Want to book a Galactic suite in Space Hotel? Call on us at Swagat! Well, the Reuters news page on kidsfreesouls is all news as the first hotel planned in space, expects to open for business in 2012 and would allow guests to travel around the world in 80 minutes. A three day stay will cost $ 4 million and the most expensive on space. You can watch the sunrise 15 times in a day. Aerospace Engineer Claramunt came with a novel idea and is supposed to spend 3 billion for the project. So, start counting your $$ and get ready for the flight!

Well, dreams don't turn to reality unless and until you have sheer luck! Anyways, get on to kidsfreesouls for the Enid Blyton and the news piece on The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) recently urging parents to fearlessly file FIRs against schools if children complain of abuse by teachers and cases of spanking in the classroom. Read more on Kidsfreesouls!

Btw, there is not much time online these days and no chance for any updates on Shabd Preet Blog. Also want to reframe the blog and add topics - Any ideas there?

Well, Life is much happier drifting to the newly opened Malls and believe me, it's great shopping spree at the ISKON Mall with a very much bigger Reliance Fresh soon to begin. The problem only is 'TRAFFIC JAMS' - be it Himalaya Mall or Iskon or Gallops or wherever.....

- ilaxi

In the land of five crore Gujarati comes the pouring rain with the mega city streets submerged in water! Our savvy CM is in real trouble not only with the rains but with the political blows/rows too - And I heard, he's married and got a son too! Gossip...gossip...

Well, well, what do citizens care except they see a vision and a developing State! After all, those who have the double standards would no doubt, speak and write trash!

Btw, are you a parent or a teacher - Sure, you are in stress if you have children who are still schooling! I heard the English Medium schools here have planned for Extra English Speaking Course and parents have to pay Extra - All because the schools are incapable to teacher conversation in classrooms! And yeah, a certain website is recommended by teachers to parents and students and projects are given in classroom to use this website - who will incur the expense to log in as the site charges, I asked. Blank came the reply - Students and parents, of course! So, well, Education sure is getting tech savvy. After all....

- ilaxi

Did you read Harry Potter? Somebody asked me. And it's a blank "NO" - I read Barbara Cartland! And Judith Macnaught n my recent read is "Every Breath you take" and before this, "Perfect". By Nora Roberts, Spell Bound and Julie Garwood's "Shadow Dance". And we have the Robin Sharma, Paul Coelho and Cobra II by Michael Gordon and Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright - No Harry Potter!!! When the world goes mad, someone got to be sane.

Now, this calls for the video mashing of speeches of Robin Sharma and here's one, if it so interests you. Keep on the check for more to appear on my Biz site and kidsfreesouls too.

If you find this interesting, do mash it too:-) Enjoy!

- ilaxi

Atmanam rathinam viddhi shareeram rathameva tu,
Buddhim tu sarathim viddhi manaha pragrahameva tu.
Indriyani hayanyahur vishayansteshu gocharan,

(Translation):
The atman is Rathi - owner of the `chariot' - the body,
The intellect is the Sarathi - driver,
The mind is the rein,
The senses are the horses, and
The Panch Vishayas - material objects of the five senses - are
the fields of pasture for the horses.

i.e. The person whose Sarathi - intellect - is wise, whose mind fully controls the senses, can traverse Samsara to reach the desired goal - the Lord's abode.

You can read more details on Krishna here on Kidsfreesouls Krishna pages. However, the gujarati page do not show the fonts in a proper manner as I have yet to convert this to unicode. I've almost stopped writing spiritual and management articles, the day I no more wrote for the guj newspaper! Maybe, I drifted now writing on War and Education!

If you are interested in a research on the Use of Computers by Teachers, find the report on kidsfreesouls.com. Do let me know your use of Computers - if you are not into Tech field.

- ilaxi

Now, now that's what you call Unaware of Google Ad trends! A recent headlines on front page mentioned of website exhibiting some real bad ads appearing on a government website. I guess these ads appear almost on all the websites currently!!! Refresh the page and you see newer ads. I wonder the 2005 program has again arose or what???

Whatever, life goes on - Btw, Google referrals beta version is on way and as the experiments go on, here's fresh topic on Goal Setting for kids. Follow the tips on Goal Setting Ingredients in my book with this note. Yeah, if you have kids, check on the links on kidsfreesouls too and download the Mind what you do on web copy - for kids and for all.....enjoy!

- ilaxi

An American Amdabadi, Mahendra Shah is a businessman who over 30 years has recorded his musings of the Indian community in America in the form of original Gujarati and english cartoons. His book Ame American Amdavadi is a kind of a unique collection over 250 Cartoons to offer a unique perspective on the life of Indian immigrants.

Shah lives in PA and you can contact him for the book if you so believe in Faith, Hope and Charity coz all the profits from the book will be donated to designated charities under the Author's program "Art for Charity". You can contact him on mahendraaruna@verozon.net and visit his website too. Btw, the half cup tea or the rakebi fashion is now gone and almost the clubs are getting ready for bars here I heard but I guess the nri amdabadis still has the saucer tea!

Btw, I earlier mentioned of Karmacy Band who came out with a Rap and here is the You Tube Video on Blood Brothers and I am sure, you will enjoy!

- ilaxi

Are you in US? Hmm..it must be a yummy treat for us here if you parcel the Ice-creams and yeah, I promise I am gonna send you the Kulfi from here - all fully packed and sealed in great containers - the pista and badams...Wondering why? First it's the US Happy Birthday week celebration and secondly, July is the month to celebrate 'National Ice-cream Month'.



Well, live life King style or the Queen. Try your hand on my TOI-SOFTEL (1995) Award winning Ice-cream Recipes there to observe the Ice-cream month and if you find cool, serve to guests too.
Here is my note with the link to Ice-cream recipes. Enjoy!

- ilaxi

Want to read Spanish? Here's my new blog in Espanol - Earth Talk related Questions. Together we can build a better world! Click here.

And a Very Happy 4th July - Enjoy the bursts on kidsfreesouls - In association to New York Times link!

- ilaxi

क्या आप रेडियो सुनते हो? पता है एक दिन के लिए इन्टरनेट रेडियो बिल्कुल शांत हो गया था ! वजह जानना चाहते हो तो यहाँ पे क्लिक करे।

Well, this is the Hindi unicode written with the new Google Accounts. I guess, gujarati will soon be available too. Gujaratis, however need to be more on the run to keep the language alive as apart from English, Hindi is soon going to storm over on the web.

Anyways, there you go with the information for the online Internet Radio and listen to the cool Desi songs over there through my Tech blog link. And for all who wish to listen to my fav specials, there's Launch Cast - aha..Yahoo...on the right bar! Enjoy!

- ilaxi

I have been reading quite a number of blogs on the web lately. In gujarati, we call 'alankar' and I find the use is fading! As in English, we have the rich Idioms - the special uses of words or combination of words, phrases or turns of expressions that are peculiar to a language. When I take a Vocabulary class, the words meanings are searched for in a dictionary but when I take an Idiom class - the same very search becomes too hilarious coz the children find the exact meaning of the word - Double meanings and we end up with fun learning!

Well, here is a tip for many who find conversation flaws too. English has become a compulsory subject in Gujarati medium schools now and no point in fretting and fuming over the language barriers - In Gujarat, we speak the language of love and brotherhood - whatever language we speak or write or have to learn, the laws are all written in English! Enjoy!

- ilaxi

I guess the new look of the Blog says a lot for the time being. Btw, do peep in Kidsfreesouls for the Google News and news you can Mash around....Yeah, also for the Best Music Download site links as June 21st marked the World Music Day. Enjoy!

- ilaxi

There has been some errors with my Blog, so keep on checking with a smile to brush off excusing me....Google is on way to manage Google Accounts! Did you check out the igoogle feature? You can now add my Blog widget there from kidsfreesouls site!

Well, the news around here on my desk is again the CM - all with the development, in comes a flaw - The State's infants are found to be malnourished and the level is rising higher that the national average. Below 3 years children, the situation in tribal children is worst. The CM is shocked with the statistic reports of malnutrition in kids and have announced 'Bal Bhog' project under which 1000 specially indentified malnourished children will be brought from nine most under-nourished Districts - Banaskantha, Vadodara, Bharuch, Narmada, Dangs, Sabarkantha, Surat, Valsad and Navsari. Under the project specially made chocolates containing Vitamin A, C, folic acid and iron will be distributed.

Read more on Kidsfreesouls News - Btw, Now you can MASH my News at Kidsfreesouls! Check this out....News you can use, news you can pass......

- ilaxi patel

Thank you CM for the Path to the road ahead of Progress of the State....So, says the ad in the newspaper today! Anyone there for Kudos n three cheers to Narendra Modi and his Govt? Yeah, the kids may shout out there - 3000 kids taking part in the very busy Himalaya Mall - so big and packed with kids having fun galore...With more and more jam packed Malls in town and more coming in all states, Tourists sure to come! All with a cow on the narrow roads in the monsoon jamming the traffic and like shown in the movie Traffic Signal, the tourist will click the pic and the beggars will ask for a rupee and ultimately, if you don't give, you will be pulled out of the car by her! It happens only in ....CM's land!

- ilaxi

Resync your way to Healthy Feeds Now with the Chicago based Feedburner which has been recently acquired by Google! Currently, Feedburner feeds 431,171 publishers who've burned 736,494 feeds as of 29th May 07. Blogger. TypePad, WordPress, Myspace or podcast/video feeds are burnt at Feedburner. You can Publicize, Optimize, Analyze, Monetize at Feedburner.

More on this on Kidsfreesouls Tech Blog or kidsfreesouls.com. Subscribe my feeds and enjoy!

- ilaxi

It was always so easier to talk on three Ps : Press, Politician and Priest. You can rather add one more keeping in mind the Vanzara case - the 4th P - Police! Well, while surfing the Gujarati web blogs, I came across a profile which says:

" I can describe my life using three "P"s.
Power: In any physical or mental condition one should work with equal concentration
Punctuality: If you will appreciate time, time will appreciate you
Perseverance: Fight till the last breath.

These are the inspiring words on Vishal Monpara's website! He's a savior for many English mediums and non tech savvy as Vishal has specifically developed a plug n play gujarati type pad "Vishal Monpara - gujarati type pad" - Yeah, no need to download fonts to write, no need to set up the system - Just straight away click to Vishal's Ready to Type and cook up the story you want or write comments to post on gujarati blog posts. A quick write, copy and paste where you want. Not only gujarati, there you find Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malyalam n more. There you go....Enjoy!

- ilaxi

Interested to read my blog on your blog? Well, even if not, here is a site where you can just add feeds and within flick of seconds, blog notes can roll down. Go here and for eg. Add http://sambhaav.blogspot.com/atom.xml - use the colors you wish for bg and text and submit.There, you see my blog rolling....copy the script and paste it in your blog template or website html page. Let me know if you add this url or else you can add your very own url like this one with an atom xml or rss and enjoy the sweet rollings.

For more info on Google gadgets and widgets, click for details on kidsfreesouls. Enjoy!

- ilaxi

In front of my desk lay a Quote:

Of Wisdom's way you would wisely seek,
Five things observe with care:
Of whom to speak,
to whom to speak,
And how and when and where.

Saying is a lot easier than actually putting into practice!

Well, here's to say, Kidsfreesouls.com get into Alliance with Rediff.com for Question & Answer Column on kidsfreesouls.com. You can now click on the Categories at the Question Box and Ask any Question. Even Answer with your expertise skills and earn points to get into "Hall of Fame". If you have any question worrying you and wanna get a quick reply, the interactive people on the web easen up your minds. I wonder, so many of us are exploring the www and so many answers yet remains unanswered - So, why not get into being interactive. Enjoy!

- ilaxi

Gujarat Day - 1st May and did I miss out - nah, I was watching the CM on the Television!

Here's a note from kidsfreesouls if you happened to miss out visiting the site on Gujarat Day. I am surprised, it appears in google search too as key words 'Gujarat Day, may 1'

From kidsfreesouls....

It always happens - When a Politician works favorable for the citizens, the media slash over the negatives of the politician and the party. It is said, check the P's and beware of them - the Politician, priest and the press. I wrote this article on Politicians-Endangered species quite long back. However, I do admit that some politicians may be a lot corrupted but our Gujarat government CM is on way to road ahead for promoting the state to newer heights and give a label of metro city to my town Ahmedabad, which is just about next to a Bombay or Delhi and Bangalore city in India. No wonder, by 2010, we can see tremendous changes for sure if the CM is able to fight out the odds and the black scars on his image.

Btw, 1st May is the 'Gujarat Day' and I heard Narendra Modi, the CM on the television. A man with a vision, he spoke on the development of the state and mentioned the many Initiatives taken by the Government. The government has implemented a scheme to impart education to children in rural areas through ‘Gyan Rath’. The other Initiatives are Raksha Shakti, Jal Shakti, Urja Shakti, Jan Shakti - Education, Security, Water, Energy and human resources are covered up by the State government and major initiatives are being taken for the e-Governance and with IT implementation, the Gujarat state is expected to reach milestones in the coming years. Here is the Gujarat State Profile and the CM's earlier speech.

- ilaxi

On the recent World Book Day, there has been a record number of people reading books with top on the list mentioned by a local newspaper which has books like Harry Potter, Wuthering Heights, Great expectations, Bible, etc. What is missed is the rich English Literature. Now, who would mention on Gujarati rich Literature when even English medium schools lag behind English Literature - hardly able to celebrate World Book Day and remember Shakespeare!

Well, I have a couple of Shakespeare books but the most easier for children and a must in Library shelf are Cherrytree books "Shakespeare for Everyone" by Jennifer Mulherin and Illustrations by George Thompson (As You Like It (Shakespeare for Everyone Series)). If Shakespeare plays are performed in the classroom, children may understand the story and its character.

I have a couple of thousands Archies and comic books in my library and like every year, organized an "Archie & Comics Day" with open reading participants for all children 1-7th std. It's time to encourage kids for reading as this is one activity that has taken a back-seat and most of the parents opt for summer activities like sports, music, drawing or math workshop. Even majority of parents do not find time for reading. There may be exceptions but most of the time, it's a show biz "I read a robin sharma" or I read..blah blah...

Btw, what do you read?

- ilaxi

A recent survey conducted for Deloitte & Touche, US revealed that job dissatisfaction was a leading reason people make unethical decisions at work. The survey 'Ethics and Workplace' further says,91% believe that workers who enjoy good work life balance are more likely to behave ethically.

I think that the behavior of the leaders in the organizations; the managers, supervisors or as in a newspaper, the main Editors and sub editors are more responsible to be the most significant factors in encouraging or discouraging good behavior at work. What they do matters, what they do perform, makes a big difference too. They are in some way observed, used as role models too, whether they know or not. Being straightforward, honest and treating all employees equally is a good example of management. Taking credits for someone else's accomplishment, lying to impress or even lowering down the employee is the weak point of the leader manager who do not know how to balance job satisfaction levels. Ultimately, the employee may try to be in books by pleasing the manager for some time but when the self respect or the ego hurts, the job dissatisfaction arise. Competition among employees are nevertheless charted programs for motivation and building team spirits but if management fails at levels of its own understanding, unethical acts arise out of bad behavior patterns of their superiors. After all, most of the Bosses are found to be "Too Ambitious" and will go to extreme points in many cases. Ultimately, a dissatisfied employee will face the grudge unless he becomes a leader.

I recommend a book for all those dissatisfied employes on "How to manage your Boss" . Bosses miss out the time factor in knowing the individual strengths of the employee and here is the book that guides to follow the path to show the boss how capable you are. The boss is a human mind with full of power and pressures which lead way to make him to be a politician too in his own field.

Summed up, 72 chapters, the most important I find are:

1. Assessing yourself & Assessing your Boss Type
2. Building Trust
3. Complementing your Boss Style
4. Managing your Workload and managing teams
5. Receiving Feedback
6. Taking Initiatives
7. Self Development
8. Resolving Conflicts
9. Negotiating a Raise - Getting Promotions
10. Assessing abilities

Best on my Library shelf, this book gives me a reminder that if you wish to be an independent mind and working in own areas of interest, stick to your own work style and be your own Boss. Be your own role model as Bosses you believe in and make them your role models, sometime turn out to be role disasters as they themselves act unethical way!

Another book Managing your Boss (DK Publishing), Essential Managers series is a good pick and I remember gifting it to some friend.



It had good topics like:

1. Assessing your situation
2. Working with your Boss
3. Managing Conflicts
4. Improving your Prospects

And More. I have many books in this Essential Manager series of DK and well, these are the best picks on my library shelf.

I would say 'Be your own Boss' - You reach to scale higher every single day and reach your goals. Enjoy!

- ilaxi