The issue of reservation rocks student communities and political leaders either support quotas or maintain a deafening silence. When Arjun Singh made a first announcement about reservation in India’s higher educational institutions, was he working on some directions? Merit counts but do money determine merits?

Whatever, here is Petition to President of India - say No to reservations in private sector and IIT/IIM/Medical colleges. The reservations have not solved any of the evil effects of the caste system. Fifty years down the lane, the SC’s and ST’s continue to be as downtrodden as they were, and most backward caste people continue to remain backward.

Sign the petition or don't - there it speaks aloud!

- ilaxi

It has been announced May as a Mental Health Month and this means, Educating self and community to mind one's Health and keep healthy and fine - Physically as well as mentally. Incidently, I recently started writing the Statesman Blog by the name Blossomsmile (category Health & Fitness/Food & Drink/Opinion). I am sure, you will find my Health & Fitness Blogging tips useful here.

Being Corporate Insurance Agent, I would say, Health has to be a prime priority in life. It's a concern for the whole family. I been watching the documentary film of Drew Barrymore and she started taking alcohol at the age of 9, hooked to drugs at 10 and had to go to a rehab center as she became too addicted and got into very bad shape. At the age of 14, she wrote a book and later, we know she became a star celebrity with movies like Charlie's Angels. She had faced a trauma of parent separation and faced a lot of misery at a young age.

Ask a child or teen "What's the Matter?" My article on 'Parent stress, kids stress' ( Romanian translation) focus on many a points to stop the depressive feelings - be it parent stress but let not the kids too get into the vicious stressful living. Depression along affects as many as one in every 33 children and one in eight teens. Mental Disorder in children rises which make them irritated, rude, unpredictable, disorganized and so on which lead to problems at home, school or community. Help children grown up gracefully in normal environment with their days filled with happiness. Visit the nmha site and get aware. Proudly wear a green ribbon to draw attention to childhood depression and use the material placed on this site of Child Depression Awareness Day.

- ilaxi

"It's true that the real reward for a job well done is having done it. But it feels so good to get a pat on the back."

The caption says aloud! How very often do you get a pat on your back or that little Appreciation that you deserve?

Well, we may talk of this later but right now, I am going to focus on a job well done. Interim Housing Solutions is a major benefit that can help you find the best accommodations at the most reasonable rates whether you are relocating to a new city, working on an extended assignment, settling an insurance claim, undergoing extended medical treatment, or simply need a place to call home during a period of transition. Free Temporary Housing and short term Apartments are in great demand especially when you want to stay for prolonged days - Home Away from Home. IHS provides an up-to-date inventory of furnished apartments available in major U.S. cities coast-to-coast and throughout Canada. Their mission is to make it easy for corporations, small businesses and individuals to find exactly what they want with a single search.

And staying away for a month in Charlotte, my friend said, she's got the best deal from IHS for a temporary stay. She had the facilities for 60 days and her apartment came with all the amenities, including cookware, dishes, coffeemaker, cable and local phone and all that you need for living. This reminds me of the Sterling RCI membership where we enjoy the 7 days facilities for free stay and lapses after the accumulation of 21 days.Poof! thats for an Indian vacation, lemme say! The abroad facilities are far away from the city.

Well, If you ever happen to be for a vacation to United States or major Canadian cities, here is IHS at the reach of a phone call : 866.279.4471 Toll Free: 703.893.1901 Phone or Fax:703.893.1902. You can even

E-mail IHS

for your interim housing solution needs or fill up a form here.

Do lemme have your views once you visit there coz I never gonna be that Faaar...Far way, away from Home as Yeh Mera India...I love my India.

-ilaxi

Wanna Blog? If you are a freak on web, prolly you know Why Blog but if you don't know What is a Blog and Why to Blog, How to Blog and that too, in Gujarati, here is my How to Blog in Gujarati Help Guide. It so happens, we think in Gujarati and speak in English, so why not Think, speak and Write in Gujarati? Or any other Language! Logic, you'd say!

With the Blogging mania on a rise on the web, Blogging is become a 'Revolution'. Nielsen/NetRatings found blog readership has grown 31% since the beginning of the year, as blogs attracted 29.3 million visitors in July 2005.The flourishing of blogs, estimated at more than 700,000 worldwide, has created a new space for self-expression on political and social matters.

And now here is the Big News. Got a great Blog and wondering what to do to increase your reach, visibility and readership? Get a Big Exposure with 'Blog Burst'. BlogBurst is a syndication service of Pluck.com that places your blog content on top-tier online destinations on the Publishers' websites. Submit your blog for an Invitation Call and once you're accepted into the BlogBurst Network, keep blogging as usual. The Publishers picks up your contents and you reach a target audience with that byline line, driving traffic to you Blog!

So, if you are dreaming to be a journalist - Just forget it working for a few bucks. Here is your chance to be read on big Newspaper sites like Statesman, Guardian, etc. and bigger websites like SFGATE - Earn great too! Just write great contents and be read. Here is one of my Blogs featured on Austin Statesman under the category Health & Fitness, Opinion and Food & Drink (click blossomsmile. Enjoy! Do send in your comments too:-)

Gujarati newspapers - are you listening? It's time to 'Appreciate' people around esp. own Journalists and also people blogging in Gujarati. Now they can have a say on your websites too. Just pick up those bloggers from Blogburst. They really would prove themselves to be better Journalist, after all.

- ilaxi

We read biographies and autobiographies to acquaint ourselves with the lives of great men and the times they lived in. Here is 'Blood Brothers' by MJ Akbar which combines history, biography and fiction. I ever enjoyed reading
Shade of Swords by MJ but here is a skillfully crafted family saga across three generations.





























When I blogged away reviews of this Book 'Blood Brothers', it's given me an immense feeling of a job worth done and exposed - A writer understands 'words' more and this is a meaningful book with MJ's insights, humour, arguments, debates and above all, the social interpretations.

Well, here's what people have to say for 'Blood Brothers' by MJ Akbar. Btw, look forward for 'Guardian of Angels:A practical guide to joyful parenting by Ilaxi (yeah, that's me, an unpublished Author; hopefully,soon to be published!) Watch for Excerpts at kidsfreesouls.com

- ilaxi

Listening is always a pleasure! I often say, Music is the speech of angels and so very true. Up in the morn, plays the Radio Mirchi Traffic beat, followed by World Space 40 Count Down and than the usual Yahoo Launch or the ipod.

Recently, while surfing for my ipod software download, it came to light, how Apple called for a meeting after making a little girl cry. Apple Computer recently called for a meeting to discuss changes in its Corporate Policy after the company sent an upsetting legalese reply to a third-grade girl who had hand-written a letter to chief executive Steve Jobs with her thoughts on improving the iPod. A 9-year-old Shea O'Gorman and her third-grade class began learning about writing business and formal letters, she thought who better to write to than the chief executive of the company that makes her iPod nano. Shea offered her ideas on how the company could improve on its iPod digital music players, such as adding song lyrics so listeners can sing along to their tunes.

The girl recieved a cold reply from the Apple's legal department but nevertheless, the company's General Counsel placed a personal call to Shea to apologize following a CBS 5 News inquiry.

It's a call to check the Corporate response policies. Change with the Change - communication lag is a major fall and I wonder, with the technology in, how many corporate check in for their responses or hit out on communication? An alarm sign...

- ilaxi

23rd April is marked for World Book Day. This reminds me of the rich literature we use to learn in earlier schooling days. Today's generation are aware of 'Shakespeare' but ask them to recite a poem or narrate a story - Who's got the time to read! I think, schools should make Literature a compulsory subject.

Well, here's a Shakespeare Poem and I remember too well, Makrant Shukla (Kash movie child artist) use to recite this poem and children just called for a 'Re-repeat' as he always had a flair of reciting so unique with an expression to match what the poet said.

All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms;
Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face,
creeping like snail Unwillingly to school.
And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad,
Made to his mistress' eyebrow.
Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth.
And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lin'd, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.
The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side, His youthful hose, well sav'd, a world too wide For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble,pipes
And whistles in his sound.
Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion; Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans every thing.

Hmmm...An English Poet and Playwright, Shakespeare wrote 38 plays, a collection of sonnets and variety of Poems. The kids in my class recently did a Literature Project - Aayushi, Shaimi, Aashini, Gucci and Parav. Each selected their own Author Profile:William Wordsworth, Robert Browning, Percy B Shelley, John Keats and Lord Alfred Tennyson. It's an effort to motivate but nevertheless, its creating awareness to jumpstart for an action.

- ilaxi

Last week, I went for the Book Launch of Desi Dream Merchants by A.G.Krishnamurthy at Crosswords, Mithakhali.(9th April 2006) Among the present was the guest, Mr. Vimal Ambani. This Mudra Leader launched his first book 'The Invisible CEO' last year as Mudra completed 25 years. What impressed me was the speech of Krish, as he spoke of the team spirits of Mudra. The Desi Dream Merchants Back cover begins "Management theorists have opined that leaders need followers. And having a dream team is one of the latent desires of all managers and leaders." Rightly said 'Krish' but than the 'Boss is the speed of the Team', I would say:-)

Krishnamurthy conveyed a message at the end of his speech to the new Generation to "Keep the Faith in your own-self and believe in your own Dreams - If you dream and work hard, sooner or later, success is at your own door-step", he quipped.

Mudra as an agency has been quintessentially Indian. The logo with those two artistic hands in a striking dance posture and the ability to think in Indian languages, to appeal to the Indian consumer still remains. If you visit the Mudra website, it sure has the classic appeal with the Indian music notations being played 'Sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni sa or you call it 'Do, re, me..' The agency was understandably proud of its Indian roots - carrying the tagline “Made in India”. And whilst it had multinational clients, it had a wide range of clients who respected and valued its uniqueness and if one may add indianness. Brands like Vimal, Rasna, Binnies, Nutrine, Dhara, and Symphony were happy clients of the agency for years on end.

In Desi Dream Merchants, AG Krishnamurthy, the Mudra Man, in sequeal to The Invisible CEO reveals the inside story of Mudra - a desi ad agency catering to the needs of the Indian Business. In his amiable style, the author enlivens the book involving the team spirits with anecdotes and stories of the team. The book also has extracts of AGK Speak column in Business standard. Krish speaks of his bygone days, remembering Dhirubhai Ambani, who way back in 1980 handed Krish the mandate to begin the Mudra Ad Agency and create the best textile advertising in India with a minimum Rs.35,000/-. Dhirubhai put a lorry load of Trust and enough fuel to last till the nearest petrol pump, Krish says as he got to task, the right people and who obviously 'walked English, talked English and Advertised English.

The book is the Making of Mudra and is worth a story to be read from the Mudra Founder, A.G.Krishnamurthy and his team. Desi Dream Merchants is a veritable treat to leaders, would-be leaders, advertising and marketing professionals.

- ilaxi

While working on web, I came to know these guys Ajay Sanghani & Shiv who were actively involved with Internet Projects. It was a treat for me to run a site called Mysticcommune.com for Shiv who was also an Osho fan and I fantasy read Osho and wrote articles related to Osho thoughts. This domain is now sold, I guess! As time flew, Shiv lost in oblivion and I lost his trace but Ajay - he still is with his own UK-based E-business Consulltancy.

Recently, he invited me to Blog for itvidya.com and I got tempted to casual Blog there to share my piece of Blogging. I posted on webproworld, syndicationpro etc (Posting do chart me on #1 in Google and bring me readers for my websites to sambhaav.com, Kidsfreesouls.com, swagatgroup.net & mjakbar.org too;-)

ITvidya.com is a group of IT professionals who launched India’s first network of technology blogs that allows its members to create their own blogs and share knowledge on information technology. The network also hosts expert-managed blogs in areas of coding, design, database, operating systems (OS), emerging technologies, enterprise solutions, outsourcing, web and wireless technologies. Ajay says, “With blogs around, the web is now no more just a library, but also an interactive conversation platform allowing active participation by all users not only to read, but also write and comment. Ajay's aim is to build the largest blogging network of IT Professionals with a purpose to create information, share knowledge, interact with peers, learning, growing and creating opportunities for each other. 'Gain IT, Share IT' - the Slogan itself says all, allowing members access to gain and share IT Knowledge.

Sounds Interesting? Join the team of Ajay Sanghani and start Blogging right away. If you ever wish to talk to him and hear his most professional voice, ring him on 98200 20753.

- ilaxi

Blog : Merriam-Webster's Dictionary awarded it "the word of the year" in 2004. In that particular year, the percentage of Internet users who had read blogs spiked sharply from 17% to 27%. It's 2006 and the Blogging is become a 'Revolution'. Blogs power the 'Journalism Revolution' too. Laurel Touby, founder of Mediabistro.com, says media companies like hers are looking to bloggers to fill gaps in coverage. Rather than hiring a full-time beat reporter, they hire a part-time blogger for a lot less. Respected bloggers typically are obsessed with the subject matter they cover, she adds, and they attract a community of like-minded individuals that companies want to reach.

Blogs and websites will have a higher priority than the press. The flourishing of blogs, estimated at more than 700,000 worldwide, has created a new space for self-expression on political and social matters. Here's the October 2005 estimated figures of Bloggers as per the country. Pay is all over the map - from a low of $4 per post to a flat fee of up to $75,000 for a sponsored site, according to research by Blog Business Summit. Full-time, salaried bloggers earn in the $20,000 to $70,000 range, depending on skill level and benefits.

Recently, Adam Penenberg at Wired News breaks down the earnings of those who blog for a living at Weblogs Inc. and Gawker Media. Adam L. Penenberg is an assistant professor at New York University and assistant director of the business and economic reporting program in the school's department of journalism and he specifically reports on 'Can Bloggers Strike it Rich' at wired news.

Well, isn't this cool? I would say, If wishes were horses, beggars would ride....With so many Gujarati bloggers coming up too, you think these Gujju Bloggers will have a fair chance of earning 4$ per post? Wish you all Bloggers 'Happy surfing to get hired' - btw, here's MSN and Google looking for techie buffs. What its like to work in Bangalore or Hyderabad! Microsoft is recruiting Paid Bloggers. So, here's chances for many to fly down back to India....One thing is so sure and true, once you join Google, Bangalore, I've heard 'Nobody leaves' . If you get a job here, jes lemme know...but hey, be careful with MSN guys coz I know - their projects keep changing day in and out, like the Msn-Talkcity homepages teams were lurked in oblivion - maybe these bloggers are lurked in the dark!

- ilaxi

Come summer and AMC has to get on its toes to swing to action to make the city turn to City of Gardens and Fountains! Now, the figures say 19 fountains fall under AMC, out of which seven are found to be working! Some 17 fountains are sponsored. A budget was allocated last year for the maintenance to Rs.5 lacs which is to be doubled this year. Whatever, whatever, the kankaria fountain is the best in town and I feel fountains owned by private parties function well.

Recently, Chamber of Commerce Business Women's wing felicitated some 40 women AMC Counsellors and I happened to be present at this function as one of the active Committee member of GCCI Business women's wing. They were awarded for their various contribution and during the brief sum up, I got aware of the work being carried out by AMC by women counsellors.

Well, I just wonder if these 40 women under the leadership of Malini Atit geared into action, a lot cooler would be apnu amdavad during summer - As such, its getting ready to cool people with the Cool Points - one day it would turn to be not only a city of Gardens n Fountains but a city of Hotels, Restaurants, Coffee bars, Tea centers, juice centers - Food joints where I know all NRIs now visit that even we do not know staying in town! And than, maybe AMC got to swing to action for a Clean apnu amdavad and shove off those kachra dabba found in front of the restaurants! But really, NRIs need only Mineral water bottle but otherwise any kinda food stuff is ok. Afterall, ghar ka khana and apna desh - who isn't fond of?

- ilaxi

Memorable pic of Chandrakant Baxi: Presented by ilaxi

Pic courtesy : Scanned from copy of Bhaskar city, 23rd Jan 2006.

What interested me most is that apart from writing 185 Books, Chandrakant Baxi wrote 18 poems. He thought it to be a great art form. Quite surprising but harsh truth that on his death, even the Guj CM Narendrabhai Modi spoke great words for him but unfortunately, Gujarat had no consideration for him. He became the Sheriff of Bombay and his fans gave him ample love. He felt hurt that Gujarat did not give him anything....Interestingly, his articles 'Vintage Wine, Starter, Cocktail and Bottoms Up' had interesting captions but not on hard drinks or wine...whatsoever.




His memories, we all would cherish for all times to come. Gujarati Literature need to be kept alive and it's real need of hour that Gujarat Leaders takes some action otherwise, its so sad, we are losing our all old literature people and Gujarati Sahitya world would fade...

Check on our website Sambhaav to read what CM Narendrabhai, Editor Bhupatbhai and others say for Shraddhanjali to Chandrakant Baxi. Read here Dada's words on Shabdpreet too.

- ilaxi

Our hearts cry as words fail to express the grief of the sad loss of a great Literature person Chandrakantbhai Baxi, a regular columnist, friend and an inspiration to all at Sambhaav.

Though, I never ever tried to meet him in person, I always tracked his words appearing in all newspapers. An article on Chandrakantbhai with caption'Pustokoni bevdi sadi marvi che' recently appeared in Bhaskar City and the poster lies in front of me near my computer since 23rd Jan 2006, the day it appeared waiting for me to blog on it! Somehow, I always looked the pic of Chandrakantbhai with piled up books and I ever thought of scanning the pic and than writing the blog. However, I missed on the scanning...and the sudden news of his death brought me even closer to this person with a feel that I know him since years. He has been the author of 185 Books and ever said 'words never die and touch the heart of many souls, leaving traces behind'. His first debut novel was 'Padgha dubi gaya'.......What should I say!!!

Today evening will be Chandrakantbhai's 'Besna' at Gajjar Hall - Memories stay alive in our hearts and for me, he not only became an Inspiration but a memory with that pile of books and Chandrakantbhai's smiling face behind it starring at me near my computer!!! Look here for the Scanned pic soon....

Well, here's a reader's image that says a lot...Sent by Vinoobhai Sachania from UK.








We pray for heavenly peace to the departed soul - May Chandrakantbhai Baxi stay into the hearts of his fans for years to come and may his words flow the wisdom in our lives...

- ilaxi

Recently, I read a Japanese-led research team has made a seeing, hearing and smelling robot that can carry human beings and is aimed at helping care for the country’s growing number of elderly.The 100-kilogram robot can also distinguish eight different kinds of smells, can tell which direction a voice is coming from and uses powers of sight to follow a human face.

There has been a decline in birth rate and population in Japan and since World War II more younger people put off starting a family.

Now, I wonder, with the increasing younger generation turning to be NRIs, this idea of Robot would be novel so that their parents back at home do not feel helpless without their 'Only Son' or families settled there. After all, they can afford coz its $$$ that all counts, isn't it???? Feelings are almost evaporating these days...everybody wants to make their own lives!!!

As such, thats why there has been some housing facilities like Amby valley being set up and my town has Adanis I heard, coming up with Old Age homes. This reminds me of the hip hop song (Karmacy) recently showed on MTV : maru dil my heart.......My earlier post had the video (removed now) but you can listen to all songs here and join its mailing list too.

These guys are my fav rappers..Yo...They rocking! They say for real...the Truth! Yeah, Mistakes can be amended - If there is a will, there is a way! Why repent when you decide .....Face it - That's Life!

- ilaxi

Happy Dhuleti.....Fill in Colors of Love, Colors of life - You know what colors mean? And when Krishna played the holi with gopis, it ever been colors of love but indeed was that real or just a mythological tale? Here's one of my articles on krishna in english and gujarati...

Btw, you will need gujarati old fonts of sambhaav to view the gujarati krishna page. Download and save in your Windows>Fonts and refresh to view.

- ilaxi

Years roll by....12th March and this date is wishing Sambhaav...Sambhaav started on 12th March 1986 under the flagship of Bhupatbhai Vadodaria, fondly we call him 'bhai' or 'dada'. We wish him Happy Ageing and may he always be in pink health and best spirits as ever.....Also to Bhanuben, who has ever stood beside Bhai and walked all her life in thick n thin.

Last year, Sambhaav Metro was launched on 12th March and it’s the Human relations that counts for a ‘Team Work’ as we focus more on ‘We’ rathar than ‘I’ and the secrets of a longstanding successive years as they roll by are based on the developed ‘Strengths’ – the inner power of managing to achieve Excellence with a dash of determination and confidence to reach the goals. We thank all readers for your continued support and look forward for your further association so that we can bring the best news 'Sambhaav Metro' to all.

This year promised to be good with the diversified Sambhaav - SML Hoardings venture and readers may look forward for best reads on Sambhaav Metro, Abhiyaan and SML Hoardings websites....the latter two websites, to be launched in coming days....cross your fingers and keep cool. Enjoy!



- ilaxi

PS: Btw, if I remember it was on this day, 12th March 1930 that Gandhiji in his boldest act of civil disobedience against British rule, began a long march to the sea in protest of the British salt tax. Gandhi and his followers eventually reached the Arabian Sea, where they made their own salt by evaporating sea water. The march, which resulted in the arrest of Gandhi and 60,000 others, earned new international respect and support for the leader and his movement. Gandhi's nonviolent methods, including dramatic hunger strikes, eventually did bring great results to his goal of Indian independence in 1947.

Any Caption you can give to this pic? E-mail me....

Slow updates and missing news? So happens...its a part of the management flaw! However perfect we tend to be, always a loophole we face somewhere. Relax, there is always a change and change is always good sometimes. Watch out the space for better outcome at sambhaav.com and figure out the difference in time to come. Keep the patience - the best virtue ever!

Well, now that the news bangs of the US-India Reach Agreement on Nuke Deal has been said a success amidst protest to Bush's visit.The fuelling of arms race between India and Pakistan with the sale of sophisticated weaponry to both countries suits the US interests perfectly as well as providing a good market for its arms manufacturers. Whatever be it, a game plan or a power sale, its upto to the Government to accept or refuse the Offer of US!

I wonder, Do India and Pakistan need any more hi-tech, exorbitantly priced weapons for each other? Aren’t the nuclear bombs and missiles sufficient? President of the United States of America offered the President of Pakistan a whole bunch of F-16s, and even collected cash on the deal. Pakistan is still waiting to put those fighters to some historic use. What's the need?

Ugh,oh! A survey was conducted by CBS News recently. According to the poll, it reveals more Americans disapprove of how President George W. Bush is handling his job and are pessimistic about the Iraqi situation than ever. Mr Bush’s approval rating in the survey taken on Wednesday to Saturday fell to 34 per cent, the lowest it has been since he took office in 2001 and six per cent lower than last month. Altogether 59 per cent of respondents disapproved of the job President Bush was doing. Even in his war on terrorism, usually his strongest suit in opinion surveys, President Bush’s approval rating dropped to an all-time low of 43 per cent, with 50 per cent disapproving of his actions.

Do a common human being care? What about our own CM? His fate is again gonna hang with the Best Bakery verdict....It's all a part of the Politicial games....Beware of all Politicians, I would say!

- ilaxi

The General Budget for 2006-07 presented by the Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram was well-received in the Indian press and the business community. It’s a Good Feel and prove beneficial budget as well. Its to be seen that FM does not ignore issues in public expenditure efficiency, out of Poor Budget management or political reasons.

The budget includes a number of initiatives that will help spur economic growth and provide justice to the disadvantaged sections of the society. The bulk of the budgetary resources will go for UPA government’s eight flagship programmes – Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Mid Day Meal Scheme, Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission, Total Sanitation Campaign, National Rural Health Mission, Integrated Child Development Services, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. The total allocation for these programs at Rs.50,015 crores will be 43.2% more (in nominal terms) compared to the last year's allocation of Rs.34,927 crores.

Continuing the emphasis on tax reforms, the Finance Minister has proposed rationalization of some of the indirect taxes while expanding service tax net, given that this sector now contributes about 54 per cent of GDP. As a step in the direction of a progressive convergence of the service tax rate and the CENVAT rate, the Finance Minister has proposed to increase the service tax rate from 10 per cent to 12 per cent. The net impact of this increase is, however, likely to be very small. The Finance Minister has set April 1, 2010 as the date for introducing national level Goods and Service Tax (GST).

The Finance Minister noted that while the world has recognized the potential of India. “It is now for us to rediscover the greatness of this country and the potential of its people. The young people of India are building castles, it may appear that those castles are in the air...it is our duty to put the foundations on which the young can build their castles.” So, here's a hope somewhere...

When we consider the emphasis given to the agriculture, agro-processing, rural development, education, industry,women empowerment,health care,research etc.etc.and reduction of excise and custom duties for competency, the budget is best but the NRIs are disappointed. Non Residents you call....(Not non reliable indians!) NRIs were getting 40% preferential allotment in Initial Public Offering of the Indian companies. That was excellent opportunity for NRI retail investors to invest Indian capital market.Government had withdrawn that facility and offered that segment to foreign institutional investors.

I also find that government had declared an insurance scheme for NRIs workers, the details are not published and the implementation is still pending...That remains to be seen how soon its introduced...

- ilaxi

No more Auda limits! Apnu Amdavad is set to go for a Mega City feel as newly formed seven nagarpalikas have been merged with AMC. The 1.89 lac plus population of the cream area Bodakdev, satellite, Vastrapur, Thaltej and Makarba in the western part and Nava Odhav, Nikol and Nava Naroda in East - all simply merged. This means, the residents are in real trouble.

I always wondered, these SG Road area and surrounding was flourishing with mega malls, hotels, restaurants, hospitals and residence - particularly people almost invested in farms and build their palace style bunglows in remote areas. Now is the price to pay! These people are hooked to pay additional tax burden.Worst hit would be the Hotels like Pride, Grand Bhagwati, clubs like Karnavati and Rajpath and the mega malls and hospitals. Well, well, one cannot eat the cake all the time - Auda was doing a great job and its now the AMC challenge.......fished in and sandwiched victims are the lucky-unlucky...ers!

Best virtue is to keep patience! After all, its Mega city 'Apnu Amdavad' Be proud of it.

-ilaxi

Love is All around or Love is in the Air? Think and ask your very ownself and pop comes an Answer - Be honest, hey tell me don't you people think Romance is out and short lived Relationship is in...Well, Bal Thakeray and the Shiv Sena is once again ga ga over the Valentine theme and I feel really they would be! Just saw a couple of messages in the newspapers today and wow, people gonna crazy! Do really guys n gals know the real meaning of valentine - How it started, what are Love symbols, who are Love gods, the val story ...etc. If you wanna dive into my Valentine pages, stay cool on my site here.


Btw, I read a Love Matching of Ganesha Speaks offered by Sandesh, a gujarati newspaper on its website! Here's a very old personal site I done years ago which has links to Free Love Calculator, Love Test, etc. - Enjoy!

- ilaxi