A vision of heaven

Method: Make failure an incentive to strive to do better.
Offer a deaf ear and blind eye to those who will not acknowledge the
cloud with a silver lining.
Remember a person without shoes is better off than one without feet.
Take time and pleasure in all you do even if it is eating a bread without
butter for breakfast.
Derive hope from saying, The Best is yet to come!

And yes, Best of friends too, yet to find, 'tis they come from heaven to
spread peace and joy on earth. Tis a cup of love blend with faith, trust
and all that is rosy and gold. Garnish your life with all the rich
flavours of love to relish the taste for a life time!!!

- ilaxi

Gone Rathyatra and the day winded up with yet another faith instilled in the minds of people. One of my friend went early in the morning at 5.00 for Darshan to Jagannath temple and when I met her at a friendly get-together at noon, I asked her if she knew why Rathyatra is celebrated. "No Idea", she beamed! And I recall my article on my small 'Research' done to know about Krishna, which even made me write about him and share it will all my readers here. The Krishna article was also translated to Gujarati. If you wish to read in Gujarati, you need to have shreelipi fonts enabled on your computer. You can find the font help file here.



The 34th verse of chapter 6 of Bhagwad Gita which specifically mentions that the individual self is the passenger in the chariot of the material body and the intelligence is the driver. Mind is the driving instrument and the senses are the horses. The self is thus the enjoyer or sufferer in the association of the mind and senses.

“ cancalam hi manah krsna pramathi balavaddrdham
tasyaham nigraham manye vayoriva suduskaram (34) (ch.6)

Intelligence is supposed to direct the mind, but the mind is so strong and obstinate that it often overcomes even one’s own intelligence. The mind is strong and obstinate and like one cannot capture the blowing wind, it is even more difficult to capture the turbulent mind. Hence, the easiest way to keep the mind in control is the chanting of ‘Hare krshna’, the great mantra for deliverance.

Now, as we see the terrorist threat round the globe, these people who spread terror with 9/11 or the London Disaster or Terrorist in Kashmir that spell terror, religion to them in name of Holy God or Allah or whatever is only an excuse to allow their Satan mind to perform tasks of hell. May god guide them to right path but one thing, I can't understand is that whenever 9/11 scare of London disaster is there, the whole world is active as if the hell is on earth but everyday in Kashmir and Iran-Iraq, we hear of Bombs & Terrorist kill, it's no concern to the whole world and passes off as a routine...How very Strange? When we see President Bush & Tony Blair speak the words of wisdom and Peace, it seems artificial! Is the world living under the threat of a Nostradamus prediction in future? Let's wait...

- ilaxi

Yesterday, 6th July was the second Death Anniversary of Dhirubhai Ambani and as I pay my respects, its a tribute to a great personality who has created a void in India's corporate world has been a role model for many. He had special love for Gujarat and his life will continue to inspire every Gujarati entrepreneur living here and abroad. He also had been instrumental in according a special status to the share market which he had turned into a ‘people’s movement’ across the country. He believed in the preachings of Bhagwad Gita and was a true follower as a 'karmayogi'who had a strong determination and will power.

Well, here goes the Review of the great Religious Book and I am sure many gujaratis have read and adopted the preachings in their lives.

Bhagvad Gita As it is By Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Review by ilaxi

With over two dozen languages and more than five million hardbound copies in print, undoubtedly, Bhagvad Gita As it is by Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the best selling and widely read classic in world literature. It reflects the main literary support for the great religious civilization of India, the oldest surviving culture in the world. This sacred book is well explained, easy to read with sanskrit shlokas well translated and pronunciations made easier. The subject of Bhagvad Gita entails the comprehension of five basic truths. First, science of god is explained and than the position of living entities, jivas. The living entity is controlled by the controller 'God head krsna' and the material nature 'prakriti' and time, the duration of existence of the whole universe and karma 'activity' are discussed. Finally, its god's wish and he makes or breaks the world! Bhagvad gita is written with 18 chapters - the conversation of krsna with Arjun as brief below:

1. Chapter One: Arjun gives up determination to fight at the battlefield of kuruksetra out of grief n pity when he sees his intimate relatives, teachers and friends in both armies ready to fight and sacrifice their lives.

2. Chapter Two: Krsna begins his teachings to Arjun and explains the distinction bet. the temporary material body and eternal spiritual soul. Characteristics of self realized person is explained.

3. Chapter Three: Karma Yoga i.e. one must engage in activity where actions can bind one to the world or liberate. Perform for the pleasure of god's will without selfish motives and attain transcendental knowledge.

4. Chapter Four: Transcendental knowledge, spiritual knowledge of the soul, of god and their relationship. Krsna explains history of Gita, purpose and significance of his periodic descents to the material world and the necessity of approaching a guru.

5. Chapter Five: Action performed and their fruits to attain peace, detachments, forbearance, spiritual vision and bliss.

6. Chapter Six: Controlling of the mind and senses and focus on concentration on god (lord is in heart)& explains the meaning of 'samadhi' full consciousness of supreme.

7. Chapter Seven: Knowledge of Absolute god. Krsna is the supreme truth and advanced souls surrender unto him in devotion.

8. Chapter Eight : Attaining the supreme god and remembering krsna in devotion whole life n at time of death, one can attain to his supreme abode, beyond material world.(This is one chapter that is always spoken in most Hindu families during ritual rites when someone dies)

9. Chapter Nine: The most confidential knowledge of bhakti - praying to godhead krsna.By reviving one's pure devotion, one returns to krsna in spiritual realm.

10.Chapter Ten: All power, beauty, grandeur or sublimity, in material or spiritual world are manifestation of krsna.

11.Chapter Eleven: Krsna grants Arjun the vision and reveals his form as cosmic universe and explains his own humanlike form is the original form of godhead and one can perceive only by pure devotion.

12. Chapter Twelve: Bhakti yoga to attain luv of krsna and they develop divine qualities.

13. Chapter Thirteen: Difference bet. body, the soul and supersoul beyond them both attains liberation from material world.

14. Chapter Fourteen:Souls are under the control of three modes i.e.qualities of material nature - goodness, passion and ignorance. How these modes act upon is well explained here.

15. Chapter Fifteen: Detaching oneself from material world and understand godhead. One who understand krsna surrenders to him and become devotional.

16. Chapter Sixteen: Difference of Divine and Demoniac nature is explained here. How to gain spiritual perfection.

17. Chapter Seventeen: Three types of faith evolving from three modes of material nature. Acts performed by those who have faith in passion and ignorance yield only impermanent, material results whereas acts performed in goodness, lead to pure faith in krsna.

18. Chapter Eighteen: The concluding part which explains the meaning of renunciation and effects of the modes of nature on human consciousness and acitivity. Surrendering to god which frees one from sins, bring enlightenment and be eternal spiritual mode.

Krsna says in Gita:

"Aham sarvasya prabhavo, Mattah sarvam pravartate
Iti matva bhajante mam, Budha bhava samanvitah"

Meaning "I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in my devotional service and worship me with all their hearts"

So, if you have read Bible or Koran or any religious book, Bhagvad Gita is a choice 'Absolute'to read about the 'Absolute Godhead' After all, God is a mystery and nobody ever knows who the real person is otherwise I feel, there would be no wars and only peace on earth if Bhagvad Gita Mahima (krsna's sayings) is followed by humans. A sure Pick.

-ilaxi

Dream Big and You Can Do It! This mantra seems to work great for many Corporates and no exception is Ahmedabad based Pankaj Patel, chairman and Managing Director of Zydus Cadila. As the news reported earlier, Zydus outlined an expenditure of Rs 25 crore for the expansion of its Ahmedabad unit a year ago. By 2007,the Company expect 40 per cent sales to come from exports. His dreams of making Zydus a Billion dollar multinational firm by 2010 has seen him acquire a company in France,US, South Africa, Brazil and has his marketing offices in many countries.

No wonder, Pankaj Patel appears in Forbes 40 Richest Indians, 2004!

He was also awarded the Best Pharma Man of 2004.

What impress me the most is that Pankaj Patel is home loving Amdabadi. His love for Ahmedabad is palpable as he says in an Interview that Ahmedabad has a nice and planned development. The city is becoming a better place to live. He even prefers *Shopping' in home town and spends his vacations with his family in India.

This is a real Treat for all of us. At functions, a casual glance of Pankajbhai would not reveal what he possess or wears or what he thinks. But cool, when his mom speaks in an interview in sambhaav metro that he's a devoted and caring son, sure one can feel the person within who has the strong determination and will to Believe in self and Believe in the things he can do! It's an Inspiration and I guess, such Interviews of CMDs will definately encourage the upcoming new generation Management Youth!

Well, this reminds me to share with you a link - especially for Executives to Test their Executive Skills. Oops, the Books seems to be out of stock, so maybe you can check out later.

- ilaxi

Someone said, 'Give encouragement at each opportunity. Don't overlook small steps of Progress'. Now, I feel this is one sentence we all need to remember.

And here is an amdabadi, Hardik Shah's page of American Gujju Pop Song on his newly made website! NRIs, it says a lot:-) All you need is, Keep Patience & Keep the Faith!

- ilaxi

Dhirubhai Ambani was a karmayogi, never willing to rest on his achievements. His underlying philosophy: "India is a land of great opportunity. If you can dream it, you can do it. Our dreams have to be bigger. Our ambitions higher. Our commitment deeper. And our efforts greater. This is my dream for Reliance, and for India."



And here we see a son who has to now follow his father's steps and "Just watch out for the 3Cs - chamchas, chelas, and cronies!" As such, it seems Anil Ambani believes in Mahatma Gandhiji's words:

Wealth, only with Work
Knowledge, only with Character
Business, only with Morality

So, I guess, ADA Enterprises will soar to a success in time to come. Reliance Infocomm can be a jewel in Anil's crown. The telecommunications industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in India. Less than one in 10 people own a phone in the nation of more than a billion people. India's mobile phone users may almost quadruple to 200 million by the end of 2007 says India's phone services regulator. It is presumed Reliance Infocomm will have 100 million subscribers, or about 40 percent of India's total market, in less than five years. Well, but its quite obvious Infocomm may have to tap the equity markets very soon to continue funding the growth of the company!

The Ambani issue has been the longest and fierce battle that shook the Corporate India and as the death Anniversay of Dhirubhai Ambani is nearing on July 6, here's a split - Anil Ambani gets his share of Reliance Infocomm, Reliance Energy and Reliance Capital whereas Mukesh bags Reliance Industries & IPCL. A new beginning awaits especially for Anil who seems to be a very confident and a person with a foresight. And I feel any ways, what happens always happen for Good! When bad things happen to good people, they turn out to be better people - this goes for both the brothers, of coz! Let's see what's in store for 'shareholders'!

- ilaxi